Versatile Cooking with the Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combo 2020

Are you looking to upgrade and be able to do more with your basic microwave or humble toaster oven? Bake crusty pizza, air fry some chicken wings, roast some potatoes? It’s all possible with a microwave toaster oven combo, especially one that can air fry too. I’m going to share all my research with you in this article, so you can choose the best model for your needs.

First up…

What is a Microwave/Toaster Oven Combo?

As implied in its name, this is a multi-functional device that doubles up as a microwave and toaster. It can heat food as does a microwave. It can also roast, bake and brown foods. So how does it work? Well, it utilizes microwaves to warm up food from the inside and a grilling element which heats from the outside. This means you can use the appliance to:

• Cook a brown and crispy pizza
• Roast a chicken
• Bake a cake for dessert
• Cook green bean casserole while roasting turkey in the main oven
• Roast beef using the automatic convection cooking mode

Benefits of a Microwave and Toaster Oven Combo Appliance

The microwave and toaster oven combination presents multiple benefits:

Saves Money

With a toaster oven microwave combo, you don’t need to purchase two different devices (a microwave and a toaster). You only need one unit, which offers both functions, saving you a ton of money. Besides, it’s energy-efficient, allowing you to save on utility bills.

Saves Time

Combining microwaving, toasting and oven capabilities means you can heat and cook food faster. In addition, you don’t need to move the food from one device to another when defrosting. You can do it in one piece of equipment.

Offers Versatile Functionality

Have you been wondering whether to purchase a microwave or toaster oven? You can now enjoy both functions from a single unit!

Enjoy High-quality Homemade Meals

With such a versatile gadget, you don’t need to dine out anymore. You can prepare your own meals at home. It means you get to decide what ingredients to use, and subsequently, cook nutrient-rich foods.

Saves on Countertop Space

If crunched for kitchen or countertop or kitchen space, this might be the device you need. Its ability to prepare multiple dishes means you might just do away with the traditional oven altogether. So what are your best options?

Top 7 Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combos

Do a quick comparison of the best microwave toaster oven combos here. You can also click on the model name to jump down to my review.

Now let’s get into the important details, so you can find the best microwave toaster oven combo:

#1: Cuisinart Convection Microwave Oven with Grill CMW200 – Best Overall

Cuisinart is one brand credited with producing the best kitchen appliances, and the CMW200 lives up to its reputation. Here’s why I’ve chosen this microwave/grill combo as “best overall” on this list:

1. You get 1000W microwave and convection power together with a grill/toaster function.
2. Multi-stage cooking gives you greater flexibility and ease to prepare food exactly the way you like it.
3. Great cooking capacity with 1.2 cubic feet of internal space. Preparing large family meals is easy.
4. It’s a reliable appliance made by a reputable manufacturer and comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
5. Given the quality and functionality, it’s not horribly expensive.

What really makes this Cuisinart microwave toaster oven stand out from the rest on this list is how it allows for multi-stage cooking. This means that you can configure different stages in the cooking process, and all at varying power levels. For example, you can program the microwave to defrost, cook, and then grill a steak for a crispy finish all in one seamless process. Pretty nifty for those of us who like to “set and forget.”

As with most toaster oven microwave combinations, this model offers numerous cooking (8) and preset options (9) that allow you to easily prepare a decent range of meals without having to think about it too much.

You can use convection baking and roasting when looking to create a roasted finish on your meats and veggies. And you can get a nice toasty brown look to foods such as pizza and chicken wings, thanks to the grilling heat source at the top of the microwave and the fan at the back. You only need to place the pan on the grill rack to get the food close to the heat.

Take note: a number of consumers have had trouble with the plastic push button used to open the door. Over time it can get faulty.

PROS

• Preset programming for certain foods
• 12″ turntable and reversible grill rack provided
• Generous internal capacity of 1.2 cubic foot
• 3-year limited warranty (the longest on this list)
• Download its 40-page Recipe Booklet

CONS

• Weak push-button door opener

Take a look at the Cuisinart Microwave with Grill Now

#2: Toshiba Microwave Oven with Healthy Air Fry – Most Affordable

If the Cuisinart CMW200 seems just a little too fancy for you with its multi-stage cooking, this Toshiba ML-EC42P is an excellent alternative. For just over $200 you’ll get a good quality, stainless steel microwave that can also toast and air fry with a convection capacity of 1750 watts. With an oven capacity of 1.5 cubic feet, it’ll be easy to prepare good-sized meals for the whole family.

Roasting and air-frying is simple with a large auto menu, so with one touch, you can make a whole bunch of family favorites such as chicken nuggets and french fries, mozzarella sticks and spring rolls. Pizza and popcorn are also on the menu, and although this microwave is able to toast bread, I think a regular toaster does a better job. But considering all it can do, I think this versatile unit is still an excellent purchase.

The coolest thing about this microwave toaster oven is that it has a built-in sensor that can detect the food’s humidity level during cooking. Then it automatically adjusts the cooking temperature and time so your meal comes out perfectly done.

Now, if you’re concerned about scratches or rust or difficulties with cleaning, you can relax. The stainless steel interior of this microwave combo unit is built to be hard-wearing, making it scratch and rust-resistant. A damp rag will clean it up in a cinch.

You might like to know that there’s a quirk to the timer function. You can’t just plug in an exact time, like 4:30 minutes. You have to put in a whole number and then go up in 30-second increments. Slightly annoying, but not a deal-breaker in my book.

PROS:

• Affordable
• Large auto menu for favorite meals
• 1750 watts convection power
• 1000 watts microwave power with 10 power levels
• Easy-to-clean stainless steel
• Excellent oven capacity of 1.5 cubic feet
• 13.6″ position-memory turntable
• Child lock and mute function (if you don’t like the annoying beeps)
• Energy-saving Eco Mode
• Quiet while in use

CONS:

• Doesn’t make toast so well
• Quite large – 21.5” across x 20” deep x 13” tall
• Can’t put in an exact time on the timer

Consumers across the board say this is a reliable microwave and grill that crisps up food on the outside, while the inside stays deliciously soft. No soggy pizza bottoms 😊 If you’re after an affordable and multipurpose unit, this is the one for you.

Click here to see today’s price on the Toshiba Microwave Air Fry Oven

#3: Galanz 4-in-1 ToastWave Oven – Luxury Pick

The Galanz ToastWave Oven, with “TotalFry360” technology, brings together the functionality of four different appliances. Yes, four! Microwave, toaster oven, convection oven, and air fryer. Hence it’s the most versatile unit on this list. So if you’re looking to de-clutter your kitchen from multiple cooking appliances and invest in just one that can do it all, here’s your chance.

I think it looks rather stylish too, with all the controls across the top of the unit, rather than on the right-hand side like most. It’ll look great in any kitchen.

With the 360-degree circulating 1000W convection heat, foods cook faster and more evenly. You can even broil and bake foods using direct heat, such as fish or fresh muffins. The inverter technology ensures that exact, even temperatures are maintained during cooking because the heat is continuous and constant (more effective than traditional microwave heating systems).

Ever worried about serving up a meal over-cooked or under-cooked? Well, the built-in humidity sensor has got you covered! The reheat sensor is also quite useful for cooking frozen foods such as fries. When the food is done and ready to eat, the sensor will automatically stop the cooking.

Now, if you’re concerned about countertop space, the Galanz ToastWave is a bit larger than the other ovens on this list – 21.25 x 22.25 x 12.56 inches. So make sure you can fit it in your kitchen before you commit.

Lastly, this combination microwave toaster oven can be quite pricey (all that functionality in one unit!), but if you’re lucky enough to see it on sale, you might want to snap it up!

PROS

• built-in humidity sensor
• reheat sensor
• constant, even temperatures with inverter technology
• generous 1.2 cubic foot capacity
• stainless steel

CONS

• expensive
• larger countertop footprint

Click now to see today’s price of the Galanz ToastWave Oven

You might also like to check out my reviews of the top oil-less air fryers – there are a number of excellent multifunctional appliances there to consider…

#4: Breville Smart Oven Air – Most Powerful

With this multipurpose convection microwave, toaster oven and air fryer, you can cook anything under the sun. It has 13 different cooking functions, two convection speeds (super and regular), and a massive 1800 watts of power – the most powerful model on this list and from a reputable manufacturer.

Imagine what’s possible with the Breville Smart Oven Air:

• 9 pieces of perfectly crunchy toast
• roast turkey up to 14 pounds (1 cubic foot capacity)
• all your air-fried favorites such as fries, wings and spring rolls
• slow-cook with a 5-quart Dutch oven
• bake muffins on a regular 9″ x 13″ or 12-cup tray
• dehydrate 4 trays of healthy snacks
• easily proof bread dough on low temps

To help make all this great food, you’ll get a bunch of useful accessories in the box – 13″ non-stick pizza pan, 2 wire racks, 9″ x 13″ broiling rack, 9″ x 13″ enamel roasting pan, air-fry basket and crumb tray. No other model on this list can compare in this respect.

I really like that this microwave toaster oven combo has 5 independent heating elements operating above and below the food, in addition to the convection heat. This will ensure that foods cook and brown all over and evenly too.

PROS

• large 1.0 cubic-foot capacity
• super convection setting reducing cooking time by 30%
• versatile
• lots of accessories
• 2-Year Limited Product Warranty
• 49-page recipe booklet from Breville

CONS

• super-convection fan can be noisy
• Expensive, but can often go on sale, so worth checking out.

So, if you’re often entertaining or feeding a large family, this is an excellent option for you. You’ve got capacity, versatility, and quality here. Personally, I think it’s worth the extra cost, because this Breville Oven Air will be serving you for years to come.

Look up the Breville Smart Oven Air’s price now

#5: Farberware Microwave Air Fry Oven and Grill – Most Versatile

What’s not to like about this versatile microwave/grill/air fryer combo? With 11 cooking programs and 9 air-fry options, there’s no need to spend a ton of money eating out. You can easily make any of your favorite meals, including chicken wings, grilled fish, crispy spring rolls, hash browns, and more in the comfort of your own kitchen.

The Faberware’s low-temp control with 5 levels comes in handy when you want to slow-cook or dehydrate. You can get creative and make your own apple chips or granola, for example. Only the Faberware and the Breville models have this special functionality.

The grill function is what turns this microwave into a toaster oven. Toast an English muffin or perfectly brown a grilled cheese sandwich. The grill can be used on its own, or combined with convection heat to keep foods juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside – the best way to cook steak and veggies. So you’ve got quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to preparing foods just the way you like.

PROS

• Versatile
• Customizable temperature
• Comes with a non-stick Teflon pan and grill rack
• 3 different wattage outputs: 1000-1150-1800
• Has a child-lock

CONS

• Some consumers find the control panel a bit confusing

Check out the price of the Faberware Microwave Air Fry Oven & Grill

#6: Panasonic Microwave Oven with Broiler – Most Compact

I come from a large family of six, and that’s excluding my nine nieces and nephews. So cooking for such a large brood always feels like one is catering for a party. Luckily, large-capacity appliances like this Panasonic NN-GN68KS Microwave Oven really come in handy.

This microwave/grill oven has an interior capacity of 1.1 cubic feet, allowing you to cook more food in one go. Interestingly, it doesn’t take up too much space on your countertop.

Another impressive feature present in this combo appliance is the FlashXpress Broiler. The proprietary tech from Panasonic combines inverter technology and dual-infrared heating to brown food and turn it crispy without having to preheat the oven.

Factor in the high wattage and you have a powerful machine that can cook flavorful dishes within seconds! Speaking of, the microwave’s wattage is 1000 watts while the broiler’s is rated at 1100 watts.

The genius sensor cooking button is the icing on the cake for this appliance. The feature works by automatically adjusting the power level and cooking time to suit the food being prepared. This way, you don’t have to rack your brain trying to nail that chocolate souffle that you plan to impress your date with.

PROS

• Generous interior capacity to cook more food at once
• Outer casing is made of steel for maximum durability
• FlashXpress tech for a crispy brown finish on your food
• Child lock feature for safety
• High wattage to reduce cooking time
• Compact design

CONS

• Some consumers feel that the LCD screen is too small for the microwave’s design

Take a look at today’s price on the Panasonic Microwave & Broiler

#7: Amazon 4-in-1 Smart Toaster Oven Plus Echo Dot – Best Smart Unit

If you’re big on smart appliances, Amazon’s 4-in-1 Smart Oven could be a good fit.

This appliance not only works as a microwave, convection oven, air fryer, and food warmer but is also integrated with Echo’s third-generation Echo Dot. This means you can give voice commands like stop, start, and pause when cooking.

Also, you can connect it to an Alexa device, allowing you to issue voice commands to Alexa to control the oven. As if that’s not enough, the device is equipped with a scan-to-cook technology for sending a meal’s cooking instructions straight from the bar code when preparing pre-packaged foods.

The toaster oven combo’s capacity is also pretty generous, at 1.5 cubic feet. It means that you can easily prepare a five-pound chicken. Moreover, with varying cooking wattage, you can be confident that your chicken will cook evenly even when using the microwave.

PROS

• Controlled using voice commands
• Large capacity

CONS

• Rotating action limits you to using smaller dishes
• Pricey

Best For: Homeowners looking for a multifunctional smart oven with a good wattage range for different cooking requirements (1300-watt food warming, 1400-watt convection cooking, and 1000-watt microwaving).

Click here to see today’s price on the Amazon Smart Oven

Features to Look For When Buying a Microwave/ Toaster Oven Combo

Wattage

The most important aspect to remember about wattage is that it determines the duration of cooking. So: the higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook or warm-up. These microwaves are generally larger and more pricey.

Although models with lower wattage are likely to be cheaper, they will also be slower. Plus, they may not cook food so evenly.

The majority of microwave/toaster ovens have wattages in the 600 to 1200 range, and in general, 1,000 watts will cook food efficiently.

Size

Another crucial factor to consider is size. Here, you’ll focus on two things. One, whether it can fit on your kitchen counter. Remember that for such an appliance with multiple functions, proper ventilation is necessary. So be sure to account for the clearance room on the sides, top and rear. Leave at least 3 inches of space on either side and the top, and 1-inch space in the rear.

Two, the amount of food you wish to prepare using the toaster oven combinations. Think about the foods you cook/warm up often. Will the plates that you often use fit inside? If you are buying a model with convection mode, can it accommodate the pans you use to make pizza or casseroles?

Preprogrammed Settings

Want to take the guesswork out of preparing your favorite meals? If so, a microwave/toaster oven combo with pre-programmed settings is your best bet. All you have to do is set the type and weight of the food, and the appliance will automatically compute the power and duration required to cook your food evenly and safely.

Furthermore, check which functions can be pre-programmed. A good appliance is one that automates the functions you use most, such as heating, toasting and defrosting.

Ease of Cleaning

One reason for buying a microwave toaster oven combo is to save time. Thus, you’ll want to invest in an equipment that’s fairly easy to clean. Pay attention to the vents, hinges and lighting fixtures as these components require a lot of effort when cleaning.

Other Advanced Features

Child Lockout Setting

If you have a toddler(s) and don’t want them to mess about your microwave/toaster oven, look for a model that has a lockout setting. This feature works by allowing you to configure a code, which must be keyed in before the appliance can be used. It helps to restrict access to only those who have the secret code.

Inverter Technology

This tech is designed to cook your food uniformly at a consistently low temperature. This concept is still fairly new, so you might not find many combo appliances with this function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use metallic cookware in a combo oven?

Yes, you can use metallic cookware in a combination oven, but only under the grill.

If you’re using the microwave on its own, or the microwave function in combination with the toaster or oven, then it’s not safe to use metal utensils.

Is it safe to use microwave safe dishes in a combination oven?

No, it’s not safe. Unless stated otherwise, a microwave-safe dish doesn’t mean that it’s also oven-safe.

How much clearance do I need for a microwave toaster oven?

You need a decent amount of space for a microwave toaster oven combo. Leave at least 3 inches on both sides and the top, 1 inch at the back and 3 inches at the front. If it’s going to sit near a cooktop, position it at least 2 feet away.

A Word About Warranties: There was one Samsung Microwave that I was considering for this review list, and even though it’s a decent appliance I decided not to include it here because of warranty issues. Unfortunately, Samsung will not honor a warranty when their product is sold through an “unauthorized seller” such as an online marketplace, even though it’s just the vehicle being used by legitimate Sellers. Because the invoice does not include the Seller’s name (only the marketplace’s), Samsung does not consider it proof of purchase.

Wrap Up

In the past, it used to be that you needed a particular gadget for every different task. But this is no longer the case. Microwave/toaster oven combos offer a world of versatility. Besides warming food, these appliances can be used to roast, bake, air fry, and do so much more.