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Your counter is crowded with a microwave, an air fryer, and a toaster oven, and none of them does a full job. A combination microwave replaces all three with one box that microwaves, air fries, and convection bakes (convection bakes means it circulates hot air like a full oven). The good ones microwave, air fry, and convection bake well in practice, not just on the spec sheet. This guide shows you how to spot a real multi-cooker from a gimmick, which wattage and capacity actually matter, and eleven picks that each earn their place. One honest note: this list uses flexible matching for units with a convection and/or grill function in addition to microwave, so not every pick is the exact model number you searched. The nearest same-type size or wattage serves the same purpose, and every pick here is verified as a true combination unit, never a microwave-only box.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Every unit in this roundup — from the value end up to the -class heavyweight — is ranked by how it actually cooks, so you can find the best combination microwave for your kitchen.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Combination Microwave
A combination microwave has to do three jobs at once, and the spec sheet only tells you part of the story. The trick is figuring out which of those three jobs you actually use most, then weighing the numbers that feed it. Here is what to check before you commit counter space.
Microwave watts vs. convection watts — they are not the same thing
Microwave power handles reheating, defrosting, and fast cooking; convection and air-fry power handle browning and crisping. A unit can be strong at one and modest at the other. The Ninja Crispi runs 1000 watts on microwave duty but 1700 watts on convection and air fry, while the Toshiba MASTER Series pushes 1800 watts at convection with 1000 watts under grill.
Capacity you can actually cook in
Interior volume in cubic feet tells you how much food fits before it stops cooking evenly. A 0.9 cu. ft. cavity handles a dinner plate and two bags of popcorn; a 1.5 cu. ft. cavity fits a 12-inch round tray or a quarter sheet pan. If you cook for one or two, the smaller cavity is fine — but if you routinely reheat for a family, the bigger box saves you a second cook cycle every time.
Do you want a turntable or a flatbed
A traditional turntable rotates your food under the energy so it heats evenly, but it eats usable space and is awkward to clean. A flatbed design drops the turntable and gives you a rectangular floor instead. Ninja claims the flatbed floor gives 40% more usable cooking space than a 0.9-cu-ft turntable microwave, enough to lay a 9″x11″ baking dish flat.
Presets and auto menus: useful or clutter
One-touch menus take the guesswork out of popcorn, potato, and frozen dinners. More is not automatically better — what matters is whether they match what you actually eat. The Panasonic HomeChef carries 20 presets plus app-linked recipes; the Toshiba Optichef Pro runs 24 one-touch auto menus and 10 power levels. If you never read the manual, simpler preset logic wins.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Microwave Wattage | Capacity | Type | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Crispi MW101★ Best Overall | Replacing microwave + air fryer | 1000W (1700W air fry) | 0.9 cu ft | Convection combo | Amazon |
| Emerson MWG1191SBBest Value | Budget grilling on a countertop | 1100W | 1.1 cu ft | Microwave + grill | Amazon |
| FRIGIDAIRE Combo-FryTop Performer | Baking, roasting, and air frying | 900W (1500W convection) | 1.2 cu ft | Convection combo | Amazon |
| BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 | Small kitchens and RVs | 900W | 0.9 cu ft | Combi grill/convection | Amazon |
| Commercial Chef CHMF9BG | Apartment countertops | — | 0.9 cu ft | Convection combo | Amazon |
| TOSHIBA MASTER Series | Speedy combi cooking for two | 1000W (1800W convection) | 26.93 qt | 6-in-1 convection | Amazon |
| TOSHIBA OptiChef PRO MAX | Whole-chicken and 13-inch pizza capacity | 1100W (1250W input) | 1.3 cu ft | Convection + air fry | Amazon |
| Panasonic HomeChef NN-CV87QS | App-guided family cooking | 1000W (1350W) | 1.2 cu ft | 4-in-1 inverter | Amazon |
| Sharp SMC1585KB | Convection oven duty in tight space | — | 1.5 cu ft | Convection microwave | Amazon |
| SAMSUNG MC12DB8700CKAA | Wi-Fi controlled cooking | 1.6kW (1.65kW grill) | 1.2 cu ft | Power Convection | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Ninja Crispi Microwave & Air Fryer with FusionCrisp, Silver, MW101
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 150+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The frozen-to-crispy box that runs a real 1700-watt air fryer inside a microwave body
The Crispi’s headline trick is FusionCrisp: it starts the cook as a microwave, then automatically hands off to air frying so frozen food finishes crackling-crisp instead of steamed and soggy. That air-fry stage pulls 1700 watts of superheated cyclonic air up to 450°F — the kind of heat a dedicated air fryer produces, not a token toaster-oven element. The microwave stage runs at 1000 watts. One reviewer noted the combo cooks faster and more evenly than their old 1200-watt unit with no cold spots, which is the FusionCrisp system doing its job of moving heat around a turntable-free cavity.
The flatbed design is the other reason it lands first. There’s no turntable to fight with, and Ninja claims the flatbed floor gives 40% more usable space than a 0.9-cu-ft turntable microwave — enough to lay a 9″x11″ baking dish flat or fit two bags of popcorn at once. Fourteen functions split across 8 microwave presets, 5 air fry presets, and FusionCrisp keep it flexible. The 5.5-qt CleanCrisp glassware holds up to 6 lbs of wings, an 8-lb chicken, or four pizza slices, and it’s dishwasher safe. All glassware, plus the crisper plate, is 100% PFAS, PTFE, and PFOA free.
What wins people over is the functionality — the versatility and the “cooks anything” reputation show up again and again in buyer feedback. The honest catch is the control layout: the dial time selection is easy to overshoot, the timer display blinks, and buyers report the fans run louder in microwave mode and can disrupt Bluetooth within about four feet. Value is the one genuinely mixed note in a 4.6-star package, tied to the premium price rather than the cooking.
Why it holds the top slot
- FusionCrisp goes frozen-to-crispy in minutes by microwaving first, then switching to air fry automatically
- 1700-watt air fryer power up to 450°F inside a 1000-watt microwave body
- Flatbed interior with no turntable — 40% more claimed usable space than a 0.9-cu-ft turntable unit
- 5.5-qt CleanCrisp glassware holds 6 lbs of wings or an 8-lb chicken, and is dishwasher safe
The honest trade-offs
- The time dial is easy to overshoot and the display blinks, so setting a quick reheat takes a beat
- Fans run in microwave mode and can disrupt nearby Bluetooth within a 4-ft range
- Ninja air fry glassware is only compatible in microwave mode; air fry and FusionCrisp need the included Crispi glassware
Settled verdict: If you want one box to replace both your microwave and your air fryer without losing crisp, this is the pick — the higher-rated top performer of the bunch.
Think twice if: You only ever reheat and want silent operation — the fan noise in microwave mode is real.
2. Emerson MWG1191SB 1.1 Cu. Ft. Microwave with Built-In Grill Function, 1100W
A genuine grill element and 1.1 cubic feet of interior, sitting at the budget-friendly end of the grill-microwave shelf
The Emerson gets you real grilling capability, not just a browning preset. Its built-in grill crisps pizzas, browns casseroles, and finishes sandwiches with a charred edge — a proper grill function rather than a convection fan pretending. Microwave output is 1100 watts running at 2450 MHz across 11 adjustable power levels, so you can dial from a gentle reheat all the way up to full-power meal prep. It’s also the higher-wattage of the two lowest-priced picks here, edging the Frigidaire’s 1000-watt rating by roughly 10%.
On capacity, this is a 1.1-cu-ft cavity — just under the Frigidaire’s 1.2-cu-ft interior, a difference of about 9%. Nine cooking presets cover popcorn, frozen pizza, meat, potato, and beverages, with separate time and weight defrost modes. The retro controls with a chromed handle give it a look that’s deliberately different from the touchscreen pack, and the stainless cabinet and front panel wipe clean easily.
Buyers consistently praise the microwave-to-grill switch as a blessing, with ample space and reliable cooking-to-temperature results. It’s an easy recommendation as a first-apartment or dorm unit. The catch buyers hit is heat management: the unit shuts off after about four minutes of continuous run and needs a cooldown, and the exposed top heating element raises splatter and safety questions for some households. The mirror-finish door also shows fingerprints fast.
Cooking performance: The 1100-watt output and 11 power levels mean fast, controllable reheating, and the grill brings a browned finish that a microwave alone cannot produce.
Keep in mind: The four-minute auto-shutoff and required cooldown make long grilling sessions a start-stop affair, so plan lighter batches.
Reach for this if: You want true grill capability and ample 1.1-cu-ft space without stretching your budget — ideal as a first microwave for a dorm or new apartment.
Look elsewhere if: You need long uninterrupted cook times or a fingerprint-proof exterior — the short shutdown window and shiny door are inherent to the design.
3. FRIGIDAIRE 1.2 cu ft Microwave, Digital Air Fryer, Convection Oven, Combo-Fry with XL Capacity
Four cooking modes and a 1.2-cubic-foot cavity that swallows a full family-sized dinner plate
This is the versatile mid-range pick: bake, roast, microwave, and convection oven all live in the same stainless box, and the included air-frying kit plus bake plate means you can start cooking the moment it’s unboxed. The convection stage runs at 1500 watts with the microwave at 900 watts and the dedicated oven at 1000 watts, so roasting and baking get genuinely hot, not just a warm fan. Buyers single out the quality most, and the combo air-fry mode quietly outperforms bigger-name single-purpose fryers.
Five one-touch cook menus handle potato, popcorn, beverage, reheat, and frozen dinner without a manual, and 10 power levels give you the same reheat control as a standalone microwave. The 1.2-cu-ft interior is the largest of the value-tier trio here — it edges both the Emerson’s 1.1-cu-ft cavity and the 0.9-cu-ft boxes by a clear margin, so dinner plates fit without a fight. Frigidaire rates the air fry mode as using up to 70% less fat than deep frying, which is the reason most people buy a combo in the first place.
Buyers describe this unit as quiet and easy to use, with strong performance in both microwave and air fry modes — a jump up from the single-function machines they replaced. What earns the most praise is quality: solid build and durable finish, with owners noting it resists the bottom rusting that quietly killed their previous microwaves. The recurring friction is the child door lock, which sits in the handle and some find intrusive, plus a small interior light and no dedicated seconds setting for quick timing tweaks.
Where it shines: The 1500-watt convection output plus the included air fry kit means you’re getting real baking and roasting capability, not a reheat-only combo.
One trade-off: The child door lock isn’t for everyone — it’s safe for a young household but adds a step every time you open the door.
Best for: A household that wants a real second oven — roasting, baking, and air frying in one counter footprint, at a mid-range price.
Skip if: You cook single portions and never bake — the extra modes only pay off if you use them.
4. BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven Air Fryer Combo, 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W
Five functions, eleven air-fry presets, and a footprint small enough for an RV galley
What this one does best is cram five cooking functions — microwave, air fryer, combi grill/convection, bake, and roast — into a 0.9-cu-ft countertop box measuring 14.5″D x 19.5″W x 11.4″H. That puts it in small-kitchen and RV territory where the big convection units simply don’t fit. The 900-watt output runs 7 auto menus covering beverage, fresh/frozen vegetables, oatmeal, potato, popcorn, and frozen pizza. For quick reheats, one press of start cooks at 100% power for 30 seconds, and a second press adds another 30.
The air-fry side is where the preset count pays off — 11 dedicated menus for frozen French fries, steak fries, squid rings, chicken nuggets, wings, legs, fish sticks, fillets, cheese sticks, vegetables, and spring rolls. It ships with a bake tray and two grill racks for that. Buyers consistently report it runs quiet in every mode, with one noting you can barely hear it running as a microwave — a genuine difference if your kitchen shares a wall with a bedroom. Owners also like the digital interface: the buttons are laid out logically and the child lock is a three-second hold on stop.
The honest callout is the convection rack, which isn’t in the box — that’s an add-on purchase, which some buyers find surprising. The child lock is also polarizing: it can be irritating to disengage every time you open the door, and because it can’t be disabled, it’s a lockout risk for a household with elderly users who get confused by it. Durability has occasional complaints too, though most owners mention it lasting well beyond a year of daily use. The 4.2-star rating across a huge review base reflects a product that’s mostly loved with the usual rare unicorns.
What earns its spot
- Five functions in one 0.9-cu-ft countertop box — genuinely saves space over a separate microwave and air fryer
- 11 air-fry presets cover everything from cheese sticks to frozen fillets with one-touch recipes
- Runs noticeably quiet in every mode, so it doesn’t dominate a small apartment
Points to know
- The convection rack isn’t included — plan on buying it separately for bake and roast modes
- The child lock can’t be fully disabled, which is a hassle for households with elderly users
The right fit: A small kitchen, dorm, or RV where counter space is at a premium and you want five functions without five boxes.
Not for you if: You need the convection rack straight from the start or a lockout-free control panel.
5. Commercial Chef 5-in-1 Countertop Microwave Air Fryer Combo, CHMF9BG, Black
The small-footprint combo that fits a regular dinner plate without hogging the whole counter
The CHMF9BG is aimed squarely at apartment kitchens, and the pitch is simple: five functions — air fry, convection oven, microwave, bake, and roast — in a 0.9-cu-ft box with a black exterior and stainless steel cavity. The air fry mode goes up to 450°F, high enough for real browning on nuggets and frozen fries. The 2.45 GHz magnetron and 10 power levels handle the reheat-and-defrost side, and the touch panel with LED display covers popcorn, potato, beverage, reheat, and frozen dinner presets.
The included air fry kit and baking pan mean you can start cooking without hunting for add-ons, and the pull-handle door with 2-step child lock makes it family-friendly. Buyers repeatedly note the size is the standout — regular dinner plates fit well and the footprint is genuinely small for a five-function unit. Owners also like that it replaces multiple countertop appliances; one praised it for freeing up counter space by consolidating three items.
The honest limitation is a recurring one across compact units: durability is uneven. One owner’s unit lasted over two years of daily use with no issues, and another reported the turntable stopped, then the unit failed at roughly the seven-month mark — normal variance for the price tier. The bottom plate can also go off balance if food isn’t centered, and the finish timer is a single quiet ding rather than a repeating reminder. Set a separate kitchen timer if you rely on an audible alert.
Space saver: A genuine 0.9-cu-ft 5-in-1 that fits where a full-size combo won’t, with a regular dinner plate fitting inside the cavity.
Consideration: The single-ding timer and off-center turntable plate take some getting used to — set your own timer and center your dishes.
Pick it when: You’re outfitting a small apartment or dorm and want a value-tier 5-in-1 without sacrificing the ability to fit a real dinner plate.
Another option if: You need a louder finish alert or the absolute most sturdy internals — the small-footprint class always makes that trade.
6. TOSHIBA 6-in-1 Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven Healthy Air Fryer Combo, MASTER Series
Six functions, inverter precision, and a 50dB noise floor that barely registers in an open kitchen
Six functions in one box — microwave, air fryer, convection oven, broiler, defroster, and Speedy-Combi — land this Toshiba high on the versatility list. The convection output is 1800 watts, running up to 425°F, with grill at 1000 watts. Speedy-Combi is the standout mode: it pairs microwave, convection, and grill simultaneously so dishes come out browned and crisp on the outside while staying tender inside, at a speed that a lone oven can’t match. Toshiba’s Origin Inverter technology spreads heat evenly across the cavity, which means fewer cold spots when you’re defrosting chicken or reheating leftovers.
Noise is a genuine strong point. The 50-decibel operating level makes it one of the quietest units in this roundup, and the oven ships with a cookbook of 27 recipes plus 11 auto menus, 10 air fry menus, and 6 defrost presets built in. The 26.93-quart capacity works well for two-person households, with a 11.3-inch turntable inside a 19.5″W x 17.6″D x 11.5″H frame. Aesthetics are clean, and one long-time owner described it as the best microwave they’ve ever used, with the broil function as their favorite feature.
The honest picture here is more complicated. Quality and versatility are consistently praised, but reliability reads mixed — some units hum along for years, others report heating functions failing after 18 to 36 months. Ease of use is also mixed: the air fry presets don’t allow temperature or time adjustment to match package instructions, and the non-adjustable legs can cause tipping on some countertops. Price is a common note too — one buyer felt the price is high for the feature set if you don’t use the air-fry side much.
What earns its spot: Six cooking functions, 1800-watt convection, and the Speedy-Combi mode that combines microwave, convection, and grill into one fast cycle.
Points to know: Air fry presets are fixed, not adjustable for time or temp, so package-instruction cooking needs the convection mode instead.
Best for: A two-person household that cooks a mix of frozen, reheated, and oven-baked food and prioritizes a quiet, versatile countertop unit.
Skip if: You need to dial in exact time and temperature on every air fry cook — the presets don’t allow it.
7. TOSHIBA OptiChef PRO MAX Air Fryer Combo Microwave Oven, 1.3 Cu.Ft, 1100W
A 1.3-cubic-foot cavity that swallows a 13-inch pizza or a whole chicken without a fight
The PRO MAX is the big-cavity answer for cooks who found the standard Optichef too cramped. That 1.3-cu-ft interior genuinely fits a 13-inch pizza or a whole chicken. Toshiba delivers 1100 watts of output from 1250 watts of input, with a top-fan ChefFry Plus system and a built-in humidity sensor that keeps moisture in for juicier meat. The ceramic enamel interior is the more easy-clean option versus stainless in this class, and its footprint — 21.8″W x 17.8″D x 12.8″H — is the trade you make for the extra volume.
The user interface is a genuine upgrade: a 2.4-inch color screen paired with an intuitive touch layout covering air fry, defrost, preheat, reheat, and soften programs, plus a child safety lock and eco mode. Origin Inverter keeps the heat distribution even and reduces cooking time versus a conventional magnetron. It’s also Amazon Alexa compatible, which is unusual in this class. Quality and functionality both get consistent praise, and buyers especially like how quiet it runs.
The honest trade-offs: the color screen and menu depth take a beat to learn for some buyers, and one unit failed around the five-month mark when steam accumulated and eventually cut power — an unusual failure, but worth knowing about on the reliability front. The maximum cook time is capped at 1h40m, the unit is heavy to move once it’s placed, and the Alexa integration requires a stable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal. If those don’t bite you, the larger cooking surface and smart controls are the payoff.
Where it earns its keep
- 1.3-cu-ft cavity fits a 13-inch pizza or a whole chicken; larger than every other PRO-tier pick here
- Ceramic enamel interior wipes clean easier than stainless; ChefFry Plus top-fan air fry actually browns
- 2.4-inch color screen, 24-menus class touch UI, and Alexa voice control on a countertop microwave
Know before you buy
- The color screen and menu depth take some learning; it’s not a two-button instant-on unit
- Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for the Alexa features and control app to work reliably
Worth it for: Cooks who need real volume — whole chickens, big pizzas, or family portions — and want a smart, quiet, easy-to-clean combo.
Not the pick if: You want a simple one-knob operation or you have limited depth on the counter — the 21.8-inch width needs real estate.
8. Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Air Fryer Combo, NN-CV87QS
App-guided cooking that stages microwave and air-fry modes in one shot, with inverter precision underneath
Panasonic’s pitch with the HomeChef is that the app removes the guesswork — pick a recipe, tell the oven which dish you’re making, and it runs the modes for you. That’s backed by real hardware: 4-in-1 functionality across microwave, broiler, air fryer, and convection oven, with a 1000-watt inverter at the core and 1350 watts of total energy consumption. Inverter tech here is genuinely good — it runs continuous power at reduced levels for even defrosting and reheating, which is why owners describe defrost and melting tasks as the standout. Stage cooking that finishes microwave with air fry cuts meal time further.
Twenty built-in presets plus the app-linked recipes cover a wide range of meals. The 1.2-cu-ft cavity holds a 14.2-inch turntable, and the frame is 22″W x 13.4″H x 17.7″D — a large-capacity interior in a fairly small overall footprint. It’s also trim-kit compatible with the NN-TK81KCS if you want to build it into a cabinet. Performance gets strong buyer feedback, and buyers who use the air fry side regularly report crisp, crunchy results.
Two honest caveats. First, the UI gets mixed buyer feedback — the child door lock is engaged via the Timer/Clock button, which some find unintuitive, and once you turn the unit on, the display’s cooling state takes over for a while. Second, the Panasonic Kitchen+ app’s Wi-Fi support has been discontinued in the US, so buyers hoping to run recipes through their phone have been left cold — an important note if the app was the reason you were looking at this model. The microwave, air fry, and convection cooking itself works as advertised.
Why it deserves a look: Inverter-powered 4-in-1 cooking with 20 presets and stage-cooking that runs microwave and air fry together — consistently sharp results from the air fryer mode.
Honest caveat: The Kitchen+ app’s Wi-Fi support has been discontinued in the US, and the child lock sits on an unintuitive button.
Reach for it if: You want inverter precision and genuinely good air-fry results from a 1.2-cu-ft combo — and you’ll use the built-in presets, not the app.
Look elsewhere if: App-linked cooking is the feature you were buying for — you’ll be disappointed by the discontinued Wi-Fi support.
9. Sharp SMC1585KB 1.5 cu. ft. Black Convection Countertop Microwave
The genuinely roomy convection microwave that doubles as a small second oven — and fits a quarter sheet pan
The Sharp SMC1585KB is the biggest cavity in this roundup at 1.5 cubic feet, and its real pitch is that it works as a small convection oven anyone would be happy to cook in. The interior fits a 12-inch round tray comfortably, or a quarter sheet pan with the turntable removed. Low Mix and High Mix modes let you combine convection heat with microwave energy in the same cycle — useful when you want speed plus browning on casseroles or roasts. Auto Broil, Auto Roast, Auto Bake, and Auto Defrost cover the main cooking paths, and the +60 key starts the microwave instantly and adds time without resetting.
Buyers who’ve owned Sharp convection microwaves for years describe the cooking as predictable — which is exactly what you want when you trust it with a roast. One owner used it on an outdoor lanai to keep the main kitchen cool in Florida’s heat, a good example of where a convection microwave genuinely earns its keep over a full-size oven. The white LED display is easy to read across a kitchen, and the premium black finish dresses up a countertop.
The knock here is availability and support rather than the appliance itself. The trim kit for building it in is hard to find, which matters if you’re retrofitting a cabinet space. And the sample has one “arrived defective” complaint — cabinet heat, constantly rotating carousel, water not heating in 15 seconds — because some units simply don’t survive shipping. That’s a rare outlier rather than a pattern. Functionality is consistently praised, with heat output being the one genuinely mixed aspect, so expect to run a couple of test cooks to dial in your timing.
The case for it
- 1.5-cu-ft cavity fits a 12-inch round tray or a quarter sheet pan — real second-oven territory
- Low Mix / High Mix lets you blend convection heat with microwave energy for speed plus browning
- Auto Broil, Roast, and Bake cover the everyday cooking paths; +60 starts instantly
Practical notes
- The trim kit for building it into a cabinet is genuinely hard to find
- Quantity of reviews is limited and heat output is a mixed aspect — expected a couple of test cooks to dial in
The right buyer: Someone who wants a genuine second oven on the countertop — big enough to roast and bake, small enough to live on a standard counter without dominating.
Wait and see if: You need to build it into cabinetry — the difficult-to-source trim kit is a real obstacle.
10. SAMSUNG 1.2 cu. ft. Countertop Convection Microwave with Air Fry, Black Glass, MC12DB8700CKAA
A drop-down-door convection combo you can monitor from your phone and bark orders at with your voice
Samsung’s Power Convection tech pairs a traditional convection fan with powerful hot air, and Samsung rates Power Convection as cooking up to 30% faster than a standard convection cycle — useful when you’re roasting a chicken or baking a casserole and don’t want to run the full oven. The microwave side is genuinely strong: 1.6kW microwave, 1.65kW grill, and 1.6kW convection under the hood, with a 15-inch turntable that’s the largest in this roundup. The PowerGrill Duo uses a wide grill element to brown and crisp the outside of food without drying the interior, and the air-fry function skips the deep fryer entirely for healthier fried food.
The drop-down door is unusual for a countertop combo — it behaves like a wall-oven door rather than a side-swing, and buyers love that detail because it makes the unit feel built-in. The frame is 18.94″D x 20.81″W x 15.94″H, and in-wall kit compatibility is available if you want to build it in. SmartThings Food provides recipe recommendations and guided cooking, and Wi-Fi with Bixby, Alexa, or Google Assistant support means you can check status or control it by voice.
The honest call: this is where it gets mixed. Build quality draws praise from some owners and criticism from others, and the functionality block has repeated stops-working reports from a minority of buyers, so reliability isn’t as rock-solid as Samsung’s wall ovens. Owners who love it praise the drop-down door, the large turntable, the small counter footprint, and the 7 cooking modes. The recurring gripe is the non-removable grill element that sits at the ceiling and is awkward to clean, plus limited clock customization. The max cook time is capped at 60 minutes, and there’s no multi-stage cooking — you can’t chain microwave-then-air-fry like on some Toshiba units.
Where it delivers: Power Convection tech cooking up to 30% faster, a 15-inch turntable that’s the biggest in this list, and Wi-Fi voice control through SmartThings, Bixby, Alexa, or Google.
Note before you commit: The ceiling grill element is fixed in place, so cleaning it takes patience; reliability is genuinely mixed on this model.
Matches well with: A connected-home cook who wants app control and voice assistant support, plus the biggest turntable here for a 1.2-cu-ft unit.
Hold off if: You want the durability certainty of a mainstream convection microwave or a removable grill element — the fixed ceiling element is an obstacle to cleaning.
Understanding the Specs
Microwave wattage vs convection wattage
Microwave wattage is the raw power for reheating, defrosting, and fast cooking. Convection wattage powers the air-fry and oven sides. Both numbers matter and they’re almost always different — a combo can run 1000 watts on microwave duty and 1800 watts on convection, as the Toshiba MASTER Series does. Higher wattage generally means faster cooking, but a lower-wattage unit with a well-designed cavity can outperform a higher-wattage one on evenness.
Inverter technology vs standard microwaves
A standard microwave runs at full power and clicks on and off to modulate heat, which can leave cold spots and cook edges first. Inverter technology runs continuous, reduced power instead — that’s why it’s gentler on delicate tasks like melting chocolate and defrosting meat. Both Toshiba and Panasonic lean heavily on inverter as a differentiator, and it does make a noticeable difference in evenness.
Capacity in cubic feet
Capacity tells you how much food fits before cooking quality drops. A 0.9-cu-ft cavity is single-plate territory; a 1.2-cu-ft cavity handles a family dinner plate; a 1.5-cu-ft cavity fits a quarter sheet pan or a 12-inch round tray. Bigger capacity generally means a bigger footprint on your counter, so match the cavity to how many people you cook for, not to what sounds impressive.
Air fry vs convection vs grill
Air fry uses a powerful top-mounted fan and heating element to circulate superheated air for crispy results. Convection is similar but gentler, and better for baking and roasting. A grill element is a directional radiant heater that browns the top of food without circulating air. Many combos have all three, and which one you want depends on whether you crisp, bake, or char.
FAQ
What is a combination microwave and how is it different from a regular microwave?
Can a combination microwave really air fry as well as a dedicated air fryer?
How much counter space does a combination microwave need?
Do I need inverter technology in a combination microwave?
Can I use metal bakeware in a combination microwave?
How long do combination microwaves typically last?
Should I buy a turntable or flatbed combination microwave?
Are combination microwaves worth it over buying separate appliances?
Do combination microwaves need a special electrical outlet?
Can I use a combination microwave to replace my main oven?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most kitchens, the winner here is the Ninja Crispi MW101 — it’s the only pick that swaps three appliances for one with a real 1700-watt air fryer inside, and it holds the top score among picks with meaningful user feedback. If you want a budget-friendly grill-microwave, the Emerson MWG1191SB delivers real grilling at 1100 watts. For a family cooking in one box, the Panasonic HomeChef has the app-guided presets and inverter tech that make it the easiest path to a full meal without a manual. And if you need a genuine second oven more than an air fryer, the Sharp SMC1585KB is the cavity to reach for. Whichever way you go, match microwave wattage and cavity size to how you actually cook — that choice outlasts every other spec on the box.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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