Imagine this: your kitchen counter is too small. You need a microwave for quick meals. You also want a toaster oven for crispy toast and baked snacks. Juggling two separate appliances eats up valuable space. It’s frustrating when you want efficiency but only have room for one powerhouse machine.
That’s where the Microwave Toaster Oven Combo steps in. These clever gadgets promise to save space and time by doing both jobs. But how do you pick the best one? Models vary greatly in size, features, and cooking power. Choosing the wrong one means wasted money and continued counter clutter. You need a reliable machine that truly masters both tasks.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down what makes a great combo unit. You will learn about essential features, compare popular types, and discover which models truly deliver on their promises. Get ready to choose a kitchen helper that simplifies your cooking routine!
Top Microwave Toaster Oven Combo Recommendations
- Two-Step Child Lock: This mandatory safety feature for microwaves helps prevent unintended use by younger family members, plesase open the machine according to the steps shown in the figure.
- 8-in-1 Multifuntional Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, bake(convection), broil (grill), combi., low temp., odor removal, defrost can fulfill more usages.
- Healthy Air Fryer Microwave Combo: Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry.
- Microwave output power 1000 watts, input power 1600 watts. External dimension (WxDxH): 20.6*18.0*11.8 inches, internal dimension (WxDxH):14.0*13.2*9.5 inches, 12.4-inch position memory turntable
- Compact Size but Large Capacity & Powerful: Small Footprint as Kitchen Essential, 12.4inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12 inch pizza and 8*4 inch casserole, offers the perfect balance of size and convenience.
- 5-in-1 Microwave Oven: Use this essential countertop appliance for cooking in five functions: microwave, air fryer, combi (grill/convection), bake, and roast for all of your culinary needs.
- 10 Cooking Levels: Featuring a 900-watt output, this compact microwave has 7 auto menus, including settings for Beverage, Fresh/Frozen Vegetables, Oatmeal, Potato, Popcorn, and Frozen Pizza.
- Air Fry Presets: This small-but-mighty microwave has 11 preset air fry menus, including for cooking frozen French fries, steak fries, squid rings, chicken nuggets/wings/legs, fish sticks/fillets, cheese sticks, vegetables, and spring rolls with an easy-to-use operation.
- Speedy Cooking: Directly press the start button to cook food at 100% power for 30 seconds and press again for an additional 30 seconds.
- Child-Lock Setting: Press the stop button for 3 seconds to lock the control panel to keep little hands from clicking buttons on the appliance.
- Multi functionality: BAKE, ROAST, MICROWAVE, CONVECTION OVEN
- 5 ONE TOUCH COOK MENUS: POTATO, POPCORN, BEVERAGE, REHEAT, FROZEN DINNER
- Air fryer: Up to 70% less fat than traditional frying methods
- SPECIAL PROGRAM: DEFROST/TIME/WEIGHT; 1000W power
- 10 POWER LEVELS
- 3-IN-1 APPLIANCE: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Microwave into one versatile kitchen appliance; Create French fries with Air Fry function; Enjoy chocolate brownies with Convection Oven function; Defrost delicious soup with Inverter Microwave
- ELEMENT IQ SYSTEM: Smart algorithms steer power where and when it's needed to create a specifically tailored cooking environment; Enjoy crispy golden results and delicious meals with Air Fry and Bake functions; Power: 1200 W - Convection Input Power
- FAST COMBI & COOK FROM FROZEN FUNCTIONS: Cook dishes faster than traditional ovens with Fast Combi, which combines Convection Oven, Grilling and Microwave; Cook from Frozen achieves precisely cooked results from frozen; All in one countertop appliance
- POWER SMOOTHING INVERTER: Automatically adjust intensity and deliver smooth, even power when you need more or less; Breville appliance reheats pizza slices, soup and lasagna with precision; Defrost meats and meals without overheating or drying out edges
- SMART COOK, SMART REHEAT & SMART DEFROST: 19 built-in smart presets put all the power at your fingertips; Smooth, low temperature delivers heat evenly without overheating and drying out, allowing you to cook, reheat and defrost your favorite dishes
- COMPACT YET POWERFUL: This 1,050-watt & 1.0 CU FT. compact microwave offers the perfect balance of size and convenience, designed to fit perfectly in dorm rooms, offices and kitchens alike
- AIR FRY MODE: Enjoy healthier, crispier versions of your favorite foods with the built-in air fryer that delivers fast, perfectly browned results
- CONVECTION MODE: Enjoy perfectly even browning using convection technology and an elevated rack that lets hot air flow around your food for consistent results
- BROIL MODE: Built-in broiler radiates high heat to sear, caramelize, and finish foods just like a traditional grill rack
- PRESET CONTROLS: Use microwave preset controls like Fries and Nuggets to make operation quick and easy, while ensuring precisely cooked results
- 4-in-1 Multifuntional Countertop Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, convection, combination cooking (microwave plus convection) can fulfill more usages.
- Healthy Air Fryer Combo Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry
- One Kitchen Appliance, Better Texture Combines microwave and convection cooking in one appliance; with auto bake, defrosting and auto roast menus; Also with pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum result of popular foods like frozen pizza, vegetables and more.
- Large Capacity for a Family Size 13.6inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza
- Stylish Appearance: Black Stainless steel finish with easy to clean stainless steel interior.
- 4-in-1 Multifuntional Countertop Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, convection, combination cooking (microwave plus convection) can fulfill more usages
- Healthy Air Fryer Combo Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry
- One Kitchen Appliance, Better Texture Combines microwave and convection cooking in one appliance, with auto bake, defrosting and auto roast menus. Also with pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum result of popular foods like frozen pizza, vegetables and more
- Large Capacity for a Family Size 13.6inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza
- Stylish Appearance: Stainless steel finish (color of door frame is stainless steel, enclosure is black) with easy to clean stainless steel interior
- EXTRA-QUICK COOKING: Choose from six popular presets for microwave ovens, including popcorn, pizza, beverages, veggies, potatoes, or leftovers. Or just press the number keys to quickly set the cook time for that number of minutes.
- LOW TO HIGH POWER: This 700W digital microwave packs big power into a compact appliance! Choose from 10 power levels, from a low setting to melt butter to maximum power for rapid cooking in moments.
- DIGITAL CONTROLS: It’s easy to set up everything from microwave popcorn to warming up leftovers in this mini microwave. Customize your time and power level or add a bit of extra time with the +30 seconds button.
- MEMORY FUNCTION: Program frequently used countertop microwaves functions into the control panel for one-touch microwave food. All your daily favorites are easy to set up and start microwaving.
- SAFETY FIRST: The built-in child safety lock on the handle ensures the door doesn’t open accidentally, and you can disable the microwave control panel using the Lock Mode.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combo
A microwave toaster oven combo is a kitchen superhero. It saves space. It handles many cooking jobs. You can microwave leftovers. You can toast bread. You can even bake small items. Choosing the right one takes a little know-how. This guide will help you pick the perfect model for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at what the combo unit can do. These features make cooking easier and better.
- Cooking Power (Wattage): Microwaves need good wattage for fast heating. Look for at least 900 watts for quick results. Higher wattage usually means faster cooking.
- Capacity and Size: Check the interior size. Can it fit a standard dinner plate? If you cook for a family, you need a larger interior (around 1.2 cubic feet or more).
- Convection Setting: This is a big plus! Convection uses a fan to circulate hot air. This lets the oven bake and roast food evenly, just like a regular oven.
- Pre-set Cooking Programs: Many models have buttons for popcorn, pizza, or defrosting. These make cooking simple—just push a button.
- Turntable Type: Most microwaves use a rotating glass tray (turntable). Make sure it is removable for easy cleaning.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your appliance lasts and how safe it is.
Exterior and Interior Shells
Most good combos use stainless steel for the exterior. Stainless steel looks nice. It resists rust well. The interior should be non-stick or enameled metal. Smooth interiors are much easier to wipe clean after splatters happen.
The Door and Controls
Check the door hinges. They should feel sturdy. Poorly made hinges break quickly. Look for digital controls over simple dials if you want precise temperature settings. Good quality units use durable, easy-to-read displays.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some features boost performance. Others can frustrate you over time.
Quality Boosters:
- Inverter Technology (Microwave): This technology provides steady, continuous power. It cooks food more evenly than older models that cycle the power on and off.
- Sensor Cooking: The machine senses the steam coming off your food. It adjusts the cooking time automatically. This prevents overcooking.
- Dual Heating Elements: If you use the toaster oven function often, look for good heating elements on both the top and bottom. This ensures your toast browns perfectly on both sides.
Quality Reducers (Watch Outs):
- Cheap Plastic Components: If the knobs or vents feel flimsy, the unit might not last long.
- Lack of Ventilation: These machines get hot. If the vents are small or blocked, the unit might overheat, which reduces its lifespan.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use this appliance every day.
Small Kitchen Living
These combos shine in small spaces, like dorm rooms or tiny apartments. They replace two large appliances with one countertop unit. You save precious counter space.
Busy Weeknights
If you reheat food often, the microwave function is essential. If you want crispy chicken nuggets or baked potatoes, the convection setting handles these tasks quickly without heating up your main oven.
Baking vs. Toasting
Be realistic about baking. While these units can bake, they are usually smaller than a standard oven. They work great for small batches of cookies or reheating pizza slices. They are not ideal for large cakes or multiple trays of food at once.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can a combo unit toast bread as well as a regular toaster?
A: Yes, most models toast well. The toaster oven function uses heating elements like a regular toaster oven. Some users find they need to watch the toast closely because these ovens heat up fast.
Q: Does the microwave function heat food evenly?
A: Evenness depends on the wattage and the turntable. Models with inverter technology heat more evenly. Always stir food halfway through microwaving for the best results.
Q: How difficult is it to clean the inside?
A: Cleaning is usually easy. Since it is smaller than a full oven, you can reach most spots. Look for smooth, non-stick interiors. Wipe up spills right away.
Q: Will I need to buy special dishes for this appliance?
A: You need microwave-safe glass or ceramic dishes for the microwave part. For the toaster oven/convection part, you use standard oven-safe metal baking trays.
Q: Is the convection fan noisy?
A: Yes, the convection fan makes some noise, similar to a regular small oven. The microwave function is generally quieter when running.
Q: Can I use both the microwave and the oven functions at the same time?
A: No. You must use one function at a time. You cannot microwave and bake simultaneously.
Q: Are these combos expensive?
A: They cost more than a basic microwave alone. However, they save money by replacing two separate appliances. Prices vary based on features like convection.
Q: How much counter space do they take up?
A: They take up about the same space as a large microwave. Always measure your counter depth and height before buying.
Q: Do I need to preheat the oven/convection setting?
A: Yes, for best baking results, you should always preheat the convection or oven setting. This ensures the food starts cooking at the correct, consistent temperature.
Q: What is the main benefit of getting a combo over two separate units?
A: The main benefit is saving counter space. It also offers versatile cooking options in one compact machine, which is great for small kitchens.