4 Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combos, Tested by Kitchen Experts
These innovative appliances combine the speed of a microwave with the crisp convenience of a toaster oven—and so much more.
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Microwave toaster oven combos (also called convection microwaves) combine the convenience of a microwave with the baking and toasting power of a countertop oven. They're a smart choice for anyone who regularly uses both appliances, saving counter space while letting you reheat, bake, toast, and sometimes even air fry—all in one machine.
Over the last decade, the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab has evaluated 30 of the best microwaves and nearly 30 toaster ovens as well. As a reviews analyst in the Kitchen & Cooking Lab, I've tested nine microwave-toaster oven combos, evaluating how well they handle everyday tasks like popping popcorn, reheating casseroles, toasting bread, baking cakes, and more, to identify the models that perform best in real kitchens.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Panasonic HomeChef Connect 4-in-1
- Best value: GE 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
- Most versatile: Toshiba 7-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
- Best over-the-range: KitchenAid Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
Best Deal
Pros
- Inverter technology for even heating
- 20 different presets
- Convenient app compatibility
Cons
- Multiple accessories require storing
The latest Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Air Fryer Combo is more user-friendly than ever. It still combines microwave, broiler, convection oven, and air fryer functions in a compact design—but now connects to an app that eliminates guesswork. Simply choose a preset (like popcorn), and the app triggers the correct program while guiding you on which inserts to use. It also includes recipes developed specifically for this appliance.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This appliance handled simple and complex tasks with ease—from popping popcorn to baking a cake and air frying chicken wings. I was especially impressed by the evenly baked 9-inch yellow cake and crispy and golden chicken wings. The brand’s Magic Pot, a three-piece cookware set designed for this model, further expands functionality. In Lab tests, I used it to pan-sear, steam, and even make huevos rancheros with perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs and charred salsa—all with standout results.
TAKE NOTE: It features Panasonic’s Inverter Technology for consistent heating and offers 20 presets, accessible via the app or on the appliance’s control panel. Accessories include a glass tray, an enamel tray, a grill rack, and an air fry basket—all of which store inside the microwave, though you’ll need alternative storage when in use.
| Dimensions | 22.5" x 26.6" x 19" |
| Capacity | 1.2 cu. ft. |
| Wattage | 1,000 watts |
Pros
- Excellent versatility for the price point
- Easy to align turntable
- All presets are listed on the front of the microwave
Cons
- Requires some force to open microwave
The GE Countertop Convection Microwave Oven costs less than other microwaves of similar performance and boasts superior ease of use, making it a great value for everything that it offers. While most microwaves require that you place the turntable in exact alignment with the rotating ring underneath, it will still spin no matter how you place it on the rotating ring. And instead of searching for preset codes, all presets are listed on the front of the microwave, making them easy to navigate, so you're closer to cooking.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This model cooked up perfectly tender baked potatoes and excelled at heat distribution tests, melting cheese evenly and defrosting meat better than the majority of its competitors. Air-fried chicken wings also came out very moist and juicy. I was also able to bake up a cake with the convection setting, and the broil setting is perfect for toasting bread.
TAKE NOTE: You have to press hard to open the microwave when pushing the large external button, and the user manual is very brief.
| Dimensions | 16.6" x 20.6" x 11.8" |
| Capacity | 1 cu. ft. |
| Wattage | 1,050 watts |
Pros
- Best heat distribution out of all microwaves tested
- Reheated a large casserole better than any other model tested
- Helpful settings like "sensor cook" and "combi cook"
Cons
- Presets are listed inside microwave
This model from Toshiba is our best overall countertop microwave and offers seven (!) different ways to cook—microwave, air fry, convection, broil, defrost, "sensor cook," and "combi cook"—making it a truly versatile microwave toaster oven combo. The "sensor cook" preset uses the microwave's built-in humidity sensor to adjust power and cooking time accordingly, while the "combi cook" combines microwave, convection, and broil technologies in a single multitasking setting.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This microwave had the most even heat distribution out of all microwaves tested. It melted cheese completely and evenly, produced four perfectly cooked baked potatoes, and reheated a large casserole of mac and cheese more evenly than 11 other models we tested.
TAKE NOTE: Note that the microwave has presets, such as popcorn, which are listed inside the microwave rather than on the control panel.
| Dimensions | 20.6" x 16.3" x 11.8" |
| Capacity | 1 cu. ft. |
| Wattage | 1,000 watts |
Pros
- App is easy to use and navigate
- No microwave turntable to mess with
- The toast setting evenly toasts bread in various shades
Cons
- Professional installation is recommended
Short on counter space and already have an over-the-range microwave that you're looking to replace? This KitchenAid Over-the-Range Convection Microwave is a space-saving upgrade with numerous settings: microwave, toast, broil, roast, bake, air fry, and more; it also has a built-in ventilation hood for your range. You can also connect it to the KitchenAid app. This model comes with an air fry basket, a toasting pan, and an oven rack, but no turntable like a traditional microwave. When microwaving an ingredient, you simply put it on the bottom of the microwave, but with other settings you have to select from the oven's different levels and accessories.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In my testing, I found the control panel and the app both easy to navigate and operate the microwave toaster oven combo. While the toast setting takes longer than most toasters (over seven minutes for dark toast), I found the light, medium, and dark toast settings yielded evenly and accurately toasted bread slices. The air fry setting also yielded golden, crispy, and very moist and juicy chicken wings. (Fair warning: it makes a mess, but the microwave is rather easy to clean after.) And we loved how charred the broil setting got shishito peppers.
TAKE NOTE: Do also keep in mind that this microwave is best installed by a professional.
RELATED: Best Built-in Microwaves
| Dimensions | 30" x 17.9" x 12.75" |
| Capacity | 1.1 cu. ft. |
| Wattage | 1,800 watts |
How we test microwave toaster oven combos
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, our analysts have researched, evaluated, and tested hundreds of small appliances in the last decade alone, including over 30 microwaves and toaster ovens. We've also tested dozens of combo appliances, including microwave toaster oven combos.
To test microwave toaster oven combos, we put them through all standardized microwave tests and, when applicable, evaluate them with air fryer and toaster oven tests.
✔️ Speed, power, and consistency: Like all microwaves we test, we evaluate how evenly they melt cheese and "bake" four potatoes at once (as shown here).
✔️ Reheating: We heat a large, cold mac and cheese casserole and measure its temperature at 10 different sections to check for signs of uneven cooking, such as dried-out areas, burnt bits, and cold spots. We also reheat a dinner plate of cold meatloaf and sides, then measure the temperature of each food item.
✔️ Microwave presets: We test presets like the popcorn setting to see how well each microwave pops a bag of popcorn. We weigh the remaining unpopped kernels and assess any burning.
✔️ Defrost: We also test the defrost preset on microwaves by defrosting a pound of frozen ground beef (in two different shapes).
✔️ Combo appliance testing: We put microwave toaster oven combos' additional settings to the test by toasting bread, baking a cake, and air frying chicken wings (as pictured here).
✔️ Ease of use: We also consider ease of use when it comes to the control panel, positioning the turntable, opening and closing the door, and cleaning the microwave.
What to look for when shopping for the best microwave toaster oven combos
✔️ Type:
- Countertop models are the most common and affordable option, but they require a dedicated space on your countertop.
- Over-the-range options are designed to fit above your stove and are often installed by a professional.
- Built-in microwave toaster oven combos typically feature a sleek design and don't take up much countertop space. Still, they require professional installation and are more expensive than countertop models.
✔️ Size: The internal size of a microwave toaster oven combo is measured in cubic feet and determines how big of a dish you can fit inside. Based on our testing, most microwaves are around 1.2 cubic feet, but they can range from 0.8 to 2.2 cubic feet on average. Microwave toaster oven combos tend to be a bit larger and have greater capacity than models with fewer settings.
✔️ Wattage: This tells you how powerful the microwave is. For more varied use, you’d want at least 1,000 watts. Most microwave toaster oven combos have a higher wattage than their traditional counterparts, so they can toast and sometimes air-fry your food.
✔️ Settings: The majority of the microwave toaster oven combos we've tested don't just feature the ability to toast, but also include many other settings like convection bake, air fry, or even grill. The additional settings on these appliances do require a bit more troubleshooting, though.
✔️ Preset functions are standard these days, especially for defrosting (based on either weight or quantity), reheating, and popcorn. But you might also want potato, beverage, or melt presets.
✔️ Accessories: The more settings a microwave toaster oven combo offers, the more accessories it usually comes with. Often, you can store them inside your microwave, but keep this in mind if you prefer to avoid extra accessories.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Eva Bleyer has professionally tested a wide range of kitchen equipment, including nearly 20 microwave models at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. After testing microwaves for over four years, she has incorporated them more frequently into her daily life and loves the sheer versatility of a microwave toaster oven combo.
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