Trying to find the best microwave toaster oven combo to buy isn’t easy. Luckily, I created an article that will help you choose the one for you.
The microwave has revolutionized the way we cook and think about food preparation. Be it for better or worse. Nobody can deny the impact that this little piece of technology had on almost every single household – first in the West and then all around the world.
I have to admit that there were times in my life, especially when my children were toddlers, when I wouldn’t have been able to cook at all if it weren’t for the microwave.
Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combo
So yes, I and the “MW” go back quite a long time, and you can imagine my excitement when I found out about the microwave and toaster built into one appliance!
These combos are highly practical, and I feel that they should receive more attention than they do right now, so I decided to put together a list of reviews of the most recommended microwave toaster oven combos out there.
Think you could use one, or maybe you want to find out more about them? Then I hope you enjoy what I’ve prepared for you.
Further Reading: Toaster Oven Vs. Microwave: What’s Right For You?
What is a microwave toaster oven combo?
You don’t have to be a genius to realize that this product is a combination of a microwave and a good ol’ toaster oven. This means that it can both heat up/cook fast like a microwave, and give your favorite foods the irresistible crispy top layer as well as a juicy inside like a standard oven.
Related: Compact Microwave; Over Range Microwave; Countertop Microwave
The differences between a microwave and a toaster oven
The two ways of cooking differ in principle:
- The microwave sends out waves which, when they reach the food, make the molecules vibrate at a higher frequency and create friction, and thus heat. To make sure that everything gets heated evenly, the food has to rotate.
- The regular oven, however, has heaters and fans that move the hot air around and heat up the entire interior of the oven. This hot air then cooks the foods both inside and outside and gives us methods known as baking/roasting.
The microwave toaster oven combo gives you the ability to utilize both methods – so that’s two very different processes brought together in a single device. Oh, joy!
The benefits of microwave toaster oven combo
For those of you who look down on this Frankenstein creation – you absolutely have to read this section! There are many good things that this appliance offers, and some unexpected benefits might catch you off guard and change your mind about the microwave toaster combo.
So please, give it a chance and dig into the following part.
1. Space saver
In my opinion, this is the most valuable thing that this device has to offer. Since you have two very essential cooking functions combined in one product, you can save up on kitchen space big time. Just imagine the room that you’d have by getting rid of your oven. It’s mindblowing!
2. It is versatile
As you’ve already realized, this machine will allow you to do many different things. For example, you can:
- bake a pie,
- roast a chicken,
- heat-up frozen pizza,
- or this is a big one – defrost and then bake using the same appliance. The former can also be a significant time-saver.
3. Reduced electricity bill
Microwave oven combos are incredibly cost-effective as they require much less electricity to operate. Anyone who uses their toaster oven a lot knows how high their bills can be at the end of the month, especially during holiday seasons.
4. Combined cooking
Some of these devices have the option of combination cooking, which means that they can use both cooking methods at the same time. This is perfect for those who like to experiment as it will allow them to make unique dishes.
5. Easy to operate
Even though the thought of using a combined machine might sound scary and complicated, this particular appliance is often very user-friendly and straightforward to operate. If you have any doubts about using it, a few minutes with the manual will clear them all.
What to look for when buying a microwave toaster oven combo?
1. Size
This is probably the first and most obvious thing that you need to consider. The size that’s right for you depends on how much space you have available in your kitchen. If you’re cooking for only one person, you might not need a particularly big model.
Also, those who do not need a big oven anymore can throw it out, along with the microwave, and replace it with a combo.
2. Wattage
The power that these ovens produce varies from model to model, and it is expressed in watts. Before you choose the wattage, think about what kinds of meals do you want to prepare. This can largely determine whether you need a more or less powerful device.
Don’t forget to check the wattage that you have at your home, as this will also influence how well the oven works.
3. Controls and functions
I’ve already mentioned that these appliances will be very easy to operate for most folks. However, if you’re the type who doesn’t pick up new things quickly, look for a product that has simple controls.
Another important consideration is the number of functions that the oven has. You want to be sure that it doesn’t have fewer features than you need and that it doesn’t have too many, some of which you’ll probably never use.
4. Cleaning
It’s a good idea to check some online reviews and see what people say about how easy or hard it is to clean the oven. You don’t want a model with unusual elements that are hard to reach. Focus on vents, lights, and hinges, as these parts often require the most cleaning.
Most Recommended Microwave Toaster Oven Combos: Detailed Reviews 2022
Cuisinart CMW-200 1.2-Cubic-Foot Convection Microwave Oven with Grill
The external dimensions of the oven are 21.20 x 19 x 12.20 inches (L x W x H), so we can place it among medium-sized products of this kind. The cubic capacity, the one that you’ll actually use for cooking, is 1.2 feet, which is a lot larger than the space of a regular microwave oven.
The power of CMW-200 is 1000 watts. I can say that the power matches the size, so it is somewhere in the mid-range. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing, as some people do not need more.
There are many functions and presets for cooking different kinds of foods (e.g., potatoes, popcorn, beverages, etc.). Generally, the oven is very easy to use, but certain users have complained that the buttons do not respond sometimes.
Another cool thing is that the manufacturer offers a limited 3-year warranty, in case something goes wrong.
Overall, it is easy to clean and maintain, so you shouldn’t have problems in this area.
What I Liked
- Not too big, not too small
- It has many functions
- Easy to clean
What I Didn’t Like
- Cheap construction
- Not as powerful as advertised
Toshiba EC042A5C-SS Countertop Microwave oven with Convection 1.5 Cu.ft.
The Toshiba EC042A5C-SS is another versatile countertop appliance that can easily replace two or more other appliances like an oven or toaster.
This microwave by Toshiba has a convection cooking function, which will allow you to roast and bake food in it, as well as perform the usual tasks which a regular microwave can do.
The appliance has an eco-mode and a power output of up to 1000 Watts.
You can choose among the 10 available power settings and the smart sensor cooking options like auto bake or auto roast, popcorn, defrost, keep warm, and others. You can even customize your own quick-access cooking setting for a meal or beverage, which you prepare often.
The microwave has a capacity of 1.5 cubic feet. It has an easy-to-view display with a clock and kitchen timer.
Its size is 21.7 (L) x 20.1 (D) x 12.8 (H) inches, and its cavity is 15.5 x 15.35 x 10.2 inches with a 13.6 inch turntable.
The buzzer alert can be muted, which is something I know a lot of you worry about. It also has a child lock setting to keep your babies safe.
The microwave with a convection cooking function has a sleek design and stainless steel housing, which is also available in a black stainless steel option.
Things I liked
- It has a convection function which is a perfect alternative to using an oven.
- It has 4 auto roast (beef, turkey breasts, whole chicken, pork) and 4 auto bake options (frozen pizza, frozen French fries, muffins, biscuits)
- You can use it as a microwave, as well as for roasting, baking, grilling, and keeping warm.
- It can keep the food warm and ready to be served for up to 99 minutes
- It has a smart sensor and will adjust the time and temperature automatically
- There is an eco-saving mode
- It is easy to clean
Things I didn’t like
- Convection is not the option if you want to toast bread, even though it is still possible.
Samsung MG14H3020CM Countertop Grill Microwave Oven
Samsung is a brand that needs no introduction, and their new “smart” oven is as modern as kitchen appliances get.
Samsung MG14H3020CM is a mid-sized oven with an outer dimension of 18 x 21.9 x 12.3 (LWH) inches. On the outside, it is slightly bigger than the previous product, and its cubic capacity is 1.4 feet.
The wattage of this one is 950W, which is, again, enough for some and not enough for others. Nevertheless, it cooks and reheats very well, although there have been reports of the turntable not rotating.
The controls are somewhat confusing even with the help of the manual. You have to choose the food’s weight, type, and cooking method for it to start.
Finally, my opinion is that the sleek and lean look is what sells this product. It functions quite well too, and it’s easy to clean, so you probably won’t regret buying it.
What I Liked
- Looks stylish
- Easy to clean
- It has 10 power levels
What I Didn’t Like
- Confusing to use at first
- Not powerful enough for some users
Related article: Top Rated Countertop Convection Oven
Emerson MWCG1584SB Convection Microwave Oven with Grill Touch Control Countertop
Simple, effective, and spacious – three words that I’d use to describe the oven that I’m about to review.
Emerson MWCG1584SB looks just like a standard microwave but inside hides a mini convection oven too. This is one of the larger models in today’s list, and its dimensions amount to 21.8 x 21.7 x 13 inches. Its interior is very spacious, with around 1.5 cubic feet.
The oven’s power is 1000 W, which is, again, a standard for most products I reviewed today. It has 10 power levels and 9 pre-programmed presets, so it’s quite easy to cook with it. A neat function that this model has is the automatically set defrost time-based on the weight of the food.
Now, the one thing that most users complained about is how loud it was, so if noise is a problem, then this oven might not be perfect for you.
Cleaning it is not a breeze, especially after baking or roasting, as it will leave some nasty stains. This might be the biggest downside of this otherwise excellent product.
What I Liked
- Simple to use
- Spacious interior
- Many functions
What I Didn’t Like
- Relatively loud
- Difficult to clean up after roasting
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN651B with Inverter Technology & Genius Sensor
Lastly, we’ve got another plain-looking product that can do more than you think it can. This one is made by the almighty Panasonic, and now I’m going to dissect it for you.
First off, the product is one of the smallest out of the five I’ve mentioned today. To be precise, its dimensions are 15.8 x 20.7 x 12.25 inches, while its interior is 1.2 cubic feet. When comparing the external and internal dimensions, this product is a huge space saver, and it can be useful for those lacking space in their kitchens.
Second, NN-SB651B is one of the most powerful combo ovens that I’ve encountered. It packs an incredible 1200 watts, so this means that it’ll be able to cook some things faster than all the other models from this article.
As with most other products of this type, this one isn’t very easy to use at first, and the learning curve might be steep for certain users. In the beginning, most people will find themselves checking the manual quite often to be able to get some grasp on how to use it.
Other than that, there are many pre-programmed cooking options, and you’ll be able to prepare any kind of food with it, given that it can fit it.
Lastly, the cleaning process is made as simple as possible, and it won’t take you longer than a minute or two.
What I Liked
- Mid-sized on the outside but roomy on the inside
- Very powerful
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
What I Didn’t Like
- Not easy to use at first
- No internal light
Final thoughts
So, my dear microwaves, it is time to wrap up our culinary appliance adventure. I’ve sure enjoyed it, and I hope that you did too. But, before I say goodbye, I’ll fill you in on which product I liked the most and why so here we go.
In my opinion, the best microwave toaster oven is Panasonic NN-SB651B simply because it has the right combination of price, quality, and functionality.
It is a well-made device that can actually do what it says it can, which is not always the case with cooking products. Also, cleaning it is easy, and you won’t go bankrupt if you buy it.
And with that being said, I’ll leave you with a few final words of encouragement. Do not be afraid to try out new appliances because you never know how much good you might get out of them.
See you soon! 🙂
Resources: