The grill gave our sausages a patchier finish than most, but given its extensive capabilities, this microwave is excellent value – especially for often pricey Panasonics. It also has a whopping 40 auto programmes, including ones for rice and fresh fish, alongside a nifty “keep warm” function. We programmed it to defrost a 1.5-kilogram chicken, and it calculated the right length of time, fully defrosting it within 24 minutes. Another impressive combination microwave from Panasonic, this one does everything the above model can, and it steams food too. It’s ideal if you tend to cook for only one or two people, as it saves you heating a large oven and performs just as well.
Ratings and reviews
Thanks to their quick-heating powers, microwaves can be dinner-time miracle workers for many busy households. These figures show how much power you can use to cook, rather than directly reflecting how much electricity a microwave may use when cooking. Automatic cooking settings can be helpful too, but some models only have pre-set programmes for combination cooking. While we don’t have any on this list, it’s also worth noting that some combination microwaves are available as built-in models too.
- It performed equally well as a standard combi microwave, scoring highly in our soup, jacket potato, ready meal and defrosting tests.
- We wished the air fryer tray was dishwasher-proof for a quicker clean-up, but otherwise, we can’t complain.
- Or, if you’re ready to shop, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested 41 combination microwaves to find the best versatile cookers on the market.
- Note that you can’t change the temperature of these functions though – only the time – which limits its versatility when compared with an actual oven.
- Some models can even steam food or air fry; the possibilities really are endless.
- Not all combination microwaves have the same features; some have a grill, some have convection cooking, and some have both.
- You can check cooking times, follow guides and recipes, and even add ingredients to your shopping list from your phone.
Everyone loves an air fryer, so unsurprisingly, this multitasking appliance with air fryer functionality was a hit with our experts. It was efficient too; cooking our jacket potato used just 10p of electricity. And opting for a combination microwave over a traditional solo microwave can unlock even more culinary possibilities in your kitchen…
Reviews
- Its dedicated setting prepared fluffy yet crispy chips and some delicious chicken Kyivs too.
- This microwave offers convenience and flexibility with its cooking options.
- We found that most customers choose convection microwave ovens with an average price of £160.60.
- While solo microwaves are the more affordable choice, if you are after increased cooking capabilities, combination microwaves are undoubtedly a savvy investment.
- With the Fast Combi function, you can combine cooking methods for quicker results, making meal preparation easier and more efficient.
- It’s an outstanding cooker though; our testers declared its roast chicken one of the best on test and awarded its mac and cheese and jacket potatoes a perfect score.
It’s an outstanding cooker though; our testers declared its roast chicken one of the best on test and awarded its mac and cheese and jacket potatoes a perfect score. Its clear manual and intuitive interface also make preparing more than your traditional microwave meals easy – even a roast chicken. Proving a real all-rounder, our experts awarded this microwave full marks for its microwaved jacket potatoes and near perfect marks for its roasting, baking and grilling. Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute eat well during this test, as they use each combination microwave to heat, grill, bake and roast. We’ve highlighted the maximum wattage for each function below (or in some instances, the max temperature of the convection cooking function depending on manufacturer information).
Electricals – Product Reviews
If you’re replacing an existing microwave, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. It’s not the fanciest of combis, but it’s more affordable and compact than many on this list – ideal for smaller kitchens. Still, that’s not a dealbreaker and there was a lot to love about this machine, including its large viewing window, easy-to-clean interior, and delicious fairy cake-baking skills. Though not the sleekest or most powerful model on test, this means your electricity bill should be lower – we used just 11p of electricity for a jacket potato.
FindThisBest (UK) aims to create a platform to help you make better shopping decisions with less time and energy. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics. Enjoy consistent outcomes and delightful flavours with this innovative kitchen companion. You’ll appreciate the 10 auto menu settings that simplify meal preparation, allowing you to select options like pasta or pizza with ease. Additionally, the Dough and Yoghurt Function provides the perfect environment for fermentation, allowing you to create fresh meals with ease.
It performed equally well as a standard combi microwave, scoring highly in our soup, jacket potato, ready meal and defrosting tests. You can’t set its grill and convection power and temperatures manually, but otherwise it’s a real box-ticker. They also try out the defrost setting on minced meat and use the grill setting to cook toast, macaroni cheese and sausages. Combination microwaves tend to have bigger footprints than their solo counterparts, so measure your space before you shop. But, if you’re feeding a crowd and need to run it for a longer period to cook everything, it may be better to revert to an oven that fits everything in at once.
TOSHIBA 5-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
While this Samsung model doesn’t have a convection oven (so skip if you want one for cakes and roasts), it does have a grill with one temperature setting that’s perfect for giving microwave meals a crispy finish. With a 26-litre capacity, it offers lots of flexibility; on test, our experts cooked a roast chicken in 41 minutes, and praised its ready meal and jacket potato prep skills too. Not all combination microwaves have the same features; some have a grill, some have convection cooking, and some have both. Using a combination of microwave and convection heating, these ovens can cook, bake, roast, and grill a wide variety of foods quickly and efficiently. The auto convection setting cooked a whole chicken well with lovely moist meat, and it grilled sausages beautifully.
On the menu is tinned soup, chilled and frozen ready meals, jacket potatoes, a roast chicken and homemade fairy cakes. This means the microwave power level and convection or grill temperature are fixed, so you can’t tailor the settings to what you’re cooking. One way to increase your microwave’s cooking capacity is by looking for a model with stackable racks, as that will allow you to cook a couple of dishes at the same time. While solo microwaves are the more affordable choice, if you are after increased cooking capabilities, combination microwaves are undoubtedly a savvy investment. Additionally, the auto minute start function simplifies the cooking process, making it convenient for you to heat up meals quickly and efficiently.
Samsung MG23K3575AK/EU Combination Microwave
This determines how quickly your microwave will cook; in general, the higher the wattage, the quicker the cooking time. Or, if you’re ready to shop, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested 41 combination microwaves to find the best versatile cookers on the market. Combining microwave, grill and oven functions in one unit saves counter space and replaces separate appliances. During our convection microwave oven research, we found 124 convection microwave oven products and shortlisted 10 quality products. The Igenix IG3095 Microwave combines the advantages of a fan-assisted oven with the rapid cooking of a microwave, making it ideal for busy lifestyles. Additionally, the 2500W fan oven provides even cooking results, ideal for baking or roasting.
Smeg MOE34CXIUK Combination Microwave
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You no longer need to worry about reheating meals, as the genius sensor automatically determines the optimal cooking time and power. Both performed excellently on test, but the former has a larger capacity and more presets while the latter costs half the price and comes with an air fryer function. On test, we enjoyed evenly cooked food, well-defrosted minced beef and crispy jacket potatoes with fluffy insides. This microwave offers convenience and flexibility with its cooking options. Its large 31-litre capacity means it competently doubles as an oven when needed, with ample room to roast a big chicken or bake a generously sized cake. This powerful combi does it all, including cooking up a Sunday roast thanks to its 29 auto-cook programmes that include roast lamb and beef.
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers.
The 2400W grill offers 10 auto cooking programmes, enabling you to grill, roast, and bake with ease. The fan-assisted convection cooking feature mimics a conventional oven, allowing you to enjoy perfectly cooked meals. The Sage Combi Wave offers remarkable 3-in-1 versatility, serving as an air fryer, convection oven, and microwave. The TOSHIBA Combo Microwave Oven offers remarkable versatility with its five cooking functions, including microwave, air fry, broil, bake, and combi modes. Our experts have trialled hundreds of kitchen appliances, including the best solo microwaves and best air fryer microwaves, so we know exactly what makes a top buy. The speediest of chicken roasters, this combination microwave’s auto roast setting served up a bird in just 37 minutes.
