Verdict
The Best 4Reviewed by Mike Hunter·July 7, 2026·checked July 4, 2026

Best Convection Microwaves

Top convection microwaves reviewed and ranked — combination units that microwave, bake, and roast in one footprint.

At a glance4 products
(3 sources)
$500Best for: Multi-mode cooks who want microwave, convection, broil, and air fry in one countertop appliance and value inverter-smooth power control.
$500 · Buy at shop.panasonic.com
(3 sources)
$181Best for: Family kitchens with an existing range and over-range cabinet space, where freeing countertop area and replacing a separate hood vent with a combined microwave-hood unit is the goal.
$181 · Check Price on Amazon
(3 sources)
$499.95Best for: Apartment dwellers and small-kitchen owners who want premium materials, a soft-close door, and a 1.1 cu ft footprint that does not dominate a 24-inch counter.
$499.95 · Check Price on Amazon
(3 sources)
Best for: Budget-conscious bakers who need a 1.5 cu ft convection cavity and 1000W microwave in one countertop unit and do not require dedicated air-fry mode or built-in installation.
Check Price on Amazon
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The full ranking

How we rank →
Panasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1
#1 · Top Score
Best for: Multi-mode cooks who want microwave, convection, broil, and air fry in one countertop appliance and value inverter-smooth power control.
Panasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1
from 3 sources$500as of Jul 4
Why it's ranked here

Panasonic's HomeCHEF combines an inverter microwave, a true 100-425 degrees Fahrenheit convection oven, a FlashXpress broiler, and an air fryer in a 1.2 cu ft countertop footprint. It is the most mode-rich combination unit on the market at this price, and the inverter element lets it simmer and melt without the on-off cycling that defines lesser microwaves. The fan-noise and learning-curve complaints are real but manageable.

Strengths
  • Inverter microwave delivers smooth, low-power simmer that conventional magnetron units cannot replicate at sub-30% settings
  • Convection bake range from 100 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit covers proofing dough through full roasts in a 1.2 cu ft cavity
Watch-outs
  • Cooling fan runs for up to six minutes after a cooking cycle ends and is audible across an open kitchen
  • Control panel layout has a real learning curve — first-week users routinely miss the combo-mode entry path
LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection
#2
Best for: Family kitchens with an existing range and over-range cabinet space, where freeing countertop area and replacing a separate hood vent with a combined microwave-hood unit is the goal.
LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection
from 3 sources$181as of Jul 4
Why it's ranked here

LG's MHEC1737F is the rare combination of true over-the-range form factor, real ducted ventilation (300 CFM), full convection capability, and dedicated air-fry mode. The 1.7 cu ft cavity is the largest you can get in a single-piece OTR convection microwave, the 950W microwave is competitive with countertop units, and Consumer Reports rated the unit 'very good' on heating evenness and 'excellent' on defrost. Installation weight and Wi-Fi flakiness are the friction points.

Strengths
  • True over-the-range convection with 1700W convection element and dedicated air-fry mode in a 30-inch ducted footprint
  • 1.7 cu ft cavity is the largest available in a single-piece over-the-range convection unit
Watch-outs
  • 74-pound chassis is a true two-person installation and may exceed older above-range cabinet ratings
  • Wi-Fi connection has been reported as 'temperamental' by reviewers, requiring periodic re-pairs
Breville Combi Wave BMO870 3-in-1
#3
Best for: Apartment dwellers and small-kitchen owners who want premium materials, a soft-close door, and a 1.1 cu ft footprint that does not dominate a 24-inch counter.
Breville Combi Wave BMO870 3-in-1
from 3 sources$499.95as of Jul 4
Why it's ranked here

Breville's Combi Wave BMO870 is the premium-feel option in this category — the soft-close door alone separates it from every other unit here, and the 1200W microwave makes it the fastest reheater in the guide. The 1.1 cu ft cavity and the imperfect air-fry mode are the price of the compact footprint and premium materials, and Top Ten Reviews described it as 'a smart buy' for kitchens where the cooking matters and the budget allows.

Strengths
  • Soft-close door is the only one in this guide and dramatically reduces ergonomic friction during heavy use
  • Stainless-steel build feels premium — owners and Top Ten Reviews describe it as 'incredibly premium' compared to peers
Watch-outs
  • Air-fry mode 'consistently over-shrank' frozen chicken in Top Ten Reviews testing per Paul Rankin
  • 1.1 cu ft cavity is the smallest in this guide and will not accept a 9-by-13 baking pan
Toshiba EC042A5C-BS 1.5 cu ft Convection
#4
Best for: Budget-conscious bakers who need a 1.5 cu ft convection cavity and 1000W microwave in one countertop unit and do not require dedicated air-fry mode or built-in installation.
Toshiba EC042A5C-BS 1.5 cu ft Convection
from 3 sources
Why it's ranked here

Toshiba's EC042A5C-BS delivers the 1.5 cu ft convection cavity and 1000W microwave at roughly half the price of the Sharp SMC1585BS, with a wider 170-425 degrees Fahrenheit convection range that supports yeast-dough proofing. Consumer Reports rated it 'very good' on heating and 'excellent' on defrost, and the Smart Sensor handles common reheat tasks without manual entry. Skip it only if you need dedicated air-fry — convection alone handles browning competently.

Strengths
  • 1.5 cu ft cavity at half the price of competing 1.5 cu ft convection units — best capacity-per-dollar in the category
  • Convection range from 170 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit covers proofing through full roasts
Watch-outs
  • No dedicated air-fry mode — convection element handles browning but lacks the high-velocity airflow of dedicated air fryers
  • Cooling fan runs after convection cycles, adding to ambient kitchen noise
Reviews aggregated from
Consumerreports.orgRtings.comApplegreenshop.comLg.comUsappliance.comToptenreviews.comChoice.com.auBreville.com

Spec comparison

4 products
vs
SpecPanasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection
Capacity1.2 cu ft1.7 cu ft
Wattage1000W microwave / convection bake950W microwave / 1700W convection
TypeCountertopOver-the-Range
Temperature Range100-425 degrees Fahrenheit
Air FryerYesYes
Turntable Diameter14.2 inches
ColorStainless SteelPrintProof Stainless Steel, PrintProof Black Stainless Steel
Presets20 auto-cook settings and 11 power levels8 Auto Cook including Speed Combi, Air Fry, Steam Cook

Frequently asked questions

What is the best convection microwave?
Panasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1 is our top pick for convection microwaves, with an averaged rating of 4.6/5 from 3 published reviews. Panasonic's HomeCHEF combines an inverter microwave, a true 100-425 degrees Fahrenheit convection oven, a FlashXpress broiler, and an air fryer in a 1.2 cu ft countertop footprint. It is the most mode-rich combination unit on the market at this price, and the inverter element lets it simmer and melt without the on-off cycling that defines lesser microwaves. The fan-noise and learning-curve complaints are real but manageable.
Is there a cheaper alternative worth considering?
Toshiba EC042A5C-BS 1.5 cu ft Convection rates 4.3/5 in our analysis. Toshiba's EC042A5C-BS delivers the 1.5 cu ft convection cavity and 1000W microwave at roughly half the price of the Sharp SMC1585BS, with a wider 170-425 degrees Fahrenheit convection range that supports yeast-dough proofing. Consumer Reports rated it 'very good' on heating and 'excellent' on defrost, and the Smart Sensor handles common reheat tasks without manual entry. Skip it only if you need dedicated air-fry — convection alone handles browning competently.
How does Verdict rank these products?
Every rating on Verdict is the numerical average of scores published by independent review sites, YouTube reviewers, and Reddit buyer reports. No editor adjusts the order — the ranking is whatever the source data produces. See our methodology page for the full process.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in July 2026. We re-run our research pipeline for each category on a rolling basis so prices and rankings reflect current market reality.

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