Verdict
All guidesMethodologyAboutContact
Head-to-head · Best Convection Microwaves

Breville Combi Wave BMO870 3-in-1 vs LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Breville Combi Wave BMO870 3-in-1 and LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection score essentially the same (4.5 vs 4.5). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Breville Combi Wave BMO870 3-in-1
Ranked #4 in Best Convection Microwaves
Breville Combi Wave BMO870 3-in-1
$499

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
  • — 1200W microwave is the highest in this guide and reheats faster than the 900-1000W competitors
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
  • — Convection fan produces a 'whooshing air sound' at roughly 56 dB — louder than a magnetron-only microwave
$499 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection
Ranked #3 in Best Convection Microwaves
LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection
$599

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
  • — PrintProof stainless finish genuinely resists fingerprints and is wipe-clean unlike standard stainless
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
  • — Interior LED is dimmer than competing OTR units and makes visual monitoring harder without opening the door
$599 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Breville Combi Wave BMO870 3-in-1

The BMO870 is the premium-build pick — owners describe a quality of fit and finish the Toshiba EC042A5C-BS and Sharp SMC1585BS do not match. It trades 0.4 cu ft of cavity to the Sharp for the smaller apartment-friendly footprint, and 1200W reheats faster than the LG MHEC1737F or Panasonic NN-CD87KS. The air-fry weakness is the documented limit.

LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection

Among the picks here, the MHEC1737F is the only over-the-range option, the only ducted-ventilation pick, and the only one that frees countertop space entirely. It accepts none of the built-in trim-kit work the Sharp SMC1585BS does, but it replaces a separate range hood (300 CFM) and a counter microwave in one mount. The 1700W convection element matches the Sharp's intensity in a smaller cavity.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBreville Combi Wave BMO870 3-in-1LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection
Capacity1.1 cu ft1.7 cu ft
Wattage1200W microwave / convection950W microwave / 1700W convection
TypeCountertopOver-the-Range
Power Levels1010
Preset Cooking Programs19 smart presets including Fast Combi, From Frozen, Air Fry, Oven, Microwave8 Auto Cook including Speed Combi, Air Fry, Steam Cook
Air Fryer ModeYesYes
Sensor CookingYesYes (Humidity)
Turntable Diameter13.5 inches—
Color OptionsBrushed Stainless SteelPrintProof Stainless Steel, PrintProof Black Stainless Steel
Warranty1-year limited1 year parts and labor / 5 years magnetron
← See the full ranking of best convection microwaves