Head-to-head · Best Convection Microwaves

LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection vs Panasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1

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

Panasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about Multi-mode cooks who want microwave, convection, broil, and air fry in one countertop appliance and value inverter-smooth power control. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Convection Microwaves

LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection

4.5

$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 Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Convection Microwaves

Panasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1

4.6

$499

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
— FlashXpress broiler reaches working heat in seconds without preheat, saving meaningful time over the convection element

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
— Heating evenness on plain reheats tested only mediocre at Consumer Reports despite the inverter design

$499 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

Panasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1

The NN-CD87KS is the deepest cooking-mode toolkit in this group — five modes versus the Breville BMO870's three and the Toshiba EC042A5C-BS's two. Where the Sharp SMC1585BS gives you more raw oven volume, the Panasonic gives you the inverter for delicate simmer work the Sharp cannot match. If you cook on multiple modes weekly, this is the pick.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection	Panasonic HomeCHEF NN-CD87KS 4-in-1
Capacity	1.7 cu ft	1.2 cu ft
Wattage	950W microwave / 1700W convection	1000W microwave / convection bake
Type	Over-the-Range	Countertop
Power Levels	10	7
Preset Cooking Programs	8 Auto Cook including Speed Combi, Air Fry, Steam Cook	—
Air Fryer Mode	Yes	Yes
Sensor Cooking	Yes (Humidity)	—
Color Options	PrintProof Stainless Steel, PrintProof Black Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Warranty	1 year parts and labor / 5 years magnetron	3-year limited
Convection Temperature Range	—	100-425 degrees Fahrenheit
Inverter Technology	—	Yes
Turntable Diameter	—	14.2 inches

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