Head-to-head · Best Convection Microwaves

LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection vs Sharp Carousel SMC1585BS 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

LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about 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. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #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 →

Ranked #2 in Best Convection Microwaves

Sharp Carousel SMC1585BS Convection

4.4

$549

Sharp's SMC1585BS is the largest-cavity convection microwave in this guide at 1.5 cu ft and the only model designed from the start to live equally well on a countertop or recessed into cabinetry via the matching trim kit. The 14.1-inch ceramic turntable, 900W microwave, and dedicated Auto Bake, Auto Roast, and Auto Broil presets make it a serious second-oven choice for baking households. The door latch and fingerprints are the friction points.

Strengths

— Built-in capable with optional Sharp RK94S30F (30-inch) or RK94S27F (27-inch) trim kits — the same unit serves countertop and built-in roles
— 1.5 cu ft cavity is the largest in this guide and accommodates a 9-by-13 baking pan with clearance
— 14.1-inch ceramic Carousel turntable spins large casseroles evenly without rim-on-cavity binding

Watch-outs

— Door latch design draws repeated owner complaints — Home Depot reviews flag that the latch button must be pressed firmly before the door will release
— MSRP $779.99 puts the unit in premium-microwave territory when not on sale
— Indicators of trim-kit installation difficulty appear in owner reviews — the 30-inch kit requires a precise cabinet cutout

$549 · 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.

Sharp Carousel SMC1585BS Convection

The SMC1585BS offers the largest cavity in this group at 1.5 cu ft — 25% more usable volume than the Panasonic NN-CD87KS or Breville BMO870. It is also the only countertop unit in the guide engineered for built-in installation via factory trim kits, which the Toshiba EC042A5C-BS cannot match. If you need a second oven that can roast a 5 lb chicken, the Sharp gets there with room to spare.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection	Sharp Carousel SMC1585BS Convection
Capacity	1.7 cu ft	1.5 cu ft
Wattage	950W microwave / 1700W convection	900W microwave / convection
Type	Over-the-Range	Countertop or Built-In with trim kit
Power Levels	10	10
Preset Cooking Programs	8 Auto Cook including Speed Combi, Air Fry, Steam Cook	Auto Bake, Auto Roast, Auto Broil, Auto Defrost, Sensor Cook
Air Fryer Mode	Yes	No
Sensor Cooking	Yes (Humidity)	Yes
Color Options	PrintProof Stainless Steel, PrintProof Black Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel, Black, White
Warranty	1 year parts and labor / 5 years magnetron	1-year parts and labor
Turntable Diameter	—	14.1 inches

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