Head-to-head · Best Convection Microwaves

LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection vs Toshiba EC042A5C-BS 1.5 cu ft 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 4.3). 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 #5 in Best Convection Microwaves

Toshiba EC042A5C-BS 1.5 cu ft Convection

4.3

$329

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
— 1000W microwave is competitive with mid-tier dedicated countertop microwaves

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
— Stainless interior reflects light into the cavity in a way that makes visual monitoring of dark foods harder

$329 · 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.

Toshiba EC042A5C-BS 1.5 cu ft Convection

The EC042A5C-BS matches the Sharp SMC1585BS on cavity volume (1.5 cu ft) at roughly $220 less, and it pushes 100W more microwave power. It cannot match the Sharp's built-in trim-kit installability or the Panasonic NN-CD87KS's mode depth, but it covers the convection-and-microwave-in-one-box use case at the lowest price in this guide.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	LG MHEC1737F Over-the-Range Convection	Toshiba EC042A5C-BS 1.5 cu ft Convection
Capacity	1.7 cu ft	1.5 cu ft
Wattage	950W microwave / 1700W convection	1000W microwave / 1400W convection
Type	Over-the-Range	Countertop
Power Levels	10	10
Preset Cooking Programs	8 Auto Cook including Speed Combi, Air Fry, Steam Cook	Auto Bake, Auto Roast, Auto Defrost, Sensor Cook (9 foods)
Air Fryer Mode	Yes	—
Sensor Cooking	Yes (Humidity)	Yes
Color Options	PrintProof Stainless Steel, PrintProof Black Stainless Steel	Black Stainless Steel
Warranty	1 year parts and labor / 5 years magnetron	1-year limited
Convection Temperature Range	—	170-425 degrees Fahrenheit
Turntable Diameter	—	13.6 inches

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