Combination Microwave Buying Guide: How to Make the Right Choice

By: Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer

Short on kitchen space, but still want to bake, grill, and quickly heat up a meal? You're not alone. The search for an all-in-one appliance quickly leads to the combination microwave. But the range of options is vast, from a basic microwave to a multi-functional air fryer oven.

This guide is designed to help. We'll outline the different options and highlight several popular models to help you find an appliance that fits your kitchen, cooking needs, and budget.

What to Look for When Buying

Before you make a choice, it's helpful to consider a few practical matters. This will help you look past the technical specs and determine what you really need.

1. Functions: What do you want to do with it?

Not every appliance that looks like a microwave does the same thing. The functions determine its versatility.

• Solo microwave: The basic model. Perfect for reheating leftovers, defrosting food, and preparing simple microwave meals.
• Microwave with grill: Adds a grilling element. This allows you to give dishes like casseroles a crispy top layer.
• Combination microwave (microwave with oven function): The all-rounder. In addition to microwave and grill functions, this type also includes a convection oven. This allows you to actually bake cakes, pizzas, and casseroles.
• Air fryer oven: A relatively new type. This is often a compact freestanding oven with a powerful convection function specially designed for air frying, delivering crispier results.

2. Capacity and Dimensions: How much space do you have?

The capacity of a microwave or oven is expressed in litres. This is a key indicator of what will fit inside.

• Up to 25 litres: Suitable for single-person households, students, or if you mainly use plates or small dishes. A small oven for basic needs.
• 25 to 30 litres: A good average for couples or small families. This size can typically fit a standard frozen pizza or a medium-sized oven dish.
• Over 30 litres: Ideal for larger families or if you plan to use the combination microwave as your primary oven. You can often cook multiple dishes at once or grill a whole chicken in this size.

Always measure the space where the appliance will be placed. Freestanding models require ventilation space at the back and sides.

3. Power: How fast will it be ready?

The power, expressed in Watts (W), determines how quickly and powerfully the appliance operates. Pay attention to the different power ratings:

• Microwave power: Around 900W is a good standard for fast and even heating.
• Grill and oven power: For the oven function, a power rating of 1500W to 2200W is desirable for proper baking and roasting. Higher wattage generally means a faster preheat time and better baking results.

Our Recommended Product Picks

To give you a clearer picture, we've selected three different appliances, each catering to a different need.

Comfee 20L Microwave

Why it stands out This is a classic solo microwave without complex features. Operation is straightforward with two rotary dials: one for power and one for time. A practical and affordable appliance for basic tasks.

Pros

• Compact size: With a 20-litre capacity, it fits in almost any kitchen.
• Simple operation: No digital menus, just clear rotary dials.
• 5 power levels: Offers enough flexibility for heating and defrosting.

Who is it for? For students, first-time renters, or anyone looking for a simple, reliable microwave for quick heating and defrosting jobs. If you don't need an oven or grill function, this is a logical choice.

View the Comfee 20L Microwave

Sharp YC-PC254AE-S 25L Combination Microwave

Why it stands out This model from Sharp is a true combination microwave. It combines a powerful microwave with a grill and a fully-fledged convection oven. This makes it a versatile solution for kitchens without space for a separate oven.

Pros

• 3-in-1 functionality: Microwave, grill, and convection oven in one appliance.
• Powerful: 900W microwave power, 1200W grill, and 2050W convection power.
• Practical size: The 25-litre capacity is spacious enough for most oven dishes and pizzas.
• Includes accessories: Comes with a turntable, grill rack, and baking tray.

Who is it for? Ideal for small households or apartments where one appliance needs to serve as both a microwave and an oven. Perfect for baking a cake, grilling a chicken, or reheating a meal.

View the Sharp 25L Combination Microwave

oimis Smart Stainless Steel Air Fryer Oven 30L

Why it stands out This appliance is more of an air fryer oven than a traditional microwave. With its huge capacity and 21 preset programs, it's aimed at the home chef who values versatility and healthier cooking. According to the manufacturer, OIMIS, the 360° hot air circulation ensures crispy results with up to 85% less fat.

Pros

• Extra-large capacity: With 30 litres, there's room for a 13-inch pizza or a whole chicken on the included rotisserie spit.
• Versatile: 21 functions, including air frying, baking, roasting, toasting, and dehydrating.
• High power: The 1800W ensures fast preheating times and powerful performance.
• Dual Cook function: This allows two cooking functions to be combined for more culinary possibilities.

Who is it for? For families or cooking enthusiasts looking for an efficient second appliance or wanting the functionality of a large oven in a small kitchen. The focus here is on baking, roasting, and air frying. Please note: this model does not have a microwave function.

View the oimis Smart Airfryer Oven

Still Haven't Found What You're Looking For?

The world of compact kitchen appliances is vast. If the models above don't quite match your needs, or if you're looking for a specific style, take a look at our wider assortment.

? Discover more models in the Silver Oven category

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between a combination microwave and an oven with a microwave function? The terms are often used interchangeably. Generally, a combination microwave is primarily a microwave with added oven functions. An oven with a microwave function is primarily an oven to which a microwave function has been added. In practice, they often amount to the same thing: an appliance that can do both.

2. Can a combination microwave completely replace a conventional oven? For most daily tasks in a small to medium-sized household, yes. You can easily bake a cake, cook a pizza, or make a casserole. However, for preparing multiple large dishes simultaneously or for very specific baking recipes, a traditional, larger built-in oven may yield better results due to its larger interior space and more stable temperature distribution.

3. How many watts does a good combination microwave need? Look for two numbers. For the microwave function, a power rating of 800-1000W is a good guideline for fast, even heating. For the convection oven function, a power rating of 1500W or more is recommended. A higher wattage ensures the oven reaches temperature faster and retains heat better.