Best combination microwaves for 2024

Combi microwaves combine regular microwave cooking with a grill and convection oven functions – so they can heat, roast, crisp and brown, just like regular ovens.

From multi-step models to wide-door designs, Which? puts each combination microwave through our rigorous lab tests. We measure everything from how well it bakes cakes to how evenly it defrosts minced meat.

If you're keen to try one, our guide to the best combination microwaves will help you decide what features to look for. Plus, there's a round-up of those that have earned our coveted Best Buy recommendation.  

Head to our best microwaves guide to discover the pros and cons of each microwave type.

Best combination microwaves

These are the very best combi microwaves of all the models we've tested.

Head to our combination microwave reviews to see all the models we've tested.

Recently tested combination microwaves

We've tested many of the latest Daewoo, Zanussi, Morphy Richards, Panasonic, Samsung and Sharp combination microwaves. 

Here's a quick list of some of the newest models to come from our test lab.

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Not sure a combi microwave is for you? See our guide to the best air fryers.

How to buy the best combination microwave

If you think a combination microwave oven sounds like the right choice for you, these questions will help you decide on a model.

• How much space do you have? Combi microwaves are usually larger and more bulky than solo microwaves, though you can fit more inside them. A built-in model will free up valuable counter space but you'll pay a premium for the privilege.
• What features will you use? Combi microwaves tend to come with a range of auto-cook settings, including multi-stage cooking – so you can defrost, microwave and then grill a lasagne for example. Some even come with settings for making yoghurt, air frying or steam cooking. But it's not worth paying for fancy features unless you're actually going to use them. Consider our list of the best features below before you buy.
• How much are you willing to spend? All these bells and whistles mean that combi microwaves tend to be a lot more expensive than regular microwaves, costing anything from £100 to over £1,000. You'll pay more if you choose a flatbed model over a turntable too, but you will get valuable extra cooking space.
• Is energy efficiency important to you? The oven-like cooking capabilities of combination microwaves mean that, generally, they use more energy than solo microwaves. If saving energy is your key consideration and you only plan to use your microwave for basic cooking tasks, a solo model might be a better choice. If you're still keen on a combi model, use our reviews to find an oven rated four or five stars for energy efficiency.
  

Our guide to the best microwave brands will help you choose a reliable brand.

Best combi microwave features to consider

These are some of the most useful features to look out for when choosing a combination microwave:

Accessories

Some combis come with accessories, including vegetable and rice steamers, browning shelves, and ‘crisper plates’ to crisp up the bottom of your pizzas and pies.

Auto-cook programs

These automatically cook food for the correct time and with correct combination of microwave, convection and grill. Just enter the weight and type of food and it will do the rest. Most combis have at least a couple of auto programs, but we've seen some with more than 30 programs to cook anything from a croque monsieur to meringues.  

Auto sensor

Some combis have an auto sensor setting that will automatically cook or reheat your food, without you even having to enter the weight. Instead, these combis monitor the steam coming out of your food to automatically calculate the time and power needed.

Multi-step programming

Allows you to program different cooking modes to begin one after the other. So you can set it to automatically defrost your cottage pie, then cook it, and even give the top a blast with the grill at the end – all without having to come back and reset it.

Wide door opening

Manufacturers often state the capacity in litres, but this doesn’t tell you what you’ll actually be able to fit inside. We measure the widest dish we can fit through the door without tilting, and found while some combis are only big enough for a 29cm dish, the largest have room for dishes of up to 46cm wide.

Is it worth buying a combi microwave?

Combination microwaves can be used in place of a separate oven and microwave, so could be a good space-saving option for smaller kitchens. They can also come in handy as a second mini oven when cooking big roasts or more elaborate meals.

As the cavity is usually smaller than a full-sized oven, they can be quicker. And you can combine cooking functions to save time – for example, microwaving food then finishing off with the grill to crisp it up.

We'd even go so far as to declare them a viable alternative to trendy air fryers, because they can do everything air fryers do but can also have extra capabilities such as defrosting and steaming.

However, if you’re just looking for something to zap ready meals and leftovers, or have limited space and already have a traditional oven, you’re probably better off with a basic solo microwave.

Not sure it's a microwave you need? See our guides to the best mini ovens and the best air fryers.

How much do I need to spend to get a good combination microwave?

• Prices range from approximately £100 to £500+
• We've found Best Buys for less than £200

Combination microwaves are generally more expensive than ordinary microwaves, as they come with a wider range of functions and cooking options.

Most cost between £100-£250, and there's no need to spend more as long as you choose carefully – some of the combination microwaves we've tested cost less than £200.

More expensive models costing more than £500 tend to be extra-spacious, similar to having a second oven. They have fancy features like true steam cooking, or are built-in appliances that fit into a wall cavity.

To see the best cheap microwaves we recommend, go to our microwave reviews and use the Great Value filter.