Passing your kitchen times with a microwave convection oven is great but choosing the Best Countertop Microwave Convection Ovens in 2023? It’s kind of a tough job, right? Yes, but things will be simple if you get comprehensive guidance from choosing to buy the machine.
To help you out, we’ve dived deep to collect all the necessary information you need to know about it and have gone through some real-life experiences with the highest quality microwaves convection ovens on the market.
And, guess what? We’ve got the best countertop microwave convection oven to share with you and reviewed them to make your path easier. Also, there’s an FAQ section that’ll eventually clear any question from your head regarding the topic.
So, ready for the journey?
What is the difference between a convection microwave and a regular microwave?
Since all microwaves out there can reheat leftovers, what’s the point of investing in a convection oven?
There’s an extra fan and heating element in the convection ovens so you can roast and bake foods with home-cooked results.
When you switch to a convection microwave, cooking, baking, roasting, and almost everything is possible. If you’re waiting for a potential comparison between the ways of using both microwaves, here you go.
| Traditional Microwaves | Convection Microwaves |
| Boiling | Boiling |
| Reheating | Reheating |
| Cooktop lighting | Cooktop lighting |
| Defrosting | Defrosting |
| Ventilating your kitchen | Ventilating your kitchen |
| Sensors that adjust cooking time | Sensors that adjust cooking time |
| +Preheating | |
| +Roasting, crisping, & baking | |
| +Controllable via smartphone |
How to Choose a Best Countertop Microwave Convection Oven?
Before you pick one convection oven for you no matter how high quality it offers, look at the factors you must consider to choose the oven.
Power Source
Wattage is the measuring unit for a convection oven’s power. In most cases, microwaves offer 600 to 1,200 watts. Naturally, the higher wattage you go for, the more quickly and evenly it will heat up your food.
Microwaves that cost a bit high and larger in size provide a higher wattage. And, you will need to choose between a battery-powered model and an electric cord microwave. Since you can plug electric microwaves into almost any standard wall outlet, you can expect the highest flexibility from them.
Size and Capacity
The microwave convection oven you choose must meet the right size needs you have. Take the exterior dimensions of your microwave first. To do so, you have to simply measure how much counter space is available and pick the model that falls with the dimensions.
Overall interior dimensions are directly related to the capacity. Maximum microwaves come with a capacity from 0.7 cubic feet to 2 cubic feet.
If you’re buying the machine for only cooking small meals like defrosting frozen foods, a small microwave can do it ideally. But when it comes to cooking large meals comfortably, make sure you choose a microbe with more room.
Ease of Use
How easy to operate, clean, and maintain your microwave will also affect your experience with the machine. You need to figure some things out like whether you prefer a standard control panel or you want to get bonus options.
Also, there are factors like the settings and timer systems that may bother you with complications. So, make sure how much you can tolerate it.
Energy Efficiency
When you go for an energy-efficient microwave, it will lower your electric bills and affect the environmental factors positively. The reason why a convection microwave cooks food more evenly is, it distributes the heat evenly.
A convection oven takes only 25% energy compared to a conventional microwave. If you’re one of the energy-conscious individuals, pick one microwave that has several power settings because it can prevent excessive energy usage than the level of energy required for each task.
Smart Technology
There are smart microwave convection ovens that are wifi-enabled. You can control the oven’s voice commands or an app. You’ll even get a scope to scan a barcode and the power settings and time will be automatically adjustable.
Plus, smart microwaves let you monitor the progress of your food even when you’re in another room. This app can be paired with several models and you’ll get informed when the food is ready to serve.
You can place your food in the microwave and use your smart home assistant to let the cooking process start from anywhere.
Interior Features
A microwave convection oven can offer a lot of interior features that vary from model to model. Here are some examples:
- Stainless steel interior: Easy to clean and it doesn’t absorb odors.
- Nonstick interior coating: It makes your cleaning job easier.
- Interlock safety feature: In case the door of the microwave is open, it can prevent the unit from operating.
- A turntable: It’s a rotating glass plate that helps your food to get an even heat distribution.
- Automatic sensors: These sensors can measure how much interior steam is there when your food is done. Microwaves with this feature will stop cooking right away whenever they detect the right level of steam. So, you don’t have to set a timer.
- Removable racks: There are trays and removable racks that let you use your microwave as an oven. You can even cook two different dishes once using the racks.
6 Best Countertop Microwave Convection Ovens
I would like to request to check the Chart After 72 hours of researching and comparing all best available models on the market, Jumtimes finds out the Best Countertop Microwave Convection Ovens in 2022. Now, don’t want to make you wait forever, let’s see what’s on our list!
1. Farberware Professional FMO12AHTBKE Microwave
Starting with a leading brand of kitchen appliances, Farberware. The professional microwave is a package of modern features and ease of usage. It comes with a powerful motor, sleek design, great customizability, and smart sensor cooking.
Key Specifications
- Wattage: 1100 Watts
- Dimensions:5 x 17.3 x 12.8 inches
- Capacity:2 Cubic Feet
- Item weight:5 pounds
- Color: Stainless Steel
If you’re looking for a convection oven so powerful with 1000+ watts your budget is under $150, this oven will make your defrosting, reheating, and snacking easier than ever.
About the control panel, it’s pretty straightforward to operate and clear for proper visibility.
Even if you’re a novice user, you can attain the ideal temperature to cook your food with some simple customizations. It’s easy to adjust the settings due to the Farberware multi-stage cooking functionality.
I personally liked the memory function which can store the most used settings and makes it easy to cook for each dish.
Another reason for the huge popularity of this brand is its Smart Sensor technology that saves your time by speeding up the whole cooking process. The +30 second button and the 1-6 minutes express cooking make it easy to deal with your food.
Other than the presets, you’ll find some defrost options in this oven including auto defrost (a real-lifetime saver), the 1 lb. defrost, etc. It comes with a 1.2 cubic ft capacity so, don’t worry if space is one of your concerns.
One big problem that this great microwave showed up to some users is, the power buttons are quite slow to respond. People who prefer buttons that provide audio feedback when touched may not like the touch-type buttons of this oven.
Pros
- It fits almost anywhere and has a sleek design
- Easily adjustable power levels
- The stainless steel construction is very durable
- Excellent customizable settings
- It heats up the food evenly
Cons
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- It’s quite noisy
2. GE Countertop Microwave Oven
Another quality product on our list is GE Countertop Microwave oven. You’ll get efficient results by using this machine because of its power levels and convenient controls. The solid and sleek design makes it more desirable and you’re getting it without spending more than $150.
Key Specifications
- Wattage: 900 Watts
- Dimensions: 19 x 14.5 x 11.5 inches
- Capacity: 0.9 Cubic Feet
- Item weight: 33.5 pounds
- Color: Stainless Steel
The inside and outside dimensions make it sure that the oven is not too large, not too small-size. Standard size containers and plates will fit easily without annoyance. Also, there are ‘one touch’ functions plus a rotating turntable.
Although 900 watts is not a lot of power, it will get your defrosting, reheating, and snacking jobs done pretty easily and quickly. It heats up evenly as long as you’re not overcrowding the oven with food.
Auto or manual defrost settings and power levels are easy to set and program for optimal results. So, this space saver microwave oven is packed with great features. Features like child lock controls, kitchen timer, and cooking complete alarms add convenience.
Overall it’s quite an unbeatable option on the market but there are a few factors that you might take as disadvantages. The door closes with a relatively loud clunk but it’s common in most microwaves. The lighting doesn’t perform that good and the LED display doesn’t look great.
Pros
- It doesn’t take that much space
- Quite lightweight
- Heats up foods evenly
- Easy to use and clean
- Has some standard ‘one touch’ functions
Cons
- The LED display doesn’t work best
3. Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave Oven with Sound
Toshiba is a trusted name when it comes to electronics, and their EM925A5A-BS microwave oven is no exception. This stylish black stainless steel appliance has a timeless design that will complement any kitchen. It’s rated voltage is 120V- 60Hz and the rated input power (for the microwave) is 1350W. The Toshiba EM925A5A-BS also has a handy sound on/off feature, so you can enjoy your food in peace and quiet. Whether you’re reheating leftovers or cooking a quick meal, this microwave oven is up to the task. Toshiba has once again delivered an appliance that is sure to please.
Key Specifications
- Wattage: 1350 watts
- Dimensions: External: 19.15 ’’ *15.91 ’’ *11.48’’ (W*D*H)
- Dimensions: Internal: 12.36 ’’ *13.66 ’’ *8.7’’ (W*D*H)
- Capacity: Oven capacity: 0.9 cu. ft.
- Item weight: 27.3 Pounds
- Color: Stainless Steel
- Lock Type: Child Lock Available
1350 watts of power is perfect for almost every cooking necessity. Also, there are 10 power settings with a memory turntable which makes your cooking period easier. The interior light is bright enough that will allow you to keep an eye on the condition of the food.
And, the beautiful lighted display offers you convenience.
It has a 0.9 Cubic Feet capacity which is the highest on our list. So, if you need something for cooking large batches of meals, get this one without worrying much. About the ease of use and cleanliness, it’s pretty easy to maintain because of the durable and reliable stainless-steel structure.
Another great point of this part is, it has a position-changing turntable and energy-saving eco mode which will barely be found elsewhere in the competition.
However, to get the superior distinct features and breathtaking performance of this machine, you’ll have to spend more than the previous options.
Another thing that you should be aware of- the air fryer function of this machine isn’t picture-perfect. What I mean is, air frying in an oven is quite different from a dedicated air-frying machine. So, Toshiba should have added more information in the manual about how to air-fry foods in it.
Pros
- Offer a superior performance
- High-resistance double-glass door maintains the temperature well
- Comes in a beautiful and elegant design
- Allows you to cook without oil
- Offers many different functions
Cons
- The ‘air-frying’ function isn’t user-friendly
- Quite expensive
4. Cuisinart CMW-200 Convection Microwave Oven
If your budget is up to $300, you can have Cuisinart CMW-200 which lets you defrost, bake, roast, grill, and almost every cooking process you may want. It offers excellent cooking performance with lots of great features.
Key Specifications
- Wattage: 1000 watts
- Dimensions: 19 x 12.2 x 21.2 inches
- Capacity: 2 Cubic Feet
- Item weight: 38 pounds
- Color: Stainless Steel
- Preset Functions: 9
It offers 100 watts which is enough for almost anything you want to make your convection oven do. And, you’ll get enough space inside as it comes with 1.2 cubic ft. capacity. As you can guess, it’s not a good choice for a tiny space.
The stainless steel structure makes it easier to clean and maintain. The multi-stage cooking operation will help you cook easily because it allows your oven to be set so one operation automatically switches to another.
About usability, it’s easy to operate. But make sure you push the door very firmly otherwise the lever system may break down.
It has an LCD display plus touchpad controls. It has a convenient defrost function that will thaw meat by time or weight and you’ll even find an option for cooking just from frozen which is great!
About the design, there’s a 12-inch glass tray as well as a reversible grill rack that eats up quite a lot of space. So, try not to mount this oven onto a cabinet as the heat might emit.
Pros
- Durable stainless steel structure makes it easy to clean
- Comes with up to 9 preset options
- Offers great amount of capacity
- Has a multi-stage cooking option
Cons
- Needs quite a lot of space for heat emission
- Doesn’t come with any moisture sensor
5. Panasonic NN-SD975S Countertop Microwave Oven
You have to spend quite a lot to get this one. Still, if you prefer enjoying the latest cooking technology and a large cooking capacity, this one could be an unbeatable option.
Key Specifications
- Wattage: 1250 watts
- Dimensions: 19.44 x 23.88 x 14 inches
- Capacity: 2 Cubic Feet
- Item weight: 36.8 pounds
- Color: Stainless Steel
- Material: Aluminum
If we start with the visual appearance of this cool product, the stylish brushed stainless steel exterior makes it attractive and suitable for any kitchen. And, you can simply wipe the steel and get rid of the grease and grime.
There are finger-friendly buttons and dial controls that help you choose the ideal cooking function. The ease of use and operating the machine will grab your attention. If you hate touch buttons, the raised buttons will be your favorite.
Moreover, you’ll love the bright blue color of the LED display that is very readable even in any low light condition.
People who have large families need a Panasonic NN-SD975S for its huge capacity (2.2 cubic feet!). Also, there’s a large turntable (16.5-inch) that will easily accommodate a turkey or chicken.
About power output, this machine offers 1250 watts of power that lets you cook almost all recipes with extremely great quality. There’s nothing to worry about the food being under or overcooked because you can adjust the power output into 10 settings.
Other great features like the 3-stage cooking, Instant Cooking mode, Delay Start button, etc will make you a Panasonic freak.
Pros
- It offers a large cooking capacity
- Distributes heat evenly and efficiently
- Has easily adjustable cooking functions
- Cooks foods from the inside but doesn’t consume much power
- Comes in a sleek design
Cons
- Beeping seems quite annoying, there’s no button to mute it
- Doesn’t come with a handle to use when lifting a unit
6. Toshiba ML-EM45PIT(BS) Microwave Oven
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Today’s list is going to end with a well-constructed, space-saver countertop microwave that has an ample interior with a 1.6 cubic ft capacity. Speaking of the capacity, it comes with a wide turntable of 13.58 inches.
Key Specifications
- Wattage: 1250 Watts
- Dimensions: 19.2 x 21.77 x 12.99 inches
- Capacity: 1.6 Cubic Feet
- Item weight: 28.7 pounds
- Color: Black
- Material: Stainless Steel
If we switch the discussion to the exterior, you’ll notice clean keypads on the left side of the microwave. Most users praised the monochromatic concept as well as its control panel that makes the whole design more stylish.
Several sections are there in the keypads (e.g numerical keypad, smart sensor option, and others like start and stop buttons). The display is large and clear enough and has several functions.
It offers a great amount of power (1250 watts) that’s more than even for any kind of kitchen necessities. Also, there are 10 power settings, an easy-to-read control panel, an LED cavity light, a clock and kitchen timer, and whatnot!
The energy-saving eco mode will aid in minimizing energy consumption. You have to do nothing but turn the Eco mode on and it will reduce 50% of the standby power. Not only does it save energy but also the total operation cost will be reduced.
Overall, Toshiba ML-EM45PIT(BS) works great, the door closes perfectly, it’s quiet, has good sensor features, and is full size. And, you’ll get this amazing product for under $200!
Pros
- It offers copious features
- Great exterior made of stylish black stainless steel
- Smart sensor for convenient cooking experience
- It comes with a position memory turntable
Cons
- Too lightweight
- Sometimes the touchpads act unresponsive
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I maintain a microwave convection oven?
Clean the interior each time you use your oven ensuring you remove any spills or stuck-on foods. It’s better if you don’t use commercial cleaners to clean the interior. If you find any stubborn leftover on the surface, you can soften it with hot water steam.
To do so, place a bowl of water in the oven and cook it for 3 minutes. After that, close the door and keep the water inside for another 5 minutes. You’ll notice how the hot steam loosens the hardened food and then you can simply wipe it up with a soapy cloth.
What is exactly a convection microwave oven used for?
A convection microwave oven is able to do anything a traditional microwave can. Plus, it can bake, cook, and roast foods.
How long does a microwave convection oven last?
There are some factors that affect the lifespan of your microwave convection oven (e.g how often you use it, how you maintain it, etc). Generally, you can expect a microwave convection oven to last around 10 years.
Can I use a glass bowl in a microwave convection oven?
Yes, it’s okay if you use glass bakeware in the convection oven.
What if I put metal in my microwave convection oven?
Avoid using metal plates, cookware, or even utensils in any microwave unless the product states that the metal in it is safe.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve got here what you were looking for. We tried to cover everything regarding the best countertop microwave convection oven. Keep our shared tricks and suggestions in your mind while using a convection oven.
And, remember, every kitchen appliance needs enough care and maintenance if you want an extended journey with the product. So, take care of it and enjoy the advantages a product offers you.
Happy purchasing!
