Small kitchens are the norm for many, especially those living in urban dwellings.
Every small appliance needs to fight for counter space, from the toaster and kettle duo to latte-pouring coffee machines, sandwich presses and air fryers.
For many a microwave is a necessary accessory, helping to reheat leftovers and cook simple ingredients like bacon and sweet potatoes quickly and without (too much) mess. But choose the right model and it can do so much more than defrost and reheat.
Say hello to the combination microwave oven.
What exactly is a combination microwave oven?
The device is the next step up the ladder of microwave evolution. Combination microwave ovens come with additional cooking programmes: think grilling, roasting, baking and steaming in addition to the usual functions of defrosting and reheating. For busy family homes, multifunctional appliances like a combination microwave oven can help get dinner together faster - something you’ll be thankful for come busy weeknights.
Do combination microwave ovens take up loads of space?
Ah, the space issue. Don’t be put off by the addition of ‘oven’; most are about the same size as a bog standard microwave. They shouldn’t take up any more space than your current model, but as with all new purchases, always check and measure the dimensions to ensure your shiny new gadget will fit.
Are combination microwave ovens good for large households?
A combination microwave oven is useful for small families or single occupants and eats up less energy than a traditional oven - especially if you don’t make big meals often. That said, they’re useful when you’ve got a crowd to feed too, creating an additional cooking source when you’ve got lots of hungry guests.
If you’ve grown resentful of your single-function microwave, we’ve rounded up the best combination models that add miles more to their CV.
Shop the best below
Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker, Oven & Air Fryer
Taking individual kitchen appliances and parcelling them up into countertop-friendly dimensions measuring 33 x 39 x 38cm, Ninja's Combi gadget really does do it all.
A dozen functions are packed into this thing, all navigated on the boxy control panel on the front: Combi Meals, Combi Crisp, Combi Bake, Rice/Pasta, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Slow Cook, Prove, Bake, Reheat, Air Fry & Grill, meaning it is so much more than simply a microwave.
Helpfully, the design features a viewing hatch on the front (and features a front door opening, ideal if you're living with low-set kitchen cupboards), so you can see if food is done ahead of the timer pinging or if your ingredients could do with a quick stir. You'll get a trio of accessories with it too: a baking tray, combi pan and crisper plate. Ninja has even bunged in a recipe guide, ready to flick through for inspiration.
Buy now £249.00, Amazon
TOSHIBA Air Fry Combo 5-IN-1 26L
If it's versatility you're after, Toshiba delivers heartily. The brand's combi microwave packs five fabulous functions under the hood, adding air fryer, broiler, bake and combi to the list alongside microwave.
The combi mode sees microwave, convection and grill functions unite to cook ingredients perfectly: crispy on the outside, and mouthwateringly succulent on the inside. The small footprint gadget has a removable turntable, but you'll hardly need to - it can comfortably fit a 4lb chicken for roasting and a 10-inch pizza when you want a guilty pleasure fast.
You won't need an engineering degree to work the control panel either. The functions are clearly listed in neat order and a simple on/ off knob also controls the timer. Ping! It couldn't be easier.
Buy now £179.99, Amazon
Sage The Smart Oven Pro BOV820BSS
You may never turn your oven on again with Sage’s Smart Oven Pro in your kitchen - and really, why would you? This baby has it all, from 10 pre-set functions to bake, roast and toast and a ‘Slow Cook’ option that automatically keeps food warm for up to two hours once the timer has counted down, helpful if your cooking has been interrupted unexpectedly by kids/ pets/ life. It doesn’t air fry though, so if that’s a deal-breaker, opt for Sage’s 3-in-1 machine above.
While the pre-set functions are a godsend when you want to get dinner ready quickly, it’s also simple to use manually with the large dial controls and clear LED display, letting you use Sage’s 21L device like a regular oven - just minus the bigger footprint.
Cleaning is well considered too, with a pull-out drip tray that comes out to allow you to catch every splash, stain and crumb.
Accessories-wise, you can use most of your existing cookware in this device, but it also comes with a 30cm non-stick pizza pan and a 28 x 33.5cm enamel tin complete with a grilling and wire roasting rack to help you cook your meals.
Buy now £249.95, Amazon
Panasonic DS59 Combi Steam Oven
Panasonic has been making microwave ovens since 1966 so they know a thing or two about what goes into making a fantastic one.
Its latest model is the DS59, which gives good reason to retire (almost) all your other kitchen appliances. Alongside the usual microwave and top-bottom oven heat, the Panasonic Combi will steam and grill ingredients too, offering four functions in one.
Use it to low-fat fry veg to get them crispy without using as much oil (or zapping the nutrients). The clever Grill Tray features grooves to funnel away excess fat and leave food crispy all the way around without the need to turn or shake it in between cooking times. The machine also features Panasonic’s energy-efficient Inverter Technology, which cuts down cooking times by as much as 40 per cent. To make operation even easier, there’s a menu of 28 pre-set auto programs including steaming rice and baking bread.
It’s perfect for small kitchens; small and compact with a contemporary design that will suit modern spaces. The main compartment can hold 27L, so there’s no need to buy special cookware - what you’ve already got in your cupboards should work perfectly well.
Buy now £404.00, Amazon
De’Longhi 900W Enamel Cavity Combination Microwave - Black
All-singing, all-dancing, De’Longhi’s combi microwave oven offers a host of useful cooking methods, from standard microwaving to grilling and using as a conventional convection oven. It’s a powerful thing, with the microwave function running on 900W, the grill on 1100W and the oven on 2100W, with the ability to reach a maximum temperature of 220 degrees.
The interior is made of hard-wearing enamel which makes clean-up a dream. While it will fit in perfectly well in small kitchens, it’s roomy enough to cook a whole chicken in, so perfect for using when you’re making Sunday lunch for friends and family.
Two things to note: the brand asks customers to keep 30cm of clear space above the microwave from a safety aspect, and you should be careful to keep metal trays out of the machine when it’s on microwave mode for obvious reasons.
Buy now £135.00, Argos
SHARP YC-GC52FU-B Combination Microwave - Black
Whatever you fancy for dinner tonight, this multi-cooking microwave can manage it thanks to its roster of cooking functions, 14 pre-sets, and 10 power levels to make sure everything is piping hot and cooked through. There’s plenty of space inside the 25L capacity, exaggerated further thanks to the fixed flatbed design and omission of turntable (which also means fewer things to clean).
The auto-defrost option means you can simply enter the weight of your food into the panel and it will work out how long to heat it for, all displayed clearly on the large LED display. The child lock feature will also be helpful to homes with curious little ones, ensuring that it won’t be used accidentally.
Buy now £169.90, Amazon
Sage SMO870 Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave
Whether you live in a small home or you just like the idea of your appliances going the extra mile, a multi-functional machine like the Sage Combi Microwave is a worthwhile purchase. This machine combines three functions: a convection oven, an inverter microwave, and an air fryer. You can use them solo or combine certain functions to get meals from frozen to table-ready in next to no time - behold, technology.
Cook healthier fries with a fraction of the oil using the air fryer, and roast chicken right afterwards by switching to oven mode. Tuck into leftovers like soup and lasagne by heating them through with the microwave option.
For first-timers, this microwave oven can appear daunting, but the control panel takes the guesswork out of cooking times and along with prompts from the display, means you won’t need to continually reach for the manual.
Running on 1550W and with a family-size 32L capacity, dishes can be made ready much quicker than by using traditional methods. And, when you buy electrical appliances through John Lewis a guarantee comes as standard - for this purchase, it’s a two-year policy.
Buy now £379.00, John Lewis
STATESMAN SKMC0925SB Combination Microwave - Black
In sleek matte black, this combi microwave oven is your hot ticket to making everything from baking cake, grilling fish and reheating takeaway leftovers. It comes loaded with 10 auto-cook programs (including a child lock to deter curious little hands) and can hold up to 25L, meaning there's plenty of space to use.
Don't worry about making a mess; the stainless steel interior means cleaning up is easy - though do clear splashes as soon as you see them to avoid stubborn stains from forming.
Buy now £143.00, Currys
BOSCH CMG7761B1B Built-in Combination Microwave - Black
Fans of minimal clutter and invisible kitchens may like the idea of a built-in unit instead. Bosch's integrated combi microwave can be fitted above the traditional oven, adding to your cooking arsenal.
It's packed to the hilt with functions, from HotAir Gentle which does away with pre-heating to Microwave Boost, which cuts cooking times so meals are ready faster. If you're not sure what setting to pick, the Oven Assistant can suggest the best options depending on your ingredients.
Buy now £1499.00, Currys
