Thanks to their quick-heating powers, microwaves can be dinner-time miracle workers for many busy households. These figures show how much power you can use to cook, rather than directly reflecting how much electricity a microwave may use when cooking. Automatic cooking settings can be helpful too, but some models only have pre-set programmes for combination cooking. While we don’t have any on this list, it’s also worth noting that some combination microwaves are available as built-in models too. It effortlessly baked fluffy fairy cakes, grilled crispy-yet-juicy sausages, and produced a golden-topped mac and cheese. Note that you can’t change the temperature of these functions though – only the time – which limits its versatility when compared with an actual oven. It was fantastic at cooking ready meals from both chilled and frozen too. This reasonably priced design put in a stellar performance in our lab, scoring full marks when heating up soup and cooking jacket potatoes. Like the Sage above, this Salter is ideal if you want to join the air fryer train without sacrificing precious kitchen space. This combi microwave was the simplest to use of all the models we tested, with an easy-to-read manual and responsive buttons that make cooking effortless.

• With a 26-litre capacity, it offers lots of flexibility; on test, our experts cooked a roast chicken in 41 minutes, and praised its ready meal and jacket potato prep skills too.
• Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework.
• These figures show how much power you can use to cook, rather than directly reflecting how much electricity a microwave may use when cooking.
• Generally, they will use less electricity than traditional ovens because they heat a smaller space.
• The powerful 1300W quartz grill provides the ability to achieve perfectly grilled dishes, enhancing your cooking repertoire.
• Moreover, the 95-minute timer allows you to cook meals without the concern of burning, providing you with peace of mind while preparing your favourite dishes.
• The auto convection setting cooked a whole chicken well with lovely moist meat, and it grilled sausages beautifully.

The grill gave our sausages a patchier finish than most, but given its extensive capabilities, this microwave is excellent value – especially for often pricey Panasonics. It also has a whopping 40 auto programmes, including ones for rice and fresh fish, alongside a nifty “keep warm” function. We programmed it to defrost a 1.5-kilogram chicken, and it calculated the right length of time, fully defrosting it within 24 minutes. Another impressive combination microwave from Panasonic, this one does everything the above model can, and it steams food too. It’s ideal if you tend to cook for only one or two people, as it saves you heating a large oven and performs just as well.

Panasonic CF87 Speed Convection Oven with Grill

It’s a premium buy, but because of its many functions, it can be a tad confusing to use, so keep the manual close by at first. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Finally, our testers judge each microwave for its ease of use and design, considering its overall quality and accompanying instructions. Generally, they will use less electricity than traditional ovens because they heat a smaller space. Some models can even steam food or air fry; the possibilities really are endless. Head to our microwave buying guide for all you need to know about each.

• For example, using the grill and microwave at the same time to cook your ready meal means it would emerge quickly cooked and with a mouth-wateringly crispy topping.
• Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics.
• With its convection oven feature, you can enjoy versatile cooking and baking options, allowing you to prepare a variety of meals with ease.
• Our testers were impressed with its tender, juicy roast chicken and found the grill and combination cooking modes effective.
• Toast lovers take note though, the grill element may not be as powerful as conventional grills, so it may be slower to brown your bread than an oven or a toaster.

Electricals - Product Reviews

Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. It’s an outstanding cooker though; our testers declared its roast chicken one of the best on test and awarded its mac and cheese and jacket potatoes a perfect score. Its clear manual and intuitive interface also make preparing more than your traditional microwave meals easy – even a roast chicken. Proving a real all-rounder, our experts awarded this microwave full marks for its microwaved jacket potatoes and near perfect marks for its roasting, baking and grilling. Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute eat well during this test, as they use each combination microwave to heat, grill, bake and roast. We’ve highlighted the maximum wattage for each function below (or in some instances, the max temperature of the convection cooking function depending on manufacturer information).

Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQ Slimline Combination Microwave Oven, Black

With the Fast Combi function, you can combine cooking methods for quicker results, making meal preparation easier and more efficient. This means you can effortlessly prepare crispy fries, roast a succulent chicken, or quickly defrost food, all with one appliance. The powerful 1300W quartz grill provides the ability to achieve perfectly grilled dishes, enhancing your cooking repertoire. Its spacious 30-litre capacity can accommodate a 12” dinner plate, perfect for cooking family-sized portions.

Sage Combi Wave 3 In 1 Air Fryer, Oven & Microwave

Everyone loves an air fryer, so unsurprisingly, this multitasking appliance with air fryer functionality was a hit with our experts. It was efficient too; cooking our jacket potato used just 10p of electricity. And opting for a combination microwave over a traditional solo microwave can unlock even more culinary possibilities in your kitchen… Its 30L capacity allows you to cook larger meals or multiple dishes at once, making family cooking more efficient. Its Element IQ system employs smart algorithms to provide precise power distribution, ensuring perfectly cooked meals every time. The BLACK+DECKER Microwave Oven is a versatile 3-in-1 appliance that combines a 900W microwave, 1100W grill, and 2500W convection oven. The additional nine air fry auto menus enable you to enjoy healthier meals, as they require no added oil while still achieving that crispy texture. The Panasonic CF87 Oven features a spacious 31-litre capacity, making it ideal for cooking large family meals. The Samsung Convection Microwave offers innovative cooking solutions for your kitchen. Our testers were impressed with its tender, juicy roast chicken and found the grill and combination cooking modes effective. Combining all the best air fryer and microwave benefits, this smart machine from Sage, which is also a grill and convection oven, is another great multitasker. When testing the air fryer mode, they enjoyed a well-cooked, tender whole roast chicken and delicious sausages – add some fluffy mash and that’s dinner sorted in just ten minutes. For example, using the grill and microwave at the same time to cook your ready meal means it would emerge quickly cooked and with a mouth-wateringly crispy topping. If you’re replacing an existing microwave, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. It’s not the fanciest of combis, but it’s more affordable and compact than many on this list – ideal for smaller kitchens. Still, that's not a dealbreaker and there was a lot to love about this machine, including its large viewing window, easy-to-clean interior, and delicious fairy cake-baking skills. Though not the sleekest or most powerful model on test, this means your electricity bill should be lower – we used just 11p of electricity for a jacket potato. One appliance handles microwaving, grilling and baking, so you can cook more without clutter. The Russell Hobbs RHM3002 Microwave offers great versatility in your kitchen. Additionally, the stainless steel interior is not only durable but also easy to clean, ensuring a hassle-free cooking experience. With 900 watts of power, it efficiently handles cooking, reheating, and defrosting tasks. If you're often in a rush, the auto defrost function makes thawing seafood, poultry, and meats quick and easy. The Daewoo Combination Microwave offers an impressive 25L capacity, making it perfect for families and larger justbit gatherings. Clean air starts here Samsung.com Services and marketing information, new product and service announcements as well as special offers, events and newsletters. For returns, product support and repairs Learn more here

Samsung MG23K3575AK/EU Combination Microwave

Detailed instruction manuals also cover how to cook everything from a jacket potato to sausages. If all this seems daunting, many come with a host of pre-programmed auto-cook options that do all the hard work for you. Toast lovers take note though, the grill element may not be as powerful as conventional grills, so it may be slower to brown your bread than an oven or a toaster. Essentially, it’s like having a small oven on your kitchen counter. Master every meal with smart cooking FindThisBest (UK) aims to create a platform to help you make better shopping decisions with less time and energy. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics. Enjoy consistent outcomes and delightful flavours with this innovative kitchen companion. You'll appreciate the 10 auto menu settings that simplify meal preparation, allowing you to select options like pasta or pizza with ease. Additionally, the Dough and Yoghurt Function provides the perfect environment for fermentation, allowing you to create fresh meals with ease.