Best microwave and combi ovens 2026: for versatility, reheating and other cooking tasks
They're great for a lot more than just heating ready meals and reheating leftovers
The best microwaves can do a lot more than just heating up pizza, cooking meat whilst leaving it looking raw, and performing the general taste-ruining duties they have traditionally fulfilled.
We also bring you a smattering of combi ovens, which combine the arcane power of radioactive food bombardment with more traditional convection and grill cooking. A new combi oven or microwave – or meecrowaavé as Nigella Lawson puts it – could also be a very handy purchase if you are off to college or university. Speedy, convenient and compact, they can do everything from the obvious to the not-so-obvious – they're a very healthy way to cook veg, believe it or not.
The top three
The Panasonic NN-CD88 combines microwave, grill and convection cooking with smart sensor programmes and a spacious interior, delivering consistently excellent results. That's why it's our top pick of 2026.
The Caso Design MCG 25 offers microwave, grill and convection functions in a stylish, compact design. It’s easy to use and delivers impressive versatility at a budget-friendly price.
The KitchenAid KMQFX33910 is a premium combi microwave with large capacity and plenty of automatic programmes. It's a pricey choice, but the results speak for themselves.
Lizzie is T3’s Senior Staff Writer and a seasoned expert in kitchen appliances. She’s tested countless microwaves over the years, and despite what anyone else says, she firmly believes there’s always room for both a microwave and an air fryer in her kitchen.
We’ve updated our guide of the best microwaves with every model tested in 2025, and we’re now working on reviews for some exciting new additions coming in 2026.
Best microwave and combi oven ranking 2026
The best microwave overall
Panasonic’s NN‑CD88 4‑in‑1 Combi Microwave is a versatile all‑in‑one kitchen machine that combines a microwave, oven, grill and air fryer in a single unit – hence why it's our top choice.
One of the standout features is Panasonic’s Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor, which precisely control power and measure moisture levels to automatically cook, reheat or defrost food. There are also five combination cooking options and 30 Auto Programmes for everything from melting chocolate to roasting chickens, as well as a generous internal space with a large turntable and useful accessories.
During testing, the NN‑CD88 impressed as both an oven and air fryer alternative. The air fry setting delivered crispy results without excess grease, and the convection function roasted and baked well – even though preheating took a few extra minutes. The grill worked nicely for browning, and the microwave functions benefited from the intuitive Genius Sensor.
It's worth noting that the unit is relatively large, which is something to consider if you have limited kitchen counter space, and it also continues to make noise for a few minutes after cooking. However, for aspiring home cooks who value convenience and multi‑functionality, it’s a highly capable appliance that's been awarded five stars in our books.
The best affordable microwave
The Caso Design MCG 25 Ceramic Chef is a stylish, multifunctional kitchen appliance that combines a microwave, grill and convection oven in one unit – and for what it offers, we think it’s one of the best affordable options out there.
One of our favourite features is its flat ceramic interior, which replaces the usual turntable. This not only creates more usable space (great for larger or square dishes) but also makes cleaning a breeze and helps cook food more evenly. The microwave offers 900W of power across 10 levels, a 1200 W grill and a 2050 W convection oven that heats up fast, plus six combination modes and nine auto‑programmes for dishes such as pasta and poultry.
Included accessories like a multi‑purpose pan and grill rack make the most of the unit’s versatility, allowing you to cook on two levels at once – something many combo microwaves struggle with. Over a few months of testing, the MCG 25 proved convenient for everyday meals, baking and grilling, and its mirror finish and easy controls give it a modern feel.
It’s not without drawbacks – the microwave is on the larger side and takes up significant counter space, and the convection mode can be quite loud. Still, for the functionality and style it delivers at this price point, it’s an impressive choice for a busy kitchen.
The best premium microwave
The KitchenAid KMQFX33910 is actually freestanding microwave and combi oven that combines a microwave, grill and fan oven into a single kitchen appliance, making it the perfect alternative to a countertop cooker or even a primary oven. It’s also packed with features, from steam and defrost settings to specialised programmes like dough proving and softening butter.
In everyday use, it handles basic microwaving tasks very well, with useful modes like Jet Reheat and Smart Reheat that deliver quick, even results. The convection fan oven works effectively for roasting and baking, although preheating can take a bit longer than usual. Grill and combi cooking modes add flexibility, and the steaming function is particularly impressive for vegetables and fish.
Build quality and design are generally strong, with a generous 33‑litre internal cavity and a tactile interface. There are a couple of usability niggles, including a flimsy turntable mount and a self‑cleaning feature that doesn’t return the interior to pristine condition after heavy use. It’s also fairly large for a microwave, so it’s best suited to kitchens with enough worktop space.
The best flatbed microwave
The Panasonic NN-CS89 is an excellent choice if you’ve decided that the traditional turntable found in many microwaves actually gets in the way of your cooking. Just like the Caso Design MCG 25, it features a flatbed interior instead of the usual rotating plate, which instantly creates more usable space inside.
The flatbed design also means you’re not restricted to round dishes, and it makes the CS89 feel closer to a compact oven than a conventional microwave in day-to-day use.
As you’d expect from Panasonic, the exterior is thoughtfully designed too. The styling is clean and understated, so it blends easily into most kitchens, and the controls are laid out in a straightforward way. Operating the 27-litre microwave is simple, with responsive touch controls that provide access to 18 auto-cook programmes. The manual defrost function is particularly impressive, especially for anyone regularly thawing meat or bread.
Panasonic appliances also have a strong reputation for reliability, and the NN-CS89 feels built to the same dependable standard.
The best intuitive microwave
The Sage Combi Wave is one of those rare multi-function appliances that manages to feel intuitive despite doing a lot more than a standard microwave. Combining microwave, convection oven and air fryer functions in one unit, it could easily have ended up complicated, but Sage’s control design keeps things reassuringly straightforward.
A central dial, clearly labelled function buttons and a bright, easy-to-read display mirror the way people naturally cook – choose a method, adjust time or temperature, press start. Presets such as reheat, pizza and roast are easy to follow, whilst sensible default settings mean you’re usually just making small tweaks rather than starting from scratch.
Each cooking mode also maps clearly to the included trays – the mesh basket for air frying, rack or pan for oven cooking, and glass turntable for microwave use. Whilst the powerful combination cooking modes take a little learning at first, day-to-day use quickly becomes second nature, and the appliance feels far less fiddly than many combi microwaves.
How to choose the best microwave
The classic egg-timer style dial found on many microwaves is both a blessing and a curse. It’s incredibly quick and easy to use, especially when you just want to add a little extra time, but it lacks the precision of digital timers. For most people, that convenience outweighs the need for exact timing, but if you prefer to follow cooking instructions to the letter, a digital timer is the better choice.
Automatic programme modes, which cook food based on type and weight, are another feature worth considering. In our experience, most people rarely use them and instead rely on simple power and time settings. Not worrying too much about auto programmes can actually make choosing a microwave easier, letting you focus on the things that matter day to day – controls, capacity and how the appliance looks in your kitchen.
Control style also affects usability. Dials tend to feel faster and more responsive, whilst button or touch controls are typically easier to clean because they sit flush with the front of the microwave.
How we test the best microwave
When testing microwaves, we pay close attention to how intuitive the controls are in everyday use. We compare dial and digital timers to see which feels more responsive and precise, and assess how easy it is to adjust cooking time mid-cycle. We also evaluate automatic programmes – not just whether they work, but whether they’re genuinely useful or simply add complexity.
We also look at how straightforward the interface is to understand at a glance, how easy the controls are to clean, and whether the overall design encourages quick operation. Ultimately, we prioritise microwaves that make heating and cooking simple and reliable, rather than those that rely on rarely used features.
Best microwave and combi oven FAQs
What’s the difference between a microwave and a combi oven?
A standard microwave mainly reheats, defrosts and cooks with microwave energy. A combi microwave adds extra cooking methods – usually a grill and convection oven, and sometimes air frying – so it can bake, roast and brown food as well.
Are flatbed microwaves better than turntable models?
Flatbed microwaves remove the rotating plate, giving you more usable space and letting you fit larger or rectangular dishes. Turntable models can sometimes heat more evenly, but the gap has narrowed a lot in modern flatbed designs.
What size microwave or combi oven should I buy?
Capacity is measured in litres, so around 20-25 litres will suit individuals or couples, whereas 25-30 litres works for most families. 30 litres and above is best if you want to cook larger dishes or use combi oven functions regularly.
Reviewer Panel
Lizzie is T3's Senior Writer, and has reviewed a number of microwaves over the years. She's currently in the process of testing some more, so keep an eye out for some new additions over the coming months.
Rob is one of T3's most reliable kitchen testers, meaning he knows exactly what it takes for a microwave or combi oven to perform well.
While Lee is best known for his insightful grooming tech reviews, he’s also highly knowledgeable about kitchen appliances – including the latest microwaves and combi ovens.
Duncan is the former Lifestyle Editor of T3 and has been writing about tech for almost 15 years, meaning his reviews are still ones to rely on.
