What better way to balance out your active lifestyle than a convection microwave to make your job in the kitchen an absolute breeze?
In the 90s and early 2000s, most people perceived convection microwave ovens as a luxurious item one could easily do without, but today it is impossible to picture even the most humble household kitchen without such a microwave oven. Not only does it make your cooking life a lot easier, as we will see later in this article, but it also helps nurture the budding chef in you by giving you a score of options to play with in terms of recipes and cooking styles.
With a dozen manufacturers dishing out numerous microwaves with convection offering features you can often barely decipher, let alone tell apart, we as consumers are often unsure of the features we should look fyyor in a convection microwave in the first place.
From the design, build and featured menu options to wattage and turntable size, homemakers are often puzzled and try to find a balance between burning a hole in their pocket and satisfying their whims. Being an expense you aren’t going to make every other year, the aim of every household is to nab a long-lasting convection microwave that suits everyone’s needs.
To answer all the queries and calm all doubts about making the right choice for accessorizing your kitchen, we are all set to review four amazingly efficient and feature-packed convection microwave ovens from leading brands in the industry. By offering the features of a microwave and traditional oven cooking, these units bring the best of both worlds to the table.
For those of you who hate the way your kitchen heats up every time you switch on your convection oven, these new-age microwaves double as convection ovens too. This greatly optimizes storage space. Each an ode to versatility, all four of these are definitely worth a buy. In these convection microwave reviews, we will help you figure out which one will make your kitchen sing.
Reviewing the best Convection Microwaves in the market
From the plethora of options available, we have narrowed it down to four microwaves from four different manufacturers to give readers some insight into the very latest in the world of convection microwave ovens.
But first let’s take a peek at the basic requirements a convection microwave oven should have, so the more uninitiated readers and seasoned microwave vets can be on the same page:
- Variable settings: These include defrosting, baking, grilling, roasting, heating and a host of other such settings to facilitate whatever you’ve set out to do with your microwave. Didn’t we tell you it opens up a world of versatility?
- Timer & Sensor: It helps to have a convection microwave oven with in-built sensors to check whether your food is cooked and turn off automatically if so. It’s not always easy to monitor your microwave every few minutes after a long day at work!
- Turntable size and flexibility: I speak from experience when I say this is often the most overlooked aspect of when setting out to buy a microwave. Half my dishes and crockery wouldn’t fit in my last microwave due to its small turntable size, forcing me to ditch it for another only two years later. Make sure to invest in one that matches your portion size as a family as well as your microwave dishes sizes and that also has the option to turn on/off rotation when needed.
It really is a struggle otherwise, folks!
- Interlocking Mechanism: This feature is for those times when you absent-mindedly open your convection microwave oven’s door before the entire process is complete – which is a lot for most people. It helps stop the microwaves produced by the oven once the door is opened and even locks in the emissions until the door closes again.
- Heat Absorption Technology: You don’t want your microwave’s motor heating up too much which causes burnouts and breakdowns. A robust and sturdy exhaust mechanism with superior heat absorption isn’t much to ask for in an appliance that will be placed among other kitchen appliances.
- Power Capacity: It is of little benefit when a feature-packed microwave is limited in wattage and power capacity. Not only does it slow down the cooking process, but it also keeps the user from taking full advantage of the many features.
- Cost: This one’s a no-brainer. Restrain yourself to choosing features that you will really use rather than getting carried away with unnecessary upgrades. That way, you will ensure you get good value for whatever you shell out for your microwave convection oven.
That sums up some basic features to watch out for in the reviews to follow. So are you ready to get down to the nitty-gritty as we comprehensively compare convection microwave ovens that have taken the market by storm? Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
✔️ Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven with Convection Function
This fully-loaded microwave oven from Toshiba leverages the innovative technology that the brand is known for. It offers convection cooking from 175 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and comes with 9 pre-set sensor cooking programs that allow you to re-heat the most commonly consumed food items. Along with this, it has the option of switching between convection oven, microwave or a combination of both.
It has pre-programmed options that include auto defrost, warm hold, sensor cook, auto defrost, popcorn and sensor reheat for heating popular food items including vegetables, pizza, potatoes and a lot more. This microwave also comes with a ready to use grill rack for convection mode.
It sports a turntable of 13.6 inches and dimensions of 21.8 x 21.5 x 13.0 inch with a 1.5 cubic feet capacity and a weight of 44.8 pounds, making it one of the largest convections microwaves around. To make things a whole lot easier for the user, it offers 3 customizable time and power settings, allowing you to cook your favorite dishes at the push of a button.
The Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven also offers 4 auto functions for baking and roasting. The Auto-Bake and Auto Roast functionalities are complete with customizations and weight adjustments to bake turkey, frozen fries, frozen pizzas and a host of other foods. Even a whole chicken!
With a 1000 watt capacity, it does moderately well on the power front but is certainly less powerful than other microwave convection ovens with higher wattage capacities. This microwave, like most others, comes with a bright LED light that makes visibility quite clear. It comes with an internal grill rack for when you wish to use the convection feature of the microwave oven.
A unique feature of this microwave is that it allows you to temporarily disable the beeping sounds for the settings as well as start and finish. This is great if you’re an early riser with a family full of light sleepers who get disturbed by the softest of sounds. It is also useful in making your microwave a tad bit more energy efficient.
The external body of this microwave has a spotless black finish that is sure to blend in with any sort of kitchen interior. It sports a numeric keypad that makes changing temperatures or time slots a cinch. The interiors are made of 100 percent stainless steel which is scratch resistant.
Most microwaves today are ditching Teflon painted surfaces for stainless steel, which is a big relief. Not only does Teflon chip after a year or two, leaving your interiors looking ugly, it is also an extremely hazardous element to expose your food to.
This microwave is designed to work as a countertop convection microwave and cannot be mounted on a shelf or cabinet, which would limit its functioning and durability.
Here are the key features as well as pros and cons to help encapsulate all this microwave has to offer and help you make an informed purchase.
Key Features of the Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven
- 9 pre-set cooking programs
- Auto-Bake & Auto Roast Functionalities
- 1000 watt capacity with ten power levels
- 3 customizable power & time settings
Pros of the Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven
- You can enable/disable the beep sounds
- It is a spacious and sturdy microwave
- Offers 9 pre-set sensor cooking programs
- It makes cooking easy with its Auto-Bake & Auto Roast Functionalities
- For one-touch cooking of your favorite recipes, it offers 3 customizable time & power settings
- Stainless steel interiors
Cons of the Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven
- 1000 watt capacity limits the functionality of the microwave
- Not a mountable microwave, suitable only as a counter-top
- It is bulky and occupies a lot of space in the kitchen
✔️ Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Convection Air Fryer Microwave Oven
The Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Convection Air Fryer Microwave Oven is a feature-rich appliance that should have you sorted for almost all of your cooking requirements. It is a microwave, grill, convection oven, and fat-free fryer all in one.
This power-packed unit promises superior cooking results due to the combination of two amazing features – a high performing heater and rapid air circulation. This all-black stylishly designed convection microwave oven sports a sleek and attractive design. The Autocook program is a blessing in that it spares you the hassle of figuring out how to cook your dish.
Simply press the auto cook option to enjoy oil-free foods in a matter of minutes!
This Daewoo convection oven sports 10 Variable Power levels based on the ingredients you are cooking as well as the time you have at hand. The two-way defrost function (by time and weight) is quite handy for frozen meats. With this combination feature, your frozen foods will be down for the count with a microwave convection oven combo that packs quite a punch.
Coming with a 900-watt microwave power capacity, I must admit that it will cook a tad slower than microwaves with higher wattage. The home fryer bowl can be removed and used as well as cleaned independently. The air frying option circulates hot air at 482 degrees Fahrenheit to cook light and crispy food in an oil-free manner. This machine is also energy efficient and switches off automatically after ten minutes.
Sitting at just a shade below 40 pounds, this product measures 19.7 x 19.4 x 12.6 inches and hence is a rather small convection microwave. It is accompanied by an instruction manual, cook booklet, and an oven mitt. It offers the option of a combination of microwave and convection and multiple other cooking modes.
With its dimpled walls, this microwave allows for uniform microwaving, thus ensuring your food is cooked or heatedly uniformly throughout. The inside is made of complete stainless steel that’s quite easy to clean and also gives a shiny clean glossy finish.
As stated earlier, this comes as a relief since most painted interiors that use Teflon coating tend to chip within a year or two, leaving you to deal with an ugly interior that also poses a risk to your food. It sports LED lighting with an illuminated dial knob. Internal cleaning can be easily facilitated with the internal steam clean option.
As this convection microwave oven has exhaust vents on the upper, left and back surface, you are better off placing it as you would a countertop convection microwave. Don’t mount it under a counter, or you will be inviting the problem of recurring burnout.
This may be a lot to process, which is why I’ve jotted down the key features of this microwave followed by its pros and cons:
Key Features of the Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Convection Air Fryer Microwave Oven:
- Convection oven, microwave, grilling, and air frying capabilities
- 900-watt power capacity
- 10 Variables Power levels
- Autocook feature
- LED lighting
- 2-way defrost
- Internal steam clean
- Stainless steel interiors
Pros of the Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Convection Air Fryer Microwave Oven:
- Dimpled walls facilitate uniform microwaving
- 10 Power levels make for varying speeds and degrees of cooking
- Autocook feature helps in hassle-free cooking
- 2-way defrost helps in thawing frozen meat, pizzas and other items quickly
- Internal microwave cleaning made easy with steam clean capabilities
- The stylish all-black exterior design
- Stainless steel interiors
- Comes with a grill stand, air fryer bowl, and a turntable to rotate the food while heating or cooking
- Energy efficient with auto-switch off option
Cons of the Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Convection Air Fryer Microwave Oven:
- Slightly bulky with a portion protruding towards the back
- 900-watt capacity limits the speed of the microwave and underpowers the entire unit
- Vents at the top limit its placement options
- Slightly on the bulky side
✔️ Sharp R1874T 850W Over-The-Range Convection Microwave
Next up, we have the rectangular Sharp 850W over-the-range microwave that comes with baking, broiling, roasting and crisping capabilities. This large convection microwave has a capacity of 1.1 cubic feet which is quite good for the range of products it usually competes with. However, it takes a big beating in wattage, which stands at a modest 850watts.
It sports a 7-digit interactive display and is powered by 8 smart sensor settings that automatically determine the cooking and reheating time involved for your recipe, including a special one for the popcorn fanatic in you.
It offers 12 convection programs for cooking and defrosting.
This microwave comes with an Interactive Cooking System that helps with easy cooking and programming instructions. It also has an automatic broiling mechanism to relieve you of the hassle of monitoring the microwave throughout the process. A remarkable feature of this microwave is its dual racks. The high rack supports two-level baking while the lower rack allows for baking, roasting, and broiling.
Coming to its dimensions, it should be enough to excite most homemakers with large families. You can comfortably fit in large dishes, albeit ones that are more wide than long. Measuring 29.9 x 16.3 x 15.3 inches, this product is certainly one of the larger ones you will find on the market.
A dual-tone of silver and black stainless steel gives it a shiny smooth exterior. It is sure to add to the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen. The interiors are also made of stainless steel, allowing for ease of maintenance as well as durability.
Delightfully, this over range convection microwave comes with a 13-inch turntable for you to comfortably and uniformly heat or cook your food. You can even turn on/off the rotation in order to accommodate oblong-shaped dishes easily. You can rest easy knowing you can make use of even the most oddly shaped crockery without worry in this microwave.
A very useful feature this appliance offers is a keep warm feature, which allows you to place food inside the microwave to keep it warm over a period of time without having to reheat it time and time again and losing valuable nutrients in the process. This is a great feature for those families that do not eat at the same time, saving everybody from the hassle of heating separate portions.
This model sports built-in convection microwave exhaust functionality that vents the heat and steam arising within. This exhaust offers horizontal & vertical discharge and ductless recirculation. It also sports a 2-speed ventilation fan to keep the internal system cool. The internal area of the microwave is lit up with an LED hood light that does the job just fine. Sharp offers a ten-year warranty on almost all the major components of this microwave.
Let’s quickly sum up its important features before we dive into its pros and cons.
Key Features of Sharp 850W over-the-range Convection Microwave
- 8 Smart sensor settings
- 12 convection programs
- 2 level racks to bake and grill consecutively
- 7 digit interactive display
- 13-inch turntable with on/off flexibility
- Automatic broiling
- 2-speed ventilation fan
- Built-in exhaust functionality
- Safety lock provided
- Auto re-heat mechanism
- Keep warm technology
Pros of Sharp 850W over-the-range Convection Microwave:
- Loaded in terms of features in smart sensor options
- Easy to use
- Turn on/off turntable helps you use dishes of all shapes and sizes
- Dual racks get the job done faster
- Ten-year warranty
- Highly useful in cooking for large families
- Keep warm feature is useful in keeping your food mildly warm and prevents reheating
Cons of Sharp 850W over-the-range Convection Microwave:
- It is a bulky set-up that will occupy a lot of space in the kitchen
- Interiors are not very smooth and hence difficult to clean
- The 2-speed ventilation fan is quite loud for a convection microwave
- 850-watt power capacity limits the power of the machine
✔️ Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave
The Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave is different from all of the earlier microwave convection ovens we have reviewed in this article in the sense that it does not have a side-opening door. It has a top-down door that gives it quite an attractive and appealing exterior.
How does it measure up in other areas? Well, let’s find out.
This convection microwave is a game-changer in more ways than one. For those of you who find squeezing in time for home cooking increasingly difficult, this microwave helps speed up the cooking process a great deal.
It comes with a power convection mechanism where, in addition to the traditional convection system, there is powerful hot air coming from the top of the microwave. This ensures equitable distribution of heat all through your food and accelerates the cooking process.
The PowerGrill Duo in this console works at 1600 watts, which is all power. It houses an innovative wide grill heater holding sturdy brown grills to keep moisture and juice intact. On the microwave and heating front, however, it is a modest 950 watts.
An added feature that’s definitely welcome is the slim fry mechanism that’s nothing but an air fryer system, enabing you to prepare oil free healthy dishes with reduced fat content. There are 9 pre-set cooking options in this microwave convection oven that help you dish out boneless chicken, rice and other everyday items at the push of a button.
With a 1.2 cubic feet capacity and dimensions reading 18.5 x 20.8 x 15.9 inches, this microwave leaves us with little to complain about this aspect. However, it is slightly on the heavy side in comparison to other microwaves in its class, clocking in at a hefty 62.8 pounds.
Unlike all the microwaves we have seen thus far, this one boasts ceramic enamel interiors that enables the user to effortlessly wipe off accumulated grease and oil without any hassle. It is a scratch-proof surface so don’t worry about accidentally scraping the surfaces of this microwave with your crockery. The plate inside the microwave is made of ceramic and clocks in at a diameter just short of 15 inches, which is very comfortable and big indeed.
Samsung also offers a trim kit for this microwave range that can be bought separately. It’s silver glossy finish and shiny mirror design complements the all-black color of this microwave well. The trim kit enables this microwave convection oven combo to be transformed from a countertop microwave to a wall-mounted appliance or even lets you put it in a cabinet with a sleek and clean appearance.
Full points on style, we say!
This product is certainly one of the most visually pleasing microwaves out there. With the easy and convenient glass touch and pleasing blue LED display controls laid horizontally across the top of the drop-down door, it is certainly an eye-catcher. Should you wish to conserve power, you could also turn on the Eco Mode to disable the display when it’s not in use.
To sum things up, we’ve listed the key features that we love about this appliance, followed by a trade-off of its advantages and disadvantages:
Key Features of the Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave
- PowerGrill Duo
- 9 pre-set cooking programs
- Slim Fryer feature
- 15-inch ceramic plate
- Power Convection feature
- LED display
- The option of purchasing a Trim Kit
- Eco Mode for power savings
- Drop-down door opening mechanism
Pros of the Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave
- Power convection mechanism speeds up the cooking process
- 9 pre-set cooking programs help to get things done at the click of a button
- Slim fry feature helps double this appliance up as an air fryer
- The large turntable of 14.75 inches
- The grilling capabilities stand at 1600 watt capacity
- A unique drop-down door is an eye-catcher and brings back the feeling of using a traditional convection oven
- The ceramic interiors are easy to clean
- LED display that can be turned off to conserve power
- It is a lot more visually appealing compared to other microwaves
- There is an option of investing in a trim kit and mounting it on a wall should you wish to save space
Cons of the Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave
- The cool-down fan is noisy
- It has a modest 950-watt capacity
- It is a heavy appliance
Juxtapose: A Comprehensive Comparison of Convection Microwave Ovens
Yes, we know that is a lot of information to process in one go, but we would rather fill you in completely on all the details of every microwave rather than leave some questions unanswered. Needless to say, each of the above four convection microwaves has a lot to offer in terms of features, aesthetics, modes of cooking, pre-set programs, turntable features as well as some elements unique to each.
Furthermore, each of these brands is reliable, having proved their worth over years of delighting customers with appliances that have survived the daily grind. So irrespective of which one you choose, know that you aren’t making a bad choice at all.
Having said that, there’s always one that is more likely to suit you in contrast with the others. This depends on your family size, average time involved in cooking and the kind of food you prefer making. Which is why we’re picking out a few critical elements and stacking these four amazing appliances against each other to help you clearly draw out your choice and make a buy you are satisfied with.
Power: All of the four convection microwave ovens don’t really boast of tremendous power capacities as there are much more powerful microwaves ovens available on the market. But if you’re looking for the most powerful of the lot, its got to be the Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven which is a shade above the rest at 1000 watts.
While each of these has variable wattage for grilling, convection and microwaving, we’re going with the stats for microwaving as that is where you need maximum power to get things done fast.
Aesthetics: If you are one of those buyers who do not mind a drop-down door, the clear winner in terms of visual appeal is the Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave. Its unique design certainly catches the eye with the LED display being the icing on the cake.
Also, what’s not to love about the sleek black color of this appliance?
Throw in the Trim Kit option and you have a winner. An absolute beauty from a visual perspective, we say. Alternatively, if drop-downs aren’t your thing, the Sharp microwave convection oven reviewed above is indeed sharp, isn’t it?
Size: If you’re restricted by the space in your kitchen, the Daewoo microwave is the one you should be eyeing. Sitting at a modest .9 cubic feet and measuring 19.7 x 19.4 x 12.6 inches, it is the smallest of the lot but does its fair share at impressing us. It is also fairly light in comparison to the other three. We’d say go for this one if size is a concern.
Dual Levels: The Sharp R1874T 850W Over-The-Range Convection Microwave is a clear winner in this parameter. It is the only one among the four that offers dual level cooking and therefore is ideal for those of you who have very little time to spend in the kitchen and could use dual levels to get two things done at once.
Air Fryer Capabilities: It helps if your microwave has multiple functionalities that reduce the burden of having to house and manage multiple products. What with the increasing consciousness of eating healthy and fat-free, air frying is what most people are looking at to satisfy their craving for something crispy that is also healthy.
The Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Convection Air Fryer Microwave Oven or the Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave is where your attention should be if you’re a fan of air frying.
Counter Top/Mounted: The Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Microwave Oven is a counter-top appliance that’s going to demand a lot of breathing room on your counter. Same goes for Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven.
A contender when it comes to space efficiency is certainly the Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave which offers the option of purchasing a trim kit separately and mounting the microwave on a wall, saving you a ton of space.
Heat Management: The Daewoo microwave has exhaust vents on its upper and side surfaces, working well to tone down the heat. The Sharp 850W over-the-range microwave boasts of a 2-speed ventilation fan and also inbuilt exhaust functionality that vents out excess heat and steam. We’d say the Sharp microwave nudges ahead of the others in this category.
Energy Efficiency: The Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Convection Air Fryer Microwave Oven is an energy efficient appliance in that it switches off after ten minutes of idle time. The Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave also has an option of turning off the ice blue LED display when not in use in order to save power.
This microwave also has a power convection mechanism that blows hot air out from its upper surface, thus speeding up cooking time and adding to overall energy efficiency.
The Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven has an option to disable all sound indications in a bid to go silent, while the Sharp microwave oven has a keep warm feature that saves energy in terms of less need for multiple heatings. While none of these have any comprehensive energy efficient features, each one has a small feature that chips in on the energy front. It depends on which feature appeals to you most as a user.
Cleaning & Maintenance: The Samsung Convection Microwave oven comes with ceramic interiors that make cleaning a breeze. Simply wipe down the interiors with a damp cloth and consider the job done.
The Daewoo KOC-9HAFDB Convection Air Fryer Microwave Oven offers steam clean capabilities that seep out the dampness from the interior of your microwave and helps in overall sanitation. On the flipside, the dimpled interiors are not very easy to clean with all the crevices and uneven surfaces. We would go with Samsung on this front.
Cooking Programs: With 8 Smart sensor settings, 12 convection programs and keep warm technology, the sharp 850-watt convection microwave is certainly a great choice when it comes to pre-set cooking programs. But the oven that nudges it out and, in our opinion, takes pole position in this part of the race is the Toshiba EC042A5C-BS Microwave Oven.
Not only does it offer 9 pre-set cooking programs, but it also offers you the option to customize three-time and power settings for the recipes of your choice. So if you need your grilled chicken fix every week, or if you can do without a weekly baking session, just pop in the settings for your recipe and save it for recall with just one button. It is great for the fussy or fickle ones among us who like to keep our food options at arms length.
Turntable Features: The Sharp 850W over-the-range microwave is a notch above the rest in terms of a unique turntable that can turn off/on its rotation capabilities, which means you can fit oddly shaped dishes in easily. In terms of size, we would go with the Samsung MC12J8035CT Counter Top Convection Microwave which has an almost 15-inch size ceramic plate as a turntable, large enough to get almost all your jobs done.
Conclusion – What’s your preference?
After reading each standalone review and a thorough comparison of the four products on all critical features, we’re sure you have attained a comprehensive understanding of the difference between a good convection microwave oven and an excellent one. At the risk of being repetitive, we would like to state again that each of these four microwave convection ovens certainly holds their own.
It all boils down to the features you fancy over the ones you are willing to give a pass. While some can’t do without the air fryer feature, to others the size of the turntable may be a deal-breaker. You have to figure out for yourself what works for you and what doesn’t. Keep in mind that this is a long-term purchase where size, power capacity, and every other major or minor feature matters.
We hope our four microwave convection reviews and in-depth comparisons have helped paved the way for your final decision on the appliance that is the best fit for your house and home. Good luck!
