Compare the Best Combi Microwave OvensJanuary 2021

Combination Microwave Ovens

A combination microwave oven is a special type of appliance that combines both a standard convection oven and microwave into a single unit. These can be used separately, or at the same time - allowing for faster cooking than usual. A combi is generally a more versatile appliance, able to handle more different types of cooking than a standard oven. The most standard use of a combination oven is to use the microwave function to cook the food quickly, then the grill/oven to crisp the outside to a perfect crunch.

There are other variations of combi ovens as well - some have the ability to use steam cooking to steam vegetables, while others have a rotisserie function to allow more even cooking of meat joints. All these extras come with additional cost, so it's worth considering whether the cost is worth the extra functionality.

Oven Capacity

Before looking at the technical aspects of your future oven, choosing between a single or double oven is one of the first decisions to make.

Single Ovens: For the average home user who requires no more than two trays to be used at the same time, a single oven should be sufficient, even for frequent users. There is a huge range of single ovens available in different finishes and with distinct features. The high level of competition between manufacturers means single ovens offer great value for money and are available at very reasonable prices.

Double Ovens: A double oven allows for more flexibility as you can cook and bake at two different temperatures in parallel. This is great to prepare a large meal and set each oven and timer separately. You can grill a main course in one oven and bake a cake in the other, which significantly speeds things up compared to a single oven. The drawbacks of double ovens are a higher price tag, the requirement for a bigger space and a smaller number of models to choose from.

Compact Ovens

A single compact oven is usually the same size as a microwave and most feature a grill as well. These small ovens are great if you are tight on space but their capacity might be a problem depending on the types of food you want to cook.

Double Built-under Ovens

If you have space to fit a single oven but need tow separate ovens, a built-under double oven might be a good choice. You get the flexibility of a double oven without losing much space (they are usually only 10-12cm taller than an average single oven). Because two ovens have to fit into the space of a single oven, the capacity of the individual ovens is limited and you will have to weigh up the benefits of having two ovens versus a larger single oven.