Best Microwaves 2026: Air Fryer Combos & Inverter Models Tested

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The best microwaves of 2026 aren't just microwaves. Inverter technology has made defrosting genuinely reliable, and the better air fryer combos have given households a real reason to get rid of a second countertop appliance. We tested the two strongest options on the market right now and can tell you exactly which one to buy based on your budget and how you actually cook.

Quick Picks: Best Microwaves 2026

Product	Best For	Price	Rating	Buy
Toshiba ML-EM45PIT Inverter + Air Fryer Combo	Best value, largest capacity, Alexa users	$189–$229	★★★★☆ 4.4	See on Amazon
Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave 3-in-1	Best performance, combination cooking mode	$399–$449	★★★★½ 4.6	See on Amazon

Microwave Reviews

Best Value Inverter + Air Fryer ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5

Toshiba ML-EM45PIT Inverter Microwave

$189–$229 | 1.6 cu. ft. | 1350W

The Toshiba ML-EM45PIT is our top pick for most households. At under $230, it combines inverter technology with a functional air fryer in a 1.6 cu. ft. unit that fits a 9x13 casserole dish. The combination of features at this price point is hard to match.

Inverter technology delivers continuous power at your selected wattage instead of cycling on and off. For defrosting, this makes a real difference: a pound of ground beef thaws evenly in about five minutes without overcooked edges. The air fryer function reaches 400°F in 3.5 to 4 minutes and produces crispy results comparable to a standalone unit for one to two servings.

Alexa compatibility, a silent mode, and 13 auto-cook programs round out a feature set that's unusually comprehensive at this price. The stainless with black trim design fits most kitchen styles. The main limitation is that the air fryer capacity can't handle large batches: it's a single-serving or small household solution, not a replacement for a dedicated 6-quart basket fryer.

Capacity	1.6 cu. ft.
Microwave Power	1350W
Convection Power	1550W
Smart Features	Alexa compatible
Price Range	$189–$229

Check Price on Amazon Read full Toshiba review

Best Performance 3-in-1 Combo ★★★★½ 4.6 / 5

Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave 3-in-1

$399–$449 | 1.1 cu. ft. | 1100W + 1800W convection

The Breville Combi Wave is the best-performing countertop microwave we've tested. The premium over the Toshiba is real, and so is what you get for it. The unique combination cooking mode runs microwave energy and convection heat simultaneously, which cuts cooking time for proteins significantly while delivering a properly browned exterior.

In our testing, a 7 oz. chicken breast that takes 22 minutes in a standard oven is done in 13 minutes in combination mode with a browned surface. The 1800W convection element is the most powerful in this form factor, and the 2.5-minute preheat time is genuinely fast compared to any competing unit.

Build quality is noticeably better than budget and mid-range units. The brushed stainless finish, door mechanism, and dial all feel premium. The 1.1 cu. ft. cavity is the main limitation: a 9x13 casserole dish won't fit, and for households of three or more this becomes a regular frustration.

Capacity	1.1 cu. ft.
Microwave Power	1100W (inverter)
Convection Power	1800W
Combination Mode	Yes (unique feature)
Price Range	$399–$449

Check Price on Amazon Read full Breville Combi Wave review

Can't decide between the two? We put them head-to-head.

Read the Toshiba vs Breville Comparison

Microwave Buying Guide

What you actually need to know before buying a microwave in 2026.

Inverter vs. Standard Microwave: Why It Matters for Defrosting

Standard microwaves run at full power and cycle on and off to simulate lower wattage settings. When you set a standard microwave to 50% power, it's actually running at 100% power half the time and 0% the rest. This creates uneven heating: the outer layers of your food get cooked while the center stays frozen.

Inverter microwaves deliver continuous power at the actual wattage you select. Set it to 50% and it runs at 50% consistently throughout the cook time. For defrosting, the difference is immediately obvious. Meat thaws evenly from edge to center. You don't end up with cooked spots and frozen cores. Both the Toshiba and Breville reviewed here use inverter technology, which is one reason they're the models we recommend.

Microwave Air Fryer Combos: Worth It or Gimmick?

For most households, combo units are worth it, with one important caveat. The air fryer function on modern combo units like the Toshiba ML-EM45PIT genuinely works: it uses a convection heating element to circulate hot air, producing crispy results comparable to a standalone air fryer for small to medium portions. The caveat is capacity.

A microwave cavity is shaped differently from a dedicated air fryer basket, and the volume is typically smaller. If your usual air fryer use is a couple of servings of fries, chicken tenders, or a few pieces of fish, a combo unit handles it well. If you're cooking wings for four or doing large batch meal prep, a dedicated 5 to 6-quart basket fryer will serve you better. For a household of one or two, eliminating a second appliance and freeing up counter space is a practical win.

How Much Microwave Capacity Do You Actually Need?

The answer for most households is 1.2 to 1.6 cu. ft. A 1.2 cu. ft. microwave fits a standard dinner plate with a bit of room to spare and handles almost all everyday reheating tasks. A 1.6 cu. ft. model adds enough space for a 9x13 casserole dish and is better for families or anyone who regularly reheats large portions in the original container.

Anything below 1.1 cu. ft. will feel limiting for day-to-day use. Anything above 2.0 cu. ft. is generally commercial-grade and oversized for a home kitchen counter. The Toshiba's 1.6 cu. ft. cavity is close to the practical maximum for a countertop unit. The Breville's 1.1 cu. ft. is workable for one to two people but will frustrate anyone cooking larger portions regularly.

Combination Cooking: What It Is and Who Should Pay for It

Combination cooking is a feature exclusive to the Breville Combi Wave in this price range. It runs microwave power and convection heat simultaneously in a single cook cycle. The microwave energy penetrates the food quickly while convection heat browns the exterior at the same time. The practical result is food that cooks in roughly half the time a conventional oven requires, with a properly browned surface that microwave-only cooking can't produce.

It's worth paying for if you cook proteins (chicken, fish, pork tenderloin) frequently and want them finished quickly on weeknights. It's not worth paying for if your primary microwave use is reheating leftovers, making popcorn, and defrosting. Those tasks don't benefit from combination mode, and the Toshiba handles them at half the price.

Smart Microwaves: Alexa vs. No Smart Features

The Toshiba ML-EM45PIT includes Alexa compatibility, which lets you set cook times and power levels with voice commands. The Breville has no smart features. In practice, voice control on a microwave is useful occasionally but not a primary reason to choose a model. The main scenario where it pays off is when your hands are full: setting a reheat time without putting down what you're carrying is genuinely convenient.

The one limitation worth knowing: for safety reasons, voice commands can't start the microwave remotely. You still have to press the Start button on the unit. So Alexa integration gets you to the ready state hands-free, not the full cook cycle. If you already have Alexa devices in your kitchen, the Toshiba's integration is a nice bonus. If you don't, it's not a reason to add one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best microwave air fryer combo in 2026?

The Toshiba ML-EM45PIT is our top pick for most buyers. It combines inverter microwave technology with a functional air fryer in a 1.6 cu. ft. unit for under $230. The Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave is the performance pick at $400+, offering a unique combination cooking mode that runs microwave and convection simultaneously.

Is an inverter microwave worth it?

Yes, if you defrost meat or cook delicate foods regularly. Inverter microwaves deliver continuous power at your selected wattage rather than cycling on and off at full power. The practical difference is meaningful: defrosting is more even, reheating is gentler, and sensitive tasks like softening butter or melting chocolate are more controllable. Both models we recommend use inverter technology.

Do microwave air fryer combos work as well as dedicated air fryers?

For one to two servings, yes. The air fryer function on units like the Toshiba and Breville produces genuinely crispy results comparable to a standalone air fryer basket. Where combo units fall short is capacity: you can't fit a full rack of wings or multiple large servings the way a dedicated 6-quart basket air fryer can. For small households, a combo unit eliminates a second appliance without sacrificing much performance.

How much microwave capacity do I actually need?

For most households, 1.2 to 1.6 cu. ft. covers everyday use. A 1.2 cu. ft. microwave fits a standard dinner plate and most food storage containers. A 1.6 cu. ft. model fits a 9x13 casserole dish and is better for families or anyone who reheats large portions. Anything below 1.1 cu. ft. is limiting for regular use.

What is combination cooking mode in a microwave?

Combination cooking runs microwave power and convection heat simultaneously in one cycle. Microwave energy cooks the interior quickly while convection heat browns the exterior. The result is food that finishes faster than convection alone with a properly browned surface that standard microwave cooking can't achieve. The Breville Combi Wave is currently the only countertop unit in this price range offering this feature.

Our Recommendations

If you're replacing an aging microwave and want to eliminate your countertop air fryer at the same time, buy the Toshiba ML-EM45PIT. It's under $230, has a large cavity, and the inverter technology is a real improvement over any standard microwave you're likely replacing.

If you cook proteins regularly on weeknights and want the fastest, best-performing unit available in a countertop format, the Breville Combi Wave is worth the premium. The combination cooking mode delivers results you can't get from any other unit at this size and price.

Still undecided? Our Toshiba vs Breville comparison goes deeper on every dimension and tells you exactly which buyer each model is right for.

Toshiba on Amazon Breville Combi Wave on Amazon

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Best Microwaves of 2026