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Last tested: March 2026 | By Jenna Hartwell
The two best inverter microwave air fryer combos on the market are made by Toshiba and Breville. They both use inverter technology. They both air fry. The price difference between them is about $200. This comparison tells you what that $200 actually buys and which unit is right for your kitchen.
Quick Picks
| Product | Best For | Price | Rating | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toshiba ML-EM45PIT | Best value, larger capacity, Alexa users | $189–$229 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | See on Amazon |
| Breville BMO870BSS | Best performance, combination cooking mode | $399–$449 | ★★★★½ 4.6 | See on Amazon |
Side-by-Side Specs
| Feature | Toshiba ML-EM45PIT Best Value | Breville BMO870BSS Best Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.6 cu. ft. | 1.1 cu. ft. |
| Microwave Power | 1350W | 1100W |
| Convection Power | 1550W | 1800W |
| Combination Mode | No | Yes (microwave + convection simultaneously) |
| Air Fryer | Yes | Yes |
| Inverter Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Features | Alexa compatible | None |
| Sensor Cooking | Yes | Yes |
| Preheat Time (400°F) | 3.5–4 min | 2.5 min |
| Preset Programs | 13 | 10 (Element iQ) |
| Width | 22.8" | 20.8" |
| Price Range | $189–$229 | $399–$449 |
The Toshiba ML-EM45PIT: What You're Getting
Toshiba ML-EM45PIT(SS)
The Toshiba is the smarter buy for most households. At under $230, you get inverter technology, a functional air fryer, Alexa compatibility, and a 1.6 cu. ft. cavity that handles everything from a 9x13 casserole dish to a 12-inch pizza plate.
The air fryer function reaches 400°F in about 3.5 minutes and produces genuinely crispy results. Frozen fries in 12 minutes, chicken tenders in 14. It's not as fast as Breville, but the gap is smaller than the price difference suggests.
The Breville BMO870BSS: What You're Getting
Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave
The Breville costs twice as much and earns most of that premium. The combination cooking mode is the standout: running microwave energy and convection heat simultaneously cuts cooking time for proteins significantly. A 7 oz. chicken breast that takes 22 minutes conventionally is done in 13 minutes with a browned exterior.
The 1800W convection element is the most powerful in this form factor, and the 2.5-minute preheat time is genuinely fast. Build quality is noticeably better than the Toshiba. The 1.1 cu. ft. cavity is the main limitation.
Head-to-Head: Where Each One Wins
Cooking Performance
Breville wins here without much debate. The combination cooking mode is a meaningful capability that the Toshiba simply doesn't have. If you're cooking chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables regularly, the Breville's combination mode delivers better results faster than any comparable unit.
For standard microwave tasks (reheating leftovers, defrosting, popcorn), the two units perform similarly. Both use inverter technology, so both defrost significantly better than traditional pulsing microwaves. The performance gap only opens up when you're using the convection or combination cooking functions.
Air Frying
Breville edges ahead here too, largely due to the faster preheat and more powerful 1800W element. Frozen fries in 10 minutes on the Breville versus 12 minutes on the Toshiba, with slightly crispier texture. The difference is real but modest. For most air frying tasks, both units produce acceptable results.
The Toshiba's larger cavity is an advantage if you're cooking bigger portions. More space means more surface area on the rack, which matters for a batch of chicken wings or multiple servings of fries.
Capacity and Size
Toshiba wins on capacity. The 1.6 cu. ft. interior fits a 9x13 casserole dish. The Breville's 1.1 cu. ft. does not. For a household of two preparing normal portions, the Breville is adequate. For anything larger, the Toshiba's extra space is a genuine practical advantage.
The Breville is 2 inches narrower, which matters if your counter space is tight. Both units require ventilation clearance, so the overall footprint difference is smaller than the listed dimensions suggest.
Features and Smart Tech
Toshiba wins on smart features. Alexa compatibility isn't essential for a microwave, but if you already have an Alexa device in your kitchen, the integration works smoothly for setting cook times and power levels. Breville has no smart features at all.
Breville's Element iQ preset programs are better-tuned than Toshiba's auto-cook functions, but neither is a deciding factor for most buyers.
Value
Toshiba wins by a wide margin. At roughly half the price, it covers inverter technology, air frying, and sensor cooking. The Breville premium buys you the combination cooking mode, faster convection, and better build quality. Whether that's worth $200 depends entirely on how you cook.
Overall Winner: Toshiba for Most Buyers
Toshiba wins on value and capacity. If you're replacing a standard microwave and want air frying capability, the Toshiba is the smart choice at half the price. The inverter technology handles defrosting properly, the air fryer function works, and the 1.6 cu. ft. cavity is the most practical size for everyday use.
Breville wins on cooking performance, specifically if you want combination cooking mode and faster convection. Neither is a bad choice. They just serve different buyers: the Toshiba for households upgrading from a standard microwave on a sensible budget, and the Breville for buyers who cook proteins regularly and want the most performance possible from a countertop unit.
Toshiba ML-EM45PIT
Best value, larger 1.6 cu. ft. capacity, Alexa compatible. The upgrade most households need.
$189–$229
Check Price on AmazonBreville BMO870BSS
Combination cooking mode, 1800W convection, premium build. For buyers who want the best.
$399–$449
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Toshiba or the Breville microwave?
For most buyers, the Toshiba ML-EM45PIT is the smarter choice. It costs half as much, has a larger cavity, and covers the key features: inverter technology, air frying, and sensor cooking. The Breville makes sense if you cook proteins regularly and want the combination cooking mode, which runs microwave and convection simultaneously for faster, better-browned results.
Which microwave has a larger capacity?
The Toshiba ML-EM45PIT has a larger 1.6 cu. ft. cavity compared to the Breville Combi Wave's 1.1 cu. ft. The Toshiba fits a 9x13 casserole dish; the Breville does not. For larger households or anyone who reheats big dishes, the Toshiba's capacity is a practical advantage.
Does the Breville Combi Wave heat faster than the Toshiba?
In air fryer and convection modes, yes. The Breville's 1800W convection element reaches 400°F in about 2.5 minutes versus 3.5 to 4 minutes for the Toshiba. In standard microwave mode, the Toshiba is actually slightly more powerful at 1350W compared to Breville's 1100W. The Breville's real speed advantage is in combination cooking mode, where it significantly outpaces a standard oven.
Which microwave is better for defrosting?
Both use inverter technology, so both defrost significantly better than standard microwaves. The difference between them on defrosting is minimal. If defrosting is your primary use case, you don't need to pay the Breville premium: the Toshiba handles it equally well.
Which model should I buy if I have limited counter space?
The Breville Combi Wave is slightly more compact at 20.8 inches wide versus the Toshiba's 22.8 inches. Both require ventilation clearance for their convection and air fryer functions. If counter width is a tight constraint, the Breville fits a 2-inch narrower footprint, though both units are larger than a basic countertop microwave.
Related: Best Microwaves of 2026 | Full Toshiba Review | Full Breville Combi Wave Review