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Combination microwaves

Best combination microwaves for UK kitchens in 2026

Multi-function microwave picks for grilling, baking, air frying and oven-style cooking in UK kitchens.

Products shortlisted
7
Last updated
15 May 2026

A combination microwave is for buyers who want more than reheating. The best models can grill, bake, roast or air fry, making them useful as a second oven or a space-saving main appliance in smaller kitchens.

This shortlist prioritises genuinely useful cooking modes, clear controls, sensible capacity and current UK availability.

Related buying guides

More guides for microwaves

Explore more focused guides in the same product family when you already know the type or feature set you want.

Quick picks

Best options at a glance

See the main recommendations side by side, with enough detail to decide which picks deserve a closer look.

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Sage The Combi Wave 3 in 1 Combination Microwave

Best Premium Combination Microwave

Sage The Combi Wave 3 in 1

Air fryer, convection oven and microwave

Best for confident cooks who want a polished combi with microwave, grill, convection and air-fry style modes.

Capacity
32L
Power
1100W microwave and grill
Type
Premium combi

Typical price: £349–£400

Buying advice

How to choose a combination microwave

Use these checks to decide which features matter before comparing individual products.

Decide which cooking modes matter

A grill is useful for browning, convection helps with oven-style cooking, steam can help with gentler meals and air-fry modes suit crisping. Choose for the modes you will actually use, not the longest feature list.

Check the external footprint

Combination microwaves are usually larger than solo models and need ventilation space. Measure the worktop, the clearance above and the depth before choosing a 30L-plus appliance.

Look for usable manual control

Presets are helpful, but manual time, temperature and power control matter when you want to adapt recipes or finish food your own way.

Match capacity to the meals you cook

A 23-27L combi can suit smaller households, while 31-34L models make more sense for family cooking, roasting and larger dishes.

Full verdicts

Why these picks made the shortlist

A closer look at where each pick works best, what it gives up and what to double-check before buying.

Award Best Overall Combination Microwave

Daewoo Actuate Range 26 Litre 5-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Oven

Key specs

Capacity
26L
Power
2400W
Type
Air-fryer combi
Dimensions
52.1 x 34 x 29.6cm

Daewoo Actuate 5-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Oven

26L, 2400W, Black, with grill

The Daewoo Actuate is the strongest all-round combination pick because it balances a flexible cooking set, a manageable 26L capacity and a less intimidating price than many premium combis.

Guide price: about £190

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

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Pros

  • Strong value for a multi-function model
  • Air-fry mode broadens what it can cook
  • Clear control panel suits regular use

Cons

  • Turntable cannot be switched off
  • Larger than a basic solo microwave

Verdict

This is the most sensible starting point if you want one appliance for microwave basics and air-fry style cooking without jumping straight to the most expensive models.

Award Best Premium Combination Microwave

Sage The Combi Wave 3 in 1 Combination Microwave

Key specs

Capacity
32L
Power
1100W microwave and grill
Type
Premium combi
Dimensions
31.6 x 51.9 x 51.3cm

Sage The Combi Wave 3 in 1

Air fryer, convection oven and microwave

The Sage Combi Wave is the premium choice, offering a wide cooking range in a polished countertop appliance that can take on more than reheating.

Typical price: £349–£400

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Excellent breadth of cooking modes
  • Roomy enough for more ambitious meals
  • Feels like a genuine oven-helper rather than a basic microwave

Cons

  • Premium price
  • Takes more learning than a simple combi

Verdict

It is overkill for quick leftovers, but persuasive if you regularly want grill, convection and crisping modes from the same appliance.

Award Best Air-Fryer Combination Microwave

Salter EK5817 DuoWave 2 In 1 Air Fryer & Microwave -- 26L

Key specs

Capacity
26L
Power
900W microwave
Type
Air-fryer combi
Dimensions
52 x 32.6 x 52cm

Salter EK5817 DuoWave 2-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave

26L, 900W microwave, 1500W air fryer

The Salter DuoWave gives buyers a clear microwave-and-air-fryer option with a compact 26L footprint, making it useful when one appliance needs to cover both quick heating and crisping.

Guide price: about £177

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Good fit for kitchens without room for separate microwave and air fryer appliances
  • Air-fry mode makes it more versatile than a simple grill combi
  • Straightforward option for crisping smaller portions

Cons

  • Less of a full oven replacement than larger convection combis
  • Price comparison is narrower than for some bigger-name models

Verdict

It is a practical choice if your priority is replacing two compact countertop appliances rather than buying the most oven-like combi microwave.

Award Best Budget Combination Microwave

Russell Hobbs RHM2366B 23 Litre Combination Microwave 900W

Key specs

Capacity
23L
Power
900W microwave, 1000W grill
Type
Budget combi
Dimensions
46.9 x 41.5 x 28cm

Russell Hobbs RHM2366B 3-in-1 Combination Microwave

23L, 900W, with grill and oven

The Russell Hobbs RHM2366B is the practical budget combi choice, giving microwave, grill and convection cooking in a smaller, more affordable package.

Guide price: about £119

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Strong feature set for the price
  • Logical controls suit first-time combi buyers
  • Smaller footprint than many larger multi-function models

Cons

  • Interior has more cleaning traps than simpler designs
  • Less manual flexibility than pricier combis

Verdict

It is the right starting point if you want oven-style flexibility but do not want a large premium appliance dominating the worktop.

Award Best Slimline Combination Microwave

Panasonic NN-CD58JSBPQ Combination Microwave

Key specs

Capacity
27L
Power
1000W microwave, 1300W grill
Type
Slimline combi
Dimensions
31 x 52 x 39.5cm

Panasonic NN-CD58JSBPQ Combination Microwave

27L, 1000W, Steel

The Panasonic NN-CD58JSBPQ is a strong slimline-style combi for smaller households that still want convection and grill functions alongside normal microwave cooking.

Typical price: £225–£269

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Good balance of capacity and footprint
  • Manual control gives more flexibility than preset-only models
  • Useful for one or two-person oven-style cooking

Cons

  • Exterior marks easily
  • Smaller cavity than the largest family combis

Verdict

It suits buyers who want a capable second oven for smaller meals without stepping up to the biggest and most expensive combi models.

Award Best Steam Combination Microwave

Panasonic combi microwave oven 4-in-1 NN-CS89LBBPQ

Key specs

Capacity
31L
Power
1000W microwave, 1300W grill/steam
Type
Steam combi
Dimensions
39.1 x 50 x 43.7cm

Panasonic NN-CS89LBBPQ Combination Steam Microwave

Stainless Steel

The Panasonic NN-CS89LBBPQ is the steam-focused combi pick, with a larger cavity and a cooking range that can stand in for more small-oven jobs.

Typical price: £520–£599

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Steam mode gives it a clearer cooking role than basic combis
  • Large capacity suits more substantial meals
  • Intuitive controls help manage the wider feature set

Cons

  • Large footprint
  • Defrosting may not be its strongest mode

Verdict

It is a better fit for households that will use steam and convection regularly than for buyers who only need fast reheating.

Award Best Smart Combination Microwave

Samsung Combi Smart Microwave Oven with Air Fry, 32L

Key specs

Capacity
32L
Power
1400W microwave
Type
Smart air-fry combi
Dimensions
52.3 x 33 x 51.5cm

Samsung MC32DG7646CKE3 Combination Microwave

32L, 900W, Black Glass

The Samsung smart combi is the connected pick, combining a large cavity with app-guided cooking support and a broad set of cooking modes.

Typical price: £237–£299

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Broad mode list makes it unusually flexible
  • Large window and easy-clean interior help day to day
  • App support can help with timings and guided cooking

Cons

  • Programmes still need to be started manually
  • Auto-cook results may need small timing adjustments

Verdict

It is best for buyers who like guided cooking and multi-mode flexibility, while accepting that the smart features do not make it fully hands-off.

Questions

Combination microwave FAQs

Straight answers to the questions that usually come up before buying.

What is a combination microwave?

A combination microwave pairs normal microwave heating with at least one extra cooking mode, usually grill, convection oven, steam or air frying. That lets it brown, crisp or bake foods that a solo microwave would only heat.

Can a combination microwave replace an oven?

It can replace some oven jobs, especially smaller roasts, ready meals, baked potatoes and quick bakes. For large trays, multiple shelves or big family meals, a full oven is still more practical.

Are air-fryer combination microwaves worth it?

They are worth considering if you are short on counter space and will use the air-fry mode often. A standalone air fryer may still be faster or simpler if crisping is your main priority.

What size combination microwave should I buy?

Around 23-27L is a good starting point for smaller kitchens and one or two people. Larger households should look closer to 31-34L, as long as the appliance fits the available worktop space.

Calculators

Estimate running costs before you choose

Use the calculator to sense-check common appliance running-cost assumptions before comparing the recommendations.

Plug-in energy meter beside an air fryer and oven for a running-cost comparison

Calculator

Air fryer vs oven running cost calculator

Estimate how much common kitchen appliances cost to run, using editable wattage, cooking time and tariff assumptions.

Reviewed 20 June 2026 Open calculator

Buying advice

Use these guides to settle the trade-offs that matter before comparing the recommendations.

Microwave on a kitchen worktop beside a dinner plate and measuring tape
Guide Microwaves

What size microwave do I need?

Choose the right microwave size by matching litre capacity to your plates, worktop space, household size and whether you want a simple solo model or a larger combi microwave.

Read advice