You love the idea of one machine that reheats leftovers and also crisps a pan of fries, then you look at your counter and realize you only have room for one thing. A countertop convection microwave oven is built for exactly that squeeze. It heats like a microwave, but a fan and a heating element let it bake, broil and (on most models) air fry too. This guide is for anyone short on counter space who wants the speed of a microwave without soggy results. Here are the 4 best countertop convection microwave oven options in 2026, ranked by how many shoppers have bought and rated them. We read the listings and the reviews. We didn't test them ourselves.
What to Look For in a Countertop Convection Microwave Oven
Size, inside and out. Measure your counter, then measure the clearance above it. These units run about 22 inches wide and 17 to 18 inches deep, and they need breathing room on the sides and top. Check the inside too: a 12 or 13-inch pizza only fits on the bigger turntables.
Convection or true air fry. Convection bakes and roasts with moving hot air. Air fry modes push harder and use a basket or rack for crisping. Some models do both, but the air fry setting in a microwave won't match a standalone air fryer. Think "crispier than a microwave," not "deep-fried."
Inverter power. Inverter models hold steady power instead of pulsing on and off. That usually means more even reheating and less rubbery edges on leftovers. Two of our picks have it.
Presets and sensors. A humidity sensor can stop you from overcooking popcorn or a potato. Presets help if you don't want to think about it. If you hate beeps, look for a mute button.
Cleanup. Convection and air frying mean grease splatter. A smooth, easy-wipe interior saves you a lot of scrubbing.
The 4 Best Countertop Convection Microwave Oven Options in 2026
1. TOSHIBA 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven with Air Fryer (1.5 Cu.Ft)
Best for: families who want the biggest cavity and a proven seller.
This is the largest of the four at 1.5 cubic feet and 1000 watts. It microwaves, air fries, bakes with convection and broils. The listing says it fits a 13-inch pizza, so a casserole dish or a full sheet of wings isn't a problem. It also has the most reviews of any model here, which counts for a lot.
What makes it stand out: The size. It also has a smart sensor, 13 auto sensor menus and a mute button so you can run it at night without the beep.
Good to know: It's big. The listing shows it's roughly 22 inches wide, so it needs a real chunk of counter. And it sits at 4.0 stars, so read the recent reviews before you buy.
2. Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven NN-CD87KS
Best for: people who want inverter heating and a built-in air fryer.
Panasonic invented the inverter microwave, and this model uses it. It's 1000 watts and 1.2 cubic feet, with air fry, convection bake and a FlashXpress broiler. It has 20 preset programs and a sensor that handles reheating on its own.
What makes it stand out: The Easy-Clean interior is smooth stainless steel, and the listing says a custom trim kit is sold separately if you want to build it in. The inverter helps leftovers heat evenly.
Good to know: It's 4.1 stars across a couple thousand ratings, which is solid but not perfect. Double-check that you're buying the new unit, because some listings for this model are renewed.
3. TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven Air Fryer Combo (1.0 Cu.Ft, MASTER Series)
Best for: smaller kitchens that still want convection, broil and inverter.
At 1.0 cubic foot and 1000 watts, this one is a step down in size but not in features. It has an inverter, convection, broil, air fry and a "Speedy Combi" mode that mixes microwave and convection heat to cook faster. The turntable is 12.4 inches, and the listing says it fits a 12-inch pizza.
What makes it stand out: The extras. A humidity sensor, a mute function and 27 auto menus come with a cookbook of 47 recipes, which is handy if you've never cooked with combi heat.
Good to know: It's tighter inside, so a big casserole won't fit. It's rated 4.0 stars, and the air fry results will not match a dedicated air fryer.
4. Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Air Fryer Combo NN-CV87QS
Best for: anyone who wants app-linked recipes and a newer Panasonic design.
This is Panasonic's newer HomeChef. It's 1000 watts and 1.2 cubic feet, with inverter technology, 20 presets, convection and air fry. It also links to the Panasonic Kitchen+ app for recipes and step-by-step cooking.
What makes it stand out: The listing highlights a top-fan air fry design with a large basket, and it says the footprint is about 15 percent more compact on the counter than the older model.
Good to know: It has far fewer reviews (about 150), so there's less track record. It's also the priciest of the four, so the app is a lot to pay extra for if you won't use it.
How to Get Crispy Results From a Convection Microwave
- Preheat for baking. Run the convection mode empty for a few minutes before you add food.
- Use the rack and basket. Food that sits flat on the turntable steams instead of crisping.
- Use metal only in convection or air fry mode. Never put metal in the microwave-only setting. Check your manual for the exact rules for your model.
- Pat food dry. Fries and wings crisp up better when they aren't wet.
- Wipe it down after greasy cooking. Splatter bakes on if you leave it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a convection microwave worth it?
Can you use regular cookware in a convection microwave?
Is a convection microwave the same as an air fryer?
Can it replace my oven?
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Final Thoughts
The Toshiba 4-in-1 (1.5 cu ft) is our top pick. It has the most buyers and the biggest cavity, and it's the one we'd choose for a family kitchen. If you want inverter heating and a built-in air fryer from a brand known for microwaves, go with the Panasonic NN-CD87KS.
If your counter is small, the 1.0 cu ft Toshiba MASTER Series keeps the features in a smaller box. If you like apps and don't mind fewer reviews, the newer Panasonic NN-CV87QS is the one to look at. If you already own a good air fryer, think about whether you need this at all (our small-kitchen air fryer toaster oven picks may fit better).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here's how we pick products.
