Best Compact Convection Microwave for Small Kitchens

The best compact convection microwave is the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA, a 1.0 cu ft, 1000W countertop unit that combines microwave, convection bake, broil and air fry inside a 20.6 by 16.4 by 11.8 inch shell. If your counter can spare a couple more inches and you want air-fry crispness equal to a dedicated 1700W fryer, the Ninja Crispi MW101 is the better buy.

Best compact convection microwave at a glance

How the seven were screened

I ran every listing through three filters, and then weighed what was left.

1. The compact test. Countertop depth 17 inches or less on at least one dimension, or an overall footprint that fits a 22 by 22 inch counter square. Five of the seven clear that. The Ninja Crispi at 14 by 17 by 20.3 in and the Toshiba ML-EC42P at 21.4 by 21.8 by 21.7 in are the borderline cases, and I say so in their sections.
2. The convection test. A published convection or bake mode in the feature list. Six of the seven pass. The COMFEE' EM720CPL does not, and it stays in the roundup only as the honest budget alternative for shoppers who thought they needed convection but really need reheating.
3. The power-and-warranty test. A stated microwave output and a stated warranty. All seven publish a one-year warranty. Output ranges from 700W on the COMFEE' to 1050W on the GE, with the Ninja Crispi's 1700W applying to air-fry rather than microwave.

Weights ran from 20.3 lb on the COMFEE' to 50 lb on the Ninja Crispi. That range matters more than it looks: a 50-lb box on a shallow shelf is a different install from a 20-lb box on the same shelf.

1. Toshiba ML2-EC10SA — Best overall

A 1.0 cu ft, 1000W countertop unit with eight cooking modes and the smallest footprint of any full-featured convection microwave here.

Best for: a small kitchen that needs one appliance to do microwave, convection and air fry. Skip it if: you need a cavity bigger than 1.0 cu ft.

The Toshiba wins on the boring stuff, which is what actually matters here. It is 20.6 in wide, 16.4 in deep and 11.8 in tall, which is narrower than every other convection unit in this set. Weight is 39.2 lb, mid-pack. Toshiba lists 1000W of microwave output and 1600W input, and the model number ML2-EC10SA(BS)A carries a one-year limited warranty. The cavity is a full 1.0 cu ft, and Toshiba says the 12.4-inch removable turntable will fit a 12-inch pizza or a 12.4 in casserole footprint.

The eight modes cover microwave, air fry, convection bake, broil, a combination mode, low-temp, defrost and odor removal. That is the widest mode list here after the Ninja, and it is packaged in a smaller shell. Toshiba also lists a two-step child lock. The trade-off against the Frigidaire and the larger Toshiba is cavity size: at 1.0 cu ft you are not fitting a 13-inch turntable, and combi cooks over four servings will be tight. This is the pick if your counter, not your family, is the constraint.

Pros:

• Narrowest full-featured convection unit here at 20.6 in wide
• 1000W microwave output with 1600W input
• Eight cooking modes including air fry and broil
• 12.4-inch turntable fits a 12-inch pizza per Toshiba
• Two-step child lock published on the listing

Cons:

• 1.0 cu ft is smaller than the Frigidaire and the larger Toshiba
• Only two sellers list it
• Black stainless shows fingerprints more than brushed steel

2. Ninja Crispi MW101 — Best premium

A 14-mode microwave built around a 1700W air fryer, with a flatbed cavity Ninja says gives 40% more usable space than a turntable design.

Best for: cooks who want air-fry results equal to a dedicated 1700W fryer. Skip it if: your counter is under 20 inches deep.

The Crispi is the newest here, a 2026 release, and Ninja has built the case around FusionCrisp, a mode that starts on microwave and finishes on air fry. Ninja lists 1700W of air-fry power and up to 450°F of cyclonic heat, which is the highest published air-fry spec of the seven. There are 14 modes in total: eight microwave presets and five air-fry presets, plus FusionCrisp. The flatbed cavity, no turntable, is rated by Ninja to fit a 9 by 11 in baking dish or four bowls of leftovers in one cook.

External dimensions are 14 by 17 by 20.3 in and it weighs 50 lb, the heaviest here. The Ninja does not publish a cavity in cubic feet, which is why the table shows "Not listed" rather than a guess. Warranty is one year. The premium price position is the trade-off, and it is a real one against the Toshiba overall pick: you are paying for air-fry ceiling and cavity shape, not for a larger microwave. If the air-fry side matters more than the microwave side, this is the pick. If they matter equally, the Toshiba costs less to buy in.

Pros:

• 1700W air-fry engine, the highest here
• 450°F ceiling per Ninja
• Flatbed cavity fits a 9 by 11 in baking dish
• 14 total cooking modes including FusionCrisp
• 2026 release with current firmware and interface

Cons:

• No cavity volume published in cubic feet
• Heaviest unit here at 50 lb
• Premium price position of this set

3. Frigidaire EMW1220AMZ — Best for pros

A 1.2 cu ft, 1000W countertop with a dedicated convection oven mode, bake and roast presets, and the widest cavity in the sub-22-inch class.

Best for: batch cooks who need 1.2 cu ft and a full convection oven mode. Skip it if: you want a footprint under 20 inches wide.

The Frigidaire is the specialist. Cavity is 1.2 cu ft, external dimensions are 11.9 by 19.7 by 21.3 in, and weight is 42 lb. Frigidaire lists bake, roast, microwave and convection as separate modes, plus air fry, and the marketing frames the convection side as an oven rather than a bake preset. Output is 1000W with ten power levels, five one-touch menus (potato, popcorn, beverage, reheat, frozen dinner) and a weight-and-time defrost. Warranty is one year.

The reason it is the pick for people who actually cook is the mode separation. Roast and bake are addressed as distinct programs rather than folded into a single convection setting, which matters if you regularly cook chicken thighs and then bake a tray of biscuits back to back. The trade-off is the footprint: at 19.7 in deep and 21.3 in wide, it eats more counter than the Toshiba overall pick, and it dates to a 2019 release, so the interface is older than the Ninja and BLACK+DECKER. That is the price of the larger cavity in the entry price band.

Pros:

• 1.2 cu ft cavity, the second-largest here
• Bake and roast as separate modes, not just convection
• 1000W with 10 power levels
• Entry price band despite the extra capacity
• Air-fry mode included

Cons:

• 21.3 in wide, needs real counter space
• 2019 release, older interface than the newer picks
• Fewer preset menus than the BLACK+DECKER

4. BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA — Best upgrade

A 0.9 cu ft, 900W five-in-one that fits under a low cabinet at 11.4 in tall and pairs 7 auto menus with 11 air-fry presets.

Best for: a first convection microwave under a low cabinet. Skip it if: you want more than 900W of microwave power.

BLACK+DECKER released this in 2025 and it sits at 11.4 by 14.5 by 19.5 in, the shortest and narrowest full-convection unit here. That 11.4 in height is the number to hold on to: a lot of built-in shelves clear 12 in, and this is the one microwave in the set that will comfortably fit them. Five modes cover microwave, air fry, combi (grill and convection), bake and roast, with seven auto menus (beverage, fresh and frozen vegetables, oatmeal, potato, popcorn, frozen pizza) and 11 air-fry presets including nuggets, wings, fries and fish.

Output is 900W, which is the lowest here after the COMFEE' budget pick, and that is the honest trade-off. Reheating a full plate takes longer than on the 1000W and 1050W units, and dense casseroles cook less evenly at combi. Warranty is one year, and only one seller lists it at the moment. Against the Toshiba overall pick you save on price and clearance, and you spend that saving on the wattage.

Pros:

• Only 11.4 in tall, fits low cabinets
• 11 air-fry presets, the most in this set
• Five modes including bake and roast
• Child-lock via a three-second stop hold
• 2025 release with a current interface

Cons:

• 900W is the lowest microwave output of the convection picks
• Only one seller lists it
• 0.9 cu ft cavity, smaller than the Toshiba and Frigidaire

5. GE GCST10A1WSS — Best minimal setup

A 1.0 cu ft, 1050W countertop with microwave, convection, air fry and broil, and a stainless crisper pan included in the box.

Best for: renters who want convection plus air fry with almost no learning curve. Skip it if: you want the cheapest way in.

The GE has the highest microwave output of the countertop picks at 1050W and a 1.0 cu ft cavity in a 20.6 by 6.54 by 11.9 in footprint. Weight is 34.8 lb, the lightest full-convection unit here by a clear margin. GE bundles a stainless crisper pan for the air-fry mode and a wire rack for convection, which is the "in the box" evidence that separates it from picks where you buy those accessories after the fact. Warranty is a one-year replacement rather than a repair warranty, which is unusual in the set.

The mode list is deliberately shorter than the Toshiba's: microwave, convection, air fry, broil. GE's premium price position pays for the wattage, the accessories and the brand, not for extra modes. That is the trade against the Toshiba overall pick, which offers eight modes at a mid price. If you want the fewest decisions and the shortest first-day setup, the GE earns its position. If you want the widest mode list per dollar, the Toshiba does.

Pros:

• 1050W, the highest microwave output here
• Stainless crisper pan and wire rack included
• Lightest full-convection unit at 34.8 lb
• One-year replacement warranty
• 1.0 cu ft cavity in a slim shell

Cons:

• Premium price band despite fewer modes
• Sales rank trails the Toshiba overall pick sharply
• No stated child-lock feature

6. Toshiba ML-EC42P — Best large-capacity

A 1.5 cu ft convection microwave with a 13.6-inch turntable, air fry and combi modes, and the biggest cavity of the seven.

Best for: families cooking whole chickens and 12-inch pizzas. Skip it if: your counter is under 22 inches on any side.

The larger Toshiba trades footprint for cavity. External dimensions are 21.4 by 21.8 by 21.7 in, weight is 45.5 lb, and it takes up a near-square 22 by 22 in counter block. In return you get a 1.5 cu ft cavity, the largest here, and a 13.6-inch removable turntable that Toshiba says fits a whole roasted chicken or a 12-inch pizza. Output is 1000W. The mode list is a tighter four: microwave, air fry, convection and combination cooking, plus auto bake, defrost and roast menus. Warranty is one year, and only one seller lists it.

Combi cooking is where this pick earns its keep. Microwave-plus-convection at 1000W with 1.5 cu ft of headroom lets you brown the top of a casserole while the middle heats through, which the smaller cavities do less cleanly. The trade-off is real: it is larger than most under-cabinet clearances and the mode list is narrower than the Toshiba overall pick and the Ninja. If you cook for four or more and space is not the constraint, this is the pick. Everyone else should size down.

Pros:

• 1.5 cu ft cavity, the largest here
• 13.6-inch turntable for whole chickens and 12-inch pizzas
• Dedicated combination microwave-plus-convection mode
• 1000W output and a stainless interior
• Auto bake, defrost and roast menus

Cons:

• 21.4 by 21.8 by 21.7 in eats real counter
• Only one seller lists it
• Four modes rather than eight

7. COMFEE' EM720CPL — Best budget pick

A 0.7 cu ft, 700W microwave with an ECO mode and a mute button, and the honest reference point for what a microwave without convection costs.

Best for: dorms and studio kitchens that only need reheating. Skip it if: you actually need convection or air fry.

The COMFEE' is here as the honest counterpoint. It is 10.2 by 13 by 17.3 in, 20.3 lb, 0.7 cu ft, and 700W, which makes it the smallest and lightest microwave in the roundup by a wide margin. It also has no convection, no bake mode and no air fry, and I would rather say that clearly than pad a spec sheet to disguise it. What it does have is a two-step child lock, a mute button that silences the beeps after a three-second hold, an eco mode that COMFEE' says cuts standby power by 50%, and one-touch express cooking from one to six minutes.

The reason it earns a spot is the cheapest of the seven position combined with sales rank: it is the one buyers choose most often here after the Toshiba overall pick. If you got to this article searching for a convection microwave and realise you only reheat leftovers and defrost meat, this saves you the price of features you will not use. Warranty is one year. If you do want convection, ignore this and take the BLACK+DECKER.

Pros:

• Cheapest of the seven
• 20.3 lb and 17.3 in wide, fits anywhere
• Eco mode cuts standby power by 50% per COMFEE'
• Mute button for quiet kitchens
• Two-step child lock

Cons:

• No convection, no bake and no air fry
• 700W output, the lowest here
• 0.7 cu ft cavity is small for a family

What convection actually adds

Convection is a second heating element and a fan. In this set, that means five of the seven picks can bake, brown or crisp food that a straight microwave will only steam. The Toshiba ML2-EC10SA, Ninja Crispi, Frigidaire, BLACK+DECKER and larger Toshiba all publish a convection or bake mode. The GE lists convection with a wire rack for air circulation. The COMFEE' does not.

The practical dividing line is browning. If your last microwave frustrated you because reheated pizza came out soft or roast chicken skin went rubbery, convection is what fixes that. Air fry is convection with a higher fan speed and a perforated tray, and every convection pick here except the GE bundles or references it.

The catch: convection cavities run hotter on the outside than a microwave-only cavity. Three of the picks (Toshiba overall, BLACK+DECKER, COMFEE') publish a two-step child lock. Two more (Ninja, GE, Frigidaire) do not state one. That is worth checking if you have small hands in the kitchen.

Will it fit your counter?

Cabinet clearance is what actually kills a compact microwave purchase, so measure before you buy. The relevant numbers, taken from each listing:

• Toshiba ML2-EC10SA: 20.6 x 16.4 x 11.8 in, 39.2 lb
• Ninja Crispi MW101: 14 x 17 x 20.3 in, 50 lb
• Frigidaire EMW1220AMZ: 11.9 x 19.7 x 21.3 in, 42 lb
• BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA: 11.4 x 14.5 x 19.5 in, 25 lb range
• GE GCST10A1WSS: 11.9 x 6.54 x 20.6 in, 34.8 lb
• Toshiba ML-EC42P: 21.4 x 21.8 x 21.7 in, 45.5 lb
• COMFEE' EM720CPL: 10.2 x 13 x 17.3 in, 20.3 lb

Two rules. Add three inches to the stated height for cabinet clearance, because convection microwaves vent from the top. Add two inches to the stated depth for the door swing and any hard-wired outlet behind. A microwave that "fits" on paper and then blocks the vent runs hot and voids the warranty faster than any other install error.

The BLACK+DECKER at 11.4 in tall is the shortest, and it is the one to look at first if you have a shelf under 12 inches of clear space above the counter. The Toshiba ML-EC42P at 21.7 in tall is the tallest, and it is the one that will not fit under most upper cabinets at all.

Wattage, capacity and the real trade-off

Most compact convection microwave guides compare cavity size and stop there. That is not what decides it. The real trade-off is wattage against footprint at your target capacity.

At 1.0 cu ft, the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA gives you 1000W in a 20.6 in wide shell. The GE gives you 1050W in the same 20.6 in width, but you pay premium price for the extra 50W and the shorter mode list. Step down to 0.9 cu ft and the BLACK+DECKER gives you 900W in a 19.5 in shell that is only 11.4 in tall. Step up to 1.2 cu ft and the Frigidaire gives you 1000W in a 21.3 in shell. Step up again to 1.5 cu ft and the larger Toshiba gives you 1000W in a 21.8 in shell.

The Ninja Crispi breaks the pattern because it does not publish cavity volume: it competes on air-fry ceiling, 1700W and 450°F, rather than on microwave wattage. Read that as a specialist tool that also microwaves, rather than a microwave that also air fries. If air-fry results are the reason you are shopping, that distinction is why you would spend the premium.

What the listings do not tell you

Three things you will not find in the spec tables that decide long-term satisfaction.

• Turntable versus flatbed. The Toshiba picks, the Frigidaire, the BLACK+DECKER, the GE and the COMFEE' all use turntables. The Ninja Crispi uses a flatbed. Turntables limit dish shape and can be a pain to clean. Flatbeds cook more evenly with rectangular dishes but need more careful loading.
• Interior finish. Only the larger Toshiba and the GE explicitly publish a stainless steel interior. Painted interiors chip faster around the door hinge, so if you microwave uncovered food regularly, a stainless interior earns its keep.
• Seller count. The BLACK+DECKER and larger Toshiba each have only one seller listing them, which is worth knowing if you care about seller redundancy. The other five have two.

None of these is a dealbreaker. All three change how the microwave feels a year in.

The verdict

The best compact convection microwave for most kitchens is the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA. It combines a 1.0 cu ft cavity, 1000W output, eight modes and a 20.6 in width in a mid price band, and no other pick delivers that combination. The two conditions that flip the recommendation:

If you want air-fry crispness equal to a dedicated countertop fryer, the Ninja Crispi MW101 is the better buy. Its 1700W air-fry engine and 450°F ceiling are the highest here, and the flatbed cavity fits a 9 by 11 in baking dish that no turntable pick in this set can accommodate flat.

If you cook for four or more and space is not the constraint, the Frigidaire EMW1220AMZ takes the pick. Its 1.2 cu ft cavity, separated bake and roast modes and entry price band make it the best compact convection microwave for someone who actually bakes rather than reheats.

Under a low cabinet, the BLACK+DECKER's 11.4 in height beats every other convection pick. For pure budget, the COMFEE' remains the honest answer, but only if you can drop the convection requirement.

FAQ

Is a compact convection microwave worth it over a regular microwave?

Is a compact convection microwave worth it depends on what you cook. If you only reheat leftovers, defrost meat and warm drinks, a straight microwave like the COMFEE' does that at 700W for far less. If you regularly want browned pizza, crisp fries or roast chicken with proper skin, the convection element on the Toshiba, Frigidaire, GE or BLACK+DECKER pays back the price in one appliance instead of two.

What size compact convection microwave do I need for a family of four?

What size compact convection microwave you need for four people starts at 1.2 cu ft. The Frigidaire EMW1220AMZ at 1.2 cu ft handles four servings in a combi cook, and the Toshiba ML-EC42P at 1.5 cu ft fits a whole roasted chicken and a 12-inch pizza on its 13.6-inch turntable. The 1.0 cu ft Toshiba and GE and the 0.9 cu ft BLACK+DECKER are better sized for one to three.

Toshiba ML2-EC10SA vs Ninja Crispi: which is the better compact convection microwave?

Toshiba ML2-EC10SA vs Ninja Crispi splits on air-fry priority. The Toshiba wins on price, mode breadth (eight versus fourteen, but the Toshiba's are more balanced), footprint at 20.6 in wide and published 1.0 cu ft cavity. The Ninja wins on air-fry power (1700W at 450°F), flatbed layout and the newest interface. Pick Toshiba for a single kitchen appliance. Pick Ninja if air fry is why you are shopping.

Will a compact convection microwave fit under a standard cabinet?

Will a compact convection microwave fit under a standard cabinet depends on both height and vent clearance. Standard upper cabinets clear 15 to 18 inches above the counter. Add three inches to any published height for venting. The BLACK+DECKER at 11.4 in tall fits almost any cabinet. The Toshiba ML2-EC10SA at 11.8 in and the GE at 11.9 in also fit. The Toshiba ML-EC42P at 21.7 in will not.

How much microwave wattage do I actually need?

How much microwave wattage you need scales with capacity. Below 0.9 cu ft, 700W is enough (COMFEE'). At 0.9 to 1.0 cu ft, aim for 900 to 1000W (BLACK+DECKER, Toshiba, GE). At 1.2 cu ft and above, 1000W is the working minimum (Frigidaire, larger Toshiba). Lower wattage in a larger cavity means longer cook times and less even heating, which shows up first on reheated leftovers and last on liquids.

Measure your counter and your cabinet clearance before anything else, then decide whether you want convection at all. If yes, the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA is the default answer for a single-cook kitchen and the Frigidaire for a family kitchen, and the Ninja Crispi is the answer when air fry is doing most of the work. The reason the Toshiba earns the top spot is not that it wins any single specification: it is that no other pick delivers eight modes, 1000W, 1.0 cu ft and a 20.6 in width together, in the mid price band, with two sellers stocking it. That combination is what a compact convection microwave has to be.

Last updated: September 9, 2026. Product availability re-checked.

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