Breville Microwave vs. Combi Wave 3 in 1: Which to Choose?

Quick answer

If you want one appliance that reheats, air fries, and bakes, the Combi Wave 3 in 1 is the more versatile choice. It combines an air fryer, convection oven, and inverter microwave, with Element iQ steering power and presets like Fast Combi and Cook from Frozen. If your cooking is mostly reheating and defrosting, a standard microwave is smaller, simpler, and cheaper to buy.

What the Combi Wave 3 in 1 actually adds

The Combi Wave 3 in 1 is not just a microwave with extra buttons. It packs three cooking methods into one footprint: an air fryer, a convection oven, and an inverter microwave. The Element iQ system steers power to where and when it's needed to create the ideal cooking environment. In practice, that means you can crisp food, bake, and reheat without owning three separate appliances.

Two presets are worth knowing. Fast Combi is designed to combine modes for speed, and Cook from Frozen lets you go straight from freezer to cooking without a thaw step. If your weeknights involve frozen favorites, those shortcuts reduce planning and guesswork.

Where a standard Breville microwave still wins

A standard microwave does one job and does it with less counter space, fewer controls, and a lower price. If you mainly reheat leftovers, warm drinks, defrost meat, and pop popcorn, the extra modes on the Combi Wave sit unused. You also avoid learning new presets and cleaning an appliance that gets used for frying and baking.

The trade-off is capability versus simplicity. A standard microwave is easier to live with day to day, but it cannot air fry or convection bake. The Combi Wave replaces several countertop appliances, but it asks for more space and a higher upfront spend.

How to decide based on your cooking

Count how often you actually air fry or bake in a countertop oven. If that's several times a week, the Combi Wave 3 in 1 earns its footprint by replacing those appliances. If it's once a month or less, a standard microwave plus a separate oven may serve you better.

Also consider counter space and how many people you cook for. The Combi Wave is a multi-function appliance, so it needs room to operate and a learning curve for its presets. A standard microwave fits tighter kitchens and needs almost no instruction.

Pairing with other Breville tools

If you already own a Breville oven, the Combi Wave complements it rather than duplicates it. The Smart Oven Air Fryer uses Element iQ to replicate the ideal cooking environment for air fry and 10 additional cooking techniques, with higher temperatures and super convection for crispness. It uses up to 35% less power compared to a built-in oven, according to Breville. That makes it a strong partner for larger batches while the Combi Wave handles quick reheats and smaller air-fry jobs.

For sous vide cooks, the HydroPro Plus adds a digital needle probe that displays core temperature in real time and stores data for the HACCP Manager App via Bluetooth. It's a different kind of cooking, but it shows how Breville's multi-function approach extends across the kitchen. Choose the appliance that matches the cooking you do most, not the one with the longest feature list.

Trade-offs to weigh

• Versatility vs. counter space: The Combi Wave 3 in 1 replaces an air fryer, convection oven, and microwave, but it needs more room than a standard microwave. Measure your counter before buying if space is tight.
• Presets vs. simplicity: Fast Combi and Cook from Frozen cut steps on the Combi Wave, while a standard microwave is almost self-explanatory. Choose the Combi Wave if you will use the extra modes weekly.
• Upfront cost vs. long-term use: The Combi Wave costs more than a standard microwave, but it can replace multiple appliances if you cook that way. Buy for the cooking you do, not the features you might use.

Key product facts

• the Combi Wave™ 3 in 1: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven, and Inverter Microwave with Element iQ system and Fast Combi and Cook from Frozen presets. One appliance can crisp, bake, and reheat, replacing multiple countertop units and reducing weeknight steps.
• the Smart Oven® Air Fryer: Smart Oven Air Fryer uses Element iQ for air fry and 10 additional cooking techniques, with higher temperatures and super convection; uses up to 35% less power compared to a built-in oven. A strong partner for larger batches and more techniques, while the Combi Wave handles quick reheats and smaller jobs.
• The HydroPro™ Plus: HydroPro Plus features a digital needle probe showing core temperature in real time for delta cooking, with onboard data transfer to the HACCP Manager App via Bluetooth. Useful for precise sous vide cooks and logging, showing Breville's multi-function approach beyond microwaves.

Who should choose which

Best for

• Home cooks who want one appliance for air frying, baking, and reheating
• Small households that want to replace multiple countertop appliances
• Anyone who regularly cooks from frozen and wants shortcuts

Not for

• Buyers who only reheat and defrost and want the simplest, lowest-cost option
• Kitchens with very limited counter space
• Cooks who already own a dedicated air fryer and convection oven they use often