Reheating pizza in a regular microwave often results in a chewy, soggy mess instead of the crispy slice you were hoping for. That’s where a microwave with a grill function comes in—offering the convenience of microwave cooking with the ability to brown and crisp food just like an oven.
If you’ve ever wanted to toast a sandwich, grill chicken, or crisp up leftovers without using a bulky oven, a microwave with a grill feature is necessary. But with so many models available, how do you choose the best one? That’s exactly what this guide will help you with.
After extensive testing, research, and real user experiences, I’ve rounded up the top-performing microwaves with grill functions that balance power, efficiency, and ease of use.
Why Choose a Microwave with a Grill Function?
Here’s why investing in one is a great idea:
1. Crispy, Golden-Brown Results Without an Oven
A standard microwave heats food from the inside out, which is why reheated fries or pizza often turn out soft or rubbery. A microwave with a grill function solves this by using a built-in heating element that browns, crisps, and caramelizes food.
Imagine placing a leftover slice of pizza inside your microwave, pressing the grill button, and taking it out with a crunchy crust and melted cheese—just like fresh out of the oven. This is the key difference a grill function makes.
2. Faster and More Energy-Efficient Than an Oven
Preheating an oven can take 10–15 minutes, and cooking might require another 30–40 minutes depending on the dish. A grill microwave, on the other hand, eliminates preheating time and cooks food much faster while still delivering crispy results.
If you’re in a hurry and want to grill chicken breast, toast a sandwich, or brown the top of a casserole, a microwave with a grill function can do it in half the time of a traditional oven. This makes it a perfect fit for busy households, students, and anyone looking to save time.
3. Versatile Cooking – More Than Just Reheating
Many people think microwaves are only for reheating leftovers, but with a grill function, you can do so much more:
✔ Grill chicken, fish, or vegetables for quick, healthy meals.
✔ Toast bread, bagels, or sandwiches without drying them out.
✔ Melt and brown cheese for perfect nachos or lasagna.
✔ Crisp up frozen foods like nuggets, fries, or spring rolls.
Some models even come with preset cooking programs that make grilling effortless—just choose the type of food, and the microwave adjusts the temperature and cooking time automatically.
4. Ideal for Small Kitchens & Multi-Functionality
A microwave with a grill function is a space-saving solution for small kitchens, dorm rooms, offices, or studio apartments. Instead of having both a microwave and an oven, you get two functions in one compact appliance.
For anyone with limited counter space or looking for a multi-functional kitchen gadget, this is a great way to reduce clutter while still enjoying a variety of cooking options.
5. No More Soggy Leftovers – Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Food at Home
Nobody likes soggy reheated food. A microwave with a grill function lets you enjoy leftovers without losing texture or flavor. Whether it’s pizza, roasted vegetables, or a homemade grilled cheese sandwich, your food will taste fresh and crispy instead of limp and lifeless.
How to Choose the Best Microwave with Grill Function
Not all microwaves with a grill function are created equal. Some offer better performance, more features, and easier usability than others. Before making a decision, consider these key factors to ensure you get a model that fits your cooking needs, kitchen space, and budget.
1. Power Output – How Fast and Evenly Does It Cook?
Microwave power is measured in watts (W), and the higher the wattage, the faster and more efficiently it cooks.
- 700W – 800W: Slower cooking, better for light use (heating and grilling basic foods).
- 900W – 1000W: Standard for most households, offering a good balance between speed and efficiency.
- Over 1000W: Faster and more powerful, ideal for frequent grilling and cooking larger portions.
For the grill function, a separate heating element is used to crisp and brown food. Models with at least 1000W for grilling deliver better texture and browning than lower-powered ones.
2. Size & Capacity – Does It Fit Your Needs?
Microwave capacity is measured in liters (L) and determines how much food you can cook at once.
- 15L – 20L: Best for solo users or small kitchens.
- 20L – 25L: Ideal for couples and small families.
- 25L – 30L+: Suitable for larger families or those who cook bigger meals.
If you plan to grill meats, bake small casseroles, or crisp larger portions, a 25L+ capacity is a better option. However, if you mostly reheat meals or make quick snacks, a 20L model is more than enough.
3. Cooking Functions & Presets – Does It Offer Convenience?
Modern microwaves with grills come with preset cooking modes that adjust time and temperature for specific dishes. Look for features such as:
✔ Auto grill mode – Automatically applies the right heat for crispy results.
✔ Combination cooking – Uses both microwave and grill at the same time for faster, better results.
✔ Defrost function – Quickly thaws frozen food without overcooking.
✔ Pizza, toast, or chicken presets – One-touch buttons for popular grilled foods.
Having these functions saves time and effort, especially if you’re not confident in manually adjusting settings.
4. Ease of Cleaning – Is It Hassle-Free?
Nobody enjoys scrubbing a messy appliance, so look for features that make cleaning easier:
- Stainless steel interiors – More durable and easier to wipe clean.
- Removable grill racks & turntables – Can be washed separately for convenience.
- Self-cleaning functions – Some models have steam cleaning features to remove grease effortlessly.
If you frequently cook greasy foods like cheese, meats, or butter-heavy meals, an easy-to-clean design is a must.
5. Additional Features – What Else Matters?
✔ Digital vs. Manual Controls – Digital models offer precise settings, while manual dials are simpler and more durable.
✔ Child Lock – Prevents kids from accidentally starting the microwave.
✔ Design & Aesthetics – Consider a model that fits your kitchen’s look (black, stainless steel, or retro designs).
✔ Price & Brand Reliability – Trusted brands often offer better warranties and long-term durability.
With these factors in mind, you’re now ready to find the best microwave with a grill function.
Best Microwaves with Grill Function – Top 5 Picks
After testing multiple models, here are the top five grill microwaves that offer the best combination of performance, durability, and value. These models have been chosen based on grill efficiency, cooking power, ease of use, and real user experiences.
1. Toshiba MW2-AG23PF(BK) – Best Overall Performance
If you want a powerful and versatile microwave with a reliable grill function, the Toshiba MW2-AG23PF(BK) is an excellent choice. It combines 900W of microwave power with a 1050W grill to give food a crispy, golden finish.
Why It Stands Out:
✔ Even & Fast Cooking – Combination cooking mode uses both microwave and grill simultaneously for better results.
✔ Spacious 23L Capacity – Fits larger plates and dishes.
✔ Easy-to-Use Controls – Digital panel with pre-programmed settings.
✔ Sleek Black Design – Modern look that suits any kitchen.
If you often grill meat, toast sandwiches, or reheat crispy foods, this model won’t disappoint.
2. Russell Hobbs 20L Stainless Steel Digital – Best for Small Kitchens
For those with limited counter space but still wanting a strong grill function, the Russell Hobbs 20L model is a great fit. It delivers 800W of microwave power and a 1000W grill, making it powerful enough for most everyday needs.
Why It Stands Out:
✔ Compact 20L Size – Ideal for small kitchens, offices, or dorm rooms.
✔ Digital Display & Presets – Easy one-touch cooking for convenience.
✔ Stainless Steel Interior – Durable and easy to clean.
✔ Affordable Price – A great budget-friendly option.
If you want a sleek, space-saving microwave with an effective grill, this one is worth considering.
3. Panasonic NN-K18JMMBPQ – Best for Reliability
Panasonic is known for long-lasting and high-quality appliances, and the NN-K18JMMBPQ is no exception. With 800W microwave power and 1000W grill power, it delivers even, consistent heating for everything from frozen meals to grilled foods.
Why It Stands Out:
✔ Quartz Grill Technology – Heats up faster than traditional grills.
✔ Built-in Safety Features – Child lock and anti-burn protection.
✔ 25L Capacity – Great for families who need more space.
✔ Classic & Durable Design – A no-nonsense, long-lasting choice.
This model is a solid investment if you want a dependable microwave-grill combo that lasts for years.
4. George Home Black Digital Microwave – Best Budget Option
For those looking for an affordable yet functional microwave with a grill, the George Home Black Digital Microwave delivers excellent value. It features 800W microwave power and a 1000W grill, making it suitable for everyday cooking.
Why It Stands Out:
✔ Simple & Easy to Use – No complicated settings, just straightforward grilling.
✔ Compact & Lightweight – Great for small spaces.
✔ Budget-Friendly – One of the most affordable grill microwaves available.
✔ Sleek Black Finish – Modern design that fits most kitchens.
If you want a basic microwave with a grill function at a great price, this is a strong choice.
5. Sharp YC-GG02U-B – Best for Advanced Features
If you love smart cooking features, the Sharp YC-GG02U-B is packed with pre-programmed settings and auto-cooking functions. With 900W microwave power and 1000W grill power, it ensures faster, more even cooking.
Why It Stands Out:
✔ Smart Auto-Cooking Programs – Takes the guesswork out of grilling and heating.
✔ 25L Capacity – Big enough for families and larger meals.
✔ High-Quality Grill Function – Ensures crispy, golden-brown results.
✔ Sleek & Stylish Look – Adds a modern touch to any kitchen.
If you want a feature-rich microwave that offers convenience and precision cooking, this one is a great pick.
Each of these microwaves offers a strong grill function with unique strengths. Whether you need a compact option for small spaces, a budget-friendly choice, or an advanced model with smart presets, there’s a great fit for your needs.
Microwave with Grill vs. Traditional Grill – Which is Better?
Choosing between a microwave with a grill function and a traditional grill depends on what you value most—speed, convenience, or grilling quality. Both have strengths and weaknesses, so let’s break them down.
Cooking Speed – Which is Faster?
A microwave with a grill function is much faster than a traditional grill.
✔ Microwave with Grill: Uses microwave radiation to heat food internally while the grill function crisps the outside. This combination reduces cooking time significantly. A piece of grilled chicken, for instance, may take 5-7 minutes instead of 15-20 minutes on a traditional grill.
✔ Traditional Grill: Relies on direct heat, meaning food cooks from the outside in. It takes longer to reach the right temperature and requires constant monitoring to avoid burning or undercooking.
Winner: Microwave with Grill – It’s much quicker for everyday cooking.
Cooking Quality – Which Gives Better Results?
A traditional grill delivers authentic, smoky flavors that a microwave cannot replicate.
✔ Microwave with Grill: Can achieve a crispy texture, but lacks the charred, flame-grilled effect. It works well for grilled sandwiches, pizza, bacon, or lightly grilled meats, but won’t give you the deep smoky aroma of a barbecue grill.
✔ Traditional Grill: Provides better browning, crispier textures, and richer flavors. If you love steak, barbecue, or crispy-skinned chicken, a traditional grill is superior.
Winner: Traditional Grill – If you prioritize flavor and authentic grilling results.
Ease of Use & Convenience
Microwave grills are easier to use and require less effort than traditional grills.
✔ Microwave with Grill: Just select a preset or adjust the time and power, and the microwave does the work. There’s no need to preheat, flip food constantly, or clean up greasy grill grates afterward.
✔ Traditional Grill: Requires preheating, flipping, and constant supervision to prevent burning. After cooking, you’ll need to clean the grill racks and remove charred residue, which can be time-consuming.
Winner: Microwave with Grill – It’s perfect for busy individuals who want quick, hassle-free grilling.
Versatility – Which One Can Do More?
A microwave with a grill function is more versatile because it can heat, grill, defrost, and even bake.
✔ Microwave with Grill: Can handle reheating leftovers, grilling cheese sandwiches, melting cheese on pizza, and cooking frozen foods. Some models also have a convection function for baking.
✔ Traditional Grill: Excellent for grilled meats, vegetables, and barbecue, but it cannot reheat, defrost, or bake. It’s more limited in functionality.
Winner: Microwave with Grill – It offers multiple cooking methods in one appliance.
Energy Efficiency – Which Uses Less Power?
Microwaves with grills are more energy-efficient than traditional grills.
✔ Microwave with Grill: Uses less electricity because it cooks faster and directs heat only to the food. Most models operate between 900W – 1200W, making them more cost-effective.
✔ Traditional Grill: Uses more energy and fuel (gas, charcoal, or electricity) since it heats a larger area and takes longer to cook.
Winner: Microwave with Grill – It consumes less power and reduces electricity bills.
For most people, a microwave with a grill is the better everyday solution, offering fast cooking, easy cleanup, and multi-functionality. However, if you want that charcoal-grilled taste, a traditional grill still wins in flavor.
Tips for Getting the Best Grilled Results in a Microwave
Here’s how to maximize the grill feature and get the best results every time.
1. Use the Right Cookware
Not all dishes are microwave grill-safe. Using the wrong one can prevent food from crisping properly.
✔ Best Choices:
- Metal racks (included with most grill microwaves) – Elevate food for better heat circulation.
- Grill-safe ceramic or glass dishes – Retains heat well.
- Microwave-safe plates with ridges – Allows fat to drain away for crispier textures.
✘ Avoid:
- Plastic containers (they can melt under grill heat).
- Regular microwave-safe plates (they don’t conduct heat well for grilling).
Tip: Always check if your cookware is labeled “microwave grill-safe” before using it.
2. Preheat the Grill for Better Browning
Most microwave grills don’t automatically preheat, so you need to do it manually.
✔ How to Preheat:
- Set the grill mode and run it empty for 2-3 minutes before placing food inside.
- This helps the grill element reach high temperatures, ensuring faster searing and crisping.
Skipping this step often results in pale, unevenly grilled food.
3. Flip and Rotate for Even Cooking
Microwave grills don’t heat food as evenly as traditional ovens, so rotating and flipping is essential.
✔ For best results:
- Flip food halfway through cooking (especially meats and bread-based items).
- If your microwave has a turntable, ensure it’s working correctly.
- If no turntable, manually rotate the dish every few minutes.
Example: Grilling chicken breasts? Flip them after 5 minutes for a perfectly even finish.
4. Use the Combination Mode for Crispier Food
The best thing about microwave grills is the ability to use grill + microwave mode together.
✔ Why Use Combo Mode?
- The microwave speeds up cooking by heating food internally.
- The grill crisps the outside for a golden-brown finish.
Example:
Cooking frozen pizza? Instead of just microwaving it (which makes it soggy), use combination mode to keep the crust crispy while melting the cheese perfectly.
5. Don’t Overcrowd the Plate
Grilling works best when heat can circulate properly. If you pile food too close together, some parts will remain undercooked while others burn.
✔ For even results:
- Place food in a single layer with enough space around each piece.
- If cooking multiple items (like veggies and meat), arrange larger pieces near the edges where heat is stronger.
Example: Grilling sausages? Leave a small gap between each one to ensure even crisping.
6. Add a Light Coating of Oil for Better Texture
Want a crunchier texture? Brushing food lightly with oil or butter before grilling can improve browning.
✔ Best for:
- Toasted sandwiches
- Grilled vegetables
- Chicken or fish fillets
Just a thin layer is enough—too much oil can cause smoking or burning.
7. Use the Right Cooking Time and Power
Different foods require different grill settings. Higher power doesn’t always mean better grilling—it can cause food to burn on the outside while remaining undercooked inside.
✔ General Grill Time Guide:
- Toast & Sandwiches: 2-4 minutes
- Pizza: 8-10 minutes (combo mode)
- Chicken Breast: 10-15 minutes (flip halfway)
- Vegetables: 5-7 minutes
Tip: Always check your microwave’s manual for the recommended grill settings for different foods.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Microwave Grill
Even with the best microwave grill, small mistakes can ruin your results. If your food turns out soggy, unevenly cooked, or burnt, chances are you’re making one of these errors. Here’s how to avoid them and get perfectly grilled results every time.
1. Skipping Preheating
A microwave grill works by using a heating element to brown and crisp food. If you don’t preheat, the element won’t be hot enough, leading to longer cooking times and uneven browning.
✔ Fix it:
- Run the grill empty for 2-3 minutes before adding food.
- This ensures a hot surface that crisps food properly.
Example: Preheating makes a huge difference when grilling cheese toast—without it, the bread stays soft instead of getting that perfect crunch.
2. Using the Wrong Cookware
Not all plates and bowls are grill-safe. Some materials absorb too much heat, while others block the grill’s effect.
✘ Common mistakes:
- Using regular microwave plates—they don’t conduct heat well.
- Placing plastic containers under the grill (they can melt).
✔ Fix it:
- Use metal racks, ceramic, or glass dishes labeled microwave grill-safe.
- For crispier textures, place food directly on the metal rack (if your microwave includes one).
3. Overloading the Grill
Stuffing too much food on the plate prevents heat from circulating properly. The result? Uneven cooking, where some parts are overcooked while others remain undercooked.
✔ Fix it:
- Arrange food in a single layer, leaving space around each piece.
- If cooking multiple items, grill in batches instead of cramming everything in at once.
Example: When grilling chicken wings, spacing them out ensures crispy skin on all sides rather than some being limp and underdone.
4. Ignoring the Combination Mode
If you only use grill mode, your food may take too long to cook or dry out. Many microwave grills have a combination mode that uses microwave + grill heat for better results.
✔ Fix it:
- Use combo mode for thicker foods like chicken, pizza, and casseroles.
- This cooks the inside while crisping the outside at the same time.
Example: Heating a frozen pizza? Combination mode ensures the crust stays crispy while the cheese melts evenly.
5. Forgetting to Flip or Rotate Food
Microwave grills don’t always heat food evenly, especially if they lack a turntable. If you don’t flip or rotate, one side might burn while the other remains raw.
✔ Fix it:
- Flip meats and bread-based foods halfway through cooking.
- If your microwave doesn’t rotate, manually turn the dish every few minutes.
Example: Cooking a steak? If you don’t flip it, one side will be perfectly grilled while the other remains pale and undercooked.
6. Using Too Much or Too Little Oil
A light coating of oil helps food brown and crisp, but too much can cause smoke, and too little can lead to dryness.
✔ Fix it:
- Lightly brush vegetables, meats, and bread with a small amount of oil.
- Avoid using too much—a thin, even coat is all you need.
Example: When grilling potatoes, a light oil coating helps them crisp up instead of becoming tough or dry.
7. Not Adjusting the Cooking Time for Different Foods
Every food cooks at a different speed, and using the same settings for everything can lead to overcooked or undercooked results.
✔ Fix it:
- Follow the recommended grill times in your microwave’s manual.
- Check food a few minutes before the timer ends to prevent overcooking.
✔ General Grill Time Guide:
- Toast & Sandwiches: 2-4 minutes
- Pizza: 8-10 minutes (combo mode)
- Chicken Breast: 10-15 minutes (flip halfway)
- Vegetables: 5-7 minutes
Final Thoughts – Which Microwave with Grill Should You Buy?
Choosing the right microwave with a grill function depends on your needs:
✔ For the best overall experience: Toshiba MW2-AG23PF(BK)
✔ For a budget-friendly option: Russell Hobbs 20L Stainless Steel
✔ For an all-in-one convection, grill, and microwave: Panasonic NN-K18JMMBPQ
A grill microwave gives you the best of both worlds—fast cooking with crispy, golden-brown results. Pick the one that suits your lifestyle and elevate your cooking game today!