The best microwave ovens of 2024 for home cooking, including multi-function combi models

Reviewed by Lucy Tobin

Neff’s N90 compact built-in oven with microwave function is a swish, integrated model, with a sleek design that matches the N90 Oven (as seen on Great British Bake Off).

However, it can replace an oven entirely with features including ‘circo therm’ oven roasting and heating, dough proving and grilling, fitting small or medium roasting trays inside. I found it useful as a second oven when cooking for a crowd, as well as for day-to-day microwaving. On that front, the N90 has numerous power options from 90W to 600W, plus a 900W ‘boost’ mode for liquids.

After having it professionally fitted in my kitchen by an electrician (which is required), I’ve used this model to cook hundreds of meals from morning porridge (no hot spots, consistent cooking) to soups, as well as many roasted meals. My main quibble is that the heating can be unpredictable. 

When I used it to cook the same ready meal and microwave chocolate cake as I did using lower-priced freestanding microwaves (including the Caso and Bosch models also reviewed in this guide), it took longer and had heat ‘pockets’ rather than universal heat distribution. It is, however, a notably quiet machine, humming during cooking and gently beeping when ready. It has a ‘soft close’ and ‘soft opening’, and its baking and roasting capabilities are excellent.

Much is made of its ‘pyrolytic self-cleaning’, but this feature didn’t save me from spending an hour scrubbing behind the element after a block of butter exploded. I had a better experience with connecting the N90 to Neff’s Home Connect app, which can activate heating remotely, meaning dinner can be hot and ready when you walk in the door. It also connects to Alexa, so you can put your food inside and bark your cooking instructions to the voice assistant.

This is a good, smart all-rounder, but its microwave heating could be more consistent. If you don’t need the grill or oven, save your money and go for a cheaper, standalone machine.

Key specifications

• Dimensions: H 45.5cm, W 59.6cm, D 54.8cm
• Power output: 900W
• Capacity: 45 litres
• Functions: Microwave, oven, grill, dough proving