Replace Your Toaster, Microwave and Air Fryer With This All-in-One Appliance

After testing kitchenware for four years, I’ve become rather strict about what counts as a “put away” appliance and what counts as a “stay out” appliance. Given my diverse collection of mixers and blenders and ice cream makers, I don’t allow just any appliance to have a permanent spot on my counter. But even narrowing down my must-haves means setting aside room for essentials like an air fryer, toaster oven and microwave.

So, when I learned about combo ovens with built-in microwaves, it sounded too good to be true. Could one appliance truly take the place of three different kitchen workhorses? While researching, I came across the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 microwave oven, which claims to be the last countertop oven you’ll ever need. After using it for two months and getting a feel for its performance, I’m ready to dish on this all-in-one appliance.

What is the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven?

When air fryer toaster ovens became popular, it felt to me like we reached the final boss of all-in-one appliances. Being able to toast, broil, bake and air fry all in a single oven? Genius. But even still, setting up both a microwave and a combo oven means blocking off nearly a third of my counter space. And in a small kitchen like mine, space is a precious commodity—I don’t even leave my electric kettle on the counter full time.

We’ve tried our fair share of fancy countertop ovens here at Taste of Home. However, the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 also functions as a microwave in addition to the usual broiler, air fryer and convection oven, making it an ultra-flexible kitchen appliance. The oven offers four cooking modes: microwave, convection, air fry and broiler. Inside the box is also a convection cooking plate, an air fryer basket and an elevated cooking platform for things like pizza or hot dogs. There’s also an optional multipot accessory that lets you pan-sear, simmer, steam and grill, which I did not test.

Unlike other products in this category, the Panasonic HomeChef microwave oven also comes with a companion app that lets busy home cooks craft meals from anywhere in the house. There are also a full fleet of features that help this handy appliance stand out from the rest, including pre-programmed cooking modes and other smart features. And the best part? It’s big enough to fit an entire roasted chicken, so it’s perfect for family-size meals!

How We Tested the Panasonic HomeChef Oven

I’ve been testing the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 microwave oven since the beginning of April 2026. I’ve used the oven nearly every day (and oftentimes, several times a day). Upon unboxing the appliance, I was initially overwhelmed due to all the buttons and knobs. Luckily, Panasonic includes a quick start guide alongside the much heftier manual. The manual includes a wealth of information, including cooking times and tips for common dishes.

The operation is actually deceptively simple. The quick start guide walks you through setting the time, choosing different cooking modes and even silencing the beeps. The buttons that control the cooking modes are clearly labeled. In addition, I love using the dial instead of numbered buttons for selecting cook time. It frees up enough space for the LCD screen, which displays the cooking time, selected functionalities or temperature, depending on the cooking mode.

The Panasonic HomeChef offers 21 preset cooking modes, including common dishes like popcorn, roast chicken, steamed veggies, melted chocolate and a steam clean option. In addition to the four cooking modes, home chefs can also set sequences, such as defrosting followed by convection cooking. Anything that you can cook in an oven, microwave or air fry, you can cook in the Panasonic HomeChef oven. In fact, there are so many settings that even after two months of use, I’m still identifying new functionalities.

Some of my favorite features include:

• Genius Sensor: Possibly the smartest part of the appliance is the Genius Sensor, which works in tandem with the preset cooking modes. It can sense things like popcorn bag size and the weight of a chicken, for example. The appliance then automatically adjusts the cook time accordingly based on what’s inside.
• One Push Reheating: The dial also acts as a button, triggering this automatic microwave setting. It works by microwaving leftovers until it senses steam, then displays prompts like “stir” on the LCD screen to help achieve perfectly reheated meals.
• Turbo Defrost: This setting offers smart defrosting and cooking sequences for “freezer to table” meals.
• Keep Warm: Pushing the “microwave” button seven times triggers the “keep warm” feature, which keeps dishes warm for up to 30 minutes after cooking. It’s nice for times like holiday dinners, when some dishes finish a bit earlier than others.
• Quick 30: This handy button does exactly what it says. Use it to add 30 seconds to a cooking cycle.

The appliance even offers a cooling cycle after convection cooking or air-frying. When this triggers, the LCD screen displays a notification. Apart from displaying cooking modes, the screen also tells you “ENJOY YOUR MEAL” after each run, which I find adorable.

So far, I’ve made a number of things in the oven, including pizza, frozen snacks, croissants, cookies and full meals (shoutout to Anyday cookware, which works perfectly in this appliance). Each time I use it, I’m incredibly impressed by the HomeChef oven’s speed and precision. I even use the cooking features I didn’t think I would, such as one push reheating for meatloaf leftovers. And yes, the leftovers came out perfectly warmed and moist.

It’s one thing to have an all-in-one appliance for convenience. It’s another thing entirely to have an all-in-one appliance that executes each mode perfectly. Consider me amazed!

App Features

The Panasonic Kitchen+ app is a partner app to the HomeChef oven, and it’s totally free to use. You can use the app to control the appliance remotely as long as both the phone and oven are connected to Wi-Fi. It also offers recipes and other extras to help you get the most out of your oven. Having a handheld remote is convenient to have, especially if you’re cooking while juggling other household duties. The app is incredibly user-friendly and simple to navigate, even for technologically challenged folks like me.

Pros

• 4-in-1 design replaces several appliances
• Included app offers recipes and a remote control
• Dial is smooth and simple to use
• 21 different programmed cooking presets
• Quick start guide included
• Offers a steam clean function for tough messes
• Ability to stack several cooking modes
• Sensor reheat works well for quick reheating

Cons

• Pricey, but less expensive than buying 3 different appliances
• Quite large
• Stainless steel shows fingerprints

Product Comparison: Panasonic vs. Sharp vs. Breville

There aren’t many all-in-one ovens that offer a microwave, especially from well-established brands. The two most popular alternatives to the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 microwave oven are the budget-friendly Sharp Convection Microwave Oven and the luxury Breville Combi Wave.

While similar in functionality, the Sharp oven is a much more budget-friendly option with limited features and a smaller footprint. While it doesn’t offer the fancy presets and sleek look, it’s still a good alternative for folks who can’t splurge on the Panasonic HomeChef. Like the HomeChef oven, you can also stack up to three cooking modes for multi-stage recipes.

The Breville Combi Wave oven is much closer in look and feel to the Panasonic HomeChef oven, especially with its LED screen and dial. While it doesn’t have the unique Genius features or app integration of the Panasonic oven, it does offer similar presets and functionality. That said, reviews are mixed, with many pointing out that the microwave and air fryer functions don’t work as well as expected.

Final Verdict

When I love a product, this is usually where I discuss exactly how the product lived up to my expectations. However, this product soared over any preconceptions I had. Frankly, I think the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 microwave oven deserves much more fanfare, especially in a product category that’s so undersaturated.

I’ll be honest: I’ve tested a lot of appliances over the years. It’s rare for one to make such an impression on me that I’d repurchase it in a heartbeat. Especially an appliance that costs over $500—I’m not made of money. But if I ever need to replace the Panasonic HomeChef (knock on wood), you’d better believe I’d shell out the cash for a new one.

Not only does it save so much space by having a single appliance on my counter that does everything I need, but it beats buying and maintaining three separate appliances. Plus, unlike other combo ovens, the Panasonic HomeChef doesn’t just smoosh together four different functionalities—it performs each task well.

Finding such a useful all-in-one appliance is a rarity. But even more rare is an all-in-one that performs better than its dedicated counterparts. Even my husband, who is rarely impressed by kitchenware, has commented on how much he loves this oven. I can safely say that the Panasonic HomeChef oven is truly a kitchen unicorn. It might sound dramatic, but it has truly changed the way I cook—and I know it will change the way you cook, too.

Where To Buy

The Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 microwave oven retails for around $500 (or slightly more if you snag one with the multipot accessory). While pricey, the HomeChef oven replaces three different appliances that retail for around $200 each, so it’s a pretty decent value. It also comes with a 3-year warranty that covers defects in manufacturing or assembly, making it a good investment. Say goodbye to wasted counter space—snag this all-in-one and never fuss with another appliance again!

FAQ

Do they make a microwave toaster oven combo?

Yes! While a niche product category, several kitchen brands offer their own version of this handy appliance. Three popular options are the editor-loved Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 microwave oven, the budget-friendly Sharp Convection Microwave Oven and the luxury-priced Breville Combi Wave.

Are microwave air fryer combos any good?

Not all ovens are created equal. Most microwave air fryer combos are better at some tasks than others, but the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 microwave oven performs all its functions flawlessly.

How do you clean the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1?

The Panasinic HomeChef is pretty easy to clean. Wipe down the exterior with stainless steel appliance wipes to remove any fingerprints. Wipe down the interior of the oven with a damp cloth to remove splatters. The glass dish can go into the dishwasher. For tougher messes, the oven also offers a steam clean function that makes baked-on spills easier to wipe down.

Why You Should Trust Us

To date, our expert shopping team has reviewed toasters, food processors, single-serve coffee makers and much more. Our goal is to ensure every product we recommend is high quality and worth the price. As Taste of Home’s shopping editor, I have covered everything from Pioneer Woman kitchen launches to the best pizza ovens. I’ve also tested several dozen appliances over the years. As someone with a small kitchen and limited space, I know how important it is that each appliance serves a purpose and offers a good value.