Buy the wrong microwave type and you’ll reheat in it forever. Solo models only reheat; grills add browning; convection adds real baking. This guide matches the type to how you actually cook — then ranks the best of each for 2026.
Quick picks (TL;DR)
| Need | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best convection overall | LG 28L MC2846SL | Indian presets, steam clean |
| Best cavity hygiene | Samsung 28L CE1041DSB2 | Ceramic enamel, tandoor tech |
| Best value convection | IFB 25L 25BCSDD1 | 101 auto-cook menus |
| Best grill under ₹8K | Bajaj 20L MTBX 2016 | Real grill element, simple dials |
| Budget convection | Godrej 23L | True convection under ₹10K |
The type-decision chart
Solo: reheat and nothing else
Microwave-only models defrost, reheat and cook simple dishes — no browning, no baking. Right for offices, PGs, and homes that already have an oven. ₹4-7K.
Grill: + browning
Adds a heating element for kebabs, sandwiches and toast. Still no baking. The middle child that suits snack-heavy kitchens. ₹7-9K.
Convection: the family default
A full oven mode with real temperature control — cakes, bread, pizza, roast chicken. If baking is even a ‘maybe’, buy convection. ₹10-18K.
The best microwave ovens in India (2026)
1. LG 28L Convection (MC2846SL)
Check Price →≈ ₹15,500 · 28L · convection + grill · Indian auto-cook menu · steam clean
Best for: Best convection overall
The default Indian family convection — a preset menu that actually knows idli from dhokla, sturdy stainless cavity, steam-clean function.
- Genuinely useful Indian presets
- True convection baking
- Steam clean
- Counter depth
- Combo-mode learning curve
2. Samsung 28L Convection (CE1041DSB2)
Check Price →≈ ₹16,000 · 28L · convection · ceramic enamel cavity · tandoor tech
Best for: Best cavity hygiene
The ceramic enamel cavity wipes clean and resists scratches for years — the lowest-maintenance convection interior sold in India.
- Ceramic enamel cavity
- Tandoor heating mode
- Slim-fry presets
- Icon-heavy panel
- Turntable wobble when loaded
3. IFB 25L Convection (25BCSDD1)
Check Price →≈ ₹12,500 · 25L · convection · 101 auto-cook menus · steam clean
Best for: Best value convection
IFB’s 101 presets and steam clean at mid-market pricing — the feature-per-rupee leader.
- 101 presets
- Steam clean
- Compact footprint
- 25L caps batch baking
- Louder fan
4. Bajaj 20L Grill (MTBX 2016)
Check Price →≈ ₹7,500 · 20L · grill + microwave · jog dials · steel cavity
Best for: Best grill under ₹8K
Reheating plus real grilling for kebabs and sandwiches, without convection pricing.
- Real grill element
- Simple dials
- Affordable
- No baking
- Small capacity
5. Godrej 23L Convection
Check Price →≈ ₹9,500 · 23L · convection · InstaCook menu · steel cavity
Best for: Best budget convection
True convection baking under ₹10K — the entry point for home bakers.
- Real convection at budget
- Decent presets
- Trusted service
- 23L is modest
- Slower preheat
6. AmazonBasics 23L Convection
Check Price →≈ ₹8,000 · 23L · convection + grill · auto-defrost
Best for: Cheapest true convection
Working convection at the absolute price floor, with Prime-quick replacement service.
- Lowest convection price
- Simple interface
- Easy returns
- Basic build
- Unknown long-term parts
7. LG 32L Convection (MC3286BRUM)
Check Price →≈ ₹17,500 · 32L · convection · diet fry · pasteurise milk feature
Best for: Best for large families
32 litres plus LG’s pasteurise-milk and diet-fry programs — the family batch-cooker’s microwave.
- Big 32L capacity
- Pasteurise + ghee modes
- Even large-bake heating
- Big counter need
- Costlier
8. IFB 20L Solo (20PM-MEC2B)
Check Price →≈ ₹5,500 · 20L · solo · 5 power levels
Best for: Best solo
When reheating is genuinely all you need, IFB’s solo is the clean, honest answer.
- Simple and reliable
- Compact
- Fair price
- No grill/bake
- Basic everything
Microwave myths, corrected
“Microwaves destroy nutrients” — false; microwave steaming preserves nutrients as well as or better than boiling. “Metal always sparks” — true in microwave mode, but many convection modes allow the metal racks supplied with the unit (check your manual). “Standing time is optional” — it isn't; food keeps cooking from residual heat for 2-3 minutes, and ignoring it is why microwaved food seems uneven.
Recipes that work in it
Garlic Bread (grill mode) · Pizza Sandwich · Dal Makhani (reheats beautifully day 2) — convection owners can bake our Margherita Pizza directly.
FAQs
Solo vs grill vs convection — what should I buy?
Reheat-only: solo. Plus kebabs/toast: grill. Any baking interest: convection — it’s the only type with real temperature control.
Is 28L too big?
28L is the family standard — it barely fits a 9-inch cake. 20L feels small within months.
Can I use metal in a convection microwave?
In pure convection mode, yes (it’s an oven); never in microwave or combo modes. Follow the recipe’s mode.
Which brand has the best Indian presets?
LG and IFB — their auto-cook menus include genuinely useful Indian dishes, not just popcorn and pizza.