Convection, Conventional or Inverter? A Guide to the Different Types of Microwaves

Which microwave should you buy? Convection, conventional, inverter or built-in? It comes down to how you cook. A conventional microwave is built for fast, everyday reheating. A convection microwave adds baking and roasting to the mix. Inverter technology changes how evenly your food heats, and benchtop versus built-in comes down to your kitchen layout. Here's how each type compares, so you can match the microwave to your household.

What’s the difference between Convection and Conventional Microwaves?

A conventional microwave uses microwave energy to heat food. It’s quick and convenient for everyday jobs like reheating leftovers, cooking ready meals, or defrosting.

A convection microwave combines microwave cooking with a built-in fan and heating element, similar to a traditional oven. This lets you bake, roast, and crisp food, not just heat it.

Key differences

Cooking Method: Conventional = just microwaves; Convection = microwaves + hot air circulation.

Food Results: Conventional = quick heating but not crispy; Convection = browning, baking, and roasting like an oven.

Versatility: Conventional = reheating and defrosting; Convection = reheating plus baking cakes, roasting meat, crisping pizza, and more.

Shop Convection and Conventional Microwaves

What’s the difference between inverter and standard microwaves?

A standard microwave cycles power on and off to reach a lower setting, which can leave food with overcooked edges and a cold centre. An inverter microwave delivers a continuous, steady stream of power at any setting, so heat spreads more evenly.

Inverter models are worth the extra spend if you often defrost or reheat delicate food, such as melting chocolate, defrosting meat or warming sauces, since steady power avoids the rubbery edges and cold centres that standard models can leave behind.

Shop Inverter Microwaves

Turntable or flatbed: does the cavity design matter?

A turntable microwave rotates food on a glass plate so it heats evenly from all sides, though large or unusually shaped dishes can catch on the cavity walls.

A flatbed microwave uses a fixed base and directs microwaves from multiple angles instead, which often means more usable space for bigger dishes in the same footprint.

If your kitchen regularly sees large casserole dishes or platters, a flatbed design gives you more room to work with.

What size microwave suits your household?

Which features should I look for?

Multiple Cooking Modes – Look for bake, roast, grill, air fry, or combination settings for versatility.

Adjustable Racks & Spacious Interior – Lets you cook multiple dishes at once or handle larger meals.

Pre-set Programs – One-touch options for pizza, roast chicken, or pastries make cooking easier.

Temperature Precision – Consistent heat control for better results when baking or roasting.

Easy-Clean Interior – Non-stick or stainless steel finishes make wiping down simple.

Smart Features – Wi-Fi or app connectivity for remote monitoring and recipe guidance.

Energy Efficiency – Models that heat quickly and use less power help cut running costs.

Safety Features – Cool-touch doors, auto shut-off, and child locks for peace of mind.

Whichever type suits your kitchen, matching the microwave to how you actually cook will save you both money and bench space in the long run. Shop the range online or pop into your nearest store to compare conventional, convection, inverter and built-in models side by side.

Looking for the right microwave for your kitchen, you’ll find it at The Good Guys.