Best Countertop Steam Ovens (2026): 6 Combi Ovens for Juicy Roasts and Fresh Leftovers
Six countertop steam and combi ovens compared on capacity, water tank and modes, plus what to cook with steam.
Best overall: Cuisinart Steam Oven. Best premium: Anova Precision Oven. Best multi-use: FOTILE ChefCubii. Best budget: Sharp Superheated Steam.
Steam keeps food moist while heat browns the outside. A countertop steam oven roasts juicier chicken, bakes crustier bread and reheats leftovers without drying them out, all in less space than a wall oven.
For most kitchens, the Cuisinart CSO-300N1: steam, convection and combi modes with a two-hour water tank. The Anova Precision Oven adds humidity control and probe cooking, the FOTILE ChefCubii also air fries and dehydrates, and the Sharp is the budget pick.
Measure your counter first: the largest models need real space.
Quick Picks: The Best Countertop Steam Ovens
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Cuisinart Convection Steam Oven (CSO-300N1)
The best-known countertop steam oven, with steam, convection and combi modes in one box.
Check Cuisinart Steam Oven Price →Anova Precision Oven 2.0
A large, app-connected combi oven with humidity control and a sous vide mode.
Check Anova Precision Oven Price →FOTILE ChefCubii 4-in-1 Steam Combi Oven
One appliance that steams, bakes, air fries and dehydrates, with 40 presets.
Check FOTILE ChefCubii Price →Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven (SSC0586DS)
Superheated steam plus radiant heat, with no preheating needed.
Check Sharp Superheated Steam Price →Countertop Steam Oven Comparison Chart
All six side by side. Tap any name to see today’s price on Amazon.
| Steam oven | Capacity | Water | Modes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart Convection Steam Oven (CSO-300N1) | 0.6 cu ft | Up to 2 hr steam | 9 modes | $$ |
| Anova Precision Oven 2.0 | 1.2 cu ft | Rear water tank | App + probe | $$$ |
| FOTILE ChefCubii 4-in-1 Steam Combi Oven | 1 cu ft | Water tank | 40 presets | $$$ |
| Nuwave Combi Steam Oven | Not listed | Water tank | 120 presets | $$ |
| Whynter Steam Oven (TSO-488GB) | 1.4 cu ft | 47 oz tank | Steam + bake | $$ |
| Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven (SSC0586DS) | Fits a 12 in pizza | Up to 60 min steam | 5 modes | $ |
Specs as stated by each brand. Price tiers are a rough guide and change often, especially around Black Friday: $ under $250 · $$ $250–500 · $$$ over $500.
The 6 Best Countertop Steam Ovens, Reviewed
From the best all-rounder to the budget pick, each with its capacity, water tank and modes.
Cuisinart Convection Steam Oven (CSO-300N1)
Cuisinart’s steam oven is the easy entry into combi cooking. Pure steam reheats leftovers so they taste freshly made, steam plus convection roasts juicy chicken with crisp skin, and a proof setting helps bread rise. The water tank runs for up to two hours, so long roasts do not need a refill.
- Reheats without drying food
- Simple controls
- Proof setting for bread
- Small interior
- Tank needs emptying after use
Anova Precision Oven 2.0
The Anova is the most capable countertop steam oven here. You can set the exact humidity, cook by food temperature with the probe, or use its sous vide style mode to hold meat at a precise doneness without a water bath. The app sends alerts and guided recipes. It is large, so measure first.
- Exact humidity control
- Probe cooking
- Big enough for a sheet pan
- Highest price here
- Takes a lot of counter space
FOTILE ChefCubii 4-in-1 Steam Combi Oven
The ChefCubii replaces several appliances at once. It steams fish and vegetables, bakes and roasts with convection, air fries crisp wings and dehydrates fruit. Forty presets take the guesswork out of each mode, and the one cubic foot interior fits a family-size meal.
- Replaces several appliances
- Good capacity
- Many presets
- Learning curve
- Premium price
Nuwave Combi Steam Oven
Nuwave’s combi oven runs from 50 to 450°F and lets you adjust the humidity, which helps with everything from bread to roasts. With 120 presets it suits cooks who like to press a button and walk away, and it air fries too.
- Wide temperature range
- Adjustable humidity
- Lots of presets
- Capacity not listed
- Many buttons to learn
Whynter Steam Oven (TSO-488GB)
The Whynter gives you the biggest interior here at 1.4 cubic feet, with a 47-ounce water tank that handles long steam sessions. It is a solid pick for families who want to steam whole meals, such as fish, rice and vegetables at once, without paying premium prices.
- Biggest interior here
- Large tank
- Good value
- Fewer smart features
- Large footprint
Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven (SSC0586DS)
Sharp uses superheated steam, which is hotter than regular steam, along with radiant heat. It starts cooking right away without preheating, crisps reheated pizza and keeps leftovers moist. It fits a 12-inch pizza and comes with a crisper tray and broiling pan.
- Lowest price here
- No preheating
- Low profile
- Steam runs up to 60 minutes
- Smaller interior
Steam Oven or Combi Oven?
Pure steam
Cooks with moist heat only. Best for fish, vegetables, rice and reheating, with no browning.
Combi steam
Mixes steam with convection heat. Juicy inside, browned outside: ideal for chicken, roasts and bread.
Superheated steam
Steam heated past boiling. Crisps and browns faster while keeping food moist.
Every oven here offers combi cooking of some kind, which is what makes them more useful than a plain steamer.
What to Cook in a Steam Oven
| Food | Best mode |
|---|---|
| Leftover rice, pasta and roasts | Steam or low combi, about 10 minutes |
| Whole chicken | Combi steam and convection |
| Salmon and white fish | Pure steam |
| Broccoli, carrots and green beans | Pure steam, 8–12 minutes |
| Crusty bread | Steam for the first minutes, then dry bake |
| Day-old bread and pastries | Short combi to refresh |
General guide. Follow the times in your oven’s manual and check meat with a thermometer.
Steam Oven Care Tips
- Use filtered water. It cuts mineral buildup in the tank and steam lines.
- Empty the tank after each use. Standing water can go stale and leave scale.
- Descale on schedule. Run the descaling program as often as the manual suggests.
- Wipe while warm. Steam loosens spills, so a quick wipe after cooking keeps the cavity clean.
How to Choose a Countertop Steam Oven
Six things to check before you buy.
0.6 to 1.4 cubic feet
Small ovens fit a chicken; larger ones fit a quarter sheet pan or a family meal.
Check run time
Bigger tanks run longer before refilling; look for at least an hour.
Combi is the key mode
Steam plus convection is what gives juicy, browned results.
Humidity and probe
Adjustable humidity and a food probe add precision on premium models.
Air fry and proof
Air fry, dehydrate and bread proof settings replace other appliances.
Measure first
Allow room above and around for steam vents and the door.
Comparing countertop cookers? See the best air fryers, the best electric roaster ovens and the smart kitchen gadgets guide.
Countertop Steam Oven FAQs
What is the best countertop steam oven?▼
The Cuisinart CSO-300N1 for most kitchens. It steams, bakes and combines both, with a two-hour water tank.
Are countertop steam ovens worth it?▼
Yes, if you reheat leftovers or bake bread often. Steam keeps food moist in a way microwaves and dry ovens cannot.
What is a combi steam oven?▼
An oven that combines steam with convection heat. Food stays moist inside while the outside browns.
Can a steam oven replace a microwave?▼
For reheating, mostly yes. Steam reheats more evenly and keeps texture, though it takes a few minutes longer.
Can you bake bread in a steam oven?▼
Yes. Steam early in the bake gives a crisp, shiny crust and a better rise, like a bakery oven.
Do steam ovens brown food?▼
In combi mode, yes. Pure steam does not brown, but steam plus convection gives crisp, golden skin.
Do you need to plumb a countertop steam oven?▼
No. Countertop models use a removable water tank that you fill by hand.
What water should you use in a steam oven?▼
Filtered or distilled water if your tap water is hard. It reduces scale and descaling.
How do you clean a steam oven?▼
Wipe the cavity while warm, empty the tank after use and run the descaling program regularly.
Is steam cooking healthy?▼
Yes. Steaming needs little or no oil and helps vegetables keep their color and texture.
Can a steam oven air fry?▼
Some can. The FOTILE ChefCubii and Nuwave Combi include air fry modes.
How big is a countertop steam oven?▼
Most are 0.6 to 1.4 cubic feet, roughly the size of a large toaster oven or a small microwave.
The Bottom Line
- Best overall: Cuisinart Steam Oven.
- Best premium: Anova Precision Oven; multi-use: FOTILE ChefCubii.
- Presets: Nuwave Combi; capacity for the price: Whynter TSO-488GB.
- Budget: Sharp Superheated Steam.
Combi steam is the mode that makes these ovens worth it. Use filtered water and empty the tank after every cook.
