The Kitchen Bench
Breville Combi Wave BMO870 Review (2027)
An evidence-based look at the Breville Combi Wave BMO870: what it is, what to check before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
By The Kitchen Bench Research Team · Updated for 2027 · Independent · Reader-supported · No paid placements
✓ Specs checked
✓ Claims verified
✓ No paid placements
✓ Sources cited
On this page
- 01Bench take
- 02What this product is
- 03Inside the countertop microwave
- 04Pros and cons
- 05Key decisions for this category
- 06What to verify before buying
- 07How to buy it right
- 08Common mistakes to avoid
- 09Who it suits — and who should skip it
- 10Also consider
- 11In this category
- 12Frequently asked questions
- 13Ready to buy?
Bench take
The Breville Combi Wave BMO870 is Breville’s entry in the countertop microwaves category. On the category’s key decisions — cavity size, power, door swing and placement, controls — it deserves a place on any shortlist, provided the checks below confirm it fits your kitchen, your batch size and your care tolerance. This review does not claim hands-on laboratory testing: it assesses the product from its category, its maker’s line and the specifications buyers should verify on the manufacturer sheet for the exact variant they are buying.
Check price on Amazon →Compare all countertop microwaves
Prices and availability change — the retailer page shows the current price for your exact variant. If the variant, size or colour differs from what you wanted, do not order it on price alone.
What this product is
A countertop microwave reheats, defrosts and cooks small meals fast. Cavity size, power and door swing decide whether it fits your kitchen and your containers — wattage alone does not. Within that category, the Breville Combi Wave BMO870 sits as Breville’s offering. The name itself tells you the most reliable facts — brand, product line and, where stated, size or capacity. Anything beyond that — exact dimensions, materials, warranty terms, care instructions — should be confirmed on the manufacturer sheet for your exact variant, because retailer listings for the same product frequently disagree.
Inside the countertop microwave
Illustrative exploded view — parts shown separated so you can see how it fits together. Not a photo of this exact product.
Key decisions for this category
Cavity size
Measure your largest plate, bowl and mug. A microwave that cannot hold your dinner plate is a daily frustration.
Power
Higher wattage cooks faster and more evenly. Low-wattage models work but need longer times and more stirring.
Door swing and placement
The door needs clearance and the vents need space. A microwave crammed into a tight shelf overheats and underperforms.
Controls
A clear timer and power-level control beat a panel of presets. Defrost by weight is genuinely useful if you defrost often.
What to verify before buying
Before you buy the Breville Combi Wave BMO870
- ✓ Cavity dimensions against your largest plate
- ✓ Power rating for your cooking speed
- ✓ Door swing and ventilation clearance
- ✓ Turntable size and whether it removes for cleaning
Where the manufacturer sheet and a retailer listing conflict, this site follows the manufacturer sheet and flags the conflict. Never buy a countertop microwave on a single specification from a single listing.
Pros and cons — at a glance
These are the honest trade-offs for this type of countertop microwave, not a score. The strengths are what the category does well when the size and care needs fit; the watch-outs are the checks that decide whether this particular countertop microwave fits your kitchen.
What it does well
- ✓ Fits the countertop microwaves use case when cavity size and power are checked first.
- ✓ From Breville, a maker whose line is built around this category — spare parts, care guidance and variant information are easier to verify than for a no-name listing.
- ✓ The name states the key facts (brand, line and, where stated, size) — so you can match it to the manufacturer sheet before ordering.
What to watch
- ✗ Uneven heating — check this before buying, not after unboxing.
- ✗ Food explodes — check this before buying, not after unboxing.
- ✗ It runs but does not heat — check this before buying, not after unboxing.
- ✗ Retailer listings for the same product frequently disagree on size, capacity or care — verify the exact variant on the manufacturer sheet.
How to buy it right — in 5 steps
- 1. Measure first. Check your counter, hob, cupboard and storage against the manufacturer dimensions for the exact variant — not the roundup photo.
- 2. Match the batch. Size and capacity should fit your usual cooking, not your largest party. A countertop microwave that is too big wastes space; one that is too small forces second batches.
- 3. Check the variant. Colour, size and included accessories change the price and the fit. Confirm the variant name on the retailer page matches the one you checked.
- 4. Run the verify checks below. Cavity dimensions against your largest plate; Power rating for your cooking speed; Door swing and ventilation clearance; Turntable size and whether it removes for cleaning. If any check fails, pick an alternative from the list below instead of hoping it will work out.
- 5. Check returns before ordering. Confirm the retailer return window for your variant, so a wrong size or a damaged arrival is a swap, not a loss.
VIP pick — the winner is inside2027
Still deciding? Reveal the No. 1 pick.
The ranked roundup hides its winner until you tap — then shows the full ranking, the checks, and what to verify before buying.
Best Countertop Microwaves →Browse all reviews
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The winner is insideCommon mistakes to avoid
Uneven heating
Stir or rotate food midway, and arrange food in a ring rather than a mound. Cold spots are normal in microwaves.
Food explodes
Cover food loosely, pierce skins and shells, and never microwave sealed containers.
It runs but does not heat
That is a magnetron or door-switch fault, not a settings issue. Stop using it and have it checked.
Smells linger
Wipe spills promptly and run a bowl of water with lemon for a few minutes to freshen the cavity.
Who it suits — and who should skip it
Best for
Cooks choosing countertop microwaves who prioritise cavity size and power, and who have verified the product’s size, capacity and care needs against their kitchen.
Skip if
You need a different size or capacity, you cannot meet its care or cleaning needs, or the verified specifications do not match your hob, counter or storage. In that case, compare the alternatives below before deciding.
Also consider
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Panasonic NN SN686S
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
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Toshiba EM131A5C
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
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BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven EM720CB7
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
In this category
The full countertop microwaves cluster — the hub, the ranked best list, the buying guide, the problems-and-fixes article, and the use-case picks for this category.
Frequently asked questions
What wattage do I need?
Higher wattage cooks faster. For reheating and defrosting, mid-range power is fine; for cooking, higher helps.
Can I put metal in a microwave?
No, except where the manual explicitly allows a specific accessory. Metal arcs and damages the oven.
How do I clean it?
Wipe after spills, wash the turntable, and steam-clean with a bowl of water and lemon for odours.
Ready to buy?
If the checks above pass — size, capacity, care and variant all match your kitchen — this is the point to order. If any check fails, go back to the alternatives below instead of buying on hope.