Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-19 Origin: Site
The best combi ovens for 2026 include the Rational iCombi Pro, UNOX CHEFTOP-X, Convotherm maxx pro, Lainox Naboo, and Blodgett Combi. These top-tier ovens stand out as the best combi oven options due to their advanced AI controls, IoT capabilities, and energy-saving features, all of which enhance food quality and efficiency. Many kitchens opt for a commercial combi oven because it can steam, roast, and bake, making it a versatile choice. It's crucial for every kitchen to select the best combi oven that aligns with its menu, available space, and production volume.
| Key Players | Market Segment |
|---|---|
| Rational AG | High-value institutional |
| Lainox (Ali Group) | High-value institutional |
| Convotherm (Welbilt/Ali Group) | High-value institutional |
| Unox S.p.A. | Mid-to-economy tier |
| Middleby Corporation (Blodgett) | Mid-to-economy tier |
Combi ovens can steam, roast, and bake. They are useful in any kitchen. Top models like Rational iCombi Pro and UNOX CHEFTOP-X have smart AI controls. They also have features that save energy. Picking the best oven depends on your menu. It also depends on your kitchen size and how much food you make. Ovens that use less energy save money. They are also better for the environment. Teaching staff how to use the oven helps food taste better. It also makes the kitchen work faster.

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The table below shows the main specs of top commercial combi oven models for 2026. Chefs and kitchen managers can use this to spot differences in capacity, cooking modes, controls, energy type, and size.
| Model | Capacity (Trays) | Cooking Modes | Controls | Energy Type | Dimensions (W x D x H, in) | Unique Selling Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rational iCombi Pro | 6–20 GN 1/1 | Steam, Convection, Combination | Touchscreen, AI | Electric/Gas | 33 x 31 x 42 (10-tray) | Advanced AI, self-cleaning, multi-level cooking |
| UNOX CHEFTOP-X | 6–20 GN 1/1 | Steam, Convection, Combination | Digital, Programmable | Electric | 33 x 31 x 42 (10-tray) | Versatile, energy-saving, compact design |
| Convotherm maxx pro | 6–20 GN 1/1 | Steam, Convection, Combination | Touchscreen, AI | Electric/Gas | 33 x 31 x 42 (10-tray) | Durable, AI-driven, resource efficient |
| Lainox Naboo | 6–20 GN 1/1 | Steam, Convection, Combination | Digital, Cloud Connected | Electric/Gas | 33 x 31 x 42 (10-tray) | Cloud recipes, intuitive interface |
| Blodgett Combi | 6–20 GN 1/1 | Steam, Convection, Combination | Digital, Manual | Electric/Gas | 33 x 31 x 42 (10-tray) | Reliable, easy to use, robust build |
Note: GN 1/1 means a standard tray size used in many professional kitchens.
There are many things to think about when looking at commercial combi oven models. Each oven has special features that change how food tastes, how well it cooks, and how fast the kitchen works.
Rational iCombi Pro has smart AI controls. It changes cooking settings for each batch. Chefs can cook different foods at once with multi-level cooking. The self-cleaning system saves time and keeps the oven ready.
UNOX CHEFTOP-X is very flexible. It can bake, roast, and steam many foods. The oven has programmable recipes and an easy-to-use interface. Its small size fits kitchens with little space. It also saves energy to help cut costs.
Convotherm maxx pro is tough and uses new technology. The oven’s AI helps make food come out right. It has a cleaning system that is easy to use. The mini series gives a big cooking space in a small oven, which is good for tight kitchens.
Lainox Naboo connects to the cloud. Chefs can find lots of recipes and update programs fast. The digital controls are simple. This oven works with both electric and gas, so it fits many kitchens.
Blodgett Combi is made to be strong and simple. The controls are easy, so staff can learn fast. The oven’s tough build means it lasts a long time, even in busy kitchens.
When picking the best combi oven, chefs should think about a few key things:
Capacity Needs: The oven should match how much food the kitchen makes at busy times. Big restaurants need more space, but small bakeries or cafés can use smaller ovens.
Features: Every kitchen is different. Some ovens have smart AI and recipes you can program. Others are simple and focus on being easy to use.
Energy Efficiency: Ovens that save energy cost less to run. Good insulation and automatic features help save money over time.
Installation: Kitchens need the right hookups for gas or electric ovens. Space is important, especially if the kitchen is small.
Maintenance: Cleaning and taking care of the oven keeps it working well. Some ovens clean themselves or have parts that are easy to reach.
Brand Reliability: Brands like Rational, UNOX, Convotherm, Lainox, and Blodgett are known for making good ovens and giving good service.
Tip: Training staff is important. It helps them cook better and keep food quality high, even when the kitchen is busy.
A commercial combi oven can change how a kitchen cooks food. These ovens use steam, convection, and combination cooking to give the same results every time. They help kitchens make great food fast and work more smoothly. Picking the right oven helps every menu and service style do its best.
Rational iCombi Pro is a favorite for many chefs. This commercial combi oven has over 100 preset programs. These programs help kitchens cook many foods and get the same results each time. The oven uses advanced AI to check cleaning and save energy. Its modular design makes fixing it easier.
| Strengths | Weakness |
|---|---|
| Menu flexibility (100+ preset programs) | Higher upfront cost (26k–26k–32k) |
| Energy efficiency (ENERGY STAR rated) | |
| AI sanitization tracking | |
| Modular design for easy repairs |
Chefs like the iCombi Pro because it is flexible. It has almost 20 cooking modes. This means it can cook many kinds of food. Many users say the oven keeps flavors and nutrients in the food. This helps make food taste better. Some chefs say repairs cost a lot and maintenance takes time. The oven can be hard to learn at first. Most users find it easier after some practice.
Pros:
Many cooking modes
Good food quality and consistency
Saves energy
Easy to fix
Cons:
Costs a lot at first
Maintenance can be hard
Takes time to learn
Ideal Use Cases:
Big restaurants, hotels, and kitchens that need to cook lots of food and have many menu choices.
UNOX CHEFTOP-X and SPEED-X work well in busy kitchens. CHEFTOP-X acts like a helper, using AI and machine learning. It knows what food is inside and saves energy. SPEED-X is the first steam oven to mix speed and combi cooking. It is great for kitchens that need food fast.
| Feature | UNOX CHEFTOP-X | SPEED-X |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Speed | Made for many uses | Cooks a whole chicken in 7 minutes |
| Versatility | Acts like a helper with AI features | Mixes many cooking methods in one oven |
| Cleaning | Not specified | Has automatic washing |
| Adaptability | Changes to chef’s style with smart functions | Cooks mixed foods quickly |
UNOX CHEFTOP-X uses AI to cut waste and save energy. It learns how the chef cooks and helps save money.
SPEED-X can cook a whole chicken in just seven minutes. It can handle hard recipes and mixed foods easily. The oven washes itself, which saves time.
Pros:
Cooks fast and does many things
Smart features fit kitchen needs
Saves energy
Automatic cleaning (SPEED-X)
Cons:
CHEFTOP-X cleaning not listed
SPEED-X may need more training for hard tasks
Ideal Use Cases:
Cafés, bakeries, and restaurants that want quick food and flexible cooking.
Convotherm maxx pro is strong and uses smart technology. This oven uses AI to help chefs cook each batch well. The cleaning system is simple to use. Its small size fits kitchens with little space.
Convotherm maxx pro can steam, bake, and use both together. Chefs can cook many foods, like bread and meat. The oven saves energy and helps kitchens spend less.
Pros:
Strong build for lots of use
AI helps with cooking
Simple cleaning system
Small size but big cooking space
Cons:
May cost more than basic ovens
Some users say it is hard to learn at first
Ideal Use Cases:
Catering companies, hotels, and restaurants that need a tough oven and want to cook food quickly.
Lainox Naboo is special because it connects to the cloud and has digital controls. Chefs can find many recipes and update programs fast. The oven works with electric and gas, so it fits many kitchens.
Lainox Naboo has easy controls and a simple interface. Chefs can set cooking programs and watch food easily. The oven helps kitchens keep food tasting good and the same every time.
Pros:
Recipe library in the cloud
Easy digital controls
Works with electric or gas
Simple interface
Cons:
Needs internet for all features
May not have as many smart AI features as other ovens
Ideal Use Cases:
Chain restaurants, big kitchens, and foodservice places that want to share recipes and update programs easily.
Blodgett Combi does many jobs in the kitchen. This commercial steam oven mixes convection and steam. Chefs can bake, steam veggies, and cook meats with good moisture control. The oven can replace other appliances, saving space and making work easier.
Blodgett Combi gives steady results by letting chefs control heat and humidity. The oven is built strong and lasts a long time, even in busy kitchens.
Good for kitchens that need many uses in a small space
Great for baking, steaming, roasting, and braising
Can do many jobs, so you need fewer appliances
Lets chefs control cooking for steady food quality
Pros:
Saves space
Reliable and simple to use
Cooks many foods and ways
Cons:
Has fewer smart features
Manual controls mean less automation
Ideal Use Cases:
Small restaurants, bakeries, and catering kitchens that want a strong oven for many foods and cooking styles.

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The best combi oven can cook food in three ways. These are steam, convection, and combination modes. Each mode helps chefs make different foods taste great. Steam mode uses wet heat to keep veggies and seafood soft. Convection mode blows hot air to make bread and meat crispy. Combination mode uses both steam and hot air together. This keeps food juicy and gives it a nice brown color. With these choices, kitchens can make more kinds of food and do a better job.
| Cooking Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Steam Mode | Uses steam heat to keep food moist, good for poaching and steaming veggies and seafood. |
| Convection Mode | Hot air moves around, making dry heat that browns food, great for baking and roasting. |
| Combination Mode | Mixes steam and hot air, so food is soft and juicy but also gets some browning. |
How many trays an oven holds is important. Some ovens hold six trays, while others hold up to forty. Big kitchens need more trays to cook lots of food at once. Small ovens work well for cafés or bakeries. Picking the right size oven helps kitchens avoid slowdowns. The right oven size lets kitchens serve customers fast and keep things running smoothly.
New ovens have digital controls and smart features. Touchscreens and recipe programs make cooking simple. Some ovens use artificial intelligence to change settings for each batch. This helps staff cook food just right every time. It also saves time and helps stop mistakes.
Saving energy helps lower bills and is good for the planet. Good insulation and auto shut-off features help save power while cooking. Reliable ovens, like Rational or Blodgett, keep working even when the kitchen is busy. When ovens work well, food always comes out good.
Cleaning and taking care of ovens keeps them working well. Many ovens can clean themselves. Staff should wipe the inside every day, clean filters each week, and check parts every month.
| Frequency | Maintenance Tasks |
|---|---|
| Daily | Wipe inside, clean door seal, empty drip tray, use self-cleaning, clean outside. |
| Weekly | Clean air filter, fan, check door seal, clean drain, check water valve, clean control panels. |
| Monthly | Remove mineral buildup, check water valve, look at gaskets, oil parts, clean steam maker, check temperature probe, look at wires. |
Brands like Blodgett give good warranties and have many service helpers. Good service means ovens break less and kitchens can keep making food.
Restaurants need ovens that fit their menu and how much food they make. Chefs change recipes often, so they need ovens that can do many things. The best combi oven for restaurants should have lots of cooking modes and simple controls. The table below shows what matters most for restaurants:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Menu flexibility and adaptability | The oven should do many cooking styles and handle menu changes. |
| Consistent cooking results | Chefs want every batch of food to cook the same way. |
| Ease of use and automation | Ovens with programmable recipes and automation help save time and cut down on mistakes. |
| Fast service and workflow optimization | Quick cooking and trays on different levels help serve food faster. |
| Space optimization | One oven can take the place of many, saving room in the kitchen. |
| Energy efficiency | Ovens that use less energy help save money and protect the planet. |
| Easy cleaning and hygiene management | Ovens that clean themselves stay safe and ready to use. |
| Smart connectivity and remote control | Connected ovens let chefs check cooking from anywhere. |
| Durability, maintenance, and long-term support | Strong ovens last longer and need fewer repairs. |
Tip: Training staff helps stop mistakes and makes food better.
Bakeries care about how well ovens bake and how much they can hold. They need ovens that keep the right temperature and humidity. The table below lists top ovens for bakeries:
| Model | Key Features | Capacity Options |
|---|---|---|
| BAKERTOP MIND.Maps™ PLUS | Controls temperature and humidity well, has custom programs, saves energy | 4 to 16 trays |
| BAKERTOP-X™ | Bakes very well, has smart features | Not specified |
Bakeries should pick ovens that bake both fresh and frozen dough. The right oven helps bakers make bread and pastries that taste and feel good.
Catering teams need ovens that cook lots of food and many types. Combi ovens let chefs cook, steam, and roast in one machine. These ovens help chefs be creative and keep food tasting good. They also cook food fast and mean you need less equipment.
Chefs can cook big batches at one time.
Ovens keep food warm and ready to serve.
Ovens that do many jobs save space and money.
Institutional kitchens, like schools and hospitals, feed many people every day. They need ovens that cook a lot of food and give the same results each time.
Different combi ovens let chefs use many cooking styles.
Good temperature and moisture control help food cook evenly.
Programmable menus help staff follow recipes and save time.
Electric and gas ovens cost different amounts and heat up at different speeds.
Steam ovens are good for cooking big batches of food.
Note: Do not pick ovens that are too big, skip safety features, or forget to clean them. Make sure ovens are installed right and staff are trained for safe and good cooking.
The best commercial combi ovens have special strengths for each kitchen.
Rational gives strong performance and can do many things.
Unox uses new technology and is easy to use.
Convotherm connects to smart devices and has simple controls.
Blodgett and Lainox are dependable and work well for many foods.
Choosing the right oven features helps kitchens cook better and work faster. People should look at their menu, kitchen size, and how they work. They can talk to suppliers or try out ovens to pick the best one.
A commercial combi oven cooks food with steam, convection, or both. Chefs can make many foods using just this one oven. This helps kitchens save space and get better cooking results.
A combi oven lets chefs set the temperature and humidity. This helps food cook the same all over. Kitchens can serve food faster and keep it tasting good.
Many combi ovens can clean themselves. Staff just press a button to start cleaning. Cleaning often keeps the oven safe and working right.
A combi oven can do the job of steamers, convection ovens, and some grills. This means kitchens need fewer machines and save space. Chefs can cook more types of food with less equipment.
Chefs should think about how big the oven is and what foods they will make. They also need to check if the oven fits in their kitchen. Training helps staff use the oven the right way.