Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are hydrocarbon gases produced from processes including painting and drying. The diluted VOCs have low calorific heat and their stable combustion cannot be ensured by direct combustion. A novel plasma-cavity combustor (NPCC) was proposed to remove the VOCs with higher destruction and lower energy. The NPCC is a combined technology, consisting of a plasma burner, a 3D matrix burner, and a cavity combustor. The characteristics of representative VOC removal were examined according to selected parameters that serve as important factors for the VOC decomposition. Measurements obtained confirmed that the NPCC made VOC destruction possible with the following optimal operating conditions; when the VOC injector was placed inside and a 3D matrix was installed at a gas injection velocity of 4.17 m/s and electric input power of 100 W. Said conditions generated VOC decomposition efficiency of 99%, while energy efficiency was 447 g(kWh)(-1). (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.