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Most commonly used to reheat leftovers or prepare frozen meals, microwaves are an essential part of a functional kitchen. Today, microwaves contain an array of settings, such as pre-programmed buttons for food-specific cooking and adjustable power levels for a controlled cooking temperature.
To help you purchase a microwave with the specifications and features that meet your food preparation needs, our team researched the best microwaves on the market. You can also read our microwave buying guide to learn more about finding the best microwave for you.
Here are our top recommendations.
Top 4 Microwaves
- Best Medium Capacity: Toshiba Microwave Oven
- Most Space: BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven
- Best Value: COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven
- Best Settings: Panasonic Microwave Oven
Compare Top Microwaves
| Product | Handle Type | Capacity | Wattage | Warranty | Preset Buttons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toshiba Microwave Oven | Pull | 1.2 cubic feet | 1,100 watts | 1 year | Frozen pizza, frozen entree, potato, rice, and popcorn |
| BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven | Push | 1.4 cubic feet | 1,000 watts | 1 year | Popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and dinner plate |
| COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven | Pull | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts | 1 year | Popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and dinner plate |
| Panasonic Microwave Oven | Push | 1.2 cubic feet | 1,200 watts | 1 year | Popcorn |
| Product | Handle Type | Capacity | Wattage | Warranty | Preset Buttons |
Best Medium Capacity
Toshiba Microwave Oven
- $149.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Allows you to program up to three time and power combinations
✔ Has a large digital display that includes a clock and a countdown timer
✔ Includes a sound on/off option
✘ Heaviest item in this guide at 35 pounds
✘ Some customers mentioned that their food cooked unevenly
Key Features
- Pull handle
- Capacity of 1.2 cubic feet
- 1,100 watts
- One-year warranty
- Frozen pizza, frozen entree, potato, rice, and popcorn buttons
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked this microwave’s heating strength and preset modes. Many also mentioned that they preferred its easy-grip handle over models with a push-button door. Customers who weren’t satisfied said they experienced vibrating noises and flickering lights during use.
Most Space
BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven
- $164.49
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features a large LED digital display with an easy-to-read control panel
✔ Includes a child safety lock
✔ Has a modern style with a stainless steel exterior
✘ Takes up more countertop space because of its 1.4-cubic-foot interior
✘ Customers complained about it making a grumbling sound during use
Key Features
- Push button
- Capacity of 1.4 cubic feet
- 1,000 watts
- One-year warranty
- Popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and dinner plate buttons
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that the biggest appeal of this microwave was its small size, noting that it worked well in small kitchens or compact spaces, such as in a pantry. Many also said that it was equipped with an impressive number of features despite its small size and affordable price. However, some customers said that the microwave stopped working within one year of purchasing it.
Best Value
COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven
- $81.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Most affordable microwave in this guide
✔ Includes a 10-inch glass turntable that’s removable for easy cleaning
✔ Has pictures in addition to words for the preset functions
✘ Least powerful model in this review at 700 watts
✘ Smallest amount of interior cooking space in this review at 0.7 cubic feet
Key Features
- Pull handle
- Capacity of 0.7 cubic feet
- 700 watts
- One-year warranty
- Popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and dinner plate buttons
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers noted their satisfaction with this microwave’s compact size, ease of use, and silent function. However, some customers said that their food didn’t cook quickly or had cold spots, which is a common issue with low-wattage models like this one.
Best Settings
Panasonic Microwave Oven
- $197.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can poach, braise, and steam a variety of food from edge to center
✔ Has a thinner, lighter 13.4-inch turntable to enhance efficiency
✔ Built with an advanced turbo defrost setting to speed up defrosting time
✘ The control panel doesn’t light up
✘ Panel may be hard to read because of its design and color scheme
Key Features
- Push button
- Capacity of 1.2 cubic feet
- 1,200 watts
- One-year warranty
- Popcorn button
What Customers Are Saying
Several customers said that this microwave was high-powered, easy to use, and ideal for tight spaces. Others liked it for being lightweight but sturdy. Those who were unsatisfied said that the microwave stopped working after a short period. One person said that theirs broke down after one 90-second cooking cycle and that the replacement they received had the same issue.
What To Know Before Buying a Microwave
Before purchasing a microwave oven, it’s important to understand how certain factors, such as cooking power, capacity, size, and settings, affect user experience. Read our guide below for more information on what to look for in a new microwave.
Type
There are several types of microwaves to consider, depending on the setup of your kitchen. Countertop microwaves are the most common. These microwaves are plugged into an outlet and placed on your counter or in a microwave hutch. Built-in microwaves are built directly into your cabinetry. These microwaves have tricky installation and will have a higher price point than countertop models, but they help you keep your counter space free. Over-the-range microwaves are installed over your stove, also saving on counter space. These microwaves help create a streamlined, stylish look in your kitchen, but they are difficult to install.
Cooking Power
The cooking power of most microwaves is measured in watts, with the average model harnessing between 700 and 1,200 watts of power. While a microwave with more watts cooks and heats food faster, a low-wattage microwave is typically more affordable. Regardless of a microwave’s available wattage, most models provide power adjustments that let you decrease the power for a less intense cook.
Capacity
The capacity of a microwave, usually measured in cubic feet, refers to how much interior space the model has. Microwaves with spacious interiors allow you to cook larger foods, though larger interiors usually come with higher price tags. Small microwaves have fewer cubic feet but take up less counter space and typically have a lower price point.
Dimensions
The dimensions of a microwave help determine whether the model will fit within your kitchen’s layout. For example, if you have limited countertop space, compact microwaves like the COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven may be a solid choice.
Settings
While all microwave ovens heat and cook food, not all models offer the same cooking options or pre-programmed settings. Some of the most common microwave settings are one-touch buttons that instantly cook specific foods, defrost buttons that thaw foods based on their weight, and sound controls that adjust or turn off the microwave’s beeper.
Microwave FAQs
Is it safe to microwave food?
According to the World Health Organization, microwaves are safe if they’re used as instructed by the manufacturer.
Can you microwave eggs?
Yes. Spray a microwave-safe container, such as a ramekin or egg cooker, with cooking spray, and pour one to two whisked eggs into it. Heat the mixture for about one minute and 30 seconds, stirring occasionally. Let your eggs sit for one minute before serving them.
Can you microwave paper?
Some types of paper are suitable for the microwave. Paper towels and parchment paper are safe to place inside a microwave, but newspapers and brown bags aren’t safe because of their toxicity and flammability.
How We Selected the Best Microwaves
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of microwaves with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
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