The best microwaves offer convenience in cooking and heating up your delicious meals in no time. Not only are they easy to use and clean, but the best microwaves come with useful features that make life easier. These include computerized programs to adjust the oven timer based on the weight of your dish or also multifunctional programs for roasting, baking, and air frying. Also, you may find one option with a popcorn setting, which makes your movie night handy. The best way to maximize your cooking time is to buy microwave ovens. Microwave ovens are convenient and let you cook food quickly and evenly. They’re also compact and easy to store, making them a great choice for small kitchens.
In the beginning, it can often be difficult to know which microwave is suitable for your kitchen. There are some crucial factors to consider, like performance, design, and capacity. From a smart capacity microwave to a compact style that fits in small kitchens. To help to choose, we’ve selected the top and best buying microwaves for every home, lifestyle, and budget.
Also read, Best Size Dutch Ovens for Bread Buying Guide
Contents
What are the Best Microwaves?
After deep research, we found the overall best microwave which is Toshiba EM131A5C-BS. It offers all-round performance, cooks evenly and offers many pre-programmed settings and power levels. It’s also available at a good price at just around $150, making it the best microwave on the market. If you’re looking for versatility, then surely Samsung MC11K7035CG will be perfect for you. As a convection microwave you can bake, broil, and even air fry. You can also combine settings to give your plate the ideal finish. Thanks to the additional configurations offered, you can almost replace your oven.
Buy 10 Best Microwave Ovens:
1. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor:
The Toshiba 1.2 cubic foot offers the perfect mixing of price, size, and performance. It comes with all the features you need and also popcorn, pizza, and vegetable preset, a child lock for safety, a one-touch shortcuts button from one to six minutes, and an additional 30 minutes. Also, you can regulate the power level of the microwave from one to ten up to 1100 watts, the ideal power depends on your purposes. The higher power provides faster cooking time. The softening melting preset for chocolate, butter, and cheese operates at a lower power setting to prevent burning or overheating.
The handle is more handy instead of a knob to open the door. Also, handles are more ergonomic. To turn off the beep noise you can use a mute button. Press mute and hold 8 for five seconds to turn off the beeps. Furthermore, press buttons for alerts when the cooking time is up. The Toshiba has a built-in intelligent sensor function that takes the guesswork out of reheating food – it estimates the moisture in the food and adjusts the time and power level automatically. It is available in two different designs: stylish stainless steel or black stainless steel finish.
Product specification:
- Brand: Toshiba
- Model: EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor
- Color: black stainless steel
- Material: stainless steel
- Human interface input: keypad, button
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 20.5 x 17.1 x 12.8 inches
- Item weight: 34.6 pounds
2. Panasonic Microwave oven stainless steel countertop:
The Panasonic NNSN966S offers 2.2 cubic feet of interior space and 1250 watts of power to heat food in less time than many competitors. It offers power levels from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, says one of our testers, and I’ve found that even on setting 5, the microwave can heat food very quickly and evenly. Other plus points are the elegant stainless steel look and the 14 automatic cooking options.
If you frequently use the microwave for cooking, steaming or defrosting they will appreciate the built-in inverter, which delivers consistent heating output that won’t leave food rubbery or unevenly hot. Our tester reported no cold spots on any of his foods. The tester also found the display and controls easy to use and loved how easy it was to adjust the settings to suit what he was cooking. The microwave is quite large. However, it is not a good option for small kitchens.
Product specification:
- Brand: Panasonic
- Model name: NN-SN966S
- Color: stainless steel / silver
- Material: aluminum
- Human interface input: touchscreen
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 2.2 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 18.5 x 18.44 x 10.94 inches
- Item weight: 37 pounds
3. Hamilton beach stainless steel microwave oven
This affordable model is an excellent option for small rooms such as bedrooms and offices or a person who does not use a microwave with sufficient frequency to justify investments in a more expensive model.9 cubic feet. Although it’s on the smaller end, our tester could easily fit his large dishes in it. It also performed on par with more expensive models. Aside from a few cooler-centered dishes, it successfully heated a number of test dishes without significant overcooking. One shortcoming was the popcorn preset – it always took too long, even though our tester was able to do itStop cooking before you end up smelling like burnt popcorn for days. This affordable microwave oven is perfect for giving anyone. If your budget is around 85$ this one is best for you.
Product specification:
- Brand: hamilton beach
- Color: stainless steel
- Material: stainless steel
- Human interface input: touch pad
- Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 19.02 x 11.06 x 15.6 inches
- Item weight: 29.6 pounds
- Number of power level: 10
- Energy consumption: 900 watts
4. BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door:
This countertop model from Black+Decker comes in four different sizes, including a 0.7 cubic foot microwave that’s an ideal choice for small spaces. This microwave is one of the smallest out there, measuring approximately 17 inches wide, 11.5 inches deep, and 10 inches high. Although our product tester’s 11-inch dinner plates didn’t fit in this microwave, he was surprised that the small size didn’t affect its performance.This microwave has 700 watts of power, which is enough to reheat leftovers, microwave a bag of popcorn, melt butter and more, all in just minutes. Our tester especially liked the Express Heat buttons, which let you select a 16-minute cook time by simply pressing the appropriate number on the keypad. There’s also quick cook settings for popcorn, potatoes, pizza, frozen veggies, drinks and plates, plus a memory setting where you can program your most-used cook. the settings.
Product specification:
- Brand: black+decker
- Model name: Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable
- Color: stainless steel
- Material: not available
- Human interface input: buttons
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 17.3 x 13 x 10.2 inches
- Item weight: 22.5 pounds
- Lock type: child lock
5. Toshiba Convection Microwave Oven:
A convection microwave offers multiple ways to prepare your meals with a single appliance. This 1,000-watt microwave has enough power to cook food in microwave mode or to roast and bake between 170 and 425 degrees Fahrenheit using the convection function. With 1.5 cubic feet of space, it’s big enough to heat large plates in the microwave or accommodate a small chicken or pizza. A convection cooking grate makes it easy to get a crispy exterior.
People love this device for its versatility, but others mention that it’s bigger and heavier than expected. You can also add a few minutes to the recipe’s cooking times if you use convection mode. It is designed in a convenient and compact size for a small kitchen. This microwave is easy to use and clean. If you are looking for a microwave oven specially for baking or roasting it can be the best item. Also, it is a giftable item that you can gift to anyone.
Product specification:
- Brand: Toshiba
- Color: silver
- Material: stainless steel
- Human interface input: Keypad, Buttons
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 1.5 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 21.77 x 21.5 x 12.99 inches
- Item weight: 44.8 pounds
- Lock type: child lock
6. Magic Chef Countertop Microwave:
During our initial research for this guide, an online reviewer wrote that this Magic Chef medium-sized microwave was “built like a tank,” and we couldn’t find any evidence to the contrary. The Magic Chef passed all of our food tests with flying colors. and it’s one of the few cheap microwaves we’ve tested that also offers multi-level cooking. This means, for example, that you can set the cooking power to 40 percent for the first minute and then to 50 percent for another 90 seconds without going back into the oven. to reset time and power level.
While it’s a pretty typical device with a glossy exterior and an almost retro control panel, it gets the job done.With 1000 watts and a size of 1.1 cubic feet, it has enough power and space to handle most tasks, except maybe cooking a whole chicken. With 10 power levels and key presets, this microwave, available in black, white and stainless steel finishes, has you covered. This giftable item can surprise anyone.
Product specification:
- Brand: magic chef
- Color: black
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet
- Number of power level: 10
- Energy consumption: 1000 watts
- Item dimension: 23 x 18.5 x 14.5 inches
- Item weight: 35.3 pounds
7. GE Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave:
This mid-size stainless steel GE microwave has earned more than 1,000 five-star ratings from Best Buy for its simplicity, even heating and attractive design. The interior light comes on and stays on when the microwave is open or operating, and the control panel has 12 helpful functions, including a defrost function for rare weights. Simply enter the weight of the meat you wish to defrost and your food will be properly heated without leaving any frozen spots.
During our lab testing, this microwave passed all of our cooking tests; However, we found that the buttons weren’t very intuitive. Instead of using the Start button to start the kitchen timer, you have to press the timer button to stop or start the countdown.As a 1.1-cubic-foot, 950-watt microwave, this unit is underpowered, but it’s not the cause of many complaints in user reviews. Also this one is a surprising gift item that anyone can get surprised by.
Product specification:
- Brand: GE
- Model name: JES1145SHSS
- Color: stainless steel
- Material: stainless steel
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 15.63 x 20.31 x 12 inches
- Item weight: 34 pounds
- Lock type: child lock
- Energy consumption: 950 watts
8. LG NeoChef with Smart Inverter and EasyClean:
With its partial stainless steel finish and limited external buttons, this stylish LG NeoChef microwave fits seamlessly into the modern minimalist’s dream kitchen. But what you get in design, you lose in function: to match its streamlined exterior, controls, and microwave exterior. Inside, the control panel is functional but limited. On the outside there are three main buttons for start/pause, stop/cancel, and a touch slider bar that allows you to adjust the cooking time more and less even while cooking. For those used to having a traditional keyboard all in one place, this may take some getting used to.
For us, it was a little annoying having to open the door to do something more complicated than setting a cooking time. While this microwave passed most of our food tests, it left the Hungry Man’s mashed potatoes and chicken wings tepid rather than steaming. While it’s easy to add more cooking time, it’s obviously not ideal.
Product specification:
- Brand: LG
- Material: stainless steel
- Human interface input: microphone
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 5 x 5 x 5 inches
- Item weight: 0.5 pounds
- Lock type: child lock
- Energy consumption: 1000 watts
9. Samsung Countertop Microwave with Sensor Cook:
The Samsung countertop microwave sensor is one of the best in this budget. If you want to buy a microwave oven it can be the best item for versatile use. The Samsung microwave oven is a versatile item. It is perfect for both roasting and baking. The ceramic enamel coated interior is easy to clean and rust resistant. If you want a smaller microwave that still packs plenty of power, then this 1.4-cubic-foot, 1000-watt option from Samsung is a solid choice.
Customers love the modern black color scheme and brushed stainless steel handle. The control panel design is also unique. because it combines digital controls with a metal dial. Online reviewers appreciate the unique LED display and say that one of the microwave’s highlights is the Eco mode, which allows you to turn off the digital display to save energy.The ceramic enamel interior is easy to clean and resists grease, oil and scratches. One downside is that according to the current owners, the microwave can be quite noisy.
Product specification:
- Brand: SAMSUNG
- Model name: MS14K6000
- Color: stainless steel
- Material: stainless steel
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 1.4 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 21.8 x 18.6 x 12.3 inches
- Item weight: 37.5 pounds
- Number of power levels: 10
- Energy consumption: 1000 watts
10. Commercial Chef CHM990W 900 Watt Countertop Microwave Oven:
This compact microwave is 0.9 cubic feet. That’s a large capacity for a microwave that takes up little space and really is all you need. When you’re not microwaving turkey, this Commercial Chef model easily handles many things, such as: Other mid-range models have 1,000 watts, like another model we picked.The Commercial Chef comes with 900 watts. Most companies that make microwaves recommend a base of 9001,000 watts for medium and medium range microwaves. You don’t need more than what the Commercial Chef provides, because 1,000 watts and up cooks food faster, but you can quickly overcook what you put in, causing food to dry out or scorching drinks. This means this low-end, short-range microwave can compete with higher-priced models.
Product specification:
- Brand: commercial chef
- Color: white
- Material: stainless steel
- Human interface inputs: buttons
- Installation type: countertop
- Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet
- Item dimension: 14.7 x 19.25 x 11.2 inches
- Item weight: 29 pounds
- Lock type: child lock available
- Number of power levels: 10
- Energy consumption: 900 watts
Buying guide for best buy microwave ovens:
The most important feature of any microwave is how well it cooks. We turned on each microwave and tested it with commonly prepared foods like popcorn, pizza rolls, and potatoes. Microwaves that cooked food evenly performed better than those that left cold or burned spots. We also look for units with food-specific settings and a wide range of power levels. Here’s what to look for when choosing the best compact microwave ovens.
Style:
There are 4 principal varieties of microwaves, and they’re prominent via the means of which and the way they’re set up. There are microwaves designed to take a seat down at the countertop, the ones set up over the range (OTR), built-ins which might be recessed in a cupboard or wall, or drawer-fashion microwaves which might be positioned into the cabinets under countertops.
Size:
Whether you’re looking for an OTR or built-in model, choosing the right size for the space is important, especially if you’re replacing an existing microwave. Also, make sure the door has room to open. You have more leeway when you buy a countertop model, but it’s still important to measure this area in your kitchen.
Capacity:
In cubic feet, we measured the capacity of the microwave. Generally, the larger microwave means more cubic feet. You can find microwaves from 0.5 cubic feet to larger models that measure 2 cubic feet or more. Range from 1 to 2 cubic feet. It can be difficult to tell if a microwave will meet your needs based on cubic feet alone. Perhaps a better measure to look out for is the size of the interior space and turntable. Make sure the doorway is large and wide enough to accommodate the items. They are the ones you use most in the microwave and the fact that the shape and size of the turntable can accommodate your dishes will help you choose the right microwave size.
Power:
The power of a microwave is measured in watts: the higher the wattage, the more power a microwave has and the faster and more evenly the device cooks your food. Most microwave ovens available today are between 500 and 1000 watts. The best option for you depends on how you intend to use the device. Most people prefer a 700-watt (or larger) microwave, as these models are still affordable and are great for microwave meals, popcorn, and other small items. If you want to cook intensively with the microwave, you need a model with around 1,000 watts of power. The most powerful microwaves can cook almost anything, from meaty appetizers like meatloaf to vegetable side dishes and even desserts.
Preset cooking mood:
In case of standard buttons for manual time entry and starting and stopping the microwave, most models are also designed with controls for preset cooking times.These presate cooking options automatically select the power level and cooking based on what you directed. You’ll find settings that let you cook foods like popcorn, potatoes, frozen veggies, and more at the touch of a button. You’ll even find settings for melting butter and chocolate, defrosting frozen food, and reheating pizza. In fact, you’ll use these features, or if you tend to mark the time manually, there’s no point paying for features you don’t use.
Cooking functions:
Some microwave ovens can grill, steam, and cook with convection. Microwaves with these additional cooking features generally cost more than those without them. While not as powerful as a standard propane grill, a microwave’s grill function is designed to brown the exterior of food to replicate grilled results. Convection microwaves use the same technology as their oven counterparts. A fan blows and circulates hot air inside the microwave, helping to cook food faster and more evenly. traditional oven.
Sensors:
Some microwaves come with sensors that automatically adjust the cooking time and power level based on the amount of moisture they detect in the food you’re cooking. overcooked or undercooked meat or dishes with cold spots.
Ventilation:
Large capacity microwaves are often equipped with a ventilation function that can replace the traditional oven hood. This is beneficial when you are cooking on the stovetop and want to remove odors or smoke from your kitchen. There are two types of microwave ventilation systems: forced air and external. Recirculation louvers simply draw air into the unit, pass it through a filter, and then force it back into the kitchen. This type of ventilation system is ductless and easier to install, but does not work as efficiently as outdoor ventilation. External vents connect to ducts that draw air from your kitchen and redirect it outside. These systems are better at removing heat and odors from your kitchen, but they can be quite expensive to install if your home doesn’t already have exhaust ducting.
Turntable:
With the exception of the drawer models, essentially all microwave ovens are equipped with a turntable. Turntables can be round and spin in a circle or rectangular and move from side to side. They are designed to keep food moving for more even cooking. Most turntables are removable for easy cleaning, and many can be placed in the dishwasher to remove dried-on food stains. When shopping, consider whether the turntable is large enough to hold your favorite microwavable plates, dinner plates, and microwavable foods. Large dishes like casseroles will probably fit better on a rectangular turntable.
Racks:
Some microwave ovens come with removable racks that create shelves inside the microwave, allowing you to cook multiple items at the same time. Depending on how much you’re heating in the microwave or how many people are reheating leftovers at the same time, you might benefit from a rack model. The grates are usually made of wire, much like the grates in your oven. Just remember that a rack in your microwave reduces the free space you have to place larger items.
Price:
Microwaves vary greatly in price. The cost of a new microwave is determined by its size, style, and features. While you can find basic, small microwaves for under $50, most models are priced in the $100 to $500 range. Specialty microwaves such as a built-in, drawer, and convection cooking types can cost even more. In general, the more power (i.Watt) and equipment a microwave has, the more it costs.
Warranty:
Most microwave ovens are covered by a 1-year limited warranty and some have an extended warranty on magnetron parts. Although a solid microwave should last well beyond the 1-year warranty period, it’s a good idea to check the fine print before you buy so you know exactly what’s covered and for how long. Most retailers offer extended warranty plans for appliances, including microwaves.
Frequently asked question(FAQ):
What does more wattage mean?
A microwave’s wattage tells you how much power it has, and more wattage means your food will cook faster and more evenly. Typically you will see microwaves between 500 and 1,200 watts. Keep in mind that microwaves under 700 watts are generally underpowered and will lengthen the cooking process. These models are a good option for people on a budget who want to save space or are willing to wait a few more minutes. If you want a full-featured microwave for cooking meat and vegetables, look for models with 1,000 watts or more.
How do you clean a microwave?
It’s a good idea to clean your microwave regularly, although you’ll wipe up any spills or splashes right away. To clean the interior, heat a microwave-safe container filled with water, and a tablespoon of vinegar white or apple cider will do for a few minutes. You want the inside to steam without overflowing the water reservoir. Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes before opening the door.
Then wipe the inside with a paper towel or a scouring pad to remove any stuck food. Remove the turntable and wash by hand or in the dishwasher. The outside of the microwave, including the door, handle and control panel, should also be cleaned regularly to remove fingerprints, everyday dirt, and cooking residue. Use an all-purpose cleaner for the outside, but spray it onto a paper towel or sponge first, not directly onto the microwave, to prevent it from getting into the ventilation system. You should not use bleach to clean your microwave.
Are there Microwaves with Steam Technology?
The answer is yes and no. Many of us love the possibilities of a steamer. They offer healthier cooking, save time on preheating and keep food tasting fresh even when you reheat it. Manufacturers want us to believe that steam microwaves are just as amazing as full steam ovens at a fraction of the cost. In reality, microwaves with steam technology like the Whirlpool WMH53521HZ are simply equipped with advanced sensors that can detect the boiling point of the microwave liquids and start a countdown to steaming or simmering. This way you can follow a recipe depending on what you are cooking. We don’t currently recommend steam microwaves as they don’t offer incredible value.
Final Thoughts:
Microwave ovens are an essential baking machine that is usually used to bake, roast, broil, and for making breakfast. Convection microwaves were a great idea. It is unfortunate that the industry has not yet fixed all the bugs. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for technical improvements, but for now, here’s the list. Microwave and convection oven on the worktop. You have so many more options and you can rest assured that you are getting quality. But if you must, the aforementioned convection microwaves have proven to be a wise investment. Just make sure you get exactly what you need. Hopefully, our 10 best items will help to choose the perfect one.
