The microwave revolutionized cooking at home for families. It was invented in the 1940s but wasn’t largely popular until the 1980s. Today, nearly all homes in the United States have at least one. This appliance is convenient to use and is very economical. We list the top brands to guide you in getting the ideal addition for your kitchen.
Choosing the best microwave for your home begins with the type of microwave oven you need—countertop, above-the-range, suspended, or convection. Decide what size your family needs. Choose the appropriate wattage. Then make your final choice based on the features that are important to you.
With all the different types of microwaves there are now, it can be tough to choose the right microwave for your home. That’s where we come in. Our guide for choosing the top microwave gives you tips for making the right decision for your household. Read on to find out more!
What Is The Best Microwave For Home Use?
Homes that are small with little room for large over-the-range microwaves are better suited for small countertop microwaves. This category doesn’t get high marks for performance. Small countertop types are typically underpowered. The upsides of this category include affordability, defrost ability, and available bonus features.
Medium to large homes often have the space for an over-the-range microwave. Over-the-range are generally a combination of a microwave and a stove hood vent. Make sure you measure the space available between the cabinets located on either side of the range. Also look into the installation requirements for each over-the-range microwave you’re considering.
Homes where someone wants to do more different kinds of cooking with their microwave are well-suited for a convection microwave. Convection types give you the ability to roast and bake full meals in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional oven. Microwaves and convection heat both cook the food. Food cooks faster and more evenly.
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What Should I Look For When Buying A Microwave?
Key factors to look for include size, power, and extra features. Here’s a breakdown of what’s important.
Size
Size matters with regard to a microwave. Both capacity and physical footprint must be considered. Choose the right capacity based on the needs of your household. Choose the right footprint based on your kitchen space.
The capacity is measured in cubic feet. The typical range is from 0.5 to 2.2 cubic feet. Capacity varies across different types of microwaves. The largest microwaves are usually the built-in style.
Microwaves require a certain amount of space. The size is indicated by width, height, and depth of the exterior. Make sure you measure your available space before purchasing one.
Wattage
The microwave’s wattage indicates how much power it cooks with. Higher wattage makes for fast cooking. Packaged foods typically indicate different cooking times for different wattage levels. The wattage levels range from 600 to 1200.
Extra Features
Microwaves have many more features than they used to. Extra features make cooking more convenient, more efficient, and produce better and faster results.
- Presets – Some have preset buttons to use for cooking specific foods.
- Sensors – Sensors inside the microwave monitor the humidity level throughout the cooking session. It adjusts cooking levels and times based on the level of moisture detected.
- Program options – Choose the time to cook. Choose the level of power for cooking. Program options let you customize your cooking session.
- Quick defrost – Microwaves thaw meat and defrost frozen vegetables in minutes.
- Smart technology – WiFi technology has made its way into microwaves. Monitor timers, use Alexa voice control, and scan-to-cook all your family’s favorite foods.
Microwave Options
Time to look at some available microwaves. Remember to look for the important factors mentioned above. It helps with your decision-making process.
Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave with Smart Sensor
This is a 1.6 cubic foot countertop microwave with a 1200-watt power output. It comes with preset buttons for cooking pizza, vegetables, and potatoes. You’ll have the option to turn the sound on or off. Eco-friendly mode helps save energy which results in money savings, as well. The smart sensor keeps track of the humidity level inside the oven to give you the most efficient cooking experience possible. The two color choices are black stainless and traditional stainless.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly option
- Nice aesthetic
- Cooks evenly with sensors
- Position memory turntable resets to original safer position
- Pre-sets make cooking easier
Cons:
- Hard rubber feet slide easily across countertops
- Stainless steel is only on the face of microwave
- Buttons are dark; hard to see
Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave with Smart Sensor
This is another countertop microwave by Toshiba. It’s smaller than the previously mentioned model at 1.2 cubic feet. Satisfied customers get a choice of black stainless or traditional stainless steel. The panel is easy to use. The interior is easy to clean, also. You can turn the sound off if you’d like. It has 10 power settings pushed by 1100 watts of power.
Pros:
- 6 auto pre-set buttons with sensor cooking
- Inexpensive option
- Interior features easy-to-clean coating
- Save power and money with Eco Mode
- Small footprint
Cons:
- Custom defrost starts cooking food
- Manual is unclear
- Can be noisy
Panasonic Compact Microwave with 1200 Watts of Cooking Power
This is a compact countertop type ideal for apartments, condos, or homes with little counter space. It won’t need much room in your kitchen. It has a 1.2 cubic foot capacity and 1200 watts of power to work with. Choose from black, stainless steel, and white. The control panel is easy to use and includes an LED display at the top. Control your microwave manually or through smart controls. This countertop microwave is designed with inverter technology that helps food cook more evenly.
Pros:
- Includes 15 sensor cooking settings
- Compact, space-saving design
- 3 color choices to match your kitchen
- Inverter technology cooks food all the way through efficiently
- Includes 11 power levels
Cons:
- Pricey for size
- No one-button starts
- Interior light is dim and narrow
SHARP Stainless Steel Carousel 1.8 Cu. Ft. 1100W Countertop Microwave
This is the largest of the countertop microwaves on our list. It has 1.8 cubic feet in its interior. It comes in stainless steel and black. It has a 15-inch glass carousel turntable with plenty of room for most food items. The display is bright and easy to see with an LED-lit screen. Choose from 10 power levels pushed by 1100 watts of power.
Pros:
- Large capacity well-suited for families
- Precise Cook Sensor Technology
- Accurate defrost selections
- One-button start options
- Low-profile countertop microwaves
Cons:
- 30 second button doesn’t work to add onto another time
- Noisy operation
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Measuring For An Over-the-Range Microwave
Making sure you have the correct measurements for an over-the-range microwave is critical. Here are steps to help you get measurements just right.
- Take a picture of a current over-the-range microwave, if applicable.
- Measure the distance between the two cabinets where the over-the-range microwave will be installed. Have someone take a picture of the measurement.
- Measure the height of the space for the microwave. Again, get a picture of the measurement.
- If there’s an existing microwave that sticks out from the cabinetry, measure how much and snap a picture of that too.
- Finally, measure up from the cooktop to the bottom of the over-the-range microwave.
Make note of other details, like if the backsplash goes all the way up behind the microwave or stops at the bottom. Also, the venting setup could be useful.
Use all the information gathered to choose the right size over-the-range for your kitchen. It’s important to get precise measurements when looking at best over the range microwaves. If something is off, you may have to return it.
Top Microwave Conclusion
The best microwave must fit your kitchen. Smaller households with one or two people living together don’t need a huge microwave fit for a family of seven. Choose the right type for your needs—countertop, over-the-range, convection, suspended, or built-in. Find the right capacity. Make sure you measure correctly for over-the-range microwaves and look for the features your family will make the most use of. The right microwave makes cooking fast, efficient, and easy for any type of kitchen.
Top Microwave FAQs:
Which brand of microwave is the best?
GE, Panasonic, and Whirlpool are all highly rated by consumers reports.
What is the top countertop microwave on the market?
Amazon Basics Works with Alexa S9N29R is cheap and outperforms other compact microwave models.
Which microwave is best for 2020?
The top overall is the Panasonic Microwave on Amazon.
How long should this appliance last?
A well-maintained microwave should last around 7 years. Those who use theirs more may not get as much life out of theirs.
Is a 1200-watt microwave good?
1200 watts is ideal for cooking in most environments. More watts mean more cooking power and faster cooking times.
Are there any microwaves not made in China?
Yes, there are. High-end models from many of the heavy hitters in the industry are not made in China. Also, the luxury brand Miele is not made in China.
Is 900-watt microwave enough?
900 watts is enough to get food cooked fast and evenly. It’s a mid-range power level.
What is the easiest microwave to use?
One of the easiest microwaves to use is the Farberware – Classic Countertop Microwave.
What brand of microwave lasts the longest?
Breville, LG, Signature Kitchen Suite, and Maytag are top of the list for most longevity.
What wattage is ideal for a microwave?
What brand of microwave is the most reliable?
What are the top 3 microwaves?
Is inverter microwave better?
Which is the best quality of microwave?
What is the expensive brand of microwave?
Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Marie Miguel
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