Top 8 Best Microwaves – Updated October 2017

The microwave oven is one of the most common, and most frequently used, home appliances in the world. It’s hard to imagine any modern kitchen without one of these marvelous machines which allow you to prepare meals in just minutes. Many people probably take them for granted, since most of us have probably had one in our home since the day we were born.

It’s unlikely that most people put much thought into it when they initially purchased their microwave, thinking that they’re just simple machines that heat up food. And while that may have been mostly true a couple decades ago, it’s certainly not anymore, as the best microwaves now offer multi-functionality and improved heating methods. Today, there are literally hundreds of different microwaves for sale on the market, and we know how difficult it can be trying to pick one out of the many out there. So in order to help make your purchasing decision easier, we invested over 23+ hours into researching, comparing and analyzing dozens of different models of microwave ovens for the purpose of creating this buying guide. Check out our top picks below as well as our comparison chart.

When shopping for a new microwave for your home, there are several important factors you need to consider before making your final purchasing decision. We’ve prepared a list of these factors below.

Energy efficiency

Some people are looking for energy saving appliances. If that’s you, then you will want to do some research on what kind of wattage the microwave you’re interested in purchasing uses. Most microwaves have a maximum wattage rating of between 700 to 1,250 watts. A microwave with a higher wattage can cook foods faster, but the downside is that they consume more electricity, so buyers will need to weigh the pros and cons of each. Tip: looking for the energy star logo on the microwave you’re planning to purchase is a good start when trying to find a low energy consuming appliance.

Safety

Although microwaves are extremely safe-to-use appliances, consumers who have small children or elderly family members in their homes may be concerned about the safety level of the products they use in their homes every day. Microwaves for these types of consumers need to be set at a higher level of safety and durability. One important safety feature to look for in a good microwave oven is a safety lock feature to prevent burns when small children unintentionally open a microwave that contains heated food or beverages.

Size & Capacity

The size of the microwave oven that a consumer needs will always vary from one person to the next, because everyone has varying needs. If you have a small and cramped kitchen, then you’ll probably prefer a smaller or mid-size microwave oven. On the other hand, if you have ample countertop space, you may not mind having a larger, more powerful microwave, one that can dish out more cooking power and that can also cook larger amounts of food in a shorter amount of time. Capacity is a very important consideration, as you’ll probably want to know beforehand whether you’ll be able to fit your favorite casserole dish inside your new microwave.

Be aware, though, that some of the larger microwaves have relatively small interior spaces because of an inferior design that reduces its internal capacity, whereas others are designed and built in a more efficient way so as to maximize its capacity while reducing its size and footprint as much as possible. So just because a microwave looks large, it may not be sufficient for your needs, as looks can sometimes be deceiving. Before buying a microwave, always make sure you know its capacity, which is typically expressed in cubic feet.

Style & Brand

Homes often reflect the personal style of the people who live in them. Likewise, the type of microwave a person decides to buy will also depend partly on whether it suits their own style, personality and tastes. Microwaves come in a myriad of different colors and materials. Although silver is probably the most commonly found color, black is also a popular color as it tends to hide stains, and they generally tend to age better than lighter colored units. Stainless steel is a very popular material for microwaves, as it makes them easier to clean and gives them a more elegant than painted plastic. You’ll also want to consider which brand to go with. There are currently several different companies that manufacture microwaves, with the most popular brands being Panasonic, Cuisinart, Kenmore, Danby and LG.

Type & Features

Microwaves come in 2 basic varieties: “countertop” and “over-the-range”. Countertop microwaves are portable and are usually placed on top of a kitchen counter or a table. They are by far the most common type of microwave. The second type is the over-the-range microwave, which is, as the name suggests, placed over a gas or electric range, usually between two cabinets. These units have exhaust fans built into that are designed to remove the smoke and odor produced when cooking on the range. They require tools and a mounting bracket to install.

Additionally, microwaves can come with a number of different or unique features, depending on the make and model. Most units have special buttons that will allow you to cook popular foods like popcorn and pizza using a pre-programmed cooking cycle that is optimized for that specific food type. Some microwaves have the ability to cook with convection heat, which involves the circulation of hot air over the food to cook it instead of using microwaves. This can allow you to bake, roast and grill a number of different kinds of foods. Another advanced feature that some microwaves have is the ability to do “speed cooking,” which allows them to cook food much faster than a normal microwave.

Price

For most consumers shopping for a microwave, price will probably be a consideration, although it may be a more important factor for some than others. Microwaves typically start out around $50 on the low end and can cost upwards of $400 or more for some of the very best, high-end models. Generally speaking, the larger the unit is and the more advanced features it has, the more it’s going to cost you. There are some decent, affordable microwaves that can be bought for less than $100, but they are few and far between, and we strongly advise that you choose one of the units recommended in this guide if you do plan on selecting a model in that price range. If you care about quality at all, though, you should aim for a unit that’s at least in the $100 – $200 range. And if your wallet doesn’t thank you for it, your taste buds certainly will.