We've compiled a list of the best microwaves we have tested in person so we can recommend them to assist you in your purchase. These microwaves are a great economical option that could help you slash your energy bills and be a really convenient way to cook, reheat, and defrost food while maintaining its vitamin and nutrient content.
“There are some myths out there that microwaves remove nutrients from cooking, but that's not the case according to many doctors, including at Harvard University,” says Wes Wright, founder and CEO of CookOut News. “Plus, it’s a healthy way to cook because, unlike other methods, you aren't usually cooking with oils in the microwave,” says Wright. So, if you're looking for a quick, convenient, and healthy way to cook, read on.
Wright has some further insight if you’re wondering what to look for in a microwave. “Placement of the microwave in your kitchen is the first thing you should consider: Will it be on a counter or mounted somewhere? That will narrow down your selection,” he says. If you are unsure, why not check out our guide to the best over-the-range microwaves? Or, if you need something much smaller, we've also picked out the best compact microwaves to compare.
The list below has microwaves in different colors, styles, and capacities, with a range of different features, too - so there's bound to be something here that will catch your eye.
The best microwaves we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Our team has carefully reviewed the products in our buyer's guides. We aim to offer comprehensive and unbiased rankings based on our hands-on testing and expert research. Our evaluations take into account top-rated brands and essential features to help you make informed purchasing decisions at the best value. We rigorously test compact microwaves for heating efficiency, control panel functionality, and size to provide accurate and reliable reviews.
The best microwave overall
The Toshiba Countertop Microwave offers exceptional heating efficiency and time consistency due to its multifunctional capabilities and sensor technology. With a thoughtfully designed control panel and reliable magnetron functionality, it delivers consistent results across various cooking modes. Despite its substantial capabilities, it's a space-saving option for multifunctional cooking.
Heating Efficiency: The Toshiba Countertop Microwave impresses with its multifunctional abilities and offers excellent heating efficiency. Our reviewer, Terri Williams used it as a microwave, broiler, baker, and air fryer. By adjusting the time for different dishes, the sensor cook feature ensures that the meals are evenly cooked. It's not just a microwave. She baked cookies with the convection setting, and they came out beautifully crispy and gooey. Air-fried meatballs turned out tender and flavorful.
Time Consistency: The Toshiba Countertop Microwave offers a variety of cooking functions that deliver reliable results quickly. Terri loved the sensor cook feature because she didn't have to guess cooking times for different foods. The air fryer and baker keep consistent temperatures, so you don't have to keep an eye on them constantly. Terri also liked the popcorn setting, which turned out almost perfect. The microwave, oven, and air fry options make cooking uniformly easy, ensuring even heating and preventing overcooking.
Control Panel and Functionality: There's a lot to choose from with this Toshiba Countertop Microwave, including Power, Broil/Bake, Combi, Pro Defrost, and Sensor Cook. Its easy-to-read digital display and tactile dial make it easier to use. For those unfamiliar with multifunction appliances, the HomeFry mode and sensor cooking presets make it easy to use. You have to know which trays and racks go for what function to avoid food disasters. A kitchen timer/clock, sound on/off/lock, and a kitchen timer/clock allow you to customize the microwave to your liking.
Magnetron Functionality: The Toshiba Countertop Microwave excels in magnetron performance, giving you reliable cooking across various modes. Terri said the microwave does a great job defrosting and reheating, delivering consistent results. The sensor technology in the microwave lets it know what kind of food it's cooking, so it automatically adjusts power and time. In spite of its multifunctionality, the magnetron integrates smoothly with air fry and convection features, making it perfect for those with limited counter space.
Size and Space: It's multifunctional without sacrificing kitchen space. The sleek black and stainless steel design seamlessly fits into Terri's kitchen decor. It measures 11.8 x 20 x 16.3 inches and provides ample interior space for baking trays and air fryer baskets. When placing it, make sure the unit has enough clearance for optimal performance and safety. With its additional features, this microwave is a great addition to your kitchen setup.
Read more: Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT review
"Yes, the Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT can microwave, but it also does air frying, broiling, and baking. Its multifunctional capabilities and sensor technology ensure consistent cooking results, and I love how space-saving it is despite its substantial capabilities. The heating works reliably, and the control panel is easy to use. I highly recommend it."
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Efficiency | multifunctional capabilities; also air fries, broils, and bakes; sensor cook feature; popcorn function delivers nearly perfect results | 9/10 |
| Time Consistency | evenly heats pre-cooked meals; sensor cook feature; some trial and error may be needed | 8/10 |
| Control Panel and Functionality | intuitive, with easy-to-read buttons and a dial for selections; ; range of functions, including Power, Broil/Bake, Combi, and Sensor Cook; remembering the correct trays and racks for each function can be tedious | 8/10 |
| Magnetron Functionality | reliable performance for standard microwave functions | 8/10 |
| Size and Space | compact yet spacious enough for most tasks; accommodates standard dishes and trays | 7/10 |
The best budget microwave
The Toshiba EM925A5A-BS microwave offers impressive heating efficiency and time consistency despite its compact size and 900-watt power. The control panel is user-friendly with handy presets, although it lacks a sensor reheat button. Its magnetron performs well for everyday use, and the microwave's size suits limited counter space.
Heating Efficiency: The Toshiba EM925A5A-BS impresses with its compact size and 900-watt power. Our reviewer, Angie Parkinson found it heated food quickly and evenly without burning food. Whether cooking frozen dinners or reheating soup, the results were always perfect. It doesn't have the power of larger microwaves, but it does a good job. It browns marshmallows well without leaving cold spots. The machine also excelled at popping popcorn, with little unpopped kernel left.
Time Consistency: As Angie used the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS, she noticed its ability to maintain even heating across various foods. In the marshmallow test, it browned evenly without any hot or cold spots like other microwaves do. She cooked a potato almost perfectly with the potato button, proving that it's reliable. It consistently delivered steady performance.
Control Panel and Functionality: The Toshiba EM925A5A-BS is super easy to use, thanks to its easy-to-use control panel and user-friendly features. You can set it up in seconds for popcorn, potatoes, pizza, frozen veggies, beverages, and dinner plates. Despite the intuitive presets, Angie did note that there wasn't a sensor reheat button, which would have made reheating easier. The simple interface eliminates confusion. Using the express cook buttons is great for quick cooking, and adjusting the power level and cook time is easy.
Magnetron Functionality: Despite its size and 900-watt power, the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS microwave does a great job defrosting meat and cooking frozen food. It's not the most powerful microwave, but it still excels as a compact microwave. Angie said it performs reliably with a wide range of foods. The magnetron melted and cooked food evenly. It may take a little longer to heat larger or denser items, but it's still a good choice for everyday cooking.
Size and Space: You can fit standard dinner plates, mixing bowls, and large popcorn bags in the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS, which has a capacity of 0.9 cubic feet. Angie found the interior surprisingly spacious during her testing, so it handled most of her cooking needs without feeling cramped. Its smart design maximizes functionality without taking up too much space. For large family meals, it might feel a bit restrictive, so think about it based on your cooking style.
Read more: Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Review
"Despite its compact size, the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS microwave heats up fast and consistently. The control panel is easy to use, but there's no sensor reheat button. It's a nice microwave for everyday use, and it fits nicely on a small countertop."
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Efficiency | effectively handles most cooking tasks; excelled in the marshmallow test; not the most powerful | 8/10 |
| Time Consistency | maintained even heat levels across its cooking surface | 9/10 |
| Control Panel and Functionality | good range of presets and power levels; lacks advanced features like moisture sensors | 8/10 |
| Magnetron Functionality | 900-watt magnetron provides adequate power for most tasks; performs well for its size and price point | 8/10 |
| Size and Space | comfortably fits a dinner plate, mixing bowl, and large popcorn bag; may not be ideal for cooking large family dinners | 7/10 |
The best premium microwave
The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 is a versatile and efficient kitchen appliance that combines microwave, air fryer, and convection oven functions. Despite some limitations, its heating efficiency, time consistency, control panel design, magnetron functionality, and suitable size make it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
Heating Efficiency: The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 combines microwave, air fryer, and convection oven functions, impressing our reviewer, Marah Eakin, with its heating efficiency. No matter how she microwaved soup or used the convection setting for chicken legs, it consistently cooked well. Using the microwave, food heats up fast and evenly while using the convection and air fry settings to get crispy, well-browned food.
Marah especially liked how the appliance maintained consistent temperatures across different cooking modes, so her meals were cooked thoroughly without any cold spots. She also loved the presets for popcorn and pizza because they worked well.
Time Consistency: The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 delivered consistent cooking times throughout Marah's use. Sensor technology allows food to be heated evenly without overcooking, especially in microwave mode. With the convection setting, she could cook chicken legs perfectly, with crispy skin and juicy meat, all in the prescribed amount of time.
During convection and air frying, the appliance emits a noticeable whooshing sound, which soon becomes background noise. The air fry function also worked well, producing evenly cooked results without constant monitoring. Marah liked the way she could customize the cycle-end music.
Control Panel and Functionality: The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 control panel is thoughtfully designed, offering a variety of functionalities that enhance its versatility. With two intuitive knobs for adjusting time and temperature or power, the digital readout was easy to navigate. Switching between cooking modes was easy, thanks to the various microwave, air fry, and convection buttons.
The "food menu" button provides preset access and makes cooking various dishes easy. In addition to the child lock, you can save favorite settings using the "heart" button. The appliance's multifunctionality might initially seem overwhelming, but its well-organized control panel makes it easy to use.
Magnetron Functionality: Despite being part of a multifunctional appliance, the Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 magnetron is robust, providing reliable microwave performance. The microwave delivers consistent results, reheating and defrosting efficiently. The magnetron worked well in the appliance's ecosystem, supporting air fry and convection.
In just two minutes, Marah had piping hot soup from the microwave. As a result of its magnetron, the unit serves its purpose effectively without being overly complex, proving its quality. The magnetron's performance is a key component of the Combi Wave's ability to deliver consistent and reliable cooking results, even though it takes some time to get used to the multifunctionality.
Size and Space: The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 has both strengths and weaknesses in size and space. At first glance, it might seem intimidating, especially in a smaller kitchen like Marah's. However, its multifunctionality makes it worth the space, replacing multiple appliances. She found it spacious enough to handle large dishes, like baking trays and air fryer baskets, essential for using its full range of functions.
Despite its size, it fits well into Marah's kitchen setup, complementing her existing decor with its sleek stainless-steel finish. However, because it only has one cooking surface, you can't cook multiple things simultaneously, so you'll have to plan your cooking.
Read more: Breville BMO870BSS1BUC1 Combi Wave review
"This Breville Combi Wave is a microwave, air fryer, and convection oven all in one. Despite its size, it's a great addition to any kitchen because of its well-designed control panel and reliable magnetron. Its sleek design and multifunctionality make it worth its space."
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Efficiency | effectively performing as a microwave, air fryer, and convection oven; handles a variety of cooking tasks with ease, from reheating soup to baking cookies and roasting chicken; presets and sensor functions | 9/10 |
| Time Consistency | consistently delivers well-cooked results across different functions; cooking times are optimized for each dish | 9/10 |
| Control Panel and Functionality | intuitive and user-friendly, featuring a large digital readout and two knobs; ability to customize sound cues; "heart" button to save favorite settings | 9/10 |
| Magnetron Functionality | reliable microwave functionality; need to select appropriate settings and accessories for each cooking mode | 8/10 |
| Size and Space | substantial appliance; single cooking surface, limiting the ability to cook multiple items | 7/10 |
The best microwave for popcorn
The GE JES1145SHSS is an impressive compact microwave that scored well during testing.
Design: This GE compact microwave, like most microwaves today, includes popcorn, pizza, and potato buttons. However, it is missing a sensor reheat button, so you must guess when your leftovers need and monitor your food to ensure it doesn't overcook.
In addition to these standard pre-sets the GE includes buttons for a beverage, a dinner plate, and a frozen vegetable. This gives you a good variety, though some other microwaves include even more food settings, such as ones for fresh vegetables and frozen entrees.
Although it's a compact microwave, it can easily fit a big mixing bowl, a tall glass, or a standard dinner plate.
Performance: Although it's missing the convenience of sensor reheating and some pre-sets, it includes enough buttons to help you cook efficiently and other features to place it among the best compact microwaves. It cooks food completely and quickly. The GE aced the first test with its ability to cook a frozen macaroni and cheese meal quickly and thoroughly. We followed the directions on the back of the box and cooked it for 3:30 minutes. When it finished cooking, the meal was 171 Fahrenheit, which is above the recommended minimum temperature of 165 Fahrenheit.
We also cooked potato in this microwave for six minutes, the average time it takes to cook a standard-sized russet potato in a microwave. It had a few raw spots, but it was still good overall. So, overall, this compact microwave performed better than most of the others we tested.
Price and availability: It is slightly expensive, but it can be cheaper online if you shop around a bit; I've seen prices ranging from $119 to $155. However, similar models, like the Farberware microwave listed above for $70, are much cheaper and pretty much the same in size and performance. However, we think you're paying for slightly more power and an easy user experience with this model, especially compared to others on this list.
Read more: GE JES1145SHSS review
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Efficiency | effectively cooking a variety of foods; performed exceptionally well in tests, such as cooking frozen macaroni and cheese and popcorn | 9/10 |
| Time Consistency | consistently delivers well-cooked results; a few instances, like cooking a potato, where some raw spots were noted | 8/10 |
| Control Panel and Functionality | range of standard presets, including popcorn, pizza, and potato buttons, as well as options for beverages and frozen vegetables; lacks a sensor reheat button | 7/10 |
| Magnetron Functionality | obust performance, supporting efficient cooking and reheating | 8/10 |
| Size and Space | accommodates standard dinner plates; size is manageable for most households | 8/10 |
The best inverter microwave
The Panasonic NN-SD372 microwave has a unique look and performed well in our tests. Its old-school controls and stainless steel finish make it look cool, even if it is a little hard to use.
Heating Efficiency: During Angie's tests, she consistently had even cooking results, minimizing cold spots across various dishes, thanks to its 950-watt power and inverter technology. Panasonic NN-SD372SR's 950-watt power and inverter technology are pretty awesome. She liked the Keep Warm feature because it let her keep food warm for 30 minutes without overcooking. This is great for dinners that must stay hot while waiting for everyone to arrive.
The popcorn setting wasn't perfect, but it popped most kernels effectively, with very little burning. When baking potatoes, the appliance cooked them evenly without a problem. You might have to experiment a bit to figure out the right cooking time for some food without preset buttons, but once you do, you'll get great results every time.
Time Consistency: The Panasonic NN-SD372SR has good time consistency overall, but its unique control panel takes a little getting used to. The microwave maintained even temperatures in tests like cooking potatoes and pizza rolls. The temperature variance was about 8 degrees, showing Angie a stable heating pattern.
The Auto Reheat and Auto Cook functions require some familiarization, but they work well. Although there aren't many preset options, the suggested cooking times inside the door are useful. Despite occasionally overcooking some foods, like popcorn, the overall experience was positive, with most meals coming out fine.
Control Panel and Functionality: The Panasonic NN-SD372SR control panel is initially a little challenging to use due to its unique design with horizontal buttons and a pop-out dial. The microwave interface on this model isn't as easy to master as typical ones with preset buttons, particularly for selecting times and power levels. However, once you're familiar with it, it's quite powerful.
The Keep Warm and Turbo Inverter Defrost features are valuable additions, offering versatility beyond standard cooking tasks. Angie found it inconvenient that there weren't multiple preset buttons, which meant she had to guess for optimal settings. Despite not being intuitive, the Quick Minute button and More/Less popcorn options provide a level of customization.
Magnetron Functionality: The Panasonic NN-SD372SR's magnetron functionality is commendable. It delivers 950 watts of power that efficiently handles most cooking tasks. This power level worked well for quick and thorough heating without leaving cold spots in the food. With inverter technology, it's got steady power, which is great for delicate foods that need gentle heating.
This microwave kept temperatures even across different dishes during Angie's use, proving its magnetron's reliability. Even though other microwaves at this price point might not offer the same power, the NN-SD372SR delivers consistent results across multiple cooking modes.
Size and Space: Panasonic's NN-SD372SR is good size and space, perfect for people with small kitchens. Its interior of 0.8 cubic feet is a good mix of compactness and functionality. For most individual or small family meals, it's big enough to fit a 10.5-inch dinner plate and a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Unfortunately, the interior height is limited, so taller items like 7-inch glasses can't fit without some maneuvering. Despite this, the compact footprint lets it fit comfortably on my countertop without dominating the space. Its sleek stainless steel design makes it a modern touch to any kitchen.
Read more: Panasonic NN-SD372SR review
"Panasonic's NN-SD372SR microwave is a great choice if you're looking for a microwave that heats efficiently and consistently. I'm really impressed with it. It cooks food evenly, and it's got 950 watts and inverter technology. It's compact but spacious, perfect for small kitchens. Overall, it's a great addition to any kitchen!"
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Efficiency | 950-watt power and inverter technology; excelled in cooking tests, particularly with potatoes; wasn't perfect with popcorn | 8/10 |
| Time Consistency | a strong point for this microwave; only an 8-degree difference noted in tests with pizza rolls | 8/10 |
| Control Panel and Functionality | unique but can be challenging to master due to its unconventional design; useful features like Keep Warm and Inverter Turbo Defrost; lack of preset buttons for common foods | 6/10 |
| Magnetron Functionality | 950-watt magnetron, combined with inverter technology | 9/10 |
| Size and Space | reasonable space for a compact microwave; can accommodate a 10.5-inch dinner plate and a mixing bowl; height may limit the use of taller items | 7/10 |
The best large capacity microwave
Design: The microwave’s button panel is flat to the touch and seems fairly straightforward. There are several buttons for setting the clock and cook duration, as well as “sensor reheat,” “sensor cook,” “popcorn,” and “defrost” buttons.
The on-off buttons are clearly labeled, and the microwave’s door opens when you push the button below the keypad. That button, however, can be a bit iffy. To get the door quickly, you really have to hit the button in the right spot—on the left side, ideally—lest the button just slightly compress and then bounce back, which can be annoying.
The “sensor cook” button has six pre-sets—bacon, fresh vegetables, frozen entrée, frozen vegetable, oatmeal, potato, and rice—while the “sensor reheat” mode offers five: beverage, casserole, dinner plate, pie, and pizza.
Performance: We generally found the NeoChef a powerful microwave compared to other units with similar wattage. The unit’s defrost setting is similarly powerful, meaning you should probably keep an eye on whatever you’re un-freezing, lest you begin to cook it instead.
We tested the microwave’s sensor reheat setting a few times and always found it perfectly serviceable, if a bit strong. When we put a container of leftover lasagna in and hit the “dinner plate” option, it sizzled and bubbled within about 60 seconds.
If you like reheating large platters, the LG LMC2075ST NeoChef is huge. We could put at least four full coffee pots inside on the turntable, though we didn’t test whether reheating them would be as impressive.
Price and availability: The NeoChef LMC2075ST retails for $279 on the LG site, about the average price for ovens measuring two cubic feet or more. Most brands comparable to LG price their ovens around $250, and many features seem fairly similar.
Read more: LG LMC2075ST review
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Efficiency | 1200-watt power; excels in tasks like reheating soup and leftovers | 8/10 |
| Time Consistency | generally reliable; microwave's powerful performance can sometimes lead to uneven heating if not monitored closely; sensor reheat function works well | 7/10 |
| Control Panel and Functionality | straightforward, featuring essential buttons like sensor cook, sensor reheat, and defrost; limited number of presets and the lack of a quick-start feature; 30-second increment button | 7/10 |
| Magnetron Functionality | robust functionality; high wattage ensures quick heating | 8/10 |
| Size and Space | a large microwave that can accommodate large platters and multiple items | 6/10 |
The best microwave for small spaces
The Cuisinart CMW-70 Microwave Oven offers efficient heating with its 700-watt power and even cooking for a compact model. It features useful auto-cook functions, though adjusting cooking times may be necessary. The control panel layout is slightly cumbersome, but the magnetron function delivers consistent heating. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller spaces.
Heating Efficiency: Despite its 700-watt power, Cuisinart's CMW-70 Microwave Oven heats food evenly for a compact model. During our reviewer Alex Temblador's week of testing, she discovered it heats food evenly enough for a compact model. The auto-cook feature is great, so she could easily soften butter and cook popcorn.
Despite the lower wattage, it still cooked Alex's meals well. The Soften/Melt setting, especially useful for baking prep, melts chocolate and softens butter without overheating.
Time Consistency: The Cuisinart CMW-70 Microwave Oven generally works well but requires some adaptation because of its unique control setup. The auto-cook functions, like Potatoes and Frozen Veggies, worked fine. To avoid overcooking, Alex had to adjust the timing for certain tasks, like popcorn.
Alex liked Express Cook for quick heating but had to remember to press Cook Time before setting manual times. Despite these quirks, the microwave still kept meals heated evenly.
Control Panel and Functionality: The Cuisinart CMW-70 microwave oven's control panel is on the right side, and features preprogrammed touchpads for easy access to auto-cook settings like Pizza and Veggie. At first, Alex found it a bit cumbersome that she had to press Cook Time before entering the duration.
The +30SEC button makes it easy to add time increments. The memory function saves frequently used settings, but Alex didn't use it much. The panel could be better laid out, but it has some good options for a microwave.
Magnetron Functionality: Despite its 700 watts, the Cuisinart CMW-70 has a magnetron function that works well as a compact microwave. Although it doesn't have the power of higher-wattage microwaves, it handles basic tasks like defrosting and reheating without a problem. Alex could defrost food with the Inverter Turbo Defrost feature without partially cooking it.
The power level adjustment seemed unnecessary for most tasks, but it's available for those needing it. The magnetron delivered consistent heating, which is essential for avoiding cold spots.
Size and Space: Those with limited counter space will love the Cuisinart CMW-70 Microwave Oven because of its size and space. It's compact enough to fit in a small kitchen or apartment without sacrificing utility since it holds 0.7 cubic feet. It's great for standard plates and bowls, but bigger dishes and tall cups are a bit challenging.
While its interior size limits its use for larger meals, it's perfect for single servings and smaller portions. It has a sleek black design with stainless steel accents.
Read more: Cuisinart CMW-70 review
"Despite having to adjust cooking times sometimes, the Cuisinart Microwave Oven delivered consistent heating thanks to its 700-watt heating and auto-cook features. The control panel layout was a bit cumbersome, but the compact size made it perfect for my small kitchen. It's only 700 watts, so you'll sacrifice power, but it still heats and cooks as you'd expect. With eight auto-cook functions and extra features like two-step cooking and memory, you can customize your cooking time or make it a simple process."
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Efficiency | provides adequate heating efficiency for basic tasks; auto-cook functions, such as Potato and Frozen Veggies, perform well; larger items may require additional time | 7/10 |
| Time Consistency | handles smaller items well; items like salmon packages may not rotate properly; popcorn function also requires careful monitoring | 6/10 |
| Control Panel and Functionality | user-friendly, offering a range of preprogrammed touchpad functions; two-step cooking and memory functions; +30SEC button is a convenient addition | 8/10 |
| Magnetron Functionality | 700-watt magnetron provides basic functionality; lacks the power for more demanding cooking | 6/10 |
| Size and Space | compact and ideal for small spaces; fits standard plates and smaller items well; larger dishes or tall cups may not fit comfortably | 7/10 |
How to choose the best microwave for you
Before buying a new microwave, consider size, wattage, power levels, safety, smart features, and budget.
Size: Wright says, “A standard-sized microwave is usually 1.5 to 2 cubic feet. To pick the capacity you'll need, measure the size of any bakeware you plan to use in it and make sure it fits.”
Wattage: “You'll want a microwave that's around 700 - 1,000 watts because most microwaves use that as a basis for cooking time. If you go over or under, your food will more often be undercooked or overcooked, respectively.”
Power level: Also, consider power levels – m"st freestanding (also known as solo) microwaves let you adjust this to suit different foods, as you don’t want to cook everything at full power. Higher don't work best for liquids, including soups, drinks, or veggies. Medium power is ideal for ready-made meals, while low power is better for delicate jobs like melting chocolate or butter. Many of the best microwaves offer reheating and defrosting modes, too.
Smart and safety features: Newer models have microwave inverter technology, which uses a continuous stream of heat at reduced power to cook foods more evenly than traditional pulsing microwaves. Other smart features include voice-activated controls and barcode scanning (via an app) to activate an auto-cook time. Investing in a microwave with a clear view door will mean you don’t need to keep opening it to check on the food. Some have a child lock function that disables the control panel, preventing children from accidentally starting the kitchen appliance unsupervised.
Budget: Wright recommends spending between $200 - $350 for a microwave. Expect to pay more for smart features and microwaves, including additional cooking methods like grilling and baking.
Microwaves FAQs
How much does a microwave cost?
A microwave can cost anywhere between $100 to $600 on average, depending on the brand, type, features, and size. Typically, countertops and compact/portable microwaves are cheaper than over-the-range types, as these tend to come with installation costs.
We'll update our helpful hub of cheap microwave deals throughout the year, reflecting any current or upcoming significant shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or any other major holiday that may bring deals and discounts. So, ep check back with us or bookmark this page for your reference.
How long do microwaves last?
Generally, if used by an average family and looked after with good maintenance, a microwave can often last for 7 to 8 years. If the microwave is used less frequently by just one person or a couple and is well-maintained, the lifespan can increase to 10 years.
The keyword here is maintenance; knowing how to clean a microwave is essential to increasing its lifespan and general hygiene. If you're looking for some extra tips on microwave maintenance 101, we've put together a cheat sheet of useful cleaning hacks for microwaves to help you keep your microwave in tip-top condition.
Typically, after the decade mark, it is recommended to replace your microwave, or at least take it to an electronics specialist to get it checked over/serviced to ensure it is working correctly and safely (my parents were gifted a microwave in the '80s as a wedding present that lasted them over 30 years - don't hang onto one that long.) Of course, any smoke, sparking, or burning smells is an immediate sign of a severe problem, and you should replace your microwave immediately.
Are microwaves safe?
Yes – microwaves are very safe if you follow the manufacturer's instructions. People have expressed concerns over the years regarding radiation, but microwaves use low-frequency electromagnetic radiation. This is the same kind of radiation used in radio and lightbulbs. These waves are contained within the microwave, too. It is a different kind of radiation from X-rays, which uses ionizing radiation to detach electrons from atoms.
It also depends on the type of plastic you use to heat your food; avoid using anything that changes shape or melts, and don’t put anything metallic or foil in the microwave. Always ensure that the food is thoroughly heated through and piping hot in the middle to avoid food poisoning.
What microwave wattage is best?
The ideal wattage is a minimum of 1,000 to ensure maximum efficiency. Most microwaves start from 800 watts, usually up to 1,200, and having at least 1,000 gives you the ideal power. As a general rule of thumb, the more watts a microwave has, the faster and more consistently it will cook your food. Higher power is always a wise choice if time is of the essence. Higher wattage can mean a higher price, so check what fits within your budget range.
How we test the best microwaves
Our microwaves are thoroughly tested at Top Ten Reviews. To test the microwave's heating efficiency, we use a glass water bowl to measure how well it heats food evenly and effectively. Then, we heat the same food item for the same duration on different occasions to ensure consistency.
We also test the control panel and functionality by assessing the usability and responsiveness of all buttons and settings. We also checked the magnetron functionality to see if it was working. Finally, we do a space and size test to ensure it fits well in the space and meets the size requirements. The tests help us give our readers accurate and reliable reviews of compact microwaves.
Visit our dedicated page for more information about how we test.
Meet the team
Alex Temblador is a Dallas-based award-winning author and freelance writer who specializes in home, design, and architecture. She recently purchased her first home, a century-old Sears & Roebuck house with a wraparound porch and original hardwood floors. Alex also enjoys testing microwaves for Top Ten Reviews, which enhances her life as a first-time homeowner.
As a writer for Top Ten Reviews, Angie has spent over eight years focusing on testing small appliances, microwaves, and vacuum cleaners. Her expertise lies in reviewing home goods. With a background in technical writing and journalism, she now channels her passion for home improvement and exploration in the Utah mountains.
Terri, a freelance writer from Birmingham, AL, specializes in testing and reviewing various products. Focusing on kitchen appliances, she has contributed to renowned publications like Architectural Digest, Forbes, and Popular Science. Her expertise in testing microwaves makes her a valuable asset to Top Ten Reviews.
