The best microwaves revolutionized cooking at home for families. These microwaves were 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.
A Comprehensive Guide To The Best Microwave
Choosing the top microwave for your home begins with the type of convection microwave 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 it, including options like the Magic Chef, it can be tough to choose the right one for your home. That’s where we come in. Our guide for choosing the top one gives you tips for making the right decision for your household. Read on to find out more!
Ways To Choose The Best Countertop Microwave
Tiny homes with little room for large over-the-range are best 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 is generally a combination of a heating appliance 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 you’re considering.
Homes, where someone wants to do more different cooking with their kitchen appliance, are well-suited for most microwaves. Convection types allow you to roast and bake full dinner plate meals in a fraction of the time in a conventional microwave. Convection feature heats both cook food and reheating leftovers. Food cooks faster and more evenly.
What Should I Look For When Buying Ovens?
Key factors to look for include size, power, and extra features, such as soft close door. Here’s a breakdown of what’s essential.
Size
Size matters about choosing any best type of microwaves. 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 it.
It require a certain amount of space. The width, height, and depth of the exterior indicate the size. Make sure you measure your available space before purchasing one.
Wattage
The 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
It has many more features than they used to. Extra features make cooking more convenient, and more efficient and produce better and faster results.
Microwave Presets
Some, like best air fry microwaves, inverter , compact , most countertop microwaves and even specialized models like drawer-style microwaves, have preset buttons for cooking specific foods such as frozen mac, pop popcorn, melt chocolate, and mac and cheese. These might include a soup heating test to take room temperature water to a boiling point within the oven cavity.
Microwave Sensors
Sensors inside of it monitor the humidity level throughout the cooking session. It adjusts cooking levels and times based on the level of moisture detected.
Microwave Program Options
Choose the cooking time and level of power for cooking. Whether using built-in or convection type, program options let you customize your cooking session. This flexibility is even helpful in smaller spaces like a dorm room where you need to heat food efficiently.
Microwave Quick Defrost
Not all are created equal when it comes to defrosting meat capabilities. While other best microwaves like the Black Decker can thaw meat and defrost frozen foods in minutes, others might struggle with frozen mac and cheese. An important feature is if the heat is even, which cooking tests are present using parchment paper. Additionally, for families with young children, a child lock is an essential safety feature.
Smart Technology
WiFi technology has made its way. Monitor timers, use Alexa voice control, and scan-to-cook all your family’s favorite foods.
Best Countertop Microwave Options
Time to look at some available ovens among your kitchen appliances. Remember to look for the essential factors mentioned above, including the hot spots to ensure even heating, the heating speed, and if applicable, the convection cooking option. Also, consider inverter microwave that can adjust their power level for more consistent cooking results. However, be aware of any potential radiation concerns. Taking these into account will help with your decision-making process.
Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) With Smart Sensor
This best Toshiba oven is a 1.6 cubic foot countertop oven with a 1200-watt power output. It comes with preset buttons for cooking vegetables, pizza and potatoes. You’ll have the option to turn the sound on or off. Eco-friendly mode is energy efficient which results in money savings, as well. The smart sensor cook 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 an original safer position
- Pre-sets make cooking easier
Cons:
- Hard rubber feet slide easily across countertops
- Stainless steel is only on the face of it
- Buttons are dark; hard to see
Toshiba EM131A5C-SS With Smart Sensor
This is another countertop design by Toshiba, specifically the Toshiba EM925A5A model. Although smaller than the previously mentioned other models at 1.2 cubic feet, it’s an affordable oven that doesn’t skimp on quality. Satisfied customers get a choice of black stainless or traditional stainless steel. The panel is as easy to use as a toaster oven, and the interior is easy to clean as well. Perfect midsize oven to reheat leftovers, it has 10 power settings, driven by 1100 watts of heating power. Plus, if you prefer a quieter operation, you can turn the sound off.
Pros:
- 6 auto pre-set buttons with sensor cooking
- Inexpensive option
- The Interior features an 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 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. Choose from black, stainless steel, and white. The control panel is easy to use and includes an LED display at the top. Control it manually or through smart controls. This countertop oven is designed with inverter model 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
- The interior light is dim and narrow
SHARP Stainless Steel Carousel 1.8 Cu. Ft. 1100W
This is the largest of the countertop oven 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 oven
Cons:
- The 30-second button doesn’t work to add onto another time
- Noisy operation
Measurements For A Counter Space
Making sure you have the correct measurements for an over-the-range oven is critical. Here are steps to help you get measurements just right.
- Take a picture of a current over-the-range oven, if applicable.
- Measure the distance between the two cabinets where the over-the-range oven will be installed. Have someone take a picture of the measurement.
- Measure the height of the space for the oven. Again, get a picture of the measurement.
- If there’s an existing one 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 oven.
Make a 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 helpful.
Use all the information gathered to choose the right size over the range for your kitchen. It’s essential to get precise measurements when looking at best over-the-range microwaves. If something is off, you may have to return it.
Conclusion
The top microwave must fit your kitchen. Smaller households with one or two people living together don’t need a huge oven 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 one makes cooking fast, efficient, and easy for any type of kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which Brand Of Microwave Is The Best?
Consumers report all high end microwaves, GE, Panasonic, and Whirlpool.
What Is The Best Countertop Microwave?
Amazon Basics Works with Alexa S9N29R is cheap and outperforms other compact oven models.
Which oven is good enough for 2024?
The top overall is the Panasonic Microwave on Amazon.
How Long Should This Appliance Last?
A well-maintained oven 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 a 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 most accessible microwave to use?
One of the most accessible microwaves is the Farberware – Classic Countertop Microwave.
What brand of microwave lasts the longest?
Breville, LG, Signature Kitchen Suite, and Maytag are on the list for longevity.
What wattage is ideal for a microwave?
What brand of microwave is the most reliable?
What are the top 3 microwaves?
Is the inverter model microwave better?
Which is the top microwave?
What is the most expensive brand of microwave?
Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Allen Laconsay
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