Most drawer models have child locks so they're safe to use in homes with small children. Drawer microwaves are the most complicated to install and are significantly more expensive than other styles. Whirlpool boasts some of the top user ratings among microwaves, thanks to its multi-feature countertop and OTR models. Panasonic is a trusted name associated with electronics of all types, and you'll find their microwaves in countertop, built-in, and over-the-range models.
Toshiba is a reputable name when it comes to appliances, offering several countertop microwave models at fairly mid-range price points. You'll find more basic models as well as ones with convection capabilities.
Only use microwave-safe food storage containers, cookware, and dinnerware for microwave cooking. Always check labels to make sure your containers are acceptable for microwave use. Metal should never be placed in the microwave since it can spark, creating a fire hazard and damage to the microwave. Microwaves need to be cleaned regularly since food tends to splatter and create build-up on the microwave walls and tray.
Keeping your microwave clean will prevent unwanted odors in your kitchen. If your microwave has a built-in air ventilation system, it also has a filter that needs to be changed regularly.
These filters accumulate dust and cooking grease. It's recommended to change the filter about twice a year. You may want to purchase some type of microwave splatter cover to save you some cleanup time. These inexpensive covers prevent flying food particles from ending up baked to the inside of your microwave. Be aware that microwaves with fewer than watts are generally underpowered and add time to the cooking process.
These models are a good option for people limited by a budget, looking to save space, or willing to wait a few extra minutes. If you want a fully functional microwave to cook meat and vegetables, look for models with 1, watts or more.
Convection microwaves circulate hot air to cook the food more evenly—and usually faster—than traditional microwaves. To clean the inside, heat a microwave-safe bowl filled with water and a tablespoon of vinegar white or apple cider will work for several minutes. You want the inside to get steamy without the bowl of water boiling over.
Let the mixture cool for a few minutes before opening the door. Then, wipe the inside clean with a paper towel or use an abrasive sponge for any stuck-on food. Remove the turntable and either wash it by hand or in the dishwasher. The exterior of the microwave, including the door, handle, and control panel should also be regularly wiped down to remove fingerprints, everyday grime, and cooking residue.
Use an all-purpose cleaner for the exterior, but spray onto a paper towel or sponge first—not directly onto the microwave—to avoid it getting into the venting system. You should not use bleach to clean your microwave. Erica Puisis is a writer and interior design expert who has been writing about all things home and lifestyle for The Spruce since In addition to the best microwaves of the year, Erica has written similar roundups on other kitchen products, including the best over-the-range microwaves.
This roundup was updated by Sharon Lehman , a home cook who happens to be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She happily makes space for any gadget that make cooking faster and easier and specializes in small kitchen appliance testing and reviews for The Spruce Eats. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.
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The 9 Best Microwaves in Quickly reheat, defrost, and cook a variety of foods. By Erica Puisis. Erica Puisis. Erica Puisis is a writer specializing in home and design. Our Top Picks. Best Overall:. This stainless steel model offers plenty of capacity, 14 preset cooking functions, and consistently even heating results. Best Basic:. It handles all your basic tasks and offers plenty of capacity in a more compact design that saves on countertop space.
Best Convection:. Reheat food in traditional microwave mode or cook, roast, and bake with convection that can heat degrees Fahrenheit. Best Smart:. This is an affordable option with watts of power, a small footprint to save space, and built-in integration for pairing with Alexa. Best Mountable:. This is a high-end model designed for installation over the cooking range in attractive and easy-to-clean stainless steel. Best for Small Spaces:. It has watts of power, which proved plenty for reheating leftovers, making a bag of popcorn, melting butter, and more.
Best Design:. It's easy to clean with a ceramic enamel interior that resists buildup of grease and oil and is scratch-resistant.
Best for Families:. With a capacity of 2. Best Budget:. A compact and affordable option with watts of power, a sleek design, and the usual one-touch cooking settings. Our Ratings. What We Like Automatic sensors adjust cooking times and power Can defrost anything without cooking it 14 preset modes make cooking simple Operates quietly. What We Don't Like Very large. What We Like Quickstart buttons Offers substantial power and multiple settings Easy-to-clean interior and exterior.
What Our Testers Say "Throughout the testing process, I kept my power setting at 10 and was pleased with the results. Just plug into an ordinary outlet—use one dedicated to the microwave or it might trip the circuit breaker. Zero in on usable capacity in our ratings. A stainless finish is common, and a convection feature is becoming available on more models.
Usable Capacity Most of the tested models in this category have a usable capacity of about 50 to 60 percent of what manufacturers claim.
Watts to for small to 1, for midsized 1, to 1, for large. Known as OTRs, these models free up counter space. Installation might require an electrician.
Usable Capacity Most of our tested OTR models have usable capacity of about 40 to 50 percent of what manufacturers claim. This category includes models designed only to be built in—surrounded by cabinetry or built into a wall. Microwave drawers, for example, can be placed under the countertop, removing them from sight lines, and glide out for easy access, or they can be installed below a wall oven.
The look is sleek and integrated. Some countertop microwaves can be built in with a kit. Information below is for models designed only to be built in, not for countertop models with optional built-in kits. As the price goes up, so does the number of features. One we find invaluable is the sensor, which measures the steam food emits and turns off the microwave at exactly the point when cooking is done.
Here are other features to consider. They keep food moving for uniform heating. Most microwaves have a turntable that rotates food. Some instead have a rectangular tray that slides from side to side which might work better for large casseroles or platters. A 1-minute or second key requires just a tap to extend the preset cooking time, maintaining whichever power level was selected.
It also allows quick adjustments to your previous settings—pushing the button more than once multiplies the time extension. These racks let you speed things up, cooking multiple dishes simultaneously. They may also be used to improve convection cooking by allowing heat beneath the cooking dish.
But you may have trouble fitting even a coffee mug in some models unless you remove the rack, so check when shopping. They take the guesswork out of cooking popular foods such as popcorn and frozen vegetables, and some models have shortcuts for oatmeal, pasta, stew, and grits. These features offer the appeal of a second oven in your kitchen. But none of the tested models consistently provided the results you'd get from a regular oven or a grill.
If there are children in the house, a lockout function prevents children from opening the door and possibly getting burned from hot food. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Sign In. Become a Member. Remember Me. When on the counter, you have to bend over to choose settings.
Personally, I much prefer microwaves to suspended, hung, or built in above the counter. Nevertheless, these days there are all kinds, sizes, colors and styles of microwaves. Sure, the number of power levels may vary as well as the number of cooking presets popcorn, pizza, potato, etc. Below I set out all the different types of microwaves you can choose from. I split it up by location, combo features, size, power, features and colors. Related: History of the Microwave Oven. As soon as you want special placements, the price often goes up.
Another pro is you can move it around the kitchen if you need to change the location for whatever purpose. An alternative to placing your countertop microwave on the counter is to buy a microwave cart that stands freely wherever you want in your kitchen. Be sure to get a color or finish that matches the oven like it does in the photo example above. Imagine if the microwave in the kitchen photo above was white.
That would look odd. Also, you may need help installing the unit above the stove which adds to the cost. The only real advantage here is it makes keeping the counter top clean easier. Otherwise, usually the microwave drops down so low to the counter space that the counter space is practically useless anyway.
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