We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Food and Kitchen Reviews Small Kitchen Appliance Reviews The 7 Best Microwaves for Everything from Cooking Dinner to Reheating Leftovers Say goodbye to half-popped bags of popcorn during movie night. By Jordan Liberty Phillips Jordan Liberty Phillips Jordan has more than 10 years of experience working with food brands and retailers and has a deep understanding of what to look for when you shop (and what to avoid). She's an accomplished home cook and has two boys, ages 4 and 5. She received her BA in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on December 6, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process What to Know Before Shopping Other Microwaves We Tested Your Questions, Answered Who We Are What is BHG Recommends? Photo: Better Homes & Gardens / Halee Miller A microwave can be your best friend in the kitchen when you need to get something done fast. Whether you’re reheating leftovers, defrosting a frozen dish, melting chocolate for baking, or even just boiling water, microwaves get the job done quickly with minimal effort. Plus, microwaves usually require less cleanup than cooking on your stovetop. The best microwaves should not only be simple to use and clean, but they’ll have the right assortment of features to make heating quick and easy. Some models come with helpful features like smart sensors, automatic cook presets, or possibly even air frying and baking capabilities. However, if you just want that automatic popcorn setting for movie night, there are plenty of effective models without all the bells and whistles, too. With so many different microwaves on the market, it can be difficult to know which is the best for your household. That’s why our experts put 26 microwaves to the test in our lab in Birmingham, Alabama. They spent an entire day using and evaluating these microwaves based on their power, design, size, effectiveness, and more. We also talked with Steph Chen, founder of microwave-safe cooking line Anyday. What We Tested We evaluated 26 microwaves on their effectiveness, features, and design. For more information on how we tested microwaves, check out our testing process below. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Toshiba Microwave at Amazon $140 Jump to Review Best Budget: Hamilton Beach Countertop Microwave at Amazon $125 Jump to Review Best Splurge: GE Over-the-Range Microwave at Amazon $317 Jump to Review Best with Air Fryer: Galanz 4-in-1 ToastWave at Amazon $429 Jump to Review Best Small: Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave at Amazon $240 Jump to Review Best Over-the-Range: Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave at Lowes $219 Jump to Review Best Large: Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology at Amazon $400 Jump to Review Best Overall Toshiba Microwave PHOTO: Amazon $140 at Amazon $140 at Lowes $156 at Home Depot Why You Should Get It It has a built-in sensor to help evenly cook food. Keep in Mind It’s not as good at melting food like chocolate chips or marshmallows. The most versatile microwaves will work quickly, heat evenly, and be intuitive to use, allowing you to cook or reheat items without needing to babysit the appliance. The Toshiba Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor earned our experts’ praise after proving itself to be the most well-rounded device we tested, whether cooking popcorn, melting marshmallows, or heating veggies. During testing, the Toshiba microwave popped almost all of the popcorn in the bag (it only left ⅛ of an ounce!) and it was all evenly cooked without any scorched or burned bits. The microwave also had no trouble cooking a container of frozen macaroni and cheese evenly without any cold sections. This is thanks to its built-in sensor that automatically detects the humidity level of the food as it cooks to make sure everything comes out warm and ready to eat. We liked the size of this microwave, as it’s big enough to hold large dishes without being so huge that it takes up valuable space on your countertop. Plus, its clearly marked control panel makes it very intuitive to use. Other basic features include a touchpad that doesn’t show fingerprints, a clock, timer, a veggie sensor that can differentiate between fresh and frozen veggies, and other presets. The Toshiba Countertop Microwave Oven didn’t perform as well when we tried to melt marshmallows and chocolate chips. Instead of creating a smooth, evenly melted consistency, both the marshmallows and chips maintained their general shape, so you’d need to keep it in the microwave longer to completely melt them. Product Details: Type: Countertop | Power: 1,100 watts | Dimensions: 13.25 x 13 x 9 inches | Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet | Turntable Size: 12.4 inches PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey PHOTO: Better Homes and Gardens / Will Dickey PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore Best Budget Hamilton Beach Countertop Microwave PHOTO: Walmart $125 at Amazon $119 at Walmart View on Aliexpress.us Why You Should Get It This microwave covers all the basics and reheats well. Keep in Mind The preset buttons aren’t easy to locate. If you’re looking for a microwave that is reliable, effective, and less expensive than other options, we recommend this option from Hamilton Beach. While it doesn’t offer as many features as some other models, it includes convenient one-button cooking options for frequent tasks like popcorn, pizza, and defrost. The Hamilton Beach microwave impressed us during testing, reheating leftovers, popping popcorn, and defrosting a pound of hamburger with ease. The menu of preset cooking functions also includes potato, frozen vegetable, beverage, and dinner plate, making it easy to quickly prepare ingredients and heat up meals. While we like that the buttons are easy to read and touch-sensitive, they’re located inside the microwave door, making them difficult to find. The capacity accommodates most microwave-friendly items, including large plates and medium casserole dishes, while maintaining a small countertop footprint. We love that the glass tray is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, and found the oven to be durable and stable, with a well-made door and handle. This easy-to-use microwave doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that pricier options offer. However, we found that it delivers consistent results and is well-designed to prepare quick meals and snacks. Product Details: Type: Countertop | Power: 1,000 watts | Dimensions: 16.50 x 20.60 x 11.80 inches | Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet | Turntable Size: N/a PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Masiello PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Masiello PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Masiello PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Masiello PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Masiello Best Splurge GE Over-the-Range Microwave PHOTO: The Home Depot $317 at Amazon $459 $238 at Home Depot $415 $240 at Best Buy Why You Should Get It Sensor cooking and several smart functions take the guesswork out of prepping microwaved items. Keep in Mind The turntable easily dislodged during testing. This G.E. over-the-range microwave has a variety of useful features that make it a powerful appliance for quick heating and efficient defrosting. The microwave features convenient sensor cooking controls that automatically adjust time and power output, taking the guesswork out of meal prep. Over-the-range microwaves like this style save space on your countertop and are often placed above the stove. If that’s the case in your kitchen, you’ll appreciate that this model has a two-speed venting system designed to help remove smoke and odors as items are prepared below it. We put this model to the test with muffins, bread, popcorn, chicken, and rice, and found that the oven heated evenly and efficiently. We like the appealing design and easy-to-use features, like the integrated melt mode for cheese, butter, and soft ingredients to prevent burning. The weight and time defrost setting makes thawing easier by setting the recommended defrosting time and power level based on the item’s weight. We also like that the turntable is dishwasher-safe; however it was easily dislodged during testing. While the stainless steel is fingerprint resistant, the black parts of the microwave retained prints and smears requiring frequent cleaning. However, this microwave delivered on efficient cooking and reheating, with time-saving features, so we didn’t think it was a dealbreaker. Product Details: Type: Over-the-range | Power: 1,000 watts | Dimensions: 16 x 29 x 15 inches | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Turntable Size: 12.8 inches PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Halee Miller PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Halee Miller PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Halee Miller PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Halee Miller PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Halee Miller Best with Air Fryer Galanz 4-in-1 ToastWave PHOTO: Amazon $429 at Amazon Why You Should Get It It’s a microwave, toaster, air fryer, and convection oven all in one. Keep in Mind It takes some time to learn how to use the different settings. One of the most versatile appliances you can get for your home is an air fryer—it’s perfect for cooking tasty chicken wings, vegetables, and even desserts. Instead of buying a brand-new device that takes up more space on your counter, we like the Galanz GT Four-in-One Toastwave, which operates as a microwave, air fryer, toaster, and convection oven. We tested this specifically for the microwave functions, but if you’re in the market for a countertop appliance that does it all, the Galanz is our pick. Our experts reported that this microwave has a specific feature for just about every kitchen task you can think of—including baking, toasting, even pizza making. There’s a silicone mat that you use for all of the functions, and our testers loved how easy it was to clean while keeping the turntable free of drips and dribbles. Our testers also liked the way this heated the mac ‘n’ cheese and popped popcorn, with even heating throughout and very few unpopped kernels left behind. For more specialized tasks like melting chocolate, this appliance wasn’t able to evenly melt the chips. The toaster oven function can be heated to 425°F, and the appliance has a dial for the timer and a touchpad for everything else. There’s plenty of preset buttons to choose from including a bagel setting, pizza cooking, a broil button, and more. The turntable can be turned on and off too, which is a cool feature. We think this microwave (and more) is an ideal option for adventurous cooks who are looking for a multifunction appliance, and it could even serve as the only appliance for someone with limited space. However, our testers found that it was a little difficult to use since it has so many settings, so we don’t recommend this device to someone who wants a quick and easy-to-use microwave. Product Details: Type: Countertop | Power: 1,000 watts | Dimensions: 14 x 15.25 x 8.5 inches | Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet | Turntable Size: N/A PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore Best Small Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave PHOTO: Best Buy $240 $205 at Amazon $240 $226 at Best Buy View on Panasonic.com Why You Should Get It It cooks frozen foods and popcorn evenly. Keep in Mind This microwave lacks some of the features that other models offer. If you can’t mount your microwave in your kitchen, the last thing you probably want is a bulky appliance taking up tons of space on your countertop. This small microwave is basic enough to suit the most common kitchen tasks, but it’s also reliable enough for even cooking. Our testers reported that this microwave was consistent in heating during all of the tests including cooking frozen meals and defrosting foods. Small but mighty, it had impressive power that allowed the microwave to evenly cook everything without any cold spots. Plus, it perfectly popped a bag of popcorn without many leftover kernels and perfectly melted chocolate chips, which was challenging for other models on our list. While the Panasonic Inverter microwave doesn’t have a ton of additional features like other appliances on this list, it does have a few helpful cooking presets including a popcorn button, sensor heating and reheating, a warming button, and more. It also has a sleek touchpad and a removable glass turntable to make microwave cleanup easy. At 12.24 inches tall, 20.69 inches wide, and 15.81 inches deep, the Panasonic Inverter microwave isn’t overly large, but the interior capacity provides enough space for standard dinner plates and most food storage containers. However, it lacks some of the food-specific buttons that other microwaves on our list have, so we don’t recommend it to anyone who wants perfectly cooked dishes in a single press of a button. Product Details: Type: Countertop | Power: 1,200 watts | Dimensions: 13.75 x 14 x 9.5 inches | Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet | Turntable Size: N/A Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore Best Over-the-Range Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave PHOTO: Best Buy $219 at Lowes $360 at Best Buy View on AJ Madison Why You Should Get It This microwave has a smart, stable design and reheats evenly while maintaining ideal texture. Keep in Mind It’s pricier than some similar models. This spacious Whirlpool oven is one of our favorite microwaves for its effective cooking and quiet operation. With a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet, it offers ample space for meal preparation, making it easy to heat quick snacks and take on bigger jobs like defrosting and reheating larger ingredients or leftovers. During testing, we found that pizza reheated evenly without compromising its crispy texture. The one-button preset options also include potato, popcorn, soften/melt, reheat, and defrost, making it convenient to cook frequently prepared items. We like the attractive design of the microwave, with an easy-to-use control panel and built-in adjustable light for the cooktop below. We also appreciate the dishwasher-safe turntable plate for easy cleaning. While the price is slightly higher than similar alternatives, this Whirlpool microwave is well-designed with structural stability and thoughtful features that make it a good option for everyday use. Product Details: Type: Over-the-range | Power: 1,000 watts | Dimensions: 17 x 29 x 16 inches Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Turntable Size: 12 inches PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Alex Castro PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Alex Castro PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Alex Castro PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Alex Castro PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Alex Castro Best Large Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology PHOTO: Amazon $400 at Amazon $478 at Walmart View on Panasonic.com Why You Should Get It You can fit large containers like 9x13-inch pans inside this microwave. Keep in Mind It’s not as good at melting marshmallows or chocolate chips. This large microwave has a lot of features to love, making it the perfect addition to a big kitchen. Our testers loved its coffee and milk button to reheat your drink, an intuitive display, a 30-second keep-warm button, three-stage cooking, and more. This Panasonic microwave oven performed better than any of the other microwaves we tested when it came to evenly heating mac n’ cheese, and our testers found that this microwave’s sensor helps it evenly warm frozen foods. Due to its size, it’s excellent at reheating large batches of food including 9x13-inch pans. It struggled to evenly melt chocolate chips and marshmallows, so we recommend keeping an eye on the microwave and stirring frequently if you want to melt food for baking. Unless you have tons of counter space, we recommend mounting this microwave somewhere in your kitchen. This microwave performs very well in evenly cooking foods, making it great for families with a large kitchen who need to reheat bulk dishes in a flash. Product Details: Type: Countertop | Power: 1,250 watts | Dimensions: 19.44 x 23.88 x 14 inches | Capacity: 2.2 cubic feet | Turntable Size: N/A PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey PHOTO: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey The Bottom Line After testing 26 microwaves, we chose the Toshiba Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor as our favorite overall pick. It’s easy to use, heats items evenly, and can handle defrosting dinner without any issues. If you’re looking for an appliance with a wide range of features, we also loved the Galanz GT 4-in-1 Toast Wave, which works as a microwave, toaster, air fryer, and convection oven. Our Testing Process To put the best microwaves on the market to the test, we had a team of kitchen experts put each appliance through their paces in our lab in Birmingham, Alabama. First, our testers used the microwave to heat a cup of room temperature water, then measured the change in temperature to see the appliance’s effectiveness. They also microwaved a pie dish full of mini marshmallows and defrosted frozen mac ‘n’ cheese, using a thermometer to check the heat in different spots around the dish to ensure even cooking. Our experts also made sure the microwaves were up to snuff for melting chocolate, which was placed in a glass bowl, microwaved, stirred, microwaved again. We checked for lumps in the consistency and scorching or seizing chocolate, since these can spell disaster for your recipe if incorrectly heated. Finally, testers used each microwave to pop a bag of popcorn. We looked at how evenly the corn popped afterwards, noting scorched pieces or unpopped kernels. We also evaluated the microwaves based on their size, features, effectiveness, and overall value before creating a final list of top microwaves. What to Know About Microwaves Before Shopping Type When shopping for any appliance, you want to carefully consider the space you have available on your countertop, since even the best microwaves have a pretty large footprint. There are plenty of over-the-range microwaves and countertop models to choose from, so you can choose between the two based on how much space you’re willing to sacrifice. Many microwaves sit directly on your countertop, making setup and installation super easy. You’ll want to measure both the space it’ll take up on the countertop before you purchase to ensure you still have a large enough workspace for kitchen prep. Plus, keep in mind how much vertical space your microwave may need under your cabinets. Over-the-range microwaves are installed above your kitchen’s range or cooktop, and it’s a great way to cut down on countertop clutter. These types often have a vent function as well, which helps to keep the air in your kitchen circulating. However, these models take a bit more work to install than a simple countertop microwave. You’ll also need to be more careful when measuring for over-the-range microwaves, since your overhead space may be constrained by cabinets, shelves, and more. Size The size inside the appliance is another factor to consider when shopping for a microwave. If you normally heat up foods in a large baking dish like a 9x13-inch pan, you’ll want to find a model that can fit such a large container inside. Be sure to look for a microwave with a turntable that’s not too close to the walls of the microwave, since larger dishes can get stuck as they spin. Features When shopping for a microwave, you can find functional, pared-down models or others that are loaded with high-tech features. Unless you spend a ton of time in the kitchen or you want a device that can serve multiple purposes, you may not need a microwave with all the bells and whistles. “Not all microwaves are created equal,” explains Steph Chen, co-founder of microwave-friendly cookware line Anyday. “Microwave wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is—if the wattage is too low (700 to 800 watts ), your food will cook and reheat slowly and more unevenly. You have more consistency for cooking with microwaves that have wattages between 1,000 watts [and] 1,200 watts.” Not only do you need power, but ideally you can also choose from many power levels for precision, Chen says. “It's also important to choose a microwave with 10 power levels (some only have three or five levels), which will allow you to cook with more precision,” she told us. “Just like cooking with low flame on the stovetop, certain foods (like rice or eggs) can require cooking at a lower power level and having more power levels gives you cooking flexibility.” Better Homes & Gardens / Alex Castro Other Microwaves We Tested Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven The Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven fell short on all of our tests, and we were particularly disappointed that it didn’t cook the frozen mac ‘n’ cheese well. It didn’t seem to heat evenly, and would likely require longer cook times than package directions. Since defrosting frozen items is a common requirement for most shoppers, we chose not to include this device on our list of the best microwaves. Black+Decker Digital Microwave Oven The Black+Decker Digital Microwave Oven is a very small microwave for the price, and we found the heating very inconsistent across defrosting, popcorn popping, and melting tests. While it has the most features of the smaller microwaves we tested, it couldn’t complete the more basic tasks we expected from it. Plus, the interior space is also very small, so you wouldn’t be able to fit larger dishes inside. LG NeoChef Countertop Microwave The LG NeoChef Countertop Microwave features sensor cooking, which worked well when we reheated leftovers and melted cheese during testing. The oven has a stable design, is easy to clean, and offers a large capacity that is ideal for family use. However, during testing we found that presets were inconsistent for functions like cooking potatoes and defrosting meat. Overall, we like this microwave’s functionality but didn’t find it to be as easy to use as others we tested. Samsung 2.1 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave While the Samsung 2.1 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave’s easy-to-read touchpad, sleek design, and smartphone integration impressed us during testing, we found a few areas for improvement with this model. For starters, installation was tricky for this over-the-range microwave, due to extra space needed for the door to operate effectively. The touchpad also had some operational errors during cleaning. This microwave performed similar to others we tested for functions like reheating leftovers and popping popcorn, however we recommend it for households with light microwave use only. Your Questions, Answered How long do microwaves usually last? “A normal microwave will typically work for a long time (seven or more years), but it may still be worth switching out to a new microwave, even if it's been less time than that, if your current microwave isn't very powerful (such as microwaves that are lower than 1,000 watts),” Chen explains. “Microwave technology has improved over the years, so older microwaves will also heat food less evenly.” “If you notice anything strange with your microwave, like the door not closing properly or randomly sparking, it's definitely time to replace,” she added. What is the best way to clean a microwave oven? There are many ways to clean a microwave, but Chen recommends using a lemon juice or vinegar mixture. “Microwave stains and splatters are the worst. To clean the inside of a microwave, put a cup of water with a few tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for five minutes, or until the water is vigorously boiling for at least a minute,” she says. “Keep the door closed for another two minutes so the steam penetrates everywhere. Use a kitchen towel (and mild dish soap, if needed) to wipe all the grime off the interior surfaces.” You’ll also want to take out the turntable and wipe it down before putting it back inside your appliance. What is the best wattage for a microwave? When shopping for a microwave, you’ll want to look for something with a decent amount of power. The more watts a microwave has, the more quickly it’ll be able to cook your food, but you can have too much power, Chen told us. “Microwave wattage translates to power, which translates to speed of cooking—the higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook,” she explains. “It's ideal to get a microwave with around 1,000 to 1,200 watts of power. If the wattage is too low, your food will cook and reheat slowly and also more unevenly. But it's also possible for the wattage to be too high—yes, food will cook fast, but there's also less margin for error, so it's easy to overcook food with just a few seconds of difference.” Who We Are Jordan Liberty Phillips is a writer for Better Homes & Gardens whose expertise includes recipes and cooking, home decor, and shopping. For this article, she used microwave testing insights from our BHG research team who evaluated contenders on their effectiveness, features, and design, taking into consideration type, size, and features to curate this list of the best microwaves. She also consulted Steph Chen, founder of microwave-safe cooking line Anyday for additional insights. What is BHG Recommends? Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit