The best microwaves

Perhaps the most convenient kitchen appliance, your microwave can do just about anything — reheat last night's takeout, steam up frozen veggies, melt butter for a batch of banana bread, or pop a bag of popcorn for movie night. The best microwaves provide powerful, consistent heating that evenly cooks, reheats, or defrosts food.

Over the last 8 years, we've tested and compared more than a dozen countertop microwaves across sizes and price points, evaluating heating performance, ease of use, and key features to find the best options for every kitchen and cooking style.

Our top microwave picks

Best overall: Panasonic NN-SN67QS - See at Amazon

Best value: Toshiba EM131A5C-SS - See at Amazon

Best large: Panasonic NN-SD975S - See at Amazon

Best small: Breville Smooth Wave Compact (BMO650SIL) - See at Amazon

Best overall

Panasonic makes the best microwaves. Like other Panasonic microwaves, the Panasonic NN-SN67QS features inverter technology, which maintains an optimal power level at all times for a fast, even cook. While it might sound like a marketing tactic, we've found that inverter microwaves perform best in our tests. They're typically more powerful and consistent than conventional models, which cycle between full power.

It's powerful with a standard capacity. 1.2 cubic feet is the most common microwave size, so you can expect to comfortably fit dinner plates, bags of popcorn, and bigger dishes in the interior. At 1250 watts, food defrosts and cooks quickly, requiring minimal stirring. My frozen green beans defrosted in four minutes, then cooked to the perfect consistency using the smart sensor reheat. I love smart sensor reheating because it takes the guesswork out of nuking leftovers. In my experience, the Panasonic NN-SN67QS accurately estimates the cooking time for each dish, making reheating a breeze.

The food from my tests came out perfectly cooked. The frozen mac and cheese was warm on the sides and in the center, with no frozen or undercooked areas to speak of — a welcome surprise, given the amount of cold mac and cheese I encountered during my testing period. The marshmallows puffed up immediately, cooking evenly across the sheet of parchment paper. I wasn't just melting marshmallows and cooking noodles for my own enjoyment, though. Both tests indicate that the Panasonic NN-SN67QS delivers even cooking, leaving the center and edges of the food thoroughly cooked, as seen with the marshmallow heat map and thoroughly warm mac and cheese.

There are few cons to this microwave. I really believe that this is the best microwave for most people, so it was difficult to find flaws. Even though, I noticed a few uncooked kernels after using the popcorn preset, it's still my pick for the best microwave for popcorn. It popped popcorn better than any other microwave I tested, and in general, popcorn presets on microwaves tend to be inaccurate. Panasonic microwaves tend to go in and out of stock, so if you can't find the NN-SN67QS model, I recommend checking out another inverter option like the NN-SN686S or the NN-SN65KB. These models are nearly identical to our best overall, just with slightly lower wattage and different color options.

Best value

This is the most affordable microwave I recommend. At just shy of $150, the Toshiba EM151A5C-SS isn't the cheapest microwave you can find, but it is a high performer at an impressive value. Many true budget microwaves are tiny and underpowered, and in my testing experience, fail to reheat, defrost, or pop popcorn properly. If you're looking to save some money but still invest in an excellent microwave, this Toshiba model is what I recommend.

It has features of microwaves twice the price. Like our best overall pick, the Toshiba EM151A5C-SS features a smart sensor setting to simplify reheating leftovers. It actually has more presets than our top pick, including potato, frozen pizza, and melt settings. It's a little less powerful, though, clocking in at 1000 watts. It's not a wimpy microwave by any means — just a little less than the 1250 watts I typically recommend.

It cooked quickly, but the edges cooked more quickly than the center. While testing, I noticed that the centers of the mac and cheese and the marshmallows were both undercooked compared to the edges. The edges of the mac and cheese developed a crust, and the edges of the marshmallows browned and caramelized. This shows that the edges of the food will heat up faster, so you'll need to stir to ensure a thorough cook.

I like the user-friendly design. Compared to other microwaves, I appreciated how easy this one was to use. It starts with a click of a single-number button, and the +30 button comes in handy when your food just needs a little more time to cook.

Best large

This microwave is a powerhouse. If you have the counter space, the Panasonic NN-SD975S is an incredibly powerful microwave, with 1250 watts of power that matches our best overall pick. It has a huge 2.2 cubic feet of capacity, comfortably fitting multiple dinner plates or a casserole dish, making it easy to reheat large quantities of food. In all of our tests, it heated quickly and thoroughly.

Our tester appreciated the intuitive design. "The microwave opens with a push button at the bottom of the control panel. One dial controls the cooking time, which adjusts in 10-second increments — we found this annoying, but otherwise, it operates smoothly and easily," freelancer contributor Farima Ferguson writes. "The dial is also used to input the weight of food you're defrosting. You can program three stages of cooking, and the display screen will let you know where you are in the cooking process. If you're using the multi-stage cooking feature, you can use the Keep Warm setting as your final stage."

It's also our pick for the best built-in microwave. While we tested it as a countertop microwave, it also functions as a built-in microwave when you buy the trim kit. This is handy if you want the power of a large microwave without the extra bulk on your countertop. Note that a built-in is separate from an over-the-range model, which also features a ventilation system to clear steam and smoke.

Best small

This microwave doesn't take up much counter space. If you're on the hunt for a smaller microwave, the Breville Smooth Wave Compact might be for you. It's only a little bit smaller than our other picks, but during testing, I discovered that those few inches really make a difference. It's slimmer and shorter than other models, so it takes up less space.

Even though it's small, it still performed well in my tests. At 900 watts and 0.9 cubic feet, there's still plenty of power and capacity for reheating, defrosting, or popping popcorn. The marshmallows and mac and cheese were evenly cooked, with no cold spots or burned edges. Reheating and defrosting take a little longer due to the lower power, but with a couple of extra minutes and a bit of stirring, everything turned out perfectly.

I love the sleek design. This is a microwave that looks nice on the counter, if that sort of thing is important to you. The stainless steel design feels modern, and the soft-close door is a handy feature that prevents slamming. You use a dial to select cook time instead of traditional buttons, so it takes a little extra effort to get started than simply pressing the number for the amount of time you need. There's also a 30-second auto-start option. And while it has a reheat feature that adjusts power levels to prevent food from drying out, there's no smart sensor reheat on this microwave.

Our top picks, compared

What else we tested

Black + Decker EM720CB7: This sub-$100 microwave is a bestseller on Amazon, but at 700 watts, it’s significantly underpowered. It performed poorly in all of our tests, failing to thoroughly reheat, cook, or defrost food. The interior is too small to fit a bag of popcorn.

Breville Smooth Wave BMO850BSS: This is a larger version of our best small microwave pick. It performed well in all of our tests, but it’s significantly more expensive than other microwaves with similar features.

What to look for

When shopping for a microwave, consider the following:

• Type: There are four main types of microwaves. Each type of microwave is available in a range of sizes and power levels:

  • Countertop: Countertop microwaves sit directly on the counter, so they don’t require installation, but they take up valuable counter space. They’re the best microwaves for college students, renters, and those without a built-in microwave in their kitchen. This guide specifically focuses on countertop models.
  • Over-the-range: Over-the-range microwaves sit above the stove with a built-in ventilation system. These two-in-one devices have the ability to wick away smoke, steam, and odors when you’re cooking on the stove.
  • Built-in: Built-in microwaves need to be specially installed in your kitchen. They’re usually more expensive than other microwaves, but they blend in seamlessly to your existing kitchen setup.
  • Drawer: Drawer microwaves are built-in under a countertop, conserving precious counterspace, reducing clutter, and are considered more accessible. They are a premium design and are considerably more expensive, as they require special installation (and kitchen planning), ventilation, and have special technology that actually forgoes the traditional turntable design. Sharp is the leader in drawer microwaves and also manufactures them for many other brands. A BI editor has the Sharp KB6524PSY in her kitchen, which we ran through our tests, and appreciate the smart sensors that adequately heat food without drying it out.
• Power: A microwave’s wattage refers to its overall power. A microwave with a high wattage, such as 1250 watts, will cook food faster than one with a low wattage, such as 900 or 700 watts. If you’re using your microwave for smaller tasks, like popping popcorn, heating beverages, or reheating leftovers, you’ll be just fine with a lower wattage. While you’ll find microwaves with lower wattage, they take longer to cook and reheat, which I’ve found further dries out the food. But if you use your microwave frequently for cooking, the best wattage is 1000-1250 watts. At this power level, microwaves cook food quickly and thoroughly.
• Size: In general, the larger the microwave, the higher the power. Of course, large microwaves take up a ton of counter space and aren’t best for small kitchens. If you’re looking for a compact microwave for your counter, look for one with 0.9 cubic feet of interior space. There are microwaves with .7 cubic foot interiors, but they struggle to hold dinner plates and reliably pop a bag of popcorn without burning.
• Functions and presets: Most microwaves come with a number of built-in presets for cooking or defrosting common foods, like popcorn, potatoes, and veggies. I highly recommend microwaves with smart sensor reheat, which measure the level of steam your food produces to determine the correct cook time. It takes the guesswork out of reheating leftovers.

How we test the best microwaves

I tested microwaves using a series of objective tests for speed and even reheating, defrosting, and cooking. I also consulted interviews conducted by the former author of this guide, Farima Ferguson, to determine what to consider when choosing the best microwaves. She talked with Bob Schiffmann, a microwave heating expert and former president of the International Microwave Power Institute, and Jared Lodico, a postdoctoral researcher in physics at UCLA.

Our testing methodology

To test the best microwaves, we put each model through a rigorous, objective testing process. These tests include:

• Marshmallow test: We place a layer of mini marshmallows on parchment paper, then microwave it for two minutes. The layer of marshmallows serves as a heat map, showing how evenly a microwave cooks across the entire area. We search for puffing, caramelization, and browning in the center and around the edges.
• Frozen mac and cheese test: We heat up a frozen mac and cheese entrée according to the package instructions. We determine how well the microwave performed, noting any undercooked or overcooked areas, cold spots, or browning around the edges.
• Popcorn test: We pop a bag of popcorn using the popcorn preset. The time of each preset depends on the microwave, but it tends to fall between two and four minutes. We ensure the bag can fit comfortably in the interior and analyze the number of uncooked kernels in each batch.
• Presets and functions: We test all associated presets, including smart sensor cooking and defrosting. For the defrost test, we defrost a frozen bag of vegetables and time how long it takes. Then, we cook vegetables and note any cold spots.
• Ease of use: We adjust the settings, set the clock, and analyze the design to assess each model's ease of use.

Meet the expert behind the guide

Kinsley Searles, associate home editor: I nuked five packages of mac and cheese, five bags of green beans and popcorn, and three whole bags of mini marshmallows. I’m committed to objective testing and have a keen eye for value.

Best microwaves FAQs

What's the best wattage for a microwave?

Based on my testing, the higher the wattage, the better. Our best overall pick from Panasonic is 1250 watts, but 800-1000 watts should be plenty for most people. Based on testing and expert input, I don't recommend microwaves under 700 watts since they're significantly underpowered and struggle to thoroughly cook or heat contents.

What size microwave should I get?

It depends on your needs. The standard size is 1.2 cubic feet, which comfortably fits dinner plates and full bags of popcorn. If you're looking for a huge capacity, I recommend 2.2 cubic feet. On the other hand, if you need to save space, a 0.9 cubic foot interior is still plenty roomy to get the job done. I don't recommend microwaves under 0.9 cubic feet, since the interior isn't large enough to hold dinner plates or bags of popcorn.

What is the average lifespan of a microwave?

Microwaves are meant to last up to 10 years. If you're noticing issues like strange noises or uneven cooking, it could be time for a replacement.

Are microwaves safe to use?

The experts said that the belief that standing too close to a microwave exposes you to radiation is a myth. "Microwaves are very safe — as long as they aren't damaged," said Jared Lodico, a postdoctoral researcher in physics at UCLA. "The metal housing and mesh screen on the door act as a shield from the radiation that is generated inside. As the radiation approaches the wall of the microwave it induces a current and magnetic field that cancels out the incoming wave."

How much should I spend on a microwave?

The picks in our guide range from $150 to $430. Schiffmann recommends spending at least $100 on a new microwave, and noted that extra features like presets tack on an extra cost. Schiffmann said to avoid microwaves under $100. "Anything cheaper will most likely break down and be unstable," he said.

How do microwaves work?

According to Lodico, microwaves generate "microwaves," a form of electromagnetic radiation. "This electric field transfers energy to the food as the waves pass through it," he said. The transfer of energy causes water molecules to vibrate, producing heat that cooks the food from the inside out. That's why food with high water content, like potatoes and fresh vegetables, cook faster in the microwave.

Why does my microwave lock?

As of March 2024, microwaves must have a child lock safety feature. This prevents the door from opening until you press the "unlock" button. Most microwaves come with the setting active, though you can easily turn it off via a button shortcut.

The post The best microwaves appeared first on Business Insider