In the world of kitchen appliances, few have revolutionized our lives as much as the microwave oven. Let’s be honest; microwaves are the unsung heroes of our kitchens. The best microwaves may not be the flashiest gadgets on the block, but when it comes to convenience and efficiency, they reign supreme.
With our busy schedules, anything that gets the job done faster is welcome. In fact, one-third of Americans can put dinner together in 10 minutes or less, according to a recent study. Among their go-to cheat codes for quick meal prep is popping in microwaveable meals. Therefore, if you want something simple and tasty, a quality microwave can make all the difference.
A Guide to Choosing the Best Microwave
In today’s fast-paced world, convenience has become a highly sought-after commodity. And when it comes to kitchen appliances, nothing quite rivals the convenience of a microwave. But with an overwhelming array of options available, selecting the best microwave can be a daunting task. Fret not, for this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision, ensuring you choose the microwave that perfectly suits your needs and preferences.
- Decoding the Wattage: Wattage, the measure of a microwave’s power, is a crucial factor to consider. For everyday reheating and cooking tasks, a microwave with 900-1000 watts is generally sufficient. However, if you frequently prepare more complex meals or need to accommodate larger portions, a microwave with 1100-1200 watts is recommended.
- Size Matters: Compact microwaves, with their smaller footprint, are ideal for limited counter space or dorm rooms. Mid-sized microwaves offer a balance of capacity and convenience, while larger models cater to those with heavy-duty microwave needs.
- Features and Functions: Modern microwaves go beyond mere reheating to elevate your culinary experience. Sensor cooking automatically adjusts cooking time and power based on food moisture, ensuring perfectly cooked meals. Grill and convection functions expand your microwave’s capabilities, allowing you to grill, bake, and roast a variety of dishes.
- Ease of Use and Maintenance: Look for models with clear controls, large buttons, and a well-lit interior. Easy-to-clean interiors, such as non-stick or ceramic surfaces, simplify post-cooking maintenance.
- Energy Efficiency: Look for models with Energy Star certification, indicating lower energy consumption and reduced environmental impact.
Whether you’re reheating last night’s dinner, defrosting that forgotten chicken, or popping a bag of popcorn for movie night, your microwave is your trusty sidekick. Gone are the days of patiently waiting for pots to boil or ovens to preheat. With a microwave, your meals are ready in a matter of minutes, and that, my friends, is a game-changer for busy lifestyles. We have created an amazing list of the best microwaves, ranging from general brands to specific models as recommended by experts. Did we miss one? Leave a comment to let us know!
The List: Best Microwave Brands, According to Experts
1. Toshiba Countertop Microwave
The Toshiba brand of microwaves tops our list of best microwaves used by culinary experts. Although the Toshiba models they recommend may vary, the loyalty to the top brand does not waiver. “If you’re looking for a microwave for a first home or to help feed a family, then this model from Toshiba could be just what you need,” shares People about the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven. “We recommend this Toshiba based on its dependable features and performance. It has every necessity for a microwave, from different power settings to a sensor for assisted heating. This microwave is a great option for a family; in fact, it’s so easy to use that it can be safely operated by children, thanks to the simple button features and pull-open handle.”
NY Mag also loves this model! Why? “Most microwaves make a loud beep when your food is done reheating. And while of course that can be helpful if you’re in another room or distracted by other tasks, it can be annoying,” says NY Mag. “This is especially true if you’re living with roommates, a baby, or pets you don’t want to disturb. This Toshiba — which was favored by tons of Strategist readers in a previous version of this story and boasts 4.5 stars on Amazon with close to 14,000 ratings — allows you to turn the sound off by simply holding down on the number eight for three to five seconds.”
2. Panasonic Inverters
Microwaves offer you the power to customize your cooking. You want that microwaveable mac and cheese just a tad gooier? Dial it in. The Panasonic brand makes you feel as though there is magic in your fingertips with the Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave. “When we culled a list of the best-rated microwaves on Amazon, we found that Panasonic was one of the best-reviewed brands. It’s large-capacity, powerful, and has great functionality …And after three years, the Panasonic is still speedy and going strong…It did a great job heating things more thoroughly and consistently than other countertop microwaves I’ve owned,” shares NY Mag.
Good Housekeeping also recommends this model, but a larger size of 1.6 cubic feet. “Two factors make this Panasonic microwave fast: It has 1,250 watts of heating power — one of the highest wattages we tested — and a built-in inverter that helps heat food more quickly and evenly. In our tests, microwaves with inverters did a good job reheating food evenly and excelled at baking potatoes,” explains Good Housekeeping. “This pick has a smart sensor and is loaded with features like a ‘quick 30’ button, ‘more’ and ‘less’ buttons that adjust cook times by 10-second increments, a quick-minute timer, a delay-start feature and a child safety lock. We love the keep warm feature that can be added at the beginning of the cook cycle and will run for up to 30 minutes after a cook cycle ends.”
Another similar model from the brand is their Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology. “The heat waves produced by this model move in a circular motion around the food or drink inside the microwave to heat the contents from all sides. The ‘sensor inverter turbo defrost’ is another feature that thaws food rapidly and evenly, so that you don’t get cold spots when you cut into your leftovers. Throughout our tests, we noticed that this model heated everything the most evenly and outperformed all the other machines,” notes People.
3. Cuisinart CMW-200
The third choice on our list of best microwaves is this super cute Cuisinart. “The Cuisinart Convection Microwave’s functions include microwave, convection, convection fast bake, convection roast, grill combo, defrost, and keep warm, so it’s a very versatile appliance that can do the job of many others. It’s somewhat bulky, but we love the multi-stage cooking and the ability to program favorite settings. The touchpad numbers have degrees on them for the bake function, which makes for an easier learning curve,” writes The Spruce Eats.
“Cuisinart CMW-200 Convection Microwave – In our tests, the Cuisinart performed especially well for making popcorn, leaving very few unpopped kernels. For its size, the interior capacity is excellent, but it lost points for taking up a good bit of counter space due to the extruding fan on the back,” adds Food and Wine.
Are you ready to meet your trusty kitchen sidekick that can whip up a hot meal in a flash? “Along with the typical microwave settings like defrost, cook by weight, and several cooking programs, this model is accompanied by not only a convection baking and roasting setting, but a grill rack as well,” says People. “This model did well during our different tests, most notably leaving the popcorn unscorched and popped (with the exception of a few straggling kernels). We were impressed by the many abilities of this microwave, which leads us to believe that this model is best suited for the multi-tasking home cook or experiential cook who wants a do-it-all appliance.”
4. Hamilton Beach Countertop Microwave Oven
The Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven was another popular pick among experts. “If you’re in the market for a microwave to do the most basic job of reheating leftovers (but still do it well), this Hamilton Beach is a solid bet. It has a slightly smaller capacity and lower wattage than the Panasonic…I got it because it was one of the cheapest ones I could find, but it still looked nice — and I haven’t had any issues so far,” shares NY Mag.
According to Good Housekeeping, “We also love that this microwave features a built-in kitchen timer that allows you to use the microwave simultaneously.”
When you’ve got a rumbling tummy and no patience, there’s only one thing you need. “There are microwaves out there with plenty of snazzy features. But, if you just want something that’ll heat up your food on demand, you don’t necessarily want to pay for extra tools you’ll never use. This Hamilton Beach version has six presets and 10 power levels, so you can get just-right results, whether you’re trying to melt cheese without scorching it or boil water. And at 19 inches, it won’t take up a lot of counter space,” notes Forbes.
5. Samsung
Why wouldn’t Samsung make a mighty good microwave? They, in fact, make two highly-lauded models that appeared frequently on expert lists. The Samsung MSK14K6000AG Microwave is one of them! “The black stainless-steel Samsung is shiny like a sports car (you can also opt for stainless steel) with the soul of a minivan. It’s roomier than you expect inside, yet you wish it had a bit more giddyap.  While roughly the same exterior size as the Panasonic and Toshiba models we tested, the Samsung has more interior room (1.4 cubic feet) and a larger turnable (14.2 inches)…The ceramic enamel interior made this the easiest model to clean, and this microwave comes with a 10-year warranty on the magnetron,” says CNN.
An amazing feature called the HotBlast has reviewers excited about the Samsung Easy View Convection Oven with HotBlast Technology. How does it work? “HotBlast modes can be used with the baking tray to cook common foods, such as oven chips, using the convection oven feature and blasting air down from the top element. Here, we found the results good, although we did find that an air fryer will give crispier results,” shares Trusted Reviews.Â
What is the most important feature for your microwave? Leave a comment to let us know!
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.