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An amazing microwave is one of the most important purchases you can make for your kitchen. But there are also an overwhelming amount of choices out there, and the last thing you want to do is waste your money.
So we did the research, tested a variety of the top models, and aggregated tens of thousands of reviews. After extensive testing, we were able to find the best microwave. Here are our top picks.
Our Top Pick
Toshiba EM925A5A-BS
Our top choice for the best microwave, this Toshiba is a truly stellar machine. The 1,100+ positive reviews agree with our assessment – an absolutely flawless kitchen appliance.
Other Great Picks
Panasonic NN-SN936B
With over 1,000 positive online reviews, the unanimous opinion is that this Panasonic is pretty much a perfect microwave – and we agree. Highly recommended.
Nostalgia RMO4RR
For anyone looking for a retro pick, this is one of the best choices out there. With a sleek design and a great price point (along with over 100 positive online reviews) – it doesn’t get much better. Definitely recommended.
Panasonic NE-1054F
Our staff loved this model, though it’s definitely pricier, and has more than most people need. That said, the 2,000+ glowing reviews speak volumes. If money is not an object, this is a great pick.
Amazon Basics Microwave
With a great price point, and a flawless performance, we loved this basic model. The near-perfect online scores, from over 1,700 customers – definitely back us up.
Commercial Chef CHM660B
With over 760 stellar online reviews, and a near-perfect score – this microwave is a perfect match for almost anyone. A great price point, every essential feature – and a sleek design. Definitely recommended.
Farberware Professional FMO13AHTBKE
250 glowing online reviews can’t be wrong. This microwave from Farberware is a great pick for anyone looking for exceptional performance – at a very low price.
Panasonic NN-SD681S
With over 1,200 positive online reviews, this microwave from Panasonic is perfect for anyone. A true must-buy.
GE Profile PEM31SFSS
Over 350 positive online reviewers agree that this microwave from GE is a fantastic pick. A little pricier than budget models, but still highly recommended.
Magic Chef MCM1611ST
With over 115 glowing online reviews, this microwave from Magic Chef is perfect for anyone. Low price point, food cooks fast and perfect, and it blends right in to your kitchen design. Definitely recommended.
What Is A Microwave?
Perhaps one of the best inventions of the last 100 years, the microwave quickly and easily cooks your food. Far faster than an over or stove top, in 90 seconds you can have a ready-to-eat meal.
If you were to even describe this technology to someone in 1905 – you would blow your mind. A little over 100 years later – and most of us already take this huge technological leap for granted.
However, as the microwave has become more widespread – so have the number of manufacturers who want a piece of the action. And unfortunately – that means lots of subpar machines.
While the basic function of the microwave hasn’t changed – heating up your food so that it’s ready to eat – there have a been a huge number of advancements in models over the last 20 years. You have microwaves that can automatically adjust humidity and time, defrost items with one click, and so much more.
However, in our testing, we found that most people do not use 90% of the extra features found on modern-day microwaves. So we did not weigh extra features all that heavily, in our final grades.
When Was The Microwave Invented?
Invented in 1946, the modern microwave was an almost immediate sensation. Saving housewives millions of hours, microwaves, TV dinners, and fast food completely changed the American way of life.
Using radar technology developed during World War II, engineer Percy Spencer released the Radarange – the first modern microwave. However, due to high costs and lack of convenience, the microwave did not become commonplace in American households until the late 1970s.
After Raytheon licensed some of the patents from Spencer, they had a try at developing a more widespread microwave model. Unfortunately, they were a little early, and microwaves were still too expensive and big to be used in most kitchens.
By the late 1970s, microwaves were finally small enough (and affordable enough) for the average consumer to own one. And that’s when microwaves became a true kitchen essential. So much so, that it’s hard for most of us to even imagine not owning a microwave.
How Does A Microwave Work?
Ready for some science? Microwaves are marvels of modern engineering, and pack in some of the coolest tech, in some of the smallest spaces.
Microwaves actually cook food differently than conventional ovens, as they do not directly caramelize or brown the food that you cook. Instead, microwaves generally cook food at a lower temperature.
This means they do not invoke flavorful chemical reactions like browning or frying. This is part of why professional chefs do not use microwaves in their cooking or baking processes.
The invention of the cavity magnetron allowed for the modern microwave to be invented. This vacuum tube allows for small electromagnetic waves to be generated – leading the way for even smaller wavelengths to be produced.
Without going too far into the scientific details, Percy Spencer accidentally discovered the high-powered microwave beam we all know and love, while working at Raytheon. Your food is cooked in a microwave by having radiation pass through it – a true miracle of modern science.
Why Do You Need A Microwave?
Unless you have hours of extra free time available each day to cook every single food – you will want to own a microwave. Making some foods edible in just 60 seconds, they are a true time saver.
Unless you have the most minimum of needs (like someone who doesn’t cook or heat any foods at all) – a microwave is an essential for every household. There is also far less cleanup when cooking foods with a microwave, and you can also evenly cook foods that will otherwise likely become lumpy or uneven in a stove top pan.
Types Of Microwaves
There are many different variations on the basic microwave design, with the countertop microwave being the most commonly purchased among consumers. However, there are also above the range microwaves, under cabinet microwaves, under counter microwaves, and microwave convection oven combo models.
We have listed some of the other most common types of microwaves below. Whether you want a compact microwave, a retro microwave, or a deluxe microwave – we’ve got you covered.
Compact Microwaves
Compact microwaves are great – they fit into the tiniest of spaces, and still pack in enough power to heat your food. The only downside to a compact microwave – less power.
Retro Microwaves
Retro microwaves are becoming very trendy – they bring back that chic, stylistic vibe of the 1950s. But the best part – they still cook with all the modern features and advances prevalent in today’s models.
Budget Microwaves
Budget microwaves are great if you don’t have much to spend. We definitely recommend them if they are optimal for your bottom line – but they lack the best features and power of even mid-range microwave models.
Convection Microwaves
Convection microwaves provide upgraded and additional features to standard microwaves. You’ll get all the features of conventional microwaves – plus even more.
For example, you can start crisping your food, as well as baking and roasting, with a convection microwave. It’s even possible to roast an entire chicken in a convection microwave – which is pretty darn awesome.
Microwave Wattage
As is the case with some consumer items – the more power, the better. If you want the absolute fastest cook times, choose a microwave with the highest wattage possible.
If you want to know exact numbers, opt for a microwave with 1250-watts, at the high end. We would not recommend getting a microwave with less than 700-watts, as they are severely under-powered.
If you are on a tight budget, we still recommend opting for a microwave with at least 1000 watts of power, as they will make your life a lot easier. These units can cook foods far faster (shaving off a whole minute of cooking time) – when compared to microwaves with just 700 watts.
How To Clean Your Microwave
There are many different ways to clean your microwave, but we love the following super-simple method. Simply mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water in a glass measuring cup, and then add a wooden spoon to the mixture.
Set your microwave for 5 minutes, and then remove the glass with your favorite oven mitt. You can now easily wipe down your microwave, as any stains or spills will be much easier to remove – plus all those nasty smells will be gone.
Cheap Microwave – Worth Your Money?
Cheap microwaves did not hold up well in our testing. And if you read the actual user reviews – it’s even worse.
Many report microwaves that almost immediately broke, or didn’t work – and worst of all – didn’t properly cook their food. While it may seem like overspending – putting a little bit more of an investment into a truly great microwave – will pay huge dividends, when you still have the same great machine working for you, 5 or 10 years later.
How Much Power Should A Microwave Have?
In the briefest of summaries – the more wattage you can afford, the better. This is because a higher-powered microwave results in much faster cook times.
A 1250-watt microwave will cook a potato a whole minute faster than a 1000-watt model will, for example. If you’re barely going to use your microwave, or you are on a very tight budget – you could opt for a 700-watt microwave.
These won’t cook or reheat your foods nearly as fast, so whenever possible – opt for more wattage and power. One note though – make sure you don’t set cook times too long, when you have a lot of power to work with – or you may end up with burned food.
Can You Microwave Styrofoam?
Styrofoam is technically a type of plastic, so it is not a good idea to put it in the microwave. Disturbingly, toxic chemicals may leak out of styrofoam – which is much more likely to occur when it is heated.
However, there is one exception – styrofoam marked as microwave-safe. This version of styrofoam is specially produced, and can safely be used with any microwave model.
Can You Microwave Glass?
This one is easy – almost always yes. However, it should be noted that glass can break when its temperature is rapidly changed – so always look for glass that is certified microwave-safe.
Can You Microwave Plastic?
Microwaving plastic is generally not a good idea, as there are a few chemicals that are likely to leach into your food. However, there are some plastics that are marked microwave-safe, and even some unmarked plastics may be safe – the FDA just hasn’t reviewed them yet.
However, if you are cautious, you can easily skip plastic entirely, and opt for a glass Pyrex dish. We personally avoid all plastics in our microwave – but your mileage may vary.
What Is An Inverter Microwave?
Patented by Panasonic, inverter microwaves use different internal technology to cook your food – resulting in no burning or overcooking. The trick is avoiding the use of magnetic coils or transformers as the power source, and instead using inverters.
Most microwaves that are not inverters, actually always cook at full power – even if you choose less. They compensate for this by turning on and off during the cooking cycle – resulting in an average of whatever power level you chose.
As you might imagine, this can easily result in overcooked or burned foods. Inverter microwaves actually cook on the real power you choose – for the entire cooking cycle, resulting in food that is never overcooked.
Does A Microwave Know How Long To Heat Something?
In a scene straight out of a 1950s science fiction movie, many microwaves now come fully-equipped to “sense” whether or not a food is fully cooked. This sounds a bit crazy, but it really works.
For example, your microwave may stop a food from overcooking, by sensing that it’s steaming – and it will reduce the cook time you originally set. These are usually referred to as “smart” features, and they are a little bit eerie in how accurate they are – but, of course, they are also extremely helpful.
Will A Microwave Defrost Frozen Foods?
Defrosting foods is always a bit of a struggle, but the technology has greatly advanced over the years. Sometimes you can have a cooked exterior, with a still-frozen interior – and we want to avoid that.
“Timed Defrost” and “Defrost By Weight” are two great settings to utilize, if you have a particularly tricky food to warm up. If you do some quick searching online, you will even find specific times and defrost settings, for the most common foods.
Do Microwaves Cause Cancer?
This is an untrue myth that is at least semi-grounded in reality. To be succinct – no, microwaves do not cause cancer.
For starters, microwaves will not emit any microwaves at all – unless the door is properly closed. And the tiny amount of radiation that is able to leak out of your microwave is well below the level that might cause harm – at least according to the American Cancer Society.
Microwave Cost
Microwaves range in cost from $50 to $300 (or higher). We don’t recommend spending less than $50 on a model, as the reliability and performance are very likely to be tepid (and you’ll end up spending much more replacing the machine).
We recommend that most people spend the $300 (if it makes sense for their needs), as a microwave at this level will last for an eternity, and will also provide the best performance. That being said, if you’re on a tight budget, you can still get a great microwave for $50 – just choose very wisely.
How Do I Choose The Best Microwave For Me?
You’ll want to consider every factor before buying a microwave for your home. This includes how much space you have, how many people you’ll regularly be microwaving for, and what specific features you are looking for.
There are an almost-overwhelming number of models out there, so it’s important to avoid the cheap and unreliable units. We don’t recommend spending as little as possible on a microwave – a slightly higher upfront investment, will pay great dividends in the long run.
The Best Microwave
There you have it – our picks for the best microwave. There are a ton of great kitchen products besides these, so be sure to check out some of our other reviews, in the home or kitchen categories.