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The Best Countertop Microwave

Last updated on August 6, 2023

We looked at the top 17 Microwaves and dug through the reviews from 31 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Microwaves.

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In today’s busy, fast-paced world, most people couldn’t imagine living without a microwave. The ability to pop your food in the appliance, push a few buttons and have snacks or meals ready to eat in a few minutes is a great convenience. In fact, microwaves have changed the way many people cook and eat, allowing for fast meal prep without the need for a lot of pots and pans or long periods of time standing over a stovetop. They also provide a convenient way to heat up leftovers, eliminating the need to choose between eating cold food or turning on an oven.

Another handy characteristic of microwaves is that they don’t take up an extensive amount of space. While some models fit over a range and require certain space specifications and hardware, countertop microwaves do just what the descriptive name implies — they sit right on your countertop, and are ready to start cooking by simply plugging in the power cord and selecting the appropriate time, temperature and function buttons. Look for models that offer a practical footprint with a 0.9-cubic-foot capacity, but that also feature straightforward controls that are simple to use.

Have you ever wondered how microwaves cook food so quickly? It’s the electromagnetic radiation within these handy small appliances that heat the molecules within liquids and foods, warming them quickly and effectively.  A microwave’s power is measured in its wattage and typically ranges from around 600 to 1,200 watts. The higher the wattage, the faster the model cooks. The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS delivers 1,100 watts of power, earning praise for the fast, even results it produces. Some microwaves also have temperature control functions so you can reduce or increase the power as needed.

Countertop microwaves have knobs or digital keypads that allow you to control the amount of time needed to reheat or cook food. Most modern models also feature numerous preset buttons for one-touch cooking. These one-touch controls have programmed times that are designed to precisely heat specific types of food, taking the guesswork out of preparing numerous favorites. For example, all you have to do is tap the pizza button on a microwave to warm up a slice, and it does the work for you!

A microwave’s ability to cook fast and further cut down on prep time with one-touch controls brings convenience to the kitchen, but some models take time-saving heating to the next level. Some microwaves offer state-of-the-art cooking technology, measuring the moisture levels released from food and automatically adjusting cook times accordingly. Fast and smart technology equals a win-win when it comes to cooking and reheating your favorite snacks, tasty leftovers and mealtime recipes.

Microwaves have other features that make cooking in them a breeze. Digital displays make it easy to read cook times and settings and can even be programmed with the time when not in use. Turntables rotate food while cooking so you don’t have to, and buzzers alert you when your food is ready. Functions like melt and defrost are useful for preparing ingredients for recipes or de-thawing frozen foods. Microwaves that have quick-warm buttons allow you to heat food in 30-second increments, allowing you to gradually heat food to the perfect temperature.

As you shop for a new countertop microwave, don’t forget aesthetic appeal. Just like other small and major kitchen appliances, they are available in different colors and finishes to fit any home’s decor.

Our Picks For The Top Microwaves

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

COMFEE’ Portable Energy Saving Countertop Microwave

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

COMFEE'

Portable Energy Saving Countertop Microwave

Whether you're heating up a cup of tea or cooking a baked potato, this countertop microwave has you covered. It's compact in size, so it won't take up much space. The unit comes with six preset buttons and 11 power settings, so you won't have any trouble preparing your favorite foods to prefection.

Overall Take

Economical OptionWhen shopping on a budget, this affordable countertop microwave is the way to go.

Pros
" It runs smoothly and quietly."
Cons
"Door can be noisy at times."
 Runner Up

Galanz Vintage 10-Mode Countertop Microwave

Galanz

Vintage 10-Mode Countertop Microwave

Available in green, blue, black or red, this countertop microwave is quite stylish. It offers a 1.1 cubit feet capacity, which is perfect for individuals and couples living in an apartment or traveling in an RV. The microwave is outfitted with 10 auto heat modes and comes with a glass turntable to aid your food in even cooking.

Overall Take

Ideal for Apartments and RVsThis vintage-style countertop microwave has a handy +30 second button for those times when your food is almost ready, but not quite fully there.

 We Also Like

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Multifunctional Smart Sensor Microwave Oven

Toshiba

Multifunctional Smart Sensor Microwave Oven

Reliable power, practical interior space and good looks — this countertop microwave has it all. At 1,100 watts of power, it cooks fast and evenly, while the 1.2 cu. ft. capacity fits most consumers' needs. We also love the modern, stainless steel finish.

Overall Take

Cooks Fast and EvenlyThis countertop microwave has a modern, stainless steel finish and it's large enough to cook most foods fast.

Pros
" This medium-size 1.2-cubic-foot microwave has more controls for specific cooking tasks, but they’re not that intuitive to operate."
 Strong Contender

BLACK+DECKER Pre-Programmed LED Countertop Microwave

BLACK+DECKER

Pre-Programmed LED Countertop Microwave

This countertop microwave has a clean modern look. It's made with a push button door release and has 10 power settings. There's also an interior light, a 30-seconds express cooking button and a child safety lock to prevent little ones from accidentally using it.

Overall Take

Secure DesignFamilies traveling with children will love this portable microwave, which comes equipped with a child safety lock.

Pros
" 30-second express cooking. The door easily opens with one push of the button for more convenience."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
24

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the microwaves available to purchase.
17

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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31

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Themarany, 5 Product Reviews, Cookware News, Ready Research, MyKitchenAdvisor.

44,255

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 17 Microwaves and also dug through the reviews from 31 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Microwaves.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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What to Look For

  • You need to consider how much counter space you have to work with before choosing a countertop microwave. Models like the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS take up several extra inches of width and depth space than a smaller unit. On the other hand, if space is not a concern, a larger countertop microwave will provide ample space and power for the majority of your cooking needs.
  • Keep in mind that microwaves that deliver more wattage power cook faster than lower-wattage options, but also tend to cost a bit more. The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS zaps food quickly with its 1,100-watt output but costs a bit more than the brands that put out 900 watts of power.
  • What color are the appliances that you already have in your kitchen? For an appealing look that pairs nicely with your refrigerator, oven and dishwasher, choose a countertop microwave with a matching finish.
  • Do you have a limited budget? Just because a microwave doesn’t come with a high price tag doesn’t mean it won’t meet your expectations. Although some models come in at a reasonable price point, they have a reputation for being well-made, easy to use and heating foods evenly and effectively.
  • The type of cooking you plan to do using your microwave is one factor you need to consider before deciding on the model and features that will work best for you. For example, if you like to prepare full meals that include meat, fish and poultry, a microwave that has an interior space of at least 1 cubic foot capacity and 900 watts of power or more is a good choice. But if you primarily use your microwave for the convenience factor of heating foods quickly, look for a model with plenty of preset functions.

Microwave Rankings

1. COMFEE’ Portable Energy Saving Countertop Microwave

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 6

2. Galanz Vintage 10-Mode Countertop Microwave

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

4. BLACK+DECKER Pre-Programmed LED Countertop Microwave

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 5

5. Nostalgia RMO4AQ Retro Easy Read Microwave

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 6

6. Panasonic NN-SN936W Turbo Defrost Large Microwave

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 2

7. Panasonic NN SD372S Compact Stainless Steel Microwave

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 1

8. Walsh Adjustable Microwave Oven & Mini Fridge

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 1

9. Panasonic SN966S Smart Countertop Microwave

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 1

10. Breville Quick Touch Countertop Microwave Oven

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 8

11. Samsung Safety Locking Microwave

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 5

12. AmazonBasics Alexa Enabled Microwave

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 2

13. Toshiba EM925A5A-SS ECO+MUTE Kitchen Microwave

Overall Score: 8.0
Reviews Included: 1

14. Kenmore 70929 Quick Defrost LED Display Microwave

Overall Score: 7.8
Reviews Included: 3

15. Panasonic NN-SD975S Programmable 3D Waves Microwave

Overall Score: 7.3
Reviews Included: 4

16. Cuisinart CMW-200 Recirculating Residential Microwave

Overall Score: 7.0
Reviews Included: 8

17. Toshiba One Touch Start ECO Mode Microwave Oven

Overall Score: 6.8
Reviews Included: 5

More to Explore

The radiation technology that emerged during World War II is the foundation of the invention of the first microwave oven. But the ability to convert microwave energy into an appliance that could heat food was actually discovered by accident by self-taught engineer Percy LeBaron Spencer. While working on microwave radiation vacuum tubes, also called magnetrons, candy in his pocket inadvertently melted. This unexpected turn of events gave Percy the idea to attempt to heat numerous types of foods with magnetrons, all with notable results. He constructed a metal box to contain microwave energy and applied for a patent for his invention in 1945. The rest is history.

The earliest microwaves were used in restaurants in 1947, and the very first consumer model was available in 1954. The technology has come a long way since then — the first models were huge and cost more than $1,000. Today, microwaves are available in a range of sizes and prices, including affordable models to fit most budgets. Today, it’s estimated that 96 percent of homes in the United States have microwaves.

 

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