The best microwaves offer a large internal volume, slews of presets to cook different kinds of food and uniform heating to prevent hot edges and cold centers. Whether you use your microwave to reheat leftovers, make popcorn or prepare entire meals, few kitchen appliances are as convenient as microwaves. When it comes to the best of the best, it’s hard to beat the LG NeoChef Microwave, a feature-packed model that’s our top pick overall. Even so, there are plenty of other great alternatives.
Similar to the best toasters and dishwashers, don’t look for a one-size-fits-all microwave. If you want to get a model you’ll love, consider things like the space you have to work with, where in your kitchen you actually want your microwave to live, how you want it to look and your budget. And while plenty of microwaves come with a wealth of attractive features, many boast settings you will literally never use. It’s a good idea to figure out in advance if they’re worth the extra cost before you open up your wallet.
Our kitchen and home experts kept all of these considerations in mind as they searched for the best microwaves. Below, our top recommendations you can buy right now.
- Best Microwave Overall: LG NeoChef Microwave
- Best Budget Microwave: Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven
- Best Countertop Microwave: Breville Smooth Wave Microwave
- Best Over-The-Range Microwave: Samsung Over-the-Range Microwave
- Best Built-In Microwave: KitchenAid Built-In Microwave
- Best Convection Microwave: Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1
- Best Small Microwave: Panasonic Compact Microwave Oven
- Best Large Capacity Microwave: Panasonic Microwave Oven
- Best Smart Microwave: Toshiba Smart Countertop Microwave
Best Microwave Overall
A Sleek Option With Tons Of Useful Features
LG NeoChef Microwave
Power: 1,200 watts | Size: 2.0 cubic feet| Dimensions: 18 x 24 x 13.5 inches | Presets: Sensor cook, sensor reheat, popcorn, defrost
LG’s NeoChef is specially designed to deliver high quality, even heating every time thanks to its smart inverter. So, no more soup that’s warm on the edges and chilly in the center. Humidity-sensing technology helps detect when your food is fully cooked and shuts things down as needed to prevent overcooking. The machine has several features that make it easy to clean, including wipeable smooth glass controls and an interior that’s resistant to stains. Available in two colors, including a sleek black stainless steel finish, the whole thing is backed by an impressive 10-year warranty.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Great value for size and watts
- 10-year warranty available
Cons:
- Beeps and alerts may be too loud for some
Best Budget Microwave
An Option That Efficiently Covers The Basics For Less Than $100
Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven
Power: 900 watts | Size: .9 cubic feet | Dimensions: 15.6 x 19 x 11 inches | Presets: Baked potato, popcorn, pizza, beverage, frozen dinner, reheat
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.
Pros:
- Available in multiple color options
- Low price point
- Compact size
Cons:
- Low wattage; may not be as powerful as other options
Best Countertop Microwave
A Sleek And Stylish Option That’s Whisper-Quiet
Breville Smooth Wave Microwave
Power: 1,250 watts | Size: 1.3 cubic feet | Dimensions: 19 x 20.4 x 12.4 inches | Presets: 15 built-in presets including popcorn, potatoes and bacon
Breville’s Smooth Wave delivers smart cooking with the help of its Sensor iQ technology. Just push a button and it automatically sets the ideal power and time to heat up your dish. This appliance’s soft-close door and quiet inverter is ideal for people who can’t stand the extra noise while cooking. Functions for smart defrost, smart reheat, smart cook and a slew of food-specific presets let you heat up your foods without having to guess times. There’s even a “bit more” button that lets you tack on a little extra time if the heat level isn’t quite right.
Pros:
- Sensor heats food to ideal temperature
- Variety of preset functions to choose from
- Powerful wattage
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other models
Best Over-The-Range Microwave
A Sleek Option That’s Fingerprint-Resistant
Samsung Over The Range Microwave
Power: 1,000 watts | Size: 1.7 cubic feet | Dimensions: 16.5 x 30 x 17 inches | Presets: Popcorn, potato, pizza, veggies, auto defrost, soften melt, cook, reheat
With all you do in the kitchen, it’s hard not to get fingerprints on just about every appliance you interact with. Well, not this one. This over-the-range Samsung model has a stainless steel cover that stays remarkably clean, so you don’t have to stare at smudges every time you want to microwave something. It features a slew of auto-cook presets to save you time. There’s also an eco mode to reduce energy consumption.
Pros:
- Multiple auto-cook presets
- Easy to clean
- Space-saver
Cons:
- Noisy compared to other options
Best Built-In Microwave
A Sleek Model That Fits Into Your Kitchen Seamlessly
KitchenAid Built-In Microwave
Power: 1,000 watts | Size: 1.4 cubic feet | Dimensions: 24 x 21 x 18 inches | Presets: Popcorn, baked potato, meal reheat, reheat, dehydrate
Built-in models are on the rise and this model from KitchenAid is a modern addition to any kitchen with its chrome inlaid frame. The touchscreen has a variety of presets, including functions for popcorn, meal reheat and more. But what really stands out is its dehydrate feature, which remove waters from fruits, meat and more (banana chips, anyone?). To top it off, the large 15.75-inch turntable can fit large dishes for reheating or cooking—perfect for hosting.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Saves counter space
- Unique functions like dehydrating
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other countertop models
Best Convection Microwave
Bake, Toast Or Air Fry In The Breville 3-In-1 Microwave
Power: 1,400 watts | Size: 1.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 20 x 20.4 x 12.4 inches | Presets: 19 in-built presets including popcorn, softening butter and melting chocolate
The Combi Wave from Breville combines multiple appliances into one, so you can grill, bake and heat your way through many different dishes. Air-fry french fries, reheat leftovers or bake brownies using the toaster oven setting. Plus, it comes with a soft-close door so no more slamming.
Pros:
- Multiple preset options to choose from
- Modern design
- Powerful wattage
Cons:
- Some reviewers noted issues with durability over time
Best Small Microwave
A Tiny-But-Mighty Appliance
Panasonic Compact Microwave Oven NN-SN67KS
Power: 1,200 watts | Size: 1.2 cubic feet | Dimensions: 15.8 x 20.7 x 12.2 inches | Presets: Popcorn, sensor reheat, sensor cook, turbo defrost, keep warm
Not everyone needs a massive microwave. This machine’s stainless steel exterior and 1.2-cubic-foot capacity looks great in your kitchen, and saves space while evenly heating up leftovers, snacks and breakfast tacos. A turbo defrost function accelerates defrosting time, which can save you on the days you forget to take the frozen burgers out. It also takes up minimal counter space, making it perfect for smaller kitchens.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Turbo defrost function
- Small footprint
Cons:
- Some reviewers found the door button flimsy
Best Large Capacity Microwave
A Roomy Option That Can Defrost An Entire Turkey
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN936B
Power: 1,250 watts | Size: 2.2 cubic feet | Dimensions: 18 x 18.5 x 10 inches | Presets: Popcorn, sensor reheat, sensor cook, turbo defrost, keep warm
This handy microwave can defrost a full-sized turkey, or accommodate a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. But while there’s a large interior capacity, the footprint is smaller than you’d think. That means you won’t need to suddenly demo a huge area of your kitchen to make this microwave fit. This Panasonic also has a “keep warm” feature that allows you to hold soups, desserts and gravy at the right temperature until ready to serve.
Pros:
- Can heat large items
- Has a ‘keep warm’ function
- Footprint isn’t huge despite the capacity
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other models
- Exterior door made of thin plastic
Best Smart Microwave
A Microwave That Can Be Conveniently Controlled Using Your Smart Devices
Toshiba ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
Power: 1,100 watts | Size: 1.3 cubic feet | Dimensions: 16.6 x 20.4 x 12.4 inches | Presets: 23 preset options including, popcorn, reheat and potato
Think of this microwave as your sous chef. This Toshiba model can be integrated with Alexa, meaning you can tell it to start cooking your instant oatmeal while you’re still in bed or get it moving via your phone. It delivers even heating and a preset timing menu with 23 options for everything from pizza to vegetables. It also features a humidity sensor that automatically adjusts the microwave’s cooking power depending on what you’re making.
Pros:
- Alexa-enabled
- Over 20 preset options to choose from
- Operate from anywhere using the app
Cons:
- Some reviewers mention quality issues after shipping
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here at Forbes Vetted, we prioritize appliances that make everyday tasks easier (and more enjoyable). Our kitchen and home editors cover everything from how to find the right kitchen appliance for your space to the best frying pans and knife sets. For this microwaves story, we looked to contributor Leah Koenig. She’s written dozens of stories on the best appliances and has tested countless kitchen gadgets, including the best hand mixers and ice cream makers. We also looked to co-author and contributor Korin Miller, who has over a decade of experience covering home essentials, including the best leaf blowers and air purifiers.
This article is regularly updated to ensure readers are getting the most current products and information. This story was last updated in September 2023 to crown winners for the best built-in microwave and the best convection microwave.
How We Chose The Best Microwaves
In order to find the best microwaves, we took our own regular cooking tasks into consideration and examined features like wattage, size and preset functions when making our determinations.To narrow down the list further, we took a look at the top brands on the market, read customer reviews and evaluated the overall value of each. All of the microwaves on our list earned at least a 4-star customer rating.
Once we had our final selections in order, we streamlined our list by selecting options that accommodate a wide variety of kitchen needs and budgets. For big families or those with large dishes to reheat, we chose the Panasonic Microwave Oven, which can accommodate a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish (plus an entire turkey).
What Are The Different Types Of Microwaves?
There’s a surprisingly solid range of options out there when it comes to the different types of microwaves. Here are the most common:
- Countertop microwaves are simply made to perch on your counter—just plug yours in and start cooking. While they don’t require any special wiring or much pre-purchase planning on your end, they can take up valuable countertop space you might otherwise want to use for meal prep or to store other appliances.
- Over-the-range microwaves are specially designed to hang out above your stovetop. They allow you to have all of your heating devices in one dedicated space, but some people find it annoying to have a microwave at eye level when they’re using the stove. These microwaves can also be tricky for shorter people to safely access.
- Built-in microwaves are typically flush with your wall or cabinets in your kitchen. They seamlessly becomes part of your decor and can be placed just about anywhere you please. However, they usually requires special wiring (if it’s not already in place) and precise measurements to make sure everything will fit properly.
- Drawer microwaves have risen in popularity over the past few years for their ability to be tucked away under a counter and less visible in the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Given their height and accessibility, these microwaves are easy for the whole family to use—which can be a good or bad thing, depending on the age of your children.
How To Choose The Best Microwave For You
There are several different features to consider when selecting the best microwave for you and your home.
Size
It’s important to start here when shopping for a microwave. Grab a model that’s too big and it just won’t work or you’ll be forced to spend your time in the kitchen working around it. Size also matters when it comes to your individual cooking needs. If you have a larger family, it only makes sense to get a microwave that can accommodate larger dishes. But, if you live alone or have a smaller family unit, a more compact microwave may be your best bet.
Wattage
The wattage of your microwave indicates how much power it has. As a whole, the more wattage your microwave has, the faster it will heat your food and the sooner you can move along with your cooking process. In general, most people prefer a microwave that has at least 1,000 watts.
Cooking Functions
If you just want a microwave that will heat up food, you probably don’t need anything beyond the basics. But some people prefer to have a range of preset functions and extra bells and whistles, like humidity sensors and keep warm functions.
Placement
Knowing where you plan to put your microwave in advance will help you narrow down the field. Are you looking for something to hang out on your countertop or is it a trendy drawer microwave you’re after? See what will work best in your kitchen space and what your personal preferences are before making a final decision.
What Is The Best Microwave To Buy Right Now?
There are dozens of excellent microwaves on the market, and we’ve highlighted many of them above. That said, our top pick for 2023 is the LG NeoChef Microwave, which is easy to clean and operate, plus it’s available in two sleek colorways.
How Much Should I Pay For A Good Microwave?
It’s possible to find microwaves for as little as $50 (our budget pick is only a little above that figure). That said, the majority of models fall somewhere between $100 and $250, and some are even pricier, clocking in around $300 or $400.
Which Microwaves Last The Longest?
Every microwave has a different life expectancy, depending on factors like wattage and overall usage. While you never know exactly how long a microwave will last, it should last at least seven to eight years. Be sure to consider the warranty, too; our best overall pick (the LG NeoChef Microwave) has a 10-year warranty which is fairly generous compared to the industry standard.
Which Microwaves Cooks The Most Evenly?
Typically, microwaves with smart sensor technology perform the best when it comes to heating food evenly. A smart microwave like the Toshiba Smart Countertop Microwave uses tiny humidity sensors to ensure you get the best (and most even) results.