Microwave ovens are now an essential part of any kitchen. With the right microwave you will be able to defrost foods, cook meals and reheat meals in a short period of time.
There is a wide range of microwaves on the market, but if you know your cooking skills and check out the options of each microwave, you will find the perfect one for your family.
Not all microwaves are the same size. Decide where you are going to place your unit. Make sure you measure the space in which you plan to put the unit.
The internal capacity of microwaves can range from 1 cubic foot to more than 2 cubic feet. The inside measurements will be listed in reviews of the unit. Make sure the dishes you will be using a lot will fit inside.
Decide what wattage you need, if you want a countertop unit or one that fits over your range. Built-in units will save you counter space and can be in a drawer under the counter. Some countertop units can also be built-in.
Make sure you set a budget and look for deals online, in new papers, and at the store. Read as many reviews on all the different kinds of microwaves. You will learn the ease of use, efficiency and how long each brand lasts in the reviews.
Product | Details | Rating |
---|---|---|
OUR #1 RATED Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave Oven | 4.5 out of 5 | |
Westinghouse Microwave Oven | 4 out of 5 | |
Panasonic Microwave Oven | 4 out of 5 | |
hOmeLabs Countertop Oven | 4 out of 5 | |
Kenmore Countertop Microwave Oven | 4 out of 5 |
Know what features you must have. Look for defrosting, cooking buttons with specialized settings and if you want a turntable or metal racks. The metal racks will evenly heat your foods.
Below we've reviewed the top 10 best microwave ovens on the market in 2021.
Westinghouse Countertop Microwave Oven
This Westinghouse microwave is 1.1 cubic feet inside and delivers 1000 watts of power. It has 10 levels of power for cooking and reheating your foods. You can put in the precise cooking time for your meals with the keypad controls, and the LED display shows you how much time is left.
There are 6 specialized buttons for quick cooking for items like frozen dinners and popcorn, and the auto defrost button can be used entering the weight and type of food. It also has a child safety lock.
PROS
CONS
Hamilton Beach Microwave Oven
The Hamilton Beach unit has a child-safe lockout and is 0.7 cu feet. It has 700 watts of power with 6 quick-set buttons for dinners, popcorn and defrosts. The dimensions are 17.3 by 13.4 by 10.2 in size and the turntable will hold a 10 1/4 in the plate.
It has convenient controls for cooking and a touchpad control that is easy to read. The large LED display gives you the count down for when your dinner is ready. Designed in a black plastic that should fit into any décor.
PROS
CONS
Farberware Microwave Oven
The Farberware Microwave has 1.1 cubic feet inside and 1000 watts of power, with 10 power levels ranging from 10 percent to 100 percent. It has 6 different express quick start cooking controls and a 30-second feature where you can add a little more time.
The one-touch cooking features are for pizza, frozen vegetables, drinks, potatoes, popcorn, and a dinner plate.
There is also a memory feature that stores and recalls your cooking settings. You can defrost by weight or time and the LED display is also a kitchen timer and clock.
You will get a rotating glass turntable that is removable and the keypad lock prevents children from playing with the keypad.
PROS
CONS
Daewoo Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
The Daewoo Retro has up to 700 watts and has 0.7 cubic foot inside, and comes in mint green. It is a countertop with 4 auto cook settings and an electrical cord that is 36 inches long. It features two-way defrost and a zero-standby function.
This new retro line moves away from the traditional looks of the small compact ovens. It is elegant with a few modern touches and reminds you of the olden days.
PROS
CONS
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven
This Toshiba has a smart sensor, ECO Mode and Sound off/on features with an easy clean 1.2 cubic feet of space inside. It is black stainless steel with 1100 watts of power. It has 10 power settings, a kitchen timer, and a clock.
The sensor menu setting is for foods like potatoes, veggies, pizza and much more. The turntable inside is glass and is 12.4 inches, and the controls are easy to read with the large digital display.
It has a popcorn setting that is one touch and two defrost settings that are by weight or custom.
PROS
CONS
Kenmore Countertop Microwave Oven
The Kenmore microwave has multiple cooking pre-sets that take the guesswork out of cooking. The presets are for popcorn, pizza, and potatoes and many other food items. The 30-second button to cook your food a little more comes in handy on many items.
It is stainless steel with a 0.9 cubic foot inside and a LED clock. The oven has 900 watts of power for all your cooking needs.
PROS
CONS
hOmeLabs Countertop Oven
This compact microwave oven has 1.3 cubic feet inside and fits beautifully in small kitchens. It has enough room for a large dinner plate or a family size meal. It will match any countertop space with its stainless-steel handle and sleek black matte exterior.
It has a quick reheating button for fast meals, 10 power levels and 11 functions for cooking, including a 30-second button for extra cooking time.
It also has 7 pre-programmed functions for pizza, steamed vegetables, popcorn, defrost options by time or weight. The revolving glass plate is large and helps to prevent hotspots and cook’s food evenly.
You can clean the glass with a damp cloth or take it out for a full cleaning in the dishwasher. The microwave has 1050 watts of power and has a 6-quart capacity.
Programming for the microwave is easy, and the LED light display gives the microwave a modern look.
PROS
CONS
Panasonic Microwave Oven
The Panasonic Microwave has 1100 watts of power, a 1.3 cubic foot inside and is stainless steel. It can be either a built-in or countertop unit.
The inverter technology is patented and it delivers a steady flow of power that gives you consistent cooking every time. Defrosting time is lessened by the turbo defrost.
It has a 13.4-inch turntable that is lighter and thinner than most others and is more efficient. The Genius Sensor is built in and will adjust times and power based on the different foods.
There are 7 pre-set menu settings, a delayed start, quick minute timer and a lock that is childproofed.
PROS
CONS
Westinghouse Microwave Oven
This Westinghouse Microwave has 900 watts of power and 0.9 cubic feet inside, a stainless-steel front with a black cabinet. It has 10 power levels that give you quality meals every time.
It has 6 quick cook buttons that are for popcorn, pizza, beverages, reheat, potatoes, and frozen foods.
It has an easy to use auto weight and quick defrost button for your convenience. You can defrost by weight of by minutes. The door is a push button style and has a child safety lock for the protection of your children. This microwave is a countertop oven.
PROS
CONS
Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave Oven
The Toshiba microwave is a compact size countertop unit. It has 0.9 cubic foot on the inside and the turntable is 10.6 inches in diameter. It has 900 watts of power with 10 different power settings.
It has a kitchen timer and a defrost button that you can use by putting in the minutes or the weight. The control panel is digital with an interior LED light, a glass turntable and has an exterior of black stainless steel.
There are 6 pre-set functions for popcorn, pizza, frozen veggies, beverages, and dinner plates full of food. It also has a sound on/off option, a power saving mode, and a child safety lock.
PROS
CONS
Which Microwave Oven Should You Buy?
Choosing the right microwave for your situation and budget can be a daunting task. What will help you the most is to read the latest reviews, customer feedback about each unit, and what the shelf life is for each microwave. You do not want one that is going to keep breaking down.
The Westinghouse Countertop Microwave Oven, 1000 watts of power would be my choice for a new microwave. It has 10 power levels that will give you a wonderful cooking capability.
Each level is unique and it will serve you well when you want to cook specific dishes for your family.
It has all the configurations that will fit into your cooking level and allow you to achieve what you want to do in the shortest amount of time. Check into this microwave.
A good microwave should last a long time and perhaps even be able to be handed down to a loved one when you decide to upgrade.
Lauren Gamble is an author, mompreneur, co-founder of Naturally Made Essentials. She is on a mission to help thousands of women across the world achieve a healthy, happy lifestyle through teaching natural health practices.