Top 7+ Best Countertop Microwave Oven, According To Expert Testing

A countertop microwave oven is intended to fit neatly on your kitchen counter, dorm room counter, or next to your work desk. This versatile device is simple to use and produces quick results, whether you need to defrost poultry quickly, soften hardened brown sugar, or reheat an entree from your favorite meal delivery service.

The Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute has studied and evaluated hundreds of small appliances that cook and reheat food, such as toaster ovens, air fryers, and indoor grills. We conducted over ten tests on each of the 7 new microwave models in our latest side-by-side Lab test. Everything from the simplicity of opening the door to popping popcorn was evaluated. After this guide, you can read more about how we evaluated countertop microwaves in our Lab and expert guidance on what to look for when shopping for a countertop microwave. We are interested in additional kitchen tools and equipment that we recommend.

What To Look For When Buying The Best Microwave?

Many countertop microwave options will suit your space and style, but these are the important features to look for:

Dimension: The internal dimension of a microwave is measured in cubic feet, and it determines how much it can fit inside. An 11-inch dinner plate, for example, will not work in our favorite compact countertop microwave. According to our study, the most common countertop microwave capacity is around 1.2 cubic feet, but microwaves can range from 0.8 cubic feet to 2.2 cubic feet on average. Choose the size that best suits your space and requirements.

Wattage: This indicates the microwave’s strength. A 700- to 900-watt microwave may be adequate for reheating individual food portions, defrosting small amounts of vegetables, or making popcorn. You’d want at least 1,000 watts of electricity for more versatile use. Most packaged frozen dinners are designed to be heated in a 1,100-watt microwave. Anything lower merely takes longer to heat up.

Type: Inverter microwaves use technology to continuously transfer power, whereas traditional microwaves cycle power on and off. “When you set the microwave to a specific setting, it provides that set power for the duration of your heating.” As a result, if you heat it at 50% power, it will continue to cook at 50% power. Traditional microwaves are typically less expensive than inverter microwaves. On the other hand, traditional microwaves can be less energy efficient because they are not maintained at a constant power level while operating. In addition, traditional microwaves do not heat as equally as inverter microwaves.

Features: These days, there are a lot of excellent bells and whistles on the market. Here are a few that make using the microwave so much easier: Intelligent Sensors By automatically measuring the humidity in your food, it can adjust the duration and power level for you. They remove the guesswork of determining how much longer to cook. Turntables rotate your meal to ensure even heating. Without one, you’d have to interrupt the cooking procedure to turn your plate around. It is simpler to clean removable ones. A plus-30-second button may appear insignificant, but it makes a significant difference because it lets you quickly start or add time without pressing a series of buttons. Preset functions are now commonplace, particularly for defrosting (by weight or amount), reheating, and popcorn. However, you may prefer a potato, beverage, or melt setting.

If you have small children in your house, child safety locks on microwaves are a good feature to look for. The oven’s control panel is “locked” with this feature so that children or anyone unfamiliar cannot inadvertently operate it.

Factors To Consider When Purchasing A Microwave

Where You Want It To Go: Countertop models, as their name suggests, sit on your countertop and don’t need to be installed. All you need to do is ensure you have enough room for the model you select and an outlet for plugging it in. Over-the-range appliances are put over your stove to save up counter space. They are sometimes referred to as OTRs, built-ins, or microwave hoods. They also have a vent to let smoke and odors in, but they are less effective than a hood with an exhaust vent that vents to the outside. They need expert installation. Therefore, hiring someone to measure the area before you place your order is a good idea.

1: Wattage

The watts a microwave produces determines its power. The range of wattage is 500 to 1500. Generally speaking, the higher the wattage and the quicker the cooking time, the bigger the oven. Cooking time can also be influenced by the cavity’s size and form, though. If you intend to do more than reheat, we advise purchasing an oven with at least 800-1200 watts.

2: Size

The cubic feet of the cavity, indicated as the microwave oven’s capacity, do not accurately represent the amount of usable space. Almost all microwaves feature turntables. Thus, it’s crucial to measure the turntable to ascertain the size of the dish the oven can accommodate while rotating. If you have a favorite microwaveable baking dish, be sure it fits in the microwave by measuring it from handle end to handle end or bringing it to the store and trying it out. Most individuals find that. It’s enough to have 8 to 1.2 cubic feet.

Further Upgrades: While some of these extras may be good, not everyone will need them. You could find that Express Keys is the feature you use the most. Some ovens have a one- or thirty-second pad. On some, the oven starts automatically when you push a numbered key (pressing 1 means it runs for a minute; press 3, and it runs for 3 minutes, etc.). To determine the cooking time, sensors’ cook or defrost settings measure the moisture released while heating. Instead of cooking for a set period, they adjust the timing to the real food to produce extremely accurate results.

3: Power And Time Settings

Preprogrammed keys are predetermined for tasks like melting butter, popping popcorn, and frying vegetables. Although a popcorn button is a standard feature on most microwaves, the other options differ from model to model. No matter what kind of food is being cooked, these programs always cook at the same time. Your vegetables may be slightly overcooked or undercooked, depending on how tender or tough they are.

On many ovens, convection cooking or grilling is an option. Although they are expensive, this functionality might be useful, especially during the holidays when you need more oven room.

How Do We Select The Best Oven?

We used them in the test kitchen for food preparation and recipe development and in our homes for family meals to determine which microwaves were the best. We looked at star ratings, consumer comments, and professional review sites to see their suggestions. We looked at the speed, capacity, and features they offered and whether they cooked evenly. To ensure that there is a wonderful option for every style of cook, our recommendations include a variety of microwaves of different sorts and sizes.

Here Are The Top 7+ Best Countertop Microwaves

1. TOSHIBA 7-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven Air Fryer Combo, Inverter, Convection, Broil, Speedy Combi, Even Defrost, Humidity Sensor, Mute Function, 27 Auto Menu&47 Recipes, 1.0 cu.ft/30QT, 1000W

This Toshiba microwave has the ideal size and power ratio; it’s smaller than most of the other high-power, 1000-watt microwaves we tried but still fits a dinner plate comfortably. It has all of the required features, food presets (mentioned on the interior), a child safety lock, and a plus-30-second button. This model can cook in seven ways: microwave, air fry, convection, broil, defrost, sensor cook, and “combi” cook, making it a real kitchen multitasker. According to Lab Assistant Nikolas Greenwald, this model uses inverter technology, which “distributes energy continuously, ultimately resulting in a more efficient application of energy to your food.

“If you use the “sensor cook” preset, the microwave’s built-in humidity sensor will modify the cooking time. This microwave had the evenest heat distribution of any microwave tested in our latest testing. It melted cheese completely and evenly, baked four perfectly cooked baked potatoes, and reheated a large mac and cheese casserole more evenly than the other 11 models we tried. This model also includes a mute button for turning off beeps and notifications when the cooking time is up. We prefer the handlebar design for opening the door to a button because it is more practical. Learn More….

2. Panasonic NN-SN75LB 1.6 cu.ft Cyclonic Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven 1250Watt Power with Genius Sensor Cooking, cft, Black

This Panasonic oven is quick due to two factors: It has a heating power of 1,250 watts, one of the highest wattages we tried, and a built-in inverter that helps heat food more rapidly and evenly. Microwaves with inverters performed well in our experiments for uniformly reheating food and baking potatoes.

This model includes a smart sensor as well as features such as a “quick 30” button, “more” and “less” buttons that change cook times in 10-second increments, a quick-minute timer, a delay-start feature, and a child safety lock. We like the keep warm function, which can be enabled at the start of the cook cycle and will run for up to 30 minutes after the cook cycle is completed. e. The sensor cook button has 14 settings for everything from oatmeal to fish fillets, but keep your owner’s manual handy because that’s a lot of codes to recall. Learn More….

3. BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, Stainless Steel, 0.9 Cu Ft

This compact Black + Decker model is a great option if you have limited counter space, live in a dorm room, or need a microwave mainly for reheating or cooking small quantities of food. The 10-inch turntable can accommodate a small dinner dish or mug but nothing much larger. To ensure that your dinner plates or commonly microwaved tableware fit inside, we suggest measuring them. The internal measurements are approximately 12 inches x 13 inches x 8 inches.

It has presets for popcorn, potatoes, frozen veggies, and other foods and lets you program up to three functions you use the most. This microwave has a lower wattage than the other models we tested, but at 900 watts, it can still accomplish most tasks; it may take a few seconds longer. A kid safety lock is also available. Learn More…

4. Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fryer, Convection Bake, FlashXpress Broiler, Inverter Microwave Technology, 1000W, 1.2 cu ft with Easy Clean Interior – NN-CD87KS (Stainless Steel)

The HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is more than just a microwave; it also functions as a broiler, convection oven, and air fryer in one sleek gadget. This four-in-one appliance can do simple things like pop a bag of popcorn and more complex things like baking a cake in the convection oven or air fry chicken wings. We tried both and were particularly pleased with how evenly the convection oven baked a 9-inch yellow cake and how crispy the air fry function made chicken wings.

This model includes Panasonic inverter technology, which uses a continuous stream of electricity to heat foods completely. While this microwave has 20 presets, we suggest reading the instruction manual before using it to understand how they all work and how to use the included accessories. Learn More….

5. Breville Compact Wave Soft-Close Microwave Oven, Silver, BMO650SIL

Breville products are known for their thoughtful construction, and this quiet and attractive microwave lives up to the brand’s reputation. A mute switch silences all beeps, and the soft-close door is 80% quieter than most microwaves. In our tests, we found the door quieter than other microwaves, but we cannot guarantee that it is 80% quieter. The control panel is spacious, and the slightly raised controls are simple. Instead of a numeric keypad, you get an ergonomic dial that clicks as it rapidly switches between minutes and seconds. We were particularly pleased by how simple it is to use the control panel when using the defrost preset.

This model has preprogrammed buttons for defrosting, reheating, popcorn, and beverages, as well as a food menu with settings for “baked” potatoes, pizza, and frozen veggies. Notice that the food menu presets are coded, but the key is conveniently hidden inside the microwave. The popcorn preset popped almost all the kernels in our samples, but it burned a few bits of popcorn. Learn More…..

6. GE 3-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven | Complete With Air Fryer, Broiler & Convection Mode | 1.0 Cubic Feet Capacity, 1,050 Watts | Kitchen Essentials for the Countertop or Dorm Room | Stainless Steel

In our recent testing, the GE 3-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven was one of the simplest microwaves to use, with unique features that other models we tested did not have. While most microwaves require you to place the turntable in precise alignment on the rotating ring underneath, or it will not spin, it will spin no matter how you position it on the rotating ring. For added convenience, all preset codes are listed on the front of the microwave rather than having to look for them.

This model produced perfectly tender baked potatoes and outperformed most of its rivals in heat distribution tests, melting cheese evenly and defrosting meat faster. It’s worth noting that you must hit the big external button hard to open the microwave, and the user’s manual is brief. Thankfully, this microwave was simple to use, with all presets and settings noted on the front of the model. Learn More….

7. SAMSUNG 1.1 Cu Ft PowerGrill Countertop Microwave Oven w/ Power Convection, Ceramic Enamel Interior, Sensor Cook, Slim Fry, 1000 Watt, MC11K7035CG/AA, Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel, Black

Making meals from the depths of your freezer is simple with the assistance of this Samsung Microwave. After defrosting frozen leftovers with the power defrost function, you can toast, crisp, and brown your microwave dinner with features like a power grill. We like how this model can be used as a microwave and a convection oven with a fan to help spread heat evenly without drying out the food.

This model has a ceramic enamel interior, reducing interior scratching and simplifying cleaning. Eco mode saves energy without the need to unplug your microwave when not in use, and there’s a child lock to prevent children from inadvertently turning on the oven. While we have not yet had the opportunity to test this specific model, we have had excellent outcomes when testing Samsung ranges with built-in convection modes. Learn More….

8. Galanz GSWWA12S1SA10 3-in-1 SpeedWave with TotalFry 360, Microwave, Air Fryer, Convection Oven with Combi-Speed Cooking, 1.2 Cu.Ft, Stainless Steel

Every kitchen has limited countertop space; a microwave oven eats up a sizable portion of that space. How, then, do you go if you additionally desire an air fryer? This multipurpose item offers a solution to your issue. It functions as a convection oven, an air fryer, and a microwave all at once. There is a setting that cooks quickly while imparting some browning and crisping using both the microwave and convection heat concurrently. The best part is that reviews gush about how well it performs in every mode. Learn More…..

The Way We Put Tabletop Microwaves To The Test

We test countertop microwave oven by seeing how uniformly they melt cheese (shown) and “bake” four potatoes; finally, if a microwave can also be used as a toaster oven, convection oven, or air fryer, we tested those features by toasting bread, baking a cake, and air cooking chicken wings. Reheat a large mac and cheese casserole, and reheat a dinner platter of meatloaf with sides. During microwave testing, popcorn kernels are measured.

We put presets, such as the popcorn setting, to the test to see how well each microwave pops a popcorn container. We weigh the remaining unpropped kernels and evaluate any burning that happened. We also put microwave defrost presets to the test by defrosting a pound of frozen minced beef. (in two different shapes). We consider the control panel, positioning the turntable, opening and closing the door, and cleaning the microwave to be simple.

FAQ’S About Best Countertop Microwave Oven

Conclusion

Choosing the best countertop microwave depends on your specific needs and preferences. However, after reviewing several top-rated models, the Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN966S is a top choice due to its excellent performance, large capacity, and multiple functions. If you’re on a budget, the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven offers a powerful and efficient microwave at an affordable price. High-end options include the Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave, GE 3-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven, and Samsung Countertop Power Convection Microwave Oven. For versatility, the Galanz 3-in-1 SpeedWave Microwave is a great choice, offering multiple functions in one appliance. Finally, the AmazonBasics Microwave is a good choice for a budget-friendly and compact option, featuring convenient Alexa voice control and easy-to-use features.