We have good news if you're shopping for a new microwave on a tight budget: after months of research and investigation into microwave performance, we found that they all heat food pretty similarly! Heating evenness really depends on what you're heating, not on your microwave, so you're not likely to be disappointed with the performance of a budget or even a cheap model. Instead, you can look for a model with enough power to heat food quickly and find the balance between quality-of-life features and price that suits you best. Ideally, you'll want a microwave that's quiet, easy to use, and one with a pretty roomy interior, so you can whip up a quick mug cake or reheat a large batch of leftovers.
We've tested more than 30 models, and below are our recommendations for the best budget microwaves. If you want to see what paying more for a microwave will get you, see our recommendations for the best microwaves, the best countertop microwaves, and the best over-the-range microwaves.
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Best Budget Microwave
Everyday Use8.6Power9.9Measured Chamber Volume:2.08 cu. ft. (58.8 L)Cooking Sensor:YesSee all our test resultsInstallation:CountertopThe best budget microwave we've tested is the Sharp SMC2266KS, a very large countertop microwave with space to reheat an entire casserole or lasagna. In fact, it offers a larger internal capacity than many over-the-range models, making it a great choice if you often reheat large portions. With 1200 watts, it cooks very quickly, so you don't have to wait long for piping-hot meals and snacks. Plus, it's one of the quietest microwaves we've tested, and while there's no dedicated mute button, you can hold the '8' for three seconds to silence the controls.
This microwave's controls are pretty basic overall, but it's decently easy to use. The membrane touch panel isn't as responsive as physical buttons or dials, but the controls let you start simple cooking tasks, like heating leftovers for three minutes at 100% power, with a single button press. There's no quick way to set a lower power level; however, if you like to fine-tune your recipe, it requires many button presses. That said, it has a cooking sensor that adjusts the cook time by detecting steam in the chamber, as well as options for defrosting meat, quick-start buttons for specific foods, and a button to quickly add 30 seconds.
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Best Cheap Microwave
Everyday Use7.6Power9.4Measured Chamber Volume:1.06 cu. ft. (30.1 L)Cooking Sensor:YesSee all our test resultsInstallation:CountertopIf you want to spend a bit less, consider the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, a 1,100-watt microwave that cooks food very quickly. Unlike the Sharp SMC2266KS, it has a relatively small cooking chamber, so you can't use it to reheat an entire casserole, but there's enough room for most bowls, plates, and containers. It's very easy to see inside, thanks to its bright light, so you can monitor your recipes or make sure a mug of water doesn't boil over. This model is even quieter than our budget pick and features a mute button, making it a good choice if noise is a concern.
Like most affordable microwaves, this option has a membrane touch panel, which isn't as pleasant to use as physical buttons or dials. It's very easy to start simple cooking tasks, but if you prefer to choose a specific power level and time setting, you'll have to press quite a few buttons before hitting start. That said, this microwave also features a steam sensor for more automatic cooking and a programmable 'Favorite' button. Otherwise, it has the usual programs, like 'Popcorn,' 'Potato,' and 'Rice.'
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Best Budget Over-The-Range Microwave
Everyday Use7.9Power8.6Measured Chamber Volume:1.58 cu. ft. (44.9 L)Cooking Sensor:NoSee all our test resultsInstallation:Over-The-RangeIf you want to save counter space by installing your microwave over your stove, check out the GE JVM3160RFSS; it's the best over-the-range microwave we've tested at a budget-friendly price. This simple 1,000-watt microwave isn't as powerful as the Sharp SMC2266KS or the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, but it still heats food quickly and delivers similarly quiet operation. It also boasts a wider cooking chamber for heating bigger dishes like lasagnas and casseroles.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have a steam sensor or a way to mute its controls, so it's light on extra features. That said, the cooktop fan and light can each be set to two different levels. The light inside makes it easy to see into the cooking chamber when the door is closed, and you can switch off the turntable when heating food in bigger dishes that might interfere with its rotation. Plus, it's available in several colors, including 'Black,' 'Stainless Steel,' and 'White,' which is nice if you want to save money without sacrificing aesthetics.
Recent Updates
Apr 29, 2026:
We replaced the Sharp SMC1162HS with the Sharp SMC2266KS as the former has been discontinued.
Mar 09, 2026:
We replaced the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS with the Shark SMC1162HS, as the former is out of stock. We also removed the GE JES1072SHSS as our 'Best Small Budget Microwave' to better align with user needs and made edits throughout for clarity.
Apr 28, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text, but we haven't made any changes to our recommendations.
Mar 26, 2025:
We've made minor edits to the text for clarity and confirmed that our picks are still in stock, but we haven't changed our recommendations.
Feb 26, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock, but there hasn't been a change to our recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are the best affordable microwaves for most people. We factor in price, visitor feedback, and availability.
If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all microwave reviews sorted by price. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no microwave is perfect, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you look for them.