Whether heating leftovers, defrosting dinner, or popping popcorn, the trusty microwave is a quick and convenient choice. If you're looking for the best microwave, consider a model that heats evenly to prevent hot and cold spots in your food. However, after months of investigation, we've found that microwaves, from the cheapest budget model to a commercial model retailing over $1,000, don't significantly differ in how evenly they heat food.
It turns out that microwaves, in general, are only moderately effective at evenly heating food. The evenness of heating depends on the placement of your food in the microwave and its thickness. What you're heating also matters: food with a higher water content heats differently than drier food. If you heat the same food in the same container in different microwaves, the results are indistinguishable from each other when you actually taste the food. You can read all about our journey into the heart of microwaves.
We also wanted to investigate inverters, the latest in microwave technology that allows a microwave to maintain a constant power output at any power level. The result? They really didn't change how your food gets warmed up. You can also read about everything we tried and our conclusions.
So, your next new microwave won't blow you away with its superior performance. The good news is that you can get pretty much any microwave you like. Once you know what kind of microwave you prefer (classic countertop or over-the-range) and the size you need, you can consider its power output (some microwaves are faster) and its features. Features such as multiple power levels, a kitchen timer function, and popcorn, reheat, and defrost modes are standard for most microwaves. Some microwaves feature a mute function for discreet microwave use and include a built-in steam sensor for more automated cooking.
Below, we recommend models that offer good value, organized by size and feature for your convenience. Your best microwave might be the one you find on sale! Check out our list of the best over-the-range microwaves if that's what you want. If you're looking for something that can make crispy foods like French fries and chicken wings, take a look at our recommendations for the best air fryer or the best small air fryer.
Quick Look
We've tested more than 25 microwaves. We independently purchase each unit from major retailers, just like you, to keep our reviews free from manufacturer influence. We put each microwave through the same tests so you can easily compare models, regardless of price or features. We keep the microwaves in our lab after publishing our reviews, allowing us to easily go back and compare them based on community feedback or questions.
Want to learn more about how we operate? Check out our about us page.
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Best Value Countertop Microwave
Power9.4Measured Chamber Volume1.1 cu. ft. (0.03 m³)Cooking SensorYesSee all our test resultsMute Sounds ButtonYesThe Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is the best microwave we've tested if you're looking for great value. This medium-sized 1100-watt microwave can heat food faster than some models with similar price and power. It features essential functions, such as quick-start programs, a defrost mode, and presets for specific foods, including 'Popcorn.' This model is also equipped with a steam sensor, which allows the microwave to detect steam and automatically adjust the cooking time for some programs. It's easy to see inside the cooking chamber when the door is closed. You can also mute the controls, all for a budget-friendly price.
Then again, if you prefer a microwave with a button instead of a handle for opening the door or find that design easier to keep clean, the Panasonic NN-SN67HS is a good option, albeit a slightly more expensive one, with similar features.
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Best Value Small Countertop Microwave
Power6.3Measured Chamber Volume0.6 cu. ft. (0.02 m³)Cooking SensorNoSee all our test resultsMute Sounds ButtonYesThe GE JES1072SHSS offers good value if you want a microwave that won't use up much counter space. The smallest microwaves we've tested are generally less powerful (and slower) than bigger ones, and this 700-watt microwave is no exception. While it's not a very fast microwave, its very compact design will fit into crowded kitchens, RVs, and dorm rooms. Its cooking chamber is a good size for reheating a cup of coffee or zapping a bowl of ramen or mac and cheese. It has no steam sensor, but you can mute the controls. Please note that this model has been discontinued and may be difficult to find. Although we haven't tested it, GE offers a new model, the GCST07N1WBB. They share identical specifications, features, and dimensions, except for the new model's slightly lower weight.
There are also a few other options. If you want a faster small microwave, the Insignia NS-MW09SS8 is a good choice. It's not quite as tiny as the GE but has much more power. Then again, for a very fast and compact microwave, the LG LMC0975ST is a small 1000-watt model that heats food just as quickly as any microwave we've tested. It has a sleeker look than most microwaves, since the door hides most of its controls. However, you're paying a premium for inverter technology that won't improve performance for the vast majority of uses, so unless you like the look or want the very fastest microwave, it's probably not worth the extra money.
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Best Value Over-The-Range Microwave
Power8.8Measured Chamber Volume1.6 cu. ft. (0.04 m³)Cooking SensorYesSee all our test resultsMute Sounds ButtonYesIf you're looking for the best microwave oven to install above your stove, the GE JVM6175SKSS is a good-value option. This microwave is among the most affordable over-the-range models we've tested, comes in many different colors to match your kitchen, and heats food as quickly as any higher-end model. Some of its programs, such as 'Popcorn' and 'Beverage', utilize a steam sensor to detect when your food is hot, eliminating the need for manual cook time entry. Like most over-the-range microwaves, it features a fan and light for the cooktop below. The fan features four speed settings and an indicator to remind you when it's time to replace the grease filter. You can also mute the microwave's controls.
Naturally, you can pay more for a microwave and get more extra features. The Whirlpool WMH32519HZ features a cooking rack that allows for two-level cooking, as well as its 'Steam' and 'Simmer' modes, which require placing a bowl of water under the rack and your food on top. The LG MVEM1825F features a companion app that allows you to send cooking information to the microwave, adjust the fan and light settings, or mute the controls.
Notable Mentions
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Toshiba ML-EC42P(SS):
The Toshiba ML-EC42P(SS) is a combo air fryer, oven, and microwave that can heat and crisp food. It has features similar to those of the more budget-friendly Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, including a steam sensor for more automatic cooking. However, we haven't tested how it performs as an air fryer or oven.
See our review -
Breville the Smooth Wave:
The Breville the Smooth Wave is a high-end microwave with a bigger LED screen than most microwaves and uses dials instead of buttons for its controls. Its 'Soft-Close' door closes noticeably quietly. However, it's not as fast as the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, which is significantly cheaper and shares many similar features, including mute and sensor cooking.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 06, 2025:
We've made small updates to the text for clarity and checked that the products are available.
Mar 27, 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.
Jan 30, 2025:
We've made small edits for clarity throughout and verified that our recommendations are available.
Dec 18, 2024:
We've made small updates to the text for clarity, but our recommendations haven't changed.
Dec 02, 2024:
We've checked the text for accuracy and verified that the products are available.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above represent the best microwave ovens for most people, based on value. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all microwave reviews. 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.