The LG MVEM1825F is an over-the-range microwave. It's a bit more expensive than the LG LMV1764ST and offers some improvements: it's easier to see into the cooking chamber and has some sensor cooking modes. You can also mute the controls via the companion app.
Our Verdict
The LGMVEM1825F is a fast 1000-watt microwave. It'll heat food a bit faster than the 900-watt LG MVEL2033F.
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Heats food quickly.
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Great visibility into cooking chamber.
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No onboard mute option.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The LG MVEM1825F comes in two color variants: 'Stainless Steel' (MVEM1825F) and 'Black Stainless Steel' (MVEM1825D). We tested the 'Stainless Steel' variant, and you can see the label for the unit we tested here.
If you encounter another variant, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Microwaves
The LG MVEM1825F is a lower-end, over-the-range microwave. Its cooking chamber is a little smaller than the more expensive LG MVEL2033F's, but it's still wide enough to accommodate big dishes. Unlike cheaper models, like the GE JVM3160RFSS and the LG LMV1764ST, it has some sensor cooking programs that detect steam to automatically calculate cooking time.
It works with an app that lets you control the cooktop fan and light, send program information to the microwave, and even scan certain microwavable foods to have it set the cooking time and power automatically. However, you must also connect to the app to mute the controls, which could be inconvenient.
If you're looking for a recommendation, check out the best over-the-range microwaves and the best microwaves.
Test Results
The LG MVEM1825F's cooking chamber is slightly smaller than the LG MVEL2033F's. However, the light inside makes it very easy to see inside.
The LG MVEM1825F is an over-the-range microwave with a built-in fan and light for the stovetop below. There are two brightness levels for the light. You can set the fan to high or low and set a timer to have it switch off automatically after a certain amount of time.
You can switch off the turntable rotation, which isn't a feature available with every microwave. This can be useful when heating food in a bigger container, like a serving tray or casserole dish, that might interfere with the rotation.
It has ten manual power settings and various sensor cook or sensor reheat modes. There's a dedicated button for 'Popcorn,' which almost all microwaves have, but unlike most microwaves, it's a sensor cooking mode, so the microwave detects steam to determine when your popcorn is popped.
Like the more expensive LG MVEL2033F, it works with a companion app called 'LG ThinQ.' You can send cook time and power information to the machine with the app, set a timer, and adjust the cooktop fan and light. You can also mute the controls in the app—unlike the MVEL2033F, where there's no way to mute the microwave with the onboard controls. Check out a video of the app in action here.
Microwaves all perform similarly when heating food in shallow dishes. Evenness depends on what you're warming up, where you place it, and how much steam is in the microwave. You can read more about our investigations into microwave performance here.
As with shallow dishes, all microwaves perform similarly when heating food in deeper containers. Evenness depends on factors like what you're heating and in what container. You can read more about our investigations into microwave performance here.