The Samsung ME17R7021ES is a large 1000-watt over-the-range microwave with a 2-speed fan and a cooktop light that can be set to low or high. It comes in black and stainless steel color variants and is advertised to have a fingerprint-resistant finish. It's equipped with a child lock and 'Eco Mode' feature that switches off the LED display, but otherwise, it's light on extra features, with no steam sensor or way to mute the controls.
Our Verdict
The Samsung ME17R7021ES is a good microwave for everyday use. This over-the-range microwave has a large capacity, with a wide cooking chamber that can accommodate dishes like casseroles and lasagnas, so it's a good option if you use your microwave to defrost dinner or prepare full meals. This 1000-watt microwave heats food fast and doesn't make a lot of noise while it's running. However, its controls aren't the most convenient. You can easily start microwaving at full power, but adjusting the power level, for example, requires many button pushes. The membrane panel doesn't offer much feedback either.
Heats food quickly.
Runs quietly.
Large capacity.
Somewhat inconvenient controls.
Higher-than-advertised power draw.
The Samsung ME17R7021ES heats food quickly, but doesn't really stand out as particularly fast, since some microwaves with the same 1000-watt advertised power are even faster. The microwave's maximum power draw is also higher than advertised, so you should be sure to use the recommended 20A outlet.
Heats food quickly.
Some 1000-watt microwaves are faster.
Higher-than-advertised power draw.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This microwave comes in a few different colors: Stainless Steel (ME17R7021ES), Matte Black Steel (ME17F7021MT/AA), and Black Stainless Steel (ME17R7021EG). We tested a Stainless Steel unit, and you can see its label here.
Popular Microwave Comparisons
The Samsung ME17R7021ES is a mid-range over-the-counter microwave with a big capacity that makes it suitable for heating or defrosting food in bigger containers like casserole dishes and mixing bowls. Like most over-the-range models, it has a fan for ventilation and a built-in cooktop light. It also cooks quickly and doesn't make a lot of noise. However, its controls could be more convenient. Some over-the-range models like the LG MVEM1825F make it easier to program simple tasks, like microwaving for 3 minutes at full power. It also lacks a way to mute the controls, unlike the GE JVM6175SKSS, which is in the same price range and performs similarly.
If you want to see what we recommend, check out the best over-the-range microwaves, the best microwaves, and the best cheap and budget microwaves.
The Samsung ME17R7021ES and the Samsung Bespoke ME90H1780R are both quiet, over-the-range models with plenty of internal capacity for large dishes, but they have different benefits to offer. Go for the ME17R7021ES if you're looking for a simple microwave without many extra features. It’s more powerful, so it cooks food a bit faster, and it's less expensive. Choose the Bespoke ME90H1780R if you want a connected, multitasking microwave. Beyond microwaving, it can air fry, convection cook, and steam, though we haven't tested these functions. This model also syncs to ranges equipped with Samsung's smart home ecosystem, SmartThings, so the hood fan and lights turn on automatically when you use your range.
Test Results
Our unit's fan and light will turn on, and the turntable will rotate if the closed door is pulled slightly, even if the microwave is not running and no program or cook time has been set. This may be a quality control issue, since the manual doesn't mention a cooldown feature. There are also reports of users experiencing similar issues, but we don't know if it affects every unit.
The manufacturer says the microwave's power consumption is 1580 watts. However, we measured a maximum power draw of 1745W with the fans off. This higher-than-expected power draw makes it more important to use the recommended 15A or ideally 20A outlet.
