Best Microwave Reviews

A microwave is a pretty self-explanatory appliance. Microwaves can be used for a variety of purposes, but they are mainly used for quickly cooking or reheating food. However, microwaves can also be used to defrost a variety of frozen foods, as well as heating up a cup of water to make a quick cup of coffee. Some microwaves can even be used to aid in baking because they allow users to soften butter or cream cheese to make it easier to cream together with other ingredients.

When it comes to microwaves there are a few different types that consumers can choose from. One of the most popular types of microwaves is over the range microwaves. These microwaves are placed above the oven and come equipped with an exhaust fan. Another type of microwave is a built in microwave, which differs from the over the range because it goes inside of a cabinet.

Want to skip the buyers guide and start buying now? You can jump right to my personal recommendations for the best microwaves to get by clicking on this link

Most built in microwaves require consumers to purchase a separate trim kit to ensure the proper ventilation. The last type of microwave is a countertop microwave, which doesn’t require any special placement. The only requirement with these is that there needs to be open space around the microwave to allow it work properly.

Like many other products currently on the market microwaves have a variety of features, which can be used to determine what microwave is being purchased. With these features some of them are going to be optional features, where as other features are going to be considered must haves. Here is a closer look at the features consumers should look at when choosing the right microwave for their homes.

Must Have Features of the Best Microwave

• Size – The size of the microwave is probably the most important aspect of the microwave, aside from the type of microwave. Full size microwaves will take up more room, but they can also heat up larger dishes. Full sized microwaves average around 1.5 cubic feet. Midsized microwaves average around 1.2 cubic feet and can handle a full sized dinner plate, but not larger casserole dishes. Compact microwaves, which average .5 cubic feet or less, are perfect for smaller families or those who don’t wish to heats up a lot of food. These smaller microwaves will not accommodate a full sized dinner plate.
• Cooking Power – The amount of cooking power is also important when choosing a microwave. The higher the cooking power the faster the cook or reheat the food. Microwaves can be found as low as 600 watts, but as high as 1200 watts. Average cooking power on microwaves is 1000 watts.
• Cooking Sensor – One of the best features to have is a cooking sensor because it will adjust cooking times and temperatures to prevent the food inside from over cooking. The cooking sensor will also shut off the microwave once the food has reached its ideal temperature.
• Turntables – A must have is a turntable, but how big the turntable is will depend on the size of the microwave. Microwaves need to have a turntable in order to properly cook the food. Microwaves do not heat evenly, so the turntable allows the food to rotate around the microwave to help with the cooking.
• Short cut keys – Most microwaves now a days come with a variety of short cut keys. For example, auto defrost or a dedicated popcorn key, along with quick minute. What short cut keys you choose will depend on personal preference, but these keys do a lot to make cooking with a microwave easier.

While knowing what features to look for is helpful, it also helps to know what the most popular brands are. With microwaves, the two most popular brands currently available on the market are Sharp and Panasonic. Both of these manufacturers offer over the range microwaves, as well as counter top microwaves. Where they differ is in the technology used to cook the food. For example many Sharp microwaves use cycling power, which means it starts off at 100% power and then has periods of no power. On the other hand, Panasonic microwaves use inverter technology, which allows the food to cook at a constant temperature the entire time.

Now that you know what features to consider when choosing a microwave, take a look at my recommendations for the best microwaves below. These are without a doubt, the top microwaves out there on the market right now.

The Best Countertop Microwave – My #1 Overall Recommendation

Panasonic NN-H765BF 1250-Watt Microwave Oven. This microwave from Panasonic has saved me several hours in the kitchen over the past year. As a countertop microwave with 1250 Watts and 1.6 Cubic feet of space to load food into, this microwave has done everything that I need it to do. It has been so helpful to have the extra internal space to thaw out larger items from my freezer, and the defrost settings are programmable for larger quantities of frozen items. My last microwave only had a few limited options for defrost. I am glad that it has the “Keep Warm” option because I frequently get interrupted by phone calls or work when I’m reheating food. This microwave actually keeps my coffee or food warm until I come back to pick it up, even if it’s already done heating! And once you’ve used a “Popcorn” button, you’ll never go back to guessing how much time to program your microwave for; it can sense when the popcorn is done popping so it doesn’t burn!

Click here to read my full review of the Panasonic NN-H765BF 1.6 cu ft 1250-Watt Microwave

Best Microwave Under $70 – And it’s Red too!

Magic Chef .9 Cu Ft Countertop Microwave. I have searched for a red microwave, with great features, for years. This 900 watt Magic Chef microwave looks spectacular with its delicious warm, apple-red tones. It fits perfectly on my counter-top and does not take up much space. The Magic Chef .9 cubic foot microwave looks fantastic, cooks evenly and is easy to operate. With dimensions of 15.3 x 19.5 x 11.6 inches the interior is big enough to hold my casserole dishes. The instructions are easy to understand. This Magic Chef microwave will defrost without cooking the edges of the meat and there is a button that automatically adds 30 seconds to the timer: very convenient. I love the ten power levels and five auto cook settings of beverage, soup, fresh and frozen vegetables and baked potato.

Click here to read my full review of the Magic Chef .9 Cu Ft Countertop Microwave

Best Small Microwave – Compact Microwaves Save Space!

Sharp Half Pint Microwave Oven. This is the perfect microwave for a small apartment or mobile home. Only 14 3/8 inches by 14 1/4 inches, the dimensions compliment any limited space. Compact in size, this 0.5 cubic foot microwave oven works great for all my cooking and reheating needs. I can fit an entire dinner plate onto the 10 3/4 inch turntable, push the minute button to the desired cooking time and wait for the ding that signals my meal is hot and ready to eat. While I cannot quickly cook enough food for a crowd in my 600 watt microwave oven, I easily bake oatmeal, reheat meals, warm my evening tea and cook popcorn in a snap. I love the simple design. There is no confusion when cooking or reheating with this machine. The convenience and size really sell the Sharp Half Pint Microwave Oven, and I recommend it to all my friends who need a small microwave oven for their home, office, dorm, camper or haul truck.

Sharp Half Pint Microwave OvenClick here to read my full review of the Sharp Half Pint Microwave

Best Convection Microwave Oven

Sharp R-820JS 0.9-Cubic Foot Grill 2 Convection Microwave. I purchased this microwave to replace an old microwave and an old toaster oven. I love how evenly this 900 watt microwave cooks. The microwave’s sleek silver stainless steel design looks great. It is so much more versatile than a regular microwave. The double grills cooks the food from both sides. Having the convection features lets me brown and crisp food. This means no more pale and soggy microwave food. Reheated breads come out like they were freshly baked. This microwave grills meat perfectly. It has 0.9-cubic-foot of interior space and a turntable that allows for even heating. I have even cooked a whole turkey in the Sharp Grill 2 Convection Microwave. I was amazed that the turkey was cooked so perfectly. The control panel is easy to use. This convection microwave has 11 power levels. It also offers seven auto controls like reheat, auto defrost, auto grill and auto roast.

Click here to read my full review of the Sharp R-820JS Grill 2 Convection Microwave

Best Over the Range Microwave – Solid High Quality Design

#1 LG OTR 2.0 CF 1100-Watt Microwave.I tested this microwave recently and was pleased to see that my large casserole dishes fit perfectly inside the it. I love the way it looks, quietly operates and evenly cooks. The sleek stainless steel style fits in exactly with my other appliances. The installation instructions were so easy I was able to install the microwave myself. I use the warming lamp with radiant heating element feature all the time. The warming lamp keeps food warm and yummy for up to 90 minutes. This microwave has great ventilation and does not smell up the house with cooking odors. The control pad is easy to read and operate. I definitely recommend the LG OTR 2.0 CF 1100-watt microwave model.

Click here to see LG OTR 2.0 CF 1100-Watt Microwave.

#2 LG Over The Range Microwave. We really love our new LG Over the Range Microwave. If you follow the instructions, the installation was very easy. The LG Over the Range Microwave has many features that I did not expect for the price and the 1.6 cubic foot size is just right. I especially like the “soften” button feature. You use this to soften butter, ice cream, cream cheese. It’s great and I have never seen that on another microwave. The cooking sensor really cooks everything to perfection and best of all, it automatically turns off. This along with the reheat and hold buttons really help to save energy. I also noticed that it is very quiet. The microwave was generally easy to use and I did not find the buttons hard to use at all I have had microwaves that did not perform nearly as well and they were more expensive. If you are looking for a microwave for over your range, I would recommend the LG Over The Range Microwave as well.

Click here to read my full review of the LG Over The Range Microwave.

Best Microwave Drawer Oven – Absolutely a Beauty!

Sharp Microwave Drawer Oven. I love that my new Sharp Microwave Drawer Oven holds long pans, large plates and tall travel mugs with ease. With a spacious 26 1/5 by 24 by 15 2/5 inch size, I can cook or reheat entire casserole pans or large soup bowls in one shot. Featuring Sensor Cook technology, this microwave enlists 1,000-watts of power and 11 power levels to cook, reheat, melt, defrost or soften any food item my family wants to eat, from ice cream to meatloaf to popcorn. With a pull down door and one button opening feature, I quickly and safely lift hot serving dishes from the microwave to the counter. The Auto-Touch control panel offers easy to read instructions, an LCD display and a clock and timer so I can save time. The design, innovative door and stainless steel color provides a conversation piece when friends visit. After using my new microwave several times a day for the past 10 months, it still works great; and I love it!

Click here to see Sharp KB-6524PS 24-Inch Microwave Drawer Oven.