The microwave oven has become one of the most essential and convenient kitchen appliances relied on by home cooks today. Modern microwaves are now capable of more than ever, featuring settings for convection cooking, grilling, steaming, and more. They also come in a range of forms and sizes, from small models designed to sit on a countertop to larger ones that can be mounted over the cooking range or built into walls or cabinetry.
Best Overall
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/toshiba-em131a5c-bs-microwave-oven-f4dc42f58a7d4a89b5760260f5fdd1aa.jpg)
Amazon
- Quick-start buttons
- Substantial power and multiple settings
- Easy-to-clean interior and exterior
- Presets can be inconsistent
During testing, this microwave excelled at heating food quickly and evenly. Combining high performance with a roomy interior that’s well-suited for family-size portions, a sleek exterior with smudge-proof, one-touch buttons, and a middle-of-the-road price tag, the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS earned the top spot on our list.
Its 1,100 watts of power can be adjusted with 10 power settings, and the unit is also equipped with sensor cooking, two defrost settings, and five presets: frozen pizza, frozen entreé, potato, rice, and veggie. When it came to heating frozen macaroni and popping popcorn, the Toshiba outperformed most of the competition. The macaroni was very evenly cooked according to package instructions, and the popcorn came out perfect using the preset, with only 1/8 ounce of kernels left in the bag. We tried the frozen entrée button with a frozen Mexican casserole, and it emerged cooked to perfection.
Not all of the preset cook modes worked as expected, though, and the microwave defrosted too aggressively for some meats, but we don’t feel that’s a deal-breaker, since cooking and heating food according to suggested times is easy enough.
This Toshiba countertop microwave has a solid reputation for being easy to use, including for kids, and it’s exceptionally easy to clean. Take note of the size if you have a small kitchen, because it’s not the most compact. However, if you want to defrost a whole chicken, you’re totally set with this model.
Even after six months of daily testing, we’re still impressed with the convenience of this microwave, especially the Quick Minute buttons and the ease of cleaning.
Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet | Power Rating: 1,100 watts | Dimensions: 23.3 x 18.4 x 15 inches | Turntable Size: 12.4 inches | Weight: 34.6 pounds
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/SES-Toshiba_EM131A5CBS_7-RussellKilgore-0045-43f389666c7f49cca66ff219ec6124ff.jpg)
Runner-Up, Best Overall
Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/panasonic-oven-with-cyclonic-wave-inverter-technology-60dd5b2ca7284a52b402c7d251763b22.jpg)
Amazon
- Heats leftovers and frozen items evenly
- Child lock
- Sensor can help determine cook time
- Expensive
This Panasonic microwave would have been our best overall pick if it weren’t so pricey; it cooked evenly and was spacious enough that we’re pretty sure it could probably fit a turkey. It does particularly well with reheating leftovers and heating frozen foods, so if that’s what you predominantly use your microwave for, this may be your top choice.
At 1,250 watts, it’s definitely powerful—room temperature water reached 210 degrees after just two minutes. This model boasts “Cyclonic Inverter Technology,” which, according to Panasonic, means that it circulates heat in 3D waves that lead to quick, even cooking. Based on what we saw, we agree, and it won the frozen macaroni test in terms of evenness.
This unit offers a variety of presets (including a keep-warm setting, a delayed start, and a setting for reheating beverages) as well as a child lock, inverter turbo defrost, and a sensor, which we found particularly accurate when it came to frozen foods. This microwave is quite large, though, so it’s not a good fit for dorms or small spaces. Even after half a year of testing, we love to use this machine. We’re amazed at how butter never pops or makes a mess while heating.
Capacity: 2.2 cubic feet | Power Rating: 1,250 watts | Dimensions: 23.88 x 19.44 x 14 inches | Turntable Size: 16.5 inches | Weight: 36.8 pounds
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/SES-Panasonic_CyclonicWaveInverter_5-RussellKilgore-0036-3a53e854301941aaa234a2feb93f0e75.jpg)
Best for Small Spaces
Farberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/farberware-fmo11ahtbkb-stainless-steel-countertop-microwave-oven-eef0c8f34cae4ab4842ae5ef574a3353.jpg)
Amazon
- Great for popcorn and frozen meals
- Size is compact but sufficient
- Child lock and programmable features
- Loud
- Smudges easily
Another more affordable option, this Farberware microwave is a basic model that’s big enough for just about anything you’d need, but it still takes up minimal counter space. There’s a child lock, multistage cooking, express cooking, a popcorn button, and a programmable feature, but despite all of that it is still simple and straightforward to use.
This microwave performed particularly well with popcorn (only 1/8 ounce unpopped kernels) and frozen meals. It heated room-temperature water to 203 degrees Fahrenheit after two minutes and also did well with the frozen macaroni.
The downsides of this microwave are that it’s somewhat noisy (both in cooking and in the door opening and closing) and it shows smudges easily. That said, if you need a basic microwave and space is a concern, we think this one is a good value with performance that won’t disappoint. It’s a good, sturdy, dependable microwave that has held up beautifully after months and months of daily testing.
Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet | Power Rating: 1000 watts | Dimensions: 20.2 x 16.54 x 12 inches | Turntable Size: 12.5 inches | Weight: 25.75 pounds
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Testing-FarberwareCountertopCompactMicrowave-15-WillDickey-92.jpg-db82a4f23bdd4045a95d9f460f17860c.jpg)
Best Convection
Cuisinart CMW-200 Convection Microwave
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/cuisinart-convection-microwave-oven-cmw-200-eed968a39c6444e0bd13abec9b12ab99.jpg)
Amazon
- Offers grilling, convection roasting, and baking
- Great for adventurous cooking
- Large internal capacity
- Not basic
The Cuisinart Convection Microwave’s functions include microwave, convection, convection fast bake, convection roast, grill combo, defrost, and keep warm, so it’s a very versatile appliance that can do the job of many others. It’s somewhat bulky, but we love the multi-stage cooking and the ability to program favorite settings. The touchpad numbers have degrees on them for the bake function, which makes for an easier learning curve.
In terms of how it stacked up to the competition, it did a great job heating frozen macaroni evenly and popping popcorn; it left only a few kernels unpopped. If all you want is a basic microwave, this one is overkill (and expensive) with performance about average for heating and reheating. However, if you want a microwave that can replace multiple appliances in your kitchen, this is a great option. It is a bit bulky, but it has a solid interior capacity.
This microwave is best suited for the adventurous cook who wants a multifunctional appliance. That said, it also works incredibly well for simple, daily uses. We’ve used it for heating up lunches at the office for half a year now.
Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet | Power Rating: 1,000 watts | Dimensions: 21.2 x 19 x 12.2 inches | Turntable Size: 12 inches | Weight: 41.3 pounds
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/SES-Cuisinart_CMW200_14-RussellKilgore-0094-4beb39924e33442588757161d0cdfbd9.jpeg)
Best High-End
Breville Combi Wave Microwave 3-in-1
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/breville-combi-wave-microwave-3-in-1-5d89a3d0a4ad4c9484c41656abfbc1e0.jpg)
Amazon
- Air fryer, convection oven, and microwave functions
- 19 presets
- Very quiet
- No wear and tear after months of testing
- Inconsistent heating
- Expensive
This microwave has all the bells and whistles, is very high-tech, and futuristic. It’s also exceptionally quiet, and it allows you to change the beeping noises that let you know your food is ready. Even the door closes smoothly and quietly. Better yet, this model offers an air fryer function (which eliminates the need for a whole separate appliance and gets your food much crispier than a regular microwave could), a convection bake function, and a Fast Combi function (which combines convection baking, grilling, and microwaving to cook your food faster). These are just a few of the 19 presets.
We noted some temperature inconsistency with the microwave function, but this machine’s versatility means it can do the job of several appliances in one, which could make it worth the high price tag for some.
After six months of constant testing, there isn’t any visible wear and tear, even after the plate has gone through the dishwasher several times. If you want a basic, no-bells-or-whistles model, we’d recommend looking elsewhere, because this is definitely a microwave for an adventurous cook or someone who needs a multifunctional appliance.
Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet | Power Rating: 1,400 watts | Dimensions: 21 x 20.4 x 21 inches | Turntable Size: 12.4 inches | Weight: 34 pounds
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Web_1500-SES-Breville_CombiWave_17-RussellKilgore-0115-22019519e6964cd6bda4605c00dd2590.jpg)
Compare
| Size | Features | Heating / Effectiveness | Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Overall:
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS
|
$130 at Amazon | 5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 |
|
Runner-Up, Best Overall:
Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology
|
$356 at Wayfair | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
|
Best for Small Spaces:
Farberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven
|
$120 at Amazon | 5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 |
|
Best Convection:
Cuisinart CMW-200 Convection Microwave
|
$287 at Amazon | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 |
|
Best High-End:
Breville Combi Wave Microwave 3-in-1
|
$500 at Amazon | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
After testing, our top pick is the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven due to its consistent performance, ease of use, and ease of cleaning. For a high-end model with air fryer and toaster oven capabilities, check out the Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave.
How We Tested
After researching top-rated microwaves, we sent 23 models to our dedicated Lab for side-by-side testing. We only looked at countertop models and did not include over-the-range, built-in, or drawer options for this collection. We included a variety of price points and sizes and ran our selections through several basic tests. We started by heating water for two minutes and measuring the final temperature. We then heated miniature marshmallows to assess the microwave’s handling of more delicate items and determine how evenly they caramelized. We also cooked a frozen macaroni meal, melted chocolate, and popped a bag of popcorn.
We sent several microwaves to our experienced at-home testers to be evaluated in their own kitchens. They used them to reheat lunches and cook frozen meals and other foods for up to six months, in many cases using the appliances daily. Each microwave was rated on size, features, heating and effectiveness, and overall value.
We Observed
- How well the microwaves heated liquids and food: We heated several items at the default power level. First, 1 cup of 68 degrees Fahrenheit water was heated for two minutes, and the resulting temperature was recorded. We then heated mini marshmallows, looking for hot or cold spots. A single serving of frozen mac and cheese came next. We popped it in for half the listed cook time, took the temperature in its center and corners, finished cooking the pasta, and then checked the temperature again in the same places.
- How consistently the microwaves melted chocolate: This test heated chocolate wafers at 50 percent power in four 30-second bursts. We immediately stirred four times after each period and checked the chocolate’s consistency, looking for lumps, scorching, and seizing.
- How effectively the microwaves popped popcorn: Our final Lab test prepared a 3.2-ounce bag of Pop Secret popcorn. We used the microwave’s popcorn button or, if it didn’t have one, followed the bag’s instructions. Once the microwave stopped, we examined the bag’s contents, noting any unpopped or scorched kernels.
