The Best Microwave
This Old House Reviews Team
Most commonly used to reheat leftovers or prepare frozen meals, microwaves are an essential part of a functional kitchen. Today, microwaves contain an array of settings, such as pre-programmed buttons for food-specific cooking and adjustable power levels for a controlled cooking temperature. To help you purchase a microwave with the specifications and features that meet your food preparation needs, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best microwaves on Amazon. Here are our top recommendations.
To help you purchase a microwave with the specifications and features that meet your food preparation needs, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best microwaves on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G4H2Z9G
Toshiba Microwave Oven
Pros
- Uses 1,100 watts of power to efficiently cook your food
- Has a 1.2-cubic-foot capacity with a 12.4-inch plate
- Uses a Smart Cook Sensor to sense humidity levels for more even cooking and better texture
Cons
- Heavy at 34 pounds
- Some customers found the keypad difficult to see and use
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HG9YGZY
BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven
Pros
- Contains a safety lock that prevents children from accidentally opening the door
- Offers two defrost settings that cook food based on time or weight
- Has a removable turntable for easy cleaning
Cons
- Some users were unhappy with the power of the microwave, stating that it didn’t cook food thoroughly
- Some customers complained of a grumbling noise during use
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DEWZUG4
Panasonic Microwave Oven
Pros
- Provides a spacious 1.2-cubic-foot capacity with a 13.4-inch turntable
- Has a keep warm feature that maintains the temperature of your food until you’re ready to eat it
- Utilizes patented inverter technology to heat food from the inside out
Cons
- Doesn’t have a handle to help pull the door open
- Many customers complained of a dim interior light
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BR1C97S
Galanz Microwave Oven
Pros
- Has a medium 0.9-cubic-foot capacity, making it large enough for most dishes but compact enough to take up limited countertop space
- Has an LED digital clock on the exterior
- Comes in bright colors to match the retro design
Cons
- May not match modern kitchens
- Doesn’t give you the option to turn the beeper off
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GV36BLD
COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven
Pros
- Has photos along with words on the food-specific buttons for easy selection
- Designed at just over 17 inches wide for easy countertop storage
- Includes a soft interior light for nighttime use
Cons
- Takes longer to cook food because it only uses 700 watts of power
- Can’t fit larger dishes with its 0.7 cubic feet of interior space
Buyer’s Guide
Before purchasing a microwave oven, it’s important to understand how certain factors, such as cooking power, capacity, size, and settings, affect user experience.
Cooking Power
The cooking power of most microwaves is measured in watts, with the average model harnessing between 700 and 1,200 watts of power. While a microwave with more watts cooks and heats food faster, a low-wattage microwave is typically more affordable. Regardless of a microwave’s available wattage, most models provide power adjustments that let you decrease the power for a less-intense cook.
Capacity
The capacity of a microwave, usually measured in cubic feet, refers to how much interior space the model has. Microwaves with spacious interiors allow you to cook larger foods, though larger interiors usually come with higher price tags.
Dimensions
The dimensions of a microwave help determine whether the model will fit within your kitchen’s layout. For example, if you have limited countertop space, a compact microwave may be a solid choice.
Settings
While all microwave ovens heat and cook food, not all models offer the same cooking options or pre-programmed settings. Some of the most common microwave settings are one-touch buttons that instantly cook specific foods and defrost buttons that thaw foods based on their weight.
Microwave Cleaning Tips
After you’ve found the best microwave for your home, you’ll want to take good care of it so that it lasts many years. Part of microwave maintenance is routine cleaning, so here are a handful of cleaning tips.
- Microwave water and vinegar: Before you begin wiping the interior of your microwave, heat a microwave-safe bowl containing part-water and part-vinegar for three to four minutes. This loosens any stubborn gunk. If you don’t have any vinegar on hand, microwave a solution of water and lemon juice or water and baking soda.
- Remove the turntable and wheels: Clean these pieces separately using water and a mild dish soap.
- Use diluted window cleaner: This type of cleaner is effective at removing food residue from a microwave. After using the cleaner, wipe the interior with a water-soaked cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining chemicals.
- Don’t forget about the exterior of the microwave: You can use the same cleaner you use for the inside on the outside. Clean the sides, top, and bottom.
FAQs
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Is it safe to microwave food?
According to the World Health Organization, microwaves are safe if they’re used as instructed by the manufacturer.
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Can you microwave eggs?
Yes. Spray a microwave-safe container, such as a ramekin or egg cooker, with cooking spray, and pour one to two whisked eggs into it. Heat the mixture for about one minute and 30 seconds, stirring occasionally. Let your eggs sit for one minute before serving them.
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Can you microwave paper?
Some types of paper are suitable for the microwave. Paper towels and parchment paper are safe to place inside a microwave, but newspapers and brown bags aren’t safe because of their toxicity and flammability.
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Does my microwave need a turntable?
Yes. Most microwaves rotate a turntable to evenly distribute heat to every part of your dish. Because turntables are made from glass, they also keep food from coming into direct contact with the heat-producing elements of microwaves, preventing burning.
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Is it safe to stand directly in front of a working microwave?
Though we don’t recommend pressing your nose up against the microwave door, it’s generally safe to stand near your microwave while it’s running. Health complications from microwave radiation are very rare.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
The This Old House Reviews Team provides overviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, hands-on testing in select cases, and other objective criteria unique to a given product line. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for DIY or other non-pro users only. Editor’s picks are made by members of the This Old House Reviews Team.