Best countertop microwave oven

Countertop microwaves come with multiple advantages.

Every product is independently selected by obsessive editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission. And then, of course, there are the many other perks of the appliance available to those with the counter space to accommodate one: quickly defrosting frozen foods, softening butter and ice cream to just the right consistency, melting chocolate for baking , and, of course, making popcorn. Chef David Chang and New York Times reporter Priya Krishna published a cookbook a couple of years ago that has an entire section on the appliance, and Chang even came out with his own line of microwavable dishes. Food writer, editor, and cookbook author Matt Rodbard loves microwaves, too and has a section of his own book dedicated to them. That really changed my life. Microwaves, though, do run the gamut of just how exacting they are and, accordingly, how expensive.

Best countertop microwave oven

Most of them are just variations of the same cheap-but-decent machine, built by the same manufacturer Midea in the same factory with the same core components. This midsize microwave looks better and has a few more useful features—including a mute option, automatic reheating, and a door handle instead of a button—than similar ovens. If your countertops are a little tight on space or you want to save some money, this slightly smaller version of our favorite Toshiba works well and has most of the same great features. Otherwise, the features and controls are pretty similar. A handle is easier to clean and less likely to break than a push-button design, but harder for some people to use. Most microwaves are low-cost clones—small features like mute buttons and auto-reheat are what set better ones apart. The Toshiba EMA5C is usually the most affordable microwave that has a full stainless or black stainless front finish, rather than the typical glossy black plastic with partial stainless trim. This model also has a door handle, which is easier to open and to clean than the button-style release on most cheap microwaves. Best of all, you can mute the microwave—a rare feature that lets you stealthily reheat midnight snacks without waking up the rest of the house. Like most microwaves, the Toshiba also has a number of express-cooking options, and it heats food quickly and pretty evenly. Okay, not all microwaves are carbon copies of one another. In our testing, it heated faster and more evenly than every other microwave. The core microwave comes in most of the common sizes, from compact to extra-large , and in a few different finishes and control styles. Writer Liam McCabe covered appliances for Wirecutter.

Solwave Stainless-Steel Commercial Microwave.

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These countertop and over-the-range models top CR's tests. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. Learn more. Our tests found that most microwave ovens have less space than marketed. Many of our tested models, both over-the-range OTR and countertop microwaves , have a usable capacity of about 50 percent of what manufacturers claim. The best microwaves are no exception, but they stand out in our tests for such things as heating speed, heating evenness, and defrosting. Countertop microwaves represent the biggest slice of the market by far. And we focus our testing on models with a claimed capacity of 1 cubic foot or larger, which are the biggest sellers, according to our in-house analysts.

Best countertop microwave oven

We've been independently researching and testing products for over years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. A countertop microwave is designed to fit nicely on your kitchen counter, in your dorm room or next to your desk at work. This versatile appliance is easy to use and provides fast results — whether you need to defrost chicken in a pinch, soften brown sugar that has gone hard or whip up a quick and delicious microwave mug cake. Countertop microwaves do not require any special installation, can be moved around easily without sliding around on your countertop and are generally affordable. In our recent side-by-side Lab test, we tested 12 new countertop microwave models conducting over 10 tests on each model over the span of two months. When we test microwaves we assess everything from ease of opening the door to how intuitive the control panel is to navigate.

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Pros Exterior doesn't show fingerprints Large control panel with easy-to-press buttons Defrost preset was easy to navigate. The microwave itself was average in our tests. The touch controls are easy to use and clean while the 10 year warranty on the ceramic enamel cavity ensures long-lasting performance. Pros This multipurpose appliance combines microwave, air fryer, toaster, and convection oven. Are convection microwaves worth it? Best Splurge. CryptoCurrencies View Less -. Factors to Consider. How We Tested Microwaves We chose 21 microwave models to test head-to-head for this story. Many microwaveable foods even include separate directions for different wattage levels. Okay, not all microwaves are carbon copies of one another. Beyond microwaving and baking, the integrated air fryer lets you make crispy, fried foods with little to no oil.

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A microwave's power level is measured in watts; higher wattage can get food hotter, quicker. These are some that make microwave use so much easier: Smart sensors adjust the time and power level for you by automatically measuring the humidity in your food. Countertop microwaves come with multiple advantages. It has a handful of useful features that are uncommon in this popular size and price range. Gone are the days when microwaves were mere popcorn-popping machines. Some countertop microwaves can be installed as built-ins using a conversion kit, but you'll likely need to hire a professional to do so. Liam McCabe is a former senior staff writer for Wirecutter, and has covered the wild world of appliances since Samsung Countertop Microwave. With a spacious liter capacity, it can defrost your frozen dinners by time or weight and microwave them to perfection using its combination programming mode. Microwaves with reheating sensors need to be able to detect the steam coming off your food, so if you cover your food, it needs to be with something porous. A 1,watt GE and a 1,watt Toshiba may not be designed to be equally powerful. It also got a tray of frozen mac and cheese about 10 degrees hotter than other microwaves during the normal cooking time. The interior dimensions are about 12 inches x 13 inches x 8 inches.