Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendation . If you tap links we provide , we may receive compensation .
These true appliances will heat up your leftovers with ease .
In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
Countertop microwaves are an important kitchen gizmo to have whether you be in a residence hall , apartment , or house . They can fire up up leftovers and cook microwavable meals or snacks , and they areavailable in both heavyset and large sizes .
If you do n’t have a designated cabinet space or shelf fora built - in microwave oven , countertop microwaves are the way to go . “ A countertop microwave offers the same cooking power as an installed microwave or build - in building block , ” saysBrian Shaunfield , Lowe ’s store handler .
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
After speaking to Shaunfield and conducting our own research , we test a variety of countertop microwave oven in our own kitchen . We round off up the best countertop microwaves after try each one , consider factors like size of it , preparation capability , wattage , and voltage .
What We Tested
To find the in force countertop microwaves we evaluated several option on theirfeatures , setting , capacity , andstyle . For more information on how we test countertop microwaves , check outour testing processbelow .
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Toshiba Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
It can touch base to your Amazon Alexa , making it easy to heat up food hand - free .
This microwave is 1.3 cubic feet , so it ’s fairly summary .
After testing several alternative , we pick out the Toshiba Smart Countertop Microwave as the best overall countertop microwave oven . We like this pick for its basic , tried and lawful functions , like its power scene and presets . Plus , it can unite to your Amazon Dot or Echo , making it an innovative option as well .
Credit: Amazon
During testing , the microwave reheated our leftovers quickly and evenly . you may choose from 10 power stratum , depend on your needs . It also has preset menus , which include the microwave oven staples like Zea mays everta , baked potatoes , pizza , and frozen vegetables .
We like that you may also program up to 23 preset metre menus on the microwave ’s accompanying app . For good example , if you crop up leftover pizza pie into the microwave oven , you’re able to just say , “ Alexa , reheat my pizza , ” and the microwave oven will heat your pizza for the appropriate meter .
The microwave has a capacity of 1.3 three-dimensional feet , which is more thick than some other options . However , it tout 1,100 Watt , which means it is still quite potent . In addition to its functionality , we loved the minimalist purpose that flux in well with the eternal sleep of our kitchen . The microwave oven felt very sturdy and in high spirits tone as well , so we recollect it will last for years to come .
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
If you ’re trying to meal preparation while others in your household are sleeping , you ’ll take account that this option has a mute stage setting . We used it during testing , and it allowed us to blockade the appliance from beeping when our food was done cookery . There are also zip saving features like an light-emitting diode cavity light and an eco - modality that reduces energy consumption .
Product Details : Wattage:1,100 watts |Voltage:120 volts |Dimensions:16.6 x 20.4 x 12.4 in . |Space Capacity:1.3 three-dimensional feet
Key Terms to Know
Best Budget
Black+Decker 0.7 Cu. Ft. Digital Microwave Oven
It feature multiple preferences for solid food and power .
The wattage is 700 , whereas received microwaves are typically 1,000 Watt .
We were print by the Black+Decker EM720CB7 Microwave Oven during testing . This microwave oven is less expensive than other options but still contains all of the same introductory function of other more expensive models . Plus , we thought the microwave oven had a sleek and clean design that fit in nicely in our kitchen .
The microwave valuate 0.7 cubic feet , so it ’s more compact than other models . However , we thought the DoI was unexpectedly great , and the glass lazy Susan is the ideal sizing to fit a small-scale dinner plate or a bag of popcorn . It also has a push button to launch the room access , make it easy to open if your hands are full .
or else of the standard 1,000 watts that most microwaves use , this one operates using 700 Isaac Watts , so it may take a bit longer to heat up your nutrient . However , the microwave heated our food equally during examination , without get out any cold spot .
The untarnished blade microwave oven has a canonic , loose - to - read exhibit and ascendence venire . It also has 10 power layer and preset button that tolerate you to easily heat up up Zea mays everta , pizza , potato , or stock-still vegetables . The microwave also allows you to deice either by time or weighting using a sensor .
Product inside information : Wattage:700 watts |Voltage:110 volt |Dimensions:13 x 17.3 x 10.2 in . |Space Capacity:0.7 three-dimensional feet
Best for Small Spaces
GE Compact Microwave
It has an electronic ascendency board and the beeps can be muted .
It only has 700 W , so cooking time may be unlike compared to other microwaves .
Having limited counter blank space can be a serious kitchen struggle , especially when you do n’t have space to install a microwave oven into a cabinet or above the stove . Taking up just 0.7 three-dimensional human foot , this compact GE microwave oven is the space - saver ’s dream .
The compact microwave burst nicely on our countertop and was easy to pick up and move during testing . The turntable for this microwave is 10.75 inches , so it ’s perfectly sized for heating or reheating food .
This poser have an electronic dominance board , so you may enter your cook meter more precisely than with a dial . This microwave also establish opening the door easy by using a push button alternatively of a traditional grip .
It has predetermined option for cookery potatoes , popcorn , or reheating beverages , and it also has reheat and auto defrost configurations . Additionally , it sport a clock and a timekeeper , so you may use it to aid you time your recipe if you are n’t in reality using the microwave oven . you could also manually programme the microwave for defrost times .
Like several options on our list , you’re able to also turn the auditory sensation off of this microwave so that you do n’t heat anyone up while make a midnight bite . This compact microwave oven packs a modest slug with 700 James Watt , which means that your Captain Cook meter may vary or take a bit longer than a standard microwave oven . However , given the sizing and other use , we did n’t think it was a dealbreaker .
production detail : Wattage:700 watts |Voltage:120 volt |Dimensions:12.75 x 17.3 x 10.18 in . |Space Capacity:0.7 cubic foot
The Bottom Line
We prefer theToshiba ML - EM34P(SS ) Smart Countertop Microwaveas the good microwave oven overall because it offers voguish and useful feature film and heat our food quickly and evenly during examination .
Our Testing Process
To determine the good countertop microwave , we spent five week testing several models in our own kitchens . Each model was evaluated on its strength , features , and pattern .
After setting up the microwave following the instructions , we clean house the gadget to assess how easy it was to do so . Then , we tested each microwave oven with at least four different types of nutrient , including popcorn , frozen meals , defrosting meat , and reheat leftovers .
Throughout the examination time period , we assess how each type of food turned out after microwaving it . We checked for cold spots to influence if the microwave oven heated food evenly . We also made sure to apply the presets on the microwave oven to see if they were useful for vernacular foods like Zea mays everta .
What to Know About Countertop Microwaves Before Shopping
Wattage
While shopping for countertop microwave , you ’ll require to see the wattage of the model .
“ Watts are a measure of the power menstruation rate through the system , ” Shaunfield says . “ This measure is a product of an A flowing through an electrical remainder of 1 volt . Wattage can show you how much DOE will be used by an appliance over a period of time . ”
Our pick for the best countertop microwave oven for small spaces , theGE Compact Microwave , has the last-place electrical power on our inclination at 700 . TheToshiba ML - EM34P(SS ) Smart Countertop Microwavehas the highest wattage at 1,100 watts , and it ’s also the largest microwave on our listing .
Credit: Amazon
Voltage
Voltage is another primal consideration when patronize for a countertop microwave . “ Using the weewee analogy , voltage , like water pressure flow through the pipes , is the speed at which electrons pass a item along the circuit , ” Shaunfield explains . “ electric potential is the effect that makes the current flow . ”
allot to Shaunfield , the standard voltage for countertop microwaves is 120 volts . All of the microwave oven on our list have a emf of 120 except for theBlack+Decker EM720CB7 Microwave Oven . It has a voltage of 110 , which is slenderly below the touchstone . This just means the cooking time may be slimly slower with these appliances .
Dimensions
When choosing the best microwave for your kitchen , you should ensure that you have not only adequate counterspace , but also enough elbow room to keep your microwave oven well - ventilate . Thoughmicrowaves browse in size , the standard is around 21 x 16 x 13 inch . Before purchasing a microwave oven , quantify your space to ensure it will fit .
Space Capacity
microwave oven capacity is measure in cubic feet . For small spaces , compact microwave bill under 1 cubic foot , which saves you worthful counter space . average - sized microwaves are the most standard sizing , and they have a content of 1 to 1.5 cubic feet . Large microwaves have a capacity of 1.6 three-dimensional feet to over 2 three-dimensional substructure .
Cooking Capacity
In add-on to quad capacitance , cooking capacity is another authoritative factor when pick out the best countertop microwave .
“ preparation capability refers to the interior cooking expanse — which spans from 0.7 cubic feet , which is cracking for small spaces and introductory reheating , up to 2 three-dimensional foundation or larger for full cooking capability , ” Shaunfield says .
Your Questions, Answered
Can you put a countertop microwave in a cabinet?
Countertop microwaves can take up valuable kitchen real acres , so we understand require to clear some space . Countertop microwaves are , by pattern , meant to be kept out in the surface . Not all countertop microwave oven design are conducive to being put into an enclosed space .
“ A countertop microwave oven has vent that necessitate a place to release heat , ” Shaunfield says . “ If there ’s not enough breeze flow , it ’s not safe to control your microwave . ”
This being say , if your locker is roomy enough , and you may result at least a few inches all the way around your microwave , it ’s possible to put yourcountertop microwave into the cabinet .
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
“ Some countertop microwave oven come with trimming kits that make it possible to build them into smother cabinetry or attach them to a nearby wall , ” Shaunfield say .
If there is n’t enough space to provide ventilation , prefer for a built - in microwave rather and have a professional install it .
How much does a countertop microwave cost?
Countertop microwaves are often the most budget - friendly eccentric of microwave oven . reckon on the capacity , wattage , and feature that it touts , countertop microwaves can be anywhere from around $ 50 to $ 500 , though of course some very mellow - destruction modeling can be more .
Generally , the minuscule the microwave , the less wattage and capability , the cheaper it is . A small microwave oven is typically around $ 50 to $ 150 , while a medium modeling is anywhere from $ 70 to $ 300 , and a large capacity microwave can be up to $ 500 , sometimes more .
Who We Are
Molly Blancois a senior author forBetter Homes & Gardens . For this story , she reference screen brainwave from our expert family quizzer on the size , cooking electrical capacity , electrical power , and potential of each exemplar . She then equate the effectiveness , design , and feature film of each microwave to find the best countertop option for your kitchen . She also consultedBrian Shaunfield , Lowe ’s store manager , for additional insight .
Credit: Best Buy
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
