Best countertop microwave oven

Summer Rylander is a freelance food and travel journalist based in Germany. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services.

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.

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. To assess whether each microwave offers even heat distribution, speed and efficiency we pop popcorn, reheat a large casserole, melt cheese on bread, defrost ground beef and so much more. If they offer air fry , toast or convection settings, we test those as well. You can read more about how we test countertop microwaves in our Lab at the end of this guide — plus we offer expert advice on how to master your microwave. Interested in other small appliances that can cook and reheat food? Check out our guides to best air fryer toaster ovens and indoor grills. The perfect combination of size and power, this Toshiba is smaller than most of the other high-power, watt microwaves we tested but still fits a dinner plate nicely.

The convection fan circulates heat for quick, consistent cooking while the Magic Grill lets you toast, grill, and brown foods to perfection.

Countertop microwaves come with multiple advantages. As convenience and efficiency in the kitchen have become paramount, the countertop microwave oven, a versatile appliance, has emerged as an essential tool for households and office spaces alike. These compact culinary companions have evolved significantly over the years. Gone are the days when microwaves were mere popcorn-popping machines. Modern countertop microwaves are designed to offer a plethora of cooking options, making them indispensable in our daily lives. Whether you're a busy professional looking to whip up a quick meal or a culinary enthusiast experimenting with new recipes, these countertop microwaves have something to offer everyone. One of the standout features of countertop microwaves is their space-saving design.

Find a reliable, top-performing microwave for your kitchen counter. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. Learn more. Spending more typically gets you more power and convenience features, such as a sensor that shuts off the oven when your food is ready to eat. Here are the most and least reliable microwaves , based on our extensive CR member survey. For more tips, take a look at our comprehensive microwave buying guide. It will fit most moderate-sized plates, and the best models do a good job of heating your food, albeit a little slower than bigger ones. Find some of the highest-rated microwaves we test below. But it may be all you need for a college dorm or home office. Heating and defrosting evenness are very good, and this Danby is pretty quiet even when running on the highest setting.

Best countertop microwave oven

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Microwaves are essential appliances used daily in most household kitchens, and today's models are built to do much more than just reheat last night's leftovers. Many microwaves feature cooking presets that can perform a variety of tasks with the touch of a button, like steam fresh vegetables, defrost chicken breasts, melt chocolate , soften butter, and bake potatoes.

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This IFB convection microwave oven offers big convenience in a compact package. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Pros Cons Compact size 20 liters Limited features and functions Silver finish for a modern look Smaller capacity for larger meals 51 Auto Menus for convenience. With its 2. The Best Microwaves. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We appreciate that it has the same easy-to-read and clean control panel and that this newer model boasts a handle. Every year we hear from a few of our readers who tell us that the microwave they bought based on our advice caught fire for an unexplained reason. She's been testing kitchen appliances professionally since and has worked at kitchen appliance companies where she helped develop microwaves as well as many recipes for them.

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.

The short answer: none of them. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. It's not the absolute cheapest we tested, but it's the only budget-priced model that could keep up with the fancier machines. Pros Popped popcorn better than seven other models tested Inverter techology Large interior capacity. High-end microwaves often aren't just microwaves, either: Some incorporate the heating elements you'd find in a toaster or electric oven alongside a microwave generator. This machine is a sizable investment, but it can potentially replace multiple countertop appliances at once. Whether you're reheating leftovers, baking cupcakes, or roasting a whole chicken, this Panasonic microwave cooks food faster and tastier than conventional microwaves. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. With its 2. Basically, inverter microwaves can deliver continuous cooking when set to lower power levels, as opposed to regular transformer-powered microwaves, which cycle between periods of full power and zero power. Modern countertop microwaves are designed to offer a plethora of cooking options, making them indispensable in our daily lives. Eva Bleyer has professionally tested all kinds of kitchen equipment, from oven ranges to juicers to kitchen scales to blenders.