Best countertop microwave oven

Summer Rylander is a freelance food and travel journalist based in Germany.

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.

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. Liz Mundle is currently the managing editor at Domino Magazine. Jump to a Section. The microwave is a culinary workhorse that can save time, energy, and precious kitchen space. You'll find them in many restaurant kitchens, and the best microwaves offer an incredible range of abilities. There are all-in-one devices that can stand in for a toaster oven or air fryer , as well as more basic options that will simply reheat your coffee in seconds. We tested 21 microwaves side-by-side, and we got wildly different results from one model to another. Price doesn't correlate to quality, and you might need a very different model than someone else depending on what you cook and how.

We also looked closely at several compact microwaves, which have 0.

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.

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. Some microwaves even have grilling and convection heating capabilities. Microwaves designed for countertop use are ready to go right out of the box, and since they don't need any installation, they're easy to move around if needed. They're also typically compact enough that you can find a spot for them in the smallest of kitchens, even if it means keeping one stashed on a table or storage cart. Not sure which model is right for you? We took a list at the options to give our best recommendations.

Best countertop microwave oven

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.

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Interested in other small appliances that can cook and reheat food? This is as small as microwaves get. Ensure the microwave you choose fits comfortably on your counter. You may be interested in. The Toshiba offers a nice assortment of settings for a relatively affordable microwave. Some versions plug into a standard outlet, but others must be hard-wired in by an electrician. There's no temperature or humidity sensor to automate cooking, but the machine does have six cooking presets and two defrost modes. We confirmed with a Panasonic representative that the midsize and larger models all use the same core components—the oven cavity is just a different size. To select our top picks, we went through slices of bread, 48 potatoes and 18 pounds of mac and cheese. By the way, sparks are not a sign of a malfunctioning microwave. The Best Budget Microwave. Cooking Power: Look for microwaves with at least watts for faster and more even cooking. Brittany Mullins, author of the blog Eating Bird Food , appreciates how straightforward the appliance is.

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.

Pros Reheats food evenly Can add or reduce cook times in second increments Keep warm feature. Best built-in microwave oven. Develop and improve services. Why you should trust us. Everything we recommend. Most of the affordable microwaves sold by GE are most likely made by Midea. But some newer models appear to have fixed these issues and even added air fry—we hope to evaluate some of these going forward. The IEC, an independent standards commission, does have a test methodology to determine wattage, but brands are not required to follow it. Equipment Electric Appliances. Whether you're reheating leftovers, baking cupcakes, or roasting a whole chicken, this Panasonic microwave cooks food faster and tastier than conventional microwaves.