Best Microwaves
Find the best microwaves for quick cooking.
Updated June 202610 picks1 min read
iAdvertising Disclosure▾
Best Overall
1
8.8
TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Stainless Steel Microwave
- ✓1000W power with smart sensor cooking
- ✓12.4-inch turntable fits standard dishes
- ✓6 preset menus for common foods
Check Price
available at
1
TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Stainless Steel Microwave
- ✓1000W power with smart sensor cooking
- ✓12.4-inch turntable fits standard dishes
- ✓6 preset menus for common foods
8.8
Check Price
available at
Best Premium
2
8.7
25% off
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button - Black
Check Price
available at
2
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button - Black
8.7
Best Budget
3
8.5
12% off
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
Check Price
available at
3
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
8.5
4
8.4
13% off
TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) Small Microwave Oven with 6 Auto Menus, Mute Function & Child Lock, LED Lighting, Perfect for Apartment, 0.9 Cu Ft, 10.6 Inch Removable Turntable, 900W, Black Stainless Steel
Check Price
available at
4
TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) Small Microwave Oven with 6 Auto Menus, Mute Function & Child Lock, LED Lighting, Perfect for Apartment, 0.9 Cu Ft, 10.6 Inch Removable Turntable, 900W, Black Stainless Steel
8.4
5
8.3
20% off
Nostalgia Retro Microwave Oven - 0.7 Cu Ft, 700-Watt Countertop Size with Glass Turntable, Child Safety Lock, 8 Auto-Cook Programs, Digital Clock - Pink
Check Price
available at
5
Nostalgia Retro Microwave Oven - 0.7 Cu Ft, 700-Watt Countertop Size with Glass Turntable, Child Safety Lock, 8 Auto-Cook Programs, Digital Clock - Pink
8.3
6
8.1
COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black
Check Price
available at
6
COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black
8.1
Check Price
available at
7
8.0
10% off
Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock - Stainless
Check Price
available at
7
Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock - Stainless
8.0
8
7.8
24% off
Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock - Black
Check Price
available at
8
Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock - Black
7.8
9
7.6
BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, Stainless Steel, 0.9 Cu Ft
Check Price
available at
9
BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, Stainless Steel, 0.9 Cu Ft
7.6
Check Price
available at
10
7.3
28% off
GE Compact Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cubic Ft., 700-watt Capacity, 6 Auto Cooking Settings, Child-Lock Technology, Dorm Room or Apartment, Stainless Steel
Check Price
available at
10
GE Compact Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cubic Ft., 700-watt Capacity, 6 Auto Cooking Settings, Child-Lock Technology, Dorm Room or Apartment, Stainless Steel
7.3
Buyer's Guide
Power and Wattage
Microwave power ranges from 700W to 1,250W, directly impacting cooking speed. A 1,000W+ unit heats food 30-40% faster than 700W models. For families reheating meals and cooking regularly, aim for 1,000-1,200W. Solo users or those just reheating beverages can save money with 700-900W models.
Interior Capacity
Capacity ranges from 0.7 to 2.2 cubic feet. A 1.2-1.4 cu ft interior fits standard dinner plates (10-12 inches) comfortably. Larger families cooking casseroles need 1.6+ cu ft. Compact dorm or office models at 0.7-0.9 cu ft sacrifice plate size but save counter space.
Control Interface
Dial controls offer simplicity and durability but lack preset options. Digital keypads with express cook buttons (1-6 minutes) speed up common tasks. Sensor cooking automatically adjusts time/power for popcorn, vegetables, and frozen meals—worth the $20-40 premium for frequent users.
Turntable vs Flatbed Design
Traditional turntables rotate food for even heating but limit usable space (corners unused). Flatbed models use distribution antennas, fitting rectangular dishes edge-to-edge and simplifying cleaning, but cost 20-30% more at equivalent wattage.
FAQ
What wattage microwave do I actually need for everyday use?+
1,000 watts handles most reheating and cooking tasks efficiently without overcooking. Go to 1,200W only if you frequently cook frozen meals or need faster times for large portions.
Is sensor cooking worth paying extra for?+
Yes if you cook popcorn, steam vegetables, or reheat leftovers 3+ times weekly—it prevents overcooking and eliminates guesswork. Skip it if you mostly heat beverages or use manual timers comfortably.
How much interior space do I need to fit a dinner plate?+
At least 1.2 cubic feet to accommodate a standard 10-11 inch plate. Measure your most-used dishes before buying—a 0.9 cu ft model forces you to use smaller plates or bowls.
Are stainless steel interiors better than painted ones?+
Stainless resists staining and wipes clean faster, but painted interiors perform identically and cost $15-30 less. Choose stainless if aesthetics matter or you cook tomato-based foods often.
How We Rank
Updated June 2026 · refreshed monthly
Each ranking combines verified-purchase reviews from Amazon, expert research from independent publications, and our editors' own judgment on what each product is genuinely best for.
Read our full method →