- Panasonic's NN-SN65KB Microwave is our choice for the best all-around microwave for most kitchens. It's a simple design, a standard size, and it cooks evenly enough to accommodate most dishes.
Since their inception in the 1940s, microwave ovens have come a long way from the absurdly expensive, six-foot-tall, 750-pound behemoths of WWII-era technology they once were.
When hunting for a microwave, consider what you'll be using it for and where it will live, and then decide on how many functions you'll need. While cheap microwaves sort of work, they usually have less wattage and don't distribute heat in the same way that a high-wattage convection microwave oven does.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you shop.- Wattage and size: Most microwaves pack anywhere from 600 to 1200 watts in power. Larger, more expensive machines cook faster, while smaller, less expensive options will still get hot enough to heat most things. However, they probably won't cook as evenly. Size and wattage usually go hand in hand, but size is its own consideration based on where your microwave will fit.
- Location: Countertop microwaves are designed to take up precious counter space, but when that's all you have to give up, it's your best and only option. Over-the-range models fit over your stove and take the place of a range hood. If you have space, they're great, but they're also usually more expensive. Built-in microwaves can be tucked into a cabinet, but they're probably best for large kitchens where drawer and cabinet space is not at a premium.
- Convection and inverter: Convection microwave ovens blow air into the microwave so that heat is distributed more evenly, making them the most consistent and reliable option. However, they're usually more expensive. Microwaves with inverters can run at partial power while maintaining an even temperature, while other microwaves just pulse on and off, allowing the temperature to vary. Like convection ovens, inverter microwaves are a little more expensive but worth the extra money if you tend to cook in your microwave a lot or draw butter or chocolate regularly enough.
- Presets and controls: Good Housekeeping suggests finding a microwave with a whole host of presets, but those can often be faulty, and add confusion to the interface. I've often opened the microwave after using a preset and found either half-frozen mush or worse still, utter devastation. It's often in your best interest to choose your own time and power settings. We recommend going with short intervals so you don't overheat your food.
Here are our top picks for the best microwave:
Prices and links are current as of 5/21/20. We updated our best overall pick to the newest model of our previous pick. It's the same microwave, but with slightly improved specs.
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