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Stephen King has told some terrifying tales over the years, from It and Pet Sematary to Cujo and The Shining. But the most bone-chilling story of all? When he revealed to the world that he microwaves his salmon. Shivers.
But before we get Carrie’d away, let’s put down the torches and pitchforks and consider where the King of Horror is coming from. After all, TikTok users have been raving over that microwaved salmon rice bowl recipe, and we’re not ones to shy away from microwaving everything from baked potatoes to corn on the cob. It’s not about what you put in your microwave (unless it’s tin foil); it’s about finding the right model that you can count on. For many, this comes down to two types: Countertop and over-the-range.
The difference between a countertop microwave and an over-the-range model is pretty self-explanatory: A countertop microwave is placed directly on your kitchen counter, allowing for easy access by all members of the household. An over-the-range microwave is mounted above your stovetop or range. Both models require adequate ventilation, but countertop microwaves don't require any external ventilation. (Although you could theoretically install a countertop model on a shelf above your cooktop, you wouldn't have the overhead lighting or venting features of a traditional over-the-range or built-in microwave. And, more importantly, steam and grease would seep into the microwave from your stove.) You can't easily convert a countertop microwave to a built-in model, but some come with an optional trim kit that allows them to be installed in a cabinet for a built-in look.
“Countertop models are usually at a lower price point and they don’t need to be installed professionally, so you can have more control over the size of the microwave you buy,” says Nicole Papantoniou, the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab. “If you’re looking for a certain aesthetic in your kitchen, you don’t need to worry as much about matching it because you can put it wherever you want and keep it out of sight.” After consulting Papantoniou and the Good Housekeeping Institute’s team of experts, we’ve found the most reliable countertop microwave brands to heat up your snacks and leftovers.
From sweet potatoes to crispy bacon, there are plenty of foods you can prepare in your microwave. But you haven’t truly cooked outside the box until you’ve tried our favorite microwave cooking recipes, like spaghetti squash puttanesca. And, sure, you can check out our ranking of microwave popcorn brands if you’re feeling less adventurous.
Our top picks
- Best Countertop Microwave: Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven
- Best Budget Countertop Microwave: Hamilton Beach Digital Microwave Oven
- Best Splurge Countertop Microwave: Galanz GTWHG12S1SA10 ToastWave
- Best Small Countertop Microwave: BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven
- Fastest Countertop Microwave: Panasonic NN-SN766S Countertop Microwave Oven
How we picked these products
We turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who identified the best microwave brands based on availability, reviews, and reputation. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust.
These Kitchen Tech Experts put over 15 models through in-depth testing, including baking potatoes, defrosting a pound of frozen ground beef, popping popcorn, and reheating baked mac and cheese and leftover meatloaf with all the fixings. We then consulted Papantoniou on their evaluations of important factors like cost-effectiveness, turntable position, user-friendliness, cleanability, and overall performance. These are the best countertop microwaves you can buy in 2022.
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven
Pros
- Adjustable power and features
Cons
- Lacks completion indicator sound
In a perfect world, a microwave should be three things: Powerful, user-friendly, and functional in a variety of scenarios. We’re pleased to say the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS checks all those boxes—and then some! This 1,100-watt microwave’s design includes a large digital display, a 12.4-inch glass turntable (perfect for those large dinner plates!), an easy-to-read control panel, and a pre-programmed sensor menu to simplify the cooking process. It even has two defrost settings: Custom or 1 lb. auto defrost.
Calling it the "perfect combination of price, size and power,” the Good Housekeeping Institute’s panel “love[d] the handlebar instead of a push button to open the door, which is more ergonomic,” but noted that “some reviewers miss not having the beep that reminds you that food was left in the microwave.” Speaking of sound, the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS also offers the option of muting its buzzer: Simply press the “8” button on the control panel for 3-5 seconds and the microwave will emit a prolonged beep to signal that the buzzer has been switched off.
We don’t just like this microwave for its “just-right” 1.2 cubic foot size—we think you’ll make ample use of the 10 power settings, power saving mode, one-touch start feature, kitchen clock and timer functions. (And though you hopefully won’t need it, the 1-year warranty isn’t anything to sneeze at either.)
Hamilton Beach Digital Microwave Oven
Pros
- Affordable
- Powerful
Cons
- Noisy
We’re major subscribers to the adage “You get what you pay for,” but the Hamilton Beach Digital Microwave Oven has us eating our words with its solid performance and reasonable price. This 1,000-watt, 1.1 cubic foot appliance has all the standard design details you’d want in a microwave, like intuitive touch pad controls, a cooking complete reminder alarm, a child lock for added safety, an easy-to-read LED display, and a push-button door.
The Good Housekeeping Institute noted that “some reviewers have reported that it makes a loud whooshing noise,” but they found that “doesn’t affect how well food heats.” Furthermore, they praised the kitchen timer’s ability to “work simultaneously with the cook cycle”—which in our experience, is not a feature to sleep on.
Though this is a budget model, the Hamilton Beach Digital Microwave Oven doesn’t skimp on features. In addition to a 1-year warranty, it offers 10 power levels and six convenient programs for easy, one-touch cooking, including defrost-by-weight and cook-by-weight settings.
Galanz GTWHG12S1SA10 ToastWave
Galanz GTWHG12S1SA10 ToastWave
Pros
- Even heating
- 4-in-1 design
Cons
- Pricey
We would typically blanche at the idea of shelling out a few hundred bucks for one appliance, but four? Shut up and take our money!
Coming in at 1,000 watts and 1.2 cubic feet, the Galanz ToastWave combines four appliances in one with microwaving, air frying, broiling, and baking functions. But the bevy of benefits don’t stop there.
In addition to boasting a 1-year warranty, this impressive countertop appliance features a built-in humidity sensor ensures your food is never under- or overcooked—even if it’s frozen! “Unlike some traditional microwaves that tend to heat food unevenly, this will not leave your food with cold and hot spots,” said the Good Housekeeping Institute, which they attributed to the ToastWave being “equipped with an inverter that creates continuous heat so your food is evenly heated throughout.”
Pair that with the sensor reheat setting that automatically stops the microwave as soon as your food is fully heated, and one thing is for sure: You’ll never have to worry about overcooked, inedible leftovers ever again.
BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven
Pros
- Small footprint
Cons
- Less user-friendly
If you're seeking a compact model to stow away in a cabinet or closet, the BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven is a small-but-mighty option. Just under one cubic foot in size, it’s so sleek that you may not be able to resist showing it off.
This reliable appliance packs a powerful punch with 900 watts, 10 power levels, and a bunch of convenient pre-programmed settings—including popping popcorn, baking potatoes, warming beverages, and nuking frozen foods like pizza and veggies. And don’t forget about the 30-second express cooking button.
Though the Good Housekeeping Institute’s experts appreciated the BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven’s three pre-programmable “favorite” settings, they found the “control panel may be difficult to read” and “the 10-inch turntable can fit up to a small dinner plate or low-profile mug, but nothing bigger.” However, the turntable is removable and made from glass for easy clean-up. Other useful details include a large LED digital display, a kitchen timer function, and an interior light.
Plus, the BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven was designed with multiple safety features—like a push-button door release for easy access and a child safety lock—and boasts a 1-year warranty, so everyone and anyone in your household can heat and eat to their hearts’ (and stomachs’!) content.
Panasonic NN-SN766S Countertop Microwave Oven
Panasonic NN-SN766S Countertop Microwave Oven
Pros
- Includes smart sensors
- Heats food evenly
Cons
- Poor at defrosting
- Pricey
A speedy microwave may not seem important until you’re trying to heat up frozen pizza rolls at 3 am. Depending on how long you have to wait, the situation can get pretty dire.
The Panasonic NN-SN766S is an inverter microwave, which means it uses patented inverter technology to generate a seamless stream of cooking power (1,250 watts, in fact) no matter which setting you choose. The end result is consistent, evenly prepared food. That means no more gummy risotto, dry steak, or soggy fries. Even rock-solid frozen foods don’t stand a chance thanks to its Advanced Turbo Defrost settings, which speeds up defrosting times.
“In our tests, microwaves with inverters did a good job reheating food evenly and excelled at baking potatoes,” noted the Good Housekeeping Institute. However, the Panasonic NN-SN766S “couldn’t defrost ground beef as well as regular microwaves.” Nevertheless, testers found much to love about this microwave, such as the Keep Warm feature, which testers noted “runs for up to 30 minutes after a cook cycle ends… [and] can be added at the beginning of the cook cycle!”
Plus, this high-powered countertop appliance also features 14 presets (including the Delay Start function), a quick-minute timer, a 15-inch turntable, and a child safety lock. But that’s not all! We were especially impressed with the extras that trick out this gadget, including a built-in automatic Genius cooking sensor, which adjusts the Panasonic NN-SN766S’s power and times based on whatever you’re heating up. However, all these excellent features come at a cost beyond its rather high price tag: A good chunk of your counterspace, because this is one of the largest countertop microwaves on our list at 1.6 cubic feet.
What is the average lifespan of a microwave?
According to Home Guide, the cost of a countertop microwave currently runs between $50 to $500. So depending on how often you need to replace your appliance, that cost can add up. Microwaves lose power over time as their magnetron tubes weaken. Magnetron tubes provide the majority of the machine's energy, using electrical and magnetic fields to create the oscillating waves that bounce around the oven and heat food. When they fail, the entire appliance fails. That said, the average microwave lasts about seven years with normal use, but you can extend that lifespan with proper maintenance. Not only is proper care imperative to extending the longevity of your microwave, but it’s also important to prevent fires and other kitchen mishaps. (Lucky for you, we have a few useful tips for how to keep yours clean, plus the things you should never, EVER put in the microwave.)
How do I choose a good microwave?
Choosing a microwave is a very personal decision—and not just because only you know how many frozen dinners you’re nuking every week. From the size of your kitchen to your budget, there are plenty of factors that go into selecting the perfect microwave for your lifestyle. Here are some things to keep in mind as you shop:
Features: Some microwave features are less necessary than others—for example, you may not need a model with an air frying function if you already own an air fryer. But others are much more necessary.
“If somebody in your household is visually impaired, you want to be sure that the screen is large enough that they can see it easily,” said Papantoniou. “The control panel is also important. The touch panel should also be responsive.”
Presets like defrosting frozen foods or popping popcorn come with most standard microwave models and are definitely worth making use of. It might seem insignificant, but an Add 30 Seconds feature can also make a huge difference by letting you add time quickly without needing to press multiple buttons or stop your cooking process. Another convenient feature is the use of smart sensors that automatically determine how long your food needs to be heated and adjust the cooking time and power as needed. However, as with many smart features, this significantly increases an appliance’s price tag.
Size: When considering the size of your microwave, you want to think about how much space you have. The standard size of the interior of a countertop microwave capacity is often around 1.5 to 2.2 cubic feet. If you plan on reheating casserole dishes (or some can even nuke large frozen pizzas), you’ll want to stick to the larger end of that range, but otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a smaller inner capacity.
In general, Papantoniou advised that a size of “a little over 1.1 to 1.6 cubic feet is best for most people.” As for the exterior size, the width can range from about 21 to 24 inches and the depth with the door closed can be anywhere from 16 to 20 inches, but the height usually stays the same at around 13 inches. Though a bigger microwave size might automatically make you think it’s better, it’s good to keep in mind that smaller models are more energy efficient.
Wattage: A microwave's wattage determines its speed and power—so the higher the wattage, the faster its cooking times and the more even its heat distribution will be.
“The way microwaves work is they use micro waves that cause the water particles in food to move, which generates heat, and that’s how your food warms up," explained Papantoniou.
Microwaves typically range from 500 to 1,000 watts, but how much you'll need depends on your lifestyle. A 700- to 900-watt microwave is best for most people because that strikes the perfect balance between affordability and capability, so you can microwave meals, popcorn, and other small fare with ease. But if you’re planning to do more heavy-duty cooking, you’ll want at least a 1,000-watt model. (Pro-tip: Most packaged frozen meal heating instructions are based on a 1,100-watt microwave, so if you plan on nuking a lot of frozen foods, you'll want to stick with that higher level of power if you want to avoid any icy surprises in the middle of your food.)
There are even some models that let users control the wattage for each use, which Papantoniou said can have its own benefits: “If you are able to control the wattage, that’s beneficial if you are trying to perform more delicate tasks like melting chocolate or butter.”
Kaitlin Mahar is a California-based freelance writer covering the shopping and lifestyle beats. When she's not sharing her passion for the Oxford comma with anyone who will listen, she is a proud cat parent, avid yogi, tea enthusiast, and co-host and co-producer of the podcast "Crime Culture".
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