A built-in sensor will automatically calculate and set the optimal cooking time and temperature depending on the dishes you cook. 12 auto preset cook options will allow you to use it for many other cooking tasks beyond simply reheating food leftovers.
The appliance is somewhat bulky due to its high capacity.
Cooking for a whole family is not an easy task, but this high-capacity microwave from Panasonic will become a real savior. With the interior capacity of 2.2 cu.ft., it will accommodate pretty large amounts of foods at a time allowing you to cook generously-sized family meals, a whole chicken, turkey, etc.
Electronic sensor controls with an LED display
1250 W
10 cooking power levels, Sensor reheat, Sensor cook, Inverter turbo defrost, Keep Warm, Child safety lock, Timer
16 inches
2.2 cu.ft.
Oatmeal, Breakfast Sausage, Omelet, Quinoa, Soup, Frozen Entrees, Frozen Pizza, Potatoes, Fresh Vegetables, Frozen Vegetables, Rice, Frozen Dinners, Pasta, Fish Fillets
Enameled
1 year on parts and labour, 5 years on magnetron
The EasyClean™ interior coating makes cleaning a cinch. Just wipe the unit exterior and interior with a damp cloth to keep it neat and tidy. Besides, the enameled interior prevents foul odors.
Pretty noisy operation at the highest power setting.
At a reasonable price, this microwave from Toshiba offers reliable Japanese quality and a great set of modern functions. The Custom Cook button will let you customize and save in the memory of the device programs that you've created yourself and the Eco Mode will allow minimizing energy consumption.
Electronic controls with an LCD screen
1100 W
10 power levels, Sensor cooking, Child safety lock, Timer
12.4 inches
1.2 cu.ft.
Potato, Rice, Vegetables, Custom cook, Soften/Melt
Enameled with EasyClean™ coating
1 year
LED digital display with an easy-to-read control panel will let you quickly get the hang of all the functions of the appliance. A child safety lock will prevent little kids from opening the oven while it's in use, thus, excluding the risk of burns and hazards.
The front panel is prone to fingerprints.
The Black and Decker is the best choice for those with a limited kitchen space. Amazingly compact in size, it will find its place on the smallest countertop. At the same time, despite its compactness, you'll get all the functionality you need in a device like this.
Electronic controls with an LED display
900 W
10 cooking power levels, Child safety lock, Timer
10.6 inches
0.9 cu. ft.
Popcorn, Potato, Pizza, Frozen Vegetables, Beverage, Dinner Plate
Enameled
1 year
Thanks to the intelligent memory option that keeps 3 different cooking procedures with pre-programmed cooking power and time settings, this oven from Toshiba will allow you to achieve consistently perfect cooking results each time.
The unit door closes rather tightly.
A practical and pretty compact Toshiba microwave with a stainless steel interior will become a great choice for an average family of 3-4 persons and a perfect addition to any kitchen concise in space. All functions that are necessary for cooking and defrosting foods are present, and it has a safety alert that beeps when the cycle is over.
Electronic sensor controls with an LED display
900 W
10 power settings, Kitchen timer, Time defrost, Weight defrost, Power saving mode, Sound on/off option, Child safety lock, +30 seconds key, Memory option, Interior LED light
10.6 inches
0.9 cu.ft.
Popcorn, Potato, Pizza, Frozen vegetable, Beverage, Dinner plate
Enameled
1 year
A 1-to-6-minute Express Cook function enables you to quickly set the desired cooking or defrosting time. Meanwhile, an Add 30 seconds feature is a real find when you need to reheat a cup of tea or warm up a sandwich.
A turntable is a bit wobbly.
If you rather need a no-frills microwave with basic functionality than a modern gizmo with many bells and whistles, the Farberware will get you covered. A set of pretty much standard functions will cover your common daily needs while intuitive controls will help you quickly get the hang of all the unit capabilities.
Electronic controls with an LED display
1000 W
10 cooking power levels, Child safety lock, Timer
12 inches
1.1 cu.ft.
Popcorn, Potato, Pizza, Frozen vegetables, Beverage, Dinner plate
Enameled
1 year
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Panasonic NN-SN966S
The Ultimate Choice for a Big Family
A microwave is an appliance most people buy as an auxiliary kitchen tool to add to their stove and oven. And let’s be honest, many of us hardly use it for something else besides preheating meals and maybe making popcorn (that is, if you don't have a special popcorn maker, of course). Yet, a top-rated microwave is much more versatile than that, featuring a slew of options and programs that make it suitable for plenty of other cooking tasks. Need a device like that? Then consider the Panasonic NN-SN966S
Two things you will like about this microwave right away are its sleek, modern design in a stainless steel housing and intuitive controls. However, these aren't the only benefits of the NN-SN966S. What is also remarkable is that you can place it in two ways: either on a countertop or build it into a wall or kitchen cabinet.
Other features that make this microwave oven so popular among users include its capacious cooking chamber, high power, and outstanding functionality. Speaking of the former, the microwave boasts a 2.2 cu.ft. cooking chamber capacity that is almost twice bigger than what you get from the range. This capacity along with a 16-inch turntable will allow you to fit inside the appliance several servings of food or even bake whole poultry. When it comes to the power, the Panasonic NN-SN966S is no slouch either. Yielding about 1250 watts, it is able to remarkably expedite the cooking process. To add more, it features the patented Panasonic inverter technology that will make sure you get perfect cooking results regardless of the type of food you place inside it.
Finally, the oven offers 10 power levels and several preset operation modes so you will be able to not only defrost or reheat food but also cook different food and experiment with recipes. A "Keep Warm" function is included as well.
Intelligent Cooking Assistant
All ingredients differ in density and texture. Hence, cooking time and power for different meals and foods also vary. And if you are not much into microwave cooking it might take you a long time and a number of botched dishes until you find a perfect balance between time and temperature settings. The Panasonic NN-SN966S will do this work for you and take the guesswork out of the cooking process. The model features a built-in sensor that will automatically set the needed time and temperature in accordance with the type of food you cook and offers 12 auto cook options with function-specific buttons making food preparation way easier.
Regardless of whether you're cooking your favorite food or testing some new recipes, with this intelligent microwave from Panasonic, you will always achieve fantastic results.
In all, the Panasonic NN-SN966S has a lot going for it. It's functional, powerful, and cleverly designed. So, if you need an appliance that will offer you much more than its rivals, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better choice.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $212.85 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01DEWZWDU |
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS
Branded Quality at a Reasonable Price
When it comes to electronic appliances, Japanese manufacturers are indisputable leaders. Toshiba is one of the most popular and top-selling Japanese brands known worldwide. Though kitchen appliances are not their major profile, taking their best technologies, they’ve created a range of microwave ovens distinguished by branded quality. The EM131A5C-BS microwave is one of them. It stands out for a combo of solid quality and thought-out functionality offered at a reasonable price tag.
First things first, with 1100 watts under its hood, this model is at the higher end in terms of power, which means you can cook fast and the appliance will cope with literally any cooking task. Add to this 10 variable power settings and a built-in timer, and you’ll have an opportunity to precisely customize the cooking settings to the recipe you have at hand. Besides, a One-touch start option will let you turn on the microwave at full power for 1 to 6 minutes at a press of a button for some quick and easy recipes.
In addition to individually adjustable cooking programs, the Toshiba offers several preset modes for commonly microwaved foods like popcorn, pizza, potato, rice, vegetables, or frozen entrees. You can also defrost foods or reheat pre-cooked meals for breakfast or late dinner. To maximize the cooking performance, this model is also fitted with a Sensor cook feature that will automatically adjust the unit operation. So, all your dishes will come out appetizing and tasty.
Speaking of the appliance design, it is moderate and straightforward. The body in a dark brushed steel finish will blend with any kitchen style. A large digital display is easy to read and intuitive controls make the unit operation a breeze. Meanwhile, a 1.2 cu.ft. capacity will let you cook both single-serve dishes and larger portions.
Forget About Messy Cleanups
Some technological perks are the forte of all Japanese appliances. Often minor at a glance, they really work in practice and add convenience. This Toshiba microwave is not an exception. Just like many other models, it has an enameled interior surface, which is pretty much typical for microwaves. However, what sets it apart from the others is the brand-specific EasyClean™ coating. Interior cleaning is by far the biggest issue about microwaves. Oily splashes and spills stick to the inner surfaces and are really hard to remove over time making microwave cleaning one of the most tiresome, time-taking, and boring kitchen tasks, hence, one of the least favorite ones. Yet, it won’t be the case with the Toshiba. Thanks to that specific coating, the spills are easy to clean with a damp cloth, with no scrubbing or rubbing needed. Besides, the coating helps prevent foul odors build up inside the oven.
To put it in a nutshell, once again, let us state that with the Toshiba, you’ll get a reliable microwave with a decent set of functions at a price that won’t hit your budget too much.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $127.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B071WCB1T6 |
BLACK + DECKER EM925AB9
A Match for Concise Spaces
If your kitchen is limited in space, you are also limited in a number of appliances you can fit into it. However, a microwave is one of the modern kitchen must-haves and something that makes cooking really convenient and hassle-free. So, if you look for a full-fledged microwave for a small kitchen, we recommend turning your eyes to the Black and Decker EM925AB9.
With dimensions of 18.3 x 14.5 x 11 inches, this appliance is noticeably more compact in size than many other models. Hence, it will take less countertop space and featuring no extruding handle, it can be even put onto an overhanging shelf or built into a cabinet. Due to smaller dimensions, the Black and Decker has somewhat lower capacity and offers only 0.9 cu.ft. instead of habitual 1.2 cu.ft. Yet, it still has a 10.6-inch turntable that can accommodate pizza, a smaller chicken or a pretty large cooking pan or bowl. Thus, this model is ideal for singles or couples and will even suit the cooking needs of a small family or find its place in a studio, dorm room or rented apartment.
Packing 900 W of power, the Black and Decker EM925AB9 will also let you cook in a fast and efficient way. Meanwhile, it will consume less energy and won’t add much to your electricity bills. When it comes to functionality, the appliance is in no way inferior to larger rivals. It will allow you to toss off wholesome meals, defrost foods, and reheat precooked treats. Fitted with an integrated timer and 10 power settings, the unit can be precisely set to cook any dish, be it some simple quick dinner or a sophisticated dessert. Besides, a bunch of preset modes with pre-programmed time and power settings are great for making popcorn for a movie night or a pizza for a quick nosh, melting frozen veggies or reheating your cold cup of Joe to bring back the original flavor of your hot drink.
Fitted With Some Minor Yet Meaningful Details
This compact microwave from Black and Decker is pretty simple and doesn’t have an abundance of premium bells and whistles. However, you’ll hardly use many of those add-ons in practice and basic functionality is sufficient for home use. As simple as it is, the Black and Decker is also fairly affordable. With its price tag far below $100, it will fit even a stringent budget.
On the other hand, though, the model still has some minor details that enhance its convenience and safety. Thus, it features a child lock which enables the control panel to be locked during use so that your inquisitive kids cannot open it accidentally and burn their hands. Also included is a bright interior light that will let you closely monitor the cooking process and avoid overcooking or undercooking, which can be especially helpful when dealing with new recipes. And a large LED display is fully comprehensible and very easy to read.
In a word, if every inch of your kitchen space counts, but you still want a functional microwave, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better compact model than this one from Black and Decker.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $83.20 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07HG9YGZY |
Toshiba EM925A5A-BS
Up to Par Functionality for Daily Use
Those who live in apartments or simply have smaller kitchens are much pickier when it comes to choosing kitchen appliances. They would rather purchase compact and functional units than crowd an already concise kitchen with bulky gear. And if space is your main concern too, then we'd like to recommend you to turn your eyes to the Toshiba microwave oven.
The microwave in question won’t take much space on a counter and will ideally fit on a shelf above it. It weighs 27.3 lbs and makes only 19.2 x 15.9 x 11.5 inches in overall dimensions. The cavity of the oven is also small at 0.9 cu.ft, making it best suited for 3-4 people households. This model has a stainless steel body requiring little to no care. It doesn't collect fingerprints nor does it get greasy like models with enameled interiors.
Let's move to the operation of the oven. This model is easy to use and program using electronic LED controls. You just need to select the necessary mode or function and activate it with the touch of a button. You can choose between several models: pizza, pasta, popcorn, frozen vegetables, beverages, and a dinner plate. If you need to thaw food quickly, you can choose to defrost food either by time or by weight, optimizing the process to the maximum.
Added convenience and safety features include a child safety lock to prevent little explorers from opening the oven door and getting burned, +30 seconds key to prolong cooking time (if needed), and a sound on/off option to set a sound signal that will let you know that the process is over.
This model comes packed with all basic functions we most often use in our everyday life and features pretty compact dimensions, making it a great match for smaller kitchens and studios.
Hassle-free Multi-stage Cooking
Various cooking stages require different power outputs ranging from high power for initial stages and followed by lower power for continued cooking. Sometimes, there might be even a need to combine different cooking processes. Normally, you would have to change the settings manually or complete cooking processes one by one. Yet, a memory function from Toshiba will save you a lot of trouble. This smart option allows setting programs sequence and saves three different cooking processes with pre-programmed cooking power and time settings that will let you achieve consistently perfect cooking results. Once you’ve chosen all the necessary settings, simply press start and let the oven do the rest.
So, if you're looking for a functional device packed with multiple cooking modes and functions that will not cost a fortune and will fit well in a small space, the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS should be right up your alley.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $83.53 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B072JML2GZ |
Farberware FMO11AHTPLB
Enjoy Solid Basic Functionality
If you are a kind of busy home cook who prefers some quick and tasty meals you can toss off within the shortest period of time, this microwave from Farberware is definitely worth your attention. Offering solid basic functionality without numerous add-ons of premium models, it’s a really great choice for convenient daily use.
With 1000 watts under its hood, this model is rather at the high end in terms of power, so, cooking will be fast enough. At the same time, 10 power levels will let you precisely adjust the power output from 10% to 100% to achieve optimal cooking results in an energy-wise manner. Next to it, 6 auto-cooking options are there to help you cook the most popular microwave meals. Thus, a portion of popcorn, baked potatoes, crispy pizza, a vegetable garnish, a cup of hot chocolate and a dinner plate will be cooked at the touch of a button, with no guesswork engaged.
To proceed, with time and weight defrost functions, you can thaw any ingredients, be it some chicken nuggets or a whole chicken, quickly and, what is more important, efficiently. Meantime, 1-to-6-minute Express Cook function will let you set the desired cooking time for quick treats and snacks and an Add 30 seconds option will come in handy for reheating foods or making delicious warm sandwiches.
With all the simplicity and straightforwardness, the Farberware is still not deprived of some smart perks. Thus, if you feel like trying your hand at cooking some new recipes or experimenting with ingredients, the multi-stage cooking feature will make it an easy task. This option allows programming the sequence of functions and the unit will automatically control them to be accomplished in proper order. It’s a real find for complex and exquisite recipes with numerous instructions to be followed. And even if your cooking skills are far from being perfect, you'll get the desired result with no trial and error.
... and a Stylish Piece of Kitchen Equipment
Along with on-par functionality, the Farberware boasts a sleek design that can’t be overlooked. A clean white control panel combined with a framed glass door perfectly fits into a brushed metal front panel in modern silver color. An exquisite handle with the same metal finish completes an elegant look, meanwhile, remaining fully functional and adding convenience when opening and shutting the door. Overall, such refined design will suit any kitchen interior style, be it modest classics, minimalistic high-tech, modern loft or a trendy fusion.
Stylish look aside, the Farberware is distinguished by a perfect balance of outer dimensions and inner capacity. Thus, pretty compact from the outside, the unit provides a generous cooking chamber capacity of 1.1 cu.ft. So, it easily accommodates a 12-inch turntable and allows using most baking pans, plates, and food savers.
Summing up, the Farberware microwave will come in handy in any family kitchen and will become a perfect helper for cooking both common everyday meals and sophisticated dishes for special occasions.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $108.22 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01ND4JNO3 |
What Is a Microwave Oven?
Whether you often cook frozen ready-to-eat meals or you simply seek a quicker way of preparing food, you'll be able to take advantage of a microwave oven. What sets this type of device apart from any typical oven is that it allows you to quickly reheat, warm, or defrost food, requiring no more than a few minutes, literally. Another advantage is that because they are so compact and come in a variety of styles, they can be used in any kitchen as well as in the office, cafe, restaurant or even boat.
So if you're in search of a new microwave to complete your kitchen gear, you might find this guide helpful. Here we offer you a selection of the top-rated microwave ovens with different dimensions and from a different price range, so you can choose the best suitable one for your kitchen configuration.
For those in the process of remodeling their kitchen, we can also recommend taking a look at these toasters and food processors reviews. And if you've not had a coffee machine yet, make sure to check these coffee and espresso machines.
What Features to Compare
With hundreds of reviews being written about microwave ovens it might be really difficult to find one offering enough explanations as to what aspects to consider when choosing an oven for yourself. What's more, it seems that many people have a problem figuring out what all those tech specs mean in layman's terms and how it's best to select a suitable oven. Hopefully, our guide will make it a bit easier for you. We've already selected five of the best microwave ovens available on the market right now so you can compare them, see how they stack up against each other and choose the one that best fits your needs without having to dig into tech specs that much.
Functionality
If you want to just heat some food up - the simplest microwave oven with a couple of dials will be enough for you. However, if you are going to use this appliance for cooking, you should, first of all, pay attention to the functionality of every model. This criterion depends on 2 major features - capacity and power. Small capacity (under 1 cu. ft.) is suitable for defrosting and heating food. A mid-sized cooking chamber (1-1.1 cu. ft.) is an optimal choice for a small family; many appliances of this kind have a built-in grill, so you can cook some delicious and crusty meals. A large microwave oven with a chamber of more than 1.2 cu. ft. is the best choice for a big family with several kids. Such ovens usually come with a special grate and, moreover, boast such technologies as grill and convection. The power heavily depends on capacity - the higher the latter is, the more power the microwave requires for cooking and heating. No need to mention, all modern microwave ovens allow you to choose the level of power: from the minimum to the highest one possible (it depends on each model). The optimal power for a microwave oven ranges from 700 to 1200 watts.
Usability
The next important aspect to take into account when choosing a microwave oven is its usability. It goes without saying that one of the most important characteristics of microwave ovens defining their convenience of use is how fast they are able to reheat foods. However, it is not the only thing. Another important factor affecting its usability is how easy it is to maintain it clean. This is where it's important to take your time and learn what inner surfaces can be found in microwave ovens. The most popular one is enameled surface. This one is probably the easiest to clean of grease and dirt. Ceramic surfaces are also popular and will be appreciated by those who seek durability first and foremost. The advantage of a stainless steel coating, on top of its durability and great looks, is that it is also highly heat-resistant, one of the main reasons it's often used in convection microwave ovens and ovens with grills. Aside from the inner surface, the usability of a microwave oven is affected by its controls. You can find 3 types: mechanical, push-button, and sensor. Despite their primitive nature, mechanical controls are very reliable and intuitive in use. Push-buttons look more elaborated. And if you seek a high-tech model, there are sensor type controls that include a sensor panel and a LED screen showing all selected parameters.
Additional Options
The last but not the least, we'd recommend that you consider what other options besides the standard ones are included in the model. Many models may also feature a child lock, providing you confidence that your toddler won't open the oven when you are not at home. Others may include the function of steam purification, facilitating the cleaning part for you. All of these, and other extra functions, add to the convenience of use of a microwave oven.
Sources:
1. The Best Microwave Oven for Your Kitchen, Consumer Reports. April 2016.
2. How to Choose a Microwave Oven, wikiHow.
3. Don Vandervort Microwave Ovens Buying Guide, HomeTips. March 11, 2016.
4. Microwave Ovens Buying Guide, Harvey Norman.
5. Jane Darling How to Buy the Best Microwave, Which?
6. Megan Wollerton Microwave Buying Guide, CNET. September 23, 2013.
7. Josh Kirschner The Best Countertop Microwave Oven, Techlicious. February 07, 2014.
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