Best Over the Range Microwaves

Today, the market is full of compact over-the-range microwaves, however, you'll be hard-pressed to find a truly over-the-counter oven. The Sharp R-1214 is one of those rare OTC models with great counter intelligence.

This over-cabinet built-in microwave is one of the smartest kitchen design solutions that can help you save the valuable counter space. It has no vent fan and accordingly provides a wide range of options for placement. It fits all standard-sized cabinets and doesn't require a built-in kit or shelf, which adds to the super-easy installation. And as a nice bonus, it comes with under-cabinet LED lighting (can be used as a night light). So, it's the thing that can smarten up your kitchen and make it more usable.

Moving on to the functionality, we would like to point out that this microwave boasts the Smart & Easy sensor technology for cooking 11 most-popular microwave foods. So, there is no need to set time or power level for them. The same goes for defrosting function.

The auto-touch control panel is located underneath the oven's door, not on the side, which we find fairly convenient. All the controls are very responsive and easy to see. So, if you need a good over-the-counter oven, the Sharp R-1214 is a great choice.

If you need a super-durable microwave and are ready to shell out extra bucks for extra quality, the Frigidaire FGMO205KB may be right up your alley. The Frigidaire company has long been among the most reliable brands with the lowest number of service calls. So, on purchasing the microwave oven from Frigidaire, you can be sure you’re getting a premium product that will stand the test of time. Everything about this microwave screams high quality - all the mechanisms work very smoothly and quietly.

The unit is made from real stainless steel with a protective coating that reduces fingerprints and smudges, making it easier to clean. Plus, the smudge-proof finish looks crazy good.

What also sets this oven apart from others is its amazing cooking performance. It uses as many as 1200 Watts and cooks everything evenly as expected, with no surprises of being too hot or too cold. Thanks to built-in sensors, the microwave automatically adjusts the power level and cooking time depending on the food. That said, the microwave offers over 30 versatile settings including one-touch options for Chicken nuggets, Baked potatoes, or Popcorn. Also, there are three "Snack Menu" modes for 3-8 oz hand-held snacks. All the beeps from the button presses are very quiet, however, notifications letting you know the cycle has ended might seem a bit annoying.

Need a stylish microwave for your high-tech kitchen interior? Then, you’ll hardly find a better model than the GE JNM3163DJBB. This microwave oven looks sleek with its stylish black casing and simple design. It has no extras that can make its interface look too "busy". Featuring a black tempered glass door, a control touch panel on the right side and an exquisite steel emblem at the top, the microwave seamlessly blends with black kitchen appliances and facades of kitchen cabinets.

Another thing in favor of the GE JNM3163DJBB above-range microwave is its small footprint taking up very little kitchen space. Although this over-the-range oven has a 1.6 cu. ft. cooking capacity, it can fit larger casserole dishes. All the controls are intuitive and the layout is very convenient - the unit offers one-touch settings for Beverage, Popcorn, Potato, as well as Cook Time, Reheat, and Defrost (weight/time). The other control functions include “add 30 seconds”, timer on/off, turntable on/off, and more.

The appliance uses a two-speed fan with 300-CFM venting system that efficiently removes smoke, steam and other odors. However, even on the lowest speed, the fan seems overly loud for some users. But that’s the cost for the superior ventilation. In all, the GE JNM3163DJBB is a sleek-looking microwave that is simple to use and effective at removing foul food odors. It’s a great fit for small, contemporary kitchens.

If you're one of those who keep up with the latest technologies, the GE PVM9005SJSS microwave oven is here for you. It can make your home smarter and your life easier.

What makes this model a standout is the Chef Connect feature. Introduced only recently, this function lets you sync the microwave to other appliances to provide you with:

• Automatic stovetop lighting. Once you turn on one of the range’s burners, the microwave’s three lights will automatically switch on from above.
• Synchronized clocks. If the time is set on the range clock or the microwave, another device will automatically sync to that time.
• Automatic vent fan. As soon as the range is turned on, the vent fan will exhaust hot air and foul odors from your kitchen.
  

The only requirement for synchronization is that all the devices must have the Chef Connect feature.

If you live in a small apartment that combines a living room, bedroom, and kitchen all in one, the LG LMV2031ST microwave is a perfect pick. The trick is that it's fitted with a QuietPower vent and operates almost silently on the maximum power settings. Thus, you can switch it on and it'll cook popcorn or whatever you want without disturbing people around.

This above-range microwave oven looks very stylish with black and grey shades. The unit itself is stainless steel except for a tinted glass door. It's beautiful in its simplicity. The vertical control panel is pretty easy to use with SmoothTouch controls. The display is clear, yet it could be a bit bigger. Overall, it's not a huge appliance and LG engineers managed to get the most of its design. They used the space wisely and extended the interior capacity up to 2.0 cubic feet. This is more than enough for an average family. This capacity also means that cooking large meals will become a simple process.

Considering functionality, we can safely say that this over-the-stove microwave works very well. 10 power levels and a great number of pre-set cooking programs will allow you to cook whatever you'd like to. The highlight of this model is its 4-speed fan that moves a large volume of air even on the lowest setting. Unlike similar appliances, it features an auto-off function, meaning you can simply set up the fan and it will shut itself off automatically after 1, 3, 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes. So, if you need a quiet and functional microwave oven, it's a good choice.