The 5 best microwaves in 2024, tested and reviewed
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It's the savior of after-school snacks and late-night leftovers: the best microwave is a kitchen hero. Many households use their microwaves everyday to solve kitchen problems quickly and easily, like forgetting to defrost frozen meat or coffee gone cold.
We spoke to two experts and put five of the best microwaves through a series of tests, including the industry standard marshmallow test to evaluate hot spots. Our pick for the best microwave is the Panasonic Microwave Oven that combines a 1,200-watt motor with a compact exterior. If you're on a budget, the Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave is simple, but effective, much like the idea of microwave cooking itself. (Editor's note: We're in the process of testing the upgraded model of the Commercial Chef.)
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches kitchen products.
Our top picks for microwaves
Best overall: Panasonic Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology - See at Amazon
The Panasonic Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology packs 1,200 watts of power to cook food quickly and evenly. It's compact, yet has a spacious interior, and comes with helpful preset buttons for easy cooking.
Best budget: Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave - See at Amazon
The Commercial Chef Microwave is bare-bones, but super simple to use. It's moderately powerful, well-priced, and compact enough for small kitchens.
Best convection: Toshiba Microwave Oven EC042A5C-SS - See at Amazon
If you're looking for a microwave that does it all, the 1,000-watt Toshiba Microwave Oven with Convection, cooks, reheats, bakes, and even roasts food quickly and thoroughly.
Best large capacity: Panasonic NN-SD975S Microwave - See at Amazon
The Panasonic NN-SD975S Microwave, which can also be installed as a built-in, is large enough to fit two plates at a time and features an easy-to-use dial to heat and cook your food.
Best smart: GE Smart Microwave with Scan-to-Cook - See at Amazon
GE's Smart Microwave Oven is Alexa- and Google Assistant-enabled, so you can cook your food using voice commands or from your smartphone.
Farima Ferguson/Business Insider
Pros: Five useful preset buttons, 1,200 watts of cooking power (more than most microwaves), includes a child-safety lock button
Cons: Visible fingerprint smudges, the light inside is too dim to check food while it's cooking, it's loud, Frozen Foods feature doesn't cook accurately, doesn't have Express Cook buttons
At 1,200 watts, the Panasonic NN-SN65KB Microwave Oven cooks food fast and heats remarkably evenly. During the marshmallow test, all expanded evenly, and at the end of two minutes, there was only a bit of burning in the very center of the marshmallows.
If you're using this microwave to reheat leftovers, the Sensor Reheat feature works well. Once cooking, it detects the humidity level of the food inside and starts counting down the cooking time. I also tried the more niche preset buttons like Popcorn and Coffee/Milk preset, and both worked better than the presets on other microwaves I tested.
That said, I was less impressed with the Frozen Food preset — the microwave overestimated the amount of time needed to cook frozen mac and cheese. A few other minor downsides: the light inside the microwave is dim, so it's hard to monitor the food while it's cooking, and fingerprints are highly visible on the control panel. However, this is overall a great microwave that balances power and size with easy-to-use features.
Read our Panasonic Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology review.
Farima Ferguson/Business Insider
Pros: Simple to use, compact, quieter than most models, heats evenly
Cons: Doesn't have a clock, can only set cook time by the minute, not very powerful (only 600 watts), too small for large dishes or plates over 10 inches in diameter
Editor's note: We're testing the upgraded version of this microwave and will update this story soon with out results.
At less than 18 inches long and 11 inches deep, The Commercial Chef Microwave is compact and well-sized for small kitchens or dorm rooms. In many ways, it resembles an old-school toaster oven, and even "dings" when cooking is complete. There is an upgraded model of this microwave with digital controls, which we are in the process of testing.
The controls consist of two rotary knobs: one for power level and one for cook time. Unfortunately, you can't set specific seconds if you're zapping something quick, and there are no preset buttons. When I did the marshmallow test, I noticed a few unevenly browned areas, but overall no major hot or cold spots.
At just 600 watts, it's a little underpowered. I used the package instructions to cook frozen mac and cheese. After the recommended four minutes, it was warm throughout but not hot. You'll likely have to add a minute or two to any package instructions when cooking in this microwave. Still, if you want a no-frills microwave that takes up minimal space, this is a great option.
Farima Ferguson/Business Insider
Pros: Quiet, many quick-touch preset cooking buttons, a multi-functional appliance that can bake and roast, includes a child-safety lock
Cons: Heavy and bulky, convection feature heats up kitchen quickly
Not only is it a traditional microwave, but the Toshiba Microwave Oven with Convection also bakes, roasts, and toasts. It's also the only microwave we tested that has an Express Cook feature, which allows you to start the microwave by pressing numbers one through six on the number pad.
At 1,000 watts, the Toshiba microwave oven is powerful, and this was evident during the marshmallow test. The center marshmallows burned after two minutes, and there was a lot of moisture buildup on the tray underneath the parchment paper. Aside from the burning in the middle, I didn't notice any hot or cold spots. It also cooked frozen mac and cheese thoroughly.
To test out the convection oven, I warmed up frozen French fries, which typically come out soggy in a regular microwave. The heating options were confusing, so I had to refer to the cooking chart in the manual to see what level to use. The fries turned out just as crispy as they do in my air fryer, but it took twice as long and the setting were more complicated. I don't recommend using the convection setting for toasting bread. The results were uneven, and the bread was paler and flabbier than from a regular toaster.
Overall, this microwave heated well, the buttons are easy to use and smudge-proof, and the microwave beeps loud and clear. The only major downside is you will need plenty of countertop space to accommodate this large oven, and at nearly 50 pounds, it isn't easy to move.
Farima Ferguson/Business Insider
Pros: Quiet, powerful 1,250 watts, the dial is easy to use, comes with useful preset buttons, includes a child-safety lock, can be installed as a built-in microwave
Cons: You can't see the food well while it's cooking, dial only goes up in 10-second increments
With a 16.5-inch turntable, the Panasonic NN-SD975S Microwave Oven is ideal if you're cooking for a family. You'll likely need to decrease cooking time by a minute or two from any package instructions. However, it did heat evenly. It produced the best results of any microwave during the marshmallow tests — no hot or cold spots, even in the center.
One dial controls the cooking time and only adjusts in 10-second increments; a minor inconvenience, but it otherwise operates smoothly and easily. The dial is also used to input weight for food you're defrosting. You can program three stages of cooking, and the display screen will let you know where you are in the cooking process. If you're using the multi-stage cooking feature, you can use the Keep Warm setting as your final stage.
While it's a powerful microwave with lots of helpful features, it's extremely large and bulky, so best suited for large kitchens or households that will take advantage of its larger capacity. This microwave can also be built into a cabinet or other static feature in your kitchen, though I left it on my countertop for easier testing.
Farima Ferguson/Business Insider
Pros: Features smart technology and scan-to-cook technology at a reasonable price, heats food quickly, spacious yet compact enough to fit in a small kitchen
Cons: Doesn't cook food as evenly as other microwaves we tested, doesn't come with a trim kit to mount over the stove or underneath cabinets, the voice commands are finicky.
The defining feature of the sleek and compact GE Smart Microwave Oven is its smart connectivity. You can control the settings and check the status of your food from your smartphone or by using voice commands with a virtual assistant. With my Google Home Mini, I was able to use voice commands to start/stop, pause/resume, set the microwave for a specific amount of time, add time (but I couldn't subtract), and ask how much time is left.
At 900 watts, this microwave isn't the most powerful, but it heats up pretty quickly. I cooked marshmallows in the microwave for two minutes and I noticed some hot spots — the outer edges and center cooked more quickly than the rest of the marshmallows. This model also features a scan-to-cook function where you can scan the barcode on a package of food using your smartphone, and the cook time and settings automatically display. All you have to do is press or say "start."
Frankly, most people don't need a smart microwave. However, the hands-free technology makes cooking easier when you're multitasking, and it's more sanitary since you are reducing how much you touch the microwave.
Read our GE Smart Microwave Oven review.
Farima Ferguson/Business Insider
Power: How much power you'll need depends on what you primarily use the microwave for. If your household is only using the microwave to reheat food, then you can look for a cheaper model with less wattage, said Schiffmann. "Around an 800-watt oven works [for reheating]" If you want a microwave that actually cooks your food rather than simply reheating it, expect to spend a little more for a quality oven with more than 1,000 watts of power.
Presets and additional functions: Many consumers mostly operate a microwave with the number pad or Express Cook buttons. However, present functions are helpful if you're someone who does a lot of cooking or defrosting. If you want a microwave that replaces even the best toaster oven, opt for a model with convection settings, but keep in mind that this functionality often comes at a higher price and the technology can be hit or miss.
Price: Schiffmann said you should expect to spend between $100 and $150 on a good 800 to 1,000-watt microwave, and a bit more as wattage increases. You'll also pay more for extra features, like convection settings or lots of presets. You don't have to break the bank, but Schiffman cautions about considering microwaves under $100. "Anything cheaper will most likely break down and be unstable," he said.
Safety features: If you have young children, you will want to purchase one of the best microwaves with a child-safety lock feature. "Many toddlers can get injured when reaching in the microwave, but many manufacturers have a digital lock now where you put in a combination of numbers to lock and unlock the microwave," Schiffmann said. Note that this feature prevents the microwave oven from operating; it does not lock the microwave door.
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In addition to speaking with Bob Schiffmann, a microwave heating expert and president of the International Microwave Power Institute, and Jared Lodico, a postdoctoral researcher in physics at UCLA, I put all of the best microwaves through a standard set of tests, evaluating how well they cooked food, how easy they were to use, and any special features or extra buttons.
Marshmallow test: The first test I performed with every microwave was the marshmallow test, an industry-standard way to check your microwave for hot and cold spots. To conduct this test, I covered a layer of parchment paper on the microwaves glass trays with mini marshmallows. I cooked the marshmallows in the microwave for two minutes on high. The marshmallows that expanded first revealed the microwave's hot spots, while marshmallows that appeared raw showed the cold spots. Cold spots are potentially dangerous because they can mean your food is undercooked and possibly unsafe to eat in those areas. A good microwave produces even cooking across the entire surface — no burnt or uncooked marshmallows.
Frozen meal test: I also cooked frozen mac and cheese in each of the best microwaves, using the same brand and cook time. I checked for evenness and burnt or cold spots.
Ease of use: I looked at how easy and intuitive the microwaves were to use, and how much space they occupied on my counter. I also evaluated how much noise they made during cooking and how loud and persistent their alarms and beeps were.
Presets and additional functions: Where applicable, I used and tested each model's preset buttons according to the manufacturer's instructions. This included Popcorn, Reheat, Sensor Cook, and Keep Warm buttons. I evaluated how well these settings performed their intended function and how easy they were to use.
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"Generally speaking, the process of putting energy into something is pretty much how we heat and cook all food, it just depends on how we do it (such as on the stove, in the sun, or with a microwave)," said Lodico.
The difference is that microwaves generate energy in the form of electrical and magnetic rays. "Microwaves generate 'microwaves,' which is a form of electromagnetic radiation," Lodico said. "This electric field transfers energy to the food as the waves pass through it." The energy transfer causes water molecules in the food to vibrate, producing heat that cooks the food practically from the inside out. Because of this, foods that are high in water content, like potatoes or other fresh vegetables, cook much faster in the microwave than they do in other appliances, like the stove.
Farima Ferguson/Business Insider
What wattage microwave should I get?
For most households, a microwave with around 1,000 watts of power is plenty. Smaller microwaves generally have lower wattages (our budget pick with 600 watts), so save counterspace, but lose the ability to heat large meals and cook dense foods from scratch.
Does standing near a microwave put me at risk for radiation exposure?
According to experts, it is a myth that standing too close to the microwave while it's operating can expose you to radiation. "Microwaves are very safe — as long as they aren't damaged," Lodico said. "The metal housing and mesh screen on the door act as a shield from the radiation that is generated inside. As the radiation approaches the wall of the microwave it induces a current and magnetic field that cancels out the incoming wave."
While there was once some concern about operating a microwave if you have a pacemaker, the FDA says this is no longer an issue with modern pacemakers, though individuals with pacemakers should always check with their doctor first.
Should you defrost meat in the microwave?
If you forgot to put the frozen meat for dinner in the refrigerator to thaw out, the defrost feature on a microwave can come to the rescue. Defrosting sets your microwave's power between 30% to 50% so it thaws your food without cooking it.
Although it's recommended to safely thaw meat in the refrigerator, you can use your microwave's defrost button to thaw meat in a pinch as long as you cook it immediately after you thaw it. According to the FDA, microwaves may heat food unevenly which could result in harmful bacteria growth if the food isn't cooked immediately after defrosting.
Schiffmann also said it's important when cooking or defrosting food in the microwave to keep an eye on food temperature. "When cooking your food, measure several places with a food thermometer to avoid undercooking or underheating," he said. According to the FDA, a safe final cooking temperature for poultry and ground beef is around 165 degrees while roasts and steaks are safe around 145 degrees.
What foods should I cook in my microwave oven?
"Microwave ovens are really poachers or steamers, so those foods that fit that profile do well," said Schiffmann. "They're great for cooking fish, vegetables, and chicken, but don't expect dry foods to crisp or brown." Any food with high water content does well in the microwave, like potatoes or fresh vegetables, and you can also use them as a shortcut when making boiled foods. For example, you can put dry pasta in a bowl of water and microwave for the cooking time on the pasta package. The pasta will cook perfectly and you don't even have to wait for the water to boil.
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Reviewed by mimisabreena
on
Friday, January 19, 2024
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