Best countertop microwave oven

Summer Rylander is a freelance food and travel journalist based in Germany. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Countertop microwaves come with multiple advantages. As convenience and efficiency in the kitchen have become paramount, the countertop microwave oven, a versatile appliance, has emerged as an essential tool for households and office spaces alike. These compact culinary companions have evolved significantly over the years. Gone are the days when microwaves were mere popcorn-popping machines. Modern countertop microwaves are designed to offer a plethora of cooking options, making them indispensable in our daily lives.

Best countertop microwave oven

Most of them are just variations of the same cheap-but-decent machine, built by the same manufacturer Midea in the same factory with the same core components. This midsize microwave looks better and has a few more useful features—including a mute option, automatic reheating, and a door handle instead of a button—than similar ovens. If your countertops are a little tight on space or you want to save some money, this slightly smaller version of our favorite Toshiba works well and has most of the same great features. Otherwise, the features and controls are pretty similar. A handle is easier to clean and less likely to break than a push-button design, but harder for some people to use. Most microwaves are low-cost clones—small features like mute buttons and auto-reheat are what set better ones apart. The Toshiba EMA5C is usually the most affordable microwave that has a full stainless or black stainless front finish, rather than the typical glossy black plastic with partial stainless trim. This model also has a door handle, which is easier to open and to clean than the button-style release on most cheap microwaves. Best of all, you can mute the microwave—a rare feature that lets you stealthily reheat midnight snacks without waking up the rest of the house. Like most microwaves, the Toshiba also has a number of express-cooking options, and it heats food quickly and pretty evenly. Okay, not all microwaves are carbon copies of one another. In our testing, it heated faster and more evenly than every other microwave. The core microwave comes in most of the common sizes, from compact to extra-large , and in a few different finishes and control styles.

Buttons that automatically start longer cook cycles, usually from 1 through 6 minutes, are also common and well liked.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. A countertop microwave is designed to fit nicely on your kitchen counter, in your dorm room or next to your desk at work. This versatile appliance is easy to use and provides fast results — whether you need to defrost chicken in a pinch, soften brown sugar that has gone hard or whip up a quick and delicious microwave mug cake. Countertop microwaves do not require any special installation, can be moved around easily without sliding around on your countertop and are generally affordable. In our recent side-by-side Lab test, we tested 12 new countertop microwave models conducting over 10 tests on each model over the span of two months.

Most of them are just variations of the same cheap-but-decent machine, built by the same manufacturer Midea in the same factory with the same core components. This midsize microwave looks better and has a few more useful features—including a mute option, automatic reheating, and a door handle instead of a button—than similar ovens. If your countertops are a little tight on space or you want to save some money, this slightly smaller version of our favorite Toshiba works well and has most of the same great features. Otherwise, the features and controls are pretty similar. A handle is easier to clean and less likely to break than a push-button design, but harder for some people to use. Most microwaves are low-cost clones—small features like mute buttons and auto-reheat are what set better ones apart. The Toshiba EMA5C is usually the most affordable microwave that has a full stainless or black stainless front finish, rather than the typical glossy black plastic with partial stainless trim. This model also has a door handle, which is easier to open and to clean than the button-style release on most cheap microwaves. Best of all, you can mute the microwave—a rare feature that lets you stealthily reheat midnight snacks without waking up the rest of the house.

Best countertop microwave oven

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Microwaves are essential appliances used daily in most household kitchens, and today's models are built to do much more than just reheat last night's leftovers. Many microwaves feature cooking presets that can perform a variety of tasks with the touch of a button, like steam fresh vegetables, defrost chicken breasts, melt chocolate , soften butter, and bake potatoes. Some microwaves even have grilling and convection heating capabilities. Microwaves designed for countertop use are ready to go right out of the box, and since they don't need any installation, they're easy to move around if needed. They're also typically compact enough that you can find a spot for them in the smallest of kitchens, even if it means keeping one stashed on a table or storage cart. Not sure which model is right for you?

Follow opposite word

But you might want a potato, beverage or melt preset. The marshmallow test showed some obvious hot spots, and the underpowered machine missed boiling by 30 degrees in the water test. If your microwave is really struggling to heat much of anything from Day One, you probably have a defective model. What is the safest microwave oven? Why We're the Experts. Milestone Alert! In terms of the actual cooking device, nothing. Why trust Good Housekeeping? Remove some to bookmark this image. We found that most countertop microwaves are made by the same manufacturer, from mostly the same parts. What to consider Handles or Buttons. There's not a set of standard sizes for microwaves, but a little over a cubic foot of interior space is probably what you think of as a "normal" model. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Some food snobs may scoff, but countertop microwaves can make your culinary life simpler and more efficient. They reduce heat times, require less dishes, and revive leftovers in just a few minutes.

We favored models that started their express cycles with a single press, rather than the ones that added to the timer and then waited for us to press start. We rate each model on performance, ease of use, heat distribution and range of settings and presets. The Best Indoor Pizza Ovens. Learn more. Whether you're in search of a budget-friendly option or a high-end microwave loaded with features, our list has something for everyone. The controls are intuitive, and many models now come equipped with smart technology, allowing you to control them remotely through your smartphone. Select your Category Query Suggestion. If you are reheating individual portions of food, defrosting small quantities of vegetables or making popcorn, a to watt microwave may be sufficient. Like many of the microwaves we tested, this model heated more quickly in the middle in our marshmallow test. You can remove the inner plate from your microwave and hand-wash it with dish soap and hot water in the sink. We also looked closely at several compact microwaves, which have 0.