The Best Microwave Ovens
  • 2022-04-20

The Best Microwave Ovens

Microwaves seemed like a luxury when they were first invented, but they have long since slipped into being a necessity for the majority of people. We now have microwaves which can perform multiple tasks and do a lot much more than reheating thanks to technological advances. When you decide to purchase a microwave oven, you will realize that there is an almost infinite number of choices, styles, sizes, configurations, as well as other technical features.

What to look for in a microwave oven

Size

Size will matter regardless of the type of microwave you choose. To begin, think about the amount of room you have available in your kitchen. You would not want to be stuck with a microwave you really want just to discover it can't fit in the spot you had set aside for it. It is one thing to make sure it fits, but you should also consider what you can fit inside. Consider the types of foods you generally prepare in the microwave oven.

Price

When purchasing any item, regardless of its size or complexity, price is often a factor to consider. You'll quickly find that microwave prices vary widely, with a lot based on the type of microwave you want. The countertop group contains many of the most cost-effective options you can find.

Noise

Certain microwaves are louder than others. If you are sensitive to noise, you can check out the version you are considering before making a purchase to get a sense of what you will get in terms of sound. If you're thinking about purchasing a microwave online but won't be able to test it out, consumer reviews will also note whether or not a microwave is especially noisy, allowing you to determine which types to stay away from.

Here are the best microwave ovens in 2021

  1. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven

This microwave oven has a pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum heating of foods.  It has a voltage of 120V - 60 Hz. The exterior of the microwave oven is in black stainless steel, with a size of 20.5 × 17.1 × 12.8 inches. It has a large cubic feet capacity, with a cavity of 13.07 × 15 × 9.5 inches. The glass turntable in the microwave has a diameter of 12.4 inches. The total weight of the microwave oven is 34.6 pounds.

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven has a large digital display and an easy to read control panel. It uses inverter technology that provides a satisfying user experience by even defrosting and heating which also enables you to cook faster. The microwave voltage is 1100 watts with 10 power settings, a clock, and a kitchen timer. It offers two defrost settings (one-pound auto defrost and custom defrost) and a one touch start popcorn setting. 

What we liked about it:

  • Large digital display
  • Stainless steel exterior
  • Pre-programmed sensor menu
  • Easy to read control panel
  1. Panasonic NN-SB458S Compact Microwave Oven

The Panasonic NN-SB458S Compact Microwave Oven features microwave controls that have 7 preset Auto Cook Menu items. It has a turntable that is 10.6 inches in diameter, a delay and start timer and a small countertop footprint. The microwave oven has a popcorn button with three power level options. The cooking level you choose will depend on the size of the microwave popcorn bag to allow for perfect popping. 

One thing that stood out about this microwave oven is that it has a child safety lock which makes it possible to keep your child from interfering with the controls of the microwave.  It has a compact design that offers a high interior capacity while offering less space to electronics. The keep warm feature is also something that caught our attention, where food is kept warm in the oven until you are ready to take them out and serve.

What we liked about it:

  • Compact design
  • Keep warm feature
  • 3 popcorn button power levels
  • Child safety lock
  1. Galanz GLCMKA07RDR-07 Microwave Oven

This microwave oven is a 700 watts microwave.  It offers six variable power levels to cook and has a lighting pull handle. The defrost button on this microwave oven allows you to defrost by time and weight, which offers you an enjoyable experience.  It has an LED display that is easy to read and clearly indicates the time left to cook. Three beeps sound when the microwave is done cooking. 

The Galanz GLCMKA07RDR-07 Microwave Oven has a 360° heating and glass turntable rotation that allows you to cook your food evenly and in a more efficient manner. It also reduces the cook time and you can cook your food within a shorter time frame.  The microwave has a child lock that prevents children from handing the microwave unsupervised. It also has an interior light feature that allows you to check the status of your food without opening the door.

What we liked about it:

  • Child lock
  • 360° turntable rotation
  • LED display
  • Six power cooking levels
  1. BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven

This microwave oven has pre-programmed buttons for pizza, popcorn, frozen vegetables, potato, dinner plates and beverages. It has a power of 1000 watts and offers 30 minutes of express cooking.  It also has 10 power settings and a clock and kitchen timer. The microwave has interior light that allows you to check the progress of your food without opening the door. There is a 12.4" removable turntable inside the microwave oven 

The BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven has a large LED digital display and a push button door release that allows you to have easy access. It also has a child lock that prevents unsupervised children from accessing the controls.  The weight of the microwave oven is 30.6 pounds, with dimensions of 20.2 × 15.6 × 12.1 inches. It has a capacity of 1.1 cubic feet.

What we liked about it:

  • Child lock
  • Easy to read control panel
  • 39 seconds express cooking
  • 10 power settings