Reheat, Cook, Warm-Up, Boil: These Microwaves Do It All

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Whether you’re a gourmet cook or you have 10 local takeout joints on speed dial, a microwave is a convenient—and some might even say essential—element of the modern kitchen. Because when you’re in need of a good bag of popcorn or you're stepping up your late-night leftover game, a microwave oven makes what you need happen, stat. (Literally!)

Plus, microwaves save you serious time and energy during your busy weeknight dinner prep. Need to defrost meats in a hurry? Boom! Make a perfect fried egg? Bam! A microwave oven is up for the task. The options are limitless, so read on for the best of the best.

If you need more culinary inspo, check out our articles on the best air fryers, accurate meat thermometers, and perfect rice cookers.

The Best Microwaves

What to Consider

Finding the right microwave for your space is as important as finding one that fits your kitchen’s style, your budget, and your culinary goals.

Type

When shopping for the ideal microwave model, consider its type (countertop or over-the-range), depending on your kitchen space. Over-the-range microwaves are usually mounted over your stovetop, and they come with a light and ventilation underneath. Depending on the model, you can also have the countertop or over-the-range microwave built into your kitchen setup.

Power and Extras

We found microwaves that have between 900 and 1,450 watts of power. We also found a few microwaves designed to basically reheat and warm up, and others with smart sensing technology, which cooks foods more evenly, child-lock safety features, the ability to mute the infernal “beep!”, and many other nice-to-have extras. The lower the power and fewer the features, the cheaper the unit, so pick your perks carefully.

Dimensions

Measure your space carefully before making your final selection. Being even a half-inch off can throw off your entire setup and require a time-consuming return process.

Capacity

Think carefully about what you want to fit inside the microwave. Do you need a little unit that will just fit a bag of popcorn or a slice of pizza? Or are you planning on roasting a turkey in there?

Read on for our reviews of the best microwaves.

This is Amazon’s No. 1 best-selling microwave, and a bargain to boot. The Toshiba comes equipped with a pre-programmed sensor menu so that you can heat up popular items like pizza, potatoes, and veggies. All told, there are 10 power settings, a defrost option, and a kitchen timer.

The large digital display is easy to navigate, and if you hate to hear the microwave “beep,” you can put it on mute. The interior is roomy enough to fit a 12-inch pizza and the removable turntable makes cleaning a cinch. Reviewers say they love how “sleek-looking” it is, say it offers “fantastic” features for the price, and works “beautifully.”

More: 7 Microwave Carts Suitable for Every Kind of Kitchen

This inexpensive microwave is a great choice if you’re primarily focused on small jobs like reheating and popping popcorn. It has a slightly lower wattage (900 watts) than many comparable microwaves, but it comes with 10 power levels, an easy-to-read LED display, simple touchpad control, and a safety lockout feature.

You’ll be able to cook potatoes and popcorn and reheat frozen dinners and leftovers. A one-year warranty is included. Reviewers say it “looks good” and “works well” in small spaces.

If you want to cook — and not just reheat — food in your microwave, this Panasonic is worth checking out. This Panasonic microwave’s Cyclonic Wave technology circulates heat by way of precision 3D waves for versatile food preparations that don’t impact texture.

The patented Inverter Technology delivers steady streams of power even at low settings, so you can cook, poach, braise, and steam. The microwave also uses sensor technology to set power levels and adjust cooking times. There are 19 preset menu options, a child safety lock, and 10 power levels. This microwave also offers a “keep warm” option — a nice touch!

This over-the-range GE microwave is a premium choice with an extremely roomy interior. The sleekly designed machine includes a 14.25-inch turntable, bottom control with an integrated handle, 10 power levels, and sensor cooking controls, so you’ll end up with delicious results every time.

This GE cooks food evenly, making it a dependable option for reheating last night’s dinner, but also cooking tomorrow’s. The microwave has a superior venting system, which means smoke and smellier items (hello, salmon!) won’t clog up the air of your home. Reviewers “love the look and quality” and appreciate its “big” size.

If you have limited counter space but want a microwave, air fryer, and convection oven anyway, this Breville has your back. The three-in-one appliance offers all of the tools you need to create delicious meals for every occasion. You can make crispy French fries in the air fryer, roast a chicken in the convection oven, and defrost soup or reheat pizza in the microwave.

Home cooks will also appreciate the Cook From Frozen function, as well as the Power Smoothing Inverter technology. The latter automatically adjusts power intensity to deliver even power when you need more or less for delicate preparation and gentle defrosting, without drying out or overheating.

This Breville also operates quietly, with a shortcut panel for commonly used tasks like melting chocolate and softening butter. Reviewers love this “great microwave,” saying it “works well” and is “easy” and “convenient.”

This over-the-range Frigidaire sports an easy-to-clean exterior and interior and a range of bells and whistles that allow you to precisely cook, reheat, and defrost. The Sensor Cooking technology automatically adjusts power levels as it goes, with 30 options for frequently cooked items.

The reheat option will allow you to quickly warm up leftovers at the touch of a button. Reviewers love the “nice, bright stovetop light,” “strong fan,” and effective “heating and reheating” functionality.

The Toshiba 0.9-cubic foot microwave takes up a relatively small footprint, which means it deserves special consideration if you have limited counter space. The stylish unit offers two pre-programmed menus with six popular foods, including popcorn, pizza, and potatoes. The one-touch start makes using the microwave easy for all of your family members, while the child safety lock keeps everyone safe.

The Toshiba also offers an eco power-saving mode and allows you to mute alerts. The removable turntable fits a 10-inch pizza. Reviewers are wowed by its “quiet” speed and power, saying it’s perfect for an “apartment or small home.”

This stylish Samsung looks great in any setting, and its large display is easy to read and intuitive to use. The microwave offers 10 power levels so you can dial in your cooking power, with two-stage programmable cooking, an auto reheat and defrost option for various types of food, in addition to auto cook functions.

The cooking is even, with no effect on texture. And if you love to cook strong-smelling foods, you’re in luck: The built-in vent and filter are equipped to eliminate smoke and cooking odors. Those who like to keep things neat and tidy will also appreciate the fingerprint-resistant exterior.

This Panasonic microwave offers a host of smart options: There are 11 power levels, a three-level popcorn button, a 13.4-inch turntable, an easy-clean interior, and several smart cooking settings. The Panasonic has 16 sensor cook settings, with an Inverter Turbo defrost for a seamless stream of steady cooking power.

The automatic sensing technology takes the guesswork out of cooking because the Panasonic adjusts the power level as it goes. The power (1,200 watts) is on the high end, which makes every job just a touch faster. Reviewers appreciate that this microwave “heats food evenly,” dubbing it a “keeper” with “perfect” functionality.

If you have a small apartment but seek Big Microwaving Energy, give this Comfee a gander. It occupies a wee spot on your counter, but delivers 1,050 watts of power and serves up 11 power levels.

This Comfee features a mute function, several auto-cook functions for frequently cooked foods, a child safety lock, and a one-touch express cooking button. The unit offers an energy-saving eco-mode, an interior light, and a 10-inch glass turntable. Reviewers love the “compact” setup, “good looking” design, and overall “great value.”

More:

These Compact Toaster Ovens Will Keep Your Kitchen Much Cooler

We Drank A LOT of Java to Test the Best Coffee Grinders

A 'Chopped' Champion Chef Helped Us Test These Air Fryers

You Might Also Like

• Oprah’s Favorite Things List for 2022 Is Here, Just in Time for Holiday Gifting

• 16 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Perfect for Rocking Out in Quiet Bliss

• Beyoncé Uses This $26 Amazon Product for Her Glossy Blonde Hair