Best Over-the-Range Microwaves From Consumer Reports' Tests

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Over-the-range (OTR) microwave ovens are a good choice if you have limited counter space and prefer a built-in appliance that matches the rest of your kitchen suite.

And you can get a new one for as little as $200, not including installation costs, which vary. (Some retailers, like Home Depot, offer free installation if your purchase is over a certain amount.)

But there are some drawbacks to OTR microwaves. They have a built-in exhaust fan, but it won't vent as well as a range hood. And if you’re short, you might find it challenging to remove a piping hot bowl of soup from an OTR microwave because the bottom of the appliance will typically sit 18 inches or more above your range. That problem may be getting worse.

“Some newer over-the-range microwaves are very squat and might be difficult to reach when you open the door or press buttons,” says Ginny Lui, who oversees Consumer Reports’ microwave testing. “Make sure to consider the size and placement of the microwave in your kitchen before you buy one.”

How We Test Microwaves
There are more than 80 over-the-range microwave ovens in our ratings (and just as many countertop models).

We test microwaves for how fast and how evenly they heat. The Speed score in our over-the-range microwave ratings is based on how fast the microwave heats a bowl of 1 liter of room-temperature water. In our Evenness test, we put a bowl of cold mashed potatoes in the microwave, heat it for 10 minutes, then take the temperature at 20 different locations.

To test the Defrost function, we use the microwave’s auto-defrost setting on 1 pound of frozen ground beef. To see how evenly it defrosts, we quickly separate and weigh the portions that are cooked, defrosted, and still frozen.

Here are five over-the-counter microwave ovens that deliver outstanding performance in our tests, listed in alphabetical order.

Frigidaire Professional FPBM3077RF

CR’s take: This Frigidaire Professional model receives Very Good ratings in our tests for Speed of Heating, Noise, and Venting. It’s one of the better models we've tested for ease of use, and we found it easy to program straight out of the box without consulting the owner’s manual. Its ability to heat things evenly is so-so; don't get this model if you love to heat up large plates of food. Available only in a stainless steel finish.

GE JVM3160RFSS

CR’s take: A CR Best Buy because of its attractive price and solid performance, the GE JVM3160RFSS is quiet, easy to use, and a champ at defrosting, earning a rating of Excellent on the latter test. It performs well in our venting test. And it has a large enough capacity to fit a 9x15-inch baking dish. One downside: This model lacks a sensor, which detects when the food is done. The GE comes in five different finishes: stainless steel, slate, black, bisque, and white.

KitchenAid KMHS120ESS

CR’s take: The stainless steel KitchenAid KMHS120ESS earns an Excellent score on our Defrosting Evenness test, which makes this a good option if you tend to keep frozen meat on hand and find yourself needing to turn it into dinner in a hurry. It fits a 9x15-inch baking dish and comes with a 5-year magnetron warranty. In our latest survey, more than 30,000 CR members noted that KitchenAid is one of the most reliable over-the-range microwave brands, with very few of its models failing before five years of use.

LG LMV2031ST

CR’s take: The LG LMV2031ST is a good choice if you use your microwave to cook and not just for reheating and defrosting. It fits a 9x15-inch baking dish and has a wire rack, allowing you to cook two dishes at once. It’s also equipped with a sensor that turns off the microwave so that you won't over-defrost or overheat your food. This LG OTR earns an Excellent rating in our Defrosting test, but heating water is slower than on some other models. It comes in a stainless steel finish, as well as black stainless, black, and white.

Whirlpool WMH75021HZ

CR’s take: The stainless Whirlpool WMH75021HZ earns a rating of Excellent for Defrosting Evenness, though other models are more capable when it comes to venting and how fast they can heat your food. It’s very quiet, and our testers found it easy to use without thumbing through the manual. It fits a 9x15-inch baking dish, and a sensor automatically adjusts cooking time. Whirlpool is one of the most reliable over-the-range microwave brands in our latest reliability survey, with few CR members reporting breakages before five years of usage.

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