- At a Glance: The Best Microwaves
- Why You Can Trust East Coast Appliance
- 7 Microwaves for Every Style of Kitchen
Let’s take a moment to celebrate an unsung hero of the kitchen — the microwave. Although they’re not large enough to be considered a major appliance, we argue a kitchen without a microwave is simply incomplete. Whether it’s on a countertop, beneath a counter, or over a range, microwave ovens help home cooks tackle quick food prep, such as defrosting items, reheating leftovers, and whipping up a quick meal out of frozen foods. In fact, the best microwave oven on the market is capable of even more cooking functions like steaming or convection cooking.
That’s all to say, while modest, this small kitchen appliance is an essential for every kitchen. In their honor, here are seven recommended microwaves for you to consider.
At a Glance: The Best Microwaves
- Best Microwave: Frigidaire® 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave (FFMV1846VS)
- Best Value Microwave: GE® Countertop Microwave-Stainless Steel (JES1095SMSS)
- Best High-End Microwave: KitchenAid® 29.75" Stainless Steel Built In Microwave Oven (KMBP100ESS)
- Best Countertop Microwave: Whirlpool® Countertop Microwave-Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel (WMC30516HZ)
- Best Over the Range Microwave: Frigidaire® 1.4 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave (UMV1422US)
- Best Built In Microwave: Frigidaire Gallery® 1.6 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Built In Microwave (FGMO3067UF)
- Best Small Microwave: GE® Countertop Microwave-Black (JES1072DMBB)
Microwave Reviews You Can Trust
At East Coast Appliance, we believe there’s no cooking task too small and that every kitchen appliance serves a unique and valuable purpose. While we’re fans of the latest cooking technology (get a look at the magic of Air Frying), microwaves are relatively safe and simple to use, meaning they’re one of the few appliances every household member can operate. For that reason, we’ve held our microwave reviews to the same standards as its kitchen counterparts, taking into account functionality and performance just like every major appliance.
Our Best Microwave Picks
You might be thinking a review of microwaves isn’t the most interesting list of appliances to consider, but the market has expanded to include a number of impressive options that even advanced home cooks can benefit from. For this list, we cover the best countertop microwaves, built-in microwaves, and over the range microwaves, from the simple to the high-end and everything in between.
- Reader note: Some of the products in this list feature ventilation measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). To learn more about CFM, read How to Ensure You Have Enough Range Hood Power for Your Kitchen.
1. Best Overall Microwave: Frigidaire® 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over-The-Range Microwave
This overall best microwave from Frigidaire is a multipurpose kitchen appliance designed to make food prep easy and efficient. Inside this large-capacity microwave, you get 1.8 cubic feet of space, plus an extra-large glass turntable that accommodates oversize dinnerware, including 9” x 13” casserole dishes. Overhead LED lighting and interior lighting provide clear visibility of cooking surfaces and cooking progress, while One-Touch cooking options prepare common microwaved foods with just a press.
Besides its convenient performance, this over-the-range microwave provides up to 300-CFM ventilation with two fan speeds, keeping work conditions free of smoke and contaminated air.
2. Best Value Microwave: GE® Countertop Microwave-Stainless Steel
This best-value countertop microwave has everything the typical kitchen needs for handling small cooking tasks or heating up a quick meal. Moderately sized at 0.9 cubic feet, this microwave is easy on counter space featuring a low profile with touch buttons and a push handle for a completely sleek look. Adjust cook settings across 10 power levels and prepare popular microwavable foods like popcorn, beverages, and pizza with one-touch convenient cooking controls.
As an added perk, this GE microwave model also comes in a choice of four finishes, including Black, Black Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel, and White. Pick a scheme to match your kitchen with performance that comes standard.
3. KitchenAid® 29.75" Stainless Steel Built In Microwave Oven
Luxury microwaving? This best high-end microwave from KitchenAid proves the two can coexist with a brilliant display of cooking function. Go beyond traditional microwave cooking with sensors and 900 watts of power that prepare foods evenly. Or, use this built-in microwave as an extra oven with the flexibility to go from broiling to convection cooking all from the same appliance.
Handy add-ons include the EasyConvect™ Conversion System that reprograms recipes for convection cooking and a crisper pan with CrispWave™ technology that adds browning, crisping, and pan-frying to the list of cook functions.
4. Best Countertop Microwave: Whirlpool® Countertop Microwave-Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel
Practical, yet powerful, this best countertop microwave from Whirlpool with 1,200 watts of cooking performance (the most on this list) is a handy kitchen appliance worthy of its throne on the counter. Easy programming is at the tip of your fingers with electronic touch controls and an Add 30 Seconds preset together with sensor cooking that automatically adjust cook times when needed. The intelligently designed interior provides 1.6 cubic feet of capacity complete with a recessed turntable for extra clearance for larger cookware.
5. Best Over the Range Microwave: Frigidaire® 1.4 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave
Shoppers looking for modern kitchen appliances will love this best over the range microwave from Frigidaire featuring a sleek, full-width door with edge-to-edge glass. That design also includes bottom touch controls for easy access to users of every height, plus One-Touch options like add 30 seconds of Auto-Reheat that are intuitive and easy to use.
Cook foods with confidence thanks to automatic sensors capable of adjusting power levels for perfect results and an extra-large glass turntable for precise cooking, even when using large bowls and dinnerware. Complete with cooktop LED lighting and two-speed 300-CFM ventilation, this best hood microwave is a handy addition to any kitchen.
6. Best Built In Microwave: Frigidaire Gallery® 1.6 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Built In Microwave
Designed to install perfectly over Frigidaire electric wall ovens, this best built in microwave from Frigidaire Gallery saves countertop space and delivers enhanced microwave performance. Highlights include automatic sensor cooking for foods that are prepared to perfection, a drop-down door design for easy access to items, and extra room for big platters with the largest glass turntable on our list.
7. Best Small Microwave: GE® Countertop Microwave-Black
We end our list on a classic note with this best small microwave from GE. Space-saving, affordable, and easy to operate, this compact countertop microwave features 0.7 cubic feet of capacity complete with standard functions, including a kitchen timer, Auto and Timed defrost settings, and a turntable for even cooking. Additionally, the touch buttons and push door handle add to the sleek design and small footprint.
Shop Appliance Needs of Every Size
This edition of kitchen appliance reviews features some of our best microwave oven picks, but with a vast inventory of products at East Coast Appliance, there are even more options for you to explore! Choose from leading appliance brands from a range of buying selections, including a large catalog of Scratch and Dent appliances in Virginia.
You’ll find that and so much more at one of our appliance showrooms near you, including locations in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk. Prefer to browse from the comfort of the couch? You can also shop online or by phone. Either way, you can count on outstanding service and a wide selection of products from the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia.