The Best Countertop Microwaves In 2022
Andrey Popov/Shutterstock By Amy Boyington/July 13, 2022 3:18 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The original microwaves made in the 1950s were solely for commercial use, as they were too large to fit comfortably in a home kitchen. It wasn’t until 1967 that non-commercial microwaves began to be sold, thanks to new technology that made them smaller (via Smithsonian Magazine). In today’s kitchens, a countertop microwave is practically a staple appliance. These practical pieces of equipment can cook, defrost, and reheat leftovers in a jiffy, with some even branching out into air-frying, broiling, convection cooking, and other cooking methods that help you combine some of your favorite appliances into one.
A priority for most people looking for a countertop microwave is space. Because these sit on your countertops rather than attaching under a cabinet or being built into your cabinets, they take up valuable counter space. Finding the right one to fit your kitchen is a must. Other important considerations to keep in mind are power, preset cooking features, aesthetics, and price. Consider the ways you’ll use your microwave most, and find your ideal model using our helpful guide.
How we selected countertop microwaves
FabrikaSimf/Shutterstock
We like to make sure that we’re recommending only the best of the best products for our readers’ specific needs. In the case of countertop microwaves, we considered must-have features, like pricing, types of food they can handle, and power. Then, we thought about some nice-to-have features like stylish looks, extra cooking methods, and smart-enabled connections. The result is several countertop microwaves in various sizes, price points, and capabilities to help you find the one that fits your needs.
We didn’t just rely on our own research and opinions, though. We also scoured press mentions, reviews from trusted sources, and real customer reviews on retailer and consumer review websites. Doing so gave us the best vantage point to find popular countertop microwaves that really deliver on the benefits they claim to have, allowing you to also get a clear picture of how each microwave might measure up to your expectations.
Best budget countertop microwave
Williams Sonoma
There’s no need to skimp on features if you want to save money on a microwave. The Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Microwave includes just about every feature most home cooks need, including 10 adjustable power levels, six presets, and a child-safe lockout feature. Where you’ll save money is in the microwave’s smaller size and reduced power at 700 watts. Still, that’s plenty to reheat foods, defrost frozen ingredients, and cook your faves, like pizza and popcorn, in just a few minutes.
Customers who prefer budget-friendly microwaves without massive amounts of power and features they don’t necessarily need love this microwave. Several Williams Sonoma reviewers state that the microwave’s size and power are perfect for what they needed it for and that the easy-to-clean stainless steel is an added bonus. As of July 2022, the Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Microwave was available at Williams Sonoma for $79.95.
The Best Countertop Microwaves In 2022
Andrey Popov/Shutterstock
By Amy Boyington/July 13, 2022 3:18 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The original microwaves made in the 1950s were solely for commercial use, as they were too large to fit comfortably in a home kitchen. It wasn’t until 1967 that non-commercial microwaves began to be sold, thanks to new technology that made them smaller (via Smithsonian Magazine). In today’s kitchens, a countertop microwave is practically a staple appliance. These practical pieces of equipment can cook, defrost, and reheat leftovers in a jiffy, with some even branching out into air-frying, broiling, convection cooking, and other cooking methods that help you combine some of your favorite appliances into one.
A priority for most people looking for a countertop microwave is space. Because these sit on your countertops rather than attaching under a cabinet or being built into your cabinets, they take up valuable counter space. Finding the right one to fit your kitchen is a must. Other important considerations to keep in mind are power, preset cooking features, aesthetics, and price. Consider the ways you’ll use your microwave most, and find your ideal model using our helpful guide.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
A priority for most people looking for a countertop microwave is space. Because these sit on your countertops rather than attaching under a cabinet or being built into your cabinets, they take up valuable counter space. Finding the right one to fit your kitchen is a must. Other important considerations to keep in mind are power, preset cooking features, aesthetics, and price. Consider the ways you’ll use your microwave most, and find your ideal model using our helpful guide.
How we selected countertop microwaves
FabrikaSimf/Shutterstock
We like to make sure that we’re recommending only the best of the best products for our readers’ specific needs. In the case of countertop microwaves, we considered must-have features, like pricing, types of food they can handle, and power. Then, we thought about some nice-to-have features like stylish looks, extra cooking methods, and smart-enabled connections. The result is several countertop microwaves in various sizes, price points, and capabilities to help you find the one that fits your needs.
We didn’t just rely on our own research and opinions, though. We also scoured press mentions, reviews from trusted sources, and real customer reviews on retailer and consumer review websites. Doing so gave us the best vantage point to find popular countertop microwaves that really deliver on the benefits they claim to have, allowing you to also get a clear picture of how each microwave might measure up to your expectations.
We didn’t just rely on our own research and opinions, though. We also scoured press mentions, reviews from trusted sources, and real customer reviews on retailer and consumer review websites. Doing so gave us the best vantage point to find popular countertop microwaves that really deliver on the benefits they claim to have, allowing you to also get a clear picture of how each microwave might measure up to your expectations.
Best overall countertop microwave
GE
But we know that you’re here for a microwave, so let’s talk about that. This GE microwave has 1,050 watts of power, yet is small enough to fit on modestly sized countertops. Its presets include potatoes, pizza, and beverages, and convenient buttons let you quickly add 30 seconds to your timer, express cook for one to six minutes, and child-lock the unit. The microwave has a 4.7-star rating on Best Buy as of July 2022, with one reviewer exclaiming, “Just simply amazing! From all functions — microwave to air fryer. Everything is done faster & tastes better!”
Best budget countertop microwave
Williams Sonoma
There’s no need to skimp on features if you want to save money on a microwave. The Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Microwave includes just about every feature most home cooks need, including 10 adjustable power levels, six presets, and a child-safe lockout feature. Where you’ll save money is in the microwave’s smaller size and reduced power at 700 watts. Still, that’s plenty to reheat foods, defrost frozen ingredients, and cook your faves, like pizza and popcorn, in just a few minutes.
Customers who prefer budget-friendly microwaves without massive amounts of power and features they don’t necessarily need love this microwave. Several Williams Sonoma reviewers state that the microwave’s size and power are perfect for what they needed it for and that the easy-to-clean stainless steel is an added bonus. As of July 2022, the Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Microwave was available at Williams Sonoma for $79.95.
Customers who prefer budget-friendly microwaves without massive amounts of power and features they don’t necessarily need love this microwave. Several Williams Sonoma reviewers state that the microwave’s size and power are perfect for what they needed it for and that the easy-to-clean stainless steel is an added bonus.
As of July 2022, the Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Microwave was available at Williams Sonoma for $79.95.
Best splurge countertop microwave
Panasonic
Need more reasons to splurge on this microwave? Perhaps the 20 presets, turbo defrost, or keep-warm feature will push you over the edge. Or, maybe you’ll love that, despite its roomy interior and diverse array of features, it still takes up minimal countertop space with a depth and width of less than 20 and 22 inches, respectively.
Best stylish countertop microwave
Galanz
Best countertop microwave for small spaces
Black+Decker
Best high-powered countertop microwave
LG
Super bright LED interior lighting, an easy-to-use control panel, and LG’s EasyClean interior all make this super-powered microwave an appliance you’ll want to have in your kitchen. With an average 4.5-star rating on Best Buy, this microwave gets praise for its roomy interior, excellent quality, and ability to defrost and reheat foods in a jiffy.
Best countertop microwave for travel
Comfee'
Best quiet countertop microwave
Breville
This microwave has other perks, too, like a child-lock feature, stylish gray housing, and 0.9 cubic feet of interior space. With 900 watts of power, defrost and reheat settings, and a few convenient presets, the Breville the Compact Wave Soft Close takes care of all the basics with the benefit of virtually noiseless operation.
Best food-sensing countertop microwave
This microwave uses Breville’s Element IQ system, which tells the microwave where it needs to send most of its power based on the food that’s inside. For instance, potatoes will need more power concentrated toward their centers to cook them evenly, while veggies need more all-over heat. This technology allows the microwave to cook food from its frozen state and still get a thorough cook. Just press the ‘From Frozen’ button to enter that mode.
Best multifunction countertop microwave
Best Alexa-compatible countertop microwave
Toshiba
