Microwave Ovens At Best Buy

How We Tested Microwaves

When asked, our readers told us their main reasons for using a microwave were defrosting, reheating meals and cooking porridge. So, we blasted jacket potatoes to make sure they cooked through to the centre yet stayed moist at the edges. We defrosted chicken breasts and then cooked them through in the microwave too, looking for a tender, juicy finish. Where applicable, we also grilled bacon and if the microwave had a steam function, we made gooey toffee puddings.

Each product was tested against a set testing matrix. The results of this decided each product’s overall star rating. The following were:

Ease of use: microwaves are used mainly by those who want to make life simpler. We looked for pared-down functionality, simple design and easy-to-follow instruction booklets.

Cooking versatility: we wanted to know if customising settings and using presets delivered equally good results.

Defrosting: an essential function for most, we looked for effective thawing, with presets a bonus.

Moisture retention: we checked the food didn’t dry out before it had finished cooking.

Additional features: small extra features like a child lock or kitchen timer were appreciated, plus we looked at how well more prominent features such as grills and convection ovens performed.

Size: we assessed the size of the microwave and the space it took up in the kitchen. The models we tested need to be installed a specified height above the floor, with plenty of room all around for ventilation.

Dacor Dmw2420s 24 Built

Award:BEST CONTROL PANEL

WHY WE LIKE IT: The best convection microwave from our research with 1,100 watts of power, two cubic feet of internal capacity, an easy-to-use control panel, and smart sensor cooking modes to perfectly cook every dish.

Pros

• Compact 19.13 x 24 x 13.38 inches

Cons

• Only available in one finish

We cant get enough of Frigidaires built-in microwaves because theyre such a sleek upgrade from countertop models. And if youre looking for a convection oven that can be installed into the wall, this pick from Dacor is perfect. We think its one of the best convection microwaves thanks to the 1,100 watts of power and two cubic feet of internal capacity. The external dimensions measure 24 inches wide, 19.13 inches deep, and 13.38 inches tall with a glass turntable.

Even though you can only get this Dacor microwave in a stainless steel finish, you still get a wide array of sensor cooking modes. This includes multiple auto-cook settings including options for ground meat, rice, fresh seafood, and frozen and fresh vegetables. Theres also a Keep Warm function to keep dishes warm if youre not quite ready to eat them. Of course, youll need to purchase the trim kit separately if you want to install this pick into the wall. Still, we think its one of the top-rated built-in microwaves on our list.

How Long Will A Whirlpool Microwave Last

While industry experts like Ocean Appliance agree that most microwave ovens should last an average of seven years before needing repairs or replacement, you can generally expect to get more lifespan out of a Whirlpool microwave oven. Thanks to high-quality manufacturing and durable designs like stainless steel, these kitchen appliances can last upwards of 10 years.

Of course, there are always a variety of things you can do to increase or decrease your microwaves overall lifespan. First of all, you should always follow the manufacturers recommendations for operation. You should also install it correctly, especially if youve purchased an over-the-range model. We recommend hiring a professional to install your over-the-range microwave oven for the best results.

Whirlpool Microwave Warranties

Whirlpool microwaves carry a standard one-year warranty, no matter which model you purchase. This warranty covers parts and labor costs for any repairs that are required due to manufacturer defects. Whirlpool requires that you have the appliance serviced by an authorized Whirlpool service company. Whirlpool also offers an additional seven-year warranty covering any problems you may encounter with your microwaves magnetron tube.

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Best Buy Customers Often Prefer The Following Products When Searching For Top Microwaves

Microwaves are a staple of modern kitchens, and a top-rated model can be a great addition to any kitchen. Microwaves are a convenient way to heat up leftovers, cook a frozen meal, or quickly reheat a cup of coffee or tea. Browse the top-ranked list of top microwaves below along with associated reviews and opinions.

How Whirlpool Microwaves Compare To Other Brands

Premium Build Quality and Long-Term Reliability: Whirlpool microwaves are widely considered some of the most reliable and long-lasting options available today, long before were even a thought. Whether youre considering one of the OTR microwaves or a simple countertop model, a Whirlpool microwave will last you a long time before it needs to be repaired or replaced. The company offers both lower- and higher-end models so you can stick to your budget. Fortunately, an affordable model here is just as good in terms of reliability as the expensive models.

Limited Number of Individual Microwaves Available: Since Whirlpool is dedicated to offering a high-quality experience with each of their microwave ovens, they dont offer as wide of a lineup as other competitors, like the best GE microwaves. Whirlpool offers three countertop microwaves, four low-profile microwave hoods, and eight OTR microwaves at the time of publishing.

Industry-First Low Profile Configurations: Whirlpool is the first appliance manufacturer to offer low-profile microwave hood combinations. These streamlined microwave ovens save on counter space and cabinet space while still offering powerful exhaust venting for your range. If you purchase one of these options, youre getting a powerful built-in microwave that provides plenty of watts of power to eliminate cold spots and cook frozen dinners with ease. Plus, they still offer plenty of space, despite their slimmer design.

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Emerson 13 Cu Ft 1000 Watt Speed Cooking Microwave Best Capacity

WHY WE LIKE IT: Pros

• Defrost by time or weight

Cons

• No inside light

We appreciate this speed cooking microwaves expansive capacity , one of the largest on our list. Bonus points go to this speed microwave ovens removable glass turntable, which is dishwasher-safe and effortless to clean. It also smoothly rotates when cooking, ensuring even heat distribution.

Like our #3 pick Kenmore 70929 speed cooking microwave, this also includes time and weight-based defrosting, where the oven automatically calculates the timer based on whatever the weight of the food is. It is a great way to eliminate guesswork and prevent overcooking. If youre looking for other kitchen appliances, check out this list of some of our best toasters.

Also, check out our top 7 Best Appliance Brands for your kitchen, including Bosch cooktops and wall ovens. Although not on our list, the Bosch Speed Oven also combines convection cooking with microwave speed, offering 5 cooking modes. With Bosch, you can get your convection microwave oven or convection oven installed as a wall oven, steam oven, or warming drawer, available in 3 sizes and both 120V and 240 V, and Bosch also offers European convection cooking.

For sleek and modern stainless steel designs, consider our Best Stainless Steel Microwave.

What Determines The Price Of A Microwave

Prices vary depending on the features, style and overall capacity of the microwave, Jones notes. For example, styles like the drawer microwave might cost more than other options because of the mechanics needed to properly install the microwave.

So, if youre willing to splurge, look for microwaves with added features, like convection and speed cooking. This is a great feature, per Jones, as it can also help make food prep easier at home.

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A Few Things I Would Do Differently If I Was The Microwave Designer

While were generally pretty happy with the Samsung ME19R7041FS/AC, I do have a few quibbles.

My biggest complaint is the interior lighting. Im one of those people who likes to watch whats going on inside the microwave. Has the butter melted? Is the chili starting to spatter? This microwave is definitely not designed with observation in mind. The dark interior and dim lighting are bad enough, but throw the black patterning on the glass door in the mix and you cant really tell whats going on. I thought that perhaps I had a bad bulb or had accidentally triggered some sort of power-saving mode, but a quick search online shows the poor lighting is a common complaint about this model.

The other issue was the clock programming. The instructions kept referring to a Clock button that did not seem to exist. A bit of Googling pointed us to the Power Level button that does have a little clock icon beneath it . Once you know the trick, all is well.

Magic Chef Countertop Microwave $184 To $235

• Capacity: 1.6 cu. ft.
• Dimensions: 19.2 x 21.8 x 12.8 inches

For a fairly priced microwave, you cant go wrong with the Magic Chef Countertop Microwave. Its readily available on Amazon or at Target online, and it impressively comes with six pre-programmed cooking menus, a child safety lock and a glass turntable.

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Best Microwaves 202: Which Best Buys And Expert Buying Advice

The best microwaves give you hot and tasty food every time. But not all models up to scratch we’ve found plenty that struggle with basic tasks, such as defrosting a block of mince and steaming a fish supper.

The best microwaves we’ve tested heat and defrost evenly, and are simple to use and easy to keep clean. Some even double up as a mini oven, grilling or baking food as well as microwaving it.

To help you find the best microwave for you, we’ve handpicked our favourites including our top cheap model, the best combi and the best microwave grill. Each has gone through our rigorous lab tests, so you can be sure it won’t scupper your supper.

To see all the microwaves we’ve tested, visit our microwave reviews.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the tables below. If you’re not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Sharp R1874t 850w Over

Award:BEST FOR SMALL KITCHENS

WHY WE LIKE IT: The best over-the-range convection microwave with intuitive sensor cook settings and exhaust with three fan settings and a hood light along with a large touchpad control panel.

Pros

• 850 watts, 1.1 cu. ft. of interior space
• Includes exhaust and hood light

Cons

• May be too wide for some standard cabinet widths

We cant stress enough that if youre trying to preserve your countertops and dont want to sacrifice your cabinets, an over-the-range microwave is usually your best bet. We like the Sharp R1874T because we think its one of the best over-the-range convection microwaves that we found in our research. While it offers a lower power rating at just 850 watts, you do get 1.1 cubic feet of interior space, which makes it ideal for a smaller family to use. However, keep in mind that with the larger exterior dimensions of 29.93 inches wide, 16.34 inches deep, and 15.28 inches tall, this might not be compatible with narrower standard cabinet widths depending on your oven configuration.

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Samsung Ms14k6000as 14 Cu Ft Countertop Microwave

Award:BEST ON A BUDGET

WHY WE LIKE IT: A Samsung microwave oven with a triple distribution heat system, 1,000 watts of power, and 1.4 cubic feet of space for an affordable solution for average use households.

Pros

• Triple distribution heat system for even cooking
• 1.4 cu. ft. is a great medium size for most families
• 1,000 watts of cooking power

Cons

• May be loud during operation

Samsung microwaves tend to be a pricier option on the market. But they do still have budget-friendly options. We nominated the MS14K6000AS Samsung microwave oven as our Best on a Budget because, in addition to being affordable, it still comes with a variety of intuitive features that will make this a smart choice for price-conscious shoppers. Youll get 1,000 watts and 1.4 cubic feet of cook space. While its not a convection-based microwave it does rely on a triple distribution heat system to ensure even cooking.

For other features, this microwave comes with Sensor Cook technology for perfectly cooked or reheated foods at all times. Youll get 10 power levels and a variety of cooking presets. The ceramic enamel interior is scratch resistant and easy to keep clean. This model also comes with Eco Mode to help reduce power consumption when not in use. And youll like the classic LED display with push-button controls. For dorm-friendly options, check out our best microwaves for dorms buying guide.

Diy Installation But Not For The Faint Of Heart

I spent a fair bit of time in the accompanying video going through whats involved in the installation. Frankly, that was the part that worried me, and I wanted to show you what exactly is involved. The long and short of it is that this can be a DIY project if youre even moderately handy, have a few common tools, you have an assistant and your kitchen is already properly wired for the microwave .

There was some fussing around with making sure the blower motor is correctly oriented based on how youre going to vent the microwave. I went with having it recirculate into the room .

From there, its a lot of very careful measuring, securing a mounting bracket to the wall, and drilling holes in the upper cabinet. Assuming everything lines up correctly, the microwave gets lifted up, hooks securely onto the wall bracket, and is then held level to the bottom of the cabinet by two bolts. And then plugged in to power.

If you dont feel up to tackling this project, dont forget that Geek Squad is just a phone call away.

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Ge Profile Peb9159sjss 22 Convection Microwave Oven

Award:BEST TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENTS

WHY WE LIKE IT: A smart convection microwave oven that lets you quickly adjust convection temperatures with just the push of a button, comes with 1,000 watts of power and a large 1.5-cubic foot interior capacity.

Pros

• Can also be configured as a built-in
• Comes with a rack to improve air circulation
• 1,000 watts and 1.5 cu. ft.

Cons

• Some may not like the stainless steel interior finish

Built-ins are a great option if youre trying to create a sleek effect in your kitchen and despise the look of a clunky microwave sitting on your countertops. Were including the GE PEB9159SJSS because its a medium-sized microwave that can work as other types of microwaves like a countertop one, depending on your needs. We like that it offers 1,000 watts of power and 1.5 cubic feet of interior space making it ideal for families or serious cooks. This convection microwave oven has external dimensions that measure 21.75 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 13 inches tall with a glass turntable thats 13.5 inches wide.

Best Speed Cooking Microwave

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• The Most Important Features to Consider

The best speed cooking microwave cooks all types of foods quickly and evenly. Choosing the wrong one could result in lots of frustration. Our evaluation of speed ovens pros and cons looked into size, childproofing, number of preset options, and watts. We also explored auxiliary features such as removable turntables and steam cleaning.

After more than 16 hours of research and testing, our top pick goes to the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Speed Cooking Microwave with Smart Sensor. It has ten express cooking options to cook all types of foods, an impressive 1100 watts of power, and spacious 1.2 cubic feet of space. Keep reading to learn more about the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Speed Cooking Microwave with Smart Sensor and five others that made the cut.

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Best Buy Customers Often Prefer The Following Products When Searching For Low Profile Microwave

Microwaves are a kitchen staple for reheating leftovers, cooking popcorn, and melting butter. They’re also a common sight in most kitchens. But if you’re looking to save space, consider getting a low profile microwave. Browse the top-ranked list of low profile microwaves below along with associated reviews and opinions.