Best Microwave Ovens For Your Needs in 2024 - Top Choices

Ever since invented, microwave ovens have brought convenience into our hustling life. With all kinds of cool features and ease of use, they have long been regarded as the most useful assistant of every housewife. You love a full bag of popcorn for late-night movies; microwave ovens will save you lots of time and energy. 

In 1970, the first commercial microwave ovens were launched by Sharp Corporation. They cook or heat the food at a super-fast speed due to electromagnetic radiation and electricity. Also, they were small and could be placed in every corner of homes. Since then, microwave ovens are part of every kitchen around the world.

1. How does it work?

Microwave ovens heat the food bypassing electromagnetic radiation through the food. Therefore, it ensures even heating of the food. It is also useful for rapid heating. Microwaves combine speed with versatility as well as technology to create a smart kitchen appliance in an array of styles and colors.

2. Types

Home microwave ovens are sold in four major sizes and styles.

3. Countertop Models

They are also known as compact or portable microwaves because they are the smallest type and the most widely chosen by customers for reheating foods, defrosting food, making popcorn, etc. You can totally take them with you when you move. 

4. Above-Range Microwave Ovens

Microwaves that are installed above the cooking range are called above-range (or over-the-range) microwaves. They include exhaust fans that vent steam and filter smoke from the top burners of the stove. Most models also include multi-speed fans with replaceable charcoal filters to recirculate air. When the oven gets too hot, the fans are automatically turned on to protect it. Because over-the-range models need additional space above your stove, you may need to remove a cabinet first.

5. Microwave Oven Drawers

They are such newcomers to the marketplace, and they are popular because they do not take up counter space while still providing all of the benefits of microwave ovens. However, the installment of these is not as easy as placing a microwave oven on a counter.

6. Combination Microwave-Conventional Ovens

Consisting of a built-in conventional oven and microwave in the same space, they are the most luxurious option. In most cases, the microwave is placed on top of the bigger conventional oven. These are dual ovens distinguished by drop-down doors and a sleek stainless design.

Buying the Best Microwave Ovens may get confusing because there are numerous options from different brands with some unique characteristics and functions on the market. And if you are trying to purchase a microwave oven, then you can go through these points and make a fair choice according to your needs and suitability.

1. Size

First and foremost, think of what you are going to cook with your microwave oven. If it is just like making popcorn or baking potato, then a small-sized one will be such a good match. In this situation, we recommend the GE Countertop Microwave Oven because of its simple functionality and low price. And what if you need to cook full meals for an entire family? This requires a large model and a high power—the GE 2.0 cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven is a good choice. This full-size oven heats food more quickly due to high wattage.

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Always going with size, space also needs taking into consideration. Put it in mind where you want to place the microwave and see if there is enough space in your kitchen. For instance, compact microwaves, like this Samsung Countertop Oven, can work best in dorm rooms, offices, and apartments. However, if your kitchen is not spacious but you still want something more than just making a quick breakfast? Then you should go for a wall-mounted model or an above-the-range type. Moreover, a microwave drawer oven is also a good choice.

Additionally, you should determine the exact capacity of your oven because this will directly affect your cooking habits. The more capacity there is inside the oven, the more food can be cooked, and the less time it takes for preparing. Today in the marketplace, the capacity ranges from 1.1 up to 2.0 cups. Ft.

2. Budget

Regarding money, there are always two matters when shopping that is how much you can afford to buy, and how much will it consume in the progress of being used?

First, before buying your microwave oven, balance your financial ability with your wanted model. We would recommend that it should not be too low in price because this may go with a shortage of lifespan due to low quality. But you should not spend too much on your oven because it is just a household appliance and sometimes the most expensive is not surely the best. To deal with this problem, the LG Over-the-range Microwave Oven is the most valuable model that we have reviewed.

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Apart from the price of the microwave, you need to look further into the other expenses that may come up with. For example, some complicated ovens require professional installment, and they might charge you some service fee. The power used up by the microwave will also affect your electricity. The bigger oven will give high wattage to cook meals quickly, while the smaller ones give less wattage but take a longer time to cook.

3. Special features

Through more than fifty years since being invented, more and more special features have been put into such a compact microwave oven. However, these totally depend on your personal needs. Some people want a preset menu, and others require a delay-start option. Here is the description of some widely wanted features by customers according to our analysis.

Auto-cook: This will be most favored by busy people. Just put your food into the oven, press the button of the dish name, and your meal is ready in a few minutes.

Defrost: It is common knowledge that meat is stored in the frozen cabinet of the fridge. The defrost option is such a savior where you can process the tender meat in a short time.

Timer: The food can be avoided from being overheated.

Child lock: This is an essential feature. It protects children from unintentional and unwarranted disasters.

1. Are microwave ovens dangerous?

Some people may read about health problems caused by exposure to microwave energy. However, most research has shown that it is very natural to be exposed to low-level microwaves. Therefore, as long as the microwave oven door remains closed in operation, there will be no harm to you from the microwave energy. 

Also, do NOT self-repair internal electronic parts due to the high risk of electrocution. Instead, call for professional help. 

2. Does food explode when heated in a microwave oven?

This can be explained that when overheated, skinned, or shelled foods explode to accommodate the increasing size of the water molecules. To avoid overheating these types of foods, go for Best Microwave Ovens that are equipped with an auto-cook or timer option.

We would recommend the Breville countertop microwave oven that can keep you totally safe from overheating as well as exploding.

3. How long do microwave ovens last?

A microwave oven usually lasts between five and eight years. The oven can even last 10+ years if you do regular maintenance.

But if the oven is used carelessly and not maintained after a certain time, then it will die out in just a few years, much earlier than expected.

4. Do I need a warranty for microwave ovens?

When you shop for any electronic appliance, it is indispensable to look for warranty periods. When your machine is out of work during the warranty period, a new one will be exchanged without a fee. Usually, the warranty period for every microwave oven is one year, so make sure you have one after purchasing.

5. How is safe baking in the microwave?

• Use gloves as the turntable, container, and other parts of the oven are very hot.

• Do not quickly cool the turntable, the racks, or the container with cold water.

Microwave ovens have become commonplace and will become a necessity in our fast world. In today’s hustling lifestyle, we must get more done in less time, and these ovens appear to resolve this requirement. With technological advances, more and more features are coming up that cooking is no longer a daunting task of housewives. With just a small microwave oven, we can reheat the food cooked the day before, make a cup of coffee for long nights of work, or bake some cookies for your children. 

Do not worry when you are stuck into so many choices before buying the Best Microwave Ovens. We will sum it up for you by the following:

• The cheapest: The GE Countertop Microwave Oven is our recommendation. This medium-sized 1.1 cu. Ft. stainless steel microwave oven will not break your bank, but you would be surprised at how helpful it can be.

• The best valued: LG Over-the-range Microwave Oven will be on the top due to many reasons. These 2 Ft. 1000-watt microwave has easy-to-use controls and smart features, like programmed options and night light equipped, that make it the perfect option.

• The best for families: This will definitely be the GE 2.0 cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven. With 1200 watts of power and 2.0 cu. Ft. capacity, you will be able to prepare food for your entire family in minutes. Besides, coming in chrome and black, this will make your kitchen look more modern.

• The smartest: Breville countertop microwave oven will never let you down by the multiple options it brings. Apart from the ten power levels, this microwave offers the most impressive feature that is the Sensor IQ. It will automatically measure the humidity of the food to adjust the suitable cooking time.

You see, shopping for a microwave oven does not require you a lot of knowledge. Just have a good grasp of what you need, and we will find it out for you. And to save more time and effort, please contact me right now so we can discuss more deeply the Best Microwave Ovens.