Comparison: Best Microwave Reviews (Updated | May 13th)

If you have ever dealt with a microwave that turns your leftovers into rubber, the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS will be a breath of fresh air. What really makes this unit shine in a busy kitchen is the Smart Sensor Technology. It actually detects the steam coming off your food to adjust the power, which takes the guesswork out of reheating a plate of pasta or a bowl of soup. At 1.2 Cu Ft and 1000W, it sits in that “Goldilocks” zone—large enough for a full dinner plate but not so massive that it eats up all your counter space.

I’d recommend this for families or professionals who rely on their microwave for more than just popcorn. It’s a workhorse for actual meal prep. The Mute Function is a small but legendary feature; you can finally sneak a midnight snack without the whole house hearing that piercing beep. The only real trade-off here is the Black Stainless Steel finish. While it looks incredibly sleek and modern, it is a bit of a magnet for fingerprints and smudges, so keep a microfiber cloth handy if you’re a stickler for a pristine kitchen.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) is a beast of a machine that brings Inverter Technology to the forefront. Unlike standard microwaves that just cycle power on and off, this 1250W unit provides a steady stream of energy. This is a game-changer for defrosting meat because you won’t end up with those annoying grey, cooked edges while the center is still an ice block. It’s significantly faster and more “gentle” on delicate foods than your average budget oven.

This is the clear choice for a large household or someone who does a lot of serious cooking. With a 1.6 Cu.ft capacity and a 13.6-inch turntable, you can easily fit large casserole dishes or family-sized platters. However, the sheer size is the main drawback. This is a heavy, wide appliance that demands a lot of real estate. If you are living in a cramped apartment with limited counter depth, this might feel like it’s taking over your entire kitchen.

When space is your biggest enemy, the TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) is a lifesaver. It’s a 0.9 Cu Ft compact unit that manages to feel punchier than its 900W rating suggests. What stands out to me is that it doesn’t feel like a “cheap” downgrade just because it’s small. You still get the premium Mute Function and a solid Child Lock, which is surprisingly rare in many entry-level small microwaves. It’s designed to do the basics—popcorn, pizza, and reheating—without any unnecessary fluff.

I’d point college students in dorms or people in tiny studio apartments toward this model. It fits perfectly into tight corners or on top of a small fridge. The honest trade-off here is the interior capacity. Because the turntable is only 10.6 inches, you have to be careful with oversized dinner plates or square containers; they can easily get stuck against the walls and stop rotating, leading to cold spots in your food.

The BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 feels like a classic, dependable appliance that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Its standout feature is the Push-Button Door. While many modern microwaves use a pull handle that can cause the whole unit to slide forward on your counter, the push-button mechanism keeps things stable. It’s a 1000W unit with 1.1 Cu.ft of space, making it a very balanced mid-sized option that fits most standard kitchen setups perfectly.

This is the “safe bet” for someone who wants a straightforward interface and doesn’t want to navigate complex menus. It’s great for seniors or anyone who prefers tactile, easy-to-read buttons. One thing to keep in mind, though, is the interior lighting. It’s a bit dim compared to some of the newer LED-equipped models, so if you like to watch your cheese melt to catch it at the perfect second, you might find yourself squinting through the dark glass.

The Chefman Countertop Microwave is all about efficiency and quiet operation in a very small footprint. What makes it unique is the Memory Function, which lets you program your most-used settings so you aren’t constantly punching in the same time and power levels every morning. It’s a 700W unit, which is definitely on the lower end of the power scale, but it makes up for it with a very intuitive control panel and a dedicated Mute Button right on the face.

This is the ideal “office microwave” or a secondary unit for a basement bar or guest suite. It’s small enough to tuck away and quiet enough not to disrupt a workspace. The trade-off is definitely the cooking speed. Because it is only 700 watts, it’s going to take noticeably longer to boil water or heat up a frozen meal compared to the 1000W models. You’ll need to add a minute or two to most package directions to get things truly hot.

There is a certain nostalgia and reliability associated with the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. microwave. It’s a no-frills, 700W machine that focuses on being “convenient.” It stands out for its Multi-Stage Cooking feature, which is impressive for such an affordable, small unit. This allows you to set the microwave to defrost for a certain amount of time and then immediately switch to cooking at a different power level without you having to come back and press more buttons.

If you are on a strict budget or just need something for very light duty—like warming up coffee or making the occasional bag of popcorn—this is a solid pick. It’s very popular for breakrooms. However, the build quality feels a bit more lightweight than the premium Toshiba models. The door has a bit more “clatter” to it, and the 0.7 Cu Ft interior is quite tight; you’ll struggle to fit anything larger than a standard small dinner plate inside.

The TOSHIBA ML2-EC10SA(BS) is essentially the Swiss Army knife of kitchen appliances. It’s not just a 1000W microwave; it’s an 8-in-1 Combo that includes Air Fry, Convection Bake, and Broil modes. The standout feature is the Position Memory Turntable, which ensures that when the timer stops, your mug or dish is in the exact same orientation as when you put it in. No more reaching to the back of the oven to grab a hot handle.

This is the ultimate solution for someone living in a small apartment without a full-sized oven, or for a “home chef” who wants to air fry without cluttering the counter with another gadget. It’s incredibly versatile. The downside is the learning curve. Because it does so many things, the control panel is more complex than a standard microwave, and you’ll definitely need to keep the manual handy for the first few weeks to master the different combination modes.

The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is a compact, 700W unit that brings a touch of Stainless Steel style to the budget category. What makes it stand out is its simplicity and the 30 Seconds Express Cooking. You can just hit the start button and get going immediately. It’s a very “point and shoot” appliance. At 0.7 Cu.ft, it is designed to take up as little space as possible while still offering the basic presets like potato and pizza that people actually use.

I’d recommend this for a dorm room or a single person who mostly eats out but needs a way to reheat leftovers occasionally. It’s affordable and looks more expensive than it actually is. The trade-off is the turntable size. At only 10 inches, it is very easy for a plate to clip the sides. Also, at 700 watts, it lacks the “oomph” needed for heavy-duty cooking, so don’t expect it to handle a large frozen lasagna with much grace.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) is a powerhouse designed for people who hate waiting. With 1200W of output, it heats food incredibly fast. The standout feature here is the Position Memory Turntable combined with a massive 1.6 Cu.ft capacity. It’s rare to find a microwave that is this large and powerful while still including the “smart” features like Sensor Reheat, which prevents your food from drying out by monitoring moisture levels throughout the cycle.

This is the best choice for big families where the microwave is in constant use for defrosting large portions of meat or heating up family-sized sides. It’s built to handle heavy rotation. The main downside is that it is quite loud when running at full power. Even though you can mute the “end of cycle” beeps, the actual fan and motor have a significant hum that you’ll definitely notice if your kitchen is adjacent to a living area.

The GE Countertop Microwave is an absolute unit, boasting a massive 2.0 Cubic Ft. interior and 1200W of power. What makes this one stand out is the sheer volume; it is one of the few countertop models that can truly rival a built-in over-the-range microwave in terms of what you can fit inside. The Sensor Cooking Controls are very reliable, and the Instant On express controls make it very fast to operate when you’re in a rush.

This is specifically for the power user who wants to cook entire meals—like a whole chicken or a massive tray of vegetables—in the microwave. It’s also great for large offices. The obvious trade-off is the footprint. This thing is enormous. You need to measure your counter depth carefully before buying, as it sits much deeper than standard models. It’s a heavy-duty appliance that requires a dedicated, sturdy space to live.