How To Buy A Microwave

Buying a microwave doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re upgrading or replacing a broken one, finding the right fit is easier than you think. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from size and wattage to features like convection or sensor cooking. We’ll keep it simple, so you can make a confident choice in minutes. Let’s dive in and find the perfect microwave for your kitchen, without the hassle or confusion.

How to Buy a Microwave: A Step-by-Step Guide

Assess Your Kitchen Space and Capacity Needs

Before falling in love with a specific model, grab your tape measure. You absolutely must measure the width, height, and depth of the intended installation spot, ensuring you leave a few inches of ventilation space around the unit.

Don’t forget to measure the height of your tallest cookware or standard dinner plates to ensure they fit inside comfortably. If you have a smaller household or limited counter real estate, a compact 0.7 to 1.0 cubic foot model might suffice.

However, larger families or frequent entertainers should look for microwave capacity ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 cubic feet to handle casserole dishes or multiple containers at once.

Taking these physical measurements beforehand saves you the massive headache of returning an appliance that simply doesn’t fit your layout or your cooking vessels.

Determine Your Primary Cooking Usage

Think honestly about how you plan to use the machine daily. If you mostly need it for quick tasks like reheating coffee, softening butter, or making popcorn, a basic solo model with standard dials will work perfectly fine.

However, if you intend to cook full meals, you should prioritize models with specific cooking modes and sensor technology. Convection microwaves are a game-changer because they function like a second oven, allowing you to bake and brown food effectively.

For busy parents, seeking out features like sensor cooking is smart because it automatically detects humidity and adjusts the time to prevent overcooking.

Matching the microwave’s features to your actual culinary habits ensures you aren’t paying for fancy buttons you will never actually touch while guaranteeing your food turns out delicious every time.

Set a Realistic Budget

Microwanes vary wildly in price, so establishing a firm spending limit early helps narrow the field significantly. A basic, no-frills unit can be very affordable, often costing less than a large pizza, making it perfect for tight budgets or dorm rooms.

However, if you require advanced features like convection heating, smart Wi-Fi connectivity, or a sleek built-in design, you should expect to invest significantly more.

It is helpful to allocate funds for the extended warranty or a protection plan, especially for high-end models with complex digital displays that might be costly to repair later.

Remember that while sticking to your price range is crucial, investing slightly more in durability now can save you money on replacements down the road. Balance the initial cost with the expected lifespan and necessary features to find the best value for your specific situation.

What Type of Microwave Should You Choose?

Countertop Microwaves: Convenience and Portability

Countertop microwaves are the most popular choice for many households because they offer unmatched flexibility and ease of use. You can simply plug them in anywhere there’s an outlet, making them perfect for renters or anyone who wants to avoid complex installation.

They come in various sizes, from compact models perfect for dorm rooms to larger units capable of handling family-sized meals. When choosing a countertop model, measure your available counter space carefully to ensure a good fit. These microwaves are also budget-friendly and easy to replace if they break down.

If you move frequently, this portability is a huge advantage since you can take the appliance with you. Look for features like preset cooking modes or defrost functions to maximize utility.

While they take up prep space, their affordability and versatility make them a practical option for almost any kitchen setup without requiring permanent modifications.

Over-the-Range (OTR) Microwaves: Space-Saving Ventilation

Over-the-range microwaves are designed to free up valuable counter space by mounting directly above your stove. These units serve a dual purpose, acting as both a microwave and a ventilation hood to remove smoke, steam, and cooking odors.

This makes them an excellent choice for smaller kitchens where every inch of counter space matters. Installation is more involved than with countertop models, often requiring professional help to ensure proper electrical and venting connections.

When shopping for an OTR microwave, check the venting capacity to match your cooking habits, especially if you fry food often. Measure the width of your stove to ensure the microwave fits perfectly.

While they save space, access height might be an issue for some users, so consider if reaching up to use it feels comfortable for your household.

Built-in and Drawer Microwaves: Seamless Integration

Built-in and drawer microwaves offer a sleek, modern look by integrating directly into your cabinetry or walls. These models are ideal for achieving a high-end, custom kitchen aesthetic without cluttering your counters.

Built-in units are often placed at eye level or above a wall oven, making it easy to check on food without bending down. Drawer microwaves slide out from lower cabinets, providing excellent accessibility and allowing you to stir dishes without removing them.

Because these installations are permanent, they require precise planning and professional installation, which adds to the upfront cost. However, the seamless design can significantly increase your home’s value and kitchen functionality. When choosing this style, ensure you have the cabinet depth and electrical wiring required for a safe fit.

This option is best for homeowners doing a remodel who prioritize design and long-term convenience over portability.

Understanding Microwave Wattage and Power

What Is the Ideal Wattage for Fast Cooking?

When you are shopping for a new microwave, wattage is the single most important factor to consider because it dictates how quickly and evenly your food will cook.

Most standard microwaves range from 600 to 1200 watts, but if you want fast cooking results, you should aim for a model with at least 1000 watts. Higher wattage means the magnetron inside generates more energy, leading to significantly reduced cooking times.

This is crucial if you plan on cooking raw vegetables, defrosting large cuts of meat, or baking potatoes in the appliance.

If you stick with a lower wattage unit, say 700 watts, you might find yourself waiting significantly longer for your dinner to heat up, often resulting in uneven textures where the edges are rubbery while the center remains cold. However, higher wattage isn’t always necessary for everyone.

If you primarily use your microwave for simple tasks like reheating a cup of coffee or warming up leftovers, a unit between 700 and 900 watts will suffice perfectly and usually saves you money.

Just remember that investing in higher power offers more versatility, ensuring that when you are in a rush, your kitchen appliance can keep up with your pace without compromising the quality or safety of your food.

How Power Levels Affect Heating Results

While maximum wattage tells you about speed, understanding adjustable power levels is essential for achieving perfect heating results with different types of food. Many people assume a microwave should always run at full blast, but this often leads to disaster when dealing with delicate items.

A microwave operating at 100% power cooks aggressively, which is great for boiling water or heating soups quickly, but terrible for melting butter or softening ice cream.

Lower power levels actually work by cycling the magnetron on and off, simulating a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil, which allows the heat to penetrate deeper into the food without drying out the outer layers.

To truly master microwave cooking, look for models with specific settings for defrosting or simmering, which typically utilize lower percentages of the max wattage. For example, using a 50% power level is the secret to perfectly reheating a dense pasta dish without hot spots.

This function allows the center of the food to warm up while the sauce doesn’t separate or splatter. By using these variable settings, you stop using your microwave just for nuking leftovers and start using it as a genuine tool for precise food preparation.

Essential Features to Look for in a New Microwave

Sensor Cooking and Auto-Reheat Functions

Stop playing the guessing game with your food’s temperature and invest in a microwave with smart sensor cooking technology. These microwaves feature built-in humidity sensors that detect the moisture levels released from your food as it cooks, automatically adjusting the time and power level to prevent overcooking or undercooking.

This feature is a game-changer for reheating leftovers because it ensures your food is heated evenly without becoming rubbery or dried out. Similarly, look for models with dedicated auto-reheat buttons for common items like pizza, beverages, or potatoes.

By simply pressing a button, the microwave calculates the perfect settings for that specific item, taking the mental math out of meal prep. When shopping, prioritize these intuitive features to save time and eliminate the frustration of constantly stopping the microwave to stir or check if your dinner is done.

Convection Technology for Baking and Roasting

If you want to expand your cooking capabilities beyond simple reheating, a convection microwave is a versatile upgrade worth considering. Unlike standard models that rely solely on microwaves, a convection microwave utilizes a heating element and a fan to circulate hot air around your food.

This allows you to bake, brown, and crisp dishes just like a traditional oven, but in a fraction of the time. You can roast a chicken, bake cookies, or make a perfectly crispy pizza crust without heating up your entire kitchen.

When shopping, check if the appliance offers a combination mode, which uses both microwave energy and convection heat simultaneously to cook food faster while still achieving that desirable texture.

This dual functionality effectively replaces a toaster oven or second oven, making it an ideal solution for smaller kitchens or busy families looking to maximize their cooking efficiency.

Turntable vs. Flatbed Designs

Choosing the right interior design is crucial for fitting your specific cookware and cooking habits. Traditional microwaves feature a rotating turntable that spins your food to ensure even heating, which works well for standard round plates but can be limiting for large or rectangular dishes.

On the other hand, flatbed models utilize a rotating mechanism under the floor to distribute microwaves, offering a stationary and usually larger cooking cavity.

This design provides more usable space and allows you to easily fit rectangular baking dishes or large platters without worrying about them hitting the sides while rotating.

While flatbeds are often easier to clean because there is no removable ring to wash around, some users find turntables offer slightly more consistent results for very simple heating tasks.

Consider the size and shape of the dishes you use most often to decide which style offers the best convenience for your daily kitchen routine.

Size and Interior Capacity Explained

Compact vs. Full-Size: What Fits Your Dishes?

When choosing a microwave, consider the size of dishes you’ll use daily. Compact microwaves (0.5-0.9 cubic feet) are perfect for small kitchens or reheating single servings, but they may struggle with larger plates or casseroles.

If you cook for a family or love baking, a full-size model (1.2-2.2 cubic feet) offers more interior space for 9×13 pans or multiple dishes. Think about your go-to meals—will your favorite baking dish fit? Measure the turntable diameter too, as it impacts usability.

Don’t forget to balance capacity with countertop space; a bigger microwave might overwhelm a small kitchen. Prioritize what you’ll actually use most to avoid clutter or frustration later.

Measuring for Over-the-Range Installation

For over-the-range microwaves, precision is key. Measure the width of your stovetop or cabinet opening—most models are 30 inches wide, but some are 24 or 36 inches. Height matters too; standard installations require 17-20 inches of clearance above the cooktop.

Check the depth to ensure it won’t protrude too far or block cabinets. Always consult the manufacturer’s specs for venting requirements, as some models need external vents while others recirculate air. If you’re replacing an old unit, compare dimensions to avoid modifications.

A snug fit ensures proper ventilation and safety, so double-check your measurements before purchasing. Investing time upfront saves headaches during installation.

Exterior Dimensions and Clearance Requirements

Don’t overlook exterior dimensions when buying a microwave, as clearance affects performance and safety. Leave at least 3 inches of space around the sides and back for ventilation to prevent overheating. For built-in models, ensure the cabinet depth accommodates the unit’s front panel without obstruction.

Freestanding microwaves need room for door swing—check if your setup allows full access. If placing it under a shelf, measure height to avoid cramping the door’s opening angle. Also, consider the weight; heavier models may need reinforced surfaces. Proper clearance ensures longevity and efficient cooking, so take your time measuring.

A well-placed microwave blends seamlessly into your kitchen while delivering reliable results.

Smart and Modern Microwave Innovations

Wi-Fi Connectivity and Voice Control

When shopping for a new microwave, consider models that offer Wi-Fi connectivity for maximum convenience. These smart appliances allow you to control cooking settings remotely through a smartphone app, meaning you can preheat or start defrosting dinner from another room or even on your way home from work.

Voice control compatibility with virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant is another fantastic feature to look for, as it lets you operate the microwave hands-free. This is incredibly useful when your hands are full handling messy ingredients.

Investing in a connected microwave simplifies your kitchen workflow by integrating your appliance into a larger smart home ecosystem. You can receive alerts when your food is ready, download new cooking modes automatically, and ensure you never accidentally leave the appliance on.

This level of control makes daily meal prep feel effortless and much more efficient.

Preset Cooking Modes and Shortcuts

To make your life easier, prioritize a microwave equipped with preset cooking modes and sensor technology. These intelligent features automatically detect the humidity level of your food and adjust the cooking time and power accordingly, taking the guesswork out of reheating leftovers or cooking vegetables.

Instead of manually calculating times, you can simply press a button dedicated to specific tasks like ‘Popcorn,’ ‘Baked Potato,’ or ‘Pizza.’ This ensures consistent results every single time without overcooking or drying out your meals.

When evaluating models, test the button layout and menu interface to ensure it is intuitive and easy to navigate. A microwave with clear, useful shortcuts will save you significant time and energy in the kitchen.

It essentially acts like a built-in guide, helping you prepare a wider variety of foods perfectly with just a single tap, making it a smart choice for busy families.

Easy-Clean Interiors and Anti-Bacterial Coatings

Nobody enjoys scrubbing dried sauce off the inside of a microwave, which is why you should look for units featuring easy-clean interiors. Modern innovations include non-stick coatings that allow you to simply wipe away splatters with a damp cloth, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals or intense scrubbing sessions.

Some advanced models even feature steam-clean settings that loosen stubborn grime in minutes. Additionally, consider options with anti-bacterial coatings that actively resist bacterial growth on interior surfaces, promoting a much healthier kitchen environment for your family.

When checking how to buy a microwave, pay close attention to the interior material; ceramic or stainless steel options are generally more durable and resistant to staining than painted interiors.

Choosing a low-maintenance model saves you precious time on chores and ensures your appliance stays hygienic and looking brand new for years to come.

Final Checklist Before Making Your Purchase

Sensor Cooking and Auto-Reheat Functions

When you are rushing to get dinner on the table, the last thing you want to do is guess how long to reheat your leftovers. This is where sensor cooking technology becomes a game-changer.

Instead of you inputting a random time, the microwave uses built-in humidity sensors to detect when your food is actually done cooking. This means you can say goodbye to cold centers or overcooked edges.

Similarly, look for auto-reheat presets, which automatically adjust the power level and time for specific items like a plate of pasta or a cup of coffee. These smart features take the mental math out of meal prep, ensuring consistent results every single time you press start.

If you want a microwave that does the thinking for you, prioritize models that clearly advertise these smart sensors on the control panel to save yourself time and frustration in the kitchen.

Convection Technology for Baking and Roasting

If you want to do more than just defrosting frozen vegetables, you should seriously consider a model with convection technology. This feature works by circulating hot air throughout the cavity, which allows the appliance to function much like a standard oven.

You can bake biscuits, roast a chicken, or even crisp up a pizza without heating up your full-sized oven during the summer. The main benefit here is versatility, effectively giving you a second cooking appliance that saves energy and counter space.

While these units might cost a bit more upfront, the ability to brown and crisp food is a huge upgrade from standard microwave radiation.

When shopping, check if the unit has a dedicated convection mode or combination settings that use both microwave energy and convection heat simultaneously to cut down cooking times significantly while delivering that perfect texture you crave.

Turntable vs. Flatbed Designs

One of the biggest physical decisions you will make is choosing between a traditional turntable or a modern flatbed design.

The classic rotating plate is great for even cooking because it constantly moves the food through the waves, but it can be limiting when you try to fit large rectangular dishes inside.

On the other hand, flatbed models use a rotating antenna under the floor to distribute heat, leaving the entire interior floor open for use.

This design is incredibly convenient if you often cook with casserole dishes or multiple containers at once, as you can simply slide them in without worrying about a wobbly spinner. However, some users find that flatbeds require more attention to stir food halfway through to prevent hot spots.

Ultimately, choose a turntable for consistent rotation on standard plates, or go with a flatbed if you need maximum flexibility for awkwardly shaped cookware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Choosing the right microwave involves considering size, wattage, and features that match your needs. Whether you prioritize cooking speed, versatility, or budget, understanding key factors like sensor cooking or convection options ensures you make an informed decision. Measure your space, compare models, and read reviews to find the perfect fit. With the right microwave, meal prep becomes effortless and enjoyable. Happy shopping and enjoy the convenience it brings to your kitchen