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The days of only using a microwave to make popcorn or heat TV dinners is long gone. You can now buy models that convection-bake, roast, broil, even grill. Take these countertop units, for instance. They are all reliable, attractive and easy to use. But each is designed with a different user in mind.
In addition to being a seriously reliable machine, the Toshiba EM925A5a-CHSS has a rare but coveted feature: a mute button. It’s so useful for wee-hours snacking when every pin drop sounds like a dropped manhole cover to your family or roommates. And it’s sizable enough to accommodate an 11-inch plate or a 9-inch casserole dish, but not so large that it hogs all of your counter space. Also, the presets are surprisingly accurate, so you won’t have to worry about burning your popcorn.
Key Specs
Price: $77.24; Dimensions (D x H x W): 19.2 x 11.5 x 15.9 inches; Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet; Power output: 900 W; Color: Stainless steel
If you’re a city dweller, a mini microwave might be a better fit for your small kitchen. Taking up just about 1 square foot of space, the Whirlpool WMC20005YB can easily sneak into a corner of your countertop. It’s not equipped to handle anything too large, but the turntable can accommodate an 11-inch dinner plate. The control pad is simple but has pretty much everything you’ll need, including presets for defrosting, reheating and popcorn.
Key Specs
Price: $152.00; Dimensions (D x H x W): 13.75 x 14.13 x 15.38 inches; Capacity: 0.5 cubic feet; Power output: 750 W; Colors: Black, universal silver, white
The GE Profile PEB9159SJSS is a full-service microwave. It has a sensor that will determine the time and power needed to bake, say, brownies. It can also be used as a convection oven to bake up those brownies quickly. The GE Profile also has a broil feature for perfectly browned chicken or veggies. Additionally, you have the option to delay cooking so that the microwave starts when you want. Just like the Toshiba, this microwave has a mute button if you find the beeping irritating.
Key Specs
Price: $665.00; Dimensions (D x H x W): 20 x 13 x 21.75 inches; Capacity: 1.5 cubic feet; Power output: 1000 W; Colors: Black, fingerprint-resistant slate; stainless steel, white
If you don’t have an outdoor space for summer grilling, check out the Cuisinart CMW-200. It can grill something as fancy as spare ribs or as simple as a warm sandwich. It also has options for convection roasting, fast baking, defrosting, or keeping dishes warm. Many reviewers noted that it is great for quickly heating a frozen pizza, which is a meal that requires defrosting, crisping and browning.
Key Specs
Price: $161.93; Dimensions (D x H x W): 17.5 x 12.8 x 20.4 inches; Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet; Power output: 1000 W; Color: Stainless steel
One of the many benefits of the Breville BMO734XL is that you can choose from over 30 preset options. (And the popcorn preset is the most effective I’ve seen on a microwave.) The Sensor IQ Cook and Reheat function is also handy at determining how long and at what power level food needs to be cooked. All of those features may make it sound confusing, but the control is easy to learn and use.
Key Specs
Price: $249.99; Dimensions (D x H x W): 18 x 12.5 x 20.5 inches; Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet; Power output: 1100 W; Color: Stainless steel
The Panasonic NN-SD372S is fast. Its inverter technology allows it to speed up the time it takes to heat up your food without sacrificing even cooking. It’s also quite compact so it’s great for small countertops but maybe not so great if you’re trying to cook food on large dinner plates. If you like using presets, this isn’t the best choice for you, but it is very good at evenly heating foods like potatoes or frozen meat.
Key Specs
Price: $143.99; Dimensions (D x H x W): 14.81 x 11 x 19.18 inches; Capacity: 0.8 cubic feet; Power output: 950 W; Color: Stainless steel
For such an affordable microwave, the LG LMC1275SB is surprisingly reliable, quiet and easy to use. Although it doesn’t use sensor technology, its smart inverter ensures that your food will be evenly heated. The turntable is much more stable than those on other microwaves, and the light inside allows you to see your food while it’s cooking. The built-in handle and simple control panel makes it more attractive than other countertop microwaves and also makes it easier to keep clean.
Key Specs
Price: $158.00; Dimensions (D x H x W): 17 x 12.13 x 21.41 inches; Capacity: 1.5 cubic feet; Power output: 1200 W; Colors: Black stainless steel, stainless steel
