The 5 Best Microwaves, Tested by PEOPLE

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Will Dickey

People / Will Dickey

Whether it’sreheating leftoversor making a bag of popcorn for movie night, microwaves are one of the most essential kitchen appliances. But with so many options and dozens of features on each one, it can be hard to find the best one for the best deal. To level the playing field, we tested 20 microwaves and picked out the top performers based on design, performance, features, and more.Whether you’re aTop Chefaficionado or a regular home cook, one of these microwaves is for you. After evaluating their heating abilities with water, marshmallows, frozen macaroni and cheese, chocolate, and popcorn, we compiled a list of microwaves that not only get the job done but complement your kitchen while doing so.Our Top PicksBest Overall:Toshiba Microwave at Amazon$140Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Farberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven at Amazon$130Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology at Amazon$400Jump to ReviewBest with Air Fryer:SALEGalanz 4-in-1 ToastWave at Amazon$300$200Jump to ReviewBest Standard:Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave at Amazon$240Jump to Review

Whether it’sreheating leftoversor making a bag of popcorn for movie night, microwaves are one of the most essential kitchen appliances. But with so many options and dozens of features on each one, it can be hard to find the best one for the best deal. To level the playing field, we tested 20 microwaves and picked out the top performers based on design, performance, features, and more.

Whether you’re aTop Chefaficionado or a regular home cook, one of these microwaves is for you. After evaluating their heating abilities with water, marshmallows, frozen macaroni and cheese, chocolate, and popcorn, we compiled a list of microwaves that not only get the job done but complement your kitchen while doing so.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:Toshiba Microwave at Amazon$140Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Farberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven at Amazon$130Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology at Amazon$400Jump to ReviewBest with Air Fryer:SALEGalanz 4-in-1 ToastWave at Amazon$300$200Jump to ReviewBest Standard:Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave at Amazon$240Jump to Review

Best Overall:Toshiba Microwave at Amazon$140Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Farberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven at Amazon$130Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology at Amazon$400Jump to ReviewBest with Air Fryer:SALEGalanz 4-in-1 ToastWave at Amazon$300$200Jump to ReviewBest Standard:Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave at Amazon$240Jump to Review

Best Overall:Toshiba Microwave at Amazon$140Jump to Review

Best Overall:Toshiba Microwave at Amazon$140

Best Overall:

Best Budget:Farberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven at Amazon$130Jump to Review

Best Budget:Farberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven at Amazon$130

Best Budget:

Best Investment:Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology at Amazon$400Jump to Review

Best Investment:Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology at Amazon$400

Best Investment:

Best with Air Fryer:SALEGalanz 4-in-1 ToastWave at Amazon$300$200Jump to Review

Best with Air Fryer:SALEGalanz 4-in-1 ToastWave at Amazon$300$200

Best with Air Fryer:

SALE

Best Standard:Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave at Amazon$240Jump to Review

Best Standard:Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave at Amazon$240

Best Standard:

Best OverallToshiba MicrowavePHOTO: Amazon$140 at Amazon$130 at Farmandfleet.com$140 at Lowe’s

Best OverallToshiba Microwave

Best Overall

Toshiba Microwave

PHOTO: Amazon

$140 at Amazon$130 at Farmandfleet.com$140 at Lowe’s

Star QualitiesBig enough to fit large dishesKid-friendly designSleek and attractive exteriorRed FlagsLacks flashy features or settings

Star QualitiesBig enough to fit large dishesKid-friendly designSleek and attractive exterior

Big enough to fit large dishes

Kid-friendly design

Sleek and attractive exterior

Red FlagsLacks flashy features or settings

Lacks flashy features or settings

If you’re looking for a microwave for your first home or to make cooking easier, this model from Toshiba could be just what you need. Outfitted with a gunmetal gray stainless steel exterior and a 12.4-inch turntable, this microwave is perfect for homes that require big dishes, a sleek look, and child-safe features at a modest price. It has two defrost settings, a humidity sensor, a power-saving mode, and even a mute button for when you need to avoid waking up anyone in the house.

However, the lack of frills or specialty features may be a drawback to some. While it may not have the bells and whistles of a combination microwave, this was one of the two microwaves that tied for the highest score, fully earning its right as our best overall.

Material:Stainless steel, glass |Dimensions:20.5 x 17.1 x 12.8 inches |Capacity:1.2 cubic feet |Weight:34.6 pounds |Wattage:1,100 watts |Special Features:Defrost settings, humidity sensor, mute button

PHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell Kilgore

Best BudgetFarberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave OvenPHOTO: Amazon$130$120 at Amazon$120 at Walmart$140 at Wayfair

Best BudgetFarberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven

Best Budget

Farberware Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven

$130$120 at Amazon$120 at Walmart$140 at Wayfair

Star QualitiesCompact size is perfect for dorms or small apartmentsIncludes several heating levels and cooking programsRed FlagsLouder than some of the others we tested

Star QualitiesCompact size is perfect for dorms or small apartmentsIncludes several heating levels and cooking programs

Compact size is perfect for dorms or small apartments

Includes several heating levels and cooking programs

Red FlagsLouder than some of the others we tested

Louder than some of the others we tested

Smaller spaces like college dorms or apartments require smart utilization of your space, which is why this model from Farberware is a great appliance for compact kitchens. With child lock, multiple power levels and cooking programs, and more, this microwave packs all of the essential features into a small frame.

This is a dependable microwave that can get the job done without costing too much money. However, this microwave mostly bears the basic features of a standard microwave, like defrost settings, 30-second control, and more. If you are looking for a fancier oven with multi-purpose functions, then this may not be the one for you; however, those types of advanced microwaves will typically be larger models, and this is the perfect size for someone with limited space.

Best InvestmentPanasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter TechnologyPHOTO: Amazon$400 at Amazon$540 at WalmartView on Panasonic.com

Best InvestmentPanasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology

Best Investment

Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology

$400 at Amazon$540 at WalmartView on Panasonic.com

Star QualitiesMost powerful microwave we testedGreat for reheatingAdvanced settings and bonus functionsRed FlagsRequires ample kitchen space

Star QualitiesMost powerful microwave we testedGreat for reheatingAdvanced settings and bonus functions

Most powerful microwave we tested

Great for reheating

Advanced settings and bonus functions

Red FlagsRequires ample kitchen space

Requires ample kitchen space

Throughout our tests, we noticed that this model heated everything evenly and outperformed all the other machines for this feature, making us believe that the sensor is essential for effectively heating frozen foods. With great power comes great size, which means that you’ll need to have enough space for this large model. However, this size may be perfect for larger families. In fact, we noted mid-test that you could probably place a turkey inside if you really wanted to.

Material:Stainless steel |Dimensions:23.9 x 19.4 x 14 inches |Capacity:2.2 cubic feet |Weight:36.80 pounds |Wattage:1,250 watts |Special Features:20 preset menu items, inverter turbo defrost, quick 30-second button, child lock

Best with Air FryerGalanz 4-in-1 ToastWavePHOTO: Amazon$300$200 at AmazonStar QualitiesReplaces several appliancesFairly priced for its functionalityRed FlagsHigh heat power may overcook foodIf you haven’t already hopped on the air fryer bandwagon, then this microwave and air fryer combo from Galanz is the perfect appliance to grab. After significant testing, we’ve deduced that this model has every feature under the sun, serving as a microwave, air fryer, convection, and toaster oven all in one. Despite its relatively higher price, we think this microwave is well worth the investment, seeing as it’s the most fairly priced model among the ones that have multiple functions.However, our tests revealed that this multifunctional microwave is best suited for reheating food or cooking frozen meals, as more delicate foods can be easily overcooked in this high-power machine. We’d recommend this microwave to an attentive chef, as this model is prone to some excessive browning and is best suited for the adventurous cook who is interested in a multi-function appliance.Material:Stainless steel |Dimensions:21.3 x 22.3 x 12.6 inches |Capacity:1.2 cubic feet |Weight:40.2 pounds |Wattage:1,000 watts |Special Features:Sensor cook, sensor reheat, inverter heating technology, air fryer, convection oven, toaster oven, defrostPHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Will Dickey

Best with Air FryerGalanz 4-in-1 ToastWavePHOTO: Amazon$300$200 at Amazon

Best with Air FryerGalanz 4-in-1 ToastWave

Best with Air Fryer

Galanz 4-in-1 ToastWave

$300$200 at Amazon

Star QualitiesReplaces several appliancesFairly priced for its functionalityRed FlagsHigh heat power may overcook food

Star QualitiesReplaces several appliancesFairly priced for its functionality

Replaces several appliances

Fairly priced for its functionality

Red FlagsHigh heat power may overcook food

High heat power may overcook food

If you haven’t already hopped on the air fryer bandwagon, then this microwave and air fryer combo from Galanz is the perfect appliance to grab. After significant testing, we’ve deduced that this model has every feature under the sun, serving as a microwave, air fryer, convection, and toaster oven all in one. Despite its relatively higher price, we think this microwave is well worth the investment, seeing as it’s the most fairly priced model among the ones that have multiple functions.

However, our tests revealed that this multifunctional microwave is best suited for reheating food or cooking frozen meals, as more delicate foods can be easily overcooked in this high-power machine. We’d recommend this microwave to an attentive chef, as this model is prone to some excessive browning and is best suited for the adventurous cook who is interested in a multi-function appliance.

Material:Stainless steel |Dimensions:21.3 x 22.3 x 12.6 inches |Capacity:1.2 cubic feet |Weight:40.2 pounds |Wattage:1,000 watts |Special Features:Sensor cook, sensor reheat, inverter heating technology, air fryer, convection oven, toaster oven, defrost

PHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Will Dickey

Best StandardPanasonic 1.2 Inverter MicrowavePHOTO: Best Buy$240 at Amazon$240 at Best BuyView on Panasonic.com

Best StandardPanasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave

Best Standard

Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave

PHOTO: Best Buy

$240 at Amazon$240 at Best BuyView on Panasonic.com

Star QualitiesExtremely easy to useVariety of advanced functionsQuicker heating time than most microwaves we triedRed FlagsNot as budget-friendly as some of our other picks

Star QualitiesExtremely easy to useVariety of advanced functionsQuicker heating time than most microwaves we tried

Extremely easy to use

Variety of advanced functions

Quicker heating time than most microwaves we tried

Red FlagsNot as budget-friendly as some of our other picks

Not as budget-friendly as some of our other picks

Though this microwave lacks the glittering features of some of the other models, it more than makes up for it in its effectiveness and efficiency. After seeing how well this performed throughout all of our tests, we are more than willing to invest our own money into this machine for our homes thanks to its plentiful features, reasonable price, and space-saving design.

Material:Stainless steel |Dimensions:22.5 x 17.7 inches x 14.4 inches |Capacity:1.2 cubic feet |Weight:27.84 pounds |Wattage:1,200 watts |Special Features:Inverter technology, inverter turbo defrost, one-touch sensor cook, 12 speeds

What to Know About Microwaves

Wattage

WhileSteph Chen, the founder of Anyday cookware, shares that most microwaves can get the basics done, they are not all created equally. “Microwave wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is — if the wattage is too low (700-800 watts), your food will cook and reheat slowly and more unevenly,” Chen explains. To get the best results, she recommends that shoppers look for microwaves with a wattage between 1,000 and 1,200 watts.

Capacity

A factor that many people may not take into consideration when looking for a microwave is its capacity. Most microwaves have a capacity of around 1.1 cubic feet, but if you are someone who is constantly reheating casserole dishes or popping large meals into the oven, then you may need a model with larger dimensions. On the other hand, people who need to be conscious of countertop space, like renters in small apartments, should go for smaller models like theFarberware Compact Microwaveto maximize their space. Keep an eye out for the size that is best suited to your cooking style, and be sure to look at its dimensions before purchasing.

Features

As we’ve seen, many microwaves come with the standard features of defrost, reheat, and the finicky popcorn setting, but some models come with extra bells and whistles to act as a multifunctional appliance. Inverter technology is a significant selling point for Chen, making microwaves like our splurge-worthyPanasonic pickan instant “yes” in her book. “These microwaves are more powerful and will heat food evenly at all power levels, whereas normal microwaves will only oscillate on and off to achieve lower power,” says Chen. Technological functionality aside, some microwaves can double as air fryers, convection ovens, and even grills, which allows you to cut down on counter clutter and condense your appliances into one product.

Purpose

Just like with other smaller appliances and kitchen items like anindoor pizza oven, an air fryer, or even ameat thermometer, your level of cooking expertise and the types of meals you usually make will dictate what kind of microwave you should invest in. If you tend to put time and care into preparing your meals, then you may want a fancier model with extra functions (like theGalanz GT 4-in-1 ToastWave) rather than the standard microwave. But for someone who lives a busy lifestyle and needs a quick microwave meal, a traditional model like our best overall pick, theToshiba, may be all you need (and is often easier on the wallet).

To test these microwaves, we microwaved a cup of room-temperature water, marshmallows, frozen macaroni and cheese, chocolate wafers, and popcorn for two minutes (or as the directions instructed) in each one. They were then judged on how well they heated up, melted, or cooked in the time they should have, according to their packaging.

Each microwave was then scored from one to five based on size, features, heating, and effectiveness. After these were tallied up, each tester was asked to give their final feedback and share if they would recommend the product to family and friends or buy it themselves — which we dished on above.

Alyssa Brasciais a PEOPLE writer who covers beauty, fashion, home, and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in other publications, including InStyle, Shape, and Southern Living. To pick the best microwaves, she compared wattage, capacity, features, purpose, and tester insights. She also consulted Steph Chen on what to consider before buying a microwave.

Our Expert PanelSteph Chenis the founder of Anyday cookware.

Our Expert Panel

Steph Chenis the founder of Anyday cookware.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com