The 4 best microwaves of 2025, tested by kitchen experts

Your microwave might be one of the most used appliances in your kitchen — especially if you're a fan of a late night bag of popcorn or a good baked potato. If you're ready for an upgrade, the best microwaves cook quickly, evenly, and thoroughly, all while including controls that are easy to use and understand.

I researched dozens of models and spoke to two microwave heating experts, then tested seven of the best countertop microwaves to make my top picks. If you're looking for a large, powerful microwave, I recommend the Panasonic NN-SD975S, which can also be installed as a built-in. For a smaller option, the GE 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven is compact and cooks evenly.

Our top microwave picks

Best overall: Panasonic NN-SN65KW — See at Amazon

Best large: Panasonic NN-SD975S — See at Best Buy

Best value: Commercial Chef 0.9 Cubic Feet — See at Amazon

Best small: GE 0.7 Cubic Feet — See at Best Buy

Best overall

It cooks evenly and consistently. At 1,200 watts, the Panasonic NN-SN65KW (or NN-SN65KB, depending on what color you choose) cooks food fast and heats remarkably evenly. To evaluate heating consistency, we perform an industry-standard "marshmallow test" where we use the microwave to heat a turntable full of mini marshmallows, which will expand and burn to show any hot spots. When we did the test with this microwave, all marshmallows expanded evenly, and at the end of two minutes, there was only a bit of burning in the very center of the marshmallows.

The preset features are actually useful. Take, for example, the Sensor Reheat feature, which detects the humidity level of the food inside to set the cooking time. I found it was perfect for leftovers. The Popcorn and Coffee/Milk presets also both worked better than the presets on other countertop microwaves I tested — if you want the best microwave for popcorn, this is a great choice.

We found the frozen food preset to bo ineffective. On this setting, the microwave overestimated the time needed to cook frozen mac and cheese. A few other minor downsides: the interior light is dim, so it's hard to monitor the food while it's cooking, and fingerprints are highly visible on the control panel. However, this is the best countertop microwave to balance power and size with easy-to-use features and push-button opening.

If you can't find it in stock, check out the smart model. Though we haven't tested the Panasonic Microwave with Alexa Compatibility, it has most of the features of our best overall pick, plus smart capabilities. If smart kitchen appliances are a priority, this one is worth considering.

Read our Panasonic Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology review.

Best large

This microwave is a workhorse. With a 16.5-inch turntable, it can handle large dinner plates and oversize quantities of food. It also cooks fast. You'll likely need to decrease cooking time by a minute or two from any package instructions, but it will cook evenly once you adjust. It produced the best results of any microwave during our tests — no hot or cold spots, even in the center.

The controls are intuitive. The microwave opens with a push button at the bottom of the control panel. One dial controls the cooking time, which adjusts in 10-second increments — we found this annoying, but otherwise, it operates smoothly and easily. The dial is also used to input the weight of food you're defrosting. You can program three stages of cooking, and the display screen will let you know where you are in the cooking process. If you're using the multi-stage cooking feature, you can use the Keep Warm setting as your final stage.

It's not the best pick for small spaces. Cooks with small kitchens should pass on this microwave; it's really best suited for families or large households that will take advantage of its sizable capacity. This is also the best microwave with a trim kit that we tested, which means it can be built into a cabinet or other static feature in your kitchen. I tested it as a countertop oven.

Best value

At just about $100, this is the best cheap microwave we've tried. The Commercial Chef microwave measures about 19 inches long and 15 inches deep with a pull handle, a great size for smaller kitchens or dorm rooms. The interior cooking space is similarly small, but we were able to fit a 10-inch dinner plate just fine.

The design is an improvement on previous models. There are several express cook buttons and the ability to set a custom cook time (a big improvement over the earlier version, which consisted of a rotary knob, so you couldn't set specific seconds). This model also has six preset buttons (potato, popcorn, dinner plate, beverage, pizza, and frozen vegetable) and two defrost settings (time defrost and weight defrost).

It's less powerful than other models. I used the package instructions to cook frozen mac and cheese. After the recommended four minutes, it was warmed through but not piping hot. You'll likely have to add 30 seconds to a minute to any package instructions when cooking in this microwave. This was confirmed when I did the marshmallow test; while the heat concentrated in the center of the microwave, none of the marshmallows were browned after 2 minutes of cooking. Still, this is a great option if you want the best budget microwave that takes up minimal space.

Best small

The controls are back to basics. The interface is so intuitive that we're confident you could use it right out of the box. It is the perfect size for a dorm room, galley kitchen, or even a rented room. At 17 inches wide and under a foot tall, the GE can fit under cabinetry or perch atop a mini-fridge.

It cooks evenly, but it's underpowered. Of all the compact microwaves we tested, only the GE Countertop Oven produced marshmallows with dispersed browning and an unburnt center. Most countertop microwaves with capacities under one cubic foot are just 700 watts, which is a little underpowered for larger tasks. The GE cooked the frozen mac and cheese fully in the recommended time, leaving us no frozen pieces, but it still wasn't piping hot. Adding another minute did the trick.

We only recommend this model if you're trying to save space. We really only recommend this microwave if space is at a true premium in your kitchen. Our deputy executive editor, Lauren Savoie, has lived with this microwave for several months now to perform long-term durability testing. While she reports that its compact size is ideal for her tiny Manhattan kitchen, it's a little too small for popping standard bags of microwave popcorn, which can't rotate fully in the compact interior. The longer heating times also take some getting used to, but she reports that she'd rather spend a few extra minutes heating food than give up precious counter space to a larger machine.

How we test microwaves

In addition to speaking with Bob Schiffmann, a microwave heating expert and president of the International Microwave Power Institute, and Jared Lodico, a postdoctoral researcher in physics at UCLA, I put all of the best microwaves through a standard set of tests.

Marshmallow test: The first test I performed with every countertop microwave was the marshmallow test, an industry-standard way to check your microwave for hot and cold spots. To conduct this test, I covered a layer of parchment paper on the microwave's glass trays with mini marshmallows. I cooked the marshmallows in the microwave for two minutes on high. The marshmallows that expanded first revealed the microwave's hot spots, while marshmallows that appeared raw showed the cold spots.

Frozen mac and cheese test: I also cooked frozen mac and cheese in each of the best countertop microwaves, using the same brand and cook time. I checked for evenness and burnt or cold spots.

Ease of use: I looked at how easy and intuitive the microwaves were to use, and how much space they occupied on my counter. I also evaluated how much noise they made during cooking and how loud and persistent their alarms and beeps were.

Presets and functions: Where applicable, I used and tested each model's preset buttons according to the manufacturer's instructions. This included Popcorn, Reheat, Sensor Cook, and Keep Warm buttons. I evaluated how well these settings performed their intended function and how easy they were to use.

How to choose the best countertop microwave

Power

The amount of power you'll need depends on what you primarily use the microwave for. If your household only uses the countertop oven to reheat food, you can look for a cheaper model with less wattage, said Bob Schiffmann, a microwave heating expert and president of the International Microwave Power Institute. "Around an 800-watt oven works [for reheating]." If you want a microwave that actually cooks your food rather than simply reheating it, expect to spend a little more for a quality oven with more than 1,000 watts of power.

Functions and presets

Many consumers mostly operate a microwave with the number pad or Express Cook buttons. However, preset functions are helpful if you do a lot of cooking or defrosting. If you want a microwave that replaces even the best toaster oven, opt for a model with convection settings, but keep in mind that this functionality often comes at a higher price, and the technology can be hit or miss.

Over-the-range vs. countertop microwaves

In general, microwave types are not interchangeable; an over-the-range microwave cannot be used on a countertop and vice versa because of their different ventilation systems. However, certain countertop models come with trim kits that allow them to be fitted as built-ins.

FAQs

Is 900 watts good for a microwave?

A microwave with about 1,000 watts of power will work for most people. Smaller microwaves have lower wattages — our small pick only has 700 watts — so you're trading power for extra counter space.

Are microwaves safe to use?

According to experts, it is a myth that standing too close to the microwave while it's operating can expose you to radiation. "Microwaves are very safe — as long as they aren't damaged," said Jared Lodico, a postdoctoral researcher in physics at UCLA. "The metal housing and mesh screen on the door act as a shield from the radiation that is generated inside. As the radiation approaches the wall of the microwave it induces a current and magnetic field that cancels out the incoming wave."

While there was once some concern about operating a microwave if you have a pacemaker, the FDA says this is no longer an issue with modern pacemakers, though individuals with pacemakers should always check with their doctor first.

As of April 2024, all countertop microwave ovens sold in the US must have child-safety lock features. Many toddlers can get injured when reaching the microwave; safety locks prevent the microwave from opening or operating unless a specific combination of buttons is pressed. You can turn off this feature if you prefer, but it now comes standard with all microwaves.

How much does a countertop microwave oven cost?

Schiffmann said you should expect to spend between $100 and $150 on a good 800 to 1,000-watt microwave, and a bit more as wattage increases. Extra features, like convection settings or presets, usually cost extra. Schiffmann said to avoid microwaves under $100. "Anything cheaper will most likely break down and be unstable," he said.

Can you defrost meat in the microwave?

Yes, you can defrost meat in the microwave. Defrosting lowers your microwave's power between 30% to 50%, so your food will be thawed but not cooked. Thawing meat in the refrigerator is preferred, but defrosting in the microwave is suitable if you're in a pinch. Just be sure to cook it immediately after defrosting it in the microwave.

According to the FDA, microwaves may heat food unevenly which could result in harmful bacteria growth if the food isn't cooked immediately after defrosting. Schiffmann also said it's important when cooking or defrosting food in the microwave to keep an eye on food temperature. "When cooking your food, measure several places with a food thermometer to avoid undercooking or underheating," he said.

How do microwaves work?

"Microwaves generate 'microwaves,' which is a form of electromagnetic radiation," Lodico said. "This electric field transfers energy to the food as the waves pass through it."

The energy transfer causes water molecules in the food to vibrate, producing heat that cooks the food practically from the inside out. That's why foods high in water content, like potatoes and other fresh vegetables, cook quickly in the microwave.

What foods can I cook in my microwave oven?

"Microwave ovens are really poachers or steamers, so those foods that fit that profile do well," said Schiffmann. "They're great for cooking fish, vegetables, and chicken, but don't expect dry foods to crisp or brown."

You can also use microwaves as a shortcut for boiling foods. For example, you can put dry pasta in a bowl of water and microwave for the cooking time on the pasta package. The pasta will cook perfectly, and you don't even have to wait for the water to boil.

Are air fryer microwaves any good?

We recently tested two air fryer microwaves and compared their performance to our top countertop microwave picks. Unfortunately, we weren't too impressed, but we did find one we liked. Check out our air fryer microwave review to learn more.

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