The 9 Best Microwaves to Buy for Every Budget
Get the best out of your food with this kitchen essential.
On the hunt for the perfect way to prep for dinner, zap up some snacks, reheat leftovers? Or defrost the making of your next dinner? Whether you’re an everyday user or just when it’s necessary, these are the very best microwaves to add to your kitchen project.
Best microwaves $200 and under:
1. Nostalgia 0.9 cu. ft. Retro Countertop Small Microwave
Countertop microwave, 800 watts.
Buy it at The Home Depot | $106.69-$121.49
Buy it at Amazon | $106+
Whether you’re adding a pop of color to your home, wanting a retro flair in your RV, or sprucing up your home movie theater basement, this new vintage Nostalgia is sure to be the perfect fit. Although it has a compact 0.9 cubic feet size, it’ll still easily fit a large dinner plate and plenty of popcorn to go around.
2. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven
Countertop microwave, 1100 watts.
Buy it on Amazon | $124.99
Get the most bang for your buck with this compact Toshiba! It boasts a powerful 1,100 watts, unlike most other appliances in this price caliber. Plus, it offers 10 power levels, a smart sensor with 6 auto menus, and even has an easier to clean inside for those times your dinner doesn’t cooperate.
3. Breville – the Compact Wave™ Soft Close 0.9 Cu. Ft. Microwave
Countertop microwave, 900 watts.
Buy it at Best Buy | $199.99
Want a new appliance with serious discreetness? While this Breville may be compact and take up little counter space, it also offers outstanding features for its small size you may not have even thought of, such as soft door closure and a mute button for silent operation. Plus, you’ll get plenty of preset options for success & quality with every push of a button.
Best microwaves under $350:
4. GE 1.6-cu ft Over-the-Range Microwave
Over-the-range microwave, 1,000 watts.
Buy it at Best Buy | $249.99-$289.99
Enjoy the beauty of multitasking when you can reheat or defrost food while removing smoke, steam, and odors while cooking – this appliance will suit all your needs! You’ll also get to enjoy the convenience of preprogrammed defrosting and power levels for optimal results!
5. Frigidaire 1.8-cu ft Over-the-Range Microwave
Over-the-range microwave, 1,000 watts.
Buy it at Lowe’s | $299
Not only is this appliance simple to use with its one-touch buttons, but it also fingerprint resistant so those hungry teenagers won’t be making as much of a mess while you sleep at night. Plus, with its 1.8 cubic feet of space, it can handle even an entire 13×9 casserole!
6. Panasonic 2.2 cu. ft. Microwave Oven
Countertop or built-in microwave, 1,250 watts.
Buy it on Amazon | $248 (regularly $289.95)
Ranking at one of the largest and most powerful microwaves to make our list, this beauty boasts a solid 2.2 cubic feet and 1,250 wattages, allowing you to do just about anything your cooking needs require. Plus, it’s equipped with inverter technology so, with the purchase of a trim kit, you can have a beautiful, built-in look for your upscale kitchen.
Best spluge-worthy microwaves:
7. Whirlpool 1.1 cu. ft. Low Profile Microwave Hood Combination
Over-the-range microwave, 1,000 watts.
Buy it at Lowe’s | $449-$499
Short on space? This low-profile appliance fits in the same space as your undercabinet hood so not only will you be freeing up counter space with this upgrade, but you’ll replace your hood with an appliance to do double-duty! Plus, with 1.1 cubic feet inside, you’ll still be able to fit all your essentials for cooking.
8. GE Profile 2.1 cu. ft. Over the Range Microwave
Over-the-range microwave, 1,050 watts.
Buy it at The Home Depot | $538 (regularly $619)
Sleek, sophisticated, and modern is what this appliance is all about! So if you’re giving your kitchen the ultimate makeover, look no further than this model! Plus, this large 2.1 cubic foot microwave has some incredible bells and whistles that allow you to control your appliance even when you’re not hovering over the stove – talk about a game-changer!
9. KitchenAid 1.9 cu. ft. Over the Range Convection Microwave
Over-the-range microwave, 1,000 watts & 1,500 convection.
Buy it at The Home Depot | $949
Splurge-worthy alert! Meet the appliance that can pull double duty with its convection oven abilities that heats foods up to 425 degrees! Not only that, but it’s also equipped with sensor steam, sound-based popcorn functions, and a steam cleaning function to keep it perfect for years to come.
Thank you for this our microwave just went out. I’ve been lost what to buy. This helps so much! Thank you!
You’re so welcome, Meg! Glad this was helpful!
Can I ask where you get your ratings? Our Electrolux microwave just died due to a fuse being blown. In the the reviews of the Electrolux (#5) people talk about their microwave failing because of this same issue. So I purchased from Lowe’s a whirlpool over the range microwave for $339. I appreciate all the deals but just wanted to let you know my experience.
Hi there! We sourced this list by scouring over countless reviews and landed on some of the best options being the ones we have listed. However, I’m not seeing Electrolux listed as our option for #5 in the post, nor anywhere else in the post. Could you clarify where you’re seeing it mentioned, or if I’m simply misunderstanding the comment? Thanks!
I am sorry for the confusion. I got the name wrong. It’s the Frigidaire #5 for $299 at Lowe’s. We were thinking about getting another of this model, but upon reading some reviews there were comments about fuses going bad and microwave not working anymore (same thing happened to ours). So we went with the Whirlpool and are hoping this one lasts.
I’m so sorry that microwave didn’t work out for you, Christopher! I personally have the Frigidaire in my kitchen and it’s worked wonderfully for us. Granted, I didn’t buy it (it came with my house when we moved in last summer), but the last owners put it in 5 years prior when they did a kitchen renovation and it’s been working so great for us. Fingers crossed your new microwave is a winner!
Guess I got a dud. Glad your microwave is working great. They don’t make things like they used too.
We have the Whirlpool low Profile one~ It went out after a year… now, I replaced it with the same one (who knows if a kid microwaved a fork or something ) but I haven’t found anything that I couldn’t fit inside, and I love that it’s higher on the bottom side so I can see the pots that are on the back burners! I’m on the taller side, so I always had to duck down to peek under the “normal” microwave to see my back pots’ contents.
I am looking for a new over the stove microwave. We have a whirlpool that was put in when the house was built in 1996! The light underneath that illuminated the stovetop quite a while back, but it has worked well aside from that. The handle has cracked and will likely pull off. So, trying to find one now with better wattage and I would love to have a shelf inside. We have always used kitchenAide or whirlpool appliances, but I am not finding many that fit foe us. I would love to hear what others say about appliances they love.