Best Microwaves for Quick & Easy Cooking

The Samsung MS14K6000AS 1.4 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave Oven is a powerful, 1000-watt microwave with a good amount of room built into a stylish frame. However, it’s the features, not the aesthetic, that we’re most impressed by.

Samsung’s primary selling point with this unit is the sensors, which can detect various aspects of cooked food to make sure that the cook time is properly set. If not, the microwave will automatically adjust the time for you, so that your food comes out perfectly with zero effort on your part. The energy-saving eco mode helps to reduce your power bills, while an easy-clean interior prevents the need for any strenuous scrubbing should spills occur.

This unit is a bit heavy, especially when considering the countertop design, and it consumes a substantial amount of counter space. Still, this unit is great for those with a specific style in mind for their kitchens and anyone that needs a little help to ensure that their food is cooked perfectly.

The Frigidaire FFCM1134LB microwave, much like the Farberware Classic, aims more for compact size and affordable cost. However, don’t count this product out when it comes to power.

This 1100-watt microwave can compete on a larger level while still keeping light enough to put away when all of the cooking is completed. The unit is focused on working efficiently rather than inundating the user with features, so there are no advanced sensors to be found. Moreover, we would have preferred a little bit more room to cook inside the unit along with this unit’s basic design.

We can’t fault Frigidaire, though, for focusing exclusively on power alongside a great price. This microwave is perfect for smaller spaces and budget seekers that aren’t willing to sacrifice on wattage.

This Frigidaire Professional FPBM3077RF is the first of our over-the-range picks, which are designed to be mounted over the stove as opposed to on top of the counter. This model is a high-capacity microwave capable of holding 1.8 cubic feet. All of the buttons and controls can be found on the door of the unit as opposed to the right-hand side, which gives the microwave a unique aesthetic.

When it comes to features, all your favorites are here, including defrosting, custom timers, popcorn settings, and more. The real selling point for this microwave, though, is the convection oven setting. Using this mode, the Frigidaire microwave cooks using circulated hot air, microwaves, or both.

As a result, we recommend this Frigidaire Over-the-Range model for those who want more options for accurate and thorough cooking and don’t mind a higher price tag.

Like it’s countertop cousin, the LG is focused on easy access to features and a large amount of cooking space. Boasting an interior totaling 2.2 cubic feet, this microwave takes the crown as the most spacious on our list.

Aside from space considerations, you should be able to get a good amount of mileage out of the 1000 watts of cooking power. The fan used for ventilation is also one of the primary selling points, and reviewers are often impressed with how quickly this microwave can clear a room.

We’d still prefer a little more wattage, and the design leaves a strange amount of dead space on the right-hand side. Still, almost every feature has a dedicated button right on the front of the device, so there’s no scrolling through screens or program options.

We recommend this over-the-range LG for those who require compact kitchen appliances, need more space and rely on their kitchen vents perhaps a little too much.

The GE PVM9005SJSS represents GE’s entry into the over-the-range market, and out of all of the microwaves on our list, this one is perhaps the best-looking.

This model is easily comparable with LG’s version, but with a few tricks up its sleeve. For instance, a charcoal filter and a high number of fan speeds make ventilation more effective rather than fast. Likewise, with over 10 cooking speeds across 1050 watts of power, you’ll be able to effectively microwave across different speeds.

This microwave is also the first (and only) on our list to offer Bluetooth capability. With GE’s Chef Connect, you can sync up your microwave with other GE products to save time setting up clocks, timers, and other kitchen needs.

This unit does have some drawbacks in design, such as the letters being a bit too small for some to read, but overall, there’s little to complain about.

The Sharp R1214T model’s over-the-counter design manages to put a new spin on the traditional design of older microwaves. This model will help you save on precious counter space, but you won’t be able to ventilate your stove using this product.

Using the multi-color LED display, you can easily pick out your favorite microwave features or just rely on the quick cook buttons. The array of 11 power settings keep you from having to guess at the right setting for your food, as the microwave will adjust accordingly. We also appreciate the Warm Plus feature, which lets you leave food inside the microwave for up to a half hour without the food cooling down.

There are no big-ticket features on this Sharp product, but there doesn’t need to be, as the 1100 watts of power this product produces is more than enough to get the job done.