The Best Microwave

In 2024, we tested nearly two dozen microwaves in Long Island City, New York, assessing cooking performance and usability. We evaluated factors like size, build, design, door latches, noise, ease of cleaning, reliability, and even heating.

Size: We found that midsize models (1.1–1.2 cubic feet) are ideal for most households, fitting standard cookware and providing enough capacity without taking excessive space. Smaller models suit light usage, while larger ones tend to be more costly without added functionality.

Build and Design: We looked for sturdy, well-built models with easy-to-use controls and displays. Microwaves with a button latch are often more stable and ADA-compliant, though handles can also be easier for some users.

Noise and Cleaning: All microwaves make noise, though larger, high-quality models tend to be louder. Most are easy to clean, but white interiors reveal splatter more easily.

Reliability: We focus on reputable brands offering at least a one-year warranty. Door latches are a common point of failure, so durability here is essential.

Even Heating: Even heating was tested using various foods and temperatures, with inverter-powered models showing more uniform results and fewer hot spots. Inverter microwaves provided smoother defrosting and cooking, particularly with larger items.

Speed and Power: Countertop microwaves generally range from 700 to 1,250 watts. In our latest evaluation, all midsize microwaves offered a minimum of 900 watts. While higher wattage allows for quicker heating, our tests showed that even a 700-watt microwave can effectively heat food and liquids, albeit at a slightly slower rate.

Most quality microwaves feature at least 10 power levels, allowing for more even defrosting and cooking at lower settings, which can help prevent splattering, drying out food, and overcooked edges.

Useful Cooking Functions: Experts consistently tell us that most microwave users rely primarily on the Add 30 Seconds button for cooking, reheating, or defrosting. Our testers echoed this sentiment, leading us to focus less on specific presets for foods like potatoes, popcorn, or pizza. We prioritized microwaves with functions that improved cooking results without a steep learning curve, such as an accurate sensor-reheat or sensor-cooking option (like on our top pick) that detects humidity to determine when food is perfectly cooked.

Instant-Start Express Settings: These features enable the microwave to begin cooking at its highest power immediately when a numbered button or the Add 30 Seconds button is pressed. For example, pressing “2” initiates a two-minute cook time automatically.

Our pick: Panasonic Genius Sensor Inverter microwaves

We’ve recommended the Panasonic Genius Sensor Inverter NN-SN67HS, available exclusively at Target, since 2020. This model excelled in our tests, offering useful features and a sleek design.

With 1,200 watts of power, it heated food quickly and evenly, outperforming other models. Panasonic’s manufacturing independence is evident in its quality. The NN-SN67HS brought a bowl of soup to 147°F in just 2 minutes, over 10°F higher than similarly powered microwaves. Its inverter motor allows for continuous power at lower settings, making it efficient for delicate tasks like defrosting chicken breasts and cooking vegetables with less sogginess.

Overall, the NN-SN67HS had the fewest hot and cold spots in our tests and is equipped with 10 power levels, making it versatile for all cooking needs.

The NN-SN67HS features highly effective sensor settings, particularly the sensor-reheat button, which monitors humidity to ensure food is heated perfectly based on steam released. In our tests, it successfully brought various items—from room-temperature mac and cheese to icy-cold chicken parmesan—to an ideal temperature of 170°F to 180°F using these sensor settings.

The NN-SN67HS offers 12 sensor-cook modes for items like pasta, rice, frozen pizza, and baked potatoes, all of which performed well in our tests. For optimal results, use a vented or porous dish cover to allow steam detection. Additionally, the More and Less buttons let you adjust cooking times by 20% for frequently made dishes.

The NN-SN67HS includes essential functions and valuable extras. It features an Add 30 Seconds button, automatic programs for three popcorn sizes, and defrost options by weight or volume, along with a mute setting for beeps. Additionally, it offers delayed and multi-step cooking, allowing you to set specific cooking times and “standing time” for meals. While some settings may require consulting the comprehensive manual, they are straightforward to use.

The NN-SN67HS has a spacious 1.2 cubic feet and a 12-inch carousel, making it suitable for most households. Its compact design allows it to fit easily on countertops while accommodating large dishes like extra-large dinner plates or 5-quart bowls. The microwave features a large, responsive button that users found easy and enjoyable to operate.

With a sleek design that includes more metal than plastic, it looks better than most microwaves in its price range, although the display may seem slightly dated. The NN-SN67HS is durable, backed by a one-year warranty and five years for the magnetron, with a solid online support system for troubleshooting and maintenance. Users report no significant issues over years of use, although occasional cleaning of the door latch may be necessary for optimal operation.

The NN-SN67HS is exclusive to Target. For similar options, you can find functionally identical models at Walmart (NN-SN686S) and Costco (NN-SC67NS).

The NN-SN67HS lacks instant-start express settings, which are available in our runner-up model.

Key specs

• Dimensions: 12.25 by 20.69 by 15.81 inches (HWD)
• Power: 1,200 watts
• Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet
• Warranty: one year, five years for the magnetron (parts only)

Runner-up: Toshiba EM131A5C

We’ve recommended the Toshiba EM131A5C for years as a reliable yet basic microwave. While it’s a suitable alternative if our top pick is unavailable, its performance isn’t as strong. With 1.2 cubic feet of space and a 1,100-watt power, it’s a good-sized machine, but it’s slightly deeper than our top pick, which could be a concern for narrow spaces.

The Toshiba EM131A5C includes many desirable features, such as an Add 30 Seconds button, a mute option for beeps, and sensor-enabled auto-reheat and cooking functions for items like popcorn and butter (though these auto settings may not always be accurate). It also offers instant-start express settings: simply press a number from 1 to 6 to cook at maximum power for that number of minutes.

However, it doesn’t match the performance of our top pick. Lacking an inverter motor, the EM131A5C is less accurate and slower, with uneven heating compared to our top choice. Nonetheless, it competes well with other similarly priced microwaves, many of which are also made by Midea.

Aesthetically, the EM131A5C is an improvement over most microwaves in its price range. While it may not look as sophisticated as our top pick, it stands out from the typical plastic models. Additionally, it features a handle instead of a button, which some users prefer, and its weight keeps it stable on the counter when opening.

Key specs:
Dimensions: 12.8 by 20.5 by 17.1 inches (HWD)
Power: 1,100 watts
Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet
Warranty: one year

Also great: GE JES1072

We’ve been recommending the GE JES1072, a 0.7-cubic-foot, 700-watt ultra-compact microwave, since 2016 for its affordability and small size.

It’s notably shorter, shallower, and narrower than most compact microwaves, measuring about 2 inches shorter, 3 inches narrower, and 3 inches shallower than our top pick. This model is even slightly smaller than the Galanz Retro, which we tested but found lacking.

However, the JES1072 has a narrow interior. Its 0.7-cubic-foot capacity and 10.4-inch carousel can hold a medium-sized mixing bowl or dinner plate, but anything wider—like a New York-style pizza slice or a medium bag of popcorn—will get stuck and may smoke.

The GE JES1072 outperformed other compact models we tested. It cooked slightly faster and more evenly than similar, lower-cost clones. For instance, when heating two cups of water at the highest setting, the JES1072 heated the water more quickly than other compact microwaves, even those with higher power. It also browned marshmallows evenly, unlike competitors that developed uneven burn spots.

However, with only 700 watts of power—standard for compact models—it takes longer to heat items compared to larger microwaves.

The GE JES1072 boasts more features than most compact microwaves, offering a range of automatic cooking settings, including buttons for popcorn, beverages, potatoes, reheating, and defrosting. It also includes an Add 30 Seconds button and express-start settings for quick cooking.

Its design is attractive and sturdy, with a heftier build compared to other compact models. Available in black, white, and stainless steel, testers noted that its metal button shape was easier to use than those on larger GE microwaves.

The JES1072 will soon transition to the GE GCST07N1, adding a two-step child-lock system but otherwise remaining unchanged. GE Appliances is known for its customer service, working directly with manufacturers to create models to their specifications and maintaining a strong service network.

Key specs:
Dimensions: 10.2 by 17.3 by 12.75 inches (HWD)
Power: 700 watts
Capacity: 0.7 cubic foot
Warranty: one-year limited (parts and labor)

Also great: Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-oven NN-CD87KS

Convection/air-fryer microwaves have improved but still can’t match the baking and frying performance of air fryer toaster ovens. They’re best for small kitchens or as a temporary oven replacement. If you need one, the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-oven NN-CD87KS is a great option.

Its microwave functionality is similar to our top pick, heating evenly and accurately. While it has slightly less power (1,000 watts versus 1,200 watts) and fewer preprogrammed settings, most users find they don’t need extra modes.

The HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-oven offers multiple cooking methods in one countertop appliance. In addition to its microwave capabilities, it serves as a slow broiler, air fryer, and fan-assisted convection oven. This versatility is useful, as it effectively produced browned foods, crispy toast, and crunchy chicken nuggets in our tests, though it took longer than a regular oven, and the results were slightly less impressive.

Equipped with a hidden bake element, this model broiled and air-fried food more efficiently, retaining moisture better than those with exposed elements, and it was easier to clean.

Aesthetically, the HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-oven shines with its full stainless steel exterior, metal buttons, and a large metal knob for time or temperature settings, complemented by an attractive large LED screen.

The HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-oven offers superior owner support compared to other convection/air-fry models. Its comprehensive manual provides helpful tips on selecting the right cookware, such as a dedicated pan for air frying and a crisper plate for baking and broiling, with these suggestions also displayed on the screen. Panasonic has partnered with the Fresco recipe app, which assists users in choosing cooking styles and combinations for optimal results, although its recipe selection is still growing.

With an impressive three-year warranty—much longer than the typical one-year coverage for most microwaves—Panasonic also extends a four-year warranty on the magnetron (parts only).

However, like most combination microwaves, it can be confusing to operate due to its multiple settings and specialized cookware that may not be compatible across all functions, leading to potential challenges when using multiple cooking modalities simultaneously.

While the HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-oven performs adequately, it doesn’t quite match the efficiency of a traditional oven or air fryer toaster oven. Its broiler is suitable for tasks like browning cheese on bread, but it takes around 10 minutes to toast, resulting in dryness (and it requires flipping the toast halfway through). In our tests, while the convection function baked delicious chocolate chip cookies, it left brownies gooey in the center (which could be fixed with a brief microwave zap). Additionally, the temperature cannot be adjusted mid-cooking, unlike a conventional oven.

Key specs:
Dimensions: 13.5 by 22.1 by 17.7 inches (HWD)
Power: 1,000 watts
Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet
Warranty: three years, one year for the magnetron (parts only)

Other good microwaves

If you’re looking for an attractive and high-performing microwave, the 1,250-watt, 1.2-cubic-foot Breville Smooth Wave is an excellent choice. It features a beautiful design with a sturdy build, an easy-to-read control panel, smooth-spinning dials, and distinctive soft-close doors with a large handle. Its shiny stainless steel exterior and interior add to its appeal. The microwave offers a solid selection of preprogrammed food settings, although not as extensive as our top pick. Many testers praised its user-friendly control panel, which simplifies operations like defrosting chicken without needing to consult the manual.

Breville microwaves are significantly more expensive than our top pick but don’t perform as well. The 900-watt, 0.9-cubic-foot Breville Compact Wave offers a smaller option with a different control panel, though it’s not as user-friendly as larger models.

For a smaller and more affordable convection/air-fryer microwave, consider the GE JES1109RRSS (also known as the GE GCST10A1), which is slightly less expensive than the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-oven. It features a hidden heating element for better baking and broiling performance, but its microwave capabilities are average and less effective than those of the Panasonic.

If you need a tiny microwave, the Whirlpool WMC20005YW is a compact, square-shaped model with 0.5 cubic feet of capacity. Its limited controls can be confusing, and it tends to slide when opened. However, its rounded back allows for corner placement, and its design resembles a vintage portable TV, making it quite distinctive.