Top 5 Best Microwave Ovens – Buyer’s guide & reviews

Microwaves are a crucial part of our daily life. If you have been inside the kitchen recently, trying to heat up some food or cook something small and quick, you will find the microwave as your savior. Microwaves really do make your home cooking easy, but the issue can be that it’s bulky and big. That’s where compact microwaves come into place. While retaining the original purpose, they are weightless, smaller and take up less electricity, and for a kitchen, those are valuable things to consider.

Things can be very tough when trying to pick the right compact microwave, especially with all the features and options they all contain. If you have been to the mall or went shopping online, you will be bombarded with new products and items on sale and that alone it can be complicating and traumatizing, not to mention not know what to buy or what is what. That is why, if you read our following sections where we have collected some of the best compact microwaves on the market, without a doubt we know that in the end, you will be able to choose the best one for your needs depending on your situation.

1. Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave Oven

As a product that is coming from the company that was founded in the year 1939, you can be assured that they know a thing or two about what they manufacture. From the exterior point, the stainless steel comes with a black finish that gives a very graceful vibe to the product itself and not to mention to the kitchen.

It has 6 types of cooking functions for heating up your food; hence you don’t have to calculate or think of anything. The One Touch Start is a great addition to the microwave as by just simply touching the number, you can start heating up your food without any hassle.

Pros

  • The black stainless steel adds a sense of elegance to the microwave giving it a more polished look.

  • 900 Watt means more power and faster cooking.

  • The power saving mode helps you cut down your electric bill.

  • Once the Touch Start feature helps you get to start your food with just one touch.

  • The LED inside the cavity gives you the ability to look at what’s cooking without stopping the microwave or opening it.

 

Cons

  • ​9 cubic feet is not too small but not too big either.

 

Check Price

2. Panasonic NN-SD372S Countertop Microwave

This stainless steel microwave from Panasonic is well built that shows off with an industrial design. With light grey color scheme and tactile buttons instead of being touch sensitive, this 950watt microwave shows that it can take a punch.

By looking at it, you can surely say that Panasonic is taking a bold step with its Inverter Technology. 

The basic idea is that when you heat your food unless you go on maximum power, the food temperature can differentiate from one area to another because of the current power setting. Where with the Inverter Technology, regardless of what power level you are in, the temperature is constant making the heat spread evenly.

Also, it is energy efficient and does not kill the food cells while you heat up your dish, keeping it healthy to eat. Now, the capacity on the inside is 0.8 cubic feet with a 950-watt output. So it is fairly capacious and powerful enough to give you the boost on heating/cooking up your food quick and effectively. The microwave also comes with a free cooking e-book.

Pros

  • ​The industrial design gives it a sturdy look.

  • ​The tactile buttons increase the durability of the oven.

  • ​Because of the Inverter Technology, it keeps the food fresh and not let the food cells die.

  • ​With the free cooking e-book, you can get a grasp of what you can do with this microwave.

 

Cons

  • 8 cubic feet is not technically small but it does question you about the space.

Check Price

3. Cuisinart CMW-200 1.2-Cubic-Foot Microwave Oven 

I am satisfied with this little workhorse for kitchen enthusiasts lusting after an appliance that combines the function of a convection microwave and that of a standard one. Although it takes a little more time to finish the browning tasks, it still worked well enough that you can use regularly.

 

It gives the enjoyment of multi-stage setting option that automatically switches from one function to another. That said, you don’t need to stop and reset the control panel for using two different functions on one dish, easily creating delicious results.

For small households, by using a combination of radiational  and traditional heating, this modern and elegant appliance safely defrosts any type of foods without damaging the texture.

To be honest, this incredible item does come at a pretty high price. You can find many competitive ones available out there. However, in reality, with such given unique features, the Cuisinart model can totally knockout most of its rivals, leading the way when it comes to quality kitchen appliances.

Pros

  • ​High-quality materials

  • More extra features

  • Light and compact for a combo unit

  • Easy-to-understand user menu

Cons

  • Shows fingerprints

  • Easy to get hot

  • Takes longer to cook foods.

Check Price

4. Best for College: Daewoo Retro 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven

Thanks to its compact form, retro appearance, and efficient functionality, the Daewoo Retro Microwave is our top pick for heating up food in a dorm room. Available in three colors—turquoise, red, and white—the microwave features a digital control pad that lets you choose your function and set power levels, while a retro-inspired turn knob is used to set cook time. Its 10-inch turntable is large enough for most single servings, and its 700-watt power should be sufficient for heating up leftover pizza and ramen. It also powers down in between uses, saving you money on your energy bill. There’s no timer or clock display, however. A few customers noted issues with button functionality over time, but most people find this microwave more than suitable for everyday needs.

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Energy efficient

  • Solid basic functions

Cons

  • No clock or timer

  • Not that durable

Check Price

5. Best Countertop: Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS handles all your basic tasks and balances counter space with a roomy capacity. Available in either black or silver stainless steel, this countertop microwave has an interior capacity of 1.2 cubic feet while measuring just over 20 inches wide and 17 inches long. Its 1,100 watts of power can be adjusted with 10 power settings, and customers agree that it cooks food evenly and quickly.

The unit also is equipped with sensor cooking and two defrost settings, though some people found that not all of the pre-set cook modes worked as expected and the microwave defrosted too aggressively for some meats. Still, this Toshiba countertop microwave has a solid reputation for being easy to use and reliable.

Pros

  • Good power

  • Buzzer can be muted

  • User-friendly controls

Cons

  • Some pre-sets aren’t very accurate

Check Price