Choosing the right microwave can be tricky with so many different brands and models on the market. Did you know that Consumer Reports, The New York Times, CNN, and GearLab have all conducted extensive research to bring us the top microwaves of 2023? This article reviews these findings in detail, taking into account key factors such as size, wattage, cooking performance and reliability.
Read on to discover your perfect kitchen companion!
Key Takeaways
- Consumer Reports, The New York Times, CNN, and GearLab have conducted research to determine the top microwaves of 2023.
- Recommended countertop microwave brands include Toshiba, GE, and Farberware for their superior cooking convenience and reliability.
- For over-the-range microwaves, top picks include Toshiba ML2-EM25PAE, Panasonic NN-SN67HS, and Samsung MSK14K6000AG for their compact design, even heat distribution, precise cooking capabilities.
Overview of the Top Microwave Brands
The global kitchen appliances market is flooded with different microwave brands, but only a few have proven their mettle over time. Notably on this list are Toshiba, General Electric (GE), and Farberware whose microwaves have consistently earned accolades from customers for their superior cooking convenience, top-notch inverter technology, and reliability.
Consumer Reports’ testings and rankings of the best microwaves in 2023 highlight Panasonic as one of the leading microwave oven manufacturers.
Wirecutter also corroborates these findings by recommending Breville, GE, Midea, LG as some of the most desirable microwave brands this year. The research process involved exhaustive testing of 21 distinct ovens to satisfy various cooking needs.
Evidently setting itself apart was Midea that took its place amongst top contenders based on import records alone; underscoring not just customer preference but also vast field application.
In further independent tests run by GearLab involving rigorous scrutiny of more than 70 models; they were able to narrow down to a finer selection of robust options like Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave – declared best budget option – alongside other deserving players such as Galanz ExpressWave and Breville Smooth Wave Microwave.
In every way possible, these brands have excelled at transforming consumer’s kitchen experience through advanced features such as innovative cooking presets modes or sensor reheating capabilities matched with sleek design elements that add an aesthetic appeal to any countertop.
Best Countertop Microwaves
The best countertop microwaves for 2023 include the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, GE Smart Countertop Microwave, and Farberware Countertop Microwave.
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS
The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS stands out among the top countertop microwaves. It boasts of a wide 1.2 cubic feet space with a removable turntable inside. This makes it perfect for mid-sized kitchens.
Plus, you can clean its interior without much trouble.
For cook settings, it comes with 12 auto menus. These options make your cooking tasks easier and quicker. One unique feature is its smart humidity sensor. The moment this toaster senses dampness, it adjusts the power levels and cooking time by itself.
Another useful trait of this microwave is its one-touch start function. You just press one button to get things going! Overall, the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS offers excellent value with these advanced features and easy-to-use functions.
GE Smart Countertop Microwave
The GE Smart Countertop Microwave is a top pick in 2023. It is known for its small size. This makes it ideal for those with less space on their counters. Its compact design does not mean less power though.
This microwave works very well.
Its features are smart and practical, making it easy to use. One of the best parts about this microwave is its Scan-to-Cook technology. Just scan the barcode of your food item and the microwave will know exactly how to cook it.
Many people love the GE Smart Countertop Microwave, making it a popular choice among other brands. It’s got what you want from a countertop microwave – great cooking abilities and advanced features that can make kitchen work easier.
Farberware Countertop Microwave
The Farberware Countertop Microwave is one of the best options when it comes to countertop microwaves in 2023. It has been highly recommended for its reliable and efficient performance.
With its large capacity, you can easily fit big plates or bowls inside. Priced under $200, this microwave offers great value for money. One of its standout features is its quick cooking ability, allowing you to heat food in no time.
Whether you’re defrosting meat or reheating leftovers, the Farberware Countertop Microwave provides even heating throughout. It also excels at rapid boiling, making it a versatile appliance for your kitchen needs.
Best Over-the-Range Microwaves
The best over-the-range microwaves provide convenient cooking and ventilation options. Keep reading to find out which models made our top picks list.
Toshiba ML2-EM25PAE
The Toshiba ML2-EM25PAE is one of the best over-the-range microwaves available. It offers compact yet powerful performance, making it a great choice for smaller kitchens or spaces where saving countertop space is important.
While it may be smaller in size, it doesn’t compromise on quality and functionality.
This model from Toshiba is highly recommended as an alternative to larger over-the-range microwaves. It has excellent cooking capabilities and delivers consistent results. The Toshiba ML2-EM25PAE is known for its reliability and longevity, ensuring that it will serve you well for years to come.
Panasonic NN-SN67HS
The Panasonic NN-SN67HS is a top-rated over-the-range microwave in 2023. It has received high recommendations from Consumer Reports and The New York Times, making it a trusted choice for many customers.
One of the standout features of this microwave is its innovative inverter technology. This technology ensures even heat distribution throughout your food, resulting in perfectly cooked meals every time.
The Panasonic NN-SN67HS also boasts precise cooking capabilities, with minimal temperature variation to ensure accuracy. Its multi-stage cooking function allows you to set different power levels and cooking times for various stages of your meal, providing convenience and versatility.
Samsung MSK14K6000AG Microwave
The Samsung MSK14K6000AG Microwave is one of the best over-the-range microwaves in 2023. It has a sleek black stainless steel design that will look great in any kitchen. With a capacity of 1.4 cu ft, it’s spacious enough to fit large dishes and cook meals for the whole family.
Samsung is a top-rated brand when it comes to customer satisfaction with over the range microwaves. In fact, they are ranked number one in this category according to the J.D. Power 2023 Appliance Satisfaction Study.
This means you can trust that the Samsung MSK14K6000AG Microwave is reliable and well-loved by customers.
When choosing a microwave, it’s important to consider factors like size and wattage, cooking performance, reliability, and longevity. The Samsung MSK14K6000AG Microwave checks all these boxes with its spacious capacity, powerful performance, and trusted brand reputation.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Microwave
When choosing a microwave, it’s important to consider factors such as size and wattage, cooking performance, and reliability and longevity.
Size and wattage
Microwaves come in different sizes, and it’s important to choose one that suits your needs. The size or capacity of a microwave determines how much food you can cook or reheat at once.
If you often cook for a large family, you might want to go for a larger microwave with a higher capacity. On the other hand, if you have limited kitchen space or only need to cook small portions, a smaller microwave will be sufficient.
The wattage of a microwave is another crucial factor to consider when making your decision. Wattage determines the power and cooking speed of the microwave. Most microwaves have wattage ranging from 800 to 1,200 watts.
Higher wattage microwaves tend to cook food faster than those with lower wattages. So if quick cooking time is important to you, opt for a higher wattage model. However, keep in mind that higher wattage also means more energy consumption.
Cooking performance
Microwave cooking performance is an important factor to consider when choosing a microwave. While most microwaves perform similarly, there are some key features that can affect how well they cook food.
Factors such as cooking efficiency, heating power, and cooking consistency play a role in determining the overall performance of a microwave.
One aspect of cooking performance is the ability to evenly heat and cook food. Microwaves with even cooking distribution ensure that your dishes are cooked thoroughly and without any cold spots or uneven heating.
Additionally, having preset cooking functions or sensor cooking technology can make it easier to achieve optimal results when preparing different types of food.
Another important aspect of cooking performance is the microwave’s defrosting ability. A good microwave should have the capability to defrost frozen foods quickly and evenly, without partially cooking them in the process.
Reliability and longevity
When choosing a microwave, reliability and longevity are important factors to consider. You want a microwave that will last for many years without any issues. Toshiba is a highly recommended brand known for producing reliable and long-lasting microwaves.
They have built a reputation for durability and performance, making them a trusted choice among consumers. Other reliable brands include Hotpoint, Ikea, LG, and Monogram, which have top-tier ratings for predicted reliability.
It’s worth noting that the average lifespan of a microwave is typically six to eight years. However, some microwaves may break before reaching their average lifespan. To ensure you’re investing in a dependable unit, it’s crucial to choose brands known for their high-quality products.
Reading online reviews can also provide helpful insights from other customers who have tested the product’s reliability over time.
In conclusion, when shopping for a microwave, prioritize reliability and longevity by opting for reputable brands like Toshiba or considering those with excellent predicted reliability ratings such as Hotpoint and LG.
The Research Process and How We Picked Our Top Choices
We conducted detailed research to find the best microwaves for our comprehensive guide. We analyzed consumer reports and online reviews to gather information on various microwave brands and models.
Our selection criteria focused on factors like user ratings, features, and performance. We compared different options based on their cooking performance, reliability, longevity, size, wattage, and overall customer satisfaction.
After careful evaluation, we recommend the top choices that stood out in terms of quality and value for money.
Our research process involved thorough analysis and consideration of consumer preferences. By combining objective data with real-world experiences shared by users, we were able to identify the microwaves that consistently received positive feedback.
These top picks reflect a wide range of needs and budgets while prioritizing performance and reliability. With our extensive research process, you can trust that our recommended microwaves are among the best available options for your kitchen.
Other Microwaves We Tested
During our research, we tested several other microwaves, including the Galanz ExpressWave, Breville Smooth Wave Microwave, and Galanz Retro Countertop Microwave. Find out how these models performed and why they didn’t make it to our top choices.
Galanz ExpressWave
The Galanz ExpressWave is one of the microwave models that were tested and reviewed as part of this comprehensive guide. It is an affordable countertop microwave option for those looking for a reliable cooking appliance.
With a total of 21 microwaves tested, the Galanz ExpressWave stood out in terms of its performance and features.
This model from Galanz offers various cooking options to meet different needs in the kitchen. Whether you want to heat up leftovers, defrost frozen food, or cook a quick meal, the ExpressWave can handle it all.
It delivers consistent heating power and has easy-to-use controls for convenient operation.
Breville Smooth Wave Microwave
The Breville Smooth Wave Microwave is one of the microwaves that were tested and reviewed as part of a comprehensive guide to choosing the best microwaves of 2023. It has received high praise for its excellent cooking results, easy-to-use controls, and user-friendly features.
The microwave is equipped with Sensor iQ technology, which automatically adjusts power to precisely reheat your food. With its midsize design, it fits well on countertops and comes with useful features like a mute option, automatic reheating, and a convenient door handle.
Based on various tests and reviews, the Breville Smooth Wave Microwave is considered one of the best microwaves of 2023.
Overall Score: Excellent
Cooking Results: Excellent
Galanz Retro Countertop Microwave
The Galanz Retro Countertop Microwave is one of the microwaves tested in our guide for choosing the best microwaves of 2023. This countertop microwave stands out with its retro design, adding a touch of nostalgia to your kitchen.
It offers both style and functionality, making it a popular choice among consumers.
In our testing process, we used Consumer Reports’ tests to determine the best microwaves of the year, including the Galanz Retro Countertop Microwave. The microwave performed well in terms of cooking performance and reliability.
With its user-friendly interface and efficient heating capabilities, it is a reliable option for everyday use.
While the Magic Chef 1.1 Cubic-Foot microwave was recommended as the best affordable countertop microwave in our guide, it is important to note that it is not specifically related to the Galanz Retro Countertop Microwave.
However, if you are looking for a stylish and functional countertop microwave with a retro vibe, the Galanz Retro Countertop Microwave is definitely worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between a countertop microwave and an over-the-range microwave? How do you clean a microwave effectively? And how can you determine the wattage of your microwave?
Is a microwave an oven?
Microwaves can be considered as ovens because they have similar functions when it comes to cooking and heating food. While traditional ovens use convection heat, microwaves use electromagnetic waves to generate heat.
This means that a microwave can cook or heat food faster than an oven. However, there are some differences between the two. Ovens are better for baking, roasting, and browning foods, while microwaves excel at quick reheating and defrosting.
Microwaves also have additional features like preset programs and sensor cooking technology that make them versatile appliances in the kitchen.
To summarize:
– Microwaves can be seen as ovens due to their cooking functionality.
– They use electromagnetic waves instead of convection heat.
– Microwaves are great for reheating and defrosting quickly.
What is the best way to clean a microwave?
Cleaning a microwave doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, there are simple and natural ways to keep your microwave sparkling clean. One of the best methods is using vinegar or lemon juice.
Simply fill a microwave-safe bowl with equal parts water and vinegar or lemon juice, place it in the microwave, and heat it for a few minutes until it starts to steam. Then, carefully remove the bowl (it will be hot!) and wipe down the interior with a damp cloth or sponge.
The steam helps to loosen any food residue, making it easier to clean.
Another effective method is using baking soda. Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water until you get a thick consistency. Then, apply the paste onto stubborn stains inside the microwave and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth or sponge.
Baking soda helps to break down grease and grime without scratching your microwave’s surface.
To prevent spills from hardening, make sure to wipe up any messes as soon as they happen using mild dish soap and water or simply warm water on a soft cloth or sponge. Don’t forget about cleaning the turntable too! You can remove it from the microwave and wash it in warm soapy water or put it in your dishwasher if it’s dishwasher safe.
How can you find the wattage of your microwave?
To find the wattage of your microwave, you can check the manual or look for a label on the inside or back of the microwave. The wattage is an important factor to consider when buying a microwave because it determines how quickly and efficiently it cooks your food.
Microwaves with higher wattages will cook faster than those with lower wattages. The wattage of a microwave can range from 600 to 1,200 watts or even higher, so make sure to choose one that suits your needs.
Knowing the wattage of your microwave will help you select the right cooking times and power levels for your recipes, ensuring that your food is cooked properly.
Most and Least Reliable Microwave Brands
Consumer Reports’ tests have revealed the most and least reliable microwave brands. Five brands, namely Ikea, KitchenAid, Mainstays, Monogram, and Whirlpool, received below-average ratings for predicted reliability.
On the other hand, Panasonic stood out as one of the best-reviewed microwave brands on Amazon. The reliability of these brands was determined based on factors such as consumer ratings, durability, test results, customer satisfaction, product quality, and overall performance.
So if you’re looking for a dependable microwave that will last you a long time without issues, it’s important to consider the track record of different brands before making your purchase decision.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this comprehensive guide provides valuable information and reviews on the top microwave brands for 2023. Whether you need a countertop or over-the-range microwave, there are options available to suit your needs.
Consider factors like size, wattage, cooking performance, and reliability when choosing your microwave. With this guide, you can make an informed decision and find the best microwave for your kitchen.
So go ahead and enjoy convenient cooking and reheating with a high-quality microwave from a trusted brand!
FAQs
1. What are the top microwave brands in 2023?
Some of the top microwave brands in 2023 include Samsung, Panasonic, GE, LG, and KitchenAid.
2. How do I choose the best microwave for my needs?
To choose the best microwave for your needs, consider factors such as size, power levels, cooking features (like convection or sensor cooking), price range, and customer reviews.
3. Are there any budget-friendly microwaves that offer good quality?
Yes, there are budget-friendly microwaves available that offer good quality. Some reputable brands like Toshiba and Hamilton Beach offer affordable options with reliable performance.
4. What are the main features to look for when buying a microwave?
When buying a microwave, important features to consider include wattage (higher wattage provides faster cooking), capacity (to accommodate your food sizes), heating options (such as defrost or specific food settings), and ease of use (user-friendly controls).
5. Is it necessary to buy an extended warranty for a new microwave?
Buying an extended warranty is not necessary for everyone but can provide peace of mind if you prefer additional protection against potential repairs or malfunctions beyond the manufacturer’s warranty period.