Countertop Microwave

W hile back in the day people only relied on gas or fire whenever they needed to cook their food, nowadays, the options include the multi-purpose microwave oven that has innovated and eased the cooking process. The latest models come with useful features designed to simply defrosting, cooking or reheating and their increasing popularity is a sign that the kitchen appliances field really needed these small yet amazing units. Given the popularity of these appliances, no wonder the market abounds with models of various sizes and designs, enough to meet the needs and tastes of every customer. Since it’s so important to do some research and to compare various products, we thought we would give you a hand in finding the best countertop models.

Top 5 Countertop Microwaves Compared

	1. Samsung MC12J8035CT	2. Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ	3. GE PEM31SFSS	4. Toshiba EM925A5A-SS	5. Farberware Classic FMO11AHTBKD
	BEST MODEL	OUR CHOICE		BEST SELLER
	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
Design Specifications
Size	18.5” x 20.8” x 15.9”	20.7” x 15.8” x 12.25”	24” x 12-7/8” x 12-1/8”	19.2” x 15.9” x 11.5”	20.2” x 16.9” x 12”
Weight	62.8 lbs.	23.4 lbs.	29 lbs.	27.3 lbs.	35 lbs.
Door Type	Drop Down, Glass w/ handle	Push-open, Glass	Pull, Glass	Pull handle open, Glass	Pull handle open, Glass
Control Panel	Glass touch buttons	Push buttons	Electronic touch buttons	Glass touch buttons	Touch controls
LED Display
Interior	Ceramic Enamel	Ceramic Enamel	SPCC with Epoxy Polyester Coating	SPCC with Epoxy Polyester Coating	Ceramic Enamel
Performance
Capacity	1.2 cu. ft.	1.2 cu. ft.	1.1 cu. ft.	0.9 cu. ft.	0.7 cu. ft.
Power	1600W	1200W	800W	900W	1000W
Cooking technology	Power Convection Technology	Inverter Technology	Microwave	Microwave	Microwave
Cooking Power Levels	10	10	10	10	10
Turntable Diameter	N/A	13-1/2”	10.6”	10.6”	12.4”
Features
Auto Cook Presets
Timer
Child Lock
Interior Light
Keep Warm
Defrost	Auto Defrost	Turbo Defrost		Speed Defrost	Defrost by Weight or Time
Other Features
	Powergrill Duo	Quick Minute	Sensor Cooking Controls	Power Saving Mode	Express Cooking Functions
	SLIM FRY	Delay Start		Audio alarm can be turned off	+30-Second Control Button
	EcoMode
Warranty&Support
Parts and Labor Warranty	1 year, 10 years for magnetron	2 years	1 year	1 year	1 year
Customer Support
User Manual

Samsung MC12J8035CT

1. Samsung MC12J8035CT

For the most demanding of you who want a cutting-edge unit that will complement the design of their kitchen, we recommend the Samsung MC12J8035CT because it’s a true work of art. At first glance, you will discover a sleek shiny item with a glass door and touch control panel and a large handle that breaks the lines. Inside, the spacious 1.2 cu.ft. oven can hold various sizes of pans and plates enough to feed an entire family. The enamel-coated interior is scratch-resistant and so easy to clean that you can simply wipe it with a cloth.

Convenience

Thanks to the outstanding 1600 watts power, the oven can heat to up to 10 levels and the food will be evenly cooked regardless the time chosen. Although it doesn’t feature a sensor option, it comes with auto cook pre-set programs and a grill function that allows you to extend your cooking skills. For those who prefer frying rather than broiling, the oven features a Slim Fry technology that can make delicious foods without adding oil. Convenience features like a timer, a quick defrost or Keep Warm complete the utility of this product.

Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ

2. Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ

Another model that doesn’t settle with regular cooking is this one from Panasonic that brings into your attention the Inverter Technology that cooks food evenly without drying it of its juices and moisture. The unit comes with separate buttons for making popcorn, defrosting at a turbo speed, or adding more time or increasing the power level.

There is also a handy Keep Warm button that keeps the food at the proper temperature until you open the door and take the food out so you won’t have to reheat it twice. At 1.2 cu. ft., it’s not the largest model but it can surely handle the needs of a medium sized family.

GE PEM31SFSS

3. GE PEM31SFSS

Although it is intended for placement on the counter, its profile even makes it possible to integrate it with your kitchen cabinets to clear up space, or separately purchase a hanging kit to keep it out of the way. It delivers 800 watts of power to heat up meals quick, and the 1.1 cubic feet capacity it boasts ensures you can prepare food for the whole family with it. There are an impressive 10 power levels that you can pick between to suit the task at hand. It features electronic controls that ease your work considerably as you use it.

However, what is spectacular with it is the fact that it comes with sensors that enable a more thorough control over the cooking process, automatically adjusting time and power so that your meals are perfect each and every time. There is even a special defrost option where you enter the weight of the food, and the appliance automatically sets the optimal time for the defrosting process. It comes with a convenient add 30 seconds button that you can quickly use when you need a little extra time for the meal to heat up. Additionally, a 1-year warranty is provided for it.

Toshiba EM925A5A-SS

4. Toshiba EM925A5A-SS

The 900W power rating indicates that this appliance doesn’t joke around, providing enough power to heat up and even help prepare certain meals. It boasts a generous 0.9 cubic feet capacity and the turn table it comes with measures 10.6 inches in diameter. Speaking of sizes, the appliance itself measures 19.2 inches in length by 15.9 inches in width by 11.5 inches in height, which means that it won’t take up too much space on your kitchen counter.

There are a total of 10 power settings you can pick between, but what truly makes it shine is the fact that it features 6 pre-programmed functions that you can select from, which include Popcorn, Beverage, Pizza, Potato, Frozen Vegetable, and Dinner Plate. If you want to save on utility costs, you can use the power saving mode it features. In case you are heating up a meal in the middle of the night, you can turn off the sound it produces at the end of the program to not wake up everyone in the house when it’s done. There’s a child safety lock in place which ensures the children won’t be able to tamper with it. Furthermore, it features a digital control panel that makes it incredibly easy to use, so you won’t face any difficulties when it comes to its operation.

Farberware Classic FMO11AHTBKD

5. Farberware Classic FMO11AHTBKD

The Farberware Classic FMO11AHTBKD makes for a smart addition to the kitchen as it boasts a 1000-watt power to ensure it can handle any cooking task thrown its way. Furthermore, you can adjust the power level in 10% increments ranging from 10% to 100% to ensure you won’t undercook or overcook any food placed inside. It measures 20.2” in depth by 16.54” in width by 12” in height, so it takes up a reasonable amount of space on the counter. The turntable measures 12.4 inches in diameter to cater to large-sized plates with ease, while the 1.1 cubic feet capacity ensures you can even place the Thanksgiving turkey inside as it will surely fit.

There are 6 programs that you can pick between at the touch of a button to spare time you would otherwise lose to choose the appropriate settings yourself, more precisely popcorn, potato, beverage, dinner plate, pizza, and frozen vegetables. Another convenient feature stands in the 1-6 minute quick start that, at the touch of a button, rapidly heats the food so that it’s good to serve. You can add 30 seconds to the cooking time at the touch of a button as well for more convenient use of the appliance.

One of the most interesting functions of the Farberware is the fact that it can defrost foods based on weight or time. Evidently, it features the child lock that doesn’t let the children tamper with the appliance. Of course, we cannot overlook its most convenient design element, the LED display with timer and clock that grants ease of use. Last but not least, we praise the 1-year warranty it is accompanied by.

hOmeLabs EM134AJ3

6. hOmeLabs EM134AJ3

Boasting a 1.3 cubic feet interior, it is your go-to choice if you are on a budget yet still want to enjoy a quality appliance. It measures 20.44” by 16.78” by 12.4”, so it won’t occupy too much space on the counter, which is ideal for those who have crowded kitchens. It puts 10 power levels at your disposal to choose between so that you may properly prepare any meal. Furthermore, there are 7 pre-programmed settings and 11 cooking functions to select from, so it is basically limitless in terms of what you can do with this useful kitchen appliance.

It has a 1050-watt power rating, and it is an alternative current only model. The convenient memory function makes it easier for you to utilize it as your preferred settings are stored, thus saving time when preparing meals. For the sake of safety, it features the safety lock function which prevents the small ones from using it. Furthermore, hOmeLabs offers a lengthy 2-year warranty on this countertop oven, so any defects will be handled free of charge.

AmazonBasics 700W

7. AmazonBasics 700W

Feature-rich and more intelligent than other entries in the niche, the AmazonBasics entry gives you a run for your money, this countertop appliance allowing you to prepare popcorn, various meals, and defrost frozen food items in no time. It measures 10.1 inches in height by 17.3 inches in width by 14.1 inches in depth, its compact design ensuring it won’t take up a lot of counter space.

If you have the Alexa device, there’s a special button on this appliance that allows voice control through Alexa. Thus, you can tell Alexa to keep the microwave going for another 30 seconds without actually having to go and pick this specific setting yourself. It accepts popcorn bags up to 3 ounces in size, and there’s a special button that you can press to quickly prepare the scrumptious snack.

It has a generous 0.7 cubic feet capacity and, as the name suggests, a maximum power of 700 watts. There are 10 different power levels to pick between in order to suit the specific food you are trying to heat, defrost, or prepare with it. Another great feature is the Child Lock that ensures the small ones won’t be able to tackle with it when you are not around and put themselves in any danger. When it comes to backing, the manufacturing company has it covered on parts and labor for 1 year.

Kenmore 70719

8. Kenmore 70719

The 700-watt power of the Kenmore 70719 makes it quite a fierce addition to your collection of kitchen appliances. It measures 17.7” in width by 10.2” in height by 12.5” in depth, so it doesn’t take up much space on the counter. There are a total of 10 power settings it puts at your disposal, so you can pick the power at which it blasts the food placed inside. To grant intuitive use, it features 6 auto cook settings that you can pick between to more easily prepare a variety of dishes, more precisely fresh vegetables, frozen vegetables, pizza/bread, soup, popcorn, and potatoes.

It boasts a 0.7 cubic feet capacity that makes it spacious enough to prepare larger foods and meals. One of its biggest highlights stands in the fact that it uses the concave reflex system which focuses the heat on the food to ensure even cooking each time you use it. It features a digital clock and a 1-hour timer lets you select for exactly how long it should blast the food placed inside so that it automatically turns off at the right moment without requiring you to come and turn it off yourself. Due to this feature, you can monitor how much time you have left until the meal is done as well.

The child lock enhances safety as it keeps the small ones from tampering with the appliance when you’re not around by preventing accidental opening. Overall, it comes with all the features a modern microwave should come with and boasts a simplistic design that makes it easy to use, so there’s no denying it is a smart option to take into consideration. Furthermore, it is backed by a 1-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, so you are covered financially in case it needs repairs.

Danby Designer

9. Danby Designer

This model ranked in fourth but it will surely please you with its wide range of functions. The cooking technology is based on the regular microwaves that penetrate food inside out in order to ensure a faster and more even cooking than in a gas oven. Although not very attractive in design, Danby will manage to fit on any kitchen counter thanks to the compact shape that matches the 1.1 cubic foot interior.

The interface is very user-friendly, with 6 buttons with pictograms for potatoes, pizza, popcorn, frozen dinner, beverage, or reheat. There are 10 levels of power to choose from, as well as a timer, a speed defrost, and a Cook by Weight button that makes it easy to select the cooking parameters according to the food’s weight. No extra features are available with this model that comes at a very reasonable price.

LG NeoChef

10. LG NeoChef

This microwave uses inverter technology in order to provide efficiency and power especially because it has a capacity of 1.5 cu. ft. It has an efficiency of 1200-watts and 10 power levels so you can prepare a variety of meals. The 7 sensor cooking options include foods such as potato, frozen vegetables, rice, and bacon. As well as, the 5 sensor reheat options range between beverage, casserole, pizza, and pie. Similarly to the other models, this product has been engineered with defrost by weight for meat, fish, poultry, and bread.

What stands out about this product is the fact that it has been made with a hexagonal-shaped stabilizer with 6 wheels for the turntable, rather than 3. This will allow you to place heavy or tall items without fearing that it will tip over. The bright LED interior light will allow you to check on the food whilst it’s cooking. Hence, it removes second-guessing.

The innovative SmoothTouch glass will make this microwave sleek yet practical. Just by touching the glass you will make it operate according to your own needs. You will also be pleased with the fact that it’s easy and straightforward to clean the interior. By using a damp towel you can remove grease stains. In fact, it has an anti-bacterial coating which will resist build-up. Thus, you won’t see cleaning a chore.

Daewoo KOR-7LREM Retro

11. Daewoo KOR-7LREM Retro

This clever designed retro microwave will provide the look of the olden days with an efficient operation. This highly reputable brand is loved by millions all over the world because of its customer service and efficiency. This model has been engineered with 700-watts which means that it will cook and reheat food within minutes. In addition to this, it will cook the food from the inside first so you don’t have to worry about eating uncooked food.

It has 5 power control levels which means that you can adjust it according to your needs. As well as, the 4 auto cook levels will ensure that you don’t feel limited to a certain type of meal. Thus, you can use this microwave for numerous things such as popcorn, pizza, and ready-made meals. A feature worthy to mention is the “ECO” function that will ensure energy-efficient operation. Therefore, your energy bill won’t go up even if you use it consistently.

The child safety lock means that you can have it around children without worrying about their safety as it will be impossible to play around with it. As well as, they won’t be able to open the door. The auto defrost will defrost the food without cooking it first.

What You Must Know

Among all the small kitchen appliances one has at home, the microwave oven is, perhaps, the most frequently used due to its wide array of functions. Unlike a regular oven, it lets you perform a series of functions like defrosting or reheating, not to mention they take less time to prepare a whole meal. They rely on a type of waves called microwaves that are not similar to other radiating waves that might affect your health. The intensity of the waves can cook food to perfection similar to the convention or the gas ovens and the best part is that they are smaller in size and come with many features, including a grill. These are only a few of the reasons why you should have one in the kitchen.

Why These Appliances are so Popular

These products come in many types differentiated by the installation mode. There are coop, built-in microwaves that save counter space, or over-the-range ovens that can be placed in various areas of your kitchen. Among all, the countertop ones are the most popular because they don’t require any installation work and you can easily move them anywhere you like. Discover below more advantages of preferring a countertop oven over another type.

• Easily portable

  If you choose a built-in or an over-the-range unit, you won’t be able to change its lace unless you move the entire kitchen furniture, so the design options are limited. The countertop version, on the other hand, can be placed anywhere so you can move it as many times you want. Moreover, some units come with trim kits that allow you to turn a regular countertop model into a built-in unit without any additional costs.

• Space-saving

  Having a small kitchen or limited counter space means that you won’t be able to fit all your useful appliances and you might have to give up on some of them. However, the compact design of the countertop oven allows you to keep it in your kitchen without using too much space. There are many sizes to choose from, depending on the space you have available and your cooking needs because the exterior sizes also influence the interior sizes.

• Affordable prices

  It’s important to save some money when buying appliances, especially if you can get the same performance at a lower price. Countertop units come at lower prices than the other models but don’t sacrifice quality or cooking performance. You can choose from multiple features and options that enable you to cook, reheat, or defrost any type of food while also saving some money.

Is Microwaving Dangerous?

A serious concern of many people is related to how healthy these ovens really are because the thought that they are based on a type of radiation makes people have second thoughts before using it. However, many studies have been performed and tests have been run in order to determine whether or not these ovens are a health hazard and the majority of the results have pointed that there are no major risks in using this appliance. Here are some arguments that will convince you to never be afraid to use your oven at home.

• The waves used inside such an oven are of a frequency that doesn’t actually radiate your body and can’t possibly cause any malformations. An oven that operates properly releases a certain amount of waves that don’t get into contact with your body as they can’t get past the door. However, you should make sure that your unit’s door closes well so there aren’t any emissions that could affect you.
• The cooking time is smaller than the regular time spent in a regular oven that operates on gas or electricity. Therefore, the food is exposed to less heat while still resulting evenly cooked due to the waves that surround and penetrate food entirely. Less time in the oven means less heat processing, thus more nutrients are kept inside the food.
• The waves don’t alter the molecular structure of the food so there are no risks of mutations that could cause health problems. The heat penetrates the food and given the short amount of time and the carefully adjusted intensity, the food is not exposed to any chemical reactions related to its safety and conformity.
• The latest ovens designed nowadays combine a series of innovative technologies and features that guarantee maximum performance without posing any risk to your health. The convection or inverter technologies provide the perfect cooking environment for any type of food and guarantee the best results worthy of a chef.

Brands We Recommend

Some manufacturers know how to meet the needs of a wide market and manage to design appliances that not only bring some innovative features but also manage to last a long time. Among the long list of brands, here are the ones that we thought were the best in providing quality units with the latest technologies.

• Samsung

  It’s not a surprise that Samsung manages to stay at the top of the preferences of customers around the world. Their appliances are usually high-end units that deliver excellent performance and the microwave ovens are not outdone. The offer includes stylish and elegant units that use the most advanced technologies so that every need in terms of cooking is satisfied.

• LG

  Nevertheless, LG should be on the list of the finest brands because they surely know how to please their customers. The long history of designing appliances of all kinds helps them perfect and innovate their means of manufacturing top-notch products. The same happens with the microwaves that wear the LG brand and that don’t seem to fail in any way when it comes to innovative, fast, and perfect cooking.

• Panasonic

  A veteran of electronics, Panasonic is a reliable brand when it comes to a wide range of products. The array of choice is so large that it can be hard to choose only one product, although a quick research will help you make up your mind faster. If you want quality at a good price, Panasonic is the best option.

Rating Our Picks

• Capacity

  The capacity of an oven doesn’t necessarily have to do with its performance but more with its convenience and should be a choice made based on your needs. If you need to cook large meals for a big family, you should get a larger unit like the LG LCRT2010ST that has a 2.0 cubic feet capacity but if you need a smaller unit, a 1.1 cu. ft. model like the Danby Designed will suit you just fine.

• Power

  The cooking power of an oven means how much it can heat at the highest temperature level so that the food will be evenly cooked even if it’s frozen. As you can imagine, the power is very important in determining the performance of your oven because if it can’t reach high temperatures, chances are it will not deliver perfect steaks or cakes. Our top choice oven has a 1,600 watts power that allows it to reach 10 power levels and make cooking anything a breeze.

• Cooking technology

  Although most models are based on the same cooking technology, the field advancements have brought some unique methods that involve either convection, steam, or hot air. A unit that boasts an innovative cooking technology is more likely to deliver healthy foods that are tasty and evenly cooked. The first three ovens in our top are designed using new technologies that change the way you used to cook in your microwave oven.

• Helpful features

  When we rated the ovens, we also checked the features they came with because they are linked to how well the appliances worked. Convenience options like interior lights, LED displays, beep reminders or keep warm functions helped us determine which machine was better than the other.

• User-friendly design

  We considered that a good oven should be one that is easy to use and that takes away the guessing of preparing a meal. Therefore, we only picked units with intuitive controls that are user-friendly and can make anyone feel like a real chef. Each one of our ovens have auto cook presets and allows you to add or remove cooking time in order to achieve the perfect meal.

• Warranty

  It’s important to know that your purchase will be protected for many years to come and that you can rest assured knowing that you won’t have to pay for expensive repairs. This is why we recommend buying from reputable manufacturers that stand behind their products for as long as possible. Our two favorite choices come with a 1-year warranty for parts and labor and 10 years for the most important component which is the magnetron.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Microwaves are ever present in modern kitchens as these appliances serve an important purpose – heating food quickly, models with more advances features even providing you with the possibility to cook meals in a convenient manner. As for countertop models, as you can see, the market has quite a lot to offer. Though, there are specs and features which make some models of a better quality than others.

For the ultimate experience, we recommend the Samsung MC12J8035CT, our top pick. Its 1600-watt power shows that it can be used to even for pretentious food, while the 10 selectable heat levels let you customize its operation according to the food you prepare at that moment for perfect results.

Popular opinion points toward the Toshiba EM925A5A-SS, an appliance that managed to draw attention through its specs and features, as well as the cheap asking price it comes at. It is rated at 900 watts of power and puts at your disposal a total of 10 cooking power levels to pick between, and even features convenient auto cook presets that help save precious time in the kitchen, like popcorn, pizza, tomato, and more.