Microwave ovens are one of the most indispensable needs of our current times serving multi-purpose needs every day. Usually, people use them to heat the foods or reheat the leftovers, but you can cook loads of foods from different cuisines on your microwave oven if you haven’t already tried them. You can perform various tasks with the touch of buttons easily and some offer you specialized tools for doing special cooking like grilling and more.
So, ovens are not as one-dimensional as we usually use them. And among the ovens out there, countertop ovens have a special place among the people as two-thirds of US citizens who own ovens prefer countertop ovens.
And they are right to do so-these ovens don’t need any installation, they are easy to use and move & also give you the benefit of fitting into even the most compact kitchens. But even then, there are vast differences amongst them in their size, appearances, features, motors & also their price range. Some models may come with advanced functions like convection cooking, digital displays, and customizable settings, making them more versatile. Additionally, compatibility with rubber handle pans in ovens can make a big difference in safety and convenience, as it allows you to handle hot cookware with ease. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific cooking needs and preferences.
So, there might be slight headaches before you buy a microwave oven for your kitchen. As we always do, we are once again going to give a helping hand to you in this matter as we’re bringing in this article everything there is to know about countertop ovens & which one is really the best countertop microwave oven for you. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why should you buy the best countertop microwave ovens
There are various reasons why you should buy the best countertop microwave ovens, for example:
- They are easy to use & maneuver- You can use them with ease even if you’ve never used an oven before. They heat up fast and also get cooled down, super fast.
- You can cook many food items in them conveniently. You can easily reheat the leftovers & heat up small meals like pasta and pizza. And if your oven comes with a grill function you can even cook mid-sized dishes like steaks, veggies, sausages, etc.
- They fit into any kitchen design or setting- Ovens even go well with all kinds of counters as they come in small forms with compact builds.
- They are good for your budget- A countertop oven is the cheapest appliance there is when compared to all other types of ovens.
- They don’t take much space- As we said before, they are small in size and have less weight than other ovens. So, you can set them up anywhere & anytime with ease.
- The care is easy- You don’t need any professional help for taking good care of a countertop oven, you can do it all by yourself.
So, suppose you want an easy to use & cheaper replacement for your traditional oven or anyone who has a tiny kitchen. In that case, you should go for a countertop microwave oven.
If you have less time to read our whole review, you may pick our winning Countertop Microwave Ovens below:
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Toshiba ML-EM45P Countertop Microwave oven | Power: 1200-watt. Keypad: Button. Key Features: Auto. defrost, fast cooking, child safety lock. |
Check Price on Amazon |
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Panasonic NN-GN68KS Countertop Microwave Oven | Power: 1000-watt. Keypad: Button. Key Features: Sensor. adjust power & time, Child safety lock. |
Check Price on Amazon |
 |
BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Countertop Microwave Oven |
Power: 1000-watt Keypad: Button. Key Features: 10 different power levels, Child safety lock, Very compact. |
Check Price on Amazon |
 |
Panasonic NN-SN686S Countertop Microwave Oven | Power: 1200-watt Keypad: Touchscreen Key Features: Unique inverter, Turbo defrost, Genious sensor |
Check Price on Amazon |
 |
Samsung MS14K6000AS Countertop Microwave Oven |
Power: 1000-watt Keypad: Touchscreen Key Features: Sensor cooking, Scratch-resistant interior. |
Check Price on Amazon |
Reviews of 10 Best Countertop Microwave Ovens
It’s time to choose your best one. Below are reviews of the 10 best countertop microwaves on the market that might help you make up your mind. Each model offers a unique set of features, from cooking presets to advanced heating technology, making it easier to find the perfect fit for your kitchen needs. Some even combine functions, earning a reputation as the best air fryer microwave ovens, providing versatility for those who want to fry without the oil. With these detailed reviews, you’re sure to discover the ideal countertop microwave for your home.
1. Commercial Chef CHCM11100SSB Countertop Microwave Oven
The first item we are reviewing is this product coming from the Commercial Chef line. Its sturdy construction with black front & cabinet finish gives you the guarantee of durability & lavishness at the same time. It comes with a simple green LED display along with easy control features.
The 6 touches preset cooking menu includes: popcorn, potato, pizza, beverage, reheat, and frozen food. It also comes with auto-defrost that helps you defrost any food item conveniently.
It has a dishwasher-safe glass turntable that is super easy to clean and doesn’t break easily under heat or pressure. This microwave oven comes with a power cord to be plugged in and used right away without any assembly required.
There is an auto defrost available also that defrosts your food instantly & perfectly. It offers a 1-year warranty as well.
Our Verdict
All in all, Commercial Chef CHCM11100SSB is an excellent countertop microwave oven with lots of features & functions. It is an amazing appliance to have in your home if you have a small kitchen or just want a quick reheat option.
2. Galanz GLCMKA07RDR-07 Microwave Oven
This oven will instantly bring a shade of colorful environment in your kitchen with its Retro Red color. And overall, it comes at a relatively low price with handy features that attract customers and the results are visible- it currently ranks 6th in Amazon’s sales list of countertop ovens.
It is packed with a 700-watt motor that offers 6 different power levels for convenient cooking. Easy defrost & easy read LED display features available with this product.
The oven comes with Rotisserie & Grill features that are used for cooking your food in a much better way. Also, this microwave has an auto cook feature that helps you cook various items quickly.
You can use all these features by entering one-touch buttons at the panel of the oven. So, if you are looking for a good-looking & affordable countertop oven, this product is worth looking at. The manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty on the product.
Our Verdict
This microwave oven offers great value for the price. So, if you are looking for a medium-range countertop oven, this product has everything you need at this price.
3. Walsh WSCMSR09BK-09 Countertop Microwave Oven
This all-black product from Walsh comes packed with a 900W motor with 11 variable power levels that will give you a new level of experience in terms of cooking. The multiple power and time settings can get perfect results without any kind of interruption.
It comes with a child safety lock and auto defrost option that will help your oven last for many years. The 1-touch control panel is simple & easy to use even if you don’t have much experience in the kitchen.
It has a rack and turntable included in the package so all you need to do is plug it in and use it. The manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty on the product as well.
Our Verdict
This is a very powerful & spacious microwave oven that almost anyone in the family can use. It has enough power to accommodate all your cooking needs.
4. Toshiba ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
If there is actually a term “Smart Oven”, this is the perfect example of that. With built-in smart electronic tweaks, this oven can do things you had never thought of before. It has voice control synced with Amazon Alexa; that means you can cook or heat your foods hands free just by ordering Alexa to do it with an echo device.
Even if you don’t have an Echo device, you can control your oven smartly through your Smartphone (using it like a remote basically) sitting on your sofa just by connecting the same Wi-Fi in your oven and your phone. An app lets you update the presets on the even from 23 presets to choose from meaning you can have boundless options with this oven.
The built-in humidity sensor constantly detects the humidity level of the food during cooking & automatically adjusts cooking power for optimum efficiency in your cooking. It comes packed with a 1100W motor. It also features an energy-saving ECO Mode that minimizes 50% standby power (According to Toshiba’s lab data). Warranty is available from the manufacturer.
Our Verdict
This is a perfect microwave oven for people who love to stay connected & be smart while cooking. It has all the smart features you would like to expect from a high-end product.
5. Farberware FMO11AHTBKB Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven
This is one of the finest ovens coming from the Farberware brand. It comes packed with a powerful 1000W motor with 10 variable power modes. You can accurately cook a variety of food in this oven. The extra-large glass door will allow you to watch the food being cooked inside. The LED display is user-friendly and has a backlit so, it won’t be hard for you to use it even in low light.
The oven has a child safety lock along with defrosting by weight & time feature. The unique Express Cooking feature allows you to cook your leftovers with just a touch of a button. The 1.1 cubic ft. capacity offers you enough space to cook as well. The manufacturer gives you a 1-year warranty on the product.
Our Verdict
This is a powerful & large microwave oven that can be used by almost all types of people living in any kind of household. It has a large capacity & enough power to prepare most of your favorite dishes.
6. Panasonic NN-GN68KS Countertop Microwave Oven
It is a highly multi-functional oven coming from Panasonic. Other than normal cooking & heating, this oven is specialized for grilling & roasting your foods. The Flash press broiler is specially designed for lifting foods flavor close to the infrared grilling element for a crispy brown finish. Additionally, it features a convection cooking function that distributes heat evenly, ensuring your meals are cooked to perfection. Whether you’re baking, broiling, or roasting, this versatile oven delivers professional-grade results every time. For best performance, always remember to safely remove pizza from oven rack once cooking is complete to prevent over-crisping.
Also, the motor power increases to 1100W while broiling or grilling rather than the normal 1000W output in every other mode to give you a better grilling & browning experience. The built-in genius sensor automatically adjusts power and times based on different foods. It also includes 18 Preset menu items giving you a wide range of cooking capabilities. It also includes a unique Inverter technology that delivers a constant stream of cooking power at every temperature for more evenly cooked meals every time you cook.
The oven is easy to use and features a child safety lock, control lock/unlock option, 4-digit LED display & 10 variable power settings. It also has 3 light options (darker/bright/normal) which can be adjusted according to your preference while cooking.
Our Verdict
It has an enhanced grilling experience that can be used to prepare various types of food with a crispy crust and perfect browning on the top.
7. Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven
This is another great product coming from Panasonic power-packed with a 1200W motor. Like the previous one, the unique Inverter technology from Panasonic delivers a constant stream of cooking power at every temperature for more evenly cooked meals every time you cook.
The built-in genius sensor automatically adjusts power and times based on different foods in this product as well. With the new Turbo Defrost Technology, the defrosting time is faster than ever. Also, the keep warm feature keeps your cooked food warm until you are ready to eat them. The product comes with a 1-year warranty.
Our Verdict
This oven is perfect for anyone who wants to cook food quickly without compromising on good flavor. It has every feature you could want in a product of this kind.
8. COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM Countertop Microwave Oven
This is likely to be a great addition to your kitchen as it brings a touch of stylish finish with itself. It is packed with 700 watts motor accompanied with 11 power levels. Its auto-cook functions include Popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen veggie, beverage & reheat. It has a one-touch express cooking function along with two defrost settings.
Energy saving Eco mode minimizes 50% standby power. The sound on/off feature is also included in this product. The manufacturer gives you a 1-year warranty on the product.
Our Verdict
This oven would be a great addition to your kitchen and will save you ample time and effort. It is incredibly easy to use and the heating is done quickly with multiple power levels available. Its sleek design ensures it fits seamlessly into any kitchen decor, while the intuitive controls make operation straightforward. With safety features built-in, you can cook with peace of mind, as long as you’re careful not to place items like a wooden cutting board in oven. Its versatile cooking modes will have you preparing a wide variety of dishes in no time.
9. Samsung MS14K6000AS Countertop Microwave Oven
The brand itself should speak for the quality of the oven. It’s a Samsung! The 1.4 cubic ft. capacity allows you to cook a really large amount of foods at a time. Samsung’s Sensor Cook automatically adjusts cooking time & senses both moisture and temperature to provide an optimum heating conditions for your cooking & heating.
Their Triple Distribution System improves the heat distribution & ensures more even & thorough heating. It is power packed with a 1000W motor that consists of 10 different power levels. It has got a 15-button keypad which includes four carousel settings –Door Alarm, Add time, and Child Lock.
There is a mute option available along with a whole lot of presets. The ceramic enamel interior is scratch resistant and easy to clean as well. It also features a power saving Eco mode. 1-year parts & labor & 10-year Magnetron warranty is given from Samsung with this product.
Our Verdict
It’s a good product if you want an efficient one that cooks your food faster than other microwaves out there. It is designed to give the best heating effect for any type of food within minutes.
10. BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven
This is the last product we are reviewing in this article & this is really a great one. It comes packed with a 1000W motor & 10 different power levels along with 30 seconds of express cooking available. A child safety lock is available with the easy access door as well.
Its compact size ensures it can fit into even the smallest of the kitchen but its 1.1 cubic ft. capacity also makes sure that it gives you enough space for cooking despite its compactness. 1-year warranty comes from the manufacturer.
Our Verdict
This is a great microwave if you can look past the small control panel. It looks really sleek & stylish. If you are looking for cost-cutting options, this is the one for you!
What to Consider Before Buying Best Countertop Microwave Ovens?
Before buying a microwave oven, you should consider the following factors:
Capacity
You need to consider the capacity of the oven first before buying it as you don’t want a microwave oven that is too small for your kitchen & at the same time, you should not go overboard as well. 1.0 cubic ft. is considered an ideal size as it fits almost any type of food item.
So, keep in mind the size of your kitchen when buying a countertop microwave oven for yourself or your family.
Power Level
How many different power levels do you need in a microwave oven? The answer to this question again depends on the capacity of the oven you are going to buy. If you want a high-efficiency product with high power levels, you should go for an oven with at least 10 different power levels.
Some of the best microwaves out there have 15+ power levels, so you can choose accordingly.
Warranty
The last element that you should take into consideration is the warranty policy of your preferred microwave oven. You do not want to buy a product that does not fit your budget, so it’s crucial to consider warrant information before purchasing any countertop microwave oven for yourself or your family/friends.
The more the warranty, the better the product you will get.
Wattage
The wattage of the microwave oven is another element that needs to be considered before buying it. The cooking time varies for different food items, so you should carefully check the wattage before buying a product.
For instance, chicken usually takes less time than vegetables & rice. A 1000W motor is great for any type of home or commercial use.
Design
The design of the microwave oven is always where the initial attraction starts. Looks do matter if you are thinking about buying microwaves for your home or office space. You need to consider aesthetics when purchasing such products so that it looks good in your kitchen.
Of course, this is not the only thing that matters, but it should be there at the back of your mind while buying a microwave oven. Additionally, it’s important to consider the safety guidelines that come with using a microwave oven, as improper practices can cause damage or even pose a risk. For instance, **using aluminum foil in the oven** can lead to dangerous sparks and potentially cause a fire if not done with care. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding what materials are safe to use inside your specific unit.
Price
The price of any product is always an essential factor to consider. You may think about getting a cheap microwave oven but you should not go overboard with this line of thinking as well.
A high-quality microwave can cost you almost the same or even more than any other branded oven out there. You need to consider your budget & then try to find a good one for yourself.
Material
The material of the microwave oven is vital as well. You should research a lot about different materials & then choose a product that suits your kitchen’s overall theme. Aluminum, stainless steel, and plastic are most commonly used in microwave design.
So you have multiple options to choose from when buying any oven for yourself or your family/home. But it’s best to have stainless steel ovens as they are really durable & can last for years if you maintain them well.
Settings
Settings are another important element that you need to consider before buying a countertop microwave oven. If you are looking for something very basic with just reheating & defrost settings, then any oven will do the job well.
But if you want to have other options as well, then it’s best to spend some extra bucks & buy an oven that has more than two or three settings to choose from.
FAQ’s
Can You Reheat Food in the Microwave?
Yes. Microwaves can be used to reheat, defrost & cook food items like meat, vegetables, rice, etc. It’s safe to reheat any food item in the microwave oven as long as you use an appropriate dish for it.
Is the Microwave Oven Safe?
Yes. Microwaves are entirely safe to use & do not emit any harmful rays that can harm your skin or eyes. They are very easy to use as well & you will get used to them after using them for a couple of days.
Is It Safe to Defrost Food in the Microwave?
Yes, you can defrost any meat, fish, or vegetable item in the microwave oven by following the instructions mentioned in the product’s manual. Just keep an eye on your item & make sure that it is not overheating or catching fire.
What Is the Heating Power of a Microwave?
Almost all microwave ovens come with a heating power of 700-100W & this is more than enough for basic home use. It’s best to go for whatever your budget allows you to buy.
How Do You Stop the Microwave Oven From Overheating?
If your microwave oven is overheating, then you need to check the ventilation system. There may be dust or other items blocking the ventilation holes on the oven & this needs to be removed immediately.
Conclusion
This is a comprehensive review of our top picks for the best countertop microwave ovens in 2021. In our opinion, you should go for Toshiba ML-EM45P if you are looking for a high-powered oven that can be used to cook almost anything & is very easy to use as well. If not you might check out Panasonic NN-GN68KS Countertop Microwave Oven as it is very easy to use.
Now go out there & bring your best countertop microwave oven home & cook delicious dishes.
So, we hope that you’ve read the article, compared the products & already chose your product. Now go out there & bring your best countertop microwave oven home & cook delicious dishes. Happy cooking with Cuisine Stuff! Remember, the kitchen is all about experimenting and finding the right tools for your culinary journey. While you’re updating your appliances, don’t forget to check out the **top 10 dutch ovens 2022** to further enhance your cooking game. Whether it’s a quick meal in the microwave or a slow-cooked masterpiece, having the best tools makes all the difference!