Best Microwave of 2024

Mate

Chances are you’ll start your search for a microwave by thinking about what size is best for you. A 2.2 cubic foot, 1250 watt microwave isn’t necessarily the best option for everyone.

Current

If you’re in a small space or have wattage limitations (my dorm was a mere 900 watts), you’ll want to look for compact models under 1000 watts. You’ll also want to consider whether you want to look at over-the-stove microwaves, countertop microwaves, or inverter microwaves.

Setting and functions

Once you’ve decided on a size and power level, think about which features are most important to you. If you never eat popcorn but do eat a lot of leftover pizza, make sure the model you choose has a single-slice option. Microwaves come with dozens of functions, power settings, and preset cooking programs, but aside from a few like defrost or reheat, you may not use them very often.

Color and design

Narrow it down to the right size, power level, and feature set, and all that’s left to do is pick a color. A few of the models we tested come in multiple finishes, so if your microwave is going to be part of your kitchen landscape, you should be able to find the right color.

One last tip: Don’t throw away the manual as soon as you open the box. Your microwave’s manual is a Awesome source for exactly how to use each cooking mode. Each manufacturer seems to do things a little differently, and there were time guides and helpful explanations in every manual we came across during testing.