The Countertop Microwave is the most common type of microwave.
They generally cost less and are significantly easier to install than other models.
Countertop microwaves come in different sizes and price ranges.
Top 10 Countertop Microwave Oven
1. Panasonic NN-SN651B Countertop Microwave
This microwave is an excellent purchase. It’s black, slick, and easy on the eyes, plus its improved features that help this microwave separate from routine ones.
This microwave has 1200-watt electricity, as well as a cool attribute called the “inverter technology.” What that means are the food cooks. It’s a popcorn button, of course, but additionally, it has a “detector heat” function.
You can choose 1-12 oz from the list to tell the microwave how “difficult it” to cook the food. The detector reheat works the same way, but the goal would be to warm food, not cook it. Another great thing is the keep warm button.
This Panasonic NN-SN651B Genius 1.2 ft 1200 Watt Sensor Microwave is far and away from the greatest microwave we have ever possessed. I particularly like the detector reheat attribute. I am no more guessing regarding the length of time it’ll choose to reheat leftovers. The detector helps to ensure that pieces are warmed to the correct temp throughout.
The Panasonic NN-SN651B is a nice midsized inverter microwave oven. It does not dominate your counter space like the larger countertop ovens and is also large enough to do more than pop popcorn. This oven heats them evenly and to perfection. The microwave panini meals even end up with crisp toasted bread.
It has ten different heat settings, including defrost, cook delay, a keep warm feature, and it’s very quiet. For the price of this machine, you can’t go wrong!!
Pros:
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- Relatively inexpensive and outstanding microwave
- Usage of the inverter to allow for uniform lower power heating
- Great for those who have small kitchen space
- It’s easy to operate, especially if you regularly warm foods
- The control panel is simple to operate, which some users find great.
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Cons:
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- The interior light does not come on when the door is open;
- it is not a quiet operating unit
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The Panasonic NN-SN651B is easy to use, works well and looks good. Innovative technology, easy to keep clean, and modern appearance. It is probably the best microwave oven, and you cannot beat the price.
2. Panasonic NN-SD681S Stainless Microwave Oven
The microwave may be considered the most useful kitchen merchandise. Many things which can be cooked in the oven or on the range (likes pizza rolls, soup, or vegetables) can be cooked even quicker in a microwave oven.
The Panasonic NN-SD681S microwave oven has many attributes to consider before deciding to purchase. While some are complex, a few of these attributes are typical of most microwaves. It uses the most recent technology to make microwaved food look and taste like it was baked to perfection in a traditional oven.
Whether cooking a frozen dinner or reheating a birthday banquet, the Panasonic NN-SD681S will use its inverter technology to warm the center without burning the borders. The same technology is utilized in its one-touch sensor, which fixes the quantity of heat desired according to the kind of food put in it by automatically shifting the required cooking times.
The views of those who have bought this product before you’re priceless to your selection. The reviews for the Panasonic NN- value SD681S reveal full evaluations for quality, simplicity of use, and features.
3. Sharp Microwaves ZSMC1442CS Countertop Microwave Oven
Interested in a microwave that can read your mind better than you? The Sharp ZSMC1442CS Microwave is the appliance for you, as it features a state-of-the-art Interactive Cooking System that allows you to be an interactive cook, while the microwave offers helpful tips along the way.
The touchpad has fun features to play around with that are divided up between Sensor Cooking, Frozen Foods, and Let’s, Cook. And you can’t complain about the power on this microwave, as it has 1000-watts of power, a 16-inch turntable, and ten power levels. All this comes in a stylish metallic black package and fits conveniently on the countertop.
The Sharp ZSMC1442CS Microwave has 1000-watts of power, making it great for busy families and those that like to entertain. The higher capacity means that food reheats faster, so you can expect to cook everything a few minutes less than what your current microwave can do. In addition to the glowing 1200-watts of power, a large 16-inch turntable can hold large dinner plates.
Pretty much all microwave ovens have one-touch auto-cook buttons that allow for fast and efficient cooking, but the Sharp ZSMC1442CS Microwave has a new menu: The Let’s Cook Menu. The controls included in this category are Breakfast, Lunch, From the Pantry, 15-Minute Recipes, Beverage Center, and Defrost Center.
The one-touch nature of these buttons allows fast foods to be warmed to perfection. Of course, the microwave doesn’t skip over the one-touch controls found on other microwaves such as Vegetable, Popcorn, and Baked Potato.
In addition to the handy Let’s Cook Menu, you’ll also enjoy sensor cooking for various other foods such as Fresh vegetables, Rice, Seafood, and Poultry. The Sharp microwave understands that cooking red meat and poultry are two very different things and account for how these foods should be cooked. The manual also offers a variety of recipes that use the sensor cooking so that all you have to do is press a button, and your meals will be cooked perfectly.
If you like step-by-step instructions, you’ll love that the Sharp ZSMC1442CS Microwave has a virtual display that helps you along with cooking. The display is two-line and interactive and perfect for today’s modern cooks. The display spells out the proper steps and shows cooking hints, which are great reminders after a long day. For example, when the collection says Help, you can press the Custom Help button for a hint.
This microwave is lightweight, which is great if you plan on moving the microwave, but not so great if you expect it to last. While it’s difficult to comment on the overall longevity of the product, many consumers worry that it won’t offer the long haul that past appliances have.
Although many appliances are getting lighter based on newer technology and smarter designs, the Sharp ZSMC1442CS Microwave seems especially lightweight. It’s not made from heavy-duty metal parts and instead includes many plastic parts that appear to be rather fragile. For example, latch mechanisms on the door can be easily broken, so you’ll want to exercise caution when opening and closing the microwave door.
If you like having your foods rotate on the turntable, you’ll enjoy the turntable feature on the Sharp ZSMC1442CS Microwave. On the downside, the turntable cannot be disabled. Some people are hesitant to purchase microwaves with turntables, as they can break, trap liquids and spilled foods and add another piece to keep clean.
The Sharp microwave doesn’t allow the turntable to be disabled, but it can be easily washed with soap and water or placed in the dishwasher. Just make sure that all spills are cleaned up immediately, as they will trap underneath.
Many consumers find the Sharp ZSMC1442CS Microwave to be a bit confusing. The appliance has many fun features, so as long as you don’t mind studying the manual and learning what all the buttons mean, you’ll be fine. But if you’re purchasing for someone that wants a basic microwave, the touchpad will prove difficult. There are many buttons, and the descriptions are hard to read. Entering in times can also be a nuisance, as the controls aren’t spaciously laid out. Fortunately, the panel tries to be self-explanatory by dividing the cooking options into separate categories.
The Sharp ZSMC1442CS Countertop Microwave Oven is a purchase you’ll want to make if you plan on keeping your kitchen updated with the latest appliances.
This microwave has a sleek black exterior, complements the modern-day kitchen with stainless steel or black appliances. It has many neat features that allow for more user control, such as the Interactive Cooking System that delivers custom help.
Other great add-ons to this appliance include the sensor settings and Let’s Cook Menu that offers one-touch buttons for all your favorite foods. Although these cooking options are fun to use, they also make the appliance a bit complicated, so it’s not something you’d want to purchase if you’re looking for something simple and basic. But as long as you don’t mind reading up on the manual, you’ll love the interactive nature of this microwave.
4. Oster Am980ss Countertop Microwave Oven
If simplicity is more your style, you’ll love the Oster 0.9 Cubic Foot 900-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven. It’s not overloaded with features, but it gets the job done without any fuss.
This microwave boasts a stylish stainless steel exterior, so it looks great with the modern-day kitchen. Instead of having a push button to release the door, a convenient handle allows easy opening and closing.
The touch panel is attractive and ergonomically laid out. There are ten adjustable power levels, plus one-touch cook settings for potato, popcorn, pizza, beverage, frozen dinner, reheat, and defrost.
Other features include a child safety lock, a cooking timer, and a digital clock. What makes this countertop microwave oven even more practical is that it’s compact, with a 0.9 cubic foot capacity that’s ideal for apartments and second homes.
If there’s one thing about the Oster 900-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven, it’s that the appliance is practical. While it doesn’t have many features, it has all the useful tools you find yourself needing daily.
Six one-touch buttons include reheat, frozen dinner, and popcorn, plus a timer and child safety lock that prevents kids from operating the machine while you’re not around. Since the microwave is designed to sit on the countertop and has a 0.9 cubic foot capacity, you can easily store it on your countertop without making any major changes.
The Oster Countertop Microwave Oven is comfortable and easy to operate, keeping consistent with its simplistic image. The touchpad features large buttons that are easy to press and read, while the six one-touch cook buttons are assigned.
Since many microwaves have difficulty opening the door properly, the Oster skips right over these issues and instead assigns the microwave a stainless steel handle that makes opening and closing the door seamless. Of course, you can’t beat the small size of the microwave that makes the appliance just as easy to store as it is to operate.
You’ll certainly love the attractive design of the Oster 900-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven that looks great in any updated kitchen. With a stainless steel handle and housing, the microwave seems stylish right off the bat. It features an opaque viewing screen that hides food splatters, and the inside of the appliance is easy to clean and maintain. You can also enjoy a digital clock, something that even some elite microwave ovens lack. The stylish design, coupled with the small footprint, makes this microwave oven especially trendy for modern kitchens.
Just because the Oster Countertop Microwave Oven doesn’t have many features doesn’t mean it can’t warm up foods just like other ovens. This appliance is very consistent with the nutrition it warms, plus you can rely on the accuracy of the one-touch cook buttons. Being 19-inches in length, you can fit a large plate of food in the microwave with no problem and expect that the meal will be warmed to perfection.
The Oster Countertop Microwave Oven is fast as well, so you won’t need to stir and heat over and over again. Since the microwave is limited in size and features, most people find that it’s best used for heating soups, frozen dinners, and leftovers, as well as popping bags of popcorn and warming beverages.
If you’re looking for a very simple, very basic microwave, you won’t be disappointed with the Oster Countertop Microwave Oven. But even with simplicity in mind, this microwave lacks some very practical features that people rely on. There’s no one-minute button and no way to add time once the microwave has started. You also won’t find any intuitive features with this appliance, as it operates by you punching in the time unless you choose to use one of the one-touch cook buttons.
This particular appliance is one whose greatest advantages are also its greatest disadvantages. Since the microwave is so basic, you’re limited to what you can do with it. This won’t be much of an issue for those who want just to heat and reheat their meals. But if you’re looking to defrost a whole chicken, for example, the Oster will struggle with a meal this large.
It only has 900-watts of power, and the interior is large enough to fit one dinner plate. If you don’t find the one-touch buttons to be accurate, you’ll be keying in all of your cooking times, and you’ll be hearing constant beeping if you don’t remove your already-warmed food from the microwave. Being basic isn’t bad, but just know that you’ll have limited usage with this appliance.
The Oster 900-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven is a great purchase for those that want a small, practical, and basic microwave oven.
It’s not overloaded with all the bells and whistles of many modern-day appliances, but this can come as good news to someone that just wants to have the basic features to heat and reheat their meals. With the basic nature of the microwave, you’ll love that it has a super small footprint and can conveniently sit on any countertop without taking up much space.
The stainless steel exterior gives it added sophistication so that you know you’re not sacrificing quality for size or simplicity.
5. Frigidaire FFCM0724LW Countertop Microwave
Need a dependable microwave that doesn’t require a manual every time you go to use it?
The Frigidaire FFCM0724LW Microwave is an excellent choice, as it offers plenty of practical features, as well as a memory cook function and multiple-stage cooking.
With 1-1/2 cubic feet of space, you’ll have plenty of room for a large dinner plate, beverage mug, or bowl of soup.
An electronic touchpad graces the front of the design and allows for easy use as you navigate through ten power levels, and express cook button, and eight one-touch auto-cook buttons for your favorite foods. In a clean white color, this Frigidaire microwave will blend in nicely with all décor.
If you’re tired of having to reset your microwave every time the power goes out, you’ll love that the Frigidaire 1-1/2 Cubic Foot Microwave Oven has a memory cook feature that stores your cooking instructions for later use.
And because the microwave has intuitive features, it’s easy to find the perfect cooking temperature and speed while having the memory cook function remember it for later. While anyone will appreciate this feature, it will be especially valued by those who tend to lose power in their homes.
This countertop microwave is packed with features, and the performance is outstanding as well. With all the cooking options, it’s not hard to find the perfect temperature for your foods, and meals come out evenly cooked every time.
If you’re cooking something from the one-touch cook menu, such as pizza, popcorn, or a warm beverage, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how well the microwave heats foods. There are no cold or hot spots, and delicate foods won’t overheat on the outside while leaving the inside of the food frozen. Even if you don’t use the one-touch buttons, you can expect that your meals will come out just right, saving you time and frustration.
For a countertop microwave, the Frigidaire 1000-Watt Microwave has many cooking options that you’ll find useful for everyday cooking. Eight one-touch auto-cook buttons include pizza, beverage, popcorn, dinner plate, and potato, while ten power levels are available for precise cooking.
The microwave oven offers multiple-stage cooking that enables the microwave to be preset to cycle through more than one cooking stage during one use. You also have the option to defrost by cook time or the weight of the food, and there are buttons for the express cook and memory cook, making this microwave highly intuitive.
The Frigidaire 1000-Watt Microwave is the perfect middle-of-the-road appliance that’s useful for families, elders, or those living in apartments, dorms, or senior centers. The microwave is not too complicated, and you won’t have to pull out the manual every time you use it.
All of the buttons are easy to navigate through, and the microwave doesn’t have technologically advanced features that will be ultra-sensitive. That being said, the microwave isn’t too simplistic in that it skips over the necessary parts. It offers many cook options and has excellent performance for a price you can afford. If you want a microwave that has practical features but isn’t too technologically advanced, this Frigidaire is the product for you.
The Frigidaire 1000-Watt Microwave doesn’t have the most updated look to it, so if you’re aiming for a stylish, sophisticated microwave that will match your other appliances, the Frigidaire may be too simple for your needs.
The design is reminiscent of microwaves from years ago, as it’s a bit large, made from plastic, and has a simple, flat touchpad. The color of the microwave is white as well, which tends to be the less popular color compared to stainless steel and black appliances. The door doesn’t have a pull handle but a push-button, which tends to be less reliable. And the screen is not opaque as some people prefer it to be. Fortunately, none of these aesthetic properties affect the performance of the microwave.
With the lack of an updated design, many people are disappointed that the Frigidaire microwave costs as much as it does. You can purchase a stainless steel microwave with just as many features but a clean, updated design for a similar price. However, not everyone has black or stainless steel appliances and appreciates the simple nature of this microwave that boasts a white exterior. Nevertheless, many people feel that the price should be a bit cheaper to reflect this simpler design.
The Frigidaire FFCM0724LW Microwave is a wonderful microwave with many neat features, a large capacity, and even a memory cook feature. It delivers up to 1000-watts of power and cooks food evenly, making you more efficient around the kitchen.
The microwave is a great purchase for families or singletons since it doesn’t compromise practical cook features yet isn’t as complicated as some of the newer microwaves on the market. The microwave’s design lacks other appliances; however, you may want to skip over the Frigidaire if you have a stainless steel kitchen. But if you’re not one to follow suit with new trends, you’ll find everything you need with the efficient Frigidaire 1000-Watt Microwave.
6. Panasonic NN-SN936B Countertop Microwave
When you’re ready to upgrade from your lower wattage microwave oven, you’ll love the power and efficiency that the Panasonic 1.6 Cubic Feet 1250-Watt Microwave Oven will bring to the table.
This appliance is large, making it easy to cook full meals in half the time. There are many features to enjoy: the popcorn key, more/less control, an inverter turbo defrost, ten power levels, and five cooking options.
The 15-inch turntable is large enough to place a whole turkey or chicken on, while the one-touch sensor cooking gives users the control they need to push a button and have their foods cooked to perfection. Perhaps the greatest perk to the Panasonic is that it keeps foods warm by delivering very low heat so that meals are served warm but not overcooked.
The Panasonic 1250-Watt Microwave Oven was built around convenience. Not only is this microwave great for everyday heating, reheating, and thawing, but it can be used to cook up stews, thoroughly defrost meats and prepare meals. There are step-by-step cooking instructions that flash across the display in English, Spanish and French, plus the function key pulls up ten pre-programmed settings. You can also use the function key to pull up the menu-action screen that displays the next steps for completing the task.
To get perfectly warmed foods, you need the proper tools to do so. The Panasonic 1250-Watt Microwave Oven delivers all the right tools so that you can easily cook food the way it’s supposed to be. Thanks to the step-by-step cooking instructions, you’ll be directed as to how long you should cook your meal, plus pulsing delivery keeps foods at a constant warm temperature without overcooking them.
The Inverter Turbo Defrost thoroughly defrosts foods, while ten power levels and five multi-stage cooking options offer more user control. Other useful features include the popcorn key, Quick Minute, auto reheat, timer, and delay start.
This Panasonic Microwave Oven has 1250-watts of power, making it one of the more powerful microwaves on the market. Many users have purchased this appliance to upgrade from a lower power microwave, and they thoroughly enjoy the shorter cooking times.
You will have to upgrade to a larger and louder appliance with a higher power, but this is a small price to pay for the quick and efficient heating of all your favorite foods. Just remember to have ample space to store this microwave, as it will require more of your countertop.
If you’re tired of cooking all foods on the same power, you’ll love the intuitive nature of the Panasonic 1250-Watt Microwave Oven. All you have to do is place the food in the microwave, press the button, and hit start. The sensor cooking is what works wonders and lives up to its hype, even though many customers were skeptical of it working in the first place.
With the sensor cooking, the appliance senses the food and temperature to come out perfectly cooked. For example, pop in a fresh vegetable, press the “fresh vegetable” button, and press start. There’s no need to enter the type of vegetable, the weight of the vegetable, or the time you want it to cook.
Although the Panasonic 1250-Watt Microwave Oven boasts plenty of one-touch buttons, the “start” button needs to be pressed after each step. These features, therefore, are not exactly “one-touch.” And although the display panel offers some useful information, it can be time-consuming to read the display from right to left. Many users choose to just key in the time, choosing a cooking level, and then press starts instead of waiting to read through the display.
Like others, this model of the Panasonic has a small indentation on the upper left corner that allows the door to open smoothly. Unfortunately, the door opening mechanism is far from superior. The lever may or may not allow the door to open seamlessly, which means you might find yourself standing there with a plate in one hand and having to use the other hand to pry open the door.
There has been a range of door problems with Panasonic, in fact, with the door lever getting stuck, falling off, or being inconsistent. Sometimes this problem arises immediately, while for others, the problem comes after the warranty is up.
Although the full-size Panasonic microwave has a larger footprint, don’t expect the generous size to be in height. While the microwave is certainly long and large, it doesn’t have a lot of height to it. You may like this if you plan on placing the microwave underneath a cabinet, but most people expect the appliance to be taller. The short height makes it difficult to warm beverages in tall glasses, and you won’t be able to reach in with a utensil and stir foods.
The Panasonic Full-Size, 1.6 Cubic Feet 1250-Watt Microwave Oven is an excellent purchase for someone looking for a larger, more powerful microwave.
The size and power of this appliance will shorten cook times and speed up defrosting tasks. You can enjoy these upgrades while still sporting a modern microwave oven on the countertop that boasts plenty of user-friendly features.
With the intuitive nature of this microwave, you can slip in all types of foods, press a button and continue cooking. Just be sure that you take the time to learn about the features to get the most out of them.
7. Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN966S Stainless Steel Countertop
The Panasonic NN-SE982S 2.2 Cuft 1250-Watt Stainless Steel Microwave Oven is another great product in the Panasonic line of microwave ovens. With a stylish stainless steel exterior, this microwave will look great in any modern kitchen.
Its greatest feature is its size, as it boasts a 2.2 cubic foot capacity and 16-1/2-inch turntable for casserole dishes and large plates of food.
The Inverter Turbo Defrost allows foods to be defrosted to perfection without actually cooking them, avoiding the problem of having frozen foods in the middle, and overcooked on the outside. The appliance also has a menu-action screen with one-touch sensor cooking options, a keep-warm menu, more/less control, and Quick Minute.
If you’re planning on buying a microwave for your family or workplace, the Panasonic 1250-Watt Stainless Steel Microwave Oven is the appliance for you. This microwave has a generous 2.2 capacity for large plates of food and casserole dishes and glass bowls for steaming vegetables. While it will take up more space on your countertop, the stainless steel exterior is enough to keep the appliance looking sleek and stylish in any modern-day kitchen.
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, this Panasonic microwave has it all. For under $200, you get a nice-looking appliance with a stainless steel front. The large capacity and turntable make cooking full plates of food a breeze. But really, the highlight of the device is all the practical features that come included, such as the popcorn key, one-touch sensor cooking buttons, and Quick Minute.
The keep-warm menu is perfect for keeping foods warm until you’re ready to eat them. At the same time, ten power levels and five multi-stage cooking options provide enough flexibility for cooking authentic foods to precision.
If you like using your microwave to defrost foods, you’ll appreciate the Inverter Turbo Defrost technology that’s built into this machine. Instead of defrosting foods and finding that they are cold in the middle and overcooked on the outside, this technology prevents this from happening. Instead, you get perfectly cooked foods without having to lift a finger.
The Inverter Turbo Defrost detects the food and automatically shifts temperatures and cooking times to cook the food properly without cycling on and off. It’s a great feature that leads to more precise cooking without you having to check on the meal constantly.
The Panasonic 1250-Watt Stainless Steel Microwave Oven is an appliance you could buy for your own busy family or your parents who may not be technologically inclined. The microwave is simple to use and doesn’t have complicated buttons and features. That being said, the microwave is packed with functional features that are necessary for accurately cooking foods.
Instead of a digital display panel, you get a turn knob, which most users have found they prefer once they get used to it. The microwave is easy to program and even has a friendly message that says “enjoy your meal” at the end.
Even with all the Panasonic microwave’s great features and generous capacity, you still have to have the room to store the appliance. It’s a large microwave, so if you’re limited on counter space, you may want to rethink your decision. Fortunately, the microwave is attractive, but that doesn’t mean it won’t stick out like a sore thumb if you don’t have the space to designate it. With the power that this machine draws, some people have even had bad experiences with the microwave causing interference with other electronic devices around the home.
One minor annoyance with this microwave is that you have to push the knob for each power level you want manually. For example, the oven automatically defaults to 100 percent power, so if you’re going to cook something with less energy, you have to push the knob that many times. A meal being prepared on 30 percent power would need the knob to be pressed seven times.
With the new technology being built into Panasonic machines, some had hoped for a more efficient way to adjust the power levels. However, it does have some limitations from the standard LCD, where you can type in what you want, but many people do just fine after learning how to use the knob.
The Panasonic NN-SE982S 2.2 Cuft 1250-Watt Microwave is an excellent purchase for families, workplaces, or those that want a large microwave to fit their casserole dishes.
With a large capacity, oversized turntable, and plenty of power, you can whip up large meals in no time. The exterior of the microwave is stylish as well, with an easy-to-clean stainless steel front that’s resistant to fingerprints and scratches.
Perhaps best of all is the value that comes with this microwave, as it’s from Panasonic, packed with practical features and will last for years, even in a busy home. Just make sure you have the space to place this microwave, as it’s rather large for the average countertop.
8. Kenmore 73772 Countertop Microwave
The Kenmore 73772 features six Intelligent Touch settings and ten power levels, making using a microwave simpler than normal.
Owners of the microwave note it is extremely intuitive and boasts user-friendly controls. Still, its biggest strength is the inclusion of a memory feature that saves your favorite cook time and power level blends for things that are not already present in the machine.
It will not have much in the way of extras, but the memory attribute is an extra incentive for folks that do not anticipate their microwave to do anything other than reheat and cook food.
Though it’s a bit heftier at 33 pounds than the other microwaves, some owners like that additional weight made it feel more permanent and kept it from accidentally moving the countertop across too readily.
This characteristic is ideal for people who wish to conserve even more hours in the kitchen and is unique among the other competitors.