We Tested 23 Microwaves to Find 5 Winners for Reheating Leftovers and Making Popcorn

Microwaves are incredibly useful appliances. Need to reheat leftovers for lunch? Got it. Want a bowl of popcorn to munch on while you watch a flick? Done. You can even cook full meals (and we're not talkin' TV dinners) in a microwave with the right cookware.

While all microwaves work the same way (i.e. by using electromagnetic waves to heat food), there is enough variation in their other features that can make it tricky to choose which one to buy. Do you want presets? Does wattage matter? Is bigger better? We set out to answer these questions—and find some great options—by running 23 microwaves through a variety of tests.

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Microwave

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven

$140 at Amazon $170 at Home Depot $110 at Farmandfleet.com

The Toshiba popped popcorn beautifully, with only a few unpopped kernels. Its heat sensor ensured evenly melted marshmallows and microwaved lasagna was perfectly cooked without any cold spots. It’s a fantastic model that’s been our winner since we first tested microwaves.

The Best Budget Microwave

Magic Chef 1.1 Microwave

$111 at Amazon $111 at Target $70 at Home Depot

This is an above-average affordable microwave that handled everything we threw at it. None of the popcorn was burnt and only a mere tablespoon of kernels remained.

The Best No-Frills Microwave

Farberware FMO11AHTBKB Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven

$130 $100 at Amazon $120 at Walmart $123 at Home Depot

This microwave has a small footprint but still has the chops it takes for basic heating needs. While it took longer to cook lasagna than other microwaves, the final result was evenly warmed without any chilly bits. It’s a solid microwave that’s easy to use.

The Best Splurge Microwave

Panasonic NN-SD975S Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology

$400 at Amazon $478 at Walmart View on Panasonic.com

This workhorse of a microwave wowed us with its ability to cook frozen foods evenly and without fuss. It also boiled water in a mere two minutes, which was impressive. We really loved the More/Less feature, which let us add or subtract time mid-cook.

The Tests

• Water Test: Without adjusting the power levels, we put a cup of room-temperature water (68°F, in this case) in a glass measuring cup, and then zapped it for two minutes. We then took the temperature of the water with an instant-read thermometer. 
• Marshmallow Test: We layered a nine-inch pie dish with parchment paper and covered the bottom with an even layer of miniature marshmallows. We adjusted the power level to 50% and microwaved them for two minutes before checking for hot (or cold) spots.
• Frozen Mac n’ Cheese Test: We cooked a frozen, 12-ounce portion of mac n’ cheese for half the time listed on package directions, then used an instant-read thermometer to record temperatures in four places around the mac. We checked the temperatures again after cooking.
• Frozen Lasagna Test: We used each microwave to cook frozen lasagna, following package instructions. We stopped halfway through heating and changed the power level to 50%, then continued cooking until finished. Once done, we took the temperatures of the lasagna in each corner and in the center to see how evenly it cooked. 
• Melting Chocolate Test: We put eight ounces of chocolate wafers in a medium glass bowl and microwaved for 30 seconds on 50% power. After stirring four times with a rubber spatula, we repeated the process three more times before assessing the consistency of the chocolate.
• Popcorn Test: We popped a bag of popcorn using the popcorn button if the microwave had one, or following package instructions if it didn’t. After the microwave stopped, we spread the contents of the bag on a sheet tray and counted how many kernels were left unpopped. We also noted if there were any burnt pieces. 
  

What We Learned

How Do Microwaves Work?

Microwaves heat and cook food by using a magnetron to blast it with electromagnetic waves. (You can read a more in-depth explanation of how they work here). The waves bounce off the walls and into your food, but it's difficult for them to evenly penetrate it, especially if it's a thick item like a chicken breast or large potato. This is why sometimes you'll find cold or uncooked spots even after you've zapped food a few times.

A Note About Wattage

Many of the microwaves we tested had wattages between 600 and 1200 watts, with the standard setting hovering at 1000. More wattage means more power, as we saw in our chocolate chip test: chocolate heated at 50% power took more time to melt. If you want more or less power, most microwaves let you tweak the wattage. You likely won't need to exceed the maximum wattage which in the microwaves we recommended is quite high.

We Didn't Love Presets

We didn't find presets, like "popcorn" or "potato" particularly useful. They basically just set the microwave to a certain wattage and time, which is easy enough to do yourself. Some microwaves, like the LG, had presets so complex that they provided a chart to reference what exactly they do. No thank you—we'll stick to simple interfaces and manually punching in times and wattages.

Size (Kind of) Mattered

While a bigger microwave may seem like a better idea, we found that size didn't impact performance. Instead, size matters more in terms of kitchen space. The Panasonic, while a great microwave, is 24 inches long and 14 inches tall, so if you have limited countertop space, it might not be a good choice. That said, a teensy microwave could be limiting if you can't fit a storage container full of leftovers inside it.

Handles vs. Buttons

Buttons look sleeker than handles and make it easier to open the microwave with your elbow if your hands are full. Handles weren't bad—they just tend to stick out more and require a free hand to grip and open the door. Our favorite microwave from Toshiba has a handle, and we quite liked it, so it's really up to you on which style you choose.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Microwave

A great microwave should be easy to operate and cook food efficiently. We preferred models that weren’t dependent on presets, and that were easy to adjust during cooking. While we liked microwaves that heated food thoroughly, we did have some wiggle room since cooking food with electromagnetic waves isn't the most even cooking method.

Our Favorite Microwaves

The Best Microwave

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven

$140 at Amazon $170 at Home Depot $110 at Farmandfleet.com

What we liked: The Toshiba was intuitive and effective—and half the price of some of the more expensive models we tested. We were impressed with how well it cooked popcorn (minimal remaining kernels!), and the heat sensor ensured evenly cooked results. It heated frozen foods extremely well—the lasagna was fairly consistently warmed through, with temperatures between 204 and 207°F in the corners and 189°F in the center.

What we didn’t like: This microwave struggled to melt chocolate chips. That said, we tested each oven on 50% power. The handle sticks out more than a button, but this feels like splitting hairs.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 17.1 x 20.5 x 12.8 inches
• Weight: 34.5 pounds
• Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet
• Wattage: 1100 watts
• Warranty: 1 year

The Best Budget Microwave

Magic Chef 1.1 Microwave

$111 at Amazon $111 at Target $70 at Home Depot

What we liked: This microwave oven is a great buy, with a range of functions including adding 30 seconds, variable power settings, and express cook. But the presets don’t take away from the fact that it was silly easy to program—just punch in how much time you want and it’s off to the races. More importantly, it performed well, too. Marshmallows were nicely caramelized, and the frozen mac n’ cheese and lasagna cooked impressively evenly. If you’re looking for a user-friendly microwave without unnecessary frills, we’re happy to recommend the Magic Chef.

What we didn’t like: Our popcorn test yielded unpopped kernels, but it was only a tablespoon.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 12.1 x 20.x x 15.7 inches
• Weight: 30.1 pounds
• Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet
• Wattage: 1000 watts
• Warranty: 1 year

The Best No-Frills Microwave

Farberware FMO11AHTBKB Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven

$130 $100 at Amazon $120 at Walmart $123 at Home Depot

What we liked: Despite being a compact model, the Farberware was still large enough for most common microwave uses; a frozen lasagna fit inside without feeling cramped. It has a no-frills control panel that was easy to program and most results came out adequately cooked. While not the snazziest of microwaves, if you just want to heat up leftovers or pop some popcorn for movie night, it’s got you covered. 

What we didn’t like: While the corners of the lasagna hovered around 190°F, the center was a much cooler 125°F. Part of this is due to how microwaves cook food, but other models had more even results in this test. Popcorn came out with about 30 unpopped kernels. 

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 20.6 x 16.5 x 11.8 inches
• Weight: 36.6 pounds
• Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet
• Wattage: 1000 watts
• Warranty: NA
  

The Best Splurge Microwave

Panasonic NN-SD975S Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology

$400 at Amazon $478 at Walmart View on Panasonic.com

What we liked: Yes, this is a massive microwave, but it did very well in our tests. It aced cooking frozen mac and cheese and lasagna, resulting in meals without any cold or overcooked spots. We even liked some of the presets (gasp!), namely the Keep Warm function, which allows you to keep whatever you've heated warm until you're ready to eat. We also found the More/Less button helpful, which makes it easy to add or subtract time (10 or 20 seconds) when cooking. 

What we didn’t like: It's big, so if you have a small kitchen or rarely use your microwave, this might be overkill.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 19.44 x 23.88 x 14 inches
• Weight: 36.8 pounds
• Capacity: 2.2 cubic feet
• Wattage: 1250 watts
• Warranty: 1 year
  

The Competition

• LG 1.5 cu. ft. NeoChef Countertop Microwave: This model heated lasagna to a piping hot 190°F in the center—in short, it was powerful. It popped popcorn quickly and without burning and melted marshmallows evenly. The only downside was a less-than-intuitive control panel, which required using a chart to understand what exactly the menu presets entailed.
• Breville Compact Wave Soft-Close Microwave Oven: We found the soft-close door and quiet cooking volume to be the most impressive features of this microwave, which proved otherwise lackluster in performance. 
• Comfee Retro Microwave with Multi-Stage Cooking: Though its retro appearance is cute, this microwave didn't perform well.
• Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave: For the price, we weren't satisfied with this microwave's mediocre and uneven performance.
• Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven: We were not at all impressed with this microwave; it was overpriced and inaccurate thanks to the rotary dials used to set the time. 
• Galanz GT 4-in-1 ToastWave: While this microwave was versatile—it acts as a toaster oven and an air fryer, too—we think money is better spent on buying gadgets that are built for those things, rather than a mediocre all-rounder. Plus, this microwave was quite expensive and left hot spots during our marshmallow test. 
• Farberware Countertop Compact Microwave: This was a fairly standard microwave that, while it performed well, did show signs of hot spots throughout testing. 
• Panasonic 1.2 Inverter Microwave: While this microwave performed well, it was edged out slightly by our favorites from Toshiba and Panasonic. That said, it's still a good, affordable microwave. 
• Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven: Overall, we found this expensive microwave didn’t perform very well on basic tasks and was rather inefficient when it came to reheating. And, while it was replete with all kinds of features (Airfry! Bake! Broil!), we don’t think they make up for an overall mediocre microwave. 
• Cuisinart CMW-200 1.2-Cubic-Foot Convection Microwave Oven with Grill: This was one of the most expensive microwaves in our lineup and only had mediocre results to show for it. Plus, we think grilling is best left to an actual grill. 
• SMETA Microwave 1000 Watt Countertop/1.1 cu ft Microwave: While this microwave performed okay at basic reheating tasks, we found the presets inaccurate, particularly regarding popcorn. 
• Proctor Silex 1.1 Microwave: With overall weak power and poor heating, this microwave was a dud from the start.
• Samsung Speed Cooking Microwave: While this microwave is currently unavailable, it scorched popcorn and began making an alarming noise midway through testing, so we stopped using it. 
• Black+Decker EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven: While appealing and inexpensive, it failed to melt chocolate well and left a good amount of unpopped popcorn kernels. 
• Magic Chef Retro Countertop Microwave: After just two minutes in the microwave, this (admittedly cute) microwave aggressively burned popcorn. Sad!
• Galanz GLCMKA07BER-07 Retro Microwave Oven: While we were quite impressed with the performance of this microwave, its capacity was small (as in, a popcorn bag felt crowded). 
• Nostalgia RMO4AQ Retro Large 0.9 cu ft, 800-Watt Countertop Microwave: Fun-looking but not super functional, this microwave didn’t do well in our chocolate and popcorn tests. 
• Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave with Sound On/Off: This microwave was on the smaller side and just didn’t do well in our basic, chocolate-melting test. 
• Midea Equipment 1025F0A Stainless Steel Countertop Commercial Microwave Oven, 1000W: While this microwave performed pretty well, it did toast marshmallows unevenly. It’s also pricey.

FAQs

Is a microwave an oven? 

Microwaves are technically ovens, yes! But rather than using electricity to heat coils or gas to cook your food, they use electromagnetic waves that seep into what you're cooking to warm it through. They won't caramelize or char like a standard oven will.

What is the best way to clean a microwave?

We've all had that bowl of leftover meatballs suddenly emit a popping sound, covering the interior of the microwave in a fine splatter of red sauce. In short, microwaves get dirty. Cleaning them is as easy as removing the spin tray if it has one and giving it a good scrub in the sink. If the inside of the microwave is looking rough, a damp rag or a sponge and warm, soapy water should do the trick—just make sure to thoroughly dry the interior afterward.

How can you find the wattage of your microwave? 

Oftentimes the packaging or owner's manual will list the wattage of your microwave. If not, you can also search online or look on the inside of the door, which often lists it.

Can metal go in a microwave?

If you've ever accidentally put a metal utensil or dish covered in aluminum foil into the microwave, you'll know why it's a no-go: sparks galore! While the consensus is to shy away from putting anything metallic in the microwave, there are some microwave-safe dishes that have metal on them but are formatted so it won't arc and cause sparking.

What's better? A countertop microwave or an over-the-range microwave?

Neither is better, though countertop ovens are cheaper—but they take up more counterspace. Over-the-range ovens can be difficult to clean since they're often located at eye level.

Why We're the Experts

• Grace Kelly is an editor at Serious Eats, where she’s been reviewing gear for nearly three years. She can’t imagine not having a microwave.
• We tested 23 microwaves, using each to cook frozen foods, melt chocolate, pop popcorn, and more to evaluate their efficiency, power, and usability.
• Summer Rylander has been writing for Serious Eats since 2022.