Best Consumer Reports Best Countertop Microwave

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS offers a spacious 1.2‑cu ft interior and 1000‑watt output, making it ideal for families and busy cooks. Its Smart Sensor Technology reads food humidity and automatically adjusts time and power, delivering consistently even results without guesswork.

Six preset menus cover favorites like pizza, vegetables, and reheating, while ten power levels give fine‑tuned control for delicate tasks such as defrosting or boiling. The removable 12.4‑inch glass turntable simplifies cleaning, and the one‑touch start and easy‑defrost functions speed up everyday meal prep.

The GE 2.0‑cu ft countertop microwave packs 1200 watts of power into a compact footprint, perfect for small kitchens or apartments. Its two‑step child lock provides peace of mind, while sensor cooking automatically fine‑tunes time and power for optimal results.

Weight‑based defrost lets you input the food’s weight for precise thawing, and a simple one‑touch Instant‑On button gets meals cooking in seconds. A rotating glass turntable ensures even heating, and built‑in kitchen timer and audible alerts keep you informed without constant monitoring.

Chefman’s 0.7‑cu‑ft countertop microwave packs 700 watts of power into a sleek, space‑saving design. Ten power levels let you melt butter on low or blast reheated leftovers on high, while six one‑touch presets cover popcorn, pizza, beverages, vegetables, potatoes, and leftovers.

The digital control panel features a convenient +30‑second timer and a memory function for your favorite settings. A built‑in child safety lock on the handle prevents accidental openings, and the lock mode disables the panel when needed.

Ideal for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or office break areas.

Toshiba’s 8‑in‑1 countertop microwave combines a 1000‑watt microwave with air‑fry, convection bake, broil, low‑temp, odor‑removal, and defrost functions, delivering versatile cooking in a compact footprint. The 12.4‑inch removable turntable accommodates a whole chicken, a 12‑inch pizza, or a casserole, while the two‑step child lock ensures safety.

With 1600‑watt input, the unit heats quickly and circulates hot air for crisp, low‑fat results. Its stainless‑steel exterior resists fingerprints, and the digital display offers easy preset selection and manual control.

Perfect for families seeking a space‑saving, multi‑function appliance.

The Farberware 1.1‑cu‑ft countertop microwave packs a solid 1000‑watt output in a compact footprint, making it perfect for small kitchens or office break rooms. Its ten power levels and six one‑touch cooking presets—popcorn, pizza, potato, and more—let you customize meals quickly.

The interior lights let you watch food without opening the door, while the clear LED display shows timer and clock. A child‑safety lock adds peace of mind, and the easy‑clean interior keeps maintenance simple.

Overall, it delivers full‑size performance without sacrificing space.

Toshiba’s EM131A5C‑SS offers a roomy 1.2‑cu‑ft interior and 1000‑watt output, delivering reliable power for everyday cooking. Smart Sensor Technology reads food humidity and automatically tweaks time and power, so dishes come out perfectly cooked every time.

Six preset menus—including pizza, vegetable, and sensor reheat—provide quick start options, while ten power levels give fine‑tuned control. The removable 12.4‑inch glass turntable makes cleaning easy, and the built‑in clock and timer keep you on schedule.

With a sleek stainless‑steel finish, this microwave blends style and functionality for any countertop.

The Kenmore Countertop Microwave offers a compact 0.9‑cu ft interior that fits comfortably on tight countertops while delivering reliable performance. Its six preset cooking menus—popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen dinner, beverage, and reheat—make everyday meals a one‑button affair.

The intuitive control panel includes a one‑touch start for 30‑second increments up to six minutes, a dedicated defrost button that works by time or weight, and a built‑in clock with kitchen timer. A child‑lock adds safety, and the sleek design coordinates with other Kenmore appliances for a cohesive kitchen look.

The GE Countertop Microwave combines a roomy 1.6‑cu ft cavity with 1,150 watts of power, delivering fast, even cooking in a space‑saving footprint. Its eight auto‑cook settings and sensor cooking technology automatically adjust time and power for optimal results, while the weight‑based defrost feature simplifies thawing large items.

A two‑step child lock prevents accidental operation, and the glass turntable ensures consistent heating. One‑touch Instant On provides quick start, and the built‑in kitchen timer and audible alerts keep meals on schedule.

The stainless steel finish adds a modern touch to any countertop.

Breville’s Smooth Wave Countertop Microwave blends sleek brushed stainless steel with intelligent cooking tech. Sensor iQ automatically reads steam and adjusts power, while 15 smart presets—Smart Cook, Defrost, Reheat—take the guesswork out of meals.

The inverter delivers smooth, even heating, perfect for pizza slices, soups, or delicate defrosting without drying edges. A soft‑close door reduces noise by 80%, and the unit runs 50% quieter than typical models.

Child lock, mute button, and Breville Sound Suite keep the kitchen calm, making this microwave a refined, user‑friendly centerpiece.

Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave offers a space‑saving 25‑liter interior without compromising performance. One‑touch shortcuts and a dedicated Food Menu let you reheat pizza, defrost vegetables, or pop popcorn with a single press.

The inverter ensures gentle, even heating, while the soft‑close door cuts operating noise by half, keeping open‑plan kitchens peaceful. Child lock and mute functions add safety and quiet operation.

Ideal for apartments or secondary kitchens, this sleek silver unit blends convenience, precise cooking, and a quiet footprint into a compact countertop solution.