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Say goodbye to half-popped bags of popcorn during movie night.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Plus, microwaves usually require less cleanup than cooking on your stovetop.
Thats why our experts put 26 microwaves to the test in our lab in Birmingham, Alabama.
We also talked withSteph Chen, founder of microwave-safe cooking line Anyday.
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Its not as good at melting food like chocolate chips or marshmallows.
and it was all evenly cooked without any scorched or burned bits.
The microwave also had no trouble cooking a container of frozen macaroni and cheese evenly without any cold sections.
The Toshiba Microwave Oven proved to be the most well-rounded appliance we tested, whether we reheated leftovers or made popcorn.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Plus, its clearly marked control panel makes it very intuitive to use.
The Toshiba Countertop Microwave Oven didnt perform as well when we tried to melt marshmallows and chocolate chips.
The preset buttons arent easy to locate.
This easy-to-use microwave doesnt have all the bells and whistles that pricier options offer.
However, we found that it delivers consistent results and is well-designed to prepare quick meals and snacks.
The turntable easily dislodged during testing.
Over-the-range microwaves like this style save space on your countertop and are often placed above the stove.
We also like that the turntable is dishwasher-safe; however it was easily dislodged during testing.
It takes some time to learn how to use the different options.
For more specialized tasks like melting chocolate, this appliance wasnt able to evenly melt the chips.
The turntable can be turned on and off too, which is a cool feature.
This microwave lacks some of the features that other models offer.
It also has a sleek touchpad and a removable glass turntable to make microwave cleanup easy.
Its pricier than some similar models.
This spacious Whirlpool oven is one of our favorite microwaves for its effective cooking and quiet operation.
During testing, we found that pizza reheated evenly without compromising its crispy texture.
We also appreciate the dishwasher-safe turntable plate for easy cleaning.
Its not as good at melting marshmallows or chocolate chips.
Due to its size, its excellent at reheating large batches of food including 9x13-inch pans.
Unless you have tons of counter space, we recommend mounting this microwave somewhere in your kitchen.
Its easy to use, heats items evenly, and can handle defrosting dinner without any issues.
Finally, testers used each microwave to pop a bag of popcorn.
We looked at how evenly the corn popped afterwards, noting scorched pieces or unpopped kernels.
Many microwaves sit directly on your countertop, making setup and installation super easy.
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Plus, keep in mind how much vertical space your microwave may need under your cabinets.
However, these models take a bit more work to install than a simple countertop microwave.
Size
The size inside the appliance is another factor to consider when shopping for a microwave.
We were impressed with how easily the Hamilton Beach microwave popped a bag of popcorn during testing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Masiello
Not all microwaves are created equal, explains Chen.
You have more consistency forcooking with microwavesthat have wattages between 1,000 watts [and] 1,200 watts.
It didnt seem to heat evenly, and would likely require longer cook times than package directions.
However, during testing we found that presets were inconsistent for functions like cooking potatoes and defrosting meat.
Samsung 2.1 Cu.
Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave
While theSamsung 2.1 Cu.
The touchpad also had some operational errors during cleaning.
Your Questions, Answered
How long do microwaves usually last?
Microwave technology has improved over the years, so older microwaves will also heat food less evenly.
What is the best way to clean a microwave oven?
There are many ways to clean a microwave, but Chen recommends using a lemon juice or vinegar mixture.
Microwave stains and splatters are the worst.
Keep the door closed for another two minutes so the steam penetrates everywhere.
Youll also want to take out the turntable and wipe it down before putting it back inside your appliance.
What is the best wattage for a microwave?
When shopping for a microwave, youll want to look for something with a decent amount of power.
It’s ideal to get a microwave with around 1,000 to 1,200 watts of power.
If the wattage is too low, your food will cook and reheat slowly and also more unevenly.
She also consultedSteph Chen, founder of microwave-safe cooking line Anyday for additional insights.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: The Home Depot
The microwave efficiently and evenly heated everything we tested, including muffins, bread, chicken, and rice.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Halee Miller
Credit: Amazon
The all-in-one Galanz has tons of presets like a bagel setting, broil button, and pizza cooking.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob
Credit: Best Buy
The Panasonic microwave perfectly melted a bowl of chocolate chips—a task that other models struggled with during testing.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Best Buy
During testing, the Whirlpool microwave heated pizza evenly without making it soggy.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Alex Castro
Credit: Amazon
We loved the intuitive display on the Panasonic Oven, which features a dial to easily set the time.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
