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It's the savior of after-school snacks and late-night leftovers: the best microwave is a kitchen hero. Many households use their microwaves everyday to solve kitchen problems quickly and easily, like forgetting to defrost frozen meat or coffee gone cold.
We spoke to two experts and put five of the best microwaves through a series of tests, including the industry standard marshmallow test to evaluate hot spots. Our pick for the best microwave is the Panasonic Microwave Oven that combines a 1,200-watt motor with a compact exterior. If you're on a budget, the Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave is simple, but effective, much like the idea of microwave cooking itself.
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches kitchen products.
Our top picks for microwaves
Best overall: Panasonic Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology - See at Amazon
The Panasonic Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology packs 1,200 watts of power to cook food quickly and evenly. It's compact, yet has a spacious interior, and comes with helpful preset buttons for easy cooking.
Best budget: Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave - See at Amazon
The Commercial Chef Microwave is bare-bones, but super simple to use. It's moderately powerful, well-priced, and compact enough for small kitchens.
Best convection: Toshiba Microwave Oven EC042A5C-SS - See at Amazon
If you're looking for a microwave that does it all, the 1,000-watt Toshiba Microwave Oven with Convection, cooks, reheats, bakes, and even roasts food quickly and thoroughly.
Best large capacity: Panasonic NN-SD975S Microwave - See at Amazon
The Panasonic NN-SD975S Microwave, which can also be installed as a built-in, is large enough to fit two plates at a time and features an easy-to-use dial to heat and cook your food.
Best smart: GE Smart Microwave with Scan-to-Cook - See at Amazon
GE's Smart Microwave Oven is Alexa- and Google Assistant-enabled, so you can cook your food using voice commands or from your smartphone.
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