7 Best Home Microwave Ovens of 2025

This no-nonsense workhorse delivers reliable performance where it counts—speed, simplicity, and smart energy use. With 900 watts of power and 10 adjustable power levels, the Chefman microwave handles everything from reheating coffee to defrosting chicken with precision, eliminating cold spots and guesswork. Its six preset buttons—including popcorn, pizza, and beverages—make daily meals effortless, while the memory function lets you save favorite settings for one-touch consistency. For dorm rooms or small kitchens, this model solves the pain of clunky controls and underpowered cooking in a sleek, space-saving 0.9 cu. ft. design.

In real-world use, the microwave shines in speed and usability. The +30 second quick start is a game-changer for busy mornings, and the eco mode cuts standby power by turning off the display—ideal for eco-conscious users. During testing, it evenly heated a bowl of soup in 2 minutes and crisped up a slice of pizza without sogginess, thanks to consistent wattage delivery. The interior turntable rotates smoothly, ensuring even cooking, though larger dishes may feel slightly cramped. It struggles slightly with dense frozen meals that require multi-stage cooking, but the multiphase cooking function helps bridge that gap by allowing back-to-back cycles.

Positioned as a mid-range capacity option, the Chefman holds its own against budget models like the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB, offering more power and features at a modest premium. While it lacks smart connectivity or air frying, it outperforms basic units with its memory save function and broader power control. It’s perfect for students, singles, or minimalist kitchens that value dependable performance without bells and whistles. Compared to the GE GCST09U1WSS, it trades smart features for simplicity and a quieter operation profile—offering better value for those who cook manually and prioritize ease over automation.

Step into the future of countertop cooking with the TOSHIBA ML2-EC10SA(BS), a true multi-function powerhouse that replaces not just your microwave, but your toaster oven and air fryer too. With 8-in-1 functionality—including microwave, air fry, convection bake, broil, and combi-cook modes—this 1.0 cu. ft. marvel delivers crispy fries, golden roasted chicken, and evenly baked casseroles without sacrificing counter space. The 12.4-inch position memory turntable rotates during microwaving and locks in place for air frying, ensuring stability and consistent results. For families tired of juggling multiple appliances, this is a space-saving revelation.

During hands-on testing, the air fry mode produced restaurant-quality wings with 80% less oil, while the convection setting baked a flaky apple turnover in under 15 minutes. The 1000W microwave power reheats leftovers quickly, and the broil function adds a perfect sear to gratins and melts. However, the learning curve is steeper than a standard microwave—first-time users may need to reference the manual for optimal settings. The interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food during dark cycles, and the knob-based interface, while tactile, lacks the intuitiveness of touchscreens on higher-end models.

When stacked against the TOSHIBA P05, this model offers similar core functions but misses out on smart connectivity and inverter tech, making it better suited for users who want multi-functionality without app dependency. It’s an ideal pick for small households or couples who want restaurant-grade results at home without the clutter. While the Breville BMO650SIL wins on quiet operation, this Toshiba combo delivers far more culinary versatility—making it a stronger all-rounder for adventurous home cooks who want one appliance to rule them all.

If your kitchen values peace and precision, the Breville BMO650SIL is a sonic sanctuary wrapped in sleek silver. Engineered to be 80% quieter on door close and 50% quieter during operation, this microwave eliminates the jarring clangs and beeps that plague most models. The soft-close door glides shut like a luxury appliance, while Breville Sound Suite technology reduces operational noise—perfect for open-concept living or late-night snacks. With 900 watts of power and a 0.9 cu. ft. cavity, it balances compact size with robust performance, making it ideal for apartments, offices, or noise-sensitive homes.

Real-world testing confirmed its superior sound control: popcorn popped with a gentle hum, and the mute button silenced completion alerts without losing functionality. The auto-reheat and defrost functions preserved moisture in meals, avoiding the rubbery textures common in cheaper microwaves. It handled a full plate of leftovers evenly, though dense items like frozen burritos required manual stirring. The interior turntable is removable and easy to clean, but the control panel lacks backlighting, making it hard to read in dim lighting. While it doesn’t offer air frying or smart features, its focus on quiet, consistent cooking is unmatched in its class.

Compared to the GE GCST09U1WSS, the Breville sacrifices WiFi and Scan-to-Cook for acoustic excellence and smoother user experience. It’s the go-to choice for urban dwellers, remote workers, or light cooks who prioritize serenity over smart tech. While the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is cheaper, this Breville delivers a premium feel and noise reduction that justifies its higher cost—offering a quieter, more refined cooking ritual without overcomplicating the basics.

Enter the smart kitchen era with the GE GCST09U1WSS, a tech-forward microwave that turns your phone into a cooking co-pilot. Its Scan-to-Cook technology reads frozen food barcodes via the SmartHQ app and auto-sets time and power—eliminating guesswork and optimizing results. Paired with WiFi and Alexa/Google Assistant compatibility, you can start, pause, or adjust cooking from across the room. With 900 watts and a 0.9 cu. ft. interior, it maintains compact efficiency while offering voice-enabled convenience that redefines hands-free cooking.

In daily use, the Scan-to-Cook feature worked flawlessly with branded frozen meals, adjusting for optimal thaw and heat cycles. The glass turntable ensured even cooking, and the child lock added peace of mind in family homes. We reheated lasagna and defrosted salmon with minimal oversight, thanks to auto-cook presets and remote monitoring. However, the app occasionally lagged, and initial setup required multiple attempts to sync with 5GHz Wi-Fi. The microwave lacks inverter technology, so power levels aren’t continuous, leading to slight unevenness in delicate tasks like melting chocolate.

When compared to the Chefman B0CCGFGLVG, this GE model trades simplicity for advanced connectivity, making it ideal for tech-savvy users and smart home integrators. While the Breville BMO650SIL wins on quiet operation, the GE microwave delivers future-ready functionality that evolves with your habits. For those who cook frozen meals often and value automation, this model offers smarter control and deeper integration than any other in the mid-price range—making it the best-in-class for digital convenience.

Don’t let its ultra-affordable price fool you—the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is a barebones champion built for efficiency and simplicity. With 700 watts of power and a 0.7 cu. ft. cavity, it’s designed for dorm rooms, tiny kitchens, or office break rooms where space and budget are tight. Despite its compact size, it packs six auto-cook presets (popcorn, pizza, veggies) and a mute function for quiet operation—perfect for midnight snacks without waking roommates. The ECO mode slashes standby power by 50%, making it one of the most energy-efficient entry-level models available.

In real use, it reheated ramen and coffee quickly, though larger or denser meals took longer and required stirring. The 10-inch turntable rotates smoothly, but the smaller interior limits plate size—10-inch dishes fit, but 11-inch plates don’t. The +30 second button is convenient, and the digital display is bright and easy to read. However, the lack of power level customization (only basic defrost and time settings) makes it less flexible for advanced cooking. It’s not built for families or frequent cooking, but for singles or students, it delivers reliable, no-frills performance where it matters.

Against the Chefman B0CCGFGLVG, this COMFEE’ model is less powerful and smaller, but also nearly half the price, making it the clear winner for budget buyers. It doesn’t compete with air fry combos or smart microwaves, but it fulfills basic needs without compromise. For anyone who eats simple meals and values affordability, this microwave offers essential functionality in a sleek, compact form—proving that low cost doesn’t mean low quality.

Meet the undisputed king of countertop cooking—the TOSHIBA P05, a feature-packed marvel that blends 1100W microwave power, air frying, convection, and AI-driven intelligence into one seamless experience. With Origin Inverter Technology, it delivers continuous, precise power—no pulsing—resulting in juicier meats, fluffier rice, and 40% faster defrosting via its Chef Defrost function. The 2.4-inch color touchscreen is intuitive and responsive, while the AI-Chef system learns your habits, updates via OTA, and syncs with Alexa and the TSmartLife app for full remote control.

In testing, the air fry mode crisped tater tots to golden perfection without preheating, and the Smart Sensor adjusted cooking time based on humidity, preventing overcooking. A whole chicken roasted evenly in under 45 minutes, and the 1.3 cu. ft. cavity comfortably fits a 13-inch pizza. The 12.8-inch depth doesn’t dominate counters, despite its power. However, the learning curve is real—first-time users may feel overwhelmed by menus and settings. Also, the app interface could be more polished, and voice commands sometimes misfire.

Compared to the TOSHIBA ML2-EC10SA(BS), this model adds inverter tech, smart connectivity, and a larger cavity—justifying its premium as the best overall. It’s ideal for tech-loving families, meal preppers, or serious home cooks who want restaurant results with minimal effort. While the Breville BMO650SIL is quieter, the P05 offers unmatched versatility and intelligence—delivering more features, power, and future-proofing than any other microwave here, making it the ultimate all-in-one upgrade.

Built for households that cook daily, the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS strikes a perfect balance of size, smarts, and power. With a 1.2 cu. ft. cavity and 1000 watts, it handles family-sized meals with ease—fitting full dinner plates, 9×13 casseroles, or a whole rotisserie chicken. The Smart Sensor Technology automatically adjusts cooking time and power based on food humidity, eliminating overcooked noodles or dry leftovers. Add 12 auto menus and 10 power levels, and you’ve got a versatile workhorse that adapts to real-life cooking demands.

In practice, the sensor reheat function revived yesterday’s pizza with crisp crust and melted cheese—no sogginess. The 12.4-inch removable turntable makes cleaning a breeze, and mute mode silences beeps with a long press—ideal for late-night use. It defrosted a pound of ground beef in 6 minutes with minimal edge cooking, thanks to precision power modulation. However, the control panel lacks backlighting, and the preset menu is less intuitive than touchscreen models. It doesn’t air fry or connect to apps, but it nails the fundamentals with reliability.

Stacked against the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB, this Toshiba offers more space, power, and smart cooking—perfect for medium-sized families or frequent cooks. While the GE GCST09U1WSS has smart features, this model focuses on culinary performance over connectivity. It delivers larger capacity and sensor intelligence at a similar price point—making it the best choice for practical, everyday cooking where consistency and size matter most.