9 Best Microwave Ovens of 2025

This 1,200-watt powerhouse redefines what a mid-sized microwave can do—delivering precision cooking with sensor intelligence and a spacious 2.0 cu. ft. cavity that handles large dishes without dominating countertops. Its standout feature? The auto-sensing technology that adjusts time and power based on moisture levels, eliminating guesswork for everything from reheating leftovers to steaming vegetables. For families or frequent cooks, this model solves the all-too-common issue of unevenly heated meals, making it a true kitchen workhorse that blends performance with practicality.

In real-world use, the GE shines when multitasking—whether you’re defrosting a pound of chicken using the weight-based setting or popping popcorn with one touch, the responsiveness is impressive. The glass turntable ensures even rotation, critical for consistent results, and the 1200W output heats food faster than most compact models. It handles dense foods well, though very large casserole dishes may brush against the interior walls due to the cavity shape. While the digital interface is intuitive, users with limited dexterity might find the touchpad slightly sensitive.

Compared to budget models like the Chefman 0.7 cu. ft., this GE unit offers superior capacity and smarter cooking automation, making it ideal for households needing reliability and advanced features without stepping into combo appliance territory. It doesn’t air fry or broil like the Toshiba 8-in-1, but it excels in pure microwave performance where simplicity and power matter most. If you want a no-nonsense, high-performance microwave that just works—every time—this model outperforms similarly priced units in consistency and convenience.

Don’t let its miniature footprint fool you—this 700-watt black compact dynamo packs serious functionality into a dorm-room-friendly design, making it a game-changer for small-space dwellers. With 10 power levels and six smart presets, including popcorn, pizza, and beverages, it handles daily tasks with surprising finesse. The standout here is how effortlessly it integrates into tight kitchens or office setups, solving the core pain point of limited counter space without sacrificing essential features like one-touch cooking and mute mode for quiet environments.

During testing, reheating coffee or melting butter was fast and controlled, thanks to precise power settings that prevent scorching. The +30 seconds express button is a small but brilliant touch for quick top-ups, and the eco mode that blanks the display when idle helps reduce energy waste. However, its 0.7 cu. ft. size means larger plates won’t rotate fully, leading to uneven heating on wide containers. While it lacks convection or air frying, its digital responsiveness and memory function make it ideal for users who prioritize speed and simplicity over versatility.

When stacked against the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7, both offer similar wattage and size, but the Chefman pulls ahead with more presets and a mute button, giving it an edge for apartment living or late-night use. It’s not built for families or heavy-duty cooking, but for students, bachelors, or office break rooms, it delivers essential performance at a wallet-friendly entry point. For those who need basic microwave functions done right without clutter, this model is a minimalist’s dream.

Step up from entry-level with this 900-watt upgrade, which strikes a sweet spot between size and smarts in a compact chassis. Slightly roomier than its 0.7 cu. ft. sibling, this model brings meaningful power gains and improved usability, making it perfect for solo professionals or couples who want better performance without going full-size. The 10 power levels and one-touch presets offer granular control, while the memory function lets you save go-to settings—like your morning oatmeal or weekly frozen dinner—for instant access.

Real-world testing showed faster, more even heating compared to the 700W version, especially with dense foods like baked potatoes or frozen entrees. The larger turntable accommodates 10-inch plates, reducing edge burn and cold spots, and the mute button remains a standout feature for noise-sensitive environments. Like other compact models, it struggles with oversized dishes, and the lack of sensor cooking means you’ll need to manually adjust times—no automatic humidity detection here.

Against the BLACK+DECKER 0.7 cu. ft., this Chefman offers more space, higher wattage, and better preset variety, justifying its slight price bump. It doesn’t match the GE’s intelligence or capacity, but it outshines basic models by delivering noticeable performance upgrades in a slim package. If you’re ready to move beyond bare-bones microwaving but aren’t ready for high-end combos, this is the ideal bridge—offering smarter, faster cooking with minimal footprint trade-offs.

Meet the Swiss Army knife of microwaves—a 1,000-watt 4-in-1 powerhouse that combines microwave speed with air fry, convection, and combo cooking, transforming how you handle weeknight meals. Its 13.6-inch turntable and 1.5 cu. ft. capacity can fit a whole chicken or 12-inch pizza, making it a serious contender for small kitchens wanting to ditch multiple appliances. The real magic lies in the smart sensor menus that auto-adjust cooking for frozen pizza or veggies, delivering crispy, evenly cooked results without constant monitoring.

In practice, switching from microwaving soup to air frying fries takes seconds, and the combination mode (microwave + convection) cuts cooking time dramatically while preserving texture—something standalone microwaves simply can’t do. The position memory turntable returns to the same spot after opening, enhancing safety and convenience. However, the interface has a learning curve, and the interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food during dark cycles.

Compared to the GE 2.0 cu. ft., this Toshiba trades a bit of pure microwave capacity for massive functional versatility. It doesn’t quite match the 8-in-1 model in features, but it delivers the core combo cooking experience more affordably. For home cooks who want crispy, restaurant-style results without deep frying, this model is a space-saving multitasker that redefines what a microwave can achieve—balancing innovation, size, and performance in one sleek silver package.

Designed for ultra-tight spaces, this 700-watt stainless steel compact is a minimalist marvel—offering essential cooking power in a footprint small enough for RVs, dorms, or studio apartments. What makes it stand out in the micro-space category is the push-button door release, which feels more modern and accessible than traditional pull handles, especially in cramped cabinets. Pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, pizza, and beverages streamline daily use, while the 30-second express cook lets you heat in bursts without complex inputs.

Testing revealed solid performance for basic tasks: reheating coffee, cooking instant noodles, or defrosting small portions—all handled efficiently. The 10-inch glass turntable rotates smoothly, though larger plates bump the walls. The child safety lock adds peace of mind, but the lack of mute function means beeps can’t be silenced—annoying in quiet hours. It doesn’t offer presets beyond six basics, and without eco mode or memory function, it’s less feature-rich than the Chefman 0.9 cu. ft.

Against other small models, it holds its own with clean aesthetics and reliable push-button operation, but loses points to Chefman’s mute option and memory settings. It’s not built for gourmet cooking or large families, but for anyone needing a dependable, space-slim microwave that just works, this BLACK+DECKER delivers where it counts. If your kitchen is measured in inches, not feet, this model maximizes utility in minimal real estate.

This 8-in-1 marvel is the most feature-packed microwave in the lineup, blending microwave, air fry, bake, broil, combi, low-temp cook, odor removal, and defrost into one sleek black stainless steel unit. With 1,000 watts of microwave power and a 12.4-inch turntable, it delivers professional-level versatility in a compact body—perfect for culinary enthusiasts who hate cluttering counters with single-use gadgets. The odor removal mode is a hidden gem, actively reducing lingering smells after fish or garlic-heavy meals.

In real-world use, the broil and air fry functions produce genuinely crispy results, rivaling standalone appliances. Multistage cooking lets you defrost, then air fry, then keep warm—all automatically—ideal for busy households. The position memory turntable enhances safety by re-aligning after door opening, and the knob-based interface feels more tactile than touchpads. However, the 1.0 cu. ft. capacity is snug for large dishes, and the learning curve is steep for first-time combo users.

Next to the 4-in-1 Toshiba, this model adds broil and odor removal, making it a clear upgrade for serious cooks. It sacrifices some interior space compared to larger models but compensates with unmatched functionality. If you want a single appliance that replaces your microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer, this is the closest thing to a kitchen unicorn—offering maximum features in a smartly designed, space-conscious body.

This compact air fry champion proves big things come in small packages—delivering crispy, golden results in a 1.0 cu. ft. body designed for dorms, offices, or minimalist kitchens. With 1,050 watts of power and three cooking modes—air fry, convection, and broil—it outperforms standard microwaves by adding browning and searing capabilities. The built-in crisper pan elevates food for even airflow, ensuring fries come out crunchy, not soggy—a common flaw in budget combo units.

Testing showed excellent performance for air-fried wings and broiled salmon, with convection mode delivering restaurant-style browning in under 15 minutes. The preset buttons for fries and nuggets take the guesswork out of cooking, and the two-step child lock adds safety without complicating access. However, the small cavity limits family-sized meals, and the lack of a larger turntable means rotating dishes manually for even cooking.

Compared to the Toshiba 8-in-1, it offers fewer cooking modes but simpler operation and stronger air frying performance. It doesn’t have odor removal or low-temp cook, but it excels in core combo functions. For users who want crispy, healthy meals without deep frying—and limited space to work with—this GE model is a no-fuss, high-reward appliance that punches above its weight in texture and speed.

Priced in the sweet spot, this 1,000-watt mid-ranger delivers exceptional value with smart humidity-sensing tech, 10 power levels, and a 12.4-inch turntable—all in a 1.2 cu. ft. body that fits most kitchens. Its sensor reheat function is a standout, automatically adjusting cooking time to prevent rubbery leftovers, solving one of the biggest microwave frustrations. For under $120, it includes eco mode, mute function, and easy-clean interior, making it a hidden gem for budget-conscious families.

In daily use, the auto-defrost by weight worked accurately, and the one-touch start for 1–6 minutes sped up routine tasks. The interior lighting is bright, and the digital display is easy to read, though the buttons feel slightly flimsy. It handles medium-sized dishes well but struggles with oversized casseroles. While it lacks air frying, its sensor cooking rivals more expensive models, delivering consistent results with zero guesswork.

Against the GE 2.0 cu. ft., it offers less space but better value per feature, especially with smart sensors at half the price. It doesn’t match combo ovens in versatility, but for pure microwave performance with intelligence, it’s hard to beat. If you want smart cooking smarts without smart pricing, this Toshiba is the best bang-for-your-buck microwave that balances tech, size, and reliability.

Built for family-sized meals, this 1,200-watt 1.6 cu. ft. beast features a 13.6-inch position memory turntable that fits 13-inch pizzas and roasts with room to spare—making it a top pick for households tired of rotating dishes mid-cook. The sensor menus for pizza, veggies, and potatoes auto-adjust cooking, ensuring kids’ meals come out perfect every time. With multi-stage cooking and memory function, you can defrost, cook, and keep warm in one programmed cycle—ideal for busy parents.

Real-world testing showed fast, even heating across large plates, and the black stainless steel finish resists fingerprints, a small but appreciated touch in high-traffic kitchens. The sound on/off function lets you mute alerts, great for late-night snacks. However, the protective film on the keypad isn’t obvious, leading to confusion during first use. It lacks air fry or broil, so it’s not a combo unit, but as a pure microwave, it excels in capacity and ease of use.

Compared to the GE 2.0 cu. ft., it offers similar power but smarter programming and better turntable logic. It doesn’t match the Toshiba 8-in-1 in features, but it’s superior for large-family reheating and defrosting. If you need a spacious, reliable microwave that handles real family demands, this model delivers practical power with thoughtful touches—making daily cooking simpler, faster, and more consistent.