8 Best Microwave Steamers of 2025

This game-changing microwave steamer delivers restaurant-quality results with zero guesswork. With a 6 ½ cup capacity, it handles generous portions of veggies, fish, or even boneless poultry with ease—perfect for busy home cooks who want healthy meals fast. The dual-chamber design keeps food elevated above water, ensuring even steaming while preserving nutrients, and the stay-cool handles make it safe to remove without oven mitts—a small but critical detail that elevates daily usability.

In real-world testing, it shines when prepping weeknight sides or delicate proteins like salmon fillets. Adding just ¼ to ½ cup of water generates consistent steam, cooking broccoli to crisp-tender perfection in under 4 minutes. It’s ideal for single users or couples, though larger families may need to batch cook. While the plastic feels sturdy, aggressive scrubbing over time can lead to minor surface scuffs—nothing that affects function, but noticeable aesthetically.

Compared to basic one-bowl steamers, the Cuisinart stands out with its smart separation of water and food, reducing sogginess and boosting flavor. It’s not the largest or most multi-functional model here, but for those prioritizing consistent performance and ease of use, it strikes a sweet spot between simplicity and effectiveness. It outperforms budget models in build quality and cooking control, making it a more reliable daily driver than smaller, flimsier alternatives.

If you live for perfectly cooked rice and fluffy quinoa, this all-in-one rice powerhouse is engineered for grain lovers. The 2-liter capacity handles family-sized batches with room to spare, and the included colander tray lets you rinse, measure, cook, and serve without switching bowls—cutting cleanup time in half. What sets it apart is the smart lid-locking paddle, which doubles as a secure grip and a fluffing tool, making it feel like a purpose-built grain station rather than a generic steamer.

During use, we found it excels at absorbing moisture evenly, preventing the common microwave pitfalls of undercooked centers or mushy edges. Brown rice comes out tender in 25 minutes, while white rice takes just 12–14. The colander basket also works well for steaming veggies on top—though stacking both can slightly reduce airflow. It’s not ideal for meats or soups, as the lid isn’t fully sealed for liquids, and the base lacks measurement markings inside.

When stacked against general-purpose steamers, this model dominates in grain-specific tasks but sacrifices versatility. It’s less suited for someone wanting to poach chicken or reheat leftovers. However, for rice-centric diets or meal preppers who batch-cook grains, it offers superior workflow integration. It’s more specialized than the Cuisinart but outperforms multi-use models when it comes to grain consistency and convenience.

For families or meal preppers who need serious steaming real estate, this 2-quart beast is a revelation. With a massive 8-cup capacity, it effortlessly handles a full head of broccoli, a pound of green beans, or a whole fish fillet—making it ideal for households that cook in bulk. The dual-hole lid design allows precise steam regulation: small holes maintain humidity, while medium ones let you vent excess moisture before serving, preventing soggy results. Plus, the lockable insulated lid resists spills and burns, a rare safety win in large microwave cookware.

In action, it delivers even, rapid heating across dense and leafy vegetables alike. We tested it with frozen peas and carrots—cooked through in 5 minutes without turning to mush. The etched measurement lines on the inner walls eliminate guesswork when adding water, and the BPA-free build ensures peace of mind. However, its size can be a double-edged sword: it barely fits in compact microwaves, and draining hot liquid requires caution despite the locking lid.

Against mid-sized competitors like the GoodCook model, this one trades portability for power and volume. It’s not for singles or small kitchens, but for those who regularly feed multiple people, it’s unmatched in throughput. While pricier than entry-level options, it justifies the cost with durability, safety features, and true family-scale performance.

This precision-focused steamer is built for users who demand control over cooking conditions. Its standout feature—the adjustable steam vent—lets you fine-tune pressure buildup, preventing over-pressurization and ensuring delicate foods like fish or asparagus don’t turn rubbery. The clear lid adds another layer of control, allowing you to monitor doneness without breaking the seal and losing heat. At 8” x 12”, it fits comfortably in most microwaves and holds enough for 2–3 servings.

We tested it with frozen salmon and fresh green beans—both came out moist, flaky, and vibrant, thanks to regulated steam flow. The two-tier design keeps food above water, maximizing nutrient retention, and the dishwasher-safe build makes cleanup effortless. However, the vent mechanism, while smart, can be tricky to adjust mid-cook without risking steam burns, and the plastic feels slightly thinner than premium models.

Compared to the Joseph Joseph rice steamer, this one excels in versatility, handling everything from fish to veggies with equal finesse. It’s less specialized but more adaptable for varied diets. For health-conscious cooks who want maximum nutrient preservation and cooking transparency, it’s a smarter pick than opaque or fixed-vent lids. It offers better ventilation control than most, though not as large as high-capacity models.

This 3-in-1 multitasker redefines convenience with its removable strainer and fridge-ready design—making it perfect for meal prep, holiday cooking, and leftovers. You can steam vegetables, strain them with the pull-out basket, then lock the lid and stash the entire unit in the fridge, eliminating extra containers. The locking steam vent gives you control over pressure, and the bright red design makes it easy to spot in a crowded fridge or cabinet.

In real use, it proved invaluable during holiday prep—steaming Brussels sprouts, then chilling them for the next day’s roast. The 1.3L capacity suits 1–2 people, but larger batches require multiple rounds. The strainer basket is effective but narrow, making it awkward for leafy greens. Still, the ability to steam, store, and serve in one reduces dish clutter significantly.

Versus the EuChoiz collapsible model, this one wins in food storage functionality, though it lacks space-saving features. It’s not the largest or most rugged, but for those who value kitchen efficiency and post-meal organization, it’s unmatched. It delivers broader utility than single-purpose steamers, even if capacity is modest.

For those who prioritize purity and safety in cooking materials, this tempered glass steamer is a breath of fresh air. Made from food-grade glass rated up to 482°F, it eliminates concerns about plastic leaching, odors, or microplastics—ideal for health-focused families or those avoiding synthetic materials. The built-in PP basket with 8 steam vents ensures even heat distribution, while the 1.5L size fits single to medium servings comfortably.

We tested it with salmon and asparagus—both cooked evenly, with no fishy aftertaste often caused by plastic absorption. The glass retains heat well, keeping food warm longer, and transitions seamlessly from microwave to oven or fridge. However, it’s heavier than plastic models, and the solid base means you must manually pour out water after use—no strainer basket to lift out.

Compared to the Cuisinart plastic model, this one wins on material safety and odor resistance, though it’s less convenient for draining. It’s not the most portable, but for users who refuse to cook with plastic, it’s the gold standard. It matches performance with premium plastic models while offering superior material integrity and long-term peace of mind.

This ultra-compact silicone marvel is engineered for small kitchens, travelers, and minimalists. Its collapsible design lets it shrink flat when not in use—freeing up cabinet space that rigid steamers hog. Made from food-grade silicone heat-resistant up to 480°F, it’s durable, flexible, and safe for freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. The removable rack keeps food elevated, and the lid seals tightly while allowing steam release via a vent.

In testing, it performed well with frozen veggies and small fish fillets, cooking evenly in 4–6 minutes. We loved using it for single servings or camping—press it down after cooking, and it doubles as a plate. However, the flexible walls make it unstable when full, and the large size (13.5”) may not fit in smaller microwaves. The silicone also absorbs odors over time unless thoroughly cleaned.

Against the Professional 2-quart model, this one sacrifices capacity for portability, but wins for space-constrained users. It’s not for families, but for urban dwellers, dorm rooms, or RV kitchens, it’s unmatched. It offers smarter storage than rigid models, though with trade-offs in stability and size.