5 Best Microwaves to Buy in 2025

Step into retro charm without sacrificing modern performance—this Nostalgia microwave delivers both style and substance with its 1.1 cubic feet capacity and 1000-watt power, making it a standout for families and entertainers alike. The chrome-accented design isn’t just eye candy—it frames intuitive digital controls that include 12 pre-programmed settings, from popcorn to pizza, eliminating guesswork and reducing cooking errors. With a removable glass turntable and child safety lock, it balances ease of cleaning with household safety, addressing two of the most common pain points in busy kitchens.

In real-world use, this microwave excels at reheating large plates and cooking oversized bowls evenly, thanks to its spacious interior and consistent power distribution. The LED display remains bright and legible even in low light, and the delay start function is a game-changer for scheduling meals ahead of time—perfect for those juggling work and family schedules. While it handles liquids and dense foods reliably, users may notice slight hot spots when rotating irregularly shaped items, a minor trade-off for its large cavity. Still, it outperforms most mid-sized models when tackling frozen entrees or batch-reheating leftovers.

Compared to compact options like the COMMERCIAL CHEF 0.7 cu. ft. models, this Nostalgia unit is clearly built for larger households or kitchen upgrades, trading portability for serious cooking volume. It doesn’t offer dial-based precision like the A-to-Z commercial model, but its digital programming depth and aesthetic flair make it ideal for home users who value convenience and kitchen cohesion. For those seeking more space than budget models provide but don’t need commercial durability, this microwave offers smarter features and greater versatility at a fraction of the cost of heavy-duty units.

Revolutionize your meal prep with this microwave steamer that turns minutes into nutritious, chef-worthy dishes—steaming vegetables, fish, or dumplings while locking in flavor and vitamins better than boiling or frying. Crafted from BPA-free, heat-resistant materials, this steamer is a game-changer for health-conscious cooks who want clean, fast meals without sacrificing taste or texture. The drainage layer and tight-fitting lid work in harmony to circulate steam evenly, preventing sogginess and eliminating messy spills—a common frustration with makeshift microwave cooking.

During testing, the steamer consistently delivered crisp-tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and perfectly poached eggs in under five minutes, proving its worth in real-life scenarios like weekday lunches or baby food prep. Its separate tray and lid design allows for multi-layer cooking—say, veggies above and fish below—without flavor transfer, and the stackable, dishwasher-safe build ensures cleanup is a breeze. While it maxes out at single or double layers (depending on microwave size), it can’t replace a full-sized appliance for large families, but it’s ideal for singles, couples, or dorm dwellers prioritizing speed and wellness.

When stacked against all-in-one microwaves with built-in steaming functions, this dedicated steamer outperforms in both steam efficiency and ease of cleaning. Unlike combo units that compromise on compartment size, this accessory maximizes your existing microwave’s potential without requiring a costly upgrade. For anyone committed to healthy, low-effort cooking, it delivers professional-grade results at a fraction of the time and energy, outshining built-in options found in even high-end models.

Built like a tank and engineered for endurance, the A-to-Z Supply commercial microwave commands attention with its full stainless steel construction and precision dial control, offering a no-nonsense, high-reliability experience for demanding environments. The 1000-watt output and 1.0 cubic feet cavity strike a perfect balance between power and footprint, making it a top pick for break rooms, food trucks, or small cafes where consistency and durability are non-negotiable. The dial-based timer—a rarity in digital-dominated markets—provides tactile, intuitive operation that pros love, especially when gloves are on or hands are full.

In rigorous daily use, this microwave shines with rapid reheating of soups, sandwiches, and casserole dishes, maintaining even heat without frequent repositioning. The clear viewing window and large handle make monitoring and retrieving hot dishes safer and more convenient—critical in fast-paced settings. While it lacks pre-programmed menus or smart features, that’s by design: this unit prioritizes longevity and simplicity over bells and whistles. It handles continuous cycles without overheating, a weakness seen in budget residential models under similar stress.

Compared to the Nostalgia retro model, it’s less about style and more about industrial-grade function, outlasting home units in commercial trials. Against the COMMERCIAL CHEF 700W model, it offers double the power and superior build, though at a steeper cost. For businesses or serious home users who need bulletproof performance and easy maintenance, this microwave delivers unmatched reliability and efficiency, making it the clear choice when downtime isn’t an option.

Don’t let its size fool you—the COMMERCIAL CHEF 700W microwave packs serious functionality into a compact 0.7 cubic feet frame, making it a budget-savvy powerhouse for tight spaces and light-duty needs. With 10 precise power levels and one-touch presets for popcorn, pizza, and frozen meals, it eliminates the guesswork that plagues cheaper models, delivering consistent results whether you’re reheating coffee or cooking mac and cheese. The digital display with LED lighting is sharp and responsive, and the 99-minute timer adds flexibility rare in this price range.

In practice, it handles everyday tasks with ease—perfect for dorm rooms, RVs, or office desks—though it struggles slightly with large mugs or deep containers due to the smaller turntable. The 700-watt output is adequate for most reheating, but it takes noticeably longer to cook dense foods like baked potatoes compared to 1000W models. Still, its child lock and door safety mechanism add peace of mind, and the stainless steel finish resists fingerprints better than plastic alternatives. It’s not built for marathon cooking, but for light, frequent use, it’s remarkably reliable.

Pitted against the A-to-Z commercial model, it trades power and durability for affordability and simplicity, making it a smarter fit for individuals or secondary kitchens. While the Nostalgia model offers more space and features, this one wins on value and footprint efficiency. For users who need a no-frills, dependable microwave without overspending, it delivers essential performance where it counts, outperforming many pricier residential models in usability.

Sleek, simple, and surprisingly capable, the COMMERCIAL CHEF white microwave brings no-nonsense efficiency to small kitchens, dorms, or office nooks with its pull-handle design and clean white finish that blends into any décor. Sharing the same 700-watt performance and 0.7 cu. ft. capacity as its stainless sibling, it stands out with a user-friendly pull door—a rare feature in budget models—that makes opening effortless, even with full hands. The digital controls and 99-minute timer offer surprising versatility for basic cooking, from reheating leftovers to preparing instant oatmeal.

It performs reliably for light daily use, heating beverages and small meals quickly, though like all compact microwaves, it requires plate rotation for even results when cooking for more than one. The LED display is bright, and the one-touch presets streamline common tasks, but the lack of higher wattage means longer cook times for frozen or thick foods. It’s not meant for heavy lifting, but for students, bachelors, or secondary spaces, it’s a dependable, space-saving workhorse that won’t hog counter real estate.

Compared to the stainless COMMERCIAL CHEF model, it’s functionally identical but offers a softer, more residential aesthetic—ideal for home offices or rental kitchens where style matters. Against the bulky Nostalgia unit, it’s far more portable and discreet, though it sacrifices cooking volume. For those who prioritize compact design and ease of access over raw power, this microwave delivers smart, minimalist functionality at a rock-bottom price, making it the ultimate grab-and-go solution.