8 Best Stainless Steel Countertop Microwaves 2025

This workhorse of a microwave delivers serious firepower with its 1,200 watts and 2.0 cubic feet capacity, making it a standout for families or anyone who regularly reheats large plates or full meals. The sensor cooking technology is a game-changer—no more guessing how long to nuke leftovers—while the two-step child lock adds essential safety without sacrificing accessibility. It’s built for real-life chaos: dorm rooms, small kitchens, and busy households where speed and reliability matter most.

In testing, the GE consistently heated dense foods like casseroles and frozen entrees without cold spots, thanks to the rotating glass turntable and smart power distribution. The weight-based defrost function handled a pound of chicken breasts accurately, avoiding the dreaded “cooked edges, frozen center” issue. While it doesn’t feature inverter tech, the sensor adjustments help bridge the gap—though delicate tasks like softening butter can still edge into melting territory if you blink. It’s not the quietest, but the kitchen timer and end-of-cycle alarm are clear and practical.

Compared to the Farberware and BLACK+DECKER budget models, this GE sits at the sweet spot of power meets intelligence, outperforming smaller units in both speed and consistency. It’s ideal for users who want larger capacity without a commercial footprint, especially those upgrading from underpowered dorm units. While the SHARP 2.2 cu. ft. model offers slightly more space and inverter precision, this GE delivers better value in performance-per-dollar for everyday cooking, not lab-grade control.

Step into the next tier of countertop performance with the SHARP 2.2 cu. ft. microwave, a true all-rounder that combines inverter technology, spacious interior, and refined cooking logic into one sleek package. The 16.5-inch removable turntable is a revelation—allowing full platter access and easy cleaning—while the 1,200 watts of inverter-powered cooking ensures even heating, not just pulsing blasts of energy. This is the kind of microwave that makes you forget you’re using a countertop appliance.

During real-world use, the sensor cook and auto menu settings nailed everything from steamed veggies to reheating lasagna, avoiding the rubbery textures lesser models produce. The +30 seconds button is a small joy—tactile, responsive, and used constantly for quick top-offs. Inverter tech shines when melting chocolate or warming sauces, delivering smooth, controlled heat instead of scorching. The only hiccup? The interior lighting, while bright, casts shadows on deeper dishes, making visual checks slightly harder.

Against the GE 2.0 cu. ft. model, this SHARP trades a modest increase in size for superior heat consistency and smarter cooking. It’s the clear choice for serious home cooks who want precision without a built-in price tag. While the Toshiba air fry combo offers more functions, this SHARP wins on pure microwave mastery, making it the best overall pick for those who microwave daily and demand reliability with elegance.

Don’t let the compact 1.2 cu. ft. size fool you—the Farberware packs a smart, sensor-driven punch that punches above its price point. For budget-conscious buyers, this microwave delivers essential intelligence like auto-sensor cooking and six one-touch presets, making it perfect for students, office kitchens, or secondary units. The 1,000 watts may not match the giants, but for reheating coffee or cooking instant meals, it’s more than capable.

In daily use, the defrost-by-weight function worked impressively well on small frozen items like burritos and chicken breasts, while the sensor reheat prevented most overcooked disasters. The LED display is crisp, and the interior light makes monitoring easy—though the turntable is smaller, limiting plate size. It struggles with dense, large meals (think whole casseroles), where power and cavity size become limiting. Still, for solo users or couples, it’s fast, simple, and surprisingly intuitive.

When stacked against the BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11, this Farberware model offers better sensor logic and a more polished interface, making it the best budget sensor option. It’s not for large families, but for those who want smart features without smart-device pricing, it’s a standout. It lacks the power of the GE or SHARP, but for small-space efficiency and smart basics, it delivers more brain than brawn at a steal.

Toshiba’s inverter mastery takes center stage in this 1.6 cu. ft. microwave, a precision-focused performer that excels where others falter: delicate heating and consistent defrosting. With 1,250 watts and genuine inverter technology, it avoids the on-off power cycling of conventional microwaves, delivering a steady stream of energy that keeps sauces silky and proteins juicy. The 13.6-inch removable turntable fits a full 12-inch pizza—ideal for family nights—without dominating the counter.

In testing, the six smart sensor menus (pizza, veggies, potatoes) delivered restaurant-level reheating, preserving crispness and moisture. The eco mode is a subtle win for energy savers, and the sound on/off function adds a touch of refinement. However, the control panel lacks backlighting, making nighttime use a guessing game. It heats faster and more evenly than non-inverter models, though it’s not quite as spacious as the SHARP 2.2 cu. ft.

Compared to the GE 2.0 cu. ft., this Toshiba trades a bit of capacity for superior heat control and smarter cooking logic. It’s the go-to for users who reheat, not just nuke, and want restaurant-quality results at home. While the SHARP offers more space, this Toshiba delivers better precision and user experience, making it the best inverter choice for mid-sized kitchens.

This SHARP is the Goldilocks of small microwaves: not too big, not too weak, but just right for compact spaces where performance per inch matters. With a 1.1 cu. ft. footprint and 1,000 watts, it fits neatly on cramped counters or office desks, yet still handles a standard dinner plate with room to spare. The 12.4-inch removable turntable makes cleaning effortless, and the Orville Redenbacher’s certified popcorn preset is a fun, surprisingly accurate touch.

In real use, the auto cook and express functions shine for quick meals—popcorn pops evenly, and frozen veggies reheat without turning to mush. The +30 seconds button is responsive, and the two-stage cooking allows for complex sequences (e.g., defrost then cook). However, it lacks the power to handle large, dense foods efficiently—lasagna edges heat faster than the center. Still, for students or minimalists, it’s fast, reliable, and thoughtfully designed.

Against the BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11, this SHARP offers better brand trust, smoother controls, and certified presets, justifying its higher cost. It’s not for families, but for individuals or couples in tight spaces, it’s the best value for size, balancing compactness with real functionality. It may not have the wattage of larger models, but it maximizes every cubic inch with smart engineering.

GE’s multi-function marvel redefines what a microwave can do—this isn’t just a reheater, it’s a countertop powerhouse that air fries, conveys, and broils with serious credibility. With 1,050 watts, a crisper pan, and true convection tech, it delivers crispy fries, golden chicken, and even broiled salmon with a sear you’d expect from an oven. The compact 1.0 cu. ft. size belies its culinary range, making it perfect for small kitchens that need big performance.

In testing, the air fry mode produced fries with a deep-gold crust in under 20 minutes—no preheating, no oil mess. The convection mode baked a mini pizza with even browning, while the broil function added a caramelized finish to meats. However, the small cavity limits family-sized meals, and the turntable doesn’t rotate during air fry, leading to slight rotation needed. It’s not a full oven replacement, but for weeknight dinners and healthy cooking, it’s transformative.

Compared to the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA(BS), this GE offers similar air fry and convection features but with a cleaner interface and more intuitive presets. It’s ideal for health-focused users who want crispy food without deep frying. While it can’t match the SHARP in pure microwave speed, it blows it away in versatility, making it the best multi-function pick for modern kitchens.

BLACK+DECKER brings no-nonsense affordability to the countertop with this 1.1 cu. ft. microwave, a bare-bones but capable performer that nails the basics without fluff. With 1,000 watts and six pre-programmed buttons, it’s designed for speed and simplicity—popcorn, pizza, beverages, and dinner plates are all one touch away. The push-button door release is a standout feature, offering smooth, reliable access unlike flimsy pull handles.

In daily use, it reheats leftovers quickly and defrosts small items adequately, though sensor cooking is absent, so you’re guessing on delicate tasks. The LED display is bright, and the removable turntable makes cleanup easy. It’s not quiet, and the plastic feel undercuts the stainless look, but for a tight budget, it’s hard to beat. It struggles with large plates and uneven heating, but for dorms or second homes, it’s dependable.

Against the Farberware, this BLACK+DECKER is cheaper but less intelligent—no smart sensors, just manual control. It’s the best budget-friendly option for those who prioritize low cost over smart features. While it lacks the finesse of higher-end models, it delivers core functionality without fail, making it a solid starter microwave for first-time buyers.

Toshiba’s 8-in-1 air fry combo is a kitchen Swiss Army knife, packing microwave, air fry, bake, broil, convection, combi, low-temp, and odor removal into a sleek, compact body. With a 12.4-inch position memory turntable, it rotates during microwave use and remembers its spot when switched to air fry—no repositioning needed. The 1,000-watt output may seem modest, but in air fry mode, it delivers crispy, golden results with minimal oil, rivaling standalone units.

In testing, the air fry function made wings with crackling skin, and the convection bake handled a small cake evenly. The odor removal mode is a subtle but welcome feature, especially after fish or strong curries. However, the cavity is tight—a whole chicken fits, but barely—and multi-stage cooking requires attention. It’s not the fastest, but it’s impressively versatile for its size.

Compared to the GE GCST10A1WSS, this Toshiba offers similar functions with more modes, including low-temp cooking and odor control. It’s ideal for small households wanting maximum flexibility in minimal space. While the GE has a slightly more intuitive interface, this Toshiba wins on feature density, making it the best air fry combo for tech-savvy cooks.