Best Countertop Microwaves for 2026

We analyzed top picks from leading reviewers to find the best for every need
Best Picks
Published: February 27th, 2025
1 min read

🔥Microwaves have become kitchen staples, making our lives easier and meals quicker. Whether you're just reheating leftovers or experimenting with advanced cooking features like convection and air frying, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve reviewed a range of models, focusing on performance, ease of use, and value, to help you find the perfect countertop microwave for 2024.

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Overall Best: Panasonic Genius Sensor Inverter NN-SN67HS

🔥The Panasonic Genius Sensor Inverter NN-SN67HS shines as our top pick for a reason. This microwave boasts impressive heating performance thanks to its advanced inverter technology, ensuring even cooking without the dreaded hot and cold spots. With 1,200 watts of power and a spacious 1.2-cubic-foot interior, it handles everything from defrosting meats to steaming vegetables with ease. Its sleek design includes a modern button opener, adding to its aesthetic appeal, though it is worth noting that it lacks instant-start express settings. Despite this minor drawback, its overall performance and reliability make it an excellent choice for any kitchen.

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Available at Amazon
View at Amazon
Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$154.99 at Target
Price seen Sep 15, 2024

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📚More About Panasonic Genius Sensor Inverter NN-SN67HS

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Runner-up: Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave

TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu.Ft, 1000W, Black | 12.4" Removable Turnta...

Toshiba's EM131A5C earns the runner-up spot with its well-rounded features and dependable performance. This midsize microwave offers handy instant-start express settings and a user-friendly door handle design, which are features often overlooked in other models. With 1,100 watts of power encased in a 1.2-cubic-foot interior, it caters to most cooking needs efficiently, although it doesn't quite match the speed and uniform heating of our top pick. Still, it stands out as a reliable and versatile option for those seeking a balance of performance and convenience.

Get an alert when the price drops or it comes back in stock.
Lowest at Amazon
$149.99 at Amazon
Price seen Oct 15, 2026

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Budget Pick: BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave 0.9 Cu Ft

BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W, Stainless Steel | 10 Power...

The Black+Decker Digital Microwave is a fantastic budget pick, providing essential features at an affordable price. Although compact with a 0.7 cubic foot capacity and 700 watts of power, it is ideal for small kitchens or dorm rooms. It may not compete with larger, more powerful models, but it gets the job done for basic tasks like reheating and defrosting. If space and budget constraints are a concern, this microwave offers great value without sacrificing functionality.

Get an alert when the price drops or it comes back in stock.
Lowest at Amazon
$89.87 at Amazon
Price seen Oct 13, 2026
Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$71.19 at AliExpress.com
Price seen Sep 10, 2024

Best for Small Spaces: Panasonic Genius Sensor Inverter NN-SN67HS

🔥When counter space is at a premium, the GE JES1072 proves to be the best compact microwave. Offering 0.7 cubic feet of capacity and 700 watts of power, it's perfect for tight spaces. Despite its smaller size, this microwave delivers sturdy construction and versatile functionality. Its compact dimensions and three stylish finish options make it an adaptable and practical addition to small kitchens.

Get an alert when the price drops or it comes back in stock.
Available at Amazon
View at Amazon
Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$154.99 at Target
Price seen Sep 15, 2024

📚More About Panasonic Genius Sensor Inverter NN-SN67HS

Best Convection and Air-Fryer Microwave: Panasonic HomeChef Microwave Oven NN-CD87KS

Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fryer, Convection Bake, FlashXpress Broiler, Inverter Microwave Technology, 1000W, 1.2 cu ft with Easy Clean Interior - NN-CD87KS (Stainless Steel)

For those who crave versatility in their kitchen, the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-oven NN-CD87KS is an excellent choice. This microwave combines four useful functions: microwave, convection oven, broiler, and air fryer. With 1,000 watts of power and a roomy 1.2-cubic-foot capacity, it can handle a wide range of cooking tasks from baking to air frying. Its easy-to-clean design and comprehensive feature set make it a standout for anyone looking to maximize their kitchen's capabilities.

Get an alert when the price drops or it comes back in stock.
Lowest at Amazon
$499.99 at Amazon
Price seen Sep 10, 2024
Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$353.57 at AliExpress.com
Price seen Oct 10, 2024

Other options worth a look

Not quite what you're after? These came up again and again while we researched the picks above:

Panasonic NN-SN966S

Panasonic NN-SN966S

Why: Superior Heating Evenness

The Panasonic NN-SN966S features Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology, ensuring even heating and eliminating cold spots. Ideal for reheating leftovers, it offers consistent performance across all your cooking tasks.

Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave

Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave

Why: All-in-One Functionality

Combining microwave, convection oven, and air frying capabilities, the Breville Combi Wave is a versatile choice that can replace multiple kitchen appliances. It lets you cook a wider variety of meals with better results, especially if you enjoy baked or crisped dishes.

GE JES1109RRSS

GE JES1109RRSS

Why: Quiet Operation

If noise is a concern, the GE JES1109RRSS operates more quietly than the Toshiba. It also excels in defrosting and reheating tasks, ensuring your meals come out evenly heated without the disruptive sounds associated with many microwaves.

Magic Chef MC110MB

Magic Chef MC110MB

Why: Budget-Friendly and Effective

The Magic Chef MC110MB is a great budget alternative with solid performance, especially when it comes to heating frozen foods. It's easy to use and offers multiple cooking functions without breaking the bank, making it a practical choice for those on a budget.

Farberware Classic 1.1 Cu. Ft.

Farberware Classic 1.1 Cu. Ft.

Why: Reliable Sensor Cooking

The Farberware Classic Microwave is well-regarded for its effective sensor cooking features that adjust power and time to cook your food evenly. It’s a reliable option for a microwave that adapts to various cooking tasks, ensuring precise heating.

Panasonic NN-SD975S Microwave Oven

Panasonic NN-SD975S Microwave Oven

Why: Advanced Inverter Technology for Precise Cooking

The Panasonic NN-SD975S features advanced inverter technology for even cooking and reheating, helping to prevent overcooking or hot spots in your food. With a 2.2 cu. ft. capacity, it delivers significant cooking power and includes multiple presets for specific cooking needs, making it a strong option for comprehensive meal preparation.

How we researched this

How we chose these: these picks weigh published manufacturer specifications and aggregated owner and expert reviews for the 5 products listed here, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data. No retailer or brand pays to be included.

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Each guide weighs published specifications and aggregated owner and expert reviews, alongside ShopSavvy price data. It usually highlights the best overall choice, a budget-friendly option, and picks for specific needs.

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