The Best Countertop Microwaves Are Actually Pretty Cheffy (2026)

In the past, we might not have expected much from our microwaves beyond reheating leftovers, popping a bag of popcorn, or warming a frozen meal. But recent improvements in technology and higher consumer expectations have made microwaves more versatile appliances. Most major brands have launched combination units featuring microwave, air-fry, and convection settings, models that call into question where a microwave ends and an oven begins.

Still, as we anecdotally talked to friends, family, and colleagues about their microwave needs during the testing process, we found that many home cooks really are looking for inexpensive models without a lot of bells and whistles. Luckily, even basic microwaves have improved technologically in recent years, offering more even heating to avoid those cold spots when reheating a meal.

We tested both high-end models that offer a variety of additional features and inexpensive no-fuss models that will simply heat food evenly and quickly.

• The best countertop microwave overall → Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1
• The first microwave you should buy → Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor
• A simple, large capacity microwave → LG 1.5 cu. ft. NeoChef™ Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter and Sensor Cooking
• The best budget combo unit → GE 1.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity Countertop Convection Microwave Oven with Air Fry

New in this update: Contributor Emily Johnson tested several new microwaves with a focus on more affordable, simple options—the kind that you’d want to stock a first apartment kitchen.

In this story

More on our top picks
How we tested microwaves
What do all these new microwave features do anyway?
Other microwaves we liked
Microwaves we don’t recommend

The best countertop microwave overall: Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1

Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1

Amazon

Breville

• Intuitive to use with simple on-screen instructions
• Powerful unit with small footprint
• Versatile cooking options

• High price point for small-sized unit
• Air fry pan fits 1-2 servings

Pros and cons

Pros

• Intuitive to use with simple on-screen instructions
• Powerful unit with small footprint
• Versatile cooking options

Cons

• High price point for small-size unit
• Air-fry pan fits 1–2 servings

Specs

Size: 20.5" x 20.1" x 12.6"
Features: Smart Cook, Smart Defrost, Smart Reheat, Fast Combi, Cook From Frozen, Air-Fry, Oven, Microwave, Grill, A Bit More
Accessories: Combi Crisp Pan, trivet
Warranty: 1 year

What we love: Breville has a reputation for producing luxury small appliances that are easy to use, and this microwave is yet another one. While there is a comprehensive setup guide, it was easy enough to navigate the various modes easily by experimenting with the control panel. Well-labeled buttons select the mode, and two dials control variables like temperature and cook time. Additional speed buttons hidden inside the door are nice too. Some of the buttons do basic things like control the beep volume, turntable, and clock settings. Others are preset for specific functions such as Popcorn, Melt (two, for butter and chocolate—a minor nightmare of messy explosions in lots of cheap microwaves), and Keep Warm. While we often forgo the preset functions as we use these microwaves, favoring tried-and-tested cook times, those Melt buttons on the Combi Wave—for melting chocolate, butter, or a few cubes of cheese and cream for a quick mac and cheese side—were so accurate that we found ourselves gravitating toward them. It doesn’t hurt that the interface is so easy to use as well.

The Combi Wave is the only unit we tested with a soft-close door—a feature we didn’t know we’d love so much on a microwave until we tried it. It’s just one example of the extra touches Breville makes with its design choices. The microwave was also quiet, though we found that most of the models we tested were impressively quiet.

We put the Combi Wave through its paces with a steady stream of frozen food, reheated leftovers, and defrosting meat. The three main functions of the unit are microwave, air-fry, and convection cooking, but there are many variations on how those settings can be used. The Combi Cook button combines all three power sources to cook “faster than a traditional oven.” After placing several marinated chicken thighs in the included Combi Crisp pan with the unit set to 350°F, the chicken was fully cooked in 9 minutes—it was also moist and delicious.

When using the basic microwave feature, food reheated evenly without drying out, which Breville credits to inverter technology.

What we’d leave: The high price tag and smaller size—just 1.1 cubic feet—will be drawbacks for some people. While it has fewer frills, the GE 1.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity Countertop Convection Microwave Oven with Air Fry is a more compact microwave and also has multiple cooking modes. Read our review of that below.

The first microwave you should buy: Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor

Panasonic

NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor

Amazon

Pros and cons

Pros

• Extremely quiet
• Easy setup
• Great reports of longevity

Cons

• Higher price point for standard microwave
• Genius Sensor feature isn’t intuitive to use

Specs

Size: 20.7" x 12.25" x 15.8"
Settings: Manual cook, sensor cook, sensor reheat, inverter turbo defrost, popcorn, keep warm, 30-second feature, multi-stage cooking, delay start, kitchen timer, standing time
Accessories: Glass tray
Warranty: 1 year

We say it’s the “first microwave you should buy” because, if you’re getting a first apartment or outfitting a dorm room, a microwave is probably going to be key to your cooking, but you don’t need anything fancy and you shouldn’t be spending a lot of money. This Panasonic ticks both those boxes as the best basic microwave we tested.

What we love: Panasonic originally held the patent for the inverter technology you’ve seen us mention. More on that below, but for now we’ll just say that they created a way to make microwaves heat more evenly. This Panasonic’s cooking results were some of the best of the microwaves we tested, indicating that its heating tech is still spot-on, even as the broader market has gained access to and replicated inverter tech over the years since its advent in the 1980s.

For example, this microwave blasted the competition out of the water when it came to making popcorn. The preset popcorn button allows you to choose among sizes of popcorn bag, a nice bonus feature we didn’t see anywhere else. It microwaved a three-ounce bag for 1 minute 59 seconds, and in the end we were left with a bag bursting at the seams, not a single kernel in sight.

We also microwaved many batches of frozen macaroni and cheese in these microwaves, and while all of them adequately warmed the meal, the one we made in the Panasonic had a distinctly better texture. The noodles weren’t mushy, and the cheese even browned and caramelized a little on the sides like a baked mac would.

When we defrosted chicken breasts in these microwaves, the results were often dubious, with cooked edges and still-frozen centers. The Panasonic performed far and away the best of the bunch in the defrosting test.

These superior results have to do with Panasonic’s sensor technology, a feature that detects the steam coming off of your food and adjusts its cook times and power levels accordingly. We made our best baked potato in this microwave, and steamed broccoli that was crisp-tender rather than mushy (a rarity in our broccoli microwaving journey).

At 1.2 cubic feet, the Panasonic has a lower countertop profile than many of the models we tested, but it offers just as much interior space as many models that take up more room. The 13.4-inch turntable can fit an 11-by-7 inch casserole dish, for example. We also combed Reddit threads of home cooks discussing microwaves, and found that this one had the very best reports of longevity.

What we’d leave: While the sensor cook feature will ultimately produce great cooking results, it has a learning curve. In order to figure out the right modes for each type of food we had to consult a chart in the manual. This information is also displayed on the inside of the door, on a sticker, but that particular design doesn’t feel built to last. It took a few tries to figure it out, but once we did, it was easy to use.

Also, though this microwave has a sleek exterior—stylish and minimal—it’s highly fingerprint prone. And since it features a flat button to open rather than a handle, you will fingerprint the front of the machine.

A simple, large capacity microwave: LG 1.5 cu. ft. NeoChef Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter and Sensor Cooking

LG 1.5 cu. ft. NeoChef Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter and Sensor Cooking

Walmart

LG

• Easy to clean
• Simple controls
• Quiet operation

• Higher price point for standard microwave
• Smart diagnostic features are not helpful

Pros and cons

Pros

• Good basic microwave functionality at a low price
• Large cooking space

Cons

• Inconsistent defrost performance

Specs

Size: 21.41" x 12.13" x 17"
Settings: Beverage, casserole, dinner plate, pie, pizza, auto defrost, rapid defrost, popcorn
Accessories: None
Warranty: 1 year

This microwave uses the same kind of technology as the Panasonic—features LG has dubbed Smart Inverter and Sensor Cooking. LG says these features eliminate cold spots and avoid crispy edges—claims we found largely true. When reheated, the center of our chicken breast was warm, but the edges did not dry out.

What we love: Unlike many models we tested, where larger exterior footprints didn’t result in actual increased cooking space, the LG is noticeably bigger on the inside, and features a 14.5-inch cooking table compared to the Panasonic’s 13.2-inch plate. We think most home cooks generally don’t use their microwaves to reheat anything this large, but if capacity is a central concern for you, this model is unbeatable.

The other feature that stood out is the EasyClean interior. Kids aren’t known for remembering to cover a dish when heating it, so we were able to test the scrubability of each unit quite well. The LG finish is notably easier to clean with a damp sponge than the other units tested. The smooth glass front and buttons are also simple to wipe clean of fingerprints.

What we’d leave: Ultimately, the LG had impressive results, but didn’t consistently perform as well as the Panasonic at defrosting or making popcorn. The reports of Panasonic’s longevity even with heavy use were better than the LG’s. We also didn’t find the LG Smart Diagnosis feature (an app-based customer support and diagnostic tool) very helpful, but connected features on kitchen appliances are usually overrated anyway.

The best budget combo microwave: GE 1.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity Countertop Convection Microwave Oven with Air Fry

GE 1.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity Countertop Convection Microwave Oven with Air Fry

Amazon

GE Appliances

• Affordable
• Simple to use
• Smooth glass buttons are easy to clean

• Small size won’t work well for large families
• Air fry feature takes longer than other units

Pros and cons

Pros

• Combi oven features at basic microwave prices
• Easy to operate (even for kids!)

Cons

• On the small side
• Cooks more slowly

Specs

Size: 11.9" x 20.6" x 16.6"
Settings: Broil, convection, combination cook, air-fry, popcorn, potato, beverage, reheat, vegetable, dinner plate, pizza
Accessories: 2 wire racks
Warranty: 1 year

What we love: For cooks who want the features of a combi microwave but find the price tags of most hard to stomach, this compact GE unit makes sense at just $219. The 1-cubic-foot size fits even kitchens with little counter space, while still including most of the same features of the larger and spendier models we tested. This microwave comes with an air-frying pan and two trivets; the taller trivet is great for placing food close to the air fryer coils, while the short trivet works well for convection cooking in an 8-by-8-inch glass pan.

At 1050 watts, this microwave has enough power to reheat food quickly (note though, that quickly is not always better, and we have more on that below). The Popcorn button burned our tester bags, but the Dinner Plate button reheated a plate of pasta without drying it out. A sticker on top of the microwave outlines the various settings.

When testing the convection and air-fry modes, the settings are straightforward and easy to figure out. French fries and pizza rolls come out crispy using the air-fry and convection mode, and contribute Meg St-Esprit found that her kids could navigate the settings on their own. One convenience button that got a lot of use: AF-1. It’s for reheating fast-food fries. AF-2 is labeled for “dino nuggets,” an entirely separate setting from the chicken tender mode. If you’re a mom, you know that’s less ridiculous than it sounds; the highly favored dinosaur-shaped snacks do tend to get overly crispy at the tips of tails, spikes, and tiny T-rex arms.

What we’d leave: The GE microwave is quiet when running, but beeps quite loudly when you push a button or the cook finishes. While jarring at times, we did find the loud volume useful with the air-frying feature—it prompts you to turn the food halfway through the cycle. During at home testing the alert could be heard from anywhere on her first floor. And though the air-fry and broil features worked well for crisping our favorite snacks, this unit did take longer than some others we tested. Homemade french fries achieved perfect crispiness in the GE model after 20 minutes, but took only 12 minutes in the higher wattage Breville.

As a small microwave, this one’s good for saving on counter space, but is limiting in other ways. Larger pans do not fit in this compact model, and the air-fry tray is sized for one or two servings—not a family meal.

How we tested all of these microwaves and their extra features

We limited our testing to countertop units, though most microwave brands make a comparable over-the-range models or built-in models with similar features. Keeping it to countertop microwaves made it easier to test different models side by side. Testing involved both taking notes on everyday use as well as cooking the same foods in each unit for comparison purposes.

To test the regular microwave functions, we used the Popcorn feature on each unit with bags of Orville Redenbacher’s classic butter popcorn. We also tested the defrost settings with frozen chicken breasts. We melted butter in the microwave to test how long it took, how evenly the butter melted, and whether it exploded. We made dozens of frozen meals in the microwaves, including breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and mac and cheese. We also steamed broccoli and potatoes, using the special settings as well as dialing in our own preferred cooking methods on each machine.

If the microwaves were also multi-ovens, we made homemade french fries to test out the air-frying feature, and made chicken thighs using the convection and combi cook modes.

We also used the microwaves in our day to day lives. Throughout the day, with microwaves on every flat surface in her home, one of our testers rotated which unit she used to reheat cold coffee or make a quick bowl of ramen for lunch.

Beyond the actual cooking functions, as we used the microwaves in our day to day lives, we noted things like button arrangement, how easy the microwave was to set up out of the box and use without reading the manual intensively, door button and handle features, and any confusing operating features.

We also looked at how clean these microwaves stayed and, when they got dirty, how easy they were to clean. Were items prepped in them prone to splattering? What was it like wiping up after a splatter? And did they show fingerprints?

How do microwaves work? And what do all these new microwave cooking modes do?

What is microwave technology?

Microwaves heat food by using magnets to vibrate the water molecules within. When the molecules bounce around, it creates friction, which in turn creates heat. This is why microwaves tend to dry food out—all that rapid vibration can also cause dehydration. Those magnets are also the reason you can’t put metal cookware or flatware in a microwave, which is an important rule to remember when talking about combination cooking units.

What is invertor technology?

Conventional microwaves still use the same tech from the middle of the 20th century, when the appliance was invented. In order to regulate power level, they don’t actually run continuously, but rather blast high heat, then turn off intermittently to lower and regulate the temperature.

In contrast, invertor technology, invented in the 1980s, runs the microwave continuously, blasting a steady stream of heat, even if you’re only running the power at 50 percent.

Because invertor technology allows for constant heat, it offers more evenly cooked results. This particularly comes in to play with melting ingredients like butter and chocolate, and defrosting meat.

What is sensor technology?

Sensor features in most microwaves use humidity sensors to detect the moisture levels in your food by monitoring the steam coming off of them. Then, they’ll adjust their times and power levels in real time in order to better cook or defrost the food. Some microwaves have sensor technology that relies on infrared sensors rather than humidity detection. They measure the heat level on the surface of your food and make similar adjustments to prevent cold spots and overcooked edges.

What is an air fryer/microwave?

Convection cooking circulates hot air from all sides, typically with the help of fans, to provide even and fast cooking. Many of today’s new full-size ranges and wall ovens include a convection feature—though often at a higher cost. Combination units are a great way to try convection cooking with less of a commitment.

Air fryers hit the market around 2010, and rose to fame during the home cooking craze of the pandemic lockdown. Air fryers circulate hot air to crisp food without deep-frying—which is technically a form of convection cooking, though a somewhat more focused and intense one. Air fryers use a targeted heat source above the food to achieve that crispiness, which means any microwave combination unit has heat coils on the top of the interior that look similar to the heating elements inside an electric oven.

What is “combi” technology?

Some units also have a “combi” feature, which is essentially convection cooking with added steam. To use air-fry, convection, and combination modes, all of the units utilize some variation of a trivet and metal pan (metal is okay in these units as long as you don’t choose microwave mode, which St-Esprit had to remind her kids of during this testing).

Why do all microwaves have childproof doors?

Updates to safety standards mean new microwaves all have a child lock feature as well. In March of 2024, the Underwriters Laboratory updated safety standards to require this feature so that children cannot reach up and grab hot food accidentally. Microwaves must now have two steps to open the door. This feature can be turned off for homes where there are no young children, and we found each microwave guide easily outlined how to toggle the child lock on and off.

How much does wattage matter?

When shopping for microwaves, it’s tempting to look for the highest wattage available at the lowest price. While higher wattage certainly cooks food faster, it doesn’t necessarily cook it more evenly. In fact, high wattage cooking can lead to sauce or butter splatter, and can overcook foods, or overcook some components while undercooking others. High wattage microwaves aren’t bad, and they can be useful, but you will probably find that running them at 50 percent power offers the best results for most everyday cooking tasks.

Other microwaves we liked

Magic Chef

1.1 Cubic Food Countertop Microwave

Amazon

This inexpensive, no-frills microwave is easy and intuitive to use. It did an excellent job reheating premade foods like burritos and breakfast sandwiches. We occasionally found some cold spots, but were able to get good, consistent results by playing with power levels and dialing in on the right cooking times using experimentation—rather than strictly following packaging instructions. Steamed broccoli and microwaved mac and cheese were prone to getting mushy, but the potatoes were perfect. And the popcorn setting lead to a much fuller bag than some of the Magic Chef’s much more expensive competitors. This is a great microwave for the price, though we worry about its long-term ware.

Panasonic HomeCHEF 4-in-1 Multi-oven, 1.2 cu. ft.

Amazon

While the HomeCHEF did not quite make the list of top products for this review, the Panasonic microwave is high-quality and fun to use. This was actually my six-year-old’s favorite microwave because “it is very pretty.” I concur that the sleek design is aesthetically pleasing, and an available trim kit allows you to transform it into a built-in microwave if you have the space. At 1.2 cubic feet, the air-frying tray is big enough to fit several servings—a plus for a big family. While there is no number pad, Selecting between cooking options is easy using the dial and display.

The Magic Pot, an additional $99 accessory for this model, was a unique cooking tool across all of the microwaves I looked at. This microwave-safe pot works in all four modes (microwave, convection, air fryer, and broil). It lets you steam, grill, sear, and simmer. I used the Magic Pot to steam Barramundi filets with great results. At $500 (plus $329 for the trim kit), this unit is spendy, but the quality is evident. The Breville got the nod here thanks to some of the extra little design features like the soft-close door.

Samsung 1.2 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave with Power Convection

Samsung

The Samsung microwave is the only model we tested that opens like an oven—from the top down. This feature alone gives it a sleek, high-end. An available trim kit gives consumers the option to build this unit into their kitchen like a wall oven. Like the Panasonic model, there are no numerical buttons. A dial and touch screen control the settings. While I had no issues with them, this was the only unit that my older children could not figure out how to use independently.

The Samsung comes with Wi-Fi connectivity for app and voice control, which, while neat, did not strike me and all that useful. The large tray fits several servings easily and serves up homemade fries at the perfect crispiness using the air-fry feature. The Power Convection mode worked well for juicy chicken thighs too. And the enameled interior, which is similar to the LG model, wipes clean with little effort.

Toshiba 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven

Amazon

At $219 at the time of writing, this Toshiba microwave is another great entry point for consumers looking to explore a fancy new multi-function unit without a big investment. We tested the microwave, air-frying, convection cooking, and combi modes on snacks and side dishes with good results. Since the product description touts the ability to cook a whole 12-inch pizza in this microwave, I tried that too with results similar to what I get from my range. This would be a good option for dorm dwellers and their supply of convenience foods. The child lock on the Toshiba releases with a small lever on the handle, which my six-year-old was able to figure out quickly. For families with mischievous kids, another unit with a more robust child lock, like the Samsung or GE models, would be better.

Kenmore 0.9 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven

Amazon

This basic microwave comes in three wattages—700, 900, and 1,000—and we chose to test the mid-tier model. It retails for just under $100 on Amazon and comes with no surprises, good or bad. Simple controls denote how to reheat and defrost food. The one-touch start for 30 seconds and 1–6 minute settings are a nice touch, as well. This microwave did slide around on the countertop—it could benefit from a set of rubber grips like most other microwaves have (you can get some aftermarket grips here).

Whirlpool 2.2 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave with Sensor Cooking

Whirlpool

This large countertop microwave packs a lot of power, making it a solid choice for large families or users who work with large batches of food often. The Sensor Cooking feature uses inverter technology, like several other units we tested, to avoid cold spots or dry edges on food. This worked well, and the 1200-watt power level heated food quickly. The Steam Clean feature removed caked-on spaghetti sauce splatters without any additional abrasives or chemical sprays.

Whirlpool 1.9 cu. ft. Convection Microwave with Air Fry Mode

Whirlpool

Thanks to a mistake in shipping, I also had the chance to use Whirlpool’s over-the-range microwave. While I focused this testing on countertop models, I’m including what I found with this one as well. This model also has a steam cooking and grill mode with an included trivet and cooking basket large enough for family meals. I appreciated that the air-fry basket has two attached silicone grips on each side—every other model requires the use of potholders to avoid burns, so this little touch stood out to me. The convection baking option turns this microwave into a second oven, which is a huge plus. In a kitchen like mine, without space to add a wall oven or countertop microwave with a trim kit, this over-the-range model is a simple way to double our cooking capacity.

KitchenAid 1.5 cu. ft. Microwave with Air Fry Function

AJ Madison

Kitchenaid

This oven is loaded with great features that make it easy to use, especially for people who might find combination microwave/air fryer/convection ovens overwhelming. Most of the units I tested have some shortcut buttons preset to specific foods, but my family particularly liked the categories on the KitchenAid unit. It was simple for my teens and tween to choose one of the included pans and select the right setting for their meal. The options include favs like chicken nuggets, french fries, cookies, and frozen pizza. There’s also a quick set button for asparagus and broccoli.

I tested out P10, the preset mode for a roast pork loin—it made great carnitas. At $647, this model is one of the pricier ovens I looked at. But a trim kit means you could incorporate it into a kitchen remodel—the sleek design would blend well with lots of design aesthetics. Overall, I think the quality of this oven justifies the high price point, but if you’re looking to explore a combination unit you can get similar features for half the price with the GE model.

Microwaves we don’t recommend

Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Oven

The Toshiba is quiet and easy to set up. It works perfectly well when you dial in your own power levels and cooking times. However, the machine’s preset functions didn’t work well at all: A potato cooked on the setting came out massively undercooked, as did popcorn—we tried it three times and each time the bag was only half popped and immediately deflated after it came out of the microwave. The defrost setting for chicken breast left us with a still-frozen cutlet.