7 Best Microwaves of 2026, Lab-Tested and Reviewed
CR tests countertop and over-the-range models from Commercial Chef, LG, Panasonic, and other brands
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Before you shop for your next microwave, here’s a takeaway from our tests: Bigger can be better. Of the 19 microwaves we recommend, all but two have a claimed capacity of 1.2 cubic feet or more. That’s not to say there aren’t some solid choices among smaller models (we highlight one below), but medium- to large-sized microwaves are likely to offer more power and features.
As for space, be forewarned that, based on measurements taken in our lab, most microwave ovens have less usable space than advertised. We find that both over-the-range (OTR) and countertop microwaves have usable capacities that are typically slightly above half of what manufacturers claim. The microwaves listed below are no exception, but they stand out in our tests for performance measurements, including heating speed, even heating, and defrosting.
Countertop microwaves represent the biggest slice of the market by far. We focus our testing on models with a claimed capacity of 1 cubic foot or larger, which are the biggest sellers. Below, you can view the top microwaves from our tests, including countertop models in each size range as well as four excellent OTR options, all listed alphabetically. For more information on selecting a microwave, refer to our microwave buying guide. And if you’re a CR member, you can dive into our comprehensive ratings of more than 150 microwave models.
Best Countertop Microwaves
Countertop microwaves are generally less expensive than over-the-range models. They’re also easier to put in place—just find a spot on your counter, plug the microwave into an outlet, and you’re all set. Here are solid choices in small, medium, and large models.
The small and inexpensive 700-watt Commercial Chef CHM770B may be all you need for a college dorm room or home office. This countertop microwave is a champ at heating evenly. However, it’s one of the slowest microwaves in CR’s ratings, garnering the lowest score possible in our test that times how long it takes to heat a bowl of water. Also, it’s just so-so at defrosting. Nonetheless, you can snap one up for less than $100, so it may be worth a look if you’re on a tight budget. If you’re looking for something a little bigger at a similar price, the Commercial Chef CHM 990B (see below) might be a good pick. Commercial Chef’s countertop microwaves receive a stellar predicted reliability score in CR member surveys, but a poor owner satisfaction rating.
Though it didn’t nab any top performance scores, the midsized Commercial Chef CHM990B and other microwaves from the brand are unmatched when it comes to reliability. And it still impressed us in nearly every one of our tests, including heating and defrosting evenness, noise, and ease of use. The one area in which it fell short was heating speed, with a score that placed it in the middle of the pack. Despite its overall good performance, it’s a straightforward appliance without extras like convection or sensor cooking.
The large Panasonic NN-SD77PS demonstrated excellent performance in our tests for heating evenness, heating speed, and noise. But where this model stands out most is in its controls. Instead of a flat, smooth touchpad, this model has a dial and tactile buttons. It’s a handy feature for the vision-impaired and could make it easier for anyone to heat their morning oatmeal in the predawn hours without turning on the kitchen light. In CR’s member surveys, Panasonic’s countertop microwaves garner a predicted reliability score that’s near the top, but a middling owner satisfaction score.
Best Over-the-Range Microwaves
Over-the-range microwave ovens free up counter space, but installation may require an electrician. LG currently leads our ratings for over-the-range microwaves, but it faces some competition. The following top performers are listed in alphabetical order by model name.
The KitchenAid KMMS330SPS is one of the top over-the-range microwaves in our ratings, thanks to strong heating evenness and speed of heating scores. It also offers top-notch defrosting evenness and is incredibly easy to use. It’s quieter than most recommended LG models, but it’s not as reliable: KitchenAid over-the-range microwaves earn middling reliability and owner satisfaction ratings in CR member surveys.
The 950-watt LG MHEC1737F features convection, along with sensor cooking, auto-defrost, and speed-cook settings. It nabbed our highest score for defrosting evenness and microwaving noise, and very good scores for heating evenness and vent noise (although we found its airflow just middling). Its score for heating speed was also just middling. If you’re open to paying more for additional features, we expect the LG Studio MHES1738F to perform similarly. LG over-the-range microwaves receive a top score for reliability in our member surveys, but are rated just okay for owner satisfaction.
At just under 12 inches tall, the slender LG MVEF1337F provides more clearance above your range, but you’ll pay for it with a smaller capacity. It offers very good heating evenness and superb defrosting evenness, plus it’s very easy to use and has excellent venting. That said, it can be a bit noisy, and our tests found its heating speed to be just so-so. If clearance is not an issue, consider the similarly rated and considerably less expensive LG MVEL2033F, which isn’t as slim but looks more streamlined with a recessed handle.
The LG MVEL2125F tops our over-the-range microwave ratings, boasting stellar performances in our heating and defrosting evenness tests, as well as ease of use. It’s also very quiet. On the less spectacular side, this microwave falls in the middle of the pack for heating speed and venting.
How CR Tests Microwaves
In CR’s microwave lab, we assess how fast and evenly each machine heats food. The speed score in our microwave ratings is based on how fast a microwave heats 1 liter of room-temperature water.
To test heating evenness, we heat a bowl of cold mashed potatoes for 10 minutes and then take temperature readings at 20 different spots. We also assess how well a pound of frozen ground beef is defrosted using each microwave’s auto-defrost setting. Additionally, we measure each microwave’s noise level on high and assess its ease of use without consulting the manual.
In addition to these performance ratings, we factor in scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction based on our members’ experiences with 36,707 OTR microwaves and 37,845 countertop models purchased new between 2015 and 2025.
To learn more about our microwave tests and what to consider before shopping for one, check our microwave buying guide.
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