Microwaves are an essential part of any kitchen, especially for busy dudes and lady dudes that don’t have time to spend hours in the kitchen. But not all microwaves are created equal, and whether you just need an affordable counter-top microwave or a huge, over-the-range monster – or something great in-between – we’ve got you covered with one of these best microwaves for every need.
Sharp Medium-Duty Commercial Microwave
Unless you need to flash-cook an entire cow, this microwave should be perfect for you. Stainless steel makes it easy to clean and fits with just about any kitchen décor, while the 1.0 cubic foot interior and 1,000 watts of cooking power will handle just about anything you need it to. It also has a classic dial-timer, which gives it a bit of a retro flair and makes it a little more interesting than your normal digital display microwaves, which matters if style is important to you at all.
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Panasonic Commercial Microwave Oven
Similar to the Sharp – 1,000 watts, classic dial-timer, sleek commercial look – it’s a little smaller, with a 0.8 cubic foot interior. That’s still big enough to handle your ordinary kitchen needs, and makes for the perfect microwave for anyone who doesn’t have a ton of counter space like in a small apartment or condo. You don’t have to sacrifice quality for size. That’s what she said?
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Toshiba Microwave Oven
A little more affordable than some other options, this Toshiba is a great option. 0.9 cubic feet and 900 watts of cooking power is still plenty to work with, and it’s loaded with a bunch of other neat features, including a sound on/off mode, pre-programmed one-touch start for several popular microwave goodies like popcorn and pizza, and a child safety lock so your kid doesn’t accidentally cook himself or the family cat.
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Magic Chef Microwave Oven
This stainless-steel microwave is a big boy at 1.6 cubic feet and 1,100 watts of cooking power give it some extra beef. This is a versatile microwave, just small enough that you can reasonably stick it on the counter if you have the space, and big enough that it works as a built-in over-the-range microwave. And all at a great price too.
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hOmeLabs Countertop Microwave Oven
Of course, if you want a bigger countertop microwave, but not necessarily a true behemoth, this 1.3 cubic foot microwave hits the sweet spot for you. It gives you 1,050 watts of cooking power, along with 10 power levels, 11 cooking functions and 7 pre-programmed settings for the popcorn/pizza/I’m hungover goodies. It even has a memory feature for your faves and a child lock setting to prevent any dark urban legends.
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Frigidaire Over-The-Range Microwave
Most microwaves are silver or black, which go with just about anything, but if you have that clean, white kitchen look, then this over-the-range Frigidaire is for you. 1.7 cubic feet and 1,000 watts will take care of just about anything, and “sensor cooking” and “multi-stage cooking” make it more versatile and precise than other microwaves. Basically, this microwave gives you some options between “ice cold” and “hot as nukes dropped into a volcano.”
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Hamilton Beach Microwave Oven
If you’re looking for a more affordable microwave, something basic yet still high quality, this is what you’re after. With its low price, it won’t feel like an investment, and at 0.7 cubic feet it will fit in even the most space-challenged kitchens. This is the best “starter” microwave available, with child lock protection speaking to its affordable quality. 700 watts isn’t the most powerful of microwaves, but you just want to heat up that slice of pizza, you aren’t trying to cook a Thanksgiving dinner in there.
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Panasonic Countertop/Built-In Microwave with Inverter Technology
Now this, this is a monster. 2.2 cubic feet and 1,250 watts of cooking power make this a Thanksgiving dinner microwave. The “inverter technology” mentioned speeds up defrosting, invaluable for anyone going freezer-to-microwave without wanting to have to take the time to wait out the whole thawing stage. An automatic sensor adjusts power and times for different foods, and… yeah, this microwave takes all the guesswork out of it and just does it for you. It’s about time the robots started working for us instead of hassling us on Twitter.
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The BroBible team writes about gear that we think you want. Occasionally, we write about items that are a part of one of our affiliate partnerships and we will get a percentage of the revenue from sales.