10 Best Microwaves of 2025: Top-Rated Models for Every Kitchen

The Midea Microwave Oven is an affordable, no-frills option that delivers reliable everyday performance at a budget-friendly price. In our testing its 1000-watt power and 10 power levels with six one-touch presets covered most reheating and defrost needs, and we found it easy to operate for simple meal prep. However, it lacks sensor cooking, smart features, and many advanced conveniences, which is why it lands lower in our rankings at 6/10. If you want straightforward value without bells and whistles, this model does the job.

The GE Countertop Microwave scored 8/10 as a roomy, efficient everyday microwave with useful sensor cooking and a strong 1150 watts for faster results. During our review the 1.6 cu. ft. capacity comfortably accommodated larger plates and casserole dishes, and the automatic adjustments made reheats more reliable. On the downside, we found the unit lacks smart connectivity and some users can’t mute control beeps, which may be annoying in quiet homes. If you want a straightforward, powerful countertop model without smart bells, this is a practical pick.

The GE Smart Countertop Microwave leans into convenience with voice control and Scan-to-Cook, making it a handy kitchen companion for busy households. During our review we liked how Alexa and Google Assistant integration simplified hands-free reheating and how the compact footprint still leaves a roomy interior, but we found occasional connectivity hiccups with Google Assistant. Operating at 900 watts it’s a bit underpowered for larger or denser dishes, and at its price point some may expect more robust performance. If smart features matter more than raw power, it’s worth considering.

Breville’s Combi Wave 3 in 1 is an appealing space-saver that blends microwave, convection oven and air fryer into one sleek unit, and we found its Element IQ system helps deliver evenly browned results for many recipes. During our review the combination functions were handy, though the microwave mode showed some uneven heating and the air fryer/convection sometimes fell short of the crispiness you’d expect. The unit’s soft-close door and quiet operation are pleasant touches, but the exposed coils make the interior harder to clean—worth knowing if low-maintenance is a priority.

Panasonic’s Countertop Microwave earned one of our higher scores (8.5/10) thanks to its powerful 1200 watts and consistent, even heating in testing. We found the automatic sensors reliably adjusted cooking times for precise results and the easy-clean interior simplified upkeep after messy meals. Minor annoyances include a brief five-beep alert sequence at cycle end and a small door release that can feel fiddly, plus the larger footprint may not suit tiny kitchens. Overall, it’s a fast, precise countertop workhorse if space allows.

The NN-SD975S Cyclonic Wave Inverter Microwave is our top-performing inverter option, scoring 9/10 for delivering adjustable, high-power cooking up to 1250 watts with Panasonic’s patented inverter tech. In our testing we appreciated the smooth power control that prevents overcooked edges and gives more consistent results across a range of foods, though the unit can be a bit noisier in operation and the stainless exterior attracts fingerprints. Our experience shows it’s an excellent choice if precise, powerful microwave performance is your priority and you don’t mind a little extra upkeep to maintain the finish.

The Toshiba Countertop Microwave is a solid midrange pick that earned an 8/10 for balancing performance and style without breaking the bank. In our testing its 1100-watt power and smart sensor did a reliable job adjusting time and power for reheats and defrosts, and the easy-clean interior made maintenance low-effort. We found the lack of inverter technology can leave meals slightly less evenly heated than premium models, and the unit’s depth and height could limit placement on small counters. If you want dependable sensor cooking at about $149, this is a practical choice.

The LG Over the Range Microwave offers generous capacity and smart features, and in our testing its 2.0 cu. ft. interior and ThinQ app controls were convenient for larger cookware and remote operation. Our experience shows the sensor cooking works well to adjust times, but reliability proved inconsistent — several users report interior light failure and tricky service for wall-mounted units. Though listed power varies, expect around 900–1050 watts which is decent but not class-leading, so while feature-rich it scored 7/10 due to those durability concerns.