The Best Smart Microwaves 2025: Features, Reviews, and Buying Guide

The Samsung Smart Over-the-Range Microwave blends microwave, bake and roast with its convection cooking, and in our testing that versatility makes it a strong choice for families who want one appliance to do more — it scored 7.5/10. We found the voice control and smart home integration genuinely handy for hands-free use while cooking, but be realistic about installation: our experience shows you may need an electrician, which adds cost and complexity. If you want multi-mode cooking and connected convenience, this is worth the investment; if you need an easy DIY swap, consider a simpler model.

The Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave has a sleek, modern look and a useful stay-warm function that kept dishes ready during our review, yet its steep $1,038.60 price and a confusing control panel held it back to a 6.5/10. We found the sensor cooking dependable for even reheating, but our experience shows the lack of voice control and smart-home features may frustrate users seeking connectivity. If style and a warming feature matter most, it’s a solid pick; if you want simplicity and smart integration, look elsewhere.

Sharp’s Countertop Microwave Oven is a budget-friendly option that earned a practical 6/10 in our testing thanks to inverter technology and a child-resistant door lock that make everyday use safer and more even. We found the Sensor Cook Menu useful for reliable reheats, but our experience shows its lack of voice control, smart integration and convection limits appeal in a smart-microwave guide. For renters or tight budgets who want straightforward performance and safety without connected bells and whistles, this is a competent, no-frills choice.

Panasonic’s NN-SN67K uses inverter technology to deliver evenly heated meals and fast Turbo Defrost, and in our testing that reliability helped it earn a respectable 7/10. We found the smart cooking settings simplify meal prep, but our experience shows the unit is relatively heavy and takes up counter space, and the stainless-steel finish attracts fingerprints. If you want consistent, even cooking without convection or voice control and can accommodate its size, this microwave offers solid value at a midrange price.

The HomeCHEF Connect Multi-oven impressed us in review by combining microwave, air fryer, convection oven and broiler into one compact unit, earning an 8/10 for multifunction versatility and smart-home integration. We found it particularly useful when counter space is tight, though our experience shows the air-fryer lacks precise temperature control and the interface takes time to learn. If you want an all-in-one appliance that reduces the need for multiple gadgets and don’t mind a learning curve, this is one of our top multifunction options.

This Countertop Microwave with Sensor Cooking scored 7.5/10 in our testing thanks to its reliable sensor cook feature and a ceramic enamel interior that’s resistant to scratches and easy to clean. We found the preset cooking options very convenient for everyday use, but our experience shows the power level is moderate compared with high-watt models and color choices are limited. For someone who prioritizes fuss-free sensor cooking and low-maintenance upkeep on the counter, it’s a practical midrange pick.

The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 stands out in our testing with microwave, convection and air-fryer abilities plus a refined stainless-steel design and 19 smart presets, which helped it earn a high 9/10. We found the soft-closing door and modern styling delightful, though our experience shows some users struggle with cleaning around exposed coils and occasional disappointment with crisping performance. If you want one premium, versatile countertop unit and don’t mind spending more or doing a bit of extra maintenance, this is our top-rated choice for all-in-one cooking.

Toshiba’s Microwave Oven is an affordable, compact model that performed well in our testing for even heating and fits tight kitchen spaces, earning a 6.5/10 overall. We found its Alexa integration promising in theory, but our experience shows that inconsistent smart connectivity and a louder operation can be frustrating in quiet homes. If you need a powerful small microwave and want basic voice control, it’s a handy option—just be aware the smart features may require troubleshooting.

The BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven is an ultra-affordable option that offers five cooking modes and ten power levels, but in our testing it landed at 5.5/10 because stability and noise concerns cropped up. We found the variety of preset functions helpful for everyday cooking, yet our experience shows slim supports can make the unit feel less secure and reports on noise are mixed. If budget and versatility are your top priorities and you can accept some trade-offs in build and sound, it’s a reasonable entry-level choice.

Panasonic’s NN-SN67K scored a solid 7/10 in our testing by delivering even, reliable heating thanks to inverter technology and Genius Sensor Cooking, which we found especially helpful for quick, no-guess reheats. During our review the unit impressed with consistent results, though our experience shows the stainless-steel finish attracts fingerprints and the control panel can be hard to read in dim light. If you value dependable performance over bells and whistles, this midrange microwave is a practical, no-nonsense choice.

The Samsung Combination Wall Oven aims high with smart-home integration but only scored 5.5/10 in our review because of touchscreen reliability problems we encountered. We found rapid heating and quiet microwave operation to be definite pluses, yet our experience shows the touchscreen can malfunction — sometimes triggering self-clean or broil unexpectedly — and the touchpad struggles if your hands are dry. If connected features matter, the integration is attractive, but weigh that against potential control reliability issues before buying.

Sharp’s Smart Convection Microwave Drawer Oven is a modern, hands-free option that scored 6/10 in our testing — we liked the Easy Wave Open drawer and the convenience of voice control and smart-home integration. In practice we found the 900W microwave output and limited air-fry settings resulted in longer cook times than expected, and our experience shows the air fryer isn’t as versatile as standalone units. If you value touchless operation and a sleek drawer design, this is a novel choice, but don’t expect blazing-fast air-frying performance.

This Stainless Steel Microwave offers a clean, user-friendly experience and a range of pre-programmed options that make everyday cooking simple, but it only scored 5.5/10 in our review due to performance limits. We found the stainless interior easy to clean and the controls well labeled, yet our experience shows it lacks sensor cooking and can heat unevenly, and there’s no mute option for the end-of-cycle beeps. If you prioritize easy maintenance and straightforward presets, it’s attractive — but temper expectations on cooking consistency and noise.

Whirlpool’s Over-the-Range Microwave with Air Fry scored 6.5/10 in our testing because the integrated air-fry function and flush-built design are compelling, but usability issues hold it back. We found the air-fry mode can produce crisp results, and the seamless built-in look fits modern kitchens well, yet our experience shows the unit can feel underpowered, lacks a turntable (which may cause uneven cooking), and the manual isn’t always clear. If you want a space-saving microwave with air-fry chops, this is worth considering if you can live with a learning curve.

The Sharp Countertop Microwave Oven is a budget-friendly everyday machine that scored 5.5/10 in our review: it’s simple to use with handy one-touch keys, but durability concerns cropped up. We found the one-touch keys make reheating effortless in routine use, yet our experience shows some units failed after only months of service, so long-term reliability is a risk. If you need an inexpensive, easy-to-operate microwave for light duty, it’s a practical short-term option — just be mindful of potential longevity issues.

If you want an ultra-affordable countertop microwave, the Toshiba at $109.99 is worth a look — it scored a modest 6/10 in our testing. We found the smart sensor cooking helpful because it automatically adjusts time and power, and the mute and eco modes are genuinely handy for quiet, energy-conscious kitchens. During our review the unit was hampered by a dim interior light that makes monitoring food tricky and some stiff buttons that need extra pressure. Our experience shows it performs well for basic reheats but don’t expect premium fit-and-finish or whisper-quiet operation.

Panasonic’s 1.6 cu ft, 1250-watt countertop microwave landed at 7/10 in our testing because it heats fast and handles larger dishes with ease. We found the sensor reheat especially reliable for warming leftovers without overcooking, which is a real convenience on busy weeknights. During our review some users reported the glass turntable can slip and the unit runs louder than competing models, and the control panel layout may not feel intuitive at first. If speed and capacity matter, this model balances performance and value, but expect a bit more noise and a learning curve on controls.

The Panasonic NN-SD945S scored a strong 7.5/10 in our testing thanks to patented inverter technology that delivers more even results and a handy set of 19 preset auto-cook menus. We found the child safety lock and breadth of presets ideal for families and busy cooks who want consistent outcomes without babysitting. During our review reliability concerns cropped up: some users report the door latch mechanism failing over time, the push-button door can feel awkward, and the LCD has poor contrast when viewed from above. If you prioritize even cooking and presets, this is a solid midrange pick — just be mindful about long-term door durability.

Breville’s Smooth Wave earned an 8/10 in our testing for delivering smart reheat that senses steam and a refined, modern design with a soft-close door that feels premium. We found the automatic steam-detect reheat especially useful for leftovers and delicate reheats, and the quiet door action adds to the upscale experience. During our review some buyers reported durability issues after about 1.5–2 years and occasional E05 error codes, and the price is higher than many countertop alternatives. If you want one of our top-rated stylish, sensor-equipped microwaves and can accept potential longevity trade-offs, this is a strong contender.

LG’s countertop microwave heats quickly and efficiently, but in our testing it landed a low 5/10 because usability and noise problems undermined the experience. We found the cooking performance itself to be reliable for everyday meals, yet during our review the interior lighting was very dim and the LED made it hard to see food while cooking. Our experience shows the unit emits high-frequency noise that can bother pets and sensitive listeners, so this model suits anyone prioritizing heating speed over a quiet, well-lit kitchen.

LG’s Convection Microwave packs air fry, convection bake and sensor cooking into one high-end unit, and during our review those modes expanded what you can do beyond simple reheats — though it still only scores a 6/10. We found the voice control and smart-home integration convenient, but our experience shows the air-fry presets are restrictive and the exhaust fan underperforms, which is disappointing given the $1,699.99 price. If you want multi-mode cooking and smart features and can tolerate some compromise on ventilation and customization, it’s worth considering.

Panasonic’s NN-SD975S earned a strong 8/10 in our testing thanks to Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology and a roomy 2.2 cu. ft. cavity that handles large dishes without sacrificing evenness. We found the Genius Sensor cooking useful for fuss-free reheats and consistent results, though our experience shows it runs a bit noisier than comparable models and the stainless exterior attracts fingerprints. If you want powerful, reliable microwaving for family-sized meals, this is a smart midrange pick — just be ready to adapt to the dial-style interface.

Panasonic’s NN-CD65NS earned an impressive 8.5/10 in our testing by packing Air Fry, Convection Bake, Broil and Microwave modes into one versatile oven, and we found the Genius Sensor and dedicated frozen pizza preset particularly handy. During our review it delivered great crisping and even results, though our experience shows it’s large (not ideal for tiny kitchens), the interior light is dim, and some users reported occasional door-button failures over time. If you want multifunction value and performance, this is one of the stronger picks we tested.

The compact GE Microwave Oven is an easy, wallet-friendly countertop option that scored a modest 6/10 in our review, and it’s ideal for tight spaces or a dorm room. We found the simple convenience cooking controls and one-touch settings make everyday use straightforward, but our experience shows the 700-watt output can struggle with larger meals and some units report the turntable slipping out of place. If you need a basic, space-saving unit and low complexity, this does the job affordably.

This Panasonic Inverter Microwave is a dependable midrange choice that scored 7/10 in our testing, balancing 1,200 watts of power with Genius Sensor convenience for quick, even cooking. During our review we appreciated how the inverter keeps food from overcooking in spots, though our experience shows the membrane keypad lacks tactile feedback and the stainless finish shows fingerprints easily. If you want strong heating performance and smart sensor cooking at a sensible price, this model delivers — just be ready for a softer-feel control panel.

Russell Hobbs’ RHM2076B blends a sleek, mirrored-door aesthetic with straightforward digital controls, earning a respectable 6.5/10 in our testing for style and ease of use. We found the pre-programmed auto cook menus and removable, dishwasher-safe turntable make everyday cleanup and reheating simple, while the contemporary finish lifts a kitchen’s look. During our review its 800W power and 20-litre capacity limited performance for larger dishes or family meals, and the shiny control knobs can be difficult to grip with greasy hands. If design and simplicity matter more than raw power, this is an attractive countertop option.