The 8 Best Microwaves of 2025

The Panasonic NN-SN686S truly excels in the 'Best Overall' category, bringing a balance of power, versatility, and thoughtful design to your kitchen. With its robust 1200 Watt high power output paired with a 1.2 cubic foot capacity, this microwave is no slouch when it comes to delivering swift, even cooking. The inclusion of Inverter Technology and Turbo Defrost means your food is not only cooked consistently but defrosts quickly, saving you precious time.

One of its standout attributes is its Smart Cooking Settings, powered by the Genius Sensor. This intelligent feature effortlessly adjusts cooking times and power levels based on the food type, simplifying meal prep. Moreover, its compact design cleverly maximizes internal space, fitting a 13.4-inch turntable without hogging your countertop.

While the features like the clock and child lock are pretty commonplace, they add to the overall utility of this appliance. Ultimately, its blend of innovative features and dependable performance makes it an outstanding choice for any kitchen.

When it comes to snagging the best bang for your buck, the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS microwave shines brightly. This compact powerhouse is not just about style with its sleek black exterior, but it also delivers a solid performance that impresses in its class. Sporting a powerful 1100 watts, it heats meals swiftly and evenly, all while offering ten precise power settings. The pre-programmed sensor menu is particularly handy, ensuring that popular foods like pizza and veggies are optimally heated without any fuss.

The microwave's large interior is a pleasant surprise, comfortably accommodating a 12-inch pizza, making it perfect for those with hearty appetites or larger households. Add a user-friendly control panel with a simple digital display, and you have a device that caters to convenience on a daily basis. The additional mute function is a thoughtful touch for those who wish to keep the kitchen noise down. While it offers average defrosting capabilities, this well-rounded model predominantly impresses with its thoughtful design and functionality, making it a top contender for those seeking value in their kitchen appliances.

The GE GCST10A1WSS stands out in the 'Best Multifunctional' category, primarily due to its impressive versatility and user-friendly design. One of its outstanding features is the incorporation of an air fry mode, which allows for healthier cooking by producing the crispy textures we all love, without the extra oil. The convection mode adds further versatility, with its ability to achieve perfectly golden brown results thanks to the special rack that ensures optimal air circulation for even cooking.

In addition, the broil mode is a great asset for those who enjoy grilling-like results inside a microwave, making it easy to sear or caramelize food items right to perfection. The two-step child lock is a thoughtful safety feature, ensuring peace of mind for families with young children, while the preset controls simplify the cooking process, offering precision at your fingertips.

While the microwave's compact size limits its capacity to 1.0 cubic feet, it compensates with a potent 1,050 watts of power, making it ideal for small spaces like dorms or offices. The glass turntable ensures even cooking, highlighting a well-rounded appliance that caters to both convenience and high performance.

The Cuisinart CMW-100 is a standout in the 'Best Design' category, primarily due to its sleek stainless-steel finish that not only gives it a modern aesthetic but also ensures durability and ease of maintenance. The unit's design is accentuated by a stainless steel interior, which offers a hygienic cooking environment that’s easy to clean, and the touchpad controls with an LCD display provide a user-friendly interface that's both intuitive and responsive.

One of the most impressive aspects of its design is the built-in versatility with 25 preprogrammed settings and 10 power levels. This makes it a versatile addition to any kitchen, allowing for customized cooking with ease. While features like the 12-inch glass turntable and two defrost functions are fairly standard, they nonetheless contribute to its highly functional design.

In summary, the Cuisinart CMW-100 shines with its excellent combination of style, functionality, and thoughtful design features.

The Breville BMO870BSS1BUC1 shines in the "Best For Precision Cooking" category, thanks to its innovative features that enhance culinary experiences at home. At its core, this appliance combines an air fryer, convection oven, and microwave, making it a versatile companion for diverse cooking needs. The Element IQ system, which directs power to crucial areas, ensures perfectly cooked meals. Whether you're crafting fries or baking brownies, it provides consistently mouth-watering results.

One standout feature is the Fast Combi function, a time-saver that integrates convection, grilling, and microwave settings to expedite meal preparation without compromising quality. Additionally, the Cook from Frozen option is ideal for those busy weeknights when defrosting time is a luxury you can't afford.

The Power Smoothing Inverter delivers balanced power, ensuring that pizzas, soups, and lasagnas are reheated without losing moisture or texture. While the 1200 W power for convection cooking is standard, the 19 smart presets offer tailored solutions for a variety of dishes, elevating its precision cooking prowess.

The SHARP ZSMC1464KS microwave impresses with its robust performance and thoughtful design in the best mid-sized category. With a generous 1.4 cubic foot capacity, it easily accommodates large dishes and caters to family-sized needs. Operating at 1100 watts, it promises speedy and efficient cooking, essential for busy households.

One standout feature is its inverter cooking technology, ensuring consistent results by maintaining even power levels. The 12.4-inch carousel turntable aids in even cooking, a crucial consideration for those who want perfectly prepared meals. The addition of a modern gray interior, white LED display, and LED lighting enrich the user experience, aligning with contemporary kitchen aesthetics.

Convenience is evident with features like the "+30 seconds" key and express cooking options, streamlining meal preparation. While its sensor and auto cook functions offer precision and ease, the average but reliable 10 power levels are just adequate. Overall, the SHARP ZSMC1464KS offers a balanced blend of performance and practicality, making it an appealing choice for many.

When it comes to large-sized microwaves, the Panasonic NN-SN98JS is truly a standout. One of its most commendable features is the ingenious Cyclonic Inverter Technology. This technology ensures your meals are cooked evenly and efficiently, which means no more unevenly heated leftovers or overcooked edges. The 2.2 cubic foot capacity is ideal for families, accommodating large dishes with ease, while the 16.5-inch turntable maximizes internal space without making the unit bulky.

What really sets this model apart is the smart cooking setting. With a built-in automatic sensor, it adjusts power and time tailored for various foods—making meal prep practically foolproof. Additionally, the Turbo Defrost function speeds up the defrosting process, which is a true time-saver for busy households.

While the microwave boasts great features, some might see the standard designs, like the delay start and child safety lock, as more average; however, in this model, they serve as practical and essential for everyday use. Overall, the Panasonic NN-SN98JS offers a harmonious blend of size, power, and smart technology, making it a top choice for anyone looking for a large microwave.

When it comes to compact microwaves, the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 stands out with its practical features that cater to everyday convenience. One of the highlights is its handy pre-programmed buttons designed for a variety of common cooking tasks such as making popcorn or heating a dinner plate, eliminating the guesswork for users. This feature alone makes it a time-saver in many kitchens.

The microwave operates at 700 watts, offering 10 power settings. While its power level might be considered moderate, it's perfectly suitable for smaller meals and reheating tasks, making it an ideal choice for limited-counter kitchens or dorm rooms. The large LED digital display and easy-to-read control panel ensure straightforward operation, appealing to users who appreciate simplicity.

Additionally, the safety features, such as the child lock, are valuable extras for households with young children. A removable glass turntable and push-button door release further enhance its user-friendly design. In all, the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 delivers reliable performance paired with convenient features, securing its spot as a top contender in the 'Best Compact' category.