Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Wednesday, December 11th
What would we do without the company who invented the first automatic washing machines? Whirlpool has held strong with their brand reputation and innovations over the years. They have a selection of 25 microwave ovens that range from $99 to $944 and come with a range of features like air frying and convection baking. We like that Whirlpool's website gives customers bite-size information to help them quickly find their best options. The company has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau and transparent reviews from other buyers, so we're confident in the selection. Whirlpool is a terrific choice for microwave ovens.
Panasonic made its mark in the home electronics industry and has its reach in many other industries as well. They have 13 in-stock microwaves on their website, some as low as just $99. We were disappointed by the lack of information on their product listings and had to dig to find warranty information and other details. They don't list their shipping costs or speeds either. Panasonic has a "C” rating from the Better Business Bureau and their customer reviews are few and far between on microwave ovens. We're not convinced this is a great place to go for a microwave replacement, so they've earned one of our lower ratings.
More than likely you moved into your home and a microwave oven was already there, ready for you to use at your convenience. We rarely think twice about these powerful little appliances that allow us to nuke a hot pocket, reheat last night's takeout, and quickly appease a child's demands for chicken nuggets. If yours suddenly breaks and you find yourself in the market for a replacement, you'll quickly realize just how much you depended on your microwave. Can you even live without one?
You may not have paid much attention to it before, but there are actually quite a few different designs for microwaves. Do you want stainless steel? Black? White? Red? Most people choose to match the color and design of their microwave to their oven and refrigerator, but you could always switch things up for a more modern style you like better.
Many homes have a place built into the wall specifically for a microwave so that they don't stand out or take up counter space like they used to. Still, microwaves differ a bit in which features they come with and their size. Most over-the-range ovens are around 30”, open from the side, and have basic heating functionality.
More advanced microwaves act more like an oven with pull-down doors and convection technology that allow you to make things like cookies or rolls within minutes. Some even let you air fry, allowing you to have lots of important cooking functions without needing multiple appliances to get the job done.
Most microwave oven brands all get their microwaves from the same manufacturer, so rather than focusing or worrying too much about which brand provides the best quality, you'll want to pay attention to the designs offered, selection, prices (and how often they run sales), warranty, policies, and feedback about customer service. More specifically, here are some things we recommend paying close attention to when you're browsing all the different companies you might choose to buy your microwave oven from:
The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched the most important things you'd need to know about choosing a microwave oven. We hope this helps you find a microwave that makes cooking food a breeze and lasts for years to come.
Select any 2 Microwave Ovens to compare them head to head