LG Review for January 2023 | Best Microwave Ovens

Item: LG Review
Rating: 3.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Saturday, January 28th

2023 Microwave Oven Reviews

LG

21 models of microwave ovens to choose from (over-the-range and countertop)
Prices range from $160 to $899
Plenty of features
Warranty coverage of up to two years on parts and labor

LG appliances are everywhere. The company is well known for offering the most advanced technology at affordable prices, and that's definitely true with their kitchen appliances.

Small microwave, big reputation

LG microwaves give you quite a bit for your money. For under $175, you could get a 0.9 cu.ft. model perfect for the home or office: the NeoChef Countertop unit has an easy clean interior with an extra-stable turntable and bright LED lighting. And, out of over 1000 buyer ratings, this microwave oven has an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Top-of-the-line features - under $1,000

At the opposite end of the price spectrum, LG sells the Studio 1.7 cu.ft. over-the-range convection microwave oven with air fry. With an MSRP of just $899, this appliance has all of the features you would pay two or even three times as much to get from another brand. It even has a two-year warranty on parts and labor. This model was too new at the time of this review to have any customer ratings, but the comparable LG models without the air fry system averaged about 4.3 out of 5 stars as a reference point.

BBB rating on the decline

LG's reputation with the Better Business Bureau isn't fantastic. Previously, the BBB had listed the company as "Not Rated" while they evaluated how customer complaints were being handled. Apparently, the results are in - and they're not great. When we looked most recently, LG had been given a "C-" rating with over 2100 complaints filed there in the last year alone. It's worth noting that the vast majority of those are regarding malfunctioning refrigerators and not microwaves, but that low rating indicates that the BBB doesn't think LG is handling issues well in general.

Might be just fine for microwave ovens

Should that deter you from buying an LG microwave if you find one you love? Not necessarily: among the 20+ appliances we saw, almost all of them had a customer rating average over four stars. Plus, with LG's affordable price points on microwave ovens, you could theoretically buy a replacement when it fails and still spend less on two of them than you would have paid on a single more expensive appliance from another brand. We suggest shopping around for a bit and circling back to LG for a comparison, then deciding if that BBB rating is worth worrying about.

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The 10 Best Microwave Ovens

Which Brand of Microwave Oven is the Best?

For most of us, it's hard to imagine a kitchen without a microwave. Who heats up water for cocoa on the stove or reheats an entire meal in the oven anymore? A novelty in most homes in the 1980s, these appliances have become so common that it takes you aback when you don't see one in the kitchen - or even at the office.

Microwave oven styles have come a long way from the bulky countertop appliances of the past. Yes, you can still get models like that - after all, a dorm room isn't going to have a place to install a microwave - but the majority of kitchens now include a ready-made space under the cabinets or over the range just for a microwave. Today's more modern homes may incorporate microwave ovens as built-ins that match the oven and the refrigerator with pull-down doors, or even as a pull-out drawer in a kitchen island.

Continue reading below

Microwave Oven FAQ

How do microwave ovens work?

It sounds really sci-fi, but microwave ovens use electromagnetic radiation to make the water molecules in your food vibrate. That's what generates the heat that cooks it. There's a vacuum tube in your microwave that creates the waves that are reflected off the inside, passing through paper, plastic, glass and other materials while being absorbed by the food. But don't worry: this kind of radiation is different from x-rays and other types of radiation, and it won't hurt you.

Are microwave ovens safe?

Yes, when used properly, they're no more dangerous than your stovetop or oven. You're more likely to be injured by picking up a hot container or overheated food than from any radiation leakage - mostly because these ovens are highly regulated by the FDA to prevent such leaks. As long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, cook with microwave-safe containers, avoid super-heated water, check the seals from time to time, and make sure your microwave isn't running with the door open, you should be perfectly safe.

Why can't I put metal objects in my microwave oven?

Great question. If you've ever forgotten and left a spoon in your dish when you put it in the microwave, you've probably seen the little lightning bolts inside. Oops! The short answer is that metals are much denser, so as they heat up there's no way to release steam (or anything else). Plus, if the metal object is pointy, the electrons can gather at the edges and create an arc between it and the electromagnetic transmitter inside the oven. You're not going to cause a house fire, but you could ruin a perfectly good microwave!

What shouldn't I cook in my microwave oven?

According to The Food Network, you should avoid cooking several things in your microwave oven. Eggs and uncovered pasta sauces can explode all over the inside. Microwaving broccoli can destroy its nutrients. Raw hot peppers can emit dangerous fumes from the capsaicin vaporizing at high temperatures. But, believe it or not, the biggest one to avoid is water: microwaving it can bring it to extremely high temperatures without it boiling, which can cause severe burns if it explodes or splatters.

How much do microwave ovens cost?

The price range for microwaves may surprise you. You could get a small model perfect for a dorm room for about $50. Typical countertop microwave ovens are usually priced between $100 and $300. Many homes use over-the-range models; depending on the size, brand, features and whether or not it's designed to be built into the wall or the cabinetry, you could pay as little as $200 or over $1,000.

How long should my microwave oven last?

On average, microwave ovens last about seven years. Some older models have been known to keep on cooking for up to 20 years, but that's the exception. If your household uses the microwave on the regular for defrosting food, heating up snacks, and so on, yours may only last 4-5 years. You may want to consider an extended warranty on your appliance if you've got a large household.

Why should I buy my microwave oven online?

Because shopping at an appliance store in your pajamas in the middle of the night is frowned upon? All jokes aside, shopping for your microwave online helps you make the best purchase: you can narrow down what features you need, which brands are the most reliable, and find the best match at a price you like, all with no pressure from salespeople and at no risk of making an impulse buy just because something was available at the store.

How are microwave sizes measured?

That depends on what you mean by "size" . If you're looking just at its physical dimensions, a microwave oven is measured by the internal measurements, described in cubic feet. The width is usually intended to line up with a cabinet's: 24" , 27" , or 30" . The height is usually between 17" -22" , and the depth goes from 20" to 25" on most models. However, you might be thinking of the microwave's power, measured in watts. The higher the wattage, the more your food will cook quickly and evenly.

Continued from above...

While some people have held onto concerns that microwave ovens might be unsafe because of the way they cook food, those fears are unfounded. Manufacturers go to great lengths to make sure that the biggest risk of using a microwave oven is when people eat their food before it cools off a bit (we've all done that breathy-mouth-thing when we just couldn't wait for that delicious snack to be ready - and regretted it for days afterwards).

Not only have microwave designs expanded, but their capabilities have grown too. Convection for faster cooking, air fryer functions, and voice controls are just a few features that may "wow" you, especially if you're replacing a trusty old model that finally gave up the ghost after a decade or more of faithful food-cooking service in your home.

With so many options, where do you start? Walk yourself through this checklist as you figure out which microwave oven and brand are right for you:

Microwave Style and Size. The easiest way to narrow down the options is by style and size. Do you need a countertop design or something that you install over your range, under the cabinets, or built into the wall or island? And how much room do you have? Take careful measurements, but rest assured that most spaces will be cut to a standard dimension.
Finish. Are you coordinating with other appliances? Most microwaves come in stainless steel, but you'll still need to decide if you want it in black, brushed stainless, and so on.
Features. Are there any must-haves on your list? Maybe you've been thinking about buying an air fryer, and a fully-featured microwave oven could help you kill two birds with one stone. Do you want a handle to pull or a button to push when opening the door?
Reputation. Based on owners' comments, how long will your new microwave last? How does the brand measure up when something breaks under warranty? Will you get help from customer service quickly or will your problem be ignored? Take a look at the company's Better Business Bureau rating and customer reviews to help you pick a brand that stands behind its appliances.

TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the most popular brands of microwave ovens on the market today. We hope this information helps you choose the right model for your kitchen!

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