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Saturday, January 28th
The Whirlpool brand family is extensive, starting with the flagship company in 1911 and expanding over the years to incorporate other businesses (many of which you'll see separately in our microwave oven reviews). Most homes these days have had a Whirlpool appliance at some point: a washer, dryer, refrigerator, range, or a microwave oven.
Affordable free-standing styles
Need a simple microwave that gets the job done? Whirlpool has three countertop models under $200 that fit the description, even one with a 1.1 cu.ft. capacity. You still won't pay an arm and a leg if you need a bigger free-standing microwave, though: we spotted a 2.2 cu.ft. option with 1200 watts of cooking power for $379.
Some good features for less than $1,000
Then again, maybe it's your big day to upgrade and you want the most tricked-out microwave that Whirlpool has to offer. At the time of this evaluation, that was the 1.9 cu.ft. Smart Over-the-Range Microwave with Scan-to-Cook Technology, priced at $979. Ever seen a microwave with a touchscreen before? It can learn your family's cooking habits and suggest presets based on your favorites. And, for anyone with visual challenges, this microwave also has a proximity sensor that adjusts the display size based on the distance of the person nearby.
Not as many high-end options available
That may come up a little short if you're looking at what "tricked out" means with other brands: usually air fryer capabilities, convection cooking, and a stainless steel interior, at a minimum. Whirlpool is not the brand for you if you want the absolute most cutting-edge technology in your microwave, to be honest.
Perfect score with the BBB
But, we still give Whirlpool a solid ranking among microwave oven brands. Why? First off, the company gets an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. That's not a given in this industry, so it's worth mentioning because it means you can count on the company to handle problems appropriately.
Customers say these microwaves are reliable
Our other reason is the thousands of five-star reviews we found on a wide range of Whirlpool microwave ovens. For example, on a fairly basic over-the-range model with 1.7 cu.ft. capacity and 10 power levels, there were more than 6700 customer ratings with an average of 4.6 stars. Not only are these appliances popular, but they go the distance in terms of customer satisfaction. That's important because, from the looks of it, most Whirlpool microwaves only have a one-year warranty - so you want it to be well-made for maximum longevity, and customer feedback seems to indicate you'll get that here.
Good overall choice for basic microwave ovens
Whirlpool isn't going to make your jaw drop with some incredible new feature or have you bragging about how cool your microwave is. Is that really necessary? Not if you want a reliable appliance at a great price point - from a company that has an excellent reputation like Whirlpool does. You should shop with another brand if you need convection cooking or an air fryer capability, but for a traditional microwave that works, Whirlpool is a solid choice.
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.
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:
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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