When you’re in the mood for a quick snack and don’t feel like cooking, a countertop microwave can save the day. It can be used to cook food quickly or reheat a tasty dinner from the night before. Either way you look at it, a countertop microwave makes life easier and ensures you’ll never go without a hot meal.
The problem is finding the best countertop microwave that suits your needs. Fortunately, we’ve reviewed the top 10 countertop microwaves and saved you precious time. All you need to do is choose the model that you like the most.
#1. Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ
Our first pick is the Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ, and although it’s perfect for cooking TV dinners, it delivers in more ways than one. It boasts several notable features and benefits, such as inverter technology and smooth door opening. The inverter technology provides even cooking and smooth flavors.
The Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ even has a turbo defroster, which quickly defrosts frozen meat. With 1,200 watts of power, it has no trouble heating up the thickest meals and can reheat food blazingly fast. It even has a special feature that will keep your food warm.
The interior turntable is large enough to fit a wide range of products. To ensure a smooth opening every time, the door has a special indentation. At the end of the day, the Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ delivers everything you could want from a countertop microwave and more.
#2. Panasonic NN-SN952S
You’ll pay nearly double the price for the Panasonic NN-SN952S, but after discovering its features and benefits, the price won’t sting as bad. With a 4-digit display and full-size turntable, the Panasonic NN-SN952S excels in size and convenience.
Unlike most other countertop microwaves on the market, this model actually has a microprocessor, which automatically adjusts cook time and power levels. By measuring the amount of steam produced by the food, the microprocessor is able to determine the best cook time and temperature for your food.
For even, consistent cooking, the Panasonic NN-SN952S features inverter technology, so you don’t have to worry about the outer surfaces of food getting overcooked. With the push of a single button, it can cook or reheat your favorite foods. It even has a feature to keep your food warm after it is finished cooking.
#3. Panasonic NN-SN973S
If you’re looking for a similar but cheaper model, consider the Panasonic NN-SN973S. Like many other models from Panasonic, it features inverter technology, which provides even, consistent cooking. It has a turbo defrost feature, which works exceptionally well on frozen meat.
At 1,250 watts, it has slightly more power than comparable models. One of the greatest benefits of the Panasonic NN-SN973S is its size. It can hold significantly more food than many comparable models and even has a popcorn key. If you’re a popcorn lover, this is definitely a great microwave for you.
It features a tactile keypad panel, which makes programming incredibly quick and easy. There is an indentation in the upper-left corner of the microwave’s door, so it opens as smooth as possible. Overall, the Panasonic NN-SN973S is a great model for popcorn lovers and offers more space than many of the alternatives.
#4. Panasonic NN-SD372S Countertop Microwave
The Panasonic NN-SD372S is a better choice if you’re looking for a smaller model. However, don’t mistake a smaller size for fewer features. For even cooking, it uses inverter technology. The inverter technology is also great at quickly defrosting frozen foods.
At just under 1,000 watts, the Panasonic NN-SD372S does offer less power than comparable models, but you shouldn’t notice much of a difference in cooking speed. It features a one-touch cook button, which uses automated cooking settings to get the job done. If you’re not a huge fan of automated cooking, you can program your desired settings into the Panasonic NN-SD372S.
It has a turntable that is big enough for most standard TV dinners. However, you’ll find that this model can cook virtually any food imaginable. The door is made to open smoothly, and a pop-out dial makes programming quick and easy.
#5. Panasonic NN-SD681S Countertop Microwave
If you would like to purchase a mid-range countertop microwave, consider the Panasonic NN-SD681S. The good news is that it looks just as good as it cooks. Inverter technology allows it to defrost your toughest frozen foods and provides even, reliable cooking.
You’ll find that the Panasonic NN-SD681S cooks food in a way that doesn’t force you to sacrifice flavor, which is a common microwave issue. Although it’s a bit more expensive than some comparable models, it features easy programming and 1,200 watts of cooking power.
A special sensor allows the Panasonic NN-SD681S to do all of the cooking for you, so you can press a single button and let it adjust the cooking settings based on how much steam it detects. The bright LED display ensures you’ll rarely have to squint to read the numbers.
#6. Kenmore 73092 Countertop Microwave
The Kenmore 0.9 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave White 73092 is a great choice if you’re not a huge fan of Panasonic microwaves. Although it’s quite cheap, it has several features and benefits to offer. For starters, it uses memory cooking, which lets you save customized power level and time settings.
It delivers 900 watts of cooking power, so it has no trouble cooking most types of food. Since it features multi-stage cooking, you can program the Kenmore 73092 to cook food exactly how you want. For example, you can set one stage to cook at a certain temperature, and when that stage finishes, it will transition into the next stage, which might consist of less power and cook time.
You can set it to cook in intervals of 30 seconds, and it even has settings for melting chocolate, which is nearly impossible when using a regular pan.
#7. Frigidaire FFCM0724LW 700-watt Countertop Microwave
If you’re looking for a smaller, cheaper model, consider the Frigidaire FFCM0724LW 700-watt Countertop Microwave. With a size of 0.7 cubic feet, it’s smaller than most of the other models on the market. With the decrease in size, the Frigidaire FFCM0724LW also produces less power.
However, you shouldn’t underestimate what you can accomplish with 700 watts of power. In reality, this is an ample amount of power for most types of food, but you might find yourself waiting a bit longer for the food to finish cooking. The Frigidaire FFCM0724LW features 2-stage cooking, effortless defrosting and automated reheating, so you can quickly reheat your favorite meals.
#8. RCA RMW1182 Microwave and Grill
A cheaper alternative countertop microwave is the RCA RMW1182 Microwave and Grill. If you’re looking for something with a retro style, then this is a great product for you. It features a stylish stainless-steel finish and offers 10 different power levels.
It has a glass turntable and even comes with a grill rack. For better protection against accidents, it has a built-in child lock. Although it’s small, the RCA RMW1182 delivers a whopping 1,000 watts of power, so you’ll find it cooks most foods very thoroughly.
#9. Panasonic NN-SN773SAZ Countertop Microwave
Another great model from Panasonic is the Panasonic NN-SN773SAZ. With an incredible 1,250 watts of power, it can quickly cook almost any type of food imaginable. It uses inverter technology, which delivers a seamless stream of power.
Put simply, the inverter technology ensures your meals are cooked evenly and thoroughly. The Panasonic NN-SN773SAZ isn’t lacking in the defrost department and can quickly unfreeze your favorite meals, which makes it especially useful for cooking TV dinners.
#10. Whirlpool WMC20005YW Countertop Microwave
The Whirlpool WMC20005YW is an excellent choice if you want one of the smallest microwaves that money can buy. Although it doesn’t offer much cooking space, it delivers 750 watts of power.
With 10 different power levels, you should have no trouble finding the perfect power setting for your needs. The Whirlpool WMC20005YW gives you the option of cooking in 30 second intervals and features a one-touch button for popcorn cooking.
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