Top 10 Best Built-in Microwave in 2024
There are a few appliances that should not be missing from any kitchen. People may do without a coffee maker or a kettle but not having a microwave can make things so much harder. In fact, almost every American household has a microwave. There is a false concern that microwave heated food is not safe but in reality, microwave ovens do have a really good safety record. Their most common use is to heat up food. Heating up food is not as easy without a microwave.
Not to mention that not having a microwave means no microwave popcorn or other dishes made specifically for the microwave. In reality, most people do have a microwave in their kitchen. But like every other thing, sometimes they break down or they get old and need to be replaced. A new microwave oven is much more efficient than an old one from 10 years ago and it is much more reliable.
A good microwave oven needs to have built-in cooking presets, good capacity and it must be energy efficient. These days we can find so many different microwaves that it can be extremely difficult to settle to just one model. They now have tons of features, have multiple functions, work as regular ovens, can roast and do many other things. Surprisingly they are also quite affordable at least for the mid-range models. There are also some quite expensive microwave ovens and some might be willing to spend extra but for the sake of diversity we picked moles from all price ranges. Without any further ado here is our recommendation for the top 10 best built-in microwaves in 2024.
Best Built-in Microwave in 2024
Table of Contents
10. Sharp R-1214 1100-Watt Over-the-Counter Microwave
Sharp is one of the most prominent brands when it comes to electronics. Their R-1214 is a popular microwave oven with a decent 1-1/2 cubic foot capacity and a rated power of 1100 watts. The model is an over-the-counter microwave with an intuitive control panel, 24 built-in cooking settings and a large LCD display. Build quality places it amongst the more expensive, premium models. The model can be found in two different colors which are either white or stainless steel
Pros:
- 24 selectable programs
- 1.5 cubic feet capacity
- Premium stainless steel construction
Cons:
- Expensive
The microwave is quite large for its capacity but this is not the biggest issue. What most will have an issue with is the price tag. It is not the only microwave that comes with this price tag other models from the same price range can be built-in into a cabinet while this cannot. See more: Top 10 Best Convection Microwaves in 2024
9. GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
The GE JVM microwave oven is a good option for the ones that are looking for a compact model without compromising on capacity. It has a 1.6 cubic feet capacity and an easy-to-clean interior. The model has all the standard functions including auto and a defrost feature. To make it easy to incorporate into a cabinet, the microwave has been equipped with a two-speed venting system. The microwave is made with a stainless steel enclosure and touch-sensitive controls on the right side.
Pros:
- Compact form factor
- 1.6 cubic feet capacity
- Stainless steel construction
Cons:
- Buttons are hard to read
The buttons on the microwave oven have a dark font. On the black background, the dark font is a bit difficult to read. If it was illuminated, it would have been better to see even in a poorly illuminated room. See more: Top 10 Best 4-slice Toaster Ovens in 2024
8 GE JVM7195DKBB 30″ Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
The GE JVM195 is one of the larger microwave ovens that managed to get into our list. It is a simple model with a capacity of 1.9 cubic feet and a simple but modern design. The microwave has a touch-sensitive control panel along with a small LCD display that shows the timer. It comes with a matte black finish that prevents it from collecting fingerprints and a small see-through window. The rated power of the microwave is 1000 watts and the unit itself weighs 62 pounds.
Pros:
- Large 1.9 cubic feet capacity
- Matte black finish
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Buttons are hard to read
It seems that most GE models have the same issues with the buttons. They have a dark grey color and a back background. This makes them quite difficult to read even if there is plenty of light in the room. The buttons do not have any kind of lighting. See more: Top 10 Best Oven Mitts in 2024
7. Breville Countertop Compact Wave Soft-Close Microwave Oven
The Breville Countertop Compact Wave Soft-Close microwave oven is a decent premium model that comes with some interesting features. It has a special cook function that can automatically adjust the power in order to cook the food in a specific timeframe. It also has a sensor that is supposed to smartly reheat food. The model has a stainless steel housing and metal physical buttons. Unlike other microwave ovens, the Breville has a very large screen that shows more than enough information.
Pros:
- 0.9 cubic feet capacity
- Large LCD display
- Smart reheat and cook function
Cons:
- Timer can be set only when the door is open
The microwave oven has plenty of useful features but also some weird ones. It seems that the timer cannot be set unless the door is open. This design choice is odd, to say the least but once the user gets used to it, it becomes less annoying. See more: Top 10 Best Silicone Baking Mats in 2024
6. Panasonic NN-SU696S Countertop Microwave Oven
Panasonic NN-SU696S is a great pick for the ones that are on a budget. This inexpensive microwave oven manages to offer a decent capacity in a very compact form factor. It has a 1.3 cubic feet capacity with a brushed stainless steel front and a large see-through window. The model features large easy-to-read buttons and an LCD screen showing the timer. In terms of features, the Over has a quick reheat function, 7 built-in programs, and a defrost option.
Pros:
- 1100 watts, 1.3 cubic feet capacity
- Large easy to read buttons
- Reheat, defrost, 7 cooking programs
Cons:
- Loud
One would not expect a microwave oven to be considered loud but the Panasonic seems to be a special case. Like any other microwave oven, it has a vent system and for some reason, it is very loud. This may be caused by not not-so-great design on how the air is evacuated. See more: Top 10 Best Charcoal Grills in 2024
5. Sharp Countertop Microwave Oven
Sharp countertop microwave ovens will serve best the ones that are on a tight budget. It is an inexpensive model with sturdy construction and all the regular features. It has a 1.8 cubic feet capacity and a rated power of 1100 watts. The model features a Precise Cook Sensor that automatically detects when the food is cooked. It also has an auto defrost feature and a large 15-inch carousel. The microwave can be found in 3 different colors including white, black, and stainless steel.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Large 1.8 cubic feet capacity
- Affordable
Cons:
- Quite large
The dimensions mentioned by the manufacturer are not accurate. The microwave oven is a bit larger than stated. It is a large unit as is and many might have trouble finding a place for it especially since in reality is a bit bigger.
4. Farberware Classic Microwave Oven
Fareberware classic microwave oven is one of the more affordable options on our list and surprisingly it is a decent product. The model has a 1.1 cubic feet capacity and a rated power of 1000 watts. Similar to other microwave ovens, the model has multiple power levels and built-in programs. It can defrost and it can heat up food. The model also has a rotating turntable and an easy-to-clean interior. As for size, the microwave is quite small and has a brushed stainless steel finish.
Pros:
- Easy to clean interior
- Inexpensive
- Built-in cooking programs, defrost and reheat
Cons:
- Loud
The microwave oven from Farberware is quite loud compared to other ovens from our list. It seems that the air exhaust is extremely loud. This is because of the way it is designed. Could have been better and some might not even get bothered by this.
3. Panasonic NN-SN936B Countertop Microwave
Panasonic NN-SN936B is an excellent pick for large families. It is one of the largest microwave ovens in our list. The model has a capacity of 2.2 cubic feet and a rated power of 1250 watts. For this particular model, Panasonic used Inverter technology that improves the cooking power of the oven. It also features an automatic sensor that adjusts the power depending on the food that is being cooked. Last but not least, the model features 9 cooking presets and a small LCD screen that shows the timer.
Pros:
- Inverter Technology for faster cooking and defrosting
- 9 cooking presets
- Automatically adjusts the power
Cons:
- Very large
A capacity of 2.2 cubic feet sounds good but there is a downside. A large capacity microwave oven also means that it is quite large. In fact, it is one of the largest on our list. This is something to keep in mind especially when trying to find a place for it in the kitchen.
2. Panasonic NN-SN686S Countertop/Built-In Microwave
Panasonic NN-SN686S is a great and inexpensive microwave oven with a premium construction and a decent capacity. It is a 1.2 cubic feet microwave oven with a stainless steel finish and a large glossy black window. The control buttons are placed on the side and are tough sensitive and offer 10 adjustable power levels. As for cooking programs, the oven has 14 different presets as well as a defrost and reheat function. Last but not least, the interior is very easy to clean and has a large 13.4-inch turntable that can be removed.Pros:
- Inexpensive
- 10 power levels 14 cooking presets
- 1.2 cubic feet capacity
Cons:
- Reheat sensor does not work properly
The reheat function surely is useful when it works properly. Apparently, the sensor does not work all that well. It tends to overcook the food instead of just keeping it warm. The issue is caused by how the sensor is tweaked and this is done only by the manufacturer.
1. Panasonic Countertop Microwave with Inverter Technology
Panasonic countertop microwave oven if one of the latest models released by the brand. The model uses their patented Inverter Technology that promises even cooking and defrosting. According to the model specifications, it is a 1200-watt power microwave oven with a 1.2 cubic feet capacity and a very easy-to-use menu. The model also has a smart sensor that can adjust the power and timer depending on what is being cooked. Last but not least, all the controls are touch-sensitive, intuitive, and easy to use while the interior has an easy-to-clean coating.
Pros:
- 1.2 cubic feet capacity
- 1200 watts power
- Smart Genius Sensor and Inverter Technology
Cons:
- Difficult to close the door
The mechanism that keeps the door closed could have been designed better. What most will notice is that opening the door is easy but closing it requires a lot of force. The user needs to push hard in order for the door to snap into place but fortunately, the door is sturdy enough.
Picking A Suitable Microwave Oven
When the old microwave oven decides to break down, picking a new one can be a bit problematic. One big issue is that it is highly likely that the old model is no longer manufactured and will need to be replaced with a different model. The second issue is picking an actual microwave oven since there are so many different models. Here are some important aspects that matter the most when creating a shortlist:
- Capacity: This is one of the most important characteristics. It refers to the interior space of the microwave oven. It should not be too big and underpowered or small but too powerful. Food might get overcooked or undercooked.
- Power: The wattage of the microwave oven determines how fast it can cook. Surely, most microwave ovens allow the users to adjust the power for different levels of cooking.
- Built-in cooking programs: There are a lot of dishes that can be cooked with a microwave oven and some models even make it easier by having built-in presets for certain dishes.
