Microwave: How to Buy the Right One
A microwave is easy to buy badly because the two things that matter most — whether it physically fits and how powerful it really is — are the two things shoppers check last. Get the measurements and the wattage right first, and almost any reputable model will serve you well for years.
Key takeaways
- Fit & external size is a priority — see why below.
- Wattage (cooking power) is a priority — see why below.
- Capacity (cubic feet) is a priority — see why below.
- Decide the job first, then buy the minimum that does it well for the next few years.
The single most common microwave mistake is ordering one that looks fine in photos and then discovering it swallows half the counter, blocks a cabinet, or won't fit a dinner plate on its turntable. Before you compare any features, measure the width, depth and height of the space — and the diameter of the plates and casserole dishes you actually use. Every other decision flows from that.
After fit, the conversation is really about power and evenness. Higher wattage cooks faster and more uniformly, while inverter models deliver true variable power for gentle defrosting and simmering instead of the old on-off blasting. Below we break the choice into the handful of specs that change everyday results, plus the format decision — countertop, over-the-range or built-in — that shapes your whole kitchen.
What actually matters when buying a microwave
Fit & external size
Measure before anything else. Note the exact width, depth and height of the spot it will live in, and leave clearance around the vents — most models need a few inches of breathing room or they overheat and shut off. For an over-the-range unit, the opening is standardised but the cabinet and venting must match. Bring those numbers to every listing; a microwave that doesn't fit is the most common and most avoidable purchase regret.
Wattage (cooking power)
Wattage is the closest thing to a true speed-and-evenness rating. Around 1,000 W or more is a genuinely capable microwave that heats quickly and uniformly; 700–800 W compact units take noticeably longer and can leave cold spots. Package cooking instructions are written for roughly 1,000 W, so a weaker oven means constant guesswork. If you reheat and cook daily, treat 1,000 W as the sensible floor.
Capacity (cubic feet)
Interior volume, measured in cubic feet, decides what fits inside — but the turntable diameter matters just as much. A 0.7 cu ft compact suits a dorm or a coffee station; 1.1–1.6 cu ft is the family sweet spot that swallows large dinner plates and casserole dishes. Don't assume a big external box means a big interior; thick walls and controls eat space, so check the usable turntable size, not just the headline volume.
Inverter technology
Conventional microwaves create lower power levels by switching full power on and off, which can rubberise edges while centres stay frozen. Inverter models supply true, steady reduced power, so defrosting is even and delicate jobs like melting chocolate or simmering don't overcook. It's a meaningful upgrade if you defrost meat or reheat leftovers often. It usually adds cost, so weigh it against how gently you actually need to cook.
Sensor cooking
Sensor cooking uses a humidity sensor to detect when food is done and stop automatically, instead of relying on a guessed timer. For popcorn, reheated plates and frozen meals it prevents both scorching and lukewarm results. It's a real convenience rather than a gimmick, but it only earns its keep if you reheat varied portions; if you mostly run the same one-minute jobs, a simple timer is fine.
Controls, turntable & cleaning
Day to day, the interface and the interior matter more than the spec sheet. Look for clearly labelled buttons or a dial you can use without the manual, a one-touch add-30-seconds key, and a turntable plate that lifts out for dishwasher cleaning. A smooth, light-coloured interior and a flush or hidden control panel wipe down far more easily than textured cavities and raised buttons that trap splatter.
Venting & format extras
This applies mainly to over-the-range models, which double as a cooktop hood. Check whether the fan vents outside (best) or merely recirculates through a charcoal filter, and how loud and powerful that fan is — a weak vent leaves steam and odours hanging. Convection microwaves add a heating element and fan so the cavity can brown and bake; useful in small kitchens, but only if you'll actually use the oven function.
The jargon, decoded
Specification sheets are full of terms designed to sound impressive. Here is what the ones that matter actually mean in plain language.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Wattage | Cooking power. ~1,000 W+ heats fast and evenly; 700–800 W compacts are slower and leave cold spots. |
| Cubic feet | Interior volume. 0.7 cu ft is compact; 1.1–1.6 cu ft fits large plates and family dishes. |
| Inverter | Supplies true variable power instead of on-off cycling, giving even defrost and gentle reheating without overcooked edges. |
| Sensor cooking | A humidity sensor that detects doneness and stops automatically, replacing guessed timer settings for popcorn and leftovers. |
| Over-the-range | A microwave mounted above the cooktop that also acts as a range hood, with a vent fan and light. |
| Convection | A built-in heating element and fan that let the microwave brown and bake like a small oven. |
How much should you spend? Budget tiers
There is no single 'right' price — only the right price for what you need. These tiers show what your money realistically buys.
| Tier | Typical price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $70 – $130 | A compact countertop microwave, roughly 0.7–0.9 cu ft and 700–900 W. Fine for reheating, drinks and the occasional frozen meal in a small space. Expect a basic dial or button timer and slower, less even cooking. |
| Mid-range | $140 – $280 | The family sweet spot: a 1.1–1.6 cu ft countertop unit at 1,000 W or more, with sensor cooking and a plate-sized turntable. Many over-the-range models that vent and light a cooktop also start here. This tier handles everyday cooking comfortably. |
| Premium / built-in | $300 + | Inverter power for even defrost, convection for browning and baking, larger capacity, and built-in or drawer styles that integrate into cabinetry. Worth it if you cook delicately, want a true second oven, or need a seamless built-in look — otherwise the money is better spent elsewhere. |
Browse current microwave listings on Amazon →
A simple decision flowchart
If you only remember one thing, let it be this: match the purchase to how you'll really use it. Follow the path that fits you.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
1. Not measuring the space or the plates
Ordering on looks alone leads to a microwave that blocks a cabinet, crowds the counter, or won't spin a dinner plate. Measure the width, depth and height of the spot — plus vent clearance — and the diameter of the dishes you actually use, before comparing anything.
2. Ignoring wattage and buying underpowered
A 700 W compact is much slower and less even than a 1,000 W oven, and package instructions assume the higher power. If the microwave is your main reheating and cooking tool, treat 1,000 W as the floor rather than chasing the lowest price.
3. Mounting an over-the-range unit without checking venting
These double as a cooktop hood, but a recirculating filter handles steam and grease far worse than a true outside vent. Confirm your kitchen's duct setup and the fan's strength before assuming the unit will clear smoke and odours.
4. Paying for features you won't use
Convection, multiple sensor programs and smart connectivity add cost that's wasted if you mostly reheat coffee and leftovers. Match the feature list to how you genuinely cook; a simple, powerful, well-sized microwave beats a gadget-laden one you fight with daily.
When is the best time to buy?
Microwaves are home appliances, so they follow the appliance discount calendar. The deepest, most reliable savings land during the big holiday weekends — Memorial Day, Labor Day and especially Black Friday and Cyber Monday — when retailers clear floor stock. Over-the-range and built-in models also dip when stores promote full kitchen packages around these dates. Buying a slightly older model during one of these events usually means near-current features at a clear discount.
Tip: our seasonal sale calendar maps the cheapest months for every major category, and the discount calculator tells you what a sale price really works out to.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts should a microwave be?
For a main microwave, aim for about 1,000 W or more. That power heats quickly and evenly, and it matches the assumption behind most package cooking instructions, so you spend less time guessing and re-heating. Compact 700–800 W units are fine for drinks and the occasional snack in a small space, but they cook noticeably slower and tend to leave cold spots in larger portions.
What size microwave do I need?
Match the interior volume to your dishes and your space. A 0.7 cu ft compact suits a dorm room or coffee station, while 1.1–1.6 cu ft is the family sweet spot that fits large dinner plates and casserole dishes. The number that really matters is the usable turntable diameter, not just the headline cubic-foot figure, since thick walls and controls can shrink the interior. Always measure the dishes you use most.
Is inverter technology worth it?
It depends on how you cook. An inverter supplies steady, true reduced power instead of switching full power on and off, so defrosting is more even and gentle jobs like melting chocolate or simmering soup don't overcook at the edges. If you regularly defrost meat or reheat leftovers, it's a worthwhile upgrade. If you mostly run quick full-power jobs, a conventional microwave will serve you just as well for less.
Countertop or over-the-range — which should I choose?
Choose a countertop model if you have the surface to spare; it's cheaper, easier to install and simple to replace. Pick an over-the-range unit when counter space is tight and you want the microwave to double as a cooktop hood with a vent fan and light. Just confirm your kitchen's venting first — a recirculating filter clears steam and grease far less effectively than a true outside vent, which changes how well the kitchen stays fresh.