Best Overall
GE Over-the-Range Microwave
- The nifty melt feature is clutch for baking with butter, chocolate and marshmallows.
The nifty melt feature is clutch for baking with butter, chocolate and marshmallows.
- The included light bulbs for stove lighting are not LED and can get hot quickly.
The included light bulbs for stove lighting are not LED and can get hot quickly.
In the sliding scale of features vs. cost, this larger unit from GE is the sweet spot. At less than $400 for stainless steel, it’s the best option for value. Technically a large microwave, it’s roomy enough for small casserole dishes and, at just 1,000 watts, it’s not an energy drain.
While it doesn’t have a ton of preprogrammed heat settings, the melt setting that prevents scorched butter, chocolate, caramel, and more is amazing. There’s a grid of quick-start buttons (one through 10 minutes), which is handy for routine items whose cook times you can predict
Unlike more expensive microwaves with LED bulbs, the included halogen light bulbs from GE have a not-so-bright, warm glow and tend to get too hot, users have reported. If you prefer brighter, white light, you may want to replace the bulbs with LEDs.
Product Details: Size: 15.56 x 29.88 x 16.31 inches | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Power: 1,000 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel, white
Best Budget
Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave
- Get the same size, wattage power, and stainless steel look as our top pick but for less money.
Get the same size, wattage power, and stainless steel look as our top pick but for less money.
- The ding is incredibly loud.
The ding is incredibly loud.
Same size, same power, but for less. And, yes, it’s stainless steel. This Whirlpool unit has most of the features we love about our top pick, including a handy melt setting, but you can find it for less than $250 at some retailers.
While it doesn’t have express-touch buttons, it does have a quick 30-second button for touch-and-go reheating. The stainless steel isn’t as fingerprint-resistant as more expensive models, it easily wipes clean. The glass turntable is easy to clean, too, as it’s dishwasher-safe.
However, one of the biggest complaints from users is the loud sound that signals when time is up. While convenient for not missing when your food is reading, it can be super annoying. We wish it had the option to lower or change the beep.
Product Details: Size: 17.13 x 29.94 x 15.56 inches | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Power: 1,000 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, white, black
Best Splurge
Café 2.1 Cu Ft. 1,050 Watt Smart External Over-The-Range Microwave
- No eyesore here—the sleek glass seamlessly blends into a range.
No eyesore here—the sleek glass seamlessly blends into a range.
- The defrost setting takes a long time compared to countertop microwaves with less wattage.
The defrost setting takes a long time compared to countertop microwaves with less wattage.
Who knew an appliance could be this chic? The Café unit is the best microwave for minimalism and clutter-free kitchens. The large glass front doesn’t have a handle so it stays flush to cabinets for one seamless line.
While the touchscreen hidden behind a glass panel creates a cool look, bear in mind that it’s a lot of fingerprints to clean. At 2.1 cubic feet, there’s more room for reheating larger leftovers such as casseroles. And this size features a more powerful vent, which means odors such as stinky fish are eliminated in a flash.
But for its size and power, some users found the defrost times to take longer than a standard countertop microwave with less wattage, which could be a downside if you like to prepare frozen meals.
Product Details: Size: 15.56 x 29.87 x 16.31 inches | Capacity: 2.1 cubic feet | Power: 1,050 watts | Finish: Stainless steel
Best Large
GE Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven
- The powerful ventilation quickly removes stinky food odors like fish.
The powerful ventilation quickly removes stinky food odors like fish.
- Larger size means higher wattage (means higher energy bills).
Larger size means higher wattage (means higher energy bills).
At 2.2 cubic feet, the GE Profile is the best over-the-range microwave for big families trying to get dinner on the table fast. The larger size also means a more powerful vent. And that means faster odor elimination so spicy, garlicky foods don’t linger. However, at 1,700 watts, this isn’t the most energy-efficient microwave.
It’s one of the more expensive microwaves on our list, but it comes with some clutch bells and whistles such as a steam cleaning mode to tackle marinara splatters and other stubborn, stuck-on food.
There’s also a Chef Connect feature which syncs clocks to other range elements, which is incredibly handy for daylight savings time or when the power goes out.
Product Details: Size: 17.25 x 29.875 x 15.5625 inches | Capacity: 2.2 cubic feet | Power: 1,700 watts | Finish: Stainless steel
Best Small
Whirlpool Low-Profile Microwave Hood Combination
- For a smaller unit, the ventilation is just as powerful if not more powerful than other over-the-range microwaves.
For a smaller unit, the ventilation is just as powerful if not more powerful than other over-the-range microwaves.
- It’s slim and compact, but the width is the same as similar models.
It’s slim and compact, but the width is the same as similar models.
An over-the-range option will never be as compact as a countertop microwave, but at just around 10 inches tall, this slim model from Samsung doesn’t look nearly as bulky. It’s the best choice if you have a smaller kitchen with shorter cabinets.
With this compressed silhouette, the broken lines between standard cabinets and the shortened cabinet above the microwave aren’t nearly as noticeable and it creates a much more streamlined design.
As for features, the Samsung has plenty, with WiFi and voice control as well as a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish. And the interior is lined with ceramic which makes wiping away stubborn messes like splattered marinara or spilled-over oatmeal so much easier.
Despite its size, the microwave packs more wattage than larger options on our list, so while you may not be able to fit tall items on the turntable, you won’t have to wait as long to defrost. And the vent itself is powerful with a heavy-duty filter the brand claims will trap more oil and grease.
Product Details: Size: 10.75 x 19.125 x 29.875 inches | Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet | Power: 1,000 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel, white
Best Design
LG 30” Smart Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
- This has all the smart bells and whistles, from home assistant compatibility to a child safety lock.
This has all the smart bells and whistles, from home assistant compatibility to a child safety lock.
- Glass and finishes are very limited.
Glass and finishes are very limited.
If you loved the Café microwave but don’t want to splurge that much, the LG MVEL2033F has a similar look with tons of smart settings and a much lower price tag. The large glass front doesn’t have a handle so it’s another great option for minimalists.
This is also a solid choice for families with kids as it features both a child safety lock and a kids meal pre-programmed heat setting, which could be clutch for those post-nap toddler snacks.
Like other smart microwaves, it’s WiFi enabled and pairs with home assistant devices. But it also features LG’s proprietary ThinQ technology and there are some Jetsons-esque capabilities such as the frozen food scanner.
Just scan the barcode of a packaged food item and the microwave does the rest. No need to read through timetables for wattage and minutes. The microwave thinks for you which is great when you’re trying to get dinner on the table and wrangling little ones simultaneously.
Product Details: Size: 33.6 x 20.6 x 21.1 inches | Capacity: 2 cubic feet | Power: 1,050 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel
Best Convection
LG Convection Over-the-Range Microwave
- t’s a microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer all in one counter-free appliance.
t’s a microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer all in one counter-free appliance.
- The touchscreen buttons aren’t backlit and can be hard to read.
The touchscreen buttons aren’t backlit and can be hard to read.
If an appliance garage still sounds like clutter, this LG model is a great choice for shoring up counter space and pairing down appliances without losing any functionality. With convection settings, the unit serves as a microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer all in one.
It can also roast, brown, and bake, so it’s a godsend for summer when it’s just too hot to turn on the oven. Bakers will love that it comes with both melt and soften settings so there’s no need to worry when you forget to take butter or cream cheese out of the fridge.
And with the powerful convection settings, you can bake cookies right in the microwave. Users say the air fryer setting is good enough to ditch the other countertop appliance. At 1.7 cubic feet, it’s a fairly large microwave and the wattage is over 1,000 so cook times will be faster than traditional countertop appliances.
One con that we noted: the touchscreen buttons aren’t backlit, making them a bit harder to read than is preferred.
Product Details: Size: 6.44 x 29.94 x 15.38 inches | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Power: 1,050 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel
Best Versatile
KitchenAid 30-Inch Microwave Hood Combination
- There’s a handy, pre-programmed button for nearly any type of dish so you don’t have to think.
There’s a handy, pre-programmed button for nearly any type of dish so you don’t have to think.
- There’s no quick one- or two-minute setting.
There’s no quick one- or two-minute setting.
Buttons, buttons, and more buttons. This KitchenAid model is a nice option if you need a sous chef as there are 16 quick-touch settings. Sure, there’s the standard potato and popcorn, but there are also settings for dinner plates, beverages and frozen entrees.
The smart sensors for the steam and simmer settings promise to take guesswork out of heating and reheating vegetables. Though, despite all the cool settings, there’s no quick one-minute or two-minute button.
At 2.0 cubic feet, this is considered an XL microwave and can accommodate larger casserole dishes. You can also adjust or stop the interior turntable to customize reheating or make more space. If you’re not much of a cook and rely on the microwave for daily meals, this is your buy.
Product Details: Size: 16.25 x 30 x 17.125 inches | Capacity: 2 cubic feet | Power: 1,000 watts | Finish: Stainless steel