One of the most essential kitchen appliances is a microwave, which is quite convenient for reheating leftovers, or cooking a quick meal. TechTrends put together a list of the best microwaves in 2022 to help you pick the one that fits your needs.
Microwaves come in various types and sizes and most of them will be easy to use and clean. However, the best microwaves in 2022 will have useful features to make it easier for you. Among the features can be automatic programs to set the time by how much the dish weight, or even those that are multi-functional and can grill, bake and air fry. There is even one with a popcorn setting and comes handy when you are having a movie night. Since there are many microwaves available on the market, it is tricky to choose the one that best fits your requirements. The things you need to keep in my mind the power, deign and capacity. There are plenty of options that will suit any household or lifestyle, from very small ones, to smart ones with advanced features. Here are the best microwaves in 2022 for every kitchen and every budget.
Best Microwaves in 2022
Imagine those days that you are in a hurry and need to heat up a plate of Pasta or a cup of coffee. This is when a microwave can come to the rescue. Even for those who are not a big cook, microwave can come in handy as they do all the important things. They are more efficient than a pan or a pot. For those who are a kitchen savvy, there are some incredible perks they still offer, such as defrosting frozen food, making popcorn or melting chocolate. TechTrends narrowed down a list of the best microwaves in 2022 to help you make the best decision.
- Toshiba EM925A5A: Best microwave overall and best for those on a budget
- Sharp SMC0912BS: Best microwave for convenience
- GE JES1072SHSS: A great compact pick
- GE Profile JES2251SJ: Best microwave for cooks
- Whirlpool WMH53521H: Best over-the-range microwave
- GE JES1097SMSS Smart Countertop Microwave Oven: Best smart microwave
- AmazonBasics Microwave: Best budget smart microwave
- Samsung MC11K7035CG: Best microwave convection oven
1. Toshiba EM925A5A
Specifications:
- Type: Countertop
- Size: 2 x 15.9 x 11.5 inches
- Turntable: 6 inches
- Capacity: 9 cubic feet
- Power: 900 W
- Finishes: Stainless steel, Black stainless steel
- Power Levels: 13
- Features: Preprogrammed settings, Express keys, Control lock
- App Control: No
The first one on the list of the best microwaves in 2022 is Toshiba EM925A5A, which combines the best performance, price and features all in one. This microwave is able to heat evenly and very fast, while offering setting that are programmed beforehand such as settings for popcorn, baked potatoes and pizza. However, this microwave does not have fancy features like voice control and or sensors for determining the time and setting exactly. It is very convenient though, and has some other great features, including Express Cook: Press one of the buttons from 1 to 6 and then Press Start. Following that, you will have 1 to 6 minutes of microwaving.
In addition, there is a mute button on this microwave to prevent beeping for when you are making food in the middle of the night and do not want to make a sound and wake anyone up when you are breaking a diet.
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2. Sharp SMC0912BS
Specifications:
- Type: Countertop
- Size: 1 x 11.5 x 16.1 inches
- Turntable: 6 inches
- Capacity: 9 cubic feet
- Power: 900 W
- Finish: Stainless steel
- Power Levels: 11
- Features: Preprogrammed settings, Auto defrost, Express keys, Control lock
- App Control: No
The Sharp SMC0912BS has a great price tag for all the features it offers. The design is very sleek and upscale and there is a big push button instead of a handle for getting the door open. Despite there not being an automatic sensor for cooking or defrosting foods, this microwave has the programs for beverages, reheats, pizza and defrosting. Whenever you need to get your cup of coffee heated, just put it inside and hit the start button and 30 seconds later, your coffee is warm. If it is not hot enough, do it again for another 30 seconds. For those who need 1 to 6 minutes of heating, press any key you want from 1 to 6 for getting the time you need.
However, it does not have an interior light if you need to see whether the cheese on your pizza is melted or not. For this price, this is a fair tradeoff. Sharp is one of the best microwaves in 2022.
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3. GE JES1072SHSS
Specifications:
- Type: Countertop
- Size: 17 x 10 x 13 inches
- Turntable: 75 inches
- Capacity: 7 cubic feet
- Power: 700 W
- Finishes: Stainless steel, Black, White
- Power Levels: 10
- Features: Preprogrammed settings, Express keys, Auto defrost, Control lock
- App Control: No
The next one here is great for those who have limited space on their counter. The GE JES1072SHSS has a very beautiful design and it is quite space-saving. However, the cooking power is only 700 watts. In other words, it will take longer for your food to be cooked. If you must have a microwave and you cannot live without one, then this is a perfect choice for heating your coffee or frozen lunch. However, it is not the best for making lunch regularly. Notwithstanding its compact size, there are many preprogrammed settings, which come really useful sometimes, including making popcorn, reheating as well as defrosting. Moreover, there are 6 very fast start settings when you press any of the keys from 1 to 6. For the budget minded, this is one of the best microwaves in 2022.
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4. GE Profile JES2251SJ
Specifications:
- Type: Countertop
- Size: 14 x 24 x 19 inches
- Turntable: 16 inches
- Capacity: 2 cubic feet
- Power: 1,200 W
- Finish: Stainless steel
- Power Levels: 10
- Features: Sensors, Popcorn button, Add 1 minute, Auto Defrost, Keep warm setting, Delay start, Control lock
- App Control: No
Some people use microwave recipes for everything such as poached salmon, which shows that there needs to be a bigger model to take care of it. The next one on the list of the best microwaves in 2022 is the GE Profile JES2251SJ, which is able to take care of large dishes for casserole on a turntable that is 16 inches. Whenever there is a holiday, its large size can come in handy. Since it has 1,200 watts of power, it can quickly heat anything and it also does it evenly. In addition, there is a sensor in this microwave that alarms when the food is done. However, if you need your foot to be a little crisper or more tender, then you can push the more or less button.
Moreover, there is a one-of-a-kind warm setting on this microwave that will hold the food at a temperature suitable for serving while other are getting ready to sit around the table. Obviously, the larger size and technology will add to the price of the microwave. However, with a price tag of $300, it is more than capable of doing what the other smaller microwaves can do.
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5. Whirlpool WMH53521H
Specifications:
- Type: Over the Range
- Size: 17 x 30 x 16 inches
- Turntable: 14 inches
- Capacity: 1 cubic feet
- Power: 1,000 W
- Finishes: Fingerprint stainless steel, Black stainless steel, Black, White
- Power Levels: 10
- Features: Sensor, Preprogrammed settings, Steam, Auto Defrost, 30 seconds key, Control lock, Nonstick interior
- App Control: No
An over-the-range microwave that has a turntable of 14 inches is the Whirlpool EMH53521H. This microwave is big enough for putting in a baking dish with a lot of mac ‘n cheese. In case your lasagna is very big for the microwave and turntable to rotate, then you can simply turn the turntable off. The cooking is pretty fast and even. Every cooking has sensors and preprogrammed pads, ranging from bacons for breakfast to making ice cream softer for after dinner desert, with the Whirlpool turning off much of the guesswork that the microwave heating has. In addition, with the help of the wire rack, you can reheat two dinner plates at once. Since there is a nonstick finish inside, there is no need for wiping off splatters quite hardly. We strongly recommend this as one of the best microwaves in 2022.
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6. GE JES1097SMSS Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
Specifications:
- Type: Countertop
- Size: 3 x 10.1 x 14.1 inches
- Turntable: 5 inches
- Capacity: 9 cubic feet
- Power: 900 W
- Finish: Stainless steel
- Power Levels: 10
- Features: Preprogrammed settings, Express cook keys, Auto defrost, Scan-to-Cook, Control lock
- App Control: : Yes, Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant/GE Appliances app
The GE JES1097SMSS is quite smart and gets orders from Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, with the help of an Amazon Echo or Google Home speaker to be controlled. It also has 900 watts of power, which makes is quicker than the Amazon Basics smart microwave in heating the soup; therefore, it is more powerful while being just as smart as the latter. In addition to all that, the GE Appliances Kitchen app can also be used for controlling it, but the setting up is said to be a little hard. When the app is connected, there is a neat feature named Scan-to-Cook that you can use.
With scanning the barcode of foods that are microwavable, the app can detect the cod and program the microwave to cook it properly. However, there are not a lot of food that are scannable. Regardless of that, this is among the best microwaves in 2022 you can buy.
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7. AmazonBasics Microwave
Specifications:
- Type: Countertop
- Size: 3 x 10.1 x 14.1 inches
- Turntable: 10 inches
- Capacity: 7 cubic feet
- Power: 700 W
- Finish: Black
- Power Levels: 10
- Features: Preprogrammed settings, Express keys, Auto Defrost, Auto Popcorn Replenishment, Control lock
- App Control: Yes, Amazon Alexa
Need a microwave that is so smart? The AmazonBasics Microwave is a very wise choice as it has voice control when you press the Alexa button on it, with the Amazon Alexa device picking the instruction up. In other words, there is a need for an Alexa device in the kitchen for this option to work. Then, you can tell it to “microwave for 60 seconds” or “defrost the bag of peas” and the microwave does it. According to the reviewers, the voice control works properly as it follows the instructions. Another great option that this microwave, as one of the best microwaves in 2022, has is the Auto Popcorn Replenishment. It counts the number of popcorn bags you microwaved and then puts an order to Amazon when you are running low.
However, it has 700 watts of power, so it might take a little time. The AmazonBasics is one of the best budget smart microwaves on the market and those who need one in an office or dorm room. However, if you want one that can make something from scratch, then pick a more powerful model on the list.
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8. Samsung MC11K7035CG
Specifications:
- Type: Countertop
- Size: 12 x 21 x 10 inches
- Turntable: 5 inches
- Capacity: 1 cubic feet
- Power: 1,100 W
- Finish: Black stainless steel
- Power Levels: 10
- Features: Sensor, Convection, Grilling, Air frying, Auto defrost, Stick-resistant interior
- App Control: No
None of the best microwaves in 2022 can beat the Samsung MC11K7035CG/AA when it comes to versatility. Not only does it microwave, but it also bakes, broils, toasts, and air fries. In other words, you can save a lot of space by having all of these devices in one and get rid of your toaster or air fryer. In addition, you can use it to heat up a casserole when your other oven is cooking a turkey on a holiday. There are also sensors and preprogrammed settings. Cleaning it is very easy as it has a scratch resistant ceramic enamel finish, which comes in quite handy when you need to clean the splatter of chicken, for example.
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