Unknown fact: Even the top budget versions of inexpensive microwaves are roughly the same.
This is due to the fact that many appliance firms commission countertop versions from a lesser-known manufacturer before branding the product with their own. For this reason, you shouldn’t overpay for a microwave.
But, after evaluating several low-cost microwaves, we discovered some performance variations. The Magic Chef 1.1 Cubic-Foot Countertop Microwave (available at Amazon) won the competition with extremely close scores, making it the best cheap countertop microwave available. It features an excellent design, excellent performance, and a reasonable cost.
Microwave, Magic Chef 1.1 cubic feet, countertop
- 23 x 18.5 x 14.5 inches are the size.
- 1.1 cubic feet of capacity
- One thousand watts
This Magic Chef mid-sized microwave passed each of our food tests with flying colours and is, in the words of one online reviewer, “made like a tank.”
One of the few inexpensive microwaves we tested with many cooking stages is this one. This allows you to, for instance, set the cooking power for the first minute at 40% and the next 90 seconds at 50% without having to return to the oven to adjust the duration and power level.
It’s a very standard appliance with a sleek exterior and a control panel that almost has a vintage appearance, but it does the job. Most chores can be completed with appropriate electricity and room, with the possible exception of frying a whole chicken. This microwave offers all the features you want, including 10 power settings and important presets.
Pros
-Inexpensive 10 power levels
-multiple endings
Cons
-Nothing that we could locate
-Purchase now at Amazon
ExpressWave Galanz
- 15.75 x 19 x 11 inches in size
- 0.9 cubic feet of capacity
- Strength: 900 watts
The Galanz ExpressWave countertop microwave performed well in our performance testing, which is not unexpected. This Chinese firm has a great deal of expertise making these gadgets and collaborates with several well-known appliance brands.
We found this microwave to be fairly good for a basic model without multi-stage cooking. It passed every one of our food safety tests and has a very readable number display.
The only thing that causes us to stop is that, since this machine lacks the keypad seen on more conventional microwave control panels, its display can be a little bit perplexing.
Pros
-Simple to use controls
-Simple structure
-Strong cooking ability
Cons
-Doesn’t cover cooking in several stages
-Uncertain display
Mid-Size 1.1 Cubic-Foot GE Microwave
- 15.63 x 20.31 x 12 inches in size
- 1.1 cubic feet of capacity
- Strength: 950 watts
More than 1,000 Best Buy customers gave this mid-sized stainless-steel GE microwave five stars for its ease of use, uniform heating, and appealing appearance.
When the microwave is opened or operating, its inside light turns on (and stays on), and its control panel has 12 useful features, including a weight defrost function. To correctly cook your dinner without leaving frozen places, simply input the weight of the meat you’re trying to thaw.
This microwave passed every cooking test we ran in the lab, but we found that the buttons weren’t very user-friendly. To start or stop the countdown on the kitchen timer, you must press the timer button directly rather than the “start” button.
Pros
-Attractive Presets that Work
Cons
-Noisily buzzes
-little lacking in power
Panasonic EM131A5C-BS
- 17.1 x 20.5 x 12.8 inches in size
- 1.2 cubic feet of capacity
- 1100 watts of power
After doing rigorous testing, we discovered that the Toshiba EM131A5C Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor, which was previously our top selection based on ratings and specifications, is actually rather mediocre. This attractive, mid-powered appliance has sensor cooking, multi-stage cooking, and a number of presets.
If you decide to continue with a Toshiba microwave, this particular model is the least expensive to include a smart sensor that modifies the cook time in accordance with the amount of steam released by your food.
We enjoy how easy it is to use with just one touch, how the buzzer can be turned off, how the front panel is fingerprint-proof, and how the door opens by pulling the handle rather than pushing in a hard door button.
While this Toshiba did exceptionally well while heating popcorn and ham, it struggled mightily to cook tomato sauce in the allotted time. It is simpler to operate and quieter than the other devices we examined. In the end, this microwave is rather common.
Pros
-Suitable presets
-Clever sensor
Cons
-Not heating up quickly
-A little bit oversized
Panasonic EM925A5A-SS
- 15.91 x 19.15 x 11.48 inches in size
- 0.9 cubic feet of capacity
- Strength: 900 watts
Similar to its bigger predecessor, the Toshiba EM925A5A microwave oven delivered good results. Yet, it did a good job of popping popcorn and warming frozen entrees and was even better at reheating tomato sauce. It appeared to operate more quietly than many of the countertop ones we tried.
The one-touch controls, changeable buzzer, fingerprint-proof front panel, and pull-open door that we adore on the EM131A5C are also included on the EM925A5A. The same stainless steel and black stainless finishes are also available. Just the sensor cook option, which is only available on more costly versions, is absent.
Although it is a good, inexpensive microwave, it is too little to handle heavier cooking.
Pros
-Simple controls
-Silent performance, good
Cons
-No sensor cook Little in size
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