Buying a microwave for your kitchen is not a straightforward as you may think. Sure, most microwaves will do the job of reheating leftovers or boiling a mug of water for tea. However, there are plenty of other considerations such as installation types, smart functions, maximum cooking power ratings, and so much more that can make your next microwave the best decision you’ve ever made – if you know what to look for.

At Appliance Palace, we want you to be certain that the appliance you choose will live up to your expectations before you buy it. So we’ve picked our experts’ brains to learn everything our customers should know about microwaves before browsing our vast inventory of high-quality appliances. That way, you’ll be able to quickly and efficiently narrow down your search to the features and functions you need – or didn’t know that you needed.

Before You Buy

The last thing you want on delivery day is to find out you can’t use your new microwave. Let’s go through some basic housekeeping tips to determine which models are compatible with both your preferences and your installation space.

-       For Over-the-Range Microwaves: Allow 24” (electric cooktops) or 30” (gas cooktops) of clearance from your cooking surface to ensure efficient air capture. Ensure your cabinets can support 50-75 lbs. with proper mounting. Most over-the-range microwaves are 30” wide, 16”-18” tall, and require 15”-16” of depth to roughly align with the front of your cabinets. Make sure ductwork to the exterior of your home is available if your selected microwave requires it. Measure to ensure the door has adequate clearance to avoid bumping into adjacent cabinets.

-       For Built-In Microwaves: Built-in units require at least 1” of space on their top, bottom, and sides to allow for adequate ventilation. A matching trim kit (sold separately) is essential for creating a seamless look and framing the microwave in your installation space. Keep your unit at eye level or just under chest height, especially if your selected unit has a drop down door instead of a side swing. This will make removing food items safer and more efficient. Ensure your cabinets can support 50-75 lbs. within the cutout.

-       For Drawer Microwaves: Drawer microwaves must be installed under your countertops. Ensure your cabinets can support more than 100 lbs. within the cutout. The depth of your cutout should be 23”-24” for the unit to fit flush with surrounding cabinetry. Ensure adequate clearance in front of the microwave for the door to fully open.

Configuration Types

Configuration refers to a combination of the installation type and design style of your microwave. When deciding on a configuration, it is important to first consider how you intend to use your microwave and your preferred integration style. Let’s go through the basics of each to narrow down your selection.

Countertop Microwaves

Countertop microwaves are the most versatile configuration thanks to their freestanding design. They can sit anywhere on your counter with available space and come in widths as narrow as 15” for easy portability. When not in use, you can easily store them away in a closet or dedicated appliance garage. These models are more budget-friendly and do not typically come with advanced cooking features like convection. However, you have a wider assort of aesthetic lines, with select high-end brands offering models in pastel colors or retro styles.

Over-the-Range Microwaves

Over-the-range (OTR) microwaves combine two appliances in one! This configuration combines the best features of a microwave and a range hood – convection cooking modes, cooktop lighting, and even extraction speeds as high as 600 CFM! OTR microwaves are available in both ducted and non-ducted ventilation options to accommodate any kitchen setup. Additionally, low-profile models are available in smaller heights to ensure adequate clearance between your cooktop and their fans for efficient air extraction.

Built-in Microwaves

Built-in microwaves can be integrated under your counters or into your kitchen’s wall as part of a cooking suite and come in one of two sub-configurations:

-       Countertop Microwave with Trim Kit: Plenty of countertop microwaves can be installed in a cutout with a compatible trim kit from the manufacturer (sold separately), giving them the appearance of being built-in. These trim kits cover gaps between the cutout and the microwave while providing a seamless, stylish framing.

-       Flush Mounted: Select models are designed only as built-in, without the ability to convert to a countertop configuration. These models can have either side swinging or drop down doors depending on the make and are permanent installations.

Drawer Microwaves

Drawer microwaves are essentially a luxury-style upgrade to the built-in microwave. This configuration must go under your counters or in a kitchen island because of its top loading style. Loading and unloading heavy trays is a breeze with this configuration since you can easily transfer them from your counter to the appliance and vice versa. Since they slide forward to open on telescopic racks, you don’t have to worry about door clearance in narrow kitchens!

Power Ratings

It is equally important to find a microwave that matches your cooking needs as well as your kitchen design. All microwaves have a maximum wattage that affects how quickly and efficiently they prepare different foods or beverages.

700-1000 Watts

If your microwave’s maximum power output is in this range, expect to use it mostly for light cooking and reheating of smaller food items. This can include:

-       Reheating leftover food containers

-       Boiling a mug of coffee or water for tea

-       Cooking frozen dinners, pizza rolls, and other popular microwave meals

-       Defrosting meats in preparation for searing, broiling, etc. with other cooking appliances

-       Preparing “instant” foods like noodles, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, etc.

1000-1500 Watts

If your microwave’s maximum power output is in this range, it is equipped to prepare larger food items with power comparable to a standard wall oven or range. It also expedites the preparation of smaller food items that require intense heat to achieve the best results. This can include:

-       Popcorn, which pops faster and more evenly

-       Baking and crisping (high-powered microwaves may include convection cooking capabilities)

-       Soups, casseroles, baked potatoes, and other dense food items

-       Safe preparation of raw meats and fish

-       Efficient steam-cooking of fresh vegetables

Premium Features and Design Elements

Modern microwaves have numerous features and design elements to help you tailor meal preparation to your personal needs, including:

-       Bluetooth hood synchronization from select brands automatically starts and adjusts an over-the-range microwave’s power based on settings and/or heat detected from the cooktop surface.

-       Customizable knob and handle kits let you match hardware across your entire kitchen suite of cooking, refrigeration, and dishwashing appliances.

-       Convection cooking on select models expedites the preparation of large family meals by evenly cooking smaller dishes while your larger oven handles roasts, turkeys, and other large tray items.

-       Sensor cooking monitors humidity levels in the microwave’s oven cavity to avoid under or overcooking food items.

-       LCD control panels provide luxurious, intuitive, vibrant touch screen alternatives to standard buttons. Using only a finger, you can easily navigate between settings, programming cooking modes to your precise specifications.

-       Concealable control panels on high-end undercounter drawer units disappear when not in use and open at an angle for easy visibility from a standing position.

-       Edge-to-edge glass windows give your microwave a sleek, minimalist look that blends more smoothly with surrounding cabinetry.

-       Smart Features and Wi-Fi Connectivity add hands-free functionality to your microwave, letting you operate it by means of a smartphone app or even your voice.

Smart Microwaves and Wi-Fi Features

Whether it’s your phone to your Bluetooth speaker, your computer to your TV, and now even with appliances, the era of “smart” and “connected” devices is going strong. However, most people are not sure of the difference between smart appliances and connected appliances.

Smart Microwaves

“Smart” refers to intuitive operations initiated by the microwave unit when certain sensors are triggered. An example of this is SHARP’s “Easy Wave Open” feature on their drawer microwaves. Simply wave your hand in front of the microwave door and sensors will detect it. Once your hand is detected, it will fully extend the oven cavity on its telescopic racks, so you can load it even when your hands are full!

Connected Microwaves

“Connected” refers to Wi-Fi compatibility. Connected microwaves can access the internet to download updates, send notifications to your smartphone, allow the manufacturer to perform remote diagnostics, let you operate the microwave with your voice using a smart home manager, and so much more. One of the most impressive modern examples of this is Bosch’s microwaves that can sync with the Home Connect™ smartphone app. Using Home Connect™, you can adjust or turn off the oven remotely from your phone, making it an amazing safety feature for when you are distracted by other household chores or are not at home.