The best over-the-range microwaves of 2023

We stay within the age of the air fryer, however a strong over-the-range microwave can nonetheless show helpful for nearly any degree of prepare dinner. While microwaves have gotten higher trying and simpler to make use of through the years, the underlying know-how hasn’t modified all that a lot. But, lately, even skilled cooks have once more began acknowledging simply how useful a software a strong microwave could be, particularly in the event that they depart house for prep work. The fashions on this record unencumber valuable counter tops to your different kitchen devices. But they don’t sacrifice efficiency or options. Between venting right into a hood and resting at eye degree, the best over-the-range microwaves will spoil you with their simplicity and house financial savings.

How we selected the best over-the-range microwaves

Like so many different kitchen home equipment, you’ll discover a variety of fashions available on the market. Generally, you’ll need to make sure the mannequin you select suits your culinary wants and budgetary restrictions. It’s simple to lust after the high-end fashions, however they might have you ever paying for options you’ll by no means even use within the first place.

This record of microwaves considers quite a few elements, equivalent to total buyer rankings, affordability, and availability. After all, what’s the purpose in recommending a microwave that isn’t bought in shops anymore? Some manufacturers chances are you’ll acknowledge as dependable in status, some you is probably not aware of however are long-time trusted kitchen equipment manufacturers.

The best over-the-range microwaves: Reviews & Recommendations

We take a look at three specs when shopping for an over-the-range microwave: wattage, capability, and exterior measurement. Does it warmth up quick? Is it sufficiently big on the within? And precisely how large is it? Answering these questions kicks off your resolution tree, sprinkling in some further options like deal with kind, shade, and digital options.

Best total: GE JNM3163DJBB

Why it made the minimize: This dependable mannequin gives a ton of helpful options in a lovely design that may make Jack Donaghy proud.

Specs

• Capacity: 1.6 cubic ft.
• Wattage: 1000W
• Size (inches): 16.7h x 30w x 15d
• Popcorn button: Yes 

Pros

• Large capability
• Built-in venting system
• Affordable

Cons

The GE JNM3163DJBB is strictly what you’d anticipate in a contemporary microwave, which is why it’s on the prime of this record. For most individuals, a microwave is a utility system that serves the straightforward goal of reheating meals. With easy digital controls, together with an add-30-seconds button, a average 1.6 cubic toes of cooking capability, and no ineffective novelty options to drive up the worth, that is your typical household microwave.

It has a two-speed 300-cfm built-in air flow system that may get just a little loud at occasions, relying on whether or not you’re operating the fan or not. Its 1000-watts of cooking energy delivers faster efficiency than a smaller microwave, so it would take some trial and error to get these Hot Pockets proper above frozen-in-the-middle however under stuffed-with-hot-lava. 

The GE JNM3163DJBB is available in black, white, and brushed chrome steel to match your present equipment shade scheme. There are additionally some presets, and you may swap the turntable on and off. Overall, the GE JNM3163DJBB meets our expectations of what a microwave needs to be and the way it ought to carry out.

Best price range: Amana AMV2307PFS

Why it made the minimize: Often on sale, this microwave is one of the most cost effective but simply as highly effective choices available on the market.

Specs

• Capacity: 1.6 cubic ft.
• Wattage: 1000W
• Size (inches): 17h x 30w x 15d
• Popcorn button: Yes

Pros

• Push button latch
• Charcoal filters
• Powerful vent

Cons

• No sensor cooking
• Taller than most microwaves

Coming in often simply above $200, the Amana AMV2307PFS is one of three microwaves produced below the Amana model, made by Whirlpool. It performs on par with dearer microwaves, with some distinct variations. First, it’s an inch taller than the usual 16 inches you’ll discover with most microwaves. Why is that an issue? Because mounting this microwave can turn out to be a ache if you happen to’re changing an older mannequin. You can’t use earlier brackets, and any backsplash tiling above the oven must be eliminated. However, as soon as you’re employed that out, it’s an incredible microwave.

It has wonderful air flow, on par with some dearer fashions. Even if you happen to don’t have it hooked into an oven hood (not each kitchen has one), it nonetheless rapidly disperses the rank odor of your boiling leftovers or burning stovetop mistake by way of its charcoal filter. 

Additionally, it doesn’t have a conventional deal with however quite a push button. If you’ve ever had a deal with break off a microwave, or a door unable to shut as a result of the latches are worn down, this methodology is designed to final only a bit longer. As for cool options, put together to be whelmed: it has an auto defrost. Just slam in your leftover Jalapeno Poppers and let the Amana AMV2307PFS take over. 

Best high-end: Viking RVMH330SS

Why it made the minimize: Viking is the closest your kitchen can get to the feel and appear of a industrial kitchen.

Specs

• Capacity: 1.5 cubic ft. 
• Wattage: 950W
• Size (inches): 16.5h x 30w x 15.5d
• Popcorn button: Yes

Pros

• Instant sensor cooking
• Stainless metal end
• 11 energy ranges

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy
• Description

The Viking RVMH330SS is the microwave you buy when your kitchen is as costly as your annual property taxes. Every restaurant-quality equipment matches, and so they all the time turn out to be a speaking level with friends as you’re milling across the kitchen island, noshing on reheated pizza. 

This industrial-styled microwave boasts some spectacular sensible options and a 300-cfm exhaust fan that’s on par with most higher-end fashions. Forget about muddling about, attempting to determine cooking occasions; this beast has an automated sensor for cooking, reheating, and defrosting. 

Ergonomically, it mixes digital buttons and press keys for begin/cease and lightweight. It additionally features a baby security lock, simply in case the G.I. Joe figures have a tendency to fulfill an terrible destiny given the prospect. This unit is a bit heavy at 86 kilos, whereas most microwaves come between 30 and 50, so make sure to actually safe these mounting brackets. 

One of essentially the most spectacular further options on this truck of a microwave is its keep-warm characteristic that may keep warmth for as much as half-hour. Overall, the Viking RVMH330SS is a luxurious microwave which will price a number of hundred north of a grand, however if you need a restaurant-style kitchen with out the shock well being inspections, this may get you there.

Best small: Dacor PCOR30S

Why it made the minimize: Part convection oven and half microwave, the Dacor gives a glossy over-the-range cooking mixture.

Specs

• Capacity: 1.1 cubic ft.
• Wattage: 850W
• Size (inches): 16h x 29.9w x 15d
• Popcorn button: Yes

Pros

• Convection microwave
• Two-level cooking rack
• Sensor know-how

Cons

• Small inside, customary outdoors
• A tad costly
• Description

Every house is completely different; some kitchens don’t have a ton of actual property above the range. That’s the place a extra compact mannequin like this turns out to be useful. The 1.1 cubic toes of house is optimized with a two-level cooking rack, and the management panel options clean contact controls that solely require a fast wipe-down for cleansing.

But if you happen to don’t have loads of kitchen house and don’t want a family-size microwave, the 850 watts of heating energy leads to environment friendly heating to your Salisbury steak. And, so far as kitchen home equipment go, its convection cooking possibility makes the cooking course of extra environment friendly, particularly if you happen to don’t should feed a complete Little League baseball staff. 

It doesn’t have many particular options however contains sensor know-how tuned to eight widespread microwavable gadgets equivalent to potatoes and scorching canines. Depending in your setup, the built-in air flow system both recirculates the air or pumps it into your vent. The Dacor PCOR30S is an odd little microwave, nevertheless it has a glossy look and simply sufficient options to make it a cost-effective selection for all times selections that restrict attendance at dinner.

Best low-profile: Samsung ME11A7510DS

Why it made the minimize: With a peak simply over 10 inches, that is about as low profile as you may get with an over-the-range microwave.

Specs

• Capacity: 1.1 cubic ft.
• Wattage: 1100W
• Size (inches): 10.75h x 30w x 19.1d
• Popcorn button: Yes

Pros

• Slim design
• WiFi connectivity
• Voice management
• Powerful 400-cfm fan

Cons

The solely purpose that the Samsung ME11A7510DS is just not the best total over-the-range microwave on this record is as a result of of its inside measurement. Well, that and it has no convection cooking choices. Regardless, it’s full of energy and options and a fingerprint-resistant end with a ceramic blue inside that makes it an incredible possibility at a usually truthful value. 

Let’s begin with eliminating these pesky cooking odors from final night time’s salmon. An enormous 400-cfm fan offers wonderful air flow with out being as loud as some lesser ones, making this microwave tied with its sibling under because the best with exhaust fan. If you might be fearful about kitchen house, it sits a mere 10.75 inches off your hood cupboards, giving you extra space to fire up a roux or have a tendency that goose. But what actually units this microwave aside is its sensible options.

Through Samsung’s SmartThings App, you’ll be able to combine it into your sensible house to regulate settings and use Alexa or Google Assistant to manage the microwave with voice controls, and the app offers personalised recipes and meal plans. This is nice as a result of, with 1100 watts of energy, you’ll have extra time to prepare dinner extra issues. From heating up beanie weenies to soup in bowls hotter than the solar, the Samsung ME11A7510DS gives tons of controls, correct air flow, and particular options that basically set it aside from most over-the-range microwaves.

Best design: Samsung Bespoke ME21A706BQN

Why it made the minimize: The Bespoke line of kitchen home equipment from Samsung redefines how conventional home equipment seem with out sacrificing performance.

Specs

• Capacity: 2.1 cubic ft.
• Wattage: 1000W
• Size (inches): 17h x 29.9w x 16.5d
• Popcorn button: Yes

Pros

• Clean design
• 400-cfm vent
• Censor cooking
• Large capability

Cons

The Samsung Bespoke ME21A706BQN is available in white glass, navy metal, or Tuscan metal. Once you go bespoke, your selection of end is simply as vital to your kitchen design as any particular options. For an over-the-range microwave oven, this one mixes a ravishing fingerprint-resistant exterior with options equivalent to glass contact controls and sensor cooking. 

If that’s not sufficient, the massive capability of 2.1 cubic toes can deal with any meal, and even a ragged meatloaf seems to be fairly inside the navy blue, scratch-resistant ceramic inside. The massive LED show is simple to learn, regardless of what number of occasions it’s important to reset the clock. And all these bodily options don’t deter from its efficiency, because it matches bodily brilliance with a number of cooking modes and a sensor that robotically adjusts cooking occasions. 

Of course, the identical issues that make the Samsung Bespoke ME21A706BQN nice in some eyes are what makes it an equipment to skip for others. While it has nice capability, there’s no convection cooking, and the bespoke design isn’t for each kitchen. It does have a strong vent at 400 cfm, nevertheless it’ll want that for the additional cubic toes. But in case you are searching for a microwave that’ll boost your kitchen design, that is the one for you. 

What to think about earlier than shopping for an over-the-range microwave

There are three important concerns when buying a brand new over-the-range microwave: value, measurement, and mounting choices. Outside of that, the variations between microwaves are dependent upon your explicit wants. Have a big household to feed? Then a better capability microwave could be for you. Concerned with model? Something with a number of end choices could be the vary mannequin you might be searching for. Switching from a countertop mannequin to a spread microwave oven? Then it’s best to most likely try the exhaust fan functionality.

Price

Over-the-range microwaves are usually dearer than countertop fashions. They are typically bigger and have to suit the usual hood width of 30 inches. Constructed with specialised exhaust followers and extra options, they will vary in value from the low $200s to effectively over a thousand. However, most over-the-range microwaves price shopping for fall between $400-$500. These often have all of the particular options you search for in a contemporary kitchen equipment, like contact controls, turntable controls, and a popcorn button. 

Size

Over-the-range microwaves nearly all the time fall between 29 – 30 inches to suit snuggly within the house above your oven, under the cupboards you don’t use, or the hood air flow. Beyond the width, these items vary in depth and peak, depending on mannequin kind. However, most are available in round 17 inches in peak, save for the ultra-slim fashions.  

Mounting

Every over-the-range microwave comes with a mounting equipment and conversion equipment in case you do have a hood to vent into. Regardless, you’ll should mount the microwave after fastidiously eradicating the earlier microwave (if there’s one to take away). One tip is to make use of the packing foam and field to guard the stovetop, in case you drop the microwave, as a result of they have an inclination to weigh a bit a lot for one individual to put in. They common round 50 lbs, with some weighing much more. And except it’s the identical mannequin/model because the one you might be changing, you’ll should poke new holes within the drywall for a brand new mounting bracket. In the top, there’s no disgrace in hiring a handyman to put in your new microwave. It could be a tough mission for novices. 

FAQs

Final ideas on the best over-the-range microwaves

The microwave has commercially been round since 1947, although the primary model (invented by Raytheon) price round $20,000. In the late Nineteen Seventies, the microwave lastly turned one thing that folks needed of their houses, and by the late Nineties, over 90% of houses within the United States had a microwave within the kitchen. The level is, the choice isn’t whether or not to get a microwave; it’s the place to place it. Mounting a microwave over the vary saves counter house, solves an airflow downside, and serves as a continuing eye-level reminder of how far meals preparation know-how has progressed. So, whether or not you select a bespoke microwave, a large-capacity possibility, or a price range mannequin, it positive beats heating up our meals outdoors in a cave.   

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Our writers and editors have mixed many years of expertise overlaying and reviewing shopper electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however after we’re reviewing units outdoors of our speedy wheelhouses, we do our best to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information folks to the very best suggestions. We know we don’t know all the things, however we’re excited to stay by way of the evaluation paralysis that web procuring can spur so readers don’t should.