8 Best Microwave Ovens of 2026

The Breville Smooth Wave isn’t just a microwave—it’s a culinary co-pilot engineered for precision and quiet sophistication. With its 1250-watt Power Smoothing Inverter, this oven delivers seamless, consistent heating that eliminates hot spots, making it ideal for delicate tasks like reheating lasagna or gently defrosting salmon fillets. The standout Sensor iQ technology reads steam output in real time, automatically adjusting cooking duration and power to prevent overcooking—solving the all-too-common frustration of rubbery leftovers or half-frozen centerpieces.

In real-world testing, the 1.2 cu.ft. cavity handled everything from steaming vegetables to baking potatoes with impressive consistency. The inverter tech truly shines when reheating pizza—edges stay crisp, cheese melts evenly, and the crust doesn’t turn into cardboard. Even multi-stage cooking (like defrosting then reheating) feels intuitive thanks to 15 smart presets, including dedicated shortcuts for beverages, popcorn, and reheating specific foods. However, while the 80% quieter soft-close door is a luxury, the unit does emit a faint operational hum during high-power cycles—noticeable in silent kitchens but far less intrusive than most competitors.

Positioned above mid-tier models like the Farberware and COMFEE’, the Breville competes most directly with premium offerings like the Toshiba ML-EC42P, but without the complexity of air frying or convection modes. It’s best suited for users who prioritize precision cooking and quiet operation over multifunctionality. Compared to combo ovens, it lacks versatility—but for pure microwave performance, it outshines even higher-priced multi-cookers in consistency, control, and user experience.

When family-sized meals and reliable performance top your priority list, the GE 2.0 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave steps up with impressive scale and smart automation. Its 2.0 cubic foot capacity—among the largest in this lineup—effortlessly accommodates full casserole dishes, whole pizzas, or oversized leftovers, making it a game-changer for large households where multiple people eat at different times. Backed by 1200 watts of power and sensor cooking controls, it adjusts time and intensity based on moisture levels, ensuring consistent results whether you’re reheating stew or steaming frozen veggies.

During testing, the spacious interior proved invaluable for cooking bulky items like a whole baked potato or a deep-dish lasagna—tasks that would struggle in smaller models like the COMFEE’ or Breville Compact Wave. The weight-based defrost function was accurate, gently thawing a pound of chicken without edge-cooking, while the one-touch express cooking made daily use effortless. However, despite its size, the turntable can wobble slightly under heavy loads, and the sensor sometimes underestimates dense foods, requiring manual time boosts. Still, for high-volume reheating or family meal prep, it delivers where it matters most.

Compared to the Breville BMO850BSS, this GE model trades refined inverter technology for raw space and simplicity—ideal for users who value capacity over precision. It doesn’t offer the whisper-quiet operation of Breville, but it’s significantly more affordable and more practical for homes where multiple meals are warmed daily. If you need a workhorse microwave that can handle big dishes without breaking stride, this GE model outperforms nearly every compact or mid-sized alternative in throughput and ease of use.

For those craving serenity in the kitchen, the Breville BMO650SIL Compact Wave sets a new benchmark in quiet microwave operation—with an 80% quieter soft-close door and 50% quieter running noise than standard models. Despite its 0.9 cu.ft. compact size, it doesn’t skimp on intelligence, offering one-touch shortcuts for popcorn, beverages, and food-specific reheat settings like pizza and potatoes. The 900-watt inverter power ensures smooth, even heating, avoiding the pulsing surges that dry out food in budget microwaves, making it perfect for small kitchens where noise and space are at a premium.

In daily use, the 25L cavity handled single servings and small family portions with ease—reheating soup evenly and defrosting ground beef without cooking the edges. The Food Menu feature is surprisingly intuitive, letting users select “reheat pizza” or “cook potato” with a single tap, reducing guesswork. However, the lower wattage means longer cook times for dense foods, and larger dishes like 9×13 pans simply won’t fit—limiting its use in bigger households. It’s best for apartments, dorms, or secondary kitchens where discretion and convenience outweigh raw power.

Compared to the louder, more basic COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB, the Breville offers superior sound engineering and smarter presets despite a higher cost. It doesn’t match the BMO850BSS in power or capacity, but for ultra-quiet performance in tight spaces, it’s unmatched. If your morning routine includes microwaving coffee while others sleep, or you’re in a studio apartment where every beep feels amplified, this microwave’s sound-dampened design and mute function deliver peace as much as performance.

The Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Microwave strikes a rare balance—delivering full-sized functionality at a mid-range price, making it the sweet spot for budget-conscious buyers who refuse to compromise on essentials. With 1000 watts of power and a spacious 1.1 cu.ft. cavity, it handles everything from frozen dinners to homemade meals with surprising reliability. The six one-touch presets—including popcorn, potato, and pizza—plus defrost-by-weight functionality make everyday tasks effortless, while the add-30-seconds button is a small but brilliant touch for fine-tuning heating on the fly.

Real-world testing revealed consistent performance across common tasks: popcorn popped evenly, potatoes cooked through without bursting, and reheated pasta stayed moist thanks to multi-stage power control. The interior lighting is bright, and the LED display is easy to read, enhancing usability in dim kitchens. However, the lack of inverter technology means power delivery is on/off rather than continuous, leading to occasional overheating at the edges of dishes. While it doesn’t offer the precision of Breville or sensor smarts of Toshiba, it outperforms cheaper models in build quality and responsiveness.

Priced between the COMFEE’ and Breville models, the Farberware delivers more value than either extreme—more features than the budget pick, less cost than the premium. Compared to the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB, it offers greater power and capacity while retaining essential safety features like a child lock. It’s ideal for first-time homeowners, college grads, or office break rooms where dependable, no-frills performance matters most. For what it lacks in innovation, it makes up for in practicality, durability, and ease of use.

The Toshiba ML-EC42P(BS) redefines what a microwave can do—by merging four appliances in one: microwave, convection oven, air fryer, and combo cooker. Its 1.5 cu.ft. cavity and 13.6-inch turntable can fit a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza, while the 1000-watt microwave power pairs with convection heating for faster, crispier results than standalone microwaves. The Smart Sensor adjusts cooking based on humidity, ensuring frozen pizza comes out golden and bubbly—not soggy—while the air fry mode delivers crispy fries with up to 75% less oil, making it a standout for health-conscious families.

In testing, the combination cooking mode (microwave + convection) reduced cooking time by nearly 30% compared to traditional ovens, while preserving texture—roast chicken emerged juicy inside, crisp-skinned outside. The position memory turntable remembers rack height for repeat use, and the mute function silences beeps for nighttime use. However, the learning curve is steeper than a standard microwave, and the control panel can feel cluttered for users who just want to reheat coffee. It’s not the fastest at basic tasks, but for multi-dish cooking or air-fried favorites, it replaces multiple appliances.

Compared to the GE GCST10A1WSS, it offers larger capacity and more cooking modes, though at a higher price. It lacks the broil function of the GE but compensates with superior combo cooking intelligence. Ideal for small kitchens, RVs, or minimalist homes where counter space is limited, it delivers maximum versatility in one sleek black stainless unit. If you want one appliance that can steam, bake, roast, and fry, this Toshiba model offers unmatched functionality.

The GE GCST10A1WSS is a compact powerhouse that brings air frying, convection baking, and broiling to small kitchens without sacrificing performance. With 1050 watts of microwave power and a 1.0 cu.ft. interior, it’s designed for tight spaces—yet manages to include a built-in broiler that sears and caramelizes like a mini grill, a rarity in this category. The air fry mode produces crispy wings and golden fries using little to no oil, while convection technology with an elevated rack ensures even browning for baked goods and roasted vegetables.

In real use, the preset controls for fries and nuggets delivered restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, and the glass turntable promoted even cooking across all modes. The broil function worked surprisingly well for finishing off dishes like gratins or melting cheese on burgers—adding a layer of culinary flexibility most microwaves lack. However, the small cavity limits it to single servings or small family meals, and the broiler can leave hotspots if food isn’t rotated. It’s best for dorms, offices, or couples who want restaurant-style results without a full oven.

Compared to the Toshiba ML-EC42P, it offers fewer combo modes and less capacity, but excels in simplicity and targeted performance—especially for air frying and broiling. It doesn’t have a humidity sensor, but its preset programs compensate with reliable defaults. For users who want crispy, broiled, or baked food fast in a compact footprint, this GE model beats standard microwaves and undercuts full-sized convection ovens in both price and space.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is the undisputed king of budget microwaves, delivering essential features at an unbeatable price—without feeling like a compromise. With 700 watts of power and a 0.7 cu.ft. interior, it’s built for singles, students, or minimalist kitchens where space and cost are critical. Despite its size, it includes one-touch auto-cook buttons for popcorn, pizza, potatoes, and beverages, plus defrost-by-weight and defrost-by-time options, making it far more capable than stripped-down models in the same range.

In daily use, it handled small meals and snacks reliably—popcorn popped fully, and reheated coffee was evenly warmed. The ECO Mode cuts standby power by 50%, a rare feature at this price, appealing to eco-conscious users. The mute function silences beeps—a thoughtful touch for dorms or shared spaces. However, the low wattage means longer cook times, and dense foods like frozen burritos often needed manual intervention. It’s not built for families or heavy use, but for light, occasional cooking, it performs admirably.

Compared to the Farberware 1.1 cu.ft. model, it sacrifices power and space but wins on affordability and energy efficiency. It lacks the inverter tech of Breville or sensor smarts of Toshiba, but for a dorm room or office break area, it’s more than sufficient. If you need a no-frills, energy-saving microwave that handles basics without draining your wallet, the COMFEE’ delivers maximum value at minimum cost.

When it comes to sensor-driven precision, the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS stands alone—its Smart Humidity Sensor continuously monitors steam levels during cooking, automatically adjusting time and power to prevent overcooking, making it the best choice for foolproof meal prep. With 1000 watts of power and a 1.2 cu.ft. cavity, it balances size and intelligence, handling everything from frozen entrées to homemade casseroles with minimal user input. The 12 auto menus, including sensor reheat and veggie steam, take the guesswork out of daily cooking, while the 10 power levels offer fine-tuned control for advanced users.

In testing, the sensor reheat function consistently delivered perfectly warmed leftovers—no cold centers or dried-out edges—outperforming non-sensor models like the Farberware and COMFEE’. The removable 12.4-inch turntable made cleaning easy, and the mute mode silenced alerts for late-night use. However, the sensor occasionally overestimated moisture in dense foods like lasagna, cutting power too soon—requiring a quick “add 30 seconds” fix. Still, for users who reheat often or struggle with timing, this microwave removes the risk of human error.

Compared to the Breville BMO850BSS, it lacks inverter smoothing but matches it in sensor intelligence at nearly half the price. It doesn’t offer air frying or convection, but for sensor-accurate cooking, it outperforms even premium models that rely on timers alone. Ideal for busy professionals or families who want consistent results with minimal effort, it’s the smartest pure microwave in this lineup—offering precision, reliability, and ease of use in one sleek black package.