We have good news if you're shopping for a new microwave on a tight budget: after months of research and investigation into microwave performance, we found that they all heat food pretty similarly! Heating evenness really depends on what you're heating, not on your microwave, so you're not likely to be disappointed with the performance of a budget or even a cheap model. Instead, you can look for a model with enough power to heat food quickly and find the balance between quality-of-life features and price that suits you best. Ideally, you'll want a microwave that's quiet, easy to use, and one with a pretty roomy interior, so you can whip up a quick mug cake or reheat a large batch of leftovers.
We've tested more than 30 models, and below are our recommendations for the best budget microwaves. If you want to see what paying more for a microwave will get you, see our recommendations for the best microwaves, the best countertop microwaves, and the best over-the-range microwaves.
-
Best Budget Microwave
Everyday Use8.6Power9.9Measured Chamber Volume:2.08 cu. ft. (58.8 L)Cooking Sensor:YesSee all our test resultsInstallation:CountertopThe best budget microwave we've tested is the Sharp SMC2266KS, a very large countertop microwave with space to reheat an entire casserole or lasagna. In fact, this countertop microwave offers a larger internal capacity than many over-the-range models, making it a great choice if you don't want to spend a lot on a microwave with tons of space for defrosting dinner or reheating leftovers. With 1200 watts of power, it cooks very quickly, so you don't have to wait long for piping-hot meals and snacks. It's one of the quietest microwaves we've tested, and while there's no dedicated mute button, you can hold the '8' for three seconds to silence the controls.
This microwave's controls are pretty basic overall, but are decently easy to use. The membrane touch panel isn't as responsive as physical buttons or dials, but it lets you start simple cooking tasks, like heating leftovers for three minutes at 100% power, with a single button press. There's no quick way to set a lower power level, though. If you like to fine-tune your recipe, it's a bit less convenient, since it requires multiple button presses. That said, it has a sensor that adjusts the cook time by detecting steam in the chamber, as well as options for defrosting meat, quick-start buttons for specific foods, and a button to quickly add 30 seconds.
-
Best Cheap Microwave
Everyday Use7.6Power9.4Measured Chamber Volume:1.06 cu. ft. (30.1 L)Cooking Sensor:YesSee all our test resultsInstallation:CountertopIf you don't need a big microwave and want a cheaper option, consider the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, a medium-sized 1100-watt microwave that cooks food very quickly. Unlike the Sharp SMC2266KS, it won't fit an entire casserole, but it easily accommodates most bowls, plates, and containers. It's very easy to see inside, thanks to the bright light inside the chamber, so you can monitor your recipes or make sure a mug of water doesn't boil over. This model is even quieter than our budget pick and features a mute button, so you can silence its beeping.
Like most affordable microwaves, this option has a membrane touch panel. The buttons aren't as pleasant to use as physical buttons, since you get less feedback from each push. It's still very easy to start simple cooking tasks, but if you prefer to choose a specific power level and time setting, you'll have to press quite a few buttons before hitting start. That said, this microwave also features a steam sensor for more automatic cooking and a programmable 'Favorite' button. Otherwise, it has the usual programs, like 'Popcorn,' 'Potato,' and 'Rice.'
-
Best Budget Over-The-Range Microwave
Everyday Use7.9Power8.6Measured Chamber Volume:1.58 cu. ft. (44.9 L)Cooking Sensor:NoSee all our test resultsInstallation:Over-The-RangeIf you want to save counter space by installing your microwave over your stove, check out the GE JVM3160RFSS; it's the best over-the-range microwave we've tested at a budget-friendly price. This simple 1,000-watt microwave isn't as powerful as the Sharp SMC2266KS or the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, but it still heats food quickly and delivers similarly quiet operation. It also boasts a wider cooking chamber for heating bigger dishes like lasagnas and casseroles.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have a steam sensor or a way to mute its controls, so it's light on extra features. That said, the cooktop fan and light can each be set to two different levels. The light inside makes it easy to see into the cooking chamber when the door is closed, and you can switch off the turntable when heating food in bigger dishes that might interfere with its rotation. Plus, it's available in several colors, including 'Black,' 'Stainless Steel,' and 'White,' so it's a good option if you want to save money and counter space without sacrificing aesthetics.
Notable Mentions
-
LG LMC0975ST:
The LG LMC0975ST is a small, fast, budget-friendly microwave. You might prefer its minimalist design, which hides most of the controls behind the door when it's closed. However, unlike the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, it doesn't have a steam sensor. and its controls aren't as easy to use for programming more complex tasks.
See our review
Recent Updates
May 29, 2026:
We've checked that the picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are available. We also added the LG LMC0975ST to the Notable Mentions section.
Apr 29, 2026:
We replaced the Sharp SMC1162HS with the Sharp SMC2266KS as the former has been discontinued.
Mar 09, 2026:
We replaced the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS with the Shark SMC1162HS, as the former is out of stock. We also removed the GE JES1072SHSS as our 'Best Small Budget Microwave' to better align with user needs and made edits throughout for clarity.
Apr 28, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text, but we haven't made any changes to our recommendations.
Mar 26, 2025:
We've made minor edits to the text for clarity and confirmed that our picks are still in stock, but we haven't changed our recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are the best affordable microwaves for most people. We factor in price, visitor feedback, and availability.
If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all microwave reviews sorted by price. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no microwave is perfect, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you look for them.