The 4 Best Cheap And Budget Microwaves - Fall 2024

If you want a very inexpensive microwave, the best option we've tested is the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS. This small, 900-watt microwave is available for just under $100. While it's not as fast as some pricier models, it's very cheap and still heats food quickly. Its compact design makes it less suitable for heating food in a mixing bowl or casserole dish, but it'll easily fit mugs, bowls, and plates.

Both its 'Stainless Steel' and 'Black Stainless Steel' color variants are budget-friendly, and it has all the basic functions you'd expect, like defrosting and a 'Popcorn' button. You can also save your own custom programs. It doesn't have a steam sensor, so you'll have to manually enter a cook time or food weight. However, unlike some microwaves, there is the option to mute the controls.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS offers more features for a higher price. It's our best-value microwave overall, and with 1100 watts of power, it heats food much faster than the previous pick. Its roomier cooking chamber can accommodate dishes like dinner plates more easily.

This budget-friendly option also features a steam sensor for a more automatic microwaving experience, plus a programmable 'favorite' button. Otherwise, it has the usual programs, like defrost and reheat, plus the option to mute the controls.

If you want something smaller, the GE JES1072SHSS is a good option. This very compact microwave takes up less space than the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS or Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, so you might prefer it if you don't have much free counter space. It heats food more slowly, but it's not a huge issue if you just plan to zap a bowl of instant noodles or reheat a cup of coffee.

Its controls include typical options like 'Defrost,' 'Popcorn,' and 'Potato' modes. There's a dedicated 'mute' button, so muting and unmuting button chimes is particularly easy. However, it lacks a steam sensor, so you always have to input a cook time or food weight. The light inside the cooking chamber isn't very bright, so you can't see into it very well.

If you want to save counter space with a microwave installed over your stove, the best over-the-range microwave we've tested is the GE JVM3160RFSS. This simple microwave is available in several colors, including Black, Stainless Steel, and White, which is nice if you want to save money without sacrificing aesthetics. This microwave isn't quite as fast as the previous pick but still heats food quickly. It has a wider cooking chamber suitable for heating bigger dishes like lasagnas and casseroles.

It lacks a steam sensor and a way to mute its controls, so it lacks extra features. However, its cooktop fan and light can each be set to two different levels. The light inside makes it easy to see into the cooking chamber while it's running, and you can switch off the turntable when heating food in bigger dishes that might interfere with the rotation.