- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best Value
- Best Budget
- Most Feature-Packed
- Notable Mentions
- Recent Updates
- All Reviews
- Comments
Over-the-range microwaves can save valuable counter space by keeping your microwave out of the way. They're multi-purpose appliances with built-in fans for ventilation and lights to illuminate the cooktop below. Since they're installed over your stove, most models have wide cooking chambers that accommodate bigger containers, like casserole dishes.
Of course, if you're installing a microwave instead of plunking it on the counter, you'll want to ensure you get the best one. However, after months of investigation with 26 microwaves, including eight over-the-range models, we found that while microwaves vary in size, features, and price, they all heat food the same way.
You might think a high-end microwave would heat your food more evenly; however, evenness depends on what you're heating, how much of it there is, and the container you're using. The amount of water in your food is a factor, and so is its viscosity (soup always heats up more evenly than mashed potatoes). In other words, if you heat the same thing in the same container in 26 different microwaves, the results are indistinguishable when you taste the food. The only thing that separates microwaves in terms of performance is power, as more powerful microwaves tend to be faster. You can read more about our methods and findings.
That's not all—since inverter microwaves are marketed as the latest and greatest in microwave technology, we wanted to see how their performance stacks up. The result? They don't perform better for most uses! You can also read our article about how we came to that conclusion.
At the end of the day, you can get any microwave that matches the rest of your kitchen or has the functions you like. These are our recommendations for models that offer good value, sorted by feature and design. We also have recommendations for the best air fryers, the best large-capacity air fryers for your favorite crispy snacks, and the best 4-slice toasters for busy mornings.
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Best Value Over-The-Range Microwave
Power8.8InstallationOver-The-RangeIf you're looking for the best over-the-range microwave with some extra features, the GE JVM6175SKSS offers good value. This mid-priced option comes in several different colors to match your decor. Like all over-the-range microwaves, it has a fan and light for the cooktop below. You can set the fan to four different speeds and set the light to high or low. It heats food quickly, and its controls include sensor cooking programs, where the microwave detects steam to calculate the cooking time automatically. Its cooking chamber is on the small side for an over-the-range microwave, but it's wide, so it can accommodate bigger plates and casserole dishes. You can also switch off the turntable rotation when heating big dishes that might interfere with the rotation.
The light inside makes it easy to see into the cooking chamber when the door is closed. The numbered buttons allow you to quickly start a cooking cycle of up to six minutes. There are also dedicated programs for 'Popcorn,' 'Beverage,' and 'Potato,' as well as modes for defrosting, reheating, and melting. You can mute the controls.
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Best Budget Over-The-Range Microwave
Power8.6InstallationOver-The-RangeIf you want to find the best over-the-range microwave at a budget-friendly price point, the GE JVM3160RFSS is worth considering. This microwave is a good choice if you want to save money and don't care as much about extra features. It comes in several different colors, like 'Black,' 'Slate,' and 'Bisque,' so you're not stuck with the usual stainless steel look. As for performance, it heats food nearly as quickly as pricier options, including the GE JVM6175SKSS.
There are a few nice quality-of-life features on offer with this model. You can switch off the turntable if the container you're using interferes with its rotation. The bright light inside the cooking chamber also makes it very easy to see inside when it's running, especially compared to other budget-friendly options. But it doesn't include a steam sensor or a way to mute the controls, and the cooktop light and fan only have high or low settings.
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Most Feature-Packed Over-The-Range Microwave
Power8.7InstallationOver-The-RangeIf you're looking for a feature-rich high-end microwave, check out the LG MVEM1825F. This model isn't the most expensive microwave that LG makes, but it still has most of the high-end features, including a steam sensor and a companion app. It heats food much faster than some pricier options, and it's very easy to see into its cooking chamber when the door is closed. There are several sensor cooking modes, and unlike most microwaves, its 'Popcorn' program uses the sensor to automatically know when your popcorn is done.
There's no way to mute the microwave with the onboard controls, but you can do so using the LG ThinQ app. The app also allows you to set a timer, adjust the fan and cooktop light, and send cook time information to the microwave. However, this microwave only comes in two colors: Stainless Steel or Black Stainless Steel. If that won't work in your kitchen, the Whirlpool WMH32519HZ comes in more colors and has a steam sensor. It doesn't have an app but includes a cooking rack for 2-level cooking or for use with the 'Steam' and 'Simmer' sensor programs, which ask you to place a bowl of water under the rack.
Notable Mentions
- LG MVEL2033F:
The LG MVEL2033F is a high-end microwave with an unusual design: its controls are along the bottom of the door instead of the side. It's more expensive than the LG MVEM1825F and has four fan speeds instead of two. You may like its sleeker look, but it doesn't heat food as quickly as the MVEM1825F, and the button layout can make it hard to see into the microwave while it's running.
See our review
Recent Updates
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We've verified that our recommendations are available and represent the best choices. We also made small edits for clarity throughout.
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We've checked that the picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are in stock.
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We've made minor updates to the text for clarity and verified that the products are in stock.
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We've checked that the products represent the best recommendations and that they're in stock.
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Oct 11, 2024: We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are the best over-the-range microwaves for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and product availability.
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all microwave reviews. 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.