Microwave buying guide
Microwave buying guide
2:57

Microwave buying guide

Kitchen & Household
Hi. I'm Megan Wollerton for CNET, here to bring you a microwave buying guide. So, one of the first things you wanna think about when you're deciding to buy a new microwave is where you're going to put it. There are three main options. The most popular type of microwave is a Countertop Microwave, like this one here. This is by far the easiest type of microwave to install. You just plug it into an outlet and you can put it anywhere on your counter. The second most popular type of microwave is the Over-the-Range Microwave. It's pretty self explanatory but it sits over your range and actually doubles as an oven hood. The third type of microwave is a custom built-in job that can go anywhere from drawers to cabinets. The next thing you wanna think about is what size microwave you should get. This isn't only important when you're deciding if it will fit on your countertop or above your range but also if the food you cook regularly will fit. The sizes can range anywhere from under a cubic foot to above 2 cubic feet, but most microwaves sit somewhere in the middle around 1-1/2 cubic feet. If you're still not sure what size microwave would work best in your kitchen, you can always bring in a plate or bowl that you use regularly just to make sure that it will fit. Another thing that's pretty important to consider is the wattage. That's the amount of power that's running to your microwave. The wattage can range anywhere from around 600 to 1200 and sometimes over. Generally, the more wattage your microwave has, the more quickly and evenly it will cook your food. Now, let's talk about the basic features that most microwaves have. That includes the popcorn setting and potato setting, a reheat, defrost. Most microwaves today have those presets and they're really easy to use. Some of the more expensive models though are getting a bit more fancy. Some of them incorporate convection heating or even inverter heating. Another neat feature that some microwaves have today is the censor. The censor detects the amount of moisture in the foot and it will decide when it's done automatically. As far as style, microwaves generally come in white, black or stainless steel finish. Some of them are incorporating LCD dials and screens but it's still pretty uncommon. As far as price, microwaves can vary widely from say $50 on up to $5,000 for a custom built-in microwave. For 50 bucks, you're gonna get a really basic microwave but for 5 grand, you better expect something really fancy. Unfortunately, microwave technology is still pretty simple. There isn't much as far as smart technology or WiFi connectivity like we're seeing in some other appliances today. This has been a microwave buying guide, I'm Megan Wollerton.

Up Next

See the Lasso At-Home Recycling Machine in Action
yt-lasso-loop-home-recycling-machine-v2

Up Next

See the Lasso At-Home Recycling Machine in Action

Bob the mini dishwasher is way cooler than he should be
btothe-ob

Bob the mini dishwasher is way cooler than he should be

Smart bidet machine cleans where the sun doesn't shine
bidet-still7

Smart bidet machine cleans where the sun doesn't shine

LG's new smart appliances are ready to help make proper cocktails and keep clothes their cleanest
lg-appliances-00-00-00-00-still001.png

LG's new smart appliances are ready to help make proper cocktails and keep clothes their cleanest

Amazon debuts Echo Buds with Bose noise cancellation, Alexa
0925-echobuds-2019n-00-04-17-04-still001

Amazon debuts Echo Buds with Bose noise cancellation, Alexa

Echo Glow: Amazon's Alexa compatable light
0925-echoglow-2019n-00-03-42-07-still001

Echo Glow: Amazon's Alexa compatable light

Amazon debuts new Echo Dot
sequence-01-00-01-22-16-still001

Amazon debuts new Echo Dot

These Electrolux appliance features make me jealous of Europe
electroluxifa-still001.png

These Electrolux appliance features make me jealous of Europe

Lasers, sensors and robots, oh my: Some robot vacuums move and clean much better than others
robot-vac-lab-pics-7

Lasers, sensors and robots, oh my: Some robot vacuums move and clean much better than others

3 reasons you need a smart plug
smart-plug-image

3 reasons you need a smart plug

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
screenshot-2024-03-22-at-17-41-16.png

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
240321-site-nvidia-project-groot-vs-tesla-optimus-v1

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
240321-site-apple-and-gemini-ai

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like

DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
240321-site-doj-sues-apple-for-antitrust-on-iphone-v2

DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit

Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
240320-site-microsoft-surface-pros-first-look-v2

Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
240320-site-nuro-r3-first-look-v1

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
240229-site-best-of-show-at-mwc

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
240225-site-lenovo-translucent-laptop-concept-v3

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
240225-site-motorola-rollable-concept

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist

Latest How To All how to videos

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
superbowl-tv-settings-thumb1

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
240202-site-spatial-computing-on-meta-quest-3

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro