Cuisinart CMW-100

The Cuisinart CMW-100 is a midsized countertop microwave with a 20.5-by-15.25-inch footprint. However, its 1-cubic-foot capacity is a bit small for a midsized model. It has no cooking sensor, but it does have several useful features, such as two-stage cooking. This feature allows the user to program the microwave so that it switches automatically between settings -- for example, to defrost a frozen dinner and then cook it on high. Professionals and users agree that the Cuisinart CMW-100 heats evenly and does a good job with various foods, from popcorn to potatoes. However, its reheating performance is less impressive. We saw only a few complaints from users about this model's durability. On the whole, we found better reviews for the 1.2-cubic-foot Kenmore 6633 (*Est. $140) , which performs well and includes a cooking sensor.

The Cuisinart CMW-100 earns a grade of B-plus from experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, who tested 21 countertop microwaves to find the best models. It is also rated a Best Buy in a 2008 review from ConsumerGuide.com. The Cuisinart CMW-100 makes the list of the top 10 microwaves at Buzzillions.com, with about 100 reviews pulled from various sites.