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In this report

See Also

Microwave Rating Sources

Total of 17 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
As of March 2012
Recommended Microwave Ovens
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe ConsumerReports.org website has ratings for more than 55 countertop and 75 over-the-range microwaves. Most of these models have been subjected to detailed tests, but a few are evaluated based on their similarity to the tested models. Each microwave is rated on noise, ease of use, heating evenness and performance on the auto-defrost setting, with the results outlined in chart form. Overall, 25 microwaves are recommended.
2. Good Housekeeping
Oct. 2010
Countertop Microwave Reviews
by Editors of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentGood Housekeeping Research Institute experts test 21 countertop microwaves and rate them with letter grades. Each microwave also receives a brief write-up summarizing its pros and cons. No microwave earns an A, but none does worse than a C-plus. However, there's no description of the testing methods used, so it's hard to tell how hard these machines had to work for their grades.
3. Wired
Aug. 7, 2009
Microwave Inverter Is a Dorm-Room Nuclear Option
by Bryan Gardiner
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWired has tested dozens of household products, but only one microwave is among them: the Panasonic NN-SD688 Inverter Microwave. Reviewer Bryan Gardiner tests and rates the Panasonic microwave, giving it an overall rating of 7 out of 10. He appreciates its sleek design and powerful defrost setting, but notes that the microwave is loud and takes up a lot of counter space.
4. ABT.com
As of March 2012
Microwave Ovens
by Contributors to ABT.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis online appliance retailer sells a wide variety of microwaves, and some units have received more 100 reviews, with strong overall ratings. Several GE models are highly rated, most notably the GE Profile SpaceMaker II PEM31. Sold in white, black, off-white and stainless-steel finishes, this 1-cubic-foot model earns an average rating of 4.5 stars from nearly 200 users.
5. Amazon.com
As of March 2012
Microwave Ovens
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMore than 1,000 microwave ovens are sold at Amazon.com, and about 370 models receive reviews from owners. Although most microwaves have only a few reviews, several have amassed more than 100. Although medium to large models (at least 1 cubic foot in capacity) are most popular in general, we did find a large number of mostly positive reviews for the 0.9-cubic-foot Sharp R-820. This model has convection capabilities and is sold in black, white and silver.
6. Sears.com
As of March 2012
Microwaves
by Contributors to Sears.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMost microwaves at Sears.com get at least one or two reviews, but only a few receive a significant number of ratings. Because Kenmore appliances are sold at Sears, Sears.com is the best source of information on Kenmore microwaves. Two Kenmore units, the Kenmore 66993 and 6633, and one Kenmore Elite, the 7915, earn high ratings.
7. Choice magazine
Dec. 19, 2011
Microwaves Review
by Rebecca Gatto
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentChoice magazine, similar to ConsumerReports.org, is the magazine of the Australian Consumers' Association. In its most recent review of microwaves, 27 models are evaluated on their ability to defrost minced meat and a whole chicken, cook broccoli and reheat quiche. Each microwave is also rated on its ease of use, and a chart shows the overall reliability of various brands. None of the recommended models is available in the U.S., but the article does provide helpful information on microwaves and features to look for.
8. Which? magazine
As of March 2012
Microwave Reviews
by Editors of Which?
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWhich? magazine is the British equivalent of ConsumerReports.org and regularly tests microwaves. Currently, there are test results for 118 microwaves on the magazine's website. Testing is thorough and reports are detailed, but none of the 49 recommended models is available in the U.S. However, there is some useful information here about features and how to choose the best microwave.
9. Consumer magazine
Jan. 18, 2011
Microwave Ovens
by Editors of Consumer
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis New Zealand publication also tests microwaves thoroughly. However, once again, the recommended products are not available in the U.S. The article does contain some useful tips on microwave cooking and food safety.
10. Walmart.com
As of March 2012
Microwaves
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWalmart.com sells mainly inexpensive countertop microwaves. Most models have only a small number of customer reviews, but a few microwaves have received 100 reviews or more. We found the best ratings overall for the Magic Chef MCM1110W, a product not covered in any professional sources. This site is difficult to navigate, so it's best for checking reviews on a specific microwave rather than seeking out the top-rated machines.
11. Viewpoints.com
As of March 2012
Microwave Ovens
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentViewpoints.com, a review site that hosts ratings for hundreds of consumer products, is worth checking for user reviews of microwave ovens. However, most microwaves get only a handful of ratings, and model numbers aren't listed for some units. In addition, many of the listed microwaves are now discontinued.
12. HomeDepot.com
As of March 2012
Microwaves
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHomeDepot.com sells more than 200 microwave ovens, but most have few or no reviews from consumers. However, several microwaves attract a dozen or more ratings, so the site can be worth checking if you have a specific microwave in mind. We found four models -- two countertop microwaves and two over-the-range units -- that received at least 50 reviews with good overall ratings.
13. BestBuy.com
As of March 2012
Microwaves
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMore than 150 microwave ovens are reviewed at BestBuy.com, but most have only a few reviews. However, we did find a few highly rated microwaves with a dozen reviews or more. The Whirlpool WMH1163XVS over-the-range microwave gets the best ratings overall, with an average of 4.1 stars from around 75 users. This site offers handy features to sort microwave reviews by type, brand or star rating.
14. Apartment Therapy.com
Aug. 27, 2009
Re(al)view: Panasonic NN-SD688S Prestige Microwave
by Gregory Han
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis blog has several posts about microwaves and their uses, but the Panasonic NN-SD688S is the only model that gets a test-based review. The microwave isn't rated in comparison with any other machines, but the author does share information on how the Panasonic performs in real-world situations. On the whole, he says, he likes the microwave, but he doesn't feel the urge to add one to his microwave-free kitchen.
15. Buzzillions.com
As of March 2012
Microwave Oven Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBuzzillions.com compiles owner-written reviews from online appliance retailers, including ABT.com and BestBuy.com. Model numbers are not always listed, however, so it is not always clear just which product is being reviewed. If you want a general overview of user opinion about a specific microwave, Buzzillions.com is a good source. However, since you can find the same reviews at individual retailer sites, we have relied on those sites to count product recommendations.
16. Epinions.com
As of March 2012
Microwave Ovens
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMore than 2,500 microwaves are listed on Epinions.com, but only about 100 have attracted any reviews from owners, and not one has more than 20 reviews. We did not see any highly rated models with more than a handful of owner comments.
17. ConsumerGuide.com
As of Sept. 2, 2008
Microwave Ovens Expert Reviews, Prices and Information
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentReviews at ConsumerGuide.com are a mixed bag. There are hundreds of microwaves listed, and about 85 models include a link to an expert review. A few of these reviews make mention of some kind of casual testing, but there is no information on who's doing the testing, no indication of how many other microwaves were tested and no comparisons with other models. Although pros and cons are listed for each model, it's still unclear how the models named as Best Buys were selected. Also, microwaves were last reviewed in 2008, and more than half of the recommended models are now discontinued.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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