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Microwaves: Ratings of Sources
Total of 17 Sources

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

1. ConsumerReports.org
As of Feb. 2011
Recommended Microwave Ovens
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe ConsumerReports.org website has ratings for 32 countertop and 48 over-the-range microwaves. As usual, ConsumerReports.org has thorough testing with results that are nicely outlined in a ratings chart. Each microwave is rated on noise, ease of use and heating evenness, as well as performance on the auto-defrost setting. Overall, 17 microwaves are recommended.
2. Choice magazine
As of Feb. 2011
Microwave Review
by Editors of Choice magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentChoice is the magazine of the Australian Consumers' Association and functions a lot like ConsumerReports.org. There are four reviews of microwaves currently available at the Choice website, covering compact models, midsized models, combination units and sensor-equipped microwaves. The four articles date from May 2008 to December 2010. None of the recommended models is available in the United States, but the articles do provide helpful information on microwaves and features to look for.
3. Which? magazine
As of Feb. 2011
Microwave Reviews
by Editors of Which? magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWhich? magazine is the British version of ConsumerReports.org and regularly tests microwaves. Currently, there are test results for 106 microwaves on the magazine's website. Testing is thorough and the reports are detailed, but none of the 34 recommended models is available in the U.S. However, there is some useful information here about features and how to choose the best microwave.
4. Consumer magazine
March 23, 2010
Microwave Ovens
by Editors of Consumer magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis New Zealand publication also tests microwaves thoroughly. However, once again, the recommended products are not available in the United States. The article does contain some useful tips on microwave cooking and food safety.
5. Wired
Aug. 7, 2009
Microwave Inverter Is a Dorm-Room Nuclear Option
by Bryan Gardiner
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWired magazine has tested dozen 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.
6. Good Housekeeping
Not Dated
Countertop Microwave Reviews
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentGood Housekeeping Research Institute experts test 22 different countertop microwaves and name six favorites. Testers used the microwaves to reheat leftovers, bake potatoes, defrost ground beef and make popcorn. The one machine with a convection mode is also used to grill burgers and bake a cake. We wish the editors explained their criteria for evaluating the machines, and we'd like to know which microwaves didn't make the cut.
7. Unplggd.com
Aug. 27, 2009
Re(al)view: Panasonic NN-SD688S Prestige Microwave
by Gregory Han
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentUnplggd.com, a technology blog, has several posts about microwaves, but the Panasonic NN-SD688S is the only one 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 performed 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.
8. ABT.com
As of Feb. 2011
Microwave Ovens
by Contributors to ABT.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis online appliance retailer sells a wide variety of microwaves, and some units attract hundreds of reviews. However, several of the top-rated models at this site are discontinued. The best-rated model that is still available is 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 about 150 users.
9. Amazon.com
As of Feb. 2011
Microwave Ovens
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentNearly 1,000 microwave ovens are sold at Amazon.com, and about 200 models receive reviews from owners. Although most microwaves have only a few reviews, many have amassed more than 20, which is enough to provide a decent picture of user satisfaction. 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.
10. Epinions.com
As of Feb. 2011
Microwave Ovens
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOf the more than 2,000 microwaves listed on Epinions.com, few attract a substantial number of reviews. However, we did find two Sharp microwaves -- the compact Sharp R-230 and the full-sized Sharp R-530E -- that earn high overall marks from at least 25 owners.
11. Walmart.com
As of Feb. 2011
Microwaves
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWalmart.com sells mainly inexpensive countertop microwaves. Most models have only a small number of reviews, but some microwaves attract hundreds of customer reviews. We found the largest number of positive reviews for two GE models, the GE WES1130DMBB (discontinued, but still available through Walmart.com) and the GE JES1142SJ. The Half Time Convection Microwave Oven also gets mostly favorable reviews. 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.
12. Sears.com
As of Feb. 2011
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, this is the best source of information on those microwaves. Two Kenmore units, the Kenmore 66993 and 6633, earn high ratings.
13. BestBuy.com
As of Feb. 2011
Microwave Reviews
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMore than 100 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. Two over-the-range models, one from Whirlpool and one from Samsung, attract the largest number of positive reviews. The GE Profile JES2251SJ scored lower here than at other review sites, getting an average rating of only 2.4 stars from about a dozen users.
14. Viewpoints.com
As of Feb. 2011
Microwave Oven Reviews
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 only get a handful of ratings, and model numbers aren't listed for some of the units. In addition, most of the top-rated microwaves are now discontinued.
15. ConsumerGuide.com
As of Feb. 2011
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 here, and about 85 models include a link to an "expert review." A few of these reviews make mention of at least 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, we did not find any reviews more recent than 2008, and more than half of the recommended models are now discontinued.
16. Buzzillions.com
As of Feb. 2011
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. Rankings for each product factor in its average star rating, the average rating for all products in the category, the number of reviews the product has and the reliability of the reviewers. If you want a general overview of which microwaves are highly rated, Buzzillions.com is a good source. However, since you can find the same reviews at the individual retailer sites as well, we have relied on those sites to count product recommendations.
17. HomeDepot.com
As of Feb. 2011
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.
     
 

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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