10 Best Microwaves 2024 | Top-Reviewed Microwave Ovens
Whether you're heating up leftovers or cooking a full three-course meal, these are the microwaves impressing home cooks.
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Who says 'Chef Mike' doesn't belong in the kitchen? Even hit TV show Masterchef Australia proved there's more to microwaves than reheating leftovers, with the expert judges whipping up meringue, crispy chicken, crispy sweet potatoes and caramelised white chocolate crumb within just a few minutes using genius microwave hacks.
When it came to savoury treats, Season 4 winner and now judge Andy Allen took the cake with his quick and easy crispy chicken skin hack. Yep, you can get crispy skin in the microwave in just three minutes. No oven necessary.
Sandwiched between two plates, he layered paper towel and grease proof paper with a thin slice of chicken skin (plus more paper towel and greaseproof paper) before placing it into the microwave on high for a minute. The former contestant then flipped the skin over to cook for another minute, and continued heating the dish in 30 second intervals "until it gets golden brown and crispy".
"Perfect if you are short on time,"a viewer commented on the show's Facebook page.
"This is insane," one said on the MasterChef Australia Instagram page, while others called the hack "controversial".
The ease and convenience makes it no surprise that microwave cooking is becoming increasingly appreciated as a convenient alternative to stovetop cooking. The CSIRO even suggested it can preserve more of the nutrients in your vegetables compared to boiling, since microwaves use minimal to no water and therefore less likely to have water-soluble nutrients (e.g. vitamin C and B vitamins) seep out.
Stephanie Chen, founder of Anyday Cookware and former chef, is just one of many embracing the (arguably) underrated appliance.
“Many people recognise the speed and convenience of the microwave, but another surprising benefit is that it’s actually the healthiest way to cook,” she told news.com.au.
“Since microwaves work by vibrating the water molecules in food and heating them up, the best cooking methods for the microwave are water-based cooking like steaming, poaching, boiling, or simmering.”
Don't know where to start when it comes to finding the right microwave for your budget and belly?
Shoppers are raving over Sharp's 28L Microwave, thanks to its affordability and easy to use features. It's also currently on sale for just $179 (down from $239), making it a decent budget buy. "Can't beat it for the price," a reviewer wrote.
Another fave among bargain hunters is the Russell Hobbs 34L Microwave, which has similarly dropped to $210 (down from $229.95). "I needed an economical family-sized microwave that was simple to use, and I haven’t been disappointed," a shopper posted.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST OVERALL MICROWAVE OVENS
LG 56L 1200W NeoChef Smart Inverter Microwave Oven
What You Need To Know
LG's NeoChef microwave stands out with its humidity sensor, designed to detect the level of residual moisture inside the appliance and automatically adjusts the settings to get optimal results based on the chosen preset. The huge 56L capacity and powerful 1200W also comes is handy when cooking, reheating or defrosting large portions of food. You can additionally expect a sensor cook menu for creating speedy last-minute meals; along with reheat and inverter defrost options to help take out any guesswork so you can select the weight and let the NeoChef do the rest.
A reviewer called the family size unit “the microwave that has it all” and gave it five stars, saying it “has so many functions, from sensor defrosting, to melting functions for butter, to weight and time sensor cooking and defrosting.
“If you need a big microwave for large dishes or square plates, this is the one. It has a rounded back inside the cabinet to allow large items to turn. Wouldn't buy any other sort,” they wrote.
Sharp 28L 1100W Microwave (R28A0B), $239 at Myer
What You Need To Know
This Sharp microwave hits the sweet spot as a medium size model with a mid-range price tag, packing 11 power levels and a decent 1100W output. It also offers 13 auto menus and a weight defrost function for convenience, plus a child lock function to protect curious fingers.
One happy reviewer dubbed the microwave good bang for buck, saying it's "one of the cheapest but best looking ones" on the market.
"Using the microwave is a breeze! Its intuitive controls make reheating leftovers or preparing quick meals effortless... Cleaning is a snap," agreed another.
"Can't beat it for the price," a third posted.
BEST MICROWAVE AND AIR FRYER COMBO
Breville The Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS), $699 (down from $799) at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Looking for a versatile microwave? The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 is an air fryer, convection oven and inverter microwave wrapped into one convenient and good looking unit. The Element IQ system automatically adjusts power to exactly where it needs to be, and the Fast Combi and Cook from Frozen functions are useful for speeding up the process and achieving perfectly cooked results from a frozen beginning. The Breville microwave additionally a soft close door and quiet operation (perfect for secret midnight snacks), as well as a child safety lock.
“The Breville Combi Wave literally has surpassed all expectations with quality and power,” an impressed shopper posted, rating it five stars.
“What I love most, beside the gentle chime, the stoppable turntable, speedy preheat oven and the soft close door, is the amount of smart features it offers. It has made cooking easy and fun for me and my family. Makes falling in love with the kitchen again so easy.”
“My family has been a believer of Breville since we bought our Fast Slow Pro Multicooker about four years ago and we are glad we bought the Combi Wave … we honestly feel it was a smart decision,” agreed another.
BEST FLATBED MICROWAVE
Sharp 32L Flatbed Microwave Oven 1200W (SM327FHS), $369 at The Good Guys
Sharp 32L Flatbed Microwave Oven
What You Need To Know
To maximise space, flatbed microwaves like this Sharp microwave oven are great because you can enjoy the whole cavity rather than just the area on the turntable. This conventional large flatbed microwave boasts 23 auto menus, six defrost options, 11 power levels and 1200W of microwave power. There’s additionally sequence cook function that lets you program two settings in one go for convenience.
“The old Sharp Carousel microwave decided it needed to retire after many years of consistent service so we did some research on new one and decided to stick with tried and tested Sharp brand. This one doesn’t have a turntable which we initially thought might be a problem but we were wrong. (I)t is excellent and slightly more powerful, much easier to clean and seems to have more inside space with a slightly smaller exterior,” praised a reviewer.
BEST LARGE MICROWAVE
Westinghouse 40L Countertop Microwave Oven (WMF4102BA), $199 (down from $229) at The Good Guys
Westinghouse 40L Countertop Microwave Oven
What You Need To Know
Aside from the 56L LG NeoChef microwave, another family size unit is this one from Westinghouse. The solo countertop microwave gives you plenty of room to reheat, defrost and cook with a 345mm turntable diameter, 1100W cooking power and 40L capacity. It also offers 10 power levels. Six sensor programs also make it easy to reheat, defrost frozen pizzas or meals, or cook potatoes, rice and veggies.
Meanwhile, multistage cooking function lets you set multiple settings in one go so you don’t need to wait to program another. For example, you can set the appliance to defrost then microwave afterwards. The automatic ‘500g defrost’ button is another handy addition for those nights you need to defrost a standard size of beef mince for your midweek casserole.
BEST COMPACT MICROWAVE
Panasonic 20L Silver Microwave (NN-ST25JMQPQ), $179 (down from $199) at Amazon Australia
Panasonic 20L Silver Microwave
What You Need To Know
Don’t have much counter space? This freestanding compact microwave from Panasonic packs nine auto menus and five power levels in a space-saving design. It’s ideal for households looking for something affordable and only need the basics for reheating, defrosting and microwave cooking. The Panasonic model also offers auto reheat, auto defrost and a Quick 30 program for fuss free and timesaving operation.
“Panasonic microwaves have really long lifespans in my experience. (T) his is a great little unit, albeit it doesn’t have a mute button for late nights (but I knew that when I bought it)”, an Amazon customer posted.
BEST CHEAP MICROWAVES
Russell Hobbs 34L Family Size Microwave (RHMO300), $210 (down from $229.95) at Amazon Australia
Russell Hobbs 34L Family Size Microwave
What You Need To Know
Russell Hobbs is a go-to brand for affordable kitchen appliances. This 34L 1000W microwave oven is no exception, loaded with 10 power levels and six auto cook programs such as Popcorn, Pizza and Beverage. You can also expect the usual basic features, including quick start, manual time, favourites, child safety lock and a time and weight function.
“For the price, this microwave is great. I needed an economical family-sized microwave that was simple to use, and I haven’t been disappointed. It’s not noisy either,” a reviewer posted on Appliances Online.
Samsung 40L 1000W Stainless Steel Microwave (ME6144ST), $219 at The Good Guys
Samsung 40L 1000W Stainless Steel Microwave
What You Need To Know
This Samsung conventional microwave packs a generous 40L capacity and a turntable with a 360mm diameter – but still comes with a relatively affordable price tag, especially when you consider its size. Its SmartSensor technology is the standout feature, designed to automatically select the ideal cooking time and power based on the humidity level detected from your food.
“Great size, good construction (and) easy to use features – especially the popcorn button. If you are in the market for a new microwave this is the one,” raved a Home Tested Review on The Good Guys website.
Solt 20L 700W Microwave (GGSOMW20B), $119 at The Good Guys
Solt 20L 700W Microwave
What You Need To Know
Solt is a pretty popular brand for affordable appliances, so it’s no surprise this affordable microwave made one of our top picks.
Scraping in at just under $130, this budget friendly unit features a 255mm turntable diameter, and a space-saving design that’s ideal for small households and couples. The 11 power levels also offer a variety of cooking options, while the sleek, black finish makes it look more expensive than its price tag would imply.
“It is even better than I expected. Very easy to use and enough power for my needs. Good value for money,” praised a shopper.
“Evenly cooks or reheats perfectly every time. Inexpensive to run, just perfect for my caravan,” another posted The Good Guys website.
Panasonic 32L Inverter Sensor Microwave (NN-ST655WQPQ), $299 (down from $379) at The Good Guys
Panasonic 32L Inverter Sensor Microwave
What You Need To Know
Dressed in a stylish black and stainless steel design, this Panasonic inverter microwave provides graduated power control to prevent spillage, avoid burnt edges, ensure even cooking and preserve texture and flavour (no soggy pizzas, here). You can also expect 19 pre-programmed cook cycles that use sensor technology to automatically adjust the cooking time and power levels to ensure your food is heated evenly and quickly.
“Best value for the money. (It’s) user friendly, very easy to operate and (has a) very soft door opening,” a reviewer wrote.
“This our third Panasonic inverter (microwave) we have owned and they get better and better as time goes by”, a second shopper agreed.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A MICROWAVE
Aside from reheating, pretty much any microwave can defrost frozen food, melt chocolate chips and cook frozen mac and cheese without having to much (or any) extra preparation. But there’s no such thing as a one size fits all when it comes to appliances, even seemingly simple staples like the microwave. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the right microwave for your needs.
Type
The main two types of microwave power are conventional and convection. The former converts energy into microwaves that heat the food; whereas the latter use a heating element and fan that circulates air around food for faster and even cooking. Both work well, although convection microwaves are good if you want your microwave to provide more cooking functions than simple reheating, steaming or defrosting.
Power
Microwave power is measured in wattage, and you can find units ranging from 700W all the way up to 2400W. A higher number means greater power, although that extra power is only needed if you’re frequently using your microwave for hefty reheating, defrosting or cooking tasks – if you’re only occasionally reheating the odd bowl of soup, a lower wattage will do you fine.
Size
Another factor that depends on your use and household size, capacities can range from 20L to 56L. For couples and small households, a compact microwave with a smaller capacity is fine for reheating small serves and individual plates and ideal for small homes, whereas a larger model will be required for big families who have the countertop space for it.
Additional functions
You can rest assured that any microwave you buy will fulfil the basic functions of being able to reheat, thaw and cook food at the press of a button. However, the more modern and high end-up models can offer additional functions from one-touch pre-programmed menus, sensor reheating, and even different cooking functions from baking, roasting and grilling all the way to air frying.
Built-in or freestanding
A freestanding microwave simply sits on your bench and can be moved anywhere, similar to the rest of your kitchen gadgets. A built-in microwave is installed into your cabinetry or wall, which can be handy if you're short on space.
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Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DOES A MICROWAVE WORK?
There are several types of microwaves to choose from, such as inverter, convection, combination and convention benchtop microwaves. Here’s a rundown of how each works.
Conventional microwaves
Traditional conventional benchtop microwaves offer the basics, such as defrosting and reheating. These typically feature a turntable and one heating element to directly warm food from the sides.
Convection microwave ovens
Similar to regular convection ovens, convection microwaves and microwave ovens contain both a fan and a heating element that circulates hot air around the dish. This allows you to defrost, cook, bake, crisp brown and bake food. If you tend to make small portions and don’t have much space to install a full-size oven, convection microwave ovens are a great alternative.
Inverter microwaves
Inverter microwaves consistently run at the set power level throughout the whole heating process, helping you get evenly heated food. Non-inverter ovens fluctuate between different power levels and periodically turn and off to replicate low settings. This can lead to cold spots and overcooked edges.
Combination microwaves
Combination microwaves (or ‘combi’ microwaves) offer both convention and convection heating options, allowing you to grill, roast and bake. Some models also let you steam, giving you extra versatility.
Flatbed microwaves
Microwaves with flatbed technology contain a rotating antenna that produces heat from underneath the ceramic base instead of the sides. This helps prevent burnt edges and cold spots in the middle of your food. The lack of a turntable also means more space, allowing you to maximise every inch of the cavity.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONVECTION MICROWAVE AND AN INVERTER MICROWAVE?
You’ll notice that in addition to conventional and convection microwaves, a lot of models now also offer ‘inverter’ technology. The main difference between convection and inversion comes down to the way power is supplied. Microwaves without inverter technology switch between 100 per cent and zero per cent power when you choose 50 per cent power (for example), while inverter microwaves use 50 per cent power the whole time. This means that inverters are generally better at evenly cooking food all the way through without burnt or cold spots unevenly appearing.
If you’re interested in both the speed and variety of cooking styles provided by convection technology as well as the even power supply of inverters, don’t stress – you can buy combination convection inverter microwaves like the Breville The Combi Wave 3-in-1.
IS IT SAFE TO COOK IN A MICROWAVE?
Microwaves are absolutely safe to cook in. According to the CSIRO, microwaves don’t pose a radiation risk. This is because there are no longer any ‘microwaves’ (i.e. not the appliance, but a type of electromagnetic radiation) once the magnetron – the component inside the machine that produces these ‘microwaves’ – turns off. In other words, these waves of electrical and magnetic energy ”do not remain in the food and are incapable of making either it or the oven radioactive”.
Harvard University also said microwave cooking is a great way to keep as much of the nutrients in the food since you’re typically heating food for a shorter time and using less water, compared to other methods.
“The most important benefit of microwave cooking is that it’s fast — seriously fast. Think: crisp-tender broccoli in three minutes start-to-finish, perfectly medium-rare salmon in four minutes, and fork-tender potatoes in five minutes. And it only needs a bowl with a tight-fitting lid to trap steam and the push of a few buttons!”
HOW TO HEAT FOOD EVENLY IN THE MICROWAVE
Social media users often share their own hacks on how to make the most out of the staple appliance, including adding a small cup of water with your plate of pasta or pizza to prevent it from getting too chewy.
Tired of finding hot and cold spots? TikTok user @onlyjayus also suggested placing the bowl on the edge of the turntable (rather than the middle) to ensure even cooking, and even stacking a plate on a mug whenever you want to heat up an extra item. Users were astounded, thanking her for the “smart tip” and commenting, “Clearly I have been using my microwave wrong this whole time.”
Other users recommended microwaving a bowl with hot water, cinnamon and orange or lemon slices to get rid of odours and help make the inside cavity easier to clean.
HOW TO COOK USING A MICROWAVE
The good ol’ microwave is well and truly the underdog of the kitchen, with many models now equipped with functions like air frying and steaming as well as basic settings such as reheat and defrost. And don't worry, you don't need to splurge on a model with all the bells and whistles — even cooking vegetables can be done by adding a little water to the bowl.
Just ask Steph, who created the popular and stylish Anyday Cookware range specifically for microwave cooking. Here are her tips on making the most out of your microwave.
“Just like other appliances, there can be a bit of a learning curve when you first start, especially since every microwave is a little different,” she said.
“But once you get the hang of it, it will soon become a critical part of your cooking routine — whether you’re making a super-quick vegetable side, an effortless main dish like shrimp scampi, or rice in the most hands-off way.”
Familiarise yourself with your microwave’s wattage
“Microwaves typically range from 700W-1200W, which translates to how powerful it is — the higher your microwave wattage, the faster your food will cook. It really does make a difference to the cook time,” Steph said.
Adjust the power levels
“The default is full power, but it’s critical to learn how to change your microwave’s power level for cooking things like rice and quinoa, since they will boil over at high power (just like cooking them on high heat on the stove!). It’s also helpful for cooking anything that requires some more finesse, like custards and fish,” Steph explained.
Always use a lid
Having a lid that traps steam inside the dish helps ensure the food cooked to perfection:
“That way, your food will be moist and juicy, and it will cook fast and evenly. Without it, you’ll end up with rubbery and dry textures.
HOW LONG DO MICROWAVES LAST?
Microwaves should last around five to 10 years, depending on the model. If you’re wondering whether it’s time to upgrade yours, it’s probably best to if you’re finding that yours reheats food unevenly, or is taking longer than it should to warm up, defrost or cook your food.w
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