Preparing food is easier nowadays with the help of technology around us. More and more cool home and kitchen appliances are available at the tip of our fingers. Cooking is becoming simpler and convenient for us, especially with newer and smarter over the range microwaves being introduced regularly.
In this article, we discuss the best over the range microwaves available on the market today.
If you are interested in countertop microwaves, read here.
You can also read here to learn the difference between countertop microwaves and over the range microwaves.
If you are looking for an over-the-range microwave that suits your needs, knowing the basics can help you decide which model is perfect for your family. You can cook your chicken nuggets in just a few minutes. Or enhance your cooking habits within the comfort of your home.
This article will help you know more about various features that different over-the-range microwave has and various models to choose from.
Just like any other appliances at home, getting your over-the-range microwave comes in a specific power or wattage. Just like flames in a gas stove, having higher-wattage appliances like a microwave can heat your food quicker.
Getting a microwave that has at least 900–1000 watts is recommended when choosing the best over the range microwave.
Installing the right size microwave based on the space available is an important factor to consider. The majority of over-the-range microwaves have around 1 to 2.2 cubic feet of interior space. Whilst the exterior dimensions will depend on the brand, model, and type of microwave that you will buy.
The standard size of most microwave ovens is around 30″ / 76.2 cm wide, 17″/ 43.2 cm high, and 15″ / 38.1 cm to 18″ / 45.7 cm deep when the door is closed. Some models such as built-in microwave ovens come in different sizes that match the dimensions of a normal/standard kitchen cabinet.
Furthermore, there are models that have grease filters, bright led lighting, and sensor cooking options.
Most of your appliances at home offer innovative features that provide you convenience and comfort within your home. From convection baking to automatically adjustable cooktop light.
These are some of the features that are available in your over-the-range microwave.
Many smart microwaves have a touchscreen display that makes it easy for you to choose the settings required. Touchscreens are found in many over the range microwaves and control panels with sensor cooking technology.
Just like mobile phones, voice commands are now available smart features of microwave technology. This proves to be useful when you find yourself occupied with meal preparation and simultaneously monitoring the progress of the food being heated.
When your microwave has a feature of starting it remotely, you can connect the processes of your microwave to your smartphone. Even if you are away from the microwave you can control it remotely with your fingertips.
Once you turned it on, it will later heat up and be ready to reheat or cook your meals in just a matter of minutes.
The control panel contains all the options and buttons that control your microwave. It displays all the various settings that can be used for microwave cooking.
Keeping everything clean and organized can increase the shelf life of your appliances at home. You can use some mild detergent soap with a soft cloth to wipe off dirt on the control panel. Ensure to dry it off once you are done.
Dimension: GE 1.7 Cubic Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave has the following dimensions: 16.3 x 29.8 x 15.6 inches or 41.4 x 75.7 x 39.6 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: This microwave comes in various designs, black, black stainless steel, stainless steel, white, and slate.
Pros: It is easy to use and easy to install too.
Cons: It can be a bit noisy when you are using it. The door is also quite heavy compared to other modern microwaves.
Dimension: The Whirlpool 1.7 Cubic Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave WMH31017 has the following dimensions: 17.1 x 30 x 7.2 inches or 43.4 x 76.2 x 18.3 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: It also comes in different designs and colors like Black, Stainless Steel, and White.
Pros: Affordable and high-quality product
Cons: One of the issues with the product is the sound that the fan vent makes when the microwave turns on and off. It can be a bit noisy and disturbing.
Dimension: The KitchenAid 2 Cubic Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave with Sensor Cooking has the following dimensions: 17.25 x 30 x 16.25 inches or 43.8 x 76.2 x 41.3 cm.
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: It comes in Black, Stainless Steel, and White.
Pros: It is easy to operate and has more space compared to other brands.
Cons: Clunking sound of the door when closing and opening it.
Dimension: The GE Profile 2.2 Cubic Ft. Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven has the following dimensions: 17.25 x 30 x 15.7 inches or 43.8 x 76.2 x 40 cm.
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 2.2 cubic feet per minute
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: It has a large capacity for reheating and cooking your meals. Easy to install and energy efficient product.
Cons: Hard to look for parts in case the microwave encounter problems or issues.
Dimension: The LG 1.7 Cubic Ft. Convection Over-the-Range Microwave has the following dimensions: 16.4 x 29.9 x 15.4 inches or 41.7 x 75.9 x 39.1 cm.
Power: This microwave comes with 1,500 watts convection technology.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet per minute
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: This microwave is easy to clean and have a convection cooking feature that allows you to cook in conventional thermal settings depending on your liking.
Cons: Issues when it comes to repairs provided by LG’s service providers. It may take longer for your microwave to get fixed due to poor coordination of the company. There are also some reports about dents when the product was delivered to them.
Dimension: The Frigidaire 1.9 Cubic Ft. Gallery Series Microwave has the following dimensions: 15.75 x 29.8 x 16.4 inches or 40 x 75.7 x 41.7 cm.
Power: This microwave comes with 1,500 watts of convection technology.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1,900 cubic feet per minute
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: Best microwave that offers a sleek and modern design
Cons: It does not have a handle, unlike the traditional microwave oven. It also has a smaller space inside which limits the amount of food that you can heat up.
Dimension: The Frigidaire FFMV1645TS 30 Inch Over the Range Microwave with Multi-Stage Cooking has the following dimensions: 16 x 29 x 15 inches or 40.6 x 73.7 x 38.1 cm.
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.6 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: It has a turntable diameter of 12 inches / 30.48 cm. The other features of this model are the cooktop light, convertible ventilation system, and a charcoal filter.
Cons: It is not fingerprint resistant and the manufacturer only offers 1-year warranty for both parts and labor in case something happens with the unit. It has no childlock and sensor cooking feature.
Dimension: The GE® Series 1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven JVM7195 has the following dimensions: 16.5 x 29.7 x 15 inches or 42 x 75.4 x 38.1 cm.
Power: This microwave comes with 1,100 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a large capacity of 1.9 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: Easy to use and install microwave at an affordable price. It offers amazing features such as the following:
Sensor cooking controls such as popcorn, potatoes, steam cook button, and many more
Power save mode and energy efficient
Three-speed, 400-CFM venting system
Cons: Some issues that you may encounter about the product are the fan speed settings and a limited warranty of only 1 year. The functionality may also decrease over time.
Dimension: The LG 1.7 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven LVM1762ST has the following dimensions: 16 x 29 x 15 inches or 40.6 x 73.7 x 38.1 cm.
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: It has fingerprint resistance, a child lock, a night light setting and removable turntable.
Cons: It is not app compatible which means it cannot be connected to a program or software in your mobile device, unlike other countertop microwaves. It can be noisy to use and sometimes has issues with the lights.
Dimension: The Magic Chef 1.6 CU. FT. Over-the-Range Microwave MCO165UW has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 16.8 x 16.1 inches or 76 x 42.7 x 40.9 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.6 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: White and black
Pros: It comes with automatically adjust cooking menus, cooktop lights, and a ventilation system with a kitchen timer. It also has a safety lock which is a great feature if you have kids at home.
Cons: It gives out too much noise when using it. It can be loud and disturbing for some families.
Dimension: The LG 2.0 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven with EasyClean® LMV2031ST has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 16.4 x 15.4 inches or 75.9 x 41.7 x 39.1 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 2.0 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: Stainless Steel, smooth black, smooth white and black stainless steel
Pros: Sleek design, easy-to-clean, spacious capacity, and excellent cooking performance microwave are just some of the best features of the LG LMV2031ST. It has strong ventilation with energy-saving features.
Cons: The installation can be challenging. When you encounter a problem with the unit, chances are, you will need to contact your own service provider instead of calling the company because some reviews mentioned the lack of urgency from the company when there are repairs and problems with the microwave unit from the customers.
Dimension: The Samsung 1.6 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave in Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel ME16H702SES has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 16.9 x 15.2 inches or 75.9 x 43 x 38.6 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.6 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: If you are looking for an affordable, easy-to-install, and durable construction type of over-the-range microwave, the Samsung ME16H702SES is a good option.
Cons: It only has limited features and needs improvement with the control panel layout.
Dimension: The Whirlpool 1.7 cu. ft. Microwave Hood Combination with Electronic Touch Controls WMH31017HZ has the following dimensions: 17.1 x 30 x 7.2 inches or 43.4 x 76.2 x 18.3 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: You can choose from Black, Stainless Steel, and White.
Pros: This microwave has good value for your money and reliable cooking power. Also, it resists fingerprints and smudges when you are using it. It comes with an easy-to-clean finish. The turntable plate is dishwasher safe too.
Cons: The downside of this product is the sound that the exhaust fan vent makes and the limited features.
Dimension: The GE® 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven JVM3160RFSS has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 15.3 x 16.4 inches or 76 x 38.9 x 41.7 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.6 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: You can choose from Black, Stainless Steel, and White.
Pros: GE JVM3160RFSS is a great contender if you are still looking for an over-the-range microwave for your kitchen. It comes with spacious interior and versatile cooking options. It also offers a bigger capacity of 1.6 cubic ft compared to other brands.
Cons: You will need to also prepare yourself in case there are problems with the buttons becoming less responsive after several uses. It can also be a bit noisy when used.
Dimension: The Frigidaire Gallery 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-The-Range Microwave FGMV176NTF has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 16.4 x 15.3 inches or 76 x 41.7 x 38.9 cm which can save you enough counter space.
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: You can choose from Black, Stainless Steel, and White.
Pros: You may opt for this Frigidaire model if you are looking for a stylish and smudge-proof stainless steel design. It has a 1.7 cubic feet large capacity and an excellent sensor cooking technology that is suitable for people who are always busy.
Cons: The downside of this model is the installation procedure. It can be tricky and require further assistance from professionals in case something will go wrong.
Dimension: The Sharp Stainless Steel 1.1 cu. ft. 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave Oven R1874TY has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 16.3 x 15.3 inches or 76 x 41.4 x 38.9 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 850 watts of power.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.1 cubic feet per minute.
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: This new sharp microwave model in stainless steel finishings had a convection cooking feature. It also has 11 cooking power levels and 8 sensor cook options.
Cons: You may need to read the instructions for this model because it has a complex control panel and the installation may require professional assistance. It also has a limited interior capacity.
Dimension: The Bosch 800 SeriesOver-The-Range Microwave30” Left Side Opening Door HMV8053U has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 17 x 15.8 inches or 76 x 43.2 x 40.1 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.8 cubic feet per minute
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: If you want to have an over-the-range microwave that has a quiet operation with efficient cooking performance, the Bosch HMV8053U is a great buy.
It is also easy to clean which is a good factor because you will not be spending hours cleaning your microwave and using harsh cleaning chemicals to remove stains and cooking odors.
Cons: The downside of the Bosch model is the limited capacity and design options which is only stainless steel. You need to ready your pockets because this great quality item comes in a higher price range.
Dimension: The KitchenAid 30″ Over-the-Range Microwave Hood Combination KMHS120ESS has the following dimensions: 30 x 17.1 x 17.1 inches or 76.2 x 43.4 x 43.4 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 2.0 cubic feet per minute
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: This model is a stylish microwave oven with versatile cooking options. It also has a solid construction with a large capacity.
Cons: When you are using it, it can have relatively loud operation sounds. It also has limited color options which is not an advantage if you want to have different color options for your kitchen set-up.
Dimension: The Panasonic 2.2 CuFt 1250 Watt Microwave with Cyclonic Wave Inverter NN-SD975S has the following dimensions: 26.75 x 17 x 21.25 inches or 67.9 x 43.2 x 54 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,250 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 2.2 cubic feet per minute
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: The Panasonic model has inverter technology to heat and cook your meals evenly. Do not be worried because it offers a spacious space for your to pop in your food for reheating purposes. If you also want to have a stylish microwave for your kitchen, the Panasonic model also has a sleek design.
Cons: You have to prepare your budget because you have to get those particular models at a higher price compared to others. The cooking presets are also limited.
Dimension: The Maytag Over-the-Range Microwave with interior cooking rack – 2.0 CU. FT. MMV4206FZ has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 17.1 x 16.3 inches or 75.9 x 43.7 x 41.7 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 2.0 cubic feet per minute
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: It has a durable construction, range hoods and a spacious interior for your everyday use.
Cons: You may have to deal with the limited cooking presets and some noise while using it.
Dimension: The Electrolux 30 Inch Over-the-Range Microwave Oven EI30BM60MS has the following dimensions: 29.9 x 17.1 x 16.4 inches or 75.9 x 43.7 x 41.7 cm
Power: This microwave comes with 1,000 watts power/wattage.
Capacity: It has a capacity of 1.8 cubic feet per minute
Finishes: Stainless Steel
Pros: This over-the-range microwave comes in a stylish design with a spacious capacity that can cook your meals in bigger portions compared to other models. Moreover, it had an excellent cooking performance because of the materials used in building this model.
Cons: It is more expensive than most microwaves and only has a limited availability in the market.
To find the ideal over-the-range microwave, consider features like cooking surface, cooking space, and sensor cooking time options. Some models offer one-touch cooking and various modes, enhancing productivity and results. Get the perfect microwave for your family now!
Click here if you are interested to read about how microwaves work.
Or if you are interested to know about boiling water in a microwave, read here.