The Best Microwave Ovens in 2024

1. Cooking Power and Wattage

The most critical aspect to consider when choosing the best microwave oven is the cooking power, typically measured in watts.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the wattage of your microwave significantly influences cooking times and effectiveness.

If your microwave's wattage is lower than recommended on food packages, cooking your meals to a safe internal temperature will take longer. Therefore, choose a microwave with adequate wattage to ensure both safety and convenience.

You can look inside the oven's door, on the serial number plate at the back, or in the owner's manual. Sometimes, the manufacturer's website also provides this information.

Here's a quick tip: The USDA suggests a practical way to determine your microwave's wattage; this involves a simple test using a cup of water. By checking how quickly the

2. Capacity

One of the first questions you might ask yourself is, "How many liters a microwave should be?" The answer to this largely depends on your individual needs and usage plans.

If you often cook for a large family or handle bulky food items, a larger capacity, say 30 liters or more, could be ideal. On the other hand, for smaller families or limited countertop space, a 20-litre microwave might be sufficient.

Before deciding, we recommend measuring the height, width, and depth of the space where you plan to place your microwave; this could be the spot of your current microwave or a specific area on your countertop or shelves. Remember, it's not just about fitting the microwave into the space but also ensuring enough ventilation.

3. Cooking Modes and Pre-Programmed Settings

The best microwave ovens in 2024 have multiple cooking modes, making them versatile kitchen aids; these modes range from standard microwave heating to grilling, baking, and defrosting.

4. Convection Cooking

This is a must-have feature in the best microwave oven in 2024: convection microwaves use a fan to circulate hot air around the food; this results in quicker cooking times and more evenly cooked meals, eliminating the dreaded hot or cold spots.

Convection cooking allows you to cook meat thoroughly without losing its tenderness, juiciness, or flavor, even giving you that desirable crispy skin. This feature transforms your microwave from a simple reheating device into a versatile cooking appliance capable of handling many culinary tasks.

5. Inverter Technology

Microwaves with Inverter Technology are designed to maintain an optimal power level throughout cooking; this replaces the traditional method of turning the power on and off repeatedly (which can lead to uneven cooking and cold spots).

Inverter Technology provides a steady stream of power to cook food evenly every time, it is perfect for defrosting and delicate cooking as well.

6. User Friendly Control Panel

An easy-to-use control panel can make the difference between a frustrating or a seamless cooking experience; navigating through functions should be straightforward.

Look for a microwave with a clear display, simple buttons, or touch controls that respond quickly. It should offer quick access to the most commonly used functions like start, stop, and easy time adjustments.

7. Safety and Certification

When it comes to kitchen appliances, safety is paramount. Different types of microwave ovens, given their widespread use and the technology they employ, should follow the FDA microwave oven manufacturing regulation and the international standards listed by the World Health Organisation.

The FDA has set forth specific safety performance standards that all microwave ovens must adhere to. These standards are designed to limit the amount of microwave radiation exposure to users and ensure the overall safety of the appliance throughout its lifespan. Here's a summary of these critical safety standards: