Buying electronics or expensive stuff, in general, is stressful. You want to make sure you get the most value for the money you pay. It’s a big burden to take on alone, but you’re not alone anymore!
Having a budget can make the hunt a lot more difficult. At least, it did before this article. We’re here to help you comb the market for the best microwave under $100.
All you need to know is right here, starting from which brands to consider to which product to get for how much and all the in-betweens.
In This Guide
5 Best Countertop Microwaves Under $100
Here are the best microwaves you can find, and they’re all under $100.
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Now, let's take a closer look at each of them.
Farberware FMO11AHTBKB - Best Overall
At a whopping 1.1 Cubic foot of cooking space in this price range you can't go wrong with the You can’t go wrong with Farberware FMO11AHTBKB.
This sleek design will look awesome on your countertop, so you don’t need to worry about it being an eyesore.
This 1000-watt microwave offers 10 power levels you can choose from. Say goodbye to undercooked and overcooked food.
Farberware appreciate the importance of pizza and popcorn in our lives too. They have pre-programmed buttons for them as well as frozen vegetables, beverages, and dinner plates. You can defrost your food using time or weight.
It also has a large 12" turntable.
What We Like
- Easy to use
- 30 seconds express cooking button
- Quiet
What We Don’t
- Control panel can be hard to see in the dark
Toshiba EM925A5A - Runner Up
Toshiba EM925A5A is a great investment. Because we all eat pizza and popcorn more than we’d like to admit, there are buttons just for them. It offers you 6 different preset cooking options.
There are 10 cooking power levels, which means you can specify whether you want to reheat your food, cook it, or heat your drink.
The most annoying thing about a microwave oven is that relentless ding! You can mute it if it bothers you.
What We Like
- Easy to use and clean
- Lightweight
- ECO mode
What We Don’t
- Defrosting is slow and uneven
Get more information on Toshiba EM925A5A
Small AmazonBasics Microwave - Best Smart Microwave
AmazonBasics Microwave is anything but basic!
This is a smart microwave! Just connect it to your echo, and you can start it up from anywhere! If you tell Alexa to heat your coffee, for instance, she’s going to set the power and time accordingly.
If you’re close to it, simply press the Ask Alexa button and tell her what you’re heating. She’ll know what to do.
Are you running out of your favorite popcorn? Believe it or not, you can preorder it from Amazon using your microwave and an echo!
What We Like
- Very affordable
- Time and weight defrost
- 10 power levels
- Child lock
What We Don’t
- Can be too small
Get more information on Small AmazonBasics Microwave
Comfee' 700 EM720CPL - Most Affordable
Comfee' 700 Watt Microwave offers you practically everything other microwaves offer at an impressive price.
This microwave has 11 different power levels, as well as 6 different pre-programmed cooking options. It’s highly and easily adjustable.
It’s also baby-safe. Not only does it have a child safety lock, but it also has a mute button that can mute all sounds produced. You can eat your cake peacefully without the kids chasing you upon hearing that ding!
What We Like
- Lightweight
- Time and weight defrost
- One-touch express cooking
- Compact size
What We Don’t
- No button to open the door
Kenmore 70929 - Best Compact Microwave
This Kenmore microwave gets the job done. It’s a whopping 900-watt microwave with 10 power settings.
It has every preset you could ever dream of, and can cook from 1-6 minuets with a single button touch.
It contains a 10” glass turntable that guarantees even distribution of heat. You can easily remove it for cleaning.
What We Like
- 6 preset cooking options
- One-year warranty
- Compact size
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t
- Can be noisy
Things to Consider Before Buying a Microwave
In this section, we’ll go over some things to look out for to decide which is the best microwave for you.
Cooking Options
Preset cooking options are pretty convenient to have. Because each food item you put in your microwave is different, these options know exactly what your foods need to be warmly cooked.
Here are some preset options that come in some microwaves.
- Grill
- Autocook
- Defrosting
- Frozen pizza
- Popcorn
- Potatoes
- Soup
- Bread
Size
It’s needless to say that microwaves eat-up, pun intended, a lot of space in your kitchen. Before settling on one, you need to be sure you have the space for it.
Are you planning on cooking your food in it? Do you cook for one or more? If the answers are yes and more, then maybe a larger microwave is ideal for your situation.
If you only reheat your food in your microwave or cook for one or two only, then why invest in a gigantic oven when you don’t need it? Make sure you check the dimensions of the microwave and the available space.
Type
Where are you going to place your microwave? There are two different kinds of microwaves that vary according to where you put it.
Countertop
This is the standard microwave that we all know. It sits on top of your counter right next to you.
However, countertops might not work for all of us. Sometimes that space on the counter is better used for something else, say a coffee machine if you’re an addict like us.
Over-The-Range
Over-the-range microwaves are the ultimate option for those with tight countertop spaces or if you simply like to have free space around you.
You can hang them in your kitchen and save plenty of space.
These microwaves usually cost more than $100. They’re pricey and might not work for everyone. If you’re on the shorter side, then it might not be a wise choice.
Best Microwave Brands
When it comes to microwaves, these are the brands that have it all.
Farberware
Farberware, which was founded in 1900 has a long history in high quality cookware, and is celebrating their 120th anniversary. S.W. Farber began the company by making tin and copper cookware.
Fast forward 120 years, and Farberware is also now in the cookware, bake wear, percolator, and small electrics businesses, and has come a long way.
Toshiba
Toshiba’s roots were planted in 1875, with the foundation of Tokyo Shibaura Denki K.K. A few years later, Tokyo Denki was founded in 1890.
These two companies led the electronics market separately until they united in 1939. They officially became Toshiba Corporation in 1978.
Ever since then, Toshiba has been one of the most dominating brands on the market of anything electronic. Its quality never fails its well-deserved reputation.
Amazon Basics
Everyone knows how Amazonis indispensable to every single one of us. It doesn’t just dominate one market; it dominates all markets all over the world.
Amazon basicsoffer a wide range of practically every single product you might need. It’s affordable, and great quality is guaranteed.
Comfee'
While Comfee’is not exactly a big game, it’s products are in the big leagues.
It’s a small company that manufactures home applianceswith amazing quality. From kettles to microwaves, its products have been building an impressive reputation for this company. Quality, affordability, and fantastic customer service, what’s not to love?
Kenmore
Kenmore, founded in 1913, is best known as a company that makes a large variety of kitchen appliances. While that's how we know them today, their first product ever was actually a sewing machine.
They were also one of the first players in the washing machine space in the early 1900s, and haven't stopped since.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s see if we have answers to questions you might be having.
How long do microwaves last?
Every microwave is different, depending on the brand, model, and usage. Microwaves generally last around 10 years before they start breaking down.
This can be extended if you make sure you don’t misuse it. If you make sure to use a cover over your food and clean it frequently, you should be able to extend its life.
Is a 1000-watt microwave good enough?
The more watts the microwave has, the faster it’s going to cook. 1000 watts might be the optimum wattage of a microwave.
Microwaves with more wattage cook food more quickly due to their higher heat. Not everyone might appreciate this since sometimes you simply want to warm something up, not scald it.
If you don’t need the extra heat or the speed of a higher-wattage microwave, then 1000 watts might just be enough for you.
What should I not put in the microwave?
- Steel utensils
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic bags
- Non-microwavable plastic containers and paper bags
- Styrofoam plates and cups
Is it ok to use a microwave every day?
Opinions vary on this topic, but microwaves should be safe to use daily.
Microwaves are said to cause cancer due to radiation, but they should be manufactured to maintain the radiation within the oven and not outside it. Therefore, it should be safe.
To be safe, it might be better if you keep a foot or two between you and your microwave while it’s heating.
When it comes to food, some foods do lose nutrients when microwaved. But then again, simply cutting lettuce reduces its nutrients, right?
Is it bad to heat water in a microwave?
Some microwaves are too strong and end up heating water beyond their boiling point. This superheating can burn you.
To avoid this, make sure you put your water for as little time as possible.
The Verdict
Which is your favorite microwave? While each and every one of these microwaves are a great option, and strong in their respective categories, it is time to pick a couple of favorites.
Let's take a look at them one more time:
The Farberware FMO11AHTBKB is ours. It offers almost everything you can need in a microwave at an incredibly low price. Not to mention, it practically has no major flaws!
If you’d rather spend as little as possible, consider the Comfee' 700 Watt Microwave. You won’t be giving up much in doing so, and it’s pretty decent too.
Last update on 2022-08-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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