8 Best Microwaves of 2026

The Panasonic NN-SN686SR ranks first because it pairs the most power on this list, 1200 watts, with the two features that matter most for everyday microwave use: inverter heating and sensor cooking. Panasonic's inverter technology delivers steady power at lower settings instead of switching the magnetron on and off, which Panasonic says removes hot spots and cold centers and helps with delicate foods and defrosting. The Genius Sensor uses 15 sensor settings to adjust power and time, and there are 14 auto-cook settings on top. The 1.2 cu. ft. cavity fits full dinner plates while the cabinet stays at 20 11/16 inches wide and 25.5 lbs. If you want a built-in look, Panasonic sells the NN-TK621SS 27-inch trim kit for its 1.2 cu. ft. models. The trade-offs are price and reviews: $294.95 is more than the larger Sharp SMC1662KS, and Panasonic's own store shows a 2.7 average from 11 reviews. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cooking tests.

The Sharp Carousel SMC1662KS ranks second because it gives the most room on this list for $219.99. Sharp calls it family-size: the 1.6 cu. ft. cavity holds a 14.1 inch ceramic turntable plate, which is dishwasher safe, and the unit runs at 1100 watts. Sharp's Precise Cook sensor handles defrosting, cooking and reheating without a set time, and there are preset buttons for popular foods and beverages, Auto Defrost, and Melt and Soften controls that Sharp says will melt cheese and soften ice cream. Express Cook starts one-touch cooking for up to 6 minutes, and the +30 key adds time. The interior and exterior are stainless steel, with LED lighting and a white LED display. The trade-off is heating control: Sharp does not list an inverter on this model, so lower power levels work by cycling. If even defrosting matters most, the Panasonic NN-SN686SR or Sharp's own SMC1174KS flatbed are better fits. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cooking tests.

The Sharp SMC1174KS ranks third because it combines inverter heating with a flatbed floor for $169.99, the lowest price for an inverter model on this list. With no turntable, the whole floor is usable, and Sharp says it fits plates and pans up to 13.25 by 13 inches, so square and rectangular dishes that would catch on a spinning plate fit fine. Sharp says its heating design and inverter technology distribute cooking power evenly through the cavity even without a turntable. It runs at 1100 watts in a 1.1 cu. ft. mid-size cabinet. Silent mode turns off the beeps for open-plan homes and late-night snacks, and there are preset buttons, Auto Defrost, Express Cook for up to 6 minutes, a +30 key and a Child Lock. The gray interior has LED lighting. The trade-offs are size and sensing: it is smaller than the SMC1662KS, and Sharp does not list sensor cooking on this model. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cooking tests.

The Breville Combi Wave 3 in 1 scores highest on quality but ranks fourth because of its $499.95 price. It is a microwave, convection oven and air fryer in one cabinet, so it can take the place of a toaster oven and a separate air fryer. Breville's Element IQ system steers power where it is needed, and the Power Smoothing Inverter delivers steady power for even reheating and gentle defrosting. There are 19 smart presets, including Smart Cook, Smart Reheat and Smart Defrost, plus a Fast Combi program that uses convection, grill and microwave together and a Cook from Frozen program that switches between them in stages. Breville says the soft close door is 80% quieter and operation is 50% quieter, and there is a mute button and child lock. A Combi Crisp Pan and trivet come in the box. The trade-offs are price and size: it needs 20.5 x 20.1 x 12.6 inches of space, and Breville's US page does not state capacity or wattage. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cooking tests.

The LG NeoChef MSER0990S ranks fifth because it brings inverter heating to a compact 0.9 cu. ft. microwave for $159.00 on LG's US store. LG says its Smart Inverter provides precision heating for more evenness and better defrosting, which is the main reason to choose an inverter over a basic model. The front uses SmoothTouch glass controls rather than raised buttons, which makes it easy to wipe, and the EasyClean interior resists stains and buildup, though LG notes that heavy build-up may still need extra effort. A child-resistant door lock with an optional 2-step opening function helps in homes with young children. The trade-offs are size and missing details: at 0.9 cu. ft. it suits small households, and LG's product page does not list the wattage. If you want inverter heating and more room for about $10 more, the Sharp SMC1174KS flatbed is the alternative. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cooking tests.

The Sharp SMC0985KS ranks sixth and is the budget way into combination cooking. For $169.99 on Sharp's US store, it combines microwave, oven and air fryer functions in a compact 0.9 cu. ft., 900 watt cabinet, which Sharp pitches as a way to save counter space. Its multi-stage cooking chains up to 3 functions in one program, so you can defrost, cook and crisp a piece of chicken without restarting. A dishwasher-safe air fry basket and a baking and roasting pan come in the box, and the stainless steel interior sits on a 10.6 inch glass Carousel turntable. Preset buttons, Auto Defrost, a +30 key and a white LED display cover everyday microwave use. The trade-offs are power and size: 900 watts is slower than the 1100 and 1200 watt models here, the cavity is small for roasting, and Sharp does not list an inverter. The Breville Combi Wave is the step up. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cooking tests.

The Sharp Carousel SMC0711BS ranks seventh but is the cheapest microwave on this list at $84.99 on Sharp's US store. It is a compact 0.7 cu. ft., 700 watt model that Sharp describes as ideal for snacks, beverages, frozen meals and reheating, and its small footprint fits a dorm room, an office kitchenette or a second microwave spot. Despite the size, Sharp says the 10 inch Carousel turntable is big enough for a full-size dinner plate. Controls are simple: Popcorn, Beverage and Reheat settings, Time Cook, Time Defrost and Auto Defrost, Express Cook for up to 6 minutes and a +30 Sec key for an instant start. The finish is glossy stainless steel with a scratch-resistant glass door. The trade-offs are clear: 700 watts heats more slowly than the 1100 and 1200 watt models here, and there is no sensor or inverter. Sharp points shoppers who want more room to its 0.9 cu. ft. SMC0912BS. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cooking tests.

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS ranks eighth mainly because Toshiba's US page does not show a price, so we could not weigh its value against the others. On features it is a solid mid-size model: a 1.2 cu. ft., 1000 watt microwave with a smart humidity sensor that Toshiba says adjusts cooking time and power on its own, plus 6 sensor cook auto menus. It has 10 power levels, a clock and kitchen timer, Easy Defrost and One Touch Start, and a 12.4 inch turntable. A mute mode silences the buzzer when you hold the Sound button for 3 seconds, and the digital control panel sits beside an interior LED light. The finish is black stainless steel. The trade-offs are weight and heating: Toshiba lists a 34.6 lb net weight, the heaviest here, and does not list an inverter. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cooking tests.