One of the most convenient kitchen appliances found in almost every home is the popular over-the-range microwave, more commonly known as an OTR microwave oven. Many consumers nowadays are looking to have the option of cooking with convection right in their over the range microwave as well.

We are going to take a look at the top five models on the market today to see which is the best convection microwave for over the range, and we'll also fill you in on a little background about these products in general. 

The countertop microwave is a classic small kitchen appliance. While we've also reviewed the best over the range microwaves of the year, in this article, we'll focus on the best countertop microwave models of 2023 from a variety of brands. We cover everything from compact options to large family-size models retailing at prices as low as $169 all the way up to $759. From basic to impressive, we wanted to give you a broad sampling of the best microwaves for your kitchen. 

Without further ado, let's dig into the best countertop microwaves of the year, complete with pricing, features, and links to real customer reviews! (And check out our microwave buying guide if you want more help choosing a new model.)

One of the most convenient kitchen appliances found in almost every home is the popular over the range microwave oven, more commonly known as an OTR microwave oven. The OTR microwave has taken the place of the countertop microwave and hood assembly, saving space by combining both products into one handy package. Power capacities can vary from 850 watts for reheating or up to 1,200 watts for cooking full meals. 

It's not every day that you are shopping for a microwave oven. In fact, if you are in the market for a new unit, it's most likely due to a catastrophic cooking failure or because your old one is worn out past the point of repair. So, what types of features would you like on your new microwave oven? With so many manufacturers promoting what they believe to be the best features and all the different price ranges, where do you begin? What are the features that you'll actually use and what makes one microwave oven better than another? This blog is designed to help you to answer all of these questions to choose the best over the range microwave for your needs.

If you're looking for a higher-end, over the range microwave in the $550-600 range, LG and GE over-the-range microwaves have some great features that make these models easier to use for microwaving and stovetop ventilation as well as easier to clean. Let's take a look at two of these two models and see which one has the right combination of features for you!

Microwaves have historically come in two basic categories: standard over-the-range microwaves and countertop microwaves. Over-the-range microwaves are designed to fit nicely above your range and have standard 30" widths. Height-wise, they are typically between 16" and 18", and they generally offer a capacity in the 1.7 to 2.0 cubic foot range. Over-the-range microwaves are practically standard issue in most modern kitchens, and the cabinetry and layout in modern homes generally work well for these products. 

LG and Samsung have become two of the top names in appliances in a short time due to their reputation for making great products in the cell phone and flat screen TV businesses. They make innovative appliances with thoughtful features, and their microwave ovens are no exception. 

Microwave ovens are the one appliance that people hate to be without. When the old one breaks down, it needs to be replaced quickly and people sometimes make hasty decisions based on price to replace them. Take a look at some of the great features of these two reasonably priced brands and you may be pleasantly surprised! (For more info on choosing a new microwave, check out our microwave buyer's guide!)

Your home may have come with a range hood or over the range microwave already installed. If you're considering swapping one for the other, you'll want to know the advantages and disadvantages of these ventilation methods. 

The microwave is a ubiquitous kitchen appliance found in almost every home, as well as in most workplace break rooms! Most people are familiar with the standalone countertop microwave and the over-the-range microwave, but if you're redoing your kitchen or are looking for unique ways to save counter space, you may be interested in a subset of built-in microwaves: the microwave drawer. 

In this article, we go over the details and the pros and cons of this built-in style, and review three models from Sharp, Bosch, and KitchenAid.

Whatever happened to GE Spacemaker? GE made a bold move back in 1979 when they began offering the first over the range microwaves to the market. They may seem commonplace now, but back in the day, combining stovetop ventilation and microwaves together was a big deal!

If you have a GE Spacemaker microwave, you might be disappointed to discover that GE has discontinued the Spacemaker line. There is no longer a need to distinguish this type of microwave since over the range models have become so common, so it has been absorbed back into GE's main product lines. Spacemaker microwaves aren't particularly compact compared to typical over the range models - most over the range microwaves are about 30" wide (a few are 36" wide) and any over the range microwave should mount into the same spot as an older Spacemaker unit.

Most of us rely on microwave ovens to quickly reheat and cook foods and beverages throughout our busy day. Whether we're cooking full meals or simply reheating our coffee, we depend on their quick response! If you're looking for a new over the range microwave, Frigidaire and Whirlpool offer nicely featured basic models at reasonable prices. 

Let's take a look at microwave reviews for two top sellers from these famous manufacturers retailing at under $400! (For more info on choosing a new microwave, check out our microwave buying guide!)