Amana, now owned by Whirlpool, is a value brand offering budget appliances with simple features and solid reliability. If you're looking for an inexpensive over the range or countertop microwave, Amana has some great options. 

Amana offers several "universal microwaves" with no handle, eliminating the need to match handles with other appliances such as your refrigerator or range. If you bought an entire suite of appliances a few years back and now have a dead microwave on your hands, this Amana microwave could be a lifesaver as a replacement model that still matches with your kitchen. Handle styles change. The handle style of your beautifully matching four-piece Frigidaire or Whirlpool appliance package from three years ago may no longer be available. So a microwave with no handle is an easy solution to achieving a seamless matched look in your kitchen!

Amana used to offer an over the range model with a handle to match other Amana appliances, model AMV6507RGS, but it has been discontinued. We'll focus on the no handle models.

Whether you are putting an entire Hotpoint appliance suite in your kitchen or just looking for a well-priced microwave to replace your existing unit, this Hotpoint microwave may be for you. In this article, we'll review the features of the one and only Hotpoint microwave offered in their model lineup today to help you make an informed buying decision.

Hotpoint is owned by GE Appliances and offers value models for tight budgets. The over the range microwave they offer matches with a Hotpoint gas or electric range and would be a great choice for apartments and other homes.

What is an inverter microwave? Who makes them? Should you get one? We've got answers!

First, we'll answer a question with a question: Do you know how the typical microwave's defrost or low power settings work? Maybe you have a 1,000 watt microwave and can set it to 50% power to defrost something. However, a typical microwave with a magnetron can't actually operate at less than 100% power. So it will cycle on and off, intermittently cooking at 100% power then 0% power. This is not ideal for items that need to be cooked on low power in a moist environment and is part of the reason why defrosting takes so long and often results in cooked edges.

If you're not swimming in oceans of counter space, you may not find the latest and greatest microwaves with their massive capacities all that appealing. It can seem like manufacturers all think that you're looking for a second oven for your countertop! However, smaller microwaves are still available - and you don't have to sacrifice features and power for a compact model. We'll review the three best compact microwave models that customers have reached for time and time again to help you win the battle for more space in your kitchen.

These models are listed in no particular order but are numbered for your convenience. Let's dig in!