Microwaves are essential kitchen appliances. As much as microwaves are a vital part of any kitchen, they can take up a lot of space on the countertop. They’re bulky in appearance and don’t always look great placed over the counters, especially if the kitchen space is already limited. This is where under cabinet microwaves come into play. Under cabinet or under counter microwaves are one of the finest kitchen inventions, that ensures that your kitchen countertops don’t look congested. However, with so many options out there, choosing the best under cabinet microwave can be pretty tough.
If you’re in search of the best under cabinet microwave for your kitchen, you’ve landed yourself at just the right place. We’ve listed down some of the best under cabinet microwaves in this detailed blog post to help you make the right choice.
What to Look For When Buying An Under Cabinet Microwave
If it’s your first time buying an under cabinet microwave, you may benefit from this quick guide of what to look for when you go to buy one. Let’s have a look at these factors:
Power
One of the first features that you must consider when buying an under cabinet microwave is its power and wattage. Most modern microwaves have a power of 1000 watts or more. The more the power, the faster will be the cooking time. Moreover, you should also see if the microwave is equipped with sensor technology or not. Under cabinet microwaves that have sensors sense the moisture level of the food and adjust the cooking power accordingly.
Vent Function
A good under cabinet microwave will have an excellent airflow capacity. Some advanced models may even provide adjustable fan speeds. You should check if the microwave you’re planning to buy vents to the outdoors or re-circulates the air in your kitchen.
Design
Design forms one of the most important things to look for when investing in an under cabinet microwave. You wouldn’t want the design to be bulky and unattractive. The design should be sleek and modern. Moreover, the design should feature certain features, like a child safety lock.
Preset Options
A great under cabinet microwave will be the one that comes with preset cooking options. It makes way for quick and convenient cooking. The more the preset options, the more enhanced your cooking experience will be. A one-touch option to cook your favorite foods will definitely be a catch!
6 Best Models on the Market
So withour further ado, let’s jump directly into the list.
1) Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave Oven
The under counter microwave by Toshiba is just the right choice for you if you’re looking for a microwave oven that is efficient and good-looking. Featuring a smart and sleek design, the Toshiba EM131A5C-SS will surely upgrade how your kitchen looks.
It offers fast and efficient functionality, with one-touch access to various heating durations from 30 seconds to 6 minutes. Depending on what food you’re heating or cooking, you can use the preset buttons. You also have an option to input the heating time manually as well. Other noteworthy features include a kitchen timer, clock, and multiple presets. The power level of the unit can be adjusted as well. As far as presets are concerned, the Toshiba under cabinet microwave unit has one-touch buttons for Frozen Entrée, Frozen Pizza, Veggie, Rice, Potato, and a button for Custom Cook, along with options for Popcorn, Soften/ Melt, and defrost.
One of the features that make the Toshiba EM131A5C-SS such a popular unit is the ease of cleaning. It features a stainless steel body, so the exterior is smudge-free. However, it’s the turntable whose cleaning is the easiest. You can take it out and clean yourself or pop it in the dishwasher!
The Toshiba under cabinet microwave is one of the best under cabinet microwaves at its price point, considering how truly amazing and promising its features are!
- Stainless steel exterior body
- Affordable
- Digital kitchen timer and clock
- Preset functions
- One-touch functionality
- Adjustable power
- Includes steam detectors
- Efficient and uniform heating and cooking
- It’s basically a countertop microwave that can be fixed under the cabinet/ counter; hence, it doesn’t come with the required hardware or equipment. You’ll have to buy it separately.
- It’s high-maintenance
Our rating: 
4.6 / 5
2) GE Over the Range Microwave Oven (GE JNM3163DJBB)
The GE JNM3163DJBB is on our list of the best under cabinet microwaves for all the right reasons. Its attractive price tag, efficient venting system, and the intuitive controls are some of the features that make it such a great choice for people who’re looking for reliable under cabinet microwave units.
It’s an excellent space-saving unit. With an output power of 950 watts, it cooks food for you in no time. The 1.6 cubic feet capacity ensures that your cookware, even the ones that are fairly large in size, fit in seamlessly.
You get to choose your preferred power option from the 10 available options. If you don’t find your preferred setting in the preset options, you can adjust the cooking/ heating time and temperature manually. What you’ll love the most about this GE Over the Range microwave unit is the preset options for reheating, defrosting, cooking potatoes, and popcorn. Every time you’re popping food your microwave oven, you don’t really have to worry about adjusting the cooking settings accordingly – the preset options are there for your service.
You can either opt to have the turntable switched on or off, depending on what you’re cooking. This under counter microwave not only helps you save the valuable counter space, but it does so without costing you an arm’s length.
The perfect combination of the price and features is the reason why the GE JNM3163D JBB Over the Range microwave has been included in the list of the best options in this category!
- Powerful function
- Adjustable power settings
- Spacious
- Preset cooking/ heating functions
- Built-in turntable that you can turn on or off
- Space-saving compact design
- Comes with a kitchen timer and clock
- The sound of the venting system can be quite loud when used at the highest setting
- The display is quite hard to read
Our rating: 
4.5 / 5
3) Dacor DMW2420S Built-In Microwave
The Dacor under cabinet microwave is a premium quality kitchen appliance that won’t disappoint you. You can place it over the counter or choose to install it under your kitchen counter, depending on how much space is available to you.
Featuring a stylish and modern design, it sure will upgrade your kitchen! It heats and cooks food efficiently. The Dacor under cabinet microwave has numerous preset cooking options, including lunch, breakfast, beverages, 15 minute short recipes, from the panty, and defrosting, that make it very easy to use, even for someone who has never had an experience with a modern cooking appliance.
The timer function ensures that you don’t forget that you’ve put your food in the oven to heat. The 1-minute cooking and 30-minute keep warm feature ensures that you get to enjoy warm food every time!
- Premium quality, modern design
- 6 preset cooking options
- 1-minute cook and 30-minute keep warm feature
- In-built timer
- Powerful function
- You can use it as an under cabinet or countertop microwave unit
- It falls on the pricier end
- Most users probably won’t use advanced features
Our rating: 4.5 / 5
4) Frigidaire FGMV176NTF Over the Range Microwave
The next best under cabinet microwave on our list is the Frigidaire FGMV176NTF. For someone who’s looking for a spacious microwave unit that can be adjusted under the counter or cabinet, this one by Frigidaire is surely an option that they should consider.
If we’re asked to quote one word for this under cabinet microwave, we’ll say – amazing!
If you’re wondering why we have such high views about the Frigidaire Over the Range microwave, here is why – it has an incredible 30 preset cooking options! You read that right. Cooking your favorite foods in the microwave is simply a touch away with this microwave unit by Frigidaire.
With an outstanding capacity of 1.7 cubic feet, you can place even the large-sized pots directly into your oven. It’s equipped with a 300CFM exhaust fan that can be run on two speeds, so if you wish to adjust it over the oven in place of a hood, you’re free to do so!
Another noteworthy feature is its removable turntable. You can include a rack instead and enjoy cooking at two levels at once. This is something that you won’t find in many microwave units.
Thanks to the multiple preset options that you don’t have to skim through any complex set of buttons when heating, defrosting, or cooking your food. This super easy to use and install unit not only saves you valuable counter space but also enables you to get done with your basic kitchen tasks in literally no time!
- Excellent capacity
- 30 preset options
- Powerful exhaust fan with adjustable speed
- One-touch functionality
- Space-saving design
- Removable turntable and rack
- Dishwasher-safe turntable
- Cooktop lights
- Comes with a safety child lock
- Some users may find under cabinet/ counter installation complicated
- A bit more expensive than other models
Our rating: 
4.4 / 5
5) Magic Chef Over the Range Microwave (MCO160UW)
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly under cabinet microwave oven, the Magic Chef Over the Range might be the best option out there.
The Magic Chef Over the Range is a super-powerful microwave with 1000-Watt power. It’s a great unit for defrosting, warming, and cooking your food in no time. The best feature of this under cabinet microwave by Magic Chef is its 10 power levels that enable the user to adjust the power according to the type of food being cooked or warmed.
Another plus point that brings the Magic Chef Over the Range microwave oven on our list of the best under cabinet microwave ovens is its spacious interior of 1.6 cubic feet. With that being said, you don’t have to worry about your cookware not fitting in!
The Magic Chef Over the Range microwave oven is very easy to understand and operate. Thanks to the auto-cook and reheat functions, you don’t have to adjust the settings every time – it’s just one button, and you’re sorted. Now, you can get done with your kitchen tasks in a much shorter time. When you can finish your kitchen tasks in lesser time, we aren’t just referring to the auto-cook or reheat features, but you’ll be surprised to know that this microwave oven comes with pre-programmed menus! Now, that’s something! The built-in turntable ensures that the food is cooked or heated evenly throughout.
The Magic Chef Over the Range Under Cabinet microwave oven has secured the first spot on our list, and now you know why that is so!
- Affordable
- Powerful
- Built-in turntable
- Auto-cook and reheat functions
- 6 pre-programmed menu options
- Easy to operate
- Spacious interior
- Pre-programmed menu has very limited options, as compared to other under cabinet microwave ovens available in the market
- It’s quite loud
Our rating: 
4.3 / 5
6) Sharp R-1514 Over the Range Microwave
If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen with a stylish, under cabinet microwave, you should give the Sharp R-1514 a look. Featuring an attractive stainless steel finish, it sure will enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen, while freeing a lot of usable counter space.
However, the reason it’s on our list of best under cabinet microwaves goes beyond the appearance. It’s a super-powerful unit with 1000-watt power. It not just cooks and heats food, but it does so with the highest level of efficiency and uniformity.
Equipped with 19 automatic cooking functions, you can simply hit the option you want and let the microwave do its job. The large turntable makes it possible for you to accommodate even a large platter inside for even heating and cooking. This is not it. The Sharp R-1514 has 11 smart sensor settings that allow for a convenient cooking experience. Not to mention the LCD screen that lets you keep track of the time and chosen settings.
- Attractive design
- 1000-watt power
- 19 cooking functions
- Large turntable
- 11 smart sensor settings
- Ventilation fan that can be run on 2 speeds
- Some users have had complaints regarding the durability of the push button for opening the microwave oven
- Lightbulbs are difficult to replace
- Noisy vent on the second setting
Our rating: 
4.2 / 5
Conclusion
You should always consider whether an under cabinet microwave meets your requirements before you make the final decision. Buying a microwave just because it’s equipped with incredible features isn’t the right approach. An under cabinet microwave that has everything but lacks the feature that you want won’t do you any real good. So, make a wise decision. Our list of best under cabinet microwaves might have made things a tad bit easier for you.
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