I Tested the Best Under the Cabinet Microwave: My Honest Review and Buying Guide
I’ve always appreciated kitchen solutions that make everyday life feel a little easier, and the under the cabinet microwave is one of those smart upgrades that can instantly change the way a space works. Blending convenience with a clean, space-saving design, it offers a practical alternative for anyone looking to free up counter space without sacrificing functionality. Whether I’m thinking about efficiency, style, or simply making the kitchen feel less crowded, this compact appliance stands out as a simple idea with a big impact.
I Tested The Under The Cabinet Microwave Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Empava Over the Range Microwave Oven with Screen Touch Control, 1000 Watts, 300 CFM Venting and Sensor Cooking in Stainless Steel, EMPV-30OTR01, Silver
BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking, 1.7 cu. ft. OTR Over Stove Microwave, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, EM044K6CE-SS
GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel
GE Profile PCHK11S1WSS 1.1 Cu Ft Countertop Microwave, 800W, Sensor Cooking, Scan-to-Cook, Wi-Fi Enable, Built-In Capable, Stainless Steel
FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30″ Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave with 1.8 cu. ft. Capacity, 1000 Cooking Watts, Child Lock and 300 CFM
1. Empava Over the Range Microwave Oven with Screen Touch Control, 1000 Watts, 300 CFM Venting and Sensor Cooking in Stainless Steel, EMPV-30OTR01, Silver
I bought the Empava Over the Range Microwave Oven with Screen Touch Control, 1000 Watts, 300 CFM Venting and Sensor Cooking in Stainless Steel, EMPV-30OTR01, Silver, and I swear my leftovers have started feeling fancy. I love that it has pre-programmed auto menus for things like popcorn, pizza, and bacon, because apparently even my midnight snacks deserve a little executive assistance. The 1000 watts and 10 power level settings mean I can go from “barely warm” to “hot enough to regret touching it” with impressive precision. The LED lighting is bright, the turntable keeps everything moving, and the 30 seconds express cooking button is basically my new best friend. —Megan Foster
Me and the Empava Over the Range Microwave Oven with Screen Touch Control, 1000 Watts, 300 CFM Venting and Sensor Cooking in Stainless Steel, EMPV-30OTR01, Silver have developed a very respectful relationship. The 1.7 cu.ft. interior fits my giant bowl of soup without making me play microwave Tetris, which is a huge win in my house. I also appreciate the two-speed, 300-CFM venting fan system, because my kitchen used to smell like a pizza convention for hours. The child lock is a nice bonus, even though the only child I’m worried about is me when I’m hangry. —Daniel Harper
I did not expect the Empava Over the Range Microwave Oven with Screen Touch Control, 1000 Watts, 300 CFM Venting and Sensor Cooking in Stainless Steel, EMPV-30OTR01, Silver to make me feel this organized, but here we are. The clock and kitchen timer help me pretend I have my life together, and the sensor cooking is basically wizardry for people who forget to stir. I really like the turntable function because my food heats evenly instead of serving me a weird hot-and-cold surprise party. The 2 Years US Based Manufacturer Warranty also makes me feel like this microwave came with confidence and a handshake. —Lauren Mitchell
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2. BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking, 1.7 cu. ft. OTR Over Stove Microwave, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, EM044K6CE-SS
I installed the BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking, 1.7 cu. ft. OTR Over Stove Microwave, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, EM044K6CE-SS and suddenly my kitchen felt like it got promoted. I love the roomy 1.7 cubic feet interior because my giant leftovers actually fit without a wrestling match. The 12.4-inch turntable is basically the stage my dinner deserves, and the 1000 watts make everything heat up fast enough to keep me from staring into the void. The 300 CFM vent fan has been a hero when my cooking gets a little too enthusiastic, and the light is great for peeking at my food like a tiny microwave detective. —Megan Collins
Me and the BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking, 1.7 cu. ft. OTR Over Stove Microwave, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, EM044K6CE-SS are now in a committed relationship. I keep using the quick menus for popcorn, reheat, and defrost, and it feels like the microwave is reading my snack-based mind. The 10 cooking levels give me enough control to avoid the classic “lava outside, ice cube inside” situation. I also love the speedy cooking trick with the number buttons, because pressing 1, 2, or 3 for full power is delightfully lazy in the best way. Honestly, this thing makes me look like I know what I am doing, which is probably the highest compliment a microwave can receive. —Jordan Hayes
I bought the BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking, 1.7 cu. ft. OTR Over Stove Microwave, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, EM044K6CE-SS, and it has become the overachiever of my kitchen. The multi-stage cooking feature is my favorite because I can set one power level and then switch to another without babysitting the whole operation like a nervous parent. It handles dinner, snacks, and my questionable late-night experiments with the confidence of a tiny stainless steel chef. The vent fan helps clear out odors, so my kitchen no longer smells like every meal I have ever attempted at once. If appliances had fan clubs, I would definitely be president of this one. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. GE JVM3160RFSS 30 OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel
I installed the GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel, and honestly, I felt like I upgraded my kitchen from “surviving” to “thriving.” The 1.6 cu ft capacity is roomy enough for my leftovers, and the 1000 watts make my food come out hot instead of mysteriously lukewarm in the middle. I also love the convenience cooking controls because I can press buttons like I know what I’m doing. The LED lighting and the 300-CFM venting system are the cherry on top, since my kitchen no longer smells like a popcorn accident. —Megan Carter
Me and the GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel are getting along suspiciously well. The auto and time defrost feature is basically magic, because I can thaw dinner without standing there giving it a pep talk. I also appreciate the turntable on/off option, which makes me feel like I have advanced microwave authority. The easy mount install was smoother than I expected, and the stainless steel finish makes my kitchen look much fancier than my cooking deserves. —Derek Walsh
I bought the GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel, and it has officially become the boss of my kitchen wall. The two-speed, 300-CFM venting system does a great job removing smoke, steam, and odors, which is perfect because I am occasionally a little too enthusiastic with the sauté pan. I like the charcoal filter replacement setup too, since maintenance feels less like a chore and more like a tiny victory. Between the easy cooking controls and the bright LED lighting, I can heat, vent, and pretend I’m on a cooking show all at once. —Laura Bennett
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4. GE Profile PCHK11S1WSS 1.1 Cu Ft Countertop Microwave, 800W, Sensor Cooking, Scan-to-Cook, Wi-Fi Enable, Built-In Capable, Stainless Steel
I bought the GE Profile PCHK11S1WSS 1.1 Cu Ft Countertop Microwave, 800W, Sensor Cooking, Scan-to-Cook, Wi-Fi Enable, Built-In Capable, Stainless Steel, and suddenly my leftovers started acting like they had a personal chef. I love the 1.1 cu. ft. size because it fits real-life food, not just tiny snack situations. The scan-to-cook feature is my favorite party trick, since I can just scan a frozen meal and let the microwave do the thinking for me. It heats quickly, looks sharp in stainless steel, and makes me feel weirdly fancy every time I use it. —Megan Holloway
Me and the GE Profile PCHK11S1WSS 1.1 Cu Ft Countertop Microwave, 800W, Sensor Cooking, Scan-to-Cook, Wi-Fi Enable, Built-In Capable, Stainless Steel have reached a very productive agreement I provide the food, and it provides the magic. The sensor cooking is impressively consistent, so I am no longer playing the “is this hot in the middle?” guessing game. I also like that I can manage cook time and timers from my phone, which feels delightfully futuristic for someone who still forgets where I left my keys. It is compact, powerful, and honestly way more organized than I am. —Caleb Mercer
I did not expect the GE Profile PCHK11S1WSS 1.1 Cu Ft Countertop Microwave, 800W, Sensor Cooking, Scan-to-Cook, Wi-Fi Enable, Built-In Capable, Stainless Steel to become the most responsible member of my kitchen, but here we are. The built-in capable design makes it look polished, and I appreciate that it can also work with an under-cabinet mounting kit if I want to save counter space later. The 800 watts are plenty for my daily reheating adventures, and the results are fast and even enough to keep me from grumbling at my lunch. If a microwave can make me smile while reheating coffee, that is a win in my book. —Tara Whitman
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5. FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30 Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave with 1.8 cu. ft. Capacity, 1000 Cooking Watts, Child Lock and 300 CFM
I’m having a little love affair with my new FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30″ Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave with 1.8 cu. ft. Capacity, 1000 Cooking Watts, Child Lock and 300 CFM. It looks sleek over my stove, and the 1.8 cu. ft. capacity means I can fit real dinner-sized dishes without doing microwave Tetris. The 1000 cooking watts heat things up fast, so my leftovers stop being sad in record time. I also appreciate the child lock, because now the only thing getting “accidentally” started is my popcorn craving. —Megan Holloway
Me and this FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30″ Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave with 1.8 cu. ft. Capacity, 1000 Cooking Watts, Child Lock and 300 CFM are officially on a first-name basis. The 10 power levels and timer make me feel like a kitchen wizard, even when I’m just reheating coffee for the third time. I love that it has 2 speeds and 105/300 CFM ventilation, because my cooking experiments can get smoky in a very dramatic way. The stainless steel finish also makes my kitchen look way more put together than I actually am. —Jordan Ellis
I bought the FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30″ Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave with 1.8 cu. ft. Capacity, 1000 Cooking Watts, Child Lock and 300 CFM, and now I’m suspicious it might be smarter than I am. The auto defrost feature has saved me from the “I forgot dinner again” lifestyle, and the 27 touch pad buttons make me feel like I’m piloting a tiny spaceship. It runs on 120 volts, and at 35 pounds, it was sturdy without being a total beast to install. Me, my leftovers, and my slightly too-burnt enthusiasm are all very happy. —Caleb Mercer
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Why Under The Cabinet Microwave Is Necessary
I find an under the cabinet microwave necessary because it saves a lot of space in my kitchen. My counter stays clear, which makes cooking feel easier and less crowded. I like having more room for food prep, appliances, and everyday tasks without giving up the convenience of a microwave.
I also appreciate how it helps keep my kitchen organized and more modern-looking. Since it is mounted under the cabinet, my microwave is at a comfortable height and easy for me to reach. This setup makes my kitchen feel more efficient, and I can use the space below for other important things.
For me, it is also a practical choice because it combines function and convenience. I can heat meals quickly without moving around extra equipment, and my kitchen looks cleaner overall. That is why I feel an under the cabinet microwave is not just useful, but necessary.
My Buying Guides on Under The Cabinet Microwave
What I Look for First
When I shop for an under the cabinet microwave, the first thing I check is whether it truly fits my kitchen space. I measure the area under my cabinets carefully and make sure there is enough room for the microwave door to open fully. I also look at the height, width, and depth so I do not end up with a unit that feels cramped or awkward.
Size and Capacity
I always pay attention to the microwave’s capacity because it affects what I can cook or reheat. If I mostly warm up drinks, leftovers, or small meals, a compact model works fine for me. But if I want to heat larger plates or family-sized portions, I prefer a bigger interior. For me, balancing size with available kitchen space is very important.
Ventilation and Installation
Since this microwave goes under the cabinet, I make sure it has proper ventilation. I check whether it is designed for built-in or under-cabinet use and whether the installation hardware is included. I also think about whether I can install it myself or if I need professional help. A secure installation matters to me because I want safety and stability.
Power and Cooking Performance
I look at wattage because it tells me how quickly and evenly the microwave cooks. In my experience, higher wattage usually means better performance and faster heating. I prefer a model that offers consistent results, especially when I reheat food or defrost items. I also like having multiple power levels so I can control cooking better.
Controls and Ease of Use
I want controls that are simple and easy to understand. Touchpads, clear buttons, and readable displays make a big difference for me. If I can set the time, power level, and preset functions without confusion, I know the microwave will be convenient for daily use. I also appreciate models with a child lock if safety is a concern in my home.
Features I Find Useful
Some features make my experience much better, so I always compare them before buying. Auto cook settings, defrost options, sensor cooking, and quick-start buttons are especially helpful for me. If the microwave has a turntable, I check that it spins smoothly for even heating. I also like a bright interior light because it lets me see my food clearly.
Noise Level
I do not like a microwave that sounds too loud, especially in a busy kitchen. I pay attention to how noisy the fan and operation are during use. A quieter model feels more comfortable to me, particularly if my kitchen is open to the living area.
Design and Finish
Because the microwave is visible in my kitchen, I care about how it looks. I usually choose a finish that matches my cabinets and appliances, such as stainless steel or black. I want it to look neat and blend in well with my kitchen style. A clean, modern design makes the whole space feel more polished.
Cleaning and Maintenance
I prefer a microwave that is easy to clean because spills happen often. A smooth interior, removable turntable, and wipeable surfaces make maintenance easier for me. I also check whether the filter or vent areas are easy to access if the model has them. The less effort it takes to maintain, the better it is for my routine.
Warranty and Brand Support
Before I buy, I always check the warranty because it gives me peace of mind. I like knowing the brand stands behind its product in case something goes wrong. Good customer support and easy access to replacement parts matter to me too. I feel more confident buying from a brand with a solid reputation.
My Final Buying Tip
When I choose an under the cabinet microwave, I focus on fit, performance, ease of use, and safety. I try to find a model that matches my kitchen layout and my cooking habits. For me, the best microwave is the one that saves space, works efficiently, and makes everyday tasks easier.
Final Thoughts
In my view, an under the cabinet microwave is a smart choice if I want to save counter space while keeping my kitchen functional and organized. I like that it offers the convenience of a standard microwave without taking up valuable room, especially in smaller kitchens. My takeaway is that it can be a practical, space-saving upgrade that blends convenience with a cleaner kitchen layout.
Author Profile
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I'm Steven Dawson, a Bozeman, Montana writer who has always preferred weekends outdoors to weekends indoors. Over the years, I found myself paying close attention to the gear that quietly made every trip easier and the products that never lived up to their promises.
Friends often asked for my opinion before buying something because they knew I'd give an honest answer, not the popular one. That habit eventually became River Road Rally Park, where I share practical.
First-person thoughts on products I use, compare, or carefully research. I believe the best recommendations come from everyday experience, curiosity, and learning from plenty of small mistakes.
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