Top 5 Above Range Microwaves: Your Buying Guide

Rating: 8.6/10

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 is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It helps you cook and prepare food quickly and easily. This microwave is designed to save you time and effort.

What We Like:

• It has a large capacity (1.7 cu. ft.) which is great for cooking larger meals or multiple dishes at once. The 12.4-inch turntable fits big plates.
• It offers 10 different cooking power levels, including 6 quick menus for popular foods like popcorn and reheating leftovers.
• You can cook food super fast with the speedy cooking option, which lets you use 100% power for 1 to 3 minutes.
• The multi-stage cooking feature lets you set up two different cooking steps at once, saving you more time.
• The powerful 300 CFM vent fan with two speeds clears cooking smells and smoke from your kitchen. The built-in light helps you see what you’re cooking.
• Its sleek stainless steel design looks great in any kitchen.

What Could Be Improved:

• While it has many features, some users might find the initial setup or learning curve for all the functions a little challenging.
• The vent fan’s noise level might be a consideration for some households.

This BLACK+DECKER microwave is a powerful and versatile appliance that makes cooking a breeze. It’s a great choice for busy families or anyone who wants to simplify their kitchen tasks.

Rating: 8.6/10

Upgrade your kitchen with the GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle. This bundle makes cooking and meal prep a breeze. It comes with a special 2-year protection plan for extra peace of mind. Plus, you get a charcoal filter replacement, which is great for keeping your kitchen air fresh.

What We Like:

• Generous 1.6 cu. ft. capacity handles family-sized meals.
• Convenience cooking features simplify your cooking tasks.
• Easy-to-use controls make operating the microwave simple.
• The stainless steel finish looks sleek and modern in any kitchen.
• The included 2-year extended protection plan offers excellent value and security.
• Comes with a charcoal filter replacement for your convenience.

What Could Be Improved:

• The dimensions (13″D x 16″W x 9″H) might be a bit large for very small kitchens.
• While controls are easy, some advanced users might want more customization options.

This GE microwave bundle is a smart choice for busy households. It combines functionality with a great extended warranty, ensuring you get the most out of your purchase.

Rating: 9.0/10

The BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 Over The Range Microwave Oven is a powerful and convenient addition to any kitchen. With 1000 watts of cooking power, it heats and cooks food quickly. Its spacious 1.9 cubic feet interior easily fits larger dishes. The “One Touch” feature and pre-programmed auto menus make cooking simple and efficient. This microwave also doubles as a range hood, keeping your cooktop clear.

What We Like:

• Powerful 1000-watt cooking heats food fast.
• Generous 1.9 cu.ft. capacity fits large meals and dishes.
• Convenient pre-programmed auto menus simplify cooking for common foods like popcorn, pizza, and vegetables.
• Bright LED cooktop lighting illuminates your stovetop for safer cooking.
• Two-speed, 400-CFM venting fan effectively removes smoke and odors.
• Turntable On/Off function gives you flexibility for cooking large or oddly shaped items.
• Easy-to-use controls with 30-second express cooking and a child lock feature for safety.

What Could Be Improved:

• The installation instructions are only available online, which might be inconvenient for some users.
• While the auto menus are helpful, some users might prefer more customization options for advanced cooking.

This BLACK+DECKER microwave offers a great blend of power, capacity, and user-friendly features, making meal preparation a breeze. It’s a solid choice for busy households seeking efficiency and convenience.

Rating: 9.0/10

The Farberware 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-The-Range Microwave Oven is a powerful and convenient addition to any busy kitchen. Its 1000-watt cooking power heats food quickly and evenly. This microwave offers a large 1.7 cubic feet of space, perfect for cooking family-sized meals or reheating leftovers. It comes with many helpful features like auto cook settings for vegetables, snacks, and potatoes. The smart defrost option makes thawing food easy and accurate. Plus, the speedy +30 seconds button is great for when you need to heat something up fast. It also has special buttons for melting butter or softening chocolate, making cooking tasks simpler. For families, the child safety lock gives you peace of mind. This over-the-range design saves valuable counter space, keeping your kitchen looking neat and organized. It also includes an LED timer, a vent fan to clear smoke and odors, and a stovetop light. You can even adjust the alert volume from low to high or turn it off completely.

What We Like:

• Powerful 1000-watt cooking for fast results.
• Large 1.7 cu. ft. capacity handles big meals.
• Versatile auto cook and specialized programs (Veggies, Snack, Potato).
• Smart defrost by time and weight is very accurate.
• Quick +30 seconds and Melt/Soften features are super handy.
• Child safety lock keeps little ones safe.
• Space-saving over-the-range design.
• Built-in vent fan and stovetop light are very useful.
• Adjustable volume control for alerts.

What Could Be Improved:

• The white color might show smudges more easily than darker options.

This Farberware microwave oven offers a great blend of power, capacity, and helpful features for everyday cooking. It’s a smart choice for making meal preparation quicker and easier.

Rating: 8.5/10

Upgrade your kitchen with the GE JVM3160DFBB 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven in sleek black. This bundle offers more than just a powerful microwave; it includes a 2-year CPS Enhanced Protection Pack, giving you peace of mind on top of the manufacturer’s warranty. It’s designed to make cooking and meal prep easier and more efficient for any household.

What We Like:

• Generous Capacity and Power: The 1.6 cu. ft. interior easily fits larger dishes, and the 1000 watts of power cook food quickly and evenly.
• Effective Ventilation: The two-speed, 300-CFM venting system powerfully removes smoke, steam, and unwanted odors, keeping your kitchen fresh.
• Convenient Cooking Features: Enjoy auto and time defrost for perfect results, plus easy-to-use convenience cooking controls for quick operation.
• Flexible Turntable: You can turn the turntable on for even cooking or off if your dish doesn’t fit or requires stationary heating.
• Long-Term Protection: The bundle includes a 2-year CPS Enhanced Protection Plan in addition to the full manufacturer’s warranty, offering excellent value and security.
• Easy Maintenance: Replacing the charcoal odor filter is simple, thanks to its behind-the-door grille placement.

What Could Be Improved:

• Venting Power: While 300 CFM is good, some users might prefer an even higher CFM for particularly smoky cooking situations.
• Basic Design: The black finish is classic but might not offer the same premium aesthetic as some higher-end models.

This GE microwave bundle provides a robust cooking solution with added protection. It’s a practical choice for busy kitchens that need reliable performance and long-term value.