Top 5 Microwave Ovens of USA on 2026

1. TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft

Unboxing the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS, the first thing you notice is its sleek black stainless-steel shell and a roomy interior that feels generous for a 1.2 cu ft model. TOSHIBA EM131A5C‑BS

Key Features & Specifications

• Power & Output: It advertises ~1,100 W microwave output (though some listings cite 1,000 W), backed by a robust design to tackle heavier meals. Capacity & Turntable: The turntable spans 12.4″, fitting typical dinner plates or modest casseroles comfortably. Sensor Cooking / Humidity Detection: A “smart humidity sensor” detects steam and adjusts time/power mid-cook, which helps reduce guesswork.

• Presets & Power Levels: You’ll find about 6–12 auto menus (popcorn, beverage, potato, etc.), plus 10 power levels for tailored cooking. Convenience Features: One-touch 1–6 minute start, “+30 seconds” add-time button, mute mode for quiet operation, and an “Eco Mode” to dim the standby display.

• Interior / Cleaning: The interior coating is smooth and easy to wipe down; the turntable is removable for washing. Exterior stainless surfaces resist grime (though they may show fingerprints).

Performance & Real-Life Impressions

In everyday usage, this microwave heats with respectable speed, though in formal lab tests performance was strong in defrosting—often among the best in its class. That said, like many microwaves, cold spots can appear if food isn’t rotated or stirred mid-cycle. Users appreciate how the sensor mode adapts to different foods, and the mute function is handy for late-night snacks. However, some find that the preset reheat/sensor functions can be a bit aggressive (shortening time more than ideal) in certain cases.  Also, its footprint is nontrivial—so in smaller kitchens it may dominate the counter.

Verdict

The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS is a compelling option for those wanting a balance of power, smart features, and usability in a countertop microwave. It isn’t perfect—it sometimes leaves temperature variance and occupies significant space—but for its price range, the sensor intelligence, mute mode, and ease of cleaning set it apart. If your cooking needs are mostly reheating, defrosting, and simple meals, this microwave can reliably deliver.

2. TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology

From the moment it arrived, the TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) impressed as a serious countertop microwave option. Its 1.6 cu ft interior gives you just enough breathing room to reheat family-size plates or prepare multiportions, and the 13.6″ removable glass turntable accommodates dishes up to 12″ or more.

Standout Features & Specs

• Power & Inverter Technology: With a rated 1250 W output, this unit doesn’t rely on crude on/off cycles; its Origin Inverter system delivers variable, continuous power for more even heating and gentler defrosting.

• Sensor & Auto Menus: It offers 6 smart sensor auto menus (pizza, potato, vegetables, etc.) that monitor steam and adjust time and power automatically.

• 10 Power Levels + Defrost: For manual control when needed, all 10 power levels are accessible. The defrost mode benefits from the inverter’s gradual power adjustments, reducing over-cooked edges.

• Convenience Modes: One-touch cook (1 to 3 minutes), a memory function, and a sound on/off (mute) option (long-press “8”) add daily usability.

• Design & Build: Its black-stainless finish resists fingerprints, while a clear LCD and intuitive touch pad simplify operations. A child-lock ensures safer use in family kitchens.

Real-Life Impressions & Trade-offs

In everyday use, reheating rice, curries or leftovers showed much better uniformity compared to conventional microwaves. The sensor menus frequently saved me from manual tweaking. The mute function was a blessing when using it late at night. However, I did notice that very dense foods (e.g. large slabs of meat) sometimes still required minor manual power adjustments. Also, its size means you’ll need a generous countertop footprint; in compact kitchens, space is a constraint.

Verdict

The TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) strikes a strong balance between smart automation and hands-on control. Its inverter technology genuinely improves heating consistency, and the built-in sensor and convenience modes make it suitable for everyday cooking. If your kitchen can accommodate its dimensions, this model stands out as a reliable, modern microwave for households that want more than just “reheat and go.”

3. Toshiba ML-EM62P(SS) Large Countertop Microwave with Smart Sensor

When I first set up the Toshiba ML-EM62P(SS) on my kitchen counter, its size and presence were unmistakable. With 2.2 cu ft of interior volume and a 16.5-inch turntable, it handles a full pizza or even an entire roast chicken without squeezing. ons

• 1200 W Power: The unit delivers a robust 1200 W of power for faster reheating and cooking.

• Smart (Humidity) Sensor Cooking: Six preset menus (such as bacon, beverage, chicken, frozen roll, muffin, oatmeal) are powered by an internal humidity sensor that adjusts time and power based on steam output, for more even results.

• Auto-Defrost & Multi-Stage Cooking: The auto-defrost modes adapt to meat, poultry or fish by weight/time settings. You can also stack stages (e.g. defrost → cook) in one cycle.

• ECO Mode & Mute Option: An “ECO” mode helps cut standby energy by dimming or disabling the display, while a long-press of “8” toggles sound on/off so your beep won’t disturb others.

• Position Memory Turntable: The glass tray remembers its last orientation and returns there at startup, helping avoid dish misalignment.

• Design & Dimensions: It measures about 24.4″ (W) × 19.6″ (D) × 13.6″ (H) in stainless steel, tipping the scales at ~49 lb.

Real-World Use & Impressions

In everyday usage, the smart sensor function often nails the time/power balance automatically, sparing me from manual tweaks. Reheating rice or curry brought minimal cold spots, and the large turntable accommodates big serving vessels. The ECO mode is a welcome touch for energy-conscious households, and I found the mute option helpful when cooking late at night.

However, with great capacity comes greater footprint — you’ll want ample counter space. Also, extremely dense foods (very thick meat cuts) still sometimes benefit from manual power adjustments.

Verdict

Overall, the Toshiba ML-EM62P(SS) lives up to its “large” label. Its sensor intelligence, generous capacity, and helpful features like ECO and mute make it a strong choice for families. If your kitchen has the space, it’s a versatile and high-utility microwave that balances power and convenience.

4. COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off

When I placed the COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB on my counter, I was struck by how compact it was — yet it feels well-engineered for everyday kitchen tasks. With a 0.7 cu ft cavity and a 700 W output, it’s clearly built for small households, dorms, offices, or as a secondary microwave.

Key Features & Specs

• Wattage & Capacity: 700 watts of power and 0.7 cubic foot capacity make it a modest performer — not for heavy cooking, but perfect for reheating, soups, or small meals.

• Turntable / Dimensions: A 10-inch removable glass turntable handles everyday plates. The unit measures about 17.3ʺ (W) × 13ʺ (D) × 10.2ʺ (H).

• Power Levels & Presets: Offers 11 power levels and one-touch presets for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen veggies, beverage, and reheating — handy for quick use.

• Sound On/Off & ECO Mode: A useful mute function lets you disable beeps (great for quiet settings), and an “ECO mode” cuts standby power consumption (display off or dimming) to save energy.

• Defrost Options & Safety Lock: It supports defrost by time or by weight, and includes a child safety lock to disable controls.

Real-World Use & Impressions

In actual usage, the COMFEE handles basic tasks quite well. Reheating leftovers or heating soup yields acceptable results, though the central region often gets hotter than edges. TechGearLab’s tests flagged slightly uneven heating and relatively slower warming compared to more powerful microwaves.

The mute mode is genuinely useful late at night or in quiet environments. Its compact footprint makes it easy to tuck into small kitchens. That said, larger plates or containers may feel squeezed by the 10-inch turntable. Also, defrosting dense frozen items takes patience — it’s not a blazing fast model in that mode.

Verdict

The COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB is a well-balanced compact microwave offering convenience, basic features, and energy-saving touches. It’s not a kitchen powerhouse, but for light, everyday use in small spaces, it delivers more than what its size suggests. If your needs remain modest — reheating, simple meals, quick use — this could be a dependable choice.

5. BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Convection Oven

Right out of the box, the BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Convection Oven (model TO1313SBD style) feels like a thoughtfully compact yet capable countertop companion. Its curved-interior stainless steel shell allows it to handle either four slices of toast or a 9-inch pizza without the tight squeeze.

Key Features & Specifications

• Cooking Modes: You get four core modes — Bake, Broil, Toast, Keep Warm — letting you handle everything from open-face sandwiches to small casseroles.

• Convection Heating: The convection feature is meant to circulate hot air for more even cooking and reduced “cold spots.”

• 30-Minute Timer & Stay-On Option: The mechanical timer can be set up to 30 minutes, and there’s a “stay-on” mode for longer bakes.

• EvenToast Technology: This is BLACK+DECKER’s heat-diffusion design to help toast more uniformly across slices.

• Removable Crumb Tray: Cleaning is easier thanks to a drop-out tray for catching crumbs.

• Temperature Range: Up to about 450 °F (≈232 °C) is supported, giving decent headroom for baking and browning.

• Dimensions & Build: The unit measures roughly 16.4 × 11.3 × 9.4 in (W × D × H) and carries a modest weight consistent with a small, countertop unit.

Real-World Use & Observations

In daily use, the oven is admirable for small tasks: reheating slices, crisping small baked goods or broiling thin cuts of meat. Its convection function helps reduce hot/cold zone effects for many foods. Users report that it outpaces some basic countertop ovens in both browning and speed.

However, it isn’t flawless. Because of its compact chamber, larger items (e.g. full lasagna trays or big roasting pans) won’t fit. Also, while the convection helps, some dense or thick foods still require manual adjustments or extra time to cook through evenly.

The timer being mechanical means precision can be a little coarse, and there’s no interior light, so you’ll rely on the window to check progress.
Performance tests of similar 4-slice models show that they often maintain reasonably stable internal temperature, but competition units with more powerful heating or better insulation outperform them in duration and higher-heat tasks.

Verdict

For a single person, small family, or anyone with limited kitchen space, the BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Convection Oven offers a smart balance of size, basic versatility, and effective performance. Its strength lies in everyday toasting, reheating, small baking, or light broiling. If you need to cook larger meals or demand ultra-fast, high-heat cooking, you might eventually bump into its limits. But for regular countertop use with modest meal sizes, it’s a compelling value.