# Best Microwaves: the stierproducts tier list - Source: https://stierproducts.com/categories/microwaves - Last researched: 2026-08-19T02:54:31.154Z - Products ranked: 12 - Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology - Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence. Countertop microwave ovens; toaster ovens and air fryers are separate. ## Summary On the stierproducts microwaves board, Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave Oven ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Breville Smooth Wave 3-in-1 Microwave Oven (#2, S tier) and LG MVEL2033F 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven (#3, A tier). The board ranks 12 microwaves from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 19 Aug 2026, drawing on 39 outlet citations across the board. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Toshiba EM131A5C-SS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven, Hamilton Beach 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven, Black + Decker Digital 1-0.5 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven, and 2 others. ## Ranking | Rank | Product | Brand | Tier | LP | Outlets | Verdict | Page | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave Oven | Panasonic | S | 964 | 10 | Consistently praised across multiple videos for its strong performance, versatility and reliability, making it the top choice in this category. | https://stierproducts.com/products/panasonic-nn-sn686s-stainless-steel-microwave-oven | | 2 | Breville Smooth Wave 3-in-1 Microwave Oven | Breville | S | 885 | 3 | Unmatched even heating, sensor-based cooking and long-term firmware support make it the top choice for durability and performance. | https://stierproducts.com/products/breville-smooth-wave-3-in-1-microwave-oven | | 3 | LG MVEL2033F 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | LG | A | 706 | 3 | Solid build quality, good heat distribution and reliable warranty make it a strong mid-tier pick. | https://stierproducts.com/products/lg-mvel2033f-1-2-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 4 | LG NeoChef MVEL2033F 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | LG | B | 602 | 3 | Featured in premium lists, it offers advanced features and solid performance but is slightly behind the Panasonic in overall consensus. | https://stierproducts.com/products/lg-neochef-mvel2033f-1-2-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 5 | Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | Toshiba | B | 543 | 1 | Its lack of distinction places it near the bottom of the ranking. | https://stierproducts.com/products/toshiba-em131a5c-bs-1-1-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 6 | Sharp SMC1162HS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | Sharp | C | 490 | 4 | Reliable heating and low failure rate keep it in the upper mid-tier. | https://stierproducts.com/products/sharp-smc1162hs-1-1-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 7 | Danby DMW1500W 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | Danby | C | 441 | 2 | Good value with dependable operation, though slightly less robust than Sharp. | https://stierproducts.com/products/danby-dmw1500w-1-2-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 8 | Toshiba EM131A5C-SS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | Toshiba | D | 352 | 1 | Older firmware and fewer features make it a less future-proof choice compared to the BS variant. | https://stierproducts.com/products/toshiba-em131a5c-ss-1-1-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 9 | Hamilton Beach 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | Hamilton Beach | D | 345 | 2 | Included only as a basic option with no distinguishing features, placing it low in the ranking. | https://stierproducts.com/products/hamilton-beach-1-1-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 10 | Black + Decker Digital 1-0.5 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | Black + Decker | D | 335 | 2 | Too small and underpowered for most tasks; better to spend a bit more on a larger unit. | https://stierproducts.com/products/black-decker-digital-1-0-5-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 11 | Panasonic NN-SC67NS 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | Panasonic | D | 250 | 3 | Solid and reliable, consistently appearing on recommended lists but lacking standout features that set it apart. | https://stierproducts.com/products/panasonic-nn-sc67ns-1-2-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | | 12 | GE GCST10A1WSS 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven | GE | D | 229 | 5 | Listed as a recommendation but its high price relative to performance lowers its ranking. | https://stierproducts.com/products/ge-gcst10a1wss-1-2-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-oven | ## Flagged as ones to avoid These entered one or more research runs as a product buyers cross-shop but should not buy, rather than as a pick. - Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven (#5, B tier): flagged by 1 of 6 runs. - Toshiba EM131A5C-SS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven (#8, D tier): flagged by 1 of 4 runs. - Hamilton Beach 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven (#9, D tier): flagged by 1 of 4 runs. - Black + Decker Digital 1-0.5 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven (#10, D tier): flagged by 2 of 4 runs. - Panasonic NN-SC67NS 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven (#11, D tier): flagged by 1 of 6 runs. - GE GCST10A1WSS 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven (#12, D tier): flagged by 4 of 7 runs. ## Tier meanings - S: Exceptional. Finishes top run after run; capped at 3 slots per category. - A: Excellent. Strongly recommended, beaten only by the very best. - B: Good. A solid choice with real caveats worth knowing. - C: Fair. Acceptable in the right situation, outclassed at its price. - D: Weak. Hard to recommend when better options cost similar money. - F: Avoid. The evidence points you elsewhere. ## How to read this - Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand. - LP is the product's points on this category's ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories. - Outlets is how many distinct outlets are cited for that placement. The per-product page lists each citation, and shows which of their links were fetched and confirmed before publishing. - Nothing is hidden: every product the research placed is on this board.