Compare Microwaves

12 ranked products · Two to 4 at a time · Updated 19 Aug 2026

Pick any two to four of the 12 ranked microwaves and read them side by side. This page opens on the board's top 3, Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave Oven, Breville Smooth Wave 3-in-1 Microwave Oven and LG MVEL2033F 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven.

Choose what to compare

3 of 4 chosen

Microwaves compared side by side. Each column is one product, each row is one measure taken from the same research that built the board.
Measure	Panasonic Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave Oven	Breville Breville Smooth Wave 3-in-1 Microwave Oven	LG LG MVEL2033F 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	LG LG NeoChef MVEL2033F 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	Toshiba Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	Sharp Sharp SMC1162HS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	Danby Danby DMW1500W 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	Toshiba Toshiba EM131A5C-SS 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	Hamilton Beach Hamilton Beach 1-1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	Black + Decker Black + Decker Digital 1-0.5 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	Panasonic Panasonic NN-SC67NS 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven	GE GE GCST10A1WSS 1-2 cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven
Tier	S	S	A	B	B	C	C	D	D	D	D	D
Rank on this board	1 of 12	2 of 12	3 of 12	4 of 12	5 of 12	6 of 12	7 of 12	8 of 12	9 of 12	10 of 12	11 of 12	12 of 12
Ladder points	964 LP	885 LP	706 LP	602 LP	543 LP	490 LP	441 LP	352 LP	345 LP	335 LP	250 LP	229 LP
Our verdict	Consistently praised across multiple videos for its strong performance, versatility and reliability, making it the top choice in this category.	Unmatched even heating, sensor-based cooking and long-term firmware support make it the top choice for durability and performance.	Solid build quality, good heat distribution and reliable warranty make it a strong mid-tier pick.	Featured in premium lists, it offers advanced features and solid performance but is slightly behind the Panasonic in overall consensus.	Its lack of distinction places it near the bottom of the ranking.	Reliable heating and low failure rate keep it in the upper mid-tier.	Good value with dependable operation, though slightly less robust than Sharp.	Older firmware and fewer features make it a less future-proof choice compared to the BS variant.	Included only as a basic option with no distinguishing features, placing it low in the ranking.	Too small and underpowered for most tasks; better to spend a bit more on a larger unit.	Solid and reliable, consistently appearing on recommended lists but lacking standout features that set it apart.	Listed as a recommendation but its high price relative to performance lowers its ranking.
What reviewers rate	High power output Versatile cooking modes Reliable build quality Consistent even heating thanks to sensor inverter tech	Excellent even heating across all zones Advanced sensor-based cooking for precise results Long-term firmware updates ensure future compatibility Smooth-wave inverter for even heating	Even heating across the interior User-friendly interface Warranty support for peace of mind Good performance for price	Advanced cooking technology Compact countertop design Solid performance Even heating across interior	Quick reheating times Even cooking across the interior Budget-friendly price Even heating	Consistent heat distribution Durable construction Affordable price point Quiet fan	Solid performance for the price Easy to use interface Reliable operation Large interior	Excellent heat uniformity Competitive price Stainless-steel finish Affordable price	Great value Compact size Easy to use Straightforward interface with simple controls	Best compact microwave Small footprint with durable build 2-year warranty Low failure rate	Reliable performance Compact design Consistent quality Superior sensor-inverter technology	Reliable heat distribution Good warranty coverage Affordable price Reliable choice
Where it falls short	None noted in the reviews	None noted in the reviews	Nothing recorded	None noted in the reviews	Limited features Basic model None noted in the reviews	None noted in the reviews	None noted in the reviews	Lacks recent firmware updates Fewer modern features None noted in the reviews Fewer features than BS model	No notable features Basic performance Modest heating power	Very small size Limited power	Higher price for similar performance Not recommended by major outlets Higher price point offers no significant advantage over more affordable models Lacks sensor inverter leading to uneven heating	High price for the features offered Limited standout performance Lacks sensor-inverter technology Higher price compared to similar models
Evidence behind it	10 sources across 10 outlets	4 sources across 3 outlets	4 sources across 3 outlets	4 sources across 3 outlets	1 source across 1 outlet Thin sourcing, read it as provisional	5 sources across 4 outlets	3 sources across 2 outlets	1 source across 1 outlet Thin sourcing, read it as provisional	2 sources across 2 outlets	2 sources across 2 outlets	4 sources across 3 outlets	5 sources across 5 outlets
Flagged as one to avoid	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	1 of 6 research runs	Not flagged	Not flagged	1 of 4 research runs	1 of 4 research runs	2 of 4 research runs	1 of 6 research runs	4 of 7 research runs
Announced	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded
Where to buy	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it

Every column is the same research that built the board. Nothing here is a specification sheet copied from a maker. Read how we rank for what a tier and a ladder point mean.