These Microwaves Cost $150 or Less, But They Don’t Look It

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Not all microwaves have the same power and heating abilities, but shopping on a budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing performance. The best cheap microwaves under $150—or even under $100— generally have a basic, no-frills design and lower wattage, but they can still heat up food and defrost meat just as well as their more expensive counterparts. Reputable brands like GE, Black+Decker, and Toshiba all have affordable models, some of which have advanced features like Wi-Fi connectivity and humidity sensors. Plus, their compact size will take up less counter space in your kitchen—and who can complain about that?

Here’s what you’ll want to look for as you shop, as well as our picks for the best cheap microwaves available today.

The Best Cheap Microwaves

• Best Overall: BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven

• Best Budget: Faberware Compact Countertop Microwave Oven

• Best Stainless Steel: GE Countertop Microwave

• Best Large Capacity: Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave

• Best Custom Settings: Faberware Classic Microwave

What to Consider

In addition to the price point, there are several important features you’ll want to consider as you decide which microwave is best for your kitchen:

Type

There are three different types of microwaves on the market: conventional, convection, and inverter. Conventional microwaves do standard reheating by emitting microwaves of energy to heat food, while convection microwaves (also known as microwave ovens) also have a heating element that can roast food more like a standard oven. Inverter microwaves, on the other hand, use a special type of circuit that provides a constant amount of power throughout the cooking time without cutting in and out.

If you’re shopping on a budget, the majority of appliances under $150 are conventional microwaves. However, you may be able to find a convection or inverter model at this price point during sales.

Installation

There are several styles of microwaves available today, including countertop, over-the-range, and built-in models. However, if you’re shopping with a budget of $150 or less, the majority of your options are going to be countertop, which tend to be the most budget-friendly. The good news is that countertop microwaves are the easiest style to install—just plug them in and they’re ready to go—and they’re also renter-friendly, as you can take them with you when you move.

Wattage

Wattage of 1,000 or more cooks food evenly and efficiently, but higher-powered microwaves are generally more expensive. Many of the cheapest appliances have a baseline around 700-900 watts, which gets the job done—just not as quickly as more powerful options.

Dimensions

Take time to consider both the inner and outer dimensions of the microwave as well. Many are measured by cubic feet—typically ranging from 0.7 cubic feet to over 2 cubic feet—though you’ll also want to measure your dinner plates to compare with the inner dimensions to make sure they can fit properly.

How We Selected

Wattage of 1,000 or more cooks food evenly and efficiently, but higher-powered microwaves are generally more expensive. Many of the cheapest appliances have a baseline around 700-900 watts, which gets the job done—just not as quickly as more powerful options.

All of the microwaves featured on this list are less than $150, and in addition to price, I looked at their capacity, dimensions, power level, and settings. I selected models that offer the most power and versatility for the price, and I prioritized brands I’ve personally used and trust, such as Black+Decker, GE, and Toshiba.

For more great kitchen appliance advice, check out our picks for the best smart ovens, the best toaster ovens, and the best outdoor pizza ovens.

Digital Microwave Oven

This Black+Decker microwave oven offers decent size and power for under $100, making it one of the best options you can get at this price point. Its interior is 0.7 cubic feet, and its glass turntable has a diameter of 10 inches, easily accommodating most bowls and small plates. This microwave offers 700 watts of power, which is fairly standard for this price point, but you may need to cook food for a little longer to ensure it’s heated throughout.

I personally own this microwave and have used it for three years. I like its compact size, which doesn’t take up too much space in my kitchen, and while it does sometimes need an extra minute to cook food, it’s effective for reheating leftovers, defrosting meat, and popping popcorn.

Compact Countertop Microwave Oven

If you’re looking for a truly cheap microwave, one of the best available is this model from Farberware. The simple design is as budget-friendly as they come, and it’s just 10 inches tall, so its compact footprint won’t take up too much space on your kitchen counter. Its small size also makes it well-suited for smaller apartments or even dorm rooms.

The microwave has a 12-inch opening to accommodate larger plates, and you can quickly get your food cooking with its six one-touch programs—handy if you frequently make food like popcorn or baked potatoes. The appliance also has a safety lock feature, which is useful for households with young children.

Countertop Microwave

To save on manufacturing costs, cheap appliances are often made with plastic exteriors, but this model from GE has stainless steel accents to match your other kitchen appliances. It’s more powerful than many other budget models, offering 950 watts of cooking power, and, despite its low price, this microwave also has a larger-than-average capacity and a turntable that can comfortably fit 12-inch plates.

This countertop microwave has designated buttons for six common foods, as well as six express cook settings—for example, if you press the “1” button, it starts a one-minute timer; the “2” button starts a two-minute timer; and so on. This makes it quicker and easier to start the appliance.

EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave

You’ll be able to fit large dinner plates and other cookware into this Toshiba microwave, which has more capacity than most other budget-friendly models. Its turntable is 12.4 inches in diameter and the inner cavity is 9.5 inches tall, so it can accommodate larger cookware. Of course, this also means the outside of the appliance is a bit larger than other options.

In addition to its large size, this microwave offers 1,100 watts of cooking power, as well as a built-in humidity sensor—a feature often reserved for more expensive models. Thanks to this sensor, the microwave can sense your food’s doneness and adjust the cook time and power level for optimal results.

Classic Microwave

Another compact option, this Farberware microwave adds sleek, brushed stainless steel style to your kitchen. It has all the basic features you’d expect, including 10 power levels and six presets, but it also has a memory function that allows you to customize and store your most used settings. This can be useful if you frequently use your microwave for tasks like melting chocolate or softening butter, which require low power levels.

While this version of the microwave has a 0.7-cubic-foot capacity, the appliance is also available in two larger sizes, both of which still cost less than $150. It also features a pull handle to open the door, which can often be easier to operate than push buttons.

Smart Countertop Microwave Oven

Believe it or not, you can actually get a smart microwave—meaning one that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi—for under $150. The GE Smart microwave connects to your smartphone, and you can even control it using voice commands via Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa. This lets you start or stop the appliance, adjust its settings, or add more time, all without ever touching the control panel—a useful feature for those who have impaired sight.

However, the microwave’s coolest feature has to be its “scan-to-cook” technology. Once the microwave is connected to your smartphone, you can scan the barcode on microwavable foods, and the microwave automatically sets the power level and cook time according to instructions. All you have to do is press start.

EM925A5A-BS Countertop Microwave Oven

Many countertop microwaves have push buttons to open their doors, but this Toshiba microwave has a handle, which some people find easier to operate. The inexpensive design has a modest size and average power, as well as six one-touch food settings and six quick-start buttons.

While this countertop microwave is fairly basic, it does offer a mute function that turns off the end-of-cooking signal—this may be beneficial if you have children or often use the appliance at night or early in the morning. However, keep in mind that the turntable in this microwave is just over 10.5 inches in diameter, so large dinner plates may not fit inside.

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