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It’s time to bring the heat with this edit.

When shopping for your next microwave that’s on your to-buy list, you want to make sure it’s well-done (pun totally intended). After all, it’s an investment piece you don’t want to buy for a very, very long time after it’s installed.

With so many brands on the market — from Samsung and Frigidaire to GE and Panasonic — selecting the perfect one for you that’s in your budget can be a difficult feat. So, we brought in all the expertise you need to make your shopping experience that much better.

“Microwaves are a staple item that can make a big difference in the kitchen,” Nikki Jones, Best Buy’s Home Expert, told the New York Post. “When you’re shopping for a new appliance, think about the size of your kitchen, where you plan to place it and what model will fit best with the style of your home.”

In other words, Jones asks you to consider a microwave “the smart home eco-system of your own home,” as some of the new microwaves can also be controlled with smart assistants to perform tasks like starting, pausing or adding time to your appliance.

We rounded up the 15 best microwaves of 2023 based on Jones’ expertise, along with some FAQs and shopping tips for buying your new state-of-the-art appliance.

Click to jump to the FAQ with the experts:

Before you shop our picks, click to visit some of our favorite retailers for microwaves: Amazon, Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Samsung, Target, Walmart.

As an Amazon’s Choice product, the Samsung Countertop Grill Microwave fits the bill for what we look for in a countertop microwave. It has 37 cooking presets, a scratch-resistant ceramic enamel interior and a child safety lock to prevent accidental use.

Frigidaire’s Over-the-Range Microwave has LED lighting to add some glimmer and convenience to everything you’re heating up. Plus, its extra-large capacity can even accommodate your baking dishes. You’ll also appreciate its one-touch functionality for simple use.

If a built-in microwave is what you’re after, look no further than the Panasonic Built-in Microwave. Not only does it boast nearly 7,000 rave reviews on Amazon, but it delivers evenly heated food (thanks to its Inverter Technology), has an automatic Genius sensor to adjust power and times based on the food and is apt for large families, especially.

To match your all-white kitchen, pick up the Whirlpool Microwave with Sensor Cooking. Its recessed glass turntable provides a 360-degree cooking experience to help heat up your food evenly. Not to mention, its LED display and controlled lockout feature (for safety) are nice touches.

GE’s Over-the-Range Microwave Oven comes with a slew of features and the convenience of being placed right above your range. With an included venting system, auto and time defrost settings and easy-to-use electronic controls, it’s all you’ll ever need.

If you’re all about that sleek look, then you’ll adore the Frigidaire Gallery Built-in Microwave. Not only does it look upwards of $1,000 but it boasts sensor-cook technology, interior LED lighting, ample cooking space (thanks to its large capacity) and even a melt feature to condense your butter or chocolate to perfection while baking.

As the best budget microwave on our list, the Hamilton Beach Countertop Microwave Oven is less than $75 and perfect if you need a new appliance in a pinch. Namely, it comes in two other colors (black and red), has the stainless steel design we all know and love and comes with easy-to-use controls and an LED display.

We have yet to meet a more modern microwave than the GE Profile Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven. For the price, you’ll be happy with its sensor cooking controls, “add 30 seconds” button (to heat up all kinds of food just right) and flushed, handle-less look.

The LG Smart Built-in Microwave Speed Oven is a triple threat: an oven, an air fryer and a convection. It heats and bakes four times faster than your average model, saves you precious counter space and comes with easy-to-clean SmartTouch glass controls.

For a fairly priced microwave, you can’t go wrong with the Magic Chef Countertop Microwave. It’s readily available on Amazon or at Target online, and it impressively comes with six pre-programmed cooking menus, a child safety lock and a glass turntable.

Enter the brand that gave us the top-rated Stand Mixer. KitchenAid’s Over-the-Range Microwave features that motion sensor technology for efficient, better speed and heat, along with fan, grease and charcoal features to ensure it stays nice and fresh.

Although it’s not everything when it comes to buying a brand-new microwave, we love the look of the Cosmo Built-In Microwave. Its smart defrosting setting, automatic cooking presets (for popcorn and for softening ingredients) and precise 1000-watt design make it a worthy in-house chef to make your snacks and late-night dinners in the press of a button.

Meet the smaller, countertop sister model to the Panasonic microwave we rounded up above. With over 9,000 stellar reviews, it’s a force to be reckoned with. Its compact design, smart cooking features and “keep warm” feature ensure it’s one of the best options you can buy.

One thing we love more than using a newly minted appliance is using an appliance that’s quiet. Toshiba’s 6-in-1 Inverter Microwave is a god-send, namely for its sound on/off feature that (1) is reason enough to grab it and (2) is especially perfect for families with babies and napping children. For less than $350, it’s surely worth it.

Doesn’t the Sharp Microwave Oven just scream retro? Not only do we love its aesthetic, but we adore its cooking power. Its classic dial timer is beyond easy to use and it has a roomy interior and an auto-cancel timer to save energy.

Above all else, Jones recommends considering functionality first, as finding the right microwave fit for your lifestyle can help make your day-to-day food preparation a lot easier.

“Look for things like an included rack, a large turntable for food, and a capacity that fits the needs of your home and the amount of food you’re regularly preparing,” she adds. “For most consumers, a 1.1 to 1.5 cubic foot microwave should be a great fit for the home.”

Another feature to consider is the ability to use convection cooking in your microwave, which, according to Jones, means the microwave will circulate the heat around food in the microwave for even heat distribution and ultimately faster cooking.

“Prices vary depending on the features, style and overall capacity of the microwave,” Jones notes. “For example, styles like the drawer microwave might cost more than other options because of the mechanics needed to properly install the microwave.”

So, if you’re willing to splurge, look for microwaves with added features, like convection and speed cooking. This is a great feature, per Jones, as it can also help make food prep easier at home.

Ahead, Jones lists and elaborates on the different microwave models on the market:

To get the lowdown on how to properly clean this appliance, The Post spoke with Ariel Rothbard a lifestyle trend expert at Taskrabbit, who reminded us that there are two parts to deep cleaning a microwave: the interior and exterior.

“To clean the exterior and the window of the microwave, mix one cup of white vinegar and one cup water and wipe it down with a paper towel to ensure all the streaks disappear,” she said. “As for the inside of the microwave, mix equal parts water and baking soda and use a damp cloth to wipe down all of the residue.”

Don’t forget the turntable dish, either! Rothbard explained that that’s one of the most forgotten parts of the microwave — especially underneath it.

“Grime can slowly and sneakily build up there,” she said. “The best way [to clean it] is to remove the turntable and clean with dish soap and warm water, similarly to how you would hand-wash a pan.”

If you’re short on time, Rothbard recommends cleaning your microwave with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or some dish soap and water solution, which will have similar results.

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