There are so many styles of microwaves available on the market and we will explore some of the categories. Microwaves come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and cooking capacities. This guide will explore microwaves in 6 categories from the small countertop, medium countertop, large countertop, over-the-range, built-in, and commercial models. For more in-depth information, please check out the only guide you need on reviewho.
The smallest version of microwaves is considered the small countertop models. These models are ideal for small spaces such as in a dorm or a small apartment. They have between 600-1100 watts of power and 1 cubic foot of cooking space while 10-14 inches tall/deep and weighing 20-30 lbs in the price range of $60-$300. These models use less energy and are easier to clean. Some disadvantages include they are less powerful which requires longer cooking times and hold less food.
Medium cuntertop microwaves are a step up in size, power, and capacity over their smaller cousins. A medium microwave has a cooking capacity of 1-2 cubic feet with a wattage of 800-1300 watts weighing 30-50 lbs in the price range of $100-$200. Some advantages of this size include quicker heating times, more food capacity, and quicker heating times.
Large countertop microwaves have an increased cooking capacity over the medium-sized models with a capacity of over 2 cubic feet and 1200-1400 watts with a weight of 50-70 lbs for a price of $150-$300. Some features of larger microwaves include a grill function, convection cooking, and some presets. Disadvantages include taking up space and requiring more energy.
Over the Range microwaves mounted under cabinets are similar to the medium countertop microwaves with a 2 cubic capacity, 600-1200 watt power range, and a weight of 50-65 lbs. The price is between $200-$1200 however most people have to hire a professional to install this type of microwave. Some features include defrosting and convection cooking. This style of microwave does save space however is harder to reach for shorter people.
Built-in drawer microwaves are just like they sound… mounted in a cabinet like a drawer. This saves counter space and the capacity is similar to a medium-sized countertop microwave with a wattage of 800-100 watts but the price is higher on these models in the $700-$1000 range.
Commercial microwaves are normally smaller than the larger countertop microwaves due to their use in cramped restaurant kitchens. The cooking capacity is 1 to 1.5 cubic feet with a wattage of 1,000 to 3,000 or more. They are more expensive than consumer models in the range of $500-$3000. The advantage of a commercial microwave is they can last for several years under constant abuse however they are more expensive and higher costs to operate.