We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Food and Kitchen Reviews Small Kitchen Appliance Reviews The 8 Best Over-The-Range Microwaves of 2024 to Give You More Counter Space These sleek appliances reduce clutter and shore up more space for meal prep. Take back your counter with our favorites in every style and budget. By Deanne Revel Deanne Revel Deanne Revel is an award-winning journalist and host based in Seattle. She covers home design and family travel, including the best deals and dupes when shopping online. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on February 7, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Better Homes & Gardens / David Hattan Is your microwave in the golden triangle? This design rule home experts have sworn by for nearly a century promises the most efficient kitchen layout, but it only focuses on the sink, fridge, and stove. That leaves out a crucial, modern day MVP: the microwave. Unlike a standard countertop microwave, over-the-range microwaves share your stove’s real estate. According to Lowe's store manager Gary McCoy, they're excellent for saving space and maximizing function. “Plus, you get the added capability of lighting and venting,” he adds. Home cook and AllRecipes AllStar Sarah Stone says, "If you have little kids, it’s not so easy for them to access. Plus, most have the ventilation in an updraft which can be helpful depending on building codes." What We Researched We carefully selected the best over-the-range microwave for every kitchen need, taking into consideration budget, power, size, and stainless steel options such as fingerprint-resistant and black stainless steel. Our Top Picks Best Overall: GE Over-the-Range Microwave at Amazon ($339) Jump to Review Best Budget: Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave at Walmart ($280) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Café 2.1 Cu Ft. 1,050 Watt Smart External Over-The-Range Microwave at Wayfair ($796) Jump to Review Best Large: GE Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven at Wayfair ($596) Jump to Review Best Small: Whirlpool Low-Profile Microwave Hood Combination at Wayfair ($443) Jump to Review Best Design: LG 30” Smart Over-the-Range Microwave Oven at Amazon ($549) Jump to Review Best Convection: LG Convection Over-the-Range Microwave at Wayfair ($699) Jump to Review Best Versatile: KitchenAid 30-Inch Microwave Hood Combination at Lowe's ($649) Jump to Review Best Overall GE Over-the-Range Microwave The Home Depot View On Amazon $339 View On Wayfair $247 View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It The nifty melt feature is clutch for baking with butter, chocolate and marshmallows. Keep in Mind The included light bulbs for stove lighting are not LED and can get hot quickly. In the sliding scale of features vs. cost, this larger unit from GE is the sweet spot. At less than $400 for stainless steel, it’s the best option for value. Technically a large microwave, it’s roomy enough for small casserole dishes and, at just 1,000 watts, it’s not an energy drain. While it doesn’t have a ton of preprogrammed heat settings, the melt setting that prevents scorched butter, chocolate, caramel, and more is amazing. There’s a grid of quick-start buttons (one through 10 minutes), which is handy for routine items whose cook times you can predict Unlike more expensive microwaves with LED bulbs, the included halogen light bulbs from GE have a not-so-bright, warm glow and tend to get too hot, users have reported. If you prefer brighter, white light, you may want to replace the bulbs with LEDs. Product Details: Size: 15.56 x 29.88 x 16.31 inches | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Power: 1,000 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel, white Best Budget Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave Best Buy View On Walmart $280 View On Lowe's $249 View On Home Depot $248 Why You Should Get It Get the same size, wattage power, and stainless steel look as our top pick but for less money. Keep in Mind The ding is incredibly loud. Same size, same power, but for less. And, yes, it’s stainless steel. This Whirlpool unit has most of the features we love about our top pick, including a handy melt setting, but you can find it for less than $250 at some retailers. While it doesn’t have express-touch buttons, it does have a quick 30-second button for touch-and-go reheating. The stainless steel isn’t as fingerprint-resistant as more expensive models, it easily wipes clean. The glass turntable is easy to clean, too, as it’s dishwasher-safe. However, one of the biggest complaints from users is the loud sound that signals when time is up. While convenient for not missing when your food is reading, it can be super annoying. We wish it had the option to lower or change the beep. Product Details: Size: 17.13 x 29.94 x 15.56 inches | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Power: 1,000 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, white, black Best Splurge Café 2.1 Cu Ft. 1,050 Watt Smart External Over-The-Range Microwave Wayfair View On Wayfair $796 View On Walmart $1,101 View On Lowe's $799 Why You Should Get It No eyesore here—the sleek glass seamlessly blends into a range. Keep in Mind The defrost setting takes a long time compared to countertop microwaves with less wattage. Who knew an appliance could be this chic? The Café unit is the best microwave for minimalism and clutter-free kitchens. The large glass front doesn’t have a handle so it stays flush to cabinets for one seamless line. While the touchscreen hidden behind a glass panel creates a cool look, bear in mind that it’s a lot of fingerprints to clean. At 2.1 cubic feet, there’s more room for reheating larger leftovers such as casseroles. And this size features a more powerful vent, which means odors such as stinky fish are eliminated in a flash. But for its size and power, some users found the defrost times to take longer than a standard countertop microwave with less wattage, which could be a downside if you like to prepare frozen meals. Product Details: Size: 15.56 x 29.87 x 16.31 inches | Capacity: 2.1 cubic feet | Power: 1,050 watts | Finish: Stainless steel Best Large GE Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven Wayfair View On Wayfair $596 View On Lowe's $599 View On Home Depot $598 Why You Should Get It The powerful ventilation quickly removes stinky food odors like fish. Keep in Mind Larger size means higher wattage (means higher energy bills). At 2.2 cubic feet, the GE Profile is the best over-the-range microwave for big families trying to get dinner on the table fast. The larger size also means a more powerful vent. And that means faster odor elimination so spicy, garlicky foods don’t linger. However, at 1,700 watts, this isn’t the most energy-efficient microwave. It’s one of the more expensive microwaves on our list, but it comes with some clutch bells and whistles such as a steam cleaning mode to tackle marinara splatters and other stubborn, stuck-on food. There’s also a Chef Connect feature which syncs clocks to other range elements, which is incredibly handy for daylight savings time or when the power goes out. Product Details: Size: 17.25 x 29.875 x 15.5625 inches | Capacity: 2.2 cubic feet | Power: 1,700 watts | Finish: Stainless steel Best Small Whirlpool Low-Profile Microwave Hood Combination Whirlpool View On Wayfair $443 View On Lowe's $399 View On Home Depot $398 Why You Should Get It For a smaller unit, the ventilation is just as powerful if not more powerful than other over-the-range microwaves. Keep in Mind It’s slim and compact, but the width is the same as similar models. An over-the-range option will never be as compact as a countertop microwave, but at just around 10 inches tall, this slim model from Samsung doesn’t look nearly as bulky. It’s the best choice if you have a smaller kitchen with shorter cabinets. With this compressed silhouette, the broken lines between standard cabinets and the shortened cabinet above the microwave aren’t nearly as noticeable and it creates a much more streamlined design. As for features, the Samsung has plenty, with WiFi and voice control as well as a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish. And the interior is lined with ceramic which makes wiping away stubborn messes like splattered marinara or spilled-over oatmeal so much easier. Despite its size, the microwave packs more wattage than larger options on our list, so while you may not be able to fit tall items on the turntable, you won’t have to wait as long to defrost. And the vent itself is powerful with a heavy-duty filter the brand claims will trap more oil and grease. Product Details: Size: 10.75 x 19.125 x 29.875 inches | Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet | Power: 1,000 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel, white Best Design LG 30” Smart Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Appliances Connection View On Amazon $549 View On Wayfair $459 View On Lowe's $349 Why You Should Get It This has all the smart bells and whistles, from home assistant compatibility to a child safety lock. Keep in Mind Glass and finishes are very limited. If you loved the Café microwave but don’t want to splurge that much, the LG MVEL2033F has a similar look with tons of smart settings and a much lower price tag. The large glass front doesn’t have a handle so it’s another great option for minimalists. This is also a solid choice for families with kids as it features both a child safety lock and a kids meal pre-programmed heat setting, which could be clutch for those post-nap toddler snacks. Like other smart microwaves, it’s WiFi enabled and pairs with home assistant devices. But it also features LG’s proprietary ThinQ technology and there are some Jetsons-esque capabilities such as the frozen food scanner. Just scan the barcode of a packaged food item and the microwave does the rest. No need to read through timetables for wattage and minutes. The microwave thinks for you which is great when you’re trying to get dinner on the table and wrangling little ones simultaneously. Product Details: Size: 33.6 x 20.6 x 21.1 inches | Capacity: 2 cubic feet | Power: 1,050 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel Best Convection LG Convection Over-the-Range Microwave Lowe's View On Wayfair $699 View On Lowe's $599 View On Home Depot $598 Why You Should Get It t’s a microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer all in one counter-free appliance. Keep in Mind The touchscreen buttons aren’t backlit and can be hard to read. If an appliance garage still sounds like clutter, this LG model is a great choice for shoring up counter space and pairing down appliances without losing any functionality. With convection settings, the unit serves as a microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer all in one. It can also roast, brown, and bake, so it’s a godsend for summer when it’s just too hot to turn on the oven. Bakers will love that it comes with both melt and soften settings so there’s no need to worry when you forget to take butter or cream cheese out of the fridge. And with the powerful convection settings, you can bake cookies right in the microwave. Users say the air fryer setting is good enough to ditch the other countertop appliance. At 1.7 cubic feet, it’s a fairly large microwave and the wattage is over 1,000 so cook times will be faster than traditional countertop appliances. One con that we noted: the touchscreen buttons aren’t backlit, making them a bit harder to read than is preferred. Product Details: Size: 6.44 x 29.94 x 15.38 inches | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Power: 1,050 watts | Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel Best Versatile KitchenAid 30-Inch Microwave Hood Combination Best Buy View On Lowe's $649 View On Home Depot $648 View On Best Buy $650 Why You Should Get It There’s a handy, pre-programmed button for nearly any type of dish so you don’t have to think. Keep in Mind There’s no quick one- or two-minute setting. Buttons, buttons, and more buttons. This KitchenAid model is a nice option if you need a sous chef as there are 16 quick-touch settings. Sure, there’s the standard potato and popcorn, but there are also settings for dinner plates, beverages and frozen entrees. The smart sensors for the steam and simmer settings promise to take guesswork out of heating and reheating vegetables. Though, despite all the cool settings, there’s no quick one-minute or two-minute button. At 2.0 cubic feet, this is considered an XL microwave and can accommodate larger casserole dishes. You can also adjust or stop the interior turntable to customize reheating or make more space. If you’re not much of a cook and rely on the microwave for daily meals, this is your buy. Product Details: Size: 16.25 x 30 x 17.125 inches | Capacity: 2 cubic feet | Power: 1,000 watts | Finish: Stainless steel The Bottom Line For multiple stainless steel finishes plus overall value and power for price, the GE 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave checks all the boxes. But for the same size and wattage, the Whirlpool 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave is a great budget option for stainless steel. What to Know About Over-the-Range Microwaves Before Shopping Size “[They] are typically available in three sizes: small, less than 1.0 cubic foot; medium, from 1.1 to 1.5 cubic feet; and large, greater than 1.5 cubic feet,” McCoy says. “The medium and large size microwaves are the most popular sizes at Lowe’s.” He also notes that outside dimensions are especially important when installing or replacing an over-the-range microwave. “You need at least 66 inches from the floor to the bottom of the cabinet for access. You also need at least 30 inches between the cooktop surface and the bottom of the cabinet.” Capacity Similar to dishwashers or washing machines, a microwave’s external size and internal space are both measured in cubic feet. But it’s important to note the internal capacity is usually significantly less than the overall size and that can limit the size of the dishes you’re able to fit. “Interior cooking area capacity for over-the-range microwaves typically spans from 0.7 cubic feet, which is great for small spaces and basic reheating, up to 2 cubic feet or larger for full cooking capability,” McCoy says. Power Like standard microwaves, these appliances vary in wattage. “Typically, over-the-range microwaves come in an average watt range of 950 to 1,100, while a standard microwave is 800 to 1,000 watts,” McCoy says. Wattage is important to consider when shopping because while a higher wattage microwave will have lower cook times and get food on the table faster, a higher wattage uses more energy which means higher energy bills. Finish They tend to be available in "a variety of finishes and styles so you can easily create a unified look throughout your space, including stainless steel, black, white and slate finishes,” McCoy says. These days, you can find several options for stainless steel including fingerprint-resistant and black stainless steel which is actually pewter-looking gray. “My microwave is fingerprint resistant stainless steel but also comes in black, white, and regular stainless steel finish,” Stone says. “White appliances can take longer to order because most people select black or stainless steel these days. Essentially the demand for white appliances is so rare it can take longer to order and as a result white appliances can be more expensive.” Durability & Warranty Both experts stress that microwaves should last a long, long time with proper use. Stone emphasizes cleaning to ensure longevity, “The reason so many microwaves may not last that long is failure to keep it clean, failure to clean the microwave filter,” she says. Warranties are another expense to consider. “Small appliances are typically covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for one year,” McCoy says. He notes that shoppers can also opt to buy Lowe’s Protection Plan for an additional five years of coverage. Many manufacturers offer an extra five year warranty, but Stone says the cost is rarely worth it. “Whirlpool offers up to five years at $123.56. At this point, if you’ve invested this money into a five year warranty, it’s more than half the cost of a new microwave, so it’s not the best option.” Your Questions, Answered Which over-the-range microwave brand is most reliable? “My personal recommendation is Whirlpool for the everyday and Kitchenaid for a splurge,” says Stone, who has used many different models for testing recipes and cooking demos. McCoy mentions reputable brands like Samsung, GE, Whirlpool, LG, Kenmore, and Frigidaire. How long should an over-the-range microwave last? “With normal care and use, an over-the-range microwave should last about 10 years, according to most manufacturers,” said McCoy. “Keeping the oven clean, including the grease filter, and using programmed cooking or defrosting times are a couple of ways to help your unit last.” What are the disadvantages of over-the-range microwaves? While these microwaves have the option of conventional venting or indoor air filter circulation, McCoy notes that models without a vented hood require more upkeep as these “circulate the air indoors through a grease-trapped carbon filter that you must replace periodically.” And while this style helps keep appliances away from little ones, they can also be hard to reach for teens and shorter adults and those with low mobility. How much do over-the-range microwaves cost? They can range from "approximately $140 to $600,” McCoy says. He adds that installation and delivery can add expenses. “If you’re installing a range hood with your microwave, you’ll need supplies, like a drill, screwdriver bits, wood boring drills, and a stud finder.” “Shoppers can also opt to include Lowe’s delivery and installation services. We coordinate with local professional independent installers to take care of the entire process—from installation to haul-away and more—and the service is backed by both product and labor warranties.” However, if you bundle new appliances, you can save big. “I’m a new homeowner,” Stone says. “I had my home custom built and I bought a kitchen appliance suite. The microwave itself I believe was $189.” Who We Are Deanne Revel is an award-winning journalist and host based in Seattle. She covers home and design shopping, including the best deals and dupes, and did significant research on the best over-the-range microwaves for this story. She also spoke to home cooking expert and Allrecipes Allstar Sarah Stone as well as Lowe’s Store Manager Gary McCoy. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit