Whether you’re heating up leftovers or cooking a meal from scratch, microwave ovens are an invaluable kitchen appliance. The short cook times they offer and their ability to defrost food quickly and efficiently save you time and effort, while their low energy consumption cuts down on electricity bills. Additionally, the fact that microwaves don’t produce any smoke makes them safer to use around children, and utensils are left clean of sticky or burnt residue after being cooked in a microwave.
The microwaves we use in our home kitchens are a subset of the radio waves emitted by the stars, planets and galaxies we can see with telescopes like the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in northern Chile. They are electromagnetic waves that can penetrate and heat liquids and solids, including foodstuffs, although they can be reflected by metal foils. They are also used to detect speeding cars by sending radar signals back to a receiver on the ground, and they can penetrate clouds of smoke, allowing meteorological disturbances to be mapped.
Microwave radiation doesn’t make food “radioactive,” as some have claimed, because it heats molecules without removing or adding electrons. The radiation can, however, cause the water and fat in foodstuffs to vibrate, which leads to the heating effect. The radiation can also be absorbed by the tissue of living cells, which is why it is dangerous to eat foods heated with microwaves and why two areas of the human body are especially sensitive to microwaves: the eyes and testes.
GE GCST10A1WSS 1.0 Cu Ft Convection Microwave Oven, 1050W Countertop Air Fry Microwave with Broil & Crisper Pan, Compact Stainless Steel Design
$199.99 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Emerson MW7302B Compact Countertop Microwave Oven with Touch Control, LED Display, 700W, 10 Power Levels, 6 Auto Menus, Glass Turntable and Child Safe Lock, 0.7 Cu., Ft. Black
$69.49 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold
$74.98 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
GE Countertop Microwave Oven,1, 200-watt Capacity, 2.0 Cubic Ft., 8 Auto Setting Cooking Settings, Child-Lock Technology, Kitchen Essentials for the Countertop, Dorm Room or Apartment, Stainless Steel
$259.99 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Nostalgia Retro Compact Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700-Watts with LED Digital Display, Child Lock, Easy Clean Interior, Black
$89.99 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor and 13.6" Removable Position Memory Turntable, Sound On/Off Function, 1200W, 1.6 Cu.ft, Black Stainless Steel
$172.99 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
$79.99 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. Digital Stainless Steel Microwave 1000 Watts with 6 Auto Menus, 10 Power Levels, Eco Mode, Memory, Mute Function, Child Safety Lock, Easy Clean
$119.99 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Breville BMO650SIL Compact Wave Soft Close Countertop Microwave Oven, Silver
$249.95 (as of January 14, 2026 19:13 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)