Microwaves are electromagnetic waves that use the same principles as radio waves but with shorter wavelengths. These are used for communication, radar, microwave ovens and much more.
Microwave radiation is absorbed by water molecules in food. This causes the water molecules to vibrate and cause friction, which creates heat. This is the same principle that makes your microwave oven cooks your food. It is also why only the food inside your microwave gets hot, not the air around it.
The prefix “micro” in microwave refers to its relatively small wavelength compared to other radio wave frequencies such as far infrared, terahertz radiation and ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio waves. This enables microwaves to penetrate deeper into foods and objects than other forms of electromagnetic radiation.
While other types of electromagnetic radiation can cause cancer or damage cells, microwaves do not because they are non-ionizing. They can still move atoms in a food molecule but do not remove electrons or change their chemical makeup.
This is why the FDA has strict standards for microwave emissions from appliances and sets limits on how much safe radiation they leak over their lifetime.
Microwaves are generated by special vacuum tubes called klystrons, magnetrons and Gunn diodes that operate based on the ballistic movement of electrons driven by magnetic or electric fields. Lower power microwaves can also be produced by solid-state devices such as field effect transistors, tunnel diodes and the IMPATT diode. Microwaves are used in point-to-point communications systems, wireless networks, radar, cellular telephones, medical diathermy and cancer treatment, remote sensing and cooking.
COMMERCIAL CHEF 0.7 Cubic Foot Microwave with 10 Power Levels, Small Microwave with Push Button, 700W Countertop up to 99 Minute Timer and Digital Display, Stainless Steel
$70.76 (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.)
SHARP Countertop Microwave Oven with Removable 12.4" Carousel Turntable, 1000 Watt, 1.1 Cubic Feet, Stainless Steel
$179.97 (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 Compact Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cubic Ft., 700-watt Capacity, 6 Auto Cooking Settings, Child-Lock Technology, Dorm Room or Apartment, Stainless Steel
$109.00 (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.)
BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, Stainless Steel, 0.9 Cu Ft
$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.)
GE Countertop Microwave Oven, Compact 0.9 Cubic Ft., 900-watt Capacity, 7 Auto Cooking Settings, Child-Lock Technology, Kitchen Essentials for the Countertop, Dorm Room or Apartment, Stainless Steel
$135.00 (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 EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4" Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W
$133.98 (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.)
TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(SS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology, Kitchen Essentials, Smart Sensor, Auto Defrost, 1.6 Cu.ft, 13.6" Removable Turntable, 33lb.&1250W, Stainless Steel
$179.91 (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.)