An over the range microwave makes meal preparation simpler and more convenient. With one of these fixtures in your kitchen, you save yourself time, space, and energy when heating up your family’s favorite foods. You can choose the best over the range microwave oven that will serve you well for years by knowing what 10 models are known for offering the highest level of performance, power, and convenience.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
| Model | Size | Color | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Electric JVM3160RFSS | 30 inches | Stainless steel | |
| Samsung ME 16K3000AS | 1.6 cubic feet | Black | |
| General Electric JVM3160DFBB | 30 inches | Black | |
| LG LMV2031ST | 2.0 cubic feet | Stainless steel | |
| General Electric JVM3160DFWW | 1.6 cubic feet | White | |
| Frigidaire FFMV162LB | 1.6 cubic feet | Black | |
| General Electric B01H5FNHG6 | 1.7 cubic feet | Black | |
| Whirlpool 119165 | 1.9 cubic feet | Stainless steel | |
| Frigidaire MWV150KW | 1.5 cubic feet | White | |
| Sharp 1100 watts R-1214 | 1.5 cubic feet | Stainless steel |
Our Reviews on the Top Ten Rated Products 2018
General Electric JVM3160RFSS 30″
(Editor’s Overall Choice) – General Electric has long been a brand associated with top-quality home appliances. It upholds its reputation with its GE JVM3160RFSS 30 inch over the range oven, which comes with an appealing stainless steel exterior finish. This particular GE model has a 1.6 cubic foot and a 1000 watt capacity. It can cook and defrost food easily and also features a host of auto programming options.
It also comes with a turntable and a see-through glass door so that you can keep an eye on your food as you prepare it. Made in the USA, this over the range microwave measures 33.5 by 19.4 by 20.2 inches and weighs a hefty 62 pounds, making it one of the larger models on the market.
- 1.6 cubic foot food prep capacity
- Baking, defrost, and other auto programming options
- See-through glass door for easy viewing
- Large size
- Questionable ventilation performance
- Higher price tag
Samsung ME 16K3000AS
(Editor’s Budget Choice) – Samsung is a brand typically associated with high-quality electronics like cell phones and TVs. However, the company also makes high performance household appliances like over the range microwave ovens. It proves that it is a brand to be taken seriously in this market with its Samsung ME 16K3000AS-model, which comes in a sleek and easy-to-clean black finish and features a 1.6 cubic foot capacity.
The ME 16K3000AS also offers all of the expected functions from cooking and baking to defrosting food. It comes with several auto programming functions for your convenience. However, its affordable price tag may be its most appealing factor for people on the lookout for a top-quality oven without overspending their budget.
- Affordable price tag
- Auto programming features
- 1.6 cubic foot capacity
- Smaller than other ovens for sale
- No exhaust fan
General Electric JVM3160DFBB 30″
(Editor’s High-Performance Choice) – General Electric’s JVM3160DFBB 30″ could be one of the easiest to use yet most powerful over the range microwave ovens on the market. With its 1.6 cubic foot food prep capacity, it comes in an elegant black finish and also features a rotating turntable that can operate at two different speeds.
It comes with a host of auto programming options to make food prep and defrosting easier. It also comes with options for making popcorn, baked potatoes, and other foods that you often prefer to prepare quickly and easily. Measuring 33 by 20 by 19 inches, this oven weighs 62 pounds, making it relatively easy to install. It also comes with a price tag that many shoppers should find affordable.
- Two-speed rotating turntable
- Convenient cooking options for snacks like popcorn
- Auto programming for other food preparation
- Confusing installation instructions
- Noisy when in use
LG LMV2031ST
LG’s LMV2031ST comes in an industrial chic stainless steel finish that is easy to clean and goes great with any kitchen décor in your home. With its powerful 2.0 cubic foot cooking capacity, it is the perfect complementary appliance that makes meal prep fast and easy.
Its 1000 watt cooking capacity lets you bake, cook, defrost, and heat up food or beverages in seconds. The microwave oven has a see-through glass door and a rotating turntable that heats up food evenly. The oven itself measures 15.9 by 29.9 by 16.4 inches and weighs 63 pounds, making it a sizable oven that can be fitted easily over most ranges.
- Stainless steel finish
- 2.0 cubic foot cooking capacity
- Food prep options like defrost, baking, and cooking
- Higher price tag
- Heavy weight
General Electric JVM3160DFWW
General Electric’s JVM3160DFWW is a basic yet practical and convenient over range microwave oven that lets you prepare food fast and easily. It comes in an appealing white finish that blends in with any kitchen decorations. It also comes with a range of electronic touch control options that let you program and use your oven easier.
It also has a glass rotating turntable as well as a two-speed exhaust fan. While it does have a higher price tag than others on the market, it also comes with a 10-year warranty at no extra cost.
- Electronic touch control programming options
- Free 10-year warranty
- Chic white finish
- Higher price tag
- Turntable prone to skipping
- Noisy operation
Frigidaire FFMV162LB
Frigidaire is a brand name that is commonly associated with high-quality refrigerators, stoves, ovens, and other kitchen appliances. Frigidaire FFMV162LB upholds this reputation for quality with its 10 different power levels and 1.6 cubic foot cooking capacity.
Available in a stylish black finish, this microwave oven also features a 1000 watt performance and a two-speed ventilation system. It measures 15.1 by 29.9 by 16.5 inches, making it perfect for installing above any standard kitchen range.
- Two-speed ventilation system
- 1000 watt power capability
- 10 different power levels
- Heavier than other models
- Slightly higher price tag
General Electric 1.7 Cubic Foot Over the Range Microwave Oven
General Electric’s 1.7 cubic foot microwave oven may look very basic at first glance. However, it offers all of the basic functions that you want and expect from a top-quality product and comes in an appealing black finish that is easy to keep clean.
It can easily prepare a host of foods from main entrees to side dishes and desserts. It comes with a rotating glass turntable and a see-through glass door. It also has easy-to-use touchscreen buttons that let you program the oven each time you use it.
- Touchscreen programming options
- Glass turntable
- Black finish
- High price tag
- Small dimensions and weight
Whirlpool 119165
Whirlpool is another brand that is well-known for its top performing and long-lasting home appliances. The Whirlpool 119165 does the Whirlpool brand proud with its powerful 1.9 cubic foot capacity and 1000 watt performance.
This oven comes in an attractive stainless steel finish and measures 30 by 17.2 by 16 inches, making it well suited to fit above any standard kitchen range. It also has an easy-to-use touchscreen interface that lets you program it for defrosting, baking, cooking, and other functions.
- 1.9 cubic foot cooking capacity
- Stainless steel finish
- Touchscreen interface for easy programming
- Heavy weight
Frigidaire MWV150KW
Frigidaire’s MWV150KW features a 1.5 cubic foot capacity and a variety of food prep options designed for your convenience in mind. It comes in a clean white finish and makes available an assortment of one-touch options that let you program and use your microwave oven easily.
It also comes with an extra large 14-inch diameter glass turntable that is perfect for cooking entrees, side dishes, and desserts. It measures a compact 15 by 29.9 by 16.3 inches, making it well-suited for installing in smaller kitchens.
- One-touch programming
- 14-inch diameter turntable for easy food preparation
- Perfect for using in smaller kitchens
- Turntable cannot be removed
- Limited warranty
Sharp R-1214
Sharp is brand that is well-known for its user-friendly and affordable kitchen appliances.The Sharp R-1214 upholds this reputation with its 1 ½ cubic foot capacity and compact size that makes it perfect for using in smaller kitchens.
This oven comes with 24 different automatic settings as well as seven digit, two color LED display. It also offers smart sensor technology that makes it perfect for warming up, cooking, baking, or defrosting foods. It even comes with convenient settings for keeping foods hot, heating up water, or popping a bag of popcorn.
- 24 automatic settings
- Seven digit, two-color LCD display
- Settings for popcorn, hot water, and more
- No fan unit
- Can blow fuses often
Guide – How to Choose the Right One
Even with these reviews, you still may have questions about how you can recognize the best over the range microwave for your particular household needs and budget. As you shop for one of these appliances, you should keep these important criteria in mind.
Size
Of course when you are on the lookout for an over range microwave oven, you want to find those that will fit suitably above the range in your kitchen. To help you narrow in on one that you can actually use, you should take measurements of the space allotted for this appliance.
You may not need to buy a microwave oven that is a perfect fit inside the space you have above the range. However, it should not be so large that you cannot install it at all. Likewise, you should consider whether or not you can install it on your own or if you may need someone to help you with the task.
Microwave ovens that are lighter in weight can be installed relatively easily by one person. However, if you prefer a heavier model, you may need to enlist the help of a friend or neighbor or hire someone to install it for you.
Power
Another factor to keep in mind centers on how powerful you want your microwave oven to be and for what purposes you will use it. Do you plan on cooking and baking entire meals in it or will you use it primarily to warm up leftovers or pop a bag of popcorn once in awhile?
The answers to these questions should influence your decision in selecting the right model that gives you the power that you need in this appliance. If you plan on using it for regular meal prep, you may choose a model that offers a higher level of performance than one that you can use primarily just for warming up snacks or leftovers. You should not pay for more power in a microwave oven if you do not plan on utilizing it often.
Price
Before you shop for one, you should set a budget so that you know beforehand how much you can afford on this appliance. As you can tell from the reviews, they come in a variety of price ranges. The smaller and less powerful ones tend toe less expensive than the larger and more powerful models.
Your budget should influence what kind of microwave oven you buy for your own kitchen. If you are on a tighter budget, you can still find high-performance ovens that will allow you to cook, defrost, and more with ease. Models from brands like Sharp and GE tend to be priced affordably and still give you the power and function you need in this kind of appliance.
Brand
Finally, you may take into consideration the brand of the microwave oven you plan on buying for your kitchen. Brand can come into play for several important reasons. First, if you want a microwave oven that will fit well above your range, you may choose one made by the same brand that made your stove and oven.
Second, you may be a fan of a certain brand yourself because you recognize the quality and performance that its appliances offer. When you consider the brand that you want or need, you better narrow your search and also can decide on other factors like the price you may need to pay for one.
Conclusion
Microwave ovens have been a mainstay in modern kitchens for decades. When you want an innovative and powerful over range microwave oven but have questions about choosing the best model for your own kitchen, you can find answers in these top 10 over the range microwave reviews as well as the helpful buyers guide. These resources highlight the features and conveniences for which you should search as you shop for a microwave oven that will make all of your food prep tasks easier.