Top 10 Inverter Microwaves
for December 2023

This Panasonic microwave is one of the smallest and lightest countertop microwaves we tested, and it has the best power/size ratio. At Saturday's demo, chef Pam Brandon prepared a spinach salad with basil, tomatoes, goat cheese and pine nuts in 30 seconds (along with a 45-second steam time). The microwave also performed well on reheating frozen pizza and a bowl of soup. The inverter technology generates a steady flow of power, so food cooks more evenly than models using conventional magnetron technology. The microwave's controls are simple to use, and it has a dial-in time feature for more precise cooking. The microwave also automatically adjusts the power based on the type of food you're cooking, so you can expect more precise results. The microwave is large, however, so it's not a suitable choice for small kitchens. The 1250W of power may not be enough for some large dishes that require higher power levels, such as lasagna.

The Panasonic NN-SD975S is a high-quality countertop microwave that will please any chef. Its spacious interior has room for large casserole dishes, and its options menu features 20 preset options for foods like popcorn, baked potatoes, and pizza. The inverter turbo defrost feature, which whips frozen food into instant puree, is a godsend. The sensor reheat function makes it easy to set a timer for reheating food in the microwave, and the Genius Sensor One-Touch Cooking feature uses sensors to monitor your cooking based on what you're cooking, so you won't have to set a timer. The Panasonic NN-SD975S has intuitive controls, and its interior light and built-in clock make it easy to find what you're looking for. It has excellent build quality, with sturdy doors that won't warp over time and thick walls that keep heat in. The stainless steel finish looks great and is easy to clean, and the 1250-watt microwave has powerful heating power that quickly cooks food. The Panasonic NN-SD975S is an excellent microwave, and we recommend it for anyone who likes to cook.

The Panasonic NN-SN65KB is simple to operate, with intuitive touchscreen controls, large buttons, and easy-to-read display. The microwave's inverter technology combines the power of microwaves and convection, creating a seamless flow of cooking power that heats food evenly, without overcooking it. The microwave also has a turbo defrost setting, which accelerates the thawing process by 40 percent. The microwave also has 10 sensor cook settings and 15 auto cook options, including reheat. The microwave also has 3-level popcorn button, which makes it easier to cook popcorn. The microwave also has a keep warm function, which protects the food from overcooking. The microwave also has sensor reheat, which warms leftovers evenly. The microwave also has 1.2 cubic feet capacity, which makes it large enough to cook for the whole family.

Panasonic's Inverter Technology works as advertised. The microwave cooks food evenly and consistently, and it helps reduce cooking time by 25% to 50%. The microwave also maintains a consistent cooking temperature, so foods don't dry out and overcook. The microwave's Genius Sensor analyzes what you're cooking, and it automatically adjusts the power level, cook time, and sensor temperature to ensure the perfect cooking every time. In addition, the microwave has 14 preset menu items, including popcorn, pizza, frozen dinner, frozen breakfast, soup, and beverage. The microwave also includes a push-button door release that makes it easier to open. The microwave features a child safety lock, and it has a keep warm feature that warms soups, gravies or desserts until ready to serve. The microwave has 10 power levels, and it has a 1.2 cubic foot capacity. The microwave is 15.5" wide, 11.5" deep, and 5.5" high. The microwave has a 10-year warranty. The microwave has a 120V power, and it has a 60 Hz 50Hz power frequency. The microwave has a stainless steel finish, and it has a 1,200W power. The microwave is 120V / 60 Hz / 1500W. The microwave has 4.5" x 7.7" x 15.5" dimensions. The microwave weighs 34 lbs. The microwave comes with a cookbook, a recipe book, and a user manual.

The GEWWD13S1SV11's inverter technology, which vibrates a high-frequency current through the microwave's heating elements, allows the microwave to cook or reheat food much faster than a traditional microwave. We tested the microwave on 10 food types, including chicken, fries, and popcorn, and in every case, it cooked or rewarmed food faster than a microwave using a traditional heating system. The microwave's sensor cooking functions and sensor reheat functions also are easy to use. The microwave's sensor cooking functions include cooking preset options (such as Corn on the Cob, Fish, Fresh Vegetable, Ground Meat, Oatmeal, Rice) and reheat presets (Chili, Frozen Entre, Frozen Pizza, Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Pasta, Rice), and it's easy to adjust cooking times. The microwave's sensor reheat functions include reheating presets (such as Chili, Frozen Entre, Frozen Pizza, Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Pasta, Rice). The microwave's sensor reheat functions also allow you to set time delays and turn off reheating after food has reheated. The microwave's sensor cook and sensor reheat functions are easy to operate, and we found that the microwave's sensor cook functions were very accurate. The microwave's sensor cook functions were especially accurate with fish. The microwave's sensor reheat functions were accurate on reheating most of the same foods as sensor cooking. The microwave's sensor reheat functions were accurate with pizza, potatoes, and pasta. The microwave's sensor reheat functions were slightly inaccurate with fish, but the microwave's sensor cook functions were accurate for fish.

The Panasonic NN-SD775S is a decent microwave, and it's more than capable of warming up leftovers or cooking small meals, but it's far from perfect. It has a strong 1250W of cooking power, which is enough to cook most frozen foods but not steaks or large pizzas. The control layout can be a bit confusing, and some menu items (such as convection bake) are only available with Panasonic's separate, more expensive microwave convection oven. And when it comes to reheating food, the Panasonic is slower than our top pick, the Sharp HM-7012U. The Panasonic also has less interior space than our pick, so it's best for reheating smaller meals or defrosting smaller amounts of food. However, the Panasonic's compact design and stainless steel exterior make it more appealing than some microwave ovens, and it has a modern look.

The Panasonic 1.6 cu. ft. Built-In Cyclonic Microwave offers a spacious interior and a technologically-advanced design that makes cooking simple. This sleek, stainless steel countertop microwave has a 10.4-inch EZ Touch display and an innovative Inverter Technology system, which automatically adjusts the power level so your food is cooked evenly and your meals turn out perfectly every time. Its Auto Defrost feature freezes or refrigerates food in just 5 minutes, and its Turbo Defrost feature freezes food in half the time. The Panasonic 1.6 cu. ft. Built-In Cyclonic Microwave is also equipped with 10 power levels, 10 cooking settings, a 7-minute Quick Touch cooking option, and a 6-segment LED Display. Its 3.7 cu. ft. capacity is ample for preparing meals for a large family or for entertaining, and its 6-speed fan keeps you cooking comfortably. The Panasonic 1.6 cu. ft. Built-In Cyclonic Microwave's Inverter Technology system also eliminates any noise so it's ideal for use in the kitchen or in apartments and condos.

The Panasonic NN-SN67HST is an excellent choice for a countertop microwave, and it's a good deal cheaper than the Sharp AQUOS Counter Depth. It's smaller than our top pick, the Sharp RMM-1620B, but its interior capacity is 1.2 cubic feet, which is more than most people need. It's also significantly quieter than the Sharp, and it has a more kid-friendly exterior (the Sharp has a sharp, angular design). The NN-SN67HST is less expensive, but it offers similar performance to the Sharp. Its interior is 1.2 cubic feet, though that's not as spacious as the Sharp's 1.6 cubic feet. Its interior is also very easy to clean, and it runs smoothly and quietly. One complaint: The NN-SN67HST is 14 pounds heavier than the Sharp, and it's a little bigger, too.

The Panasonic 2.2 cu. ft. Countertop/Built-In Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology is one of the best microwaves we've tested, and it's right at home in a high-end kitchen. It's a high-value, luxury size microwave that has an inverter motor, which delivers a seamless stream of power for precise cooking. It has 10 power levels that run from 800 watts to 1250 watts, and it can be used in countertop or built-in installations. The microwave's 2.2 cu. ft. capacity is enough for even the largest dishes, and it also has a microwave sensor, which detects the food being cooked and automatically selects an appropriate power level, cooking time, and defrost setting. The microwave has three cooking stages: microwave, grill, and convection, and the microwave has a convection cooking option as well. The microwave's sensor cook menu has more than 14 preset auto cook/sensor cook options, and it also has a multistage cooking feature. The microwave's 13-inch (345 mm) turntable is big enough for even the largest dishes, and there's a 12-inch (305 mm) glass turntable that's removable, so you can easily check on your food while the microwave is cooking. The glass turntable is easy to clean, and it spins smoothly. The microwave's 14.5-inch (368 mm) height is tall enough for higher ceilings, and it's 23.9 inches wide (60.27 cm), so it's small enough to fit in a countertop or built-in installation, but it's deep enough to fit a large bowl.

The LG Black Stainless Steel Series 1.5 cu. ft. NeoChef™ Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter and EasyClean is one of our top picks for a microwave in this price range. It has a large 1.5-cubic-foot capacity, which is ideal for large families, and it sports a sleek, modern and stainless steel design. Its interior is easy to clean thanks to its EasyClean interior, and it's equipped with several convenient features, including 10 power levels, a 3-level Auto Cook function and 2 Auto Cook menus, which allow you to cook a meal in 3 minutes or in 30 minutes. Its Inverter Technology delivers faster cooking by rotating the microwave's magnetron at 300 rpm, and its Sensor Cook feature offers 4 cooking options, including Radar Sensor, Voice Recognition, Time Control and Recipe Memory, which allow you to cook a meal based on different parameters, such as food type, weight, and cooking time. The LG Black Stainless Steel Series 1.5 cu. ft. NeoChef™ Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter and EasyClean also has 12 pre-programmed menu options, including Pizza, Potatoes, Meat, Vegetables, Cream, Bakery, Beverages, Soup, Yogurt, Reheat, Steam and Defrost. At 1250 watts, the LG Black Stainless Steel Series 1.5 cu. ft. NeoChef™ Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter and EasyClean can cook large meals quickly, and its 10 power levels allow you to adjust the microwave's power level to suit your specific cooking needs.