Not sure which microwave is right for you? The experts at Finder have you covered!
- Replies 4
When it comes to the ease of use and convenience that they provide in the kitchen, microwaves are popularly referred to as ‘kings’. They are one of the most versatile appliances in your kitchen's arsenal – they can heat, reheat, and cook food, among other things.
They're also really popular here in Australia. So much so that in 2013, almost 96% of all Australian households had at least one microwave, as reported by Canstar Blue Research. Also, 28% of the people surveyed said they bought a new microwave in the last couple of years.
This demonstrates, without a doubt, that most Aussies consider microwaves to be a must-have kitchen tool; but, if you are still on the fence about whether or not you need a microwave in your home, let us try and further convince you.
A microwave oven is one of the most useful appliances in your kitchen. Credit: Sharp.
Why should you get a microwave oven in your home?
The main reason why people buy microwaves is that they are so easy to use. Where else can you heat or prepare food at the touch of a button and have it ready in a matter of minutes? Food cooks faster in a microwave than in a regular oven, and it doesn't get messy either.
Everyone agrees that cold leftovers are the worst. To make your leftovers taste like they just came out of the oven, all you have to do is pop them in the microwave for a few minutes.
For those who are concerned about their health, microwaves make it possible to enjoy meals that are better for you. You won't lose all the nutrients in your vegetables if you steam them instead of boiling them.
And no, you need not worry about any rumours of potentially harmful ‘waves’ emanating from a microwave; researchers have previously established their safety. (Take that, Gordon Ramsay.)
To top it all off, microwaves are a great option for the environmentally conscious because they use a fraction of the energy required by gas burners or traditional ovens.
Why shouldn't you get a microwave oven for your home?
Microwaves indeed have many benefits, but there are also some downsides to using them. Nothing is perfect, after all.
It's important to be aware and careful about what you put into a microwave and how long it stays there. If you put food in a container that isn't suitable for the microwave, the food and the plastic will react, melting the dish and making the food unsafe to eat.
Another problem with microwaves is that they can only hold a limited amount of food, so they are not the best choice for big families.
And as much as we'd like to believe otherwise, not everything can also be prepared in a microwave. For example, crispy hot chips are out of the question.
Now that you have a clearer picture of whether or not you need a microwave, here are some options to consider:
The Samsung 28L Sensor Microwave Oven is currently the best overall choice available on the market. Credit: Finder.
Best overall microwave - Samsung 28L Sensor Microwave Oven ($209 at Appliances Online)
After researching more than one hundred different microwaves, the experts at Finder concluded that the Samsung 28L Sensor Microwave Oven is currently the most superior product available on the market.
The Kmart Anko 20L Microwave is recommended by many satisfied customers online. Credit: Product Review.
Best cheap microwave - Anko 20L Microwave ($52 at Kmart)
Even though this one isn't from the Finder team, we still decided to include it on the list since we thought it was a fantastic budget-friendly option. Kmart's affordable microwave has been receiving overwhelmingly positive ratings (4.8 out of 5) on the retailer's website from shoppers who have experienced its high quality and value for the price.
The Panasonic NNCF770M 27L Convection Flatbed Microwave was chosen as the best convection option. Credit: Finder.
Best convection microwave - Panasonic NNCF770M 27L Convection Flatbed Microwave ($654 at Appliances Online)
The Panasonic NNCF770M 27L Convection Flatbed Microwave is an excellent choice if you're in the market for a convection microwave. It has received 4.3 out of a possible 5 stars from the customers who have reviewed it on Appliances Online.
The Panasonic 44L Cyclonic Inverter Genius Sensor Microwave Oven was chosen as the best inverter microwave. Credit: Finder.
Best inverter microwave - Panasonic 44L Cyclonic Inverter Genius Sensor Microwave Oven ($369 at JB Hi-Fi)
The Panasonic 44L Cyclonic Inverter Genius Sensor Microwave Oven was chosen as the best inverter microwave due to its 4.8/5 star rating on Appliances Online and 4.4/5 star rating on JB Hi-Fi. Because of its large 44-litre capacity, this microwave can quickly reheat a variety of foods, making it ideal for a busy family.
The Whirlpool 30L Flatbed Grill Microwave is recommended as the best flatbed option. Credit: Finder.
Best flatbed microwave - Whirlpool 30L Flatbed Grill Microwave ($348 at Appliances Online)
The Whirlpool 30L Flatbed Grill Microwave is recommended as the best flatbed alternative. Thanks to its auto cook menu and turntable design, the product has been given 4.2 out of 5 stars by users of Appliances Online. With its nine preset automatic cooking modes, this flatbed microwave is sure to meet all of your microwave cooking needs.
LG's NeoChef 23L Smart Inverter 1000W Microwave Oven is regarded as the top compact microwave oven on the market today. Credit: Finder.
Best small microwave - LG MS2336DB NeoChef 23L Smart Inverter 1000W Microwave Oven ($227 at Appliances Online)
LG's NeoChef 23L Smart Inverter 1000W Microwave Oven is regarded as the top compact microwave oven on the market today. It's rated 4.5 stars on The Good Guys website. This smart inverter microwave has a variety of pre-set menu options and a modern design, making it suitable for a wide variety of heating needs without cluttering your counter space.
The Westinghouse WMF4102SA 40L Microwave 1100W, with its 4.5-star rating on Appliances Online, is the best large-capacity option. Credit: Finder.
Best large-capacity microwave - Westinghouse WMF4102SA 40L Microwave 1100W ($332 at Appliances Online)
The Westinghouse WMF4102SA 40L Microwave 1100W, with its 4.5-star rating on Appliances Online, is the best large-capacity alternative, as determined by the Finder team. With a large 40-litre capacity and 1100 watts of power, this countertop oven can handle all of your favourite dishes with ease.
The Westinghouse WMB4425DSC 44L Built-in Combination Microwave and Oven was chosen as the best multi-purpose microwave. Credit: Finder.
Best multi-purpose microwave - Westinghouse WMB4425DSC 44L Built-in Combination Microwave and Oven ($1,592 at Appliances Online)
The Westinghouse WMB4425DSC 44L Built-in Combination Microwave and Oven was chosen as the finest multi-purpose model due to its 4.8-star rating on Appliances Online.
They opted for Breville's Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave as the finest microwave air fryer combo. Credit: Finder.
Best microwave air fryer combo - Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave ($699 at Harvey Norman)
They opted for Breville's Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave as the finest microwave air fryer combo. A total of 4.4 out of 5 stars have been awarded to it on Harvey Norman’s website.
This Breville model is the pinnacle of kitchen convenience since it performs the functions of a microwave, air fryer, and convection oven all in one. It provides one-touch programming for typical heating jobs as well as a variety of useful functions for everyday use.
Folks, we hope this list will help you decide! Let us know in the comments if you have any more to add to the list.
They're also really popular here in Australia. So much so that in 2013, almost 96% of all Australian households had at least one microwave, as reported by Canstar Blue Research. Also, 28% of the people surveyed said they bought a new microwave in the last couple of years.
This demonstrates, without a doubt, that most Aussies consider microwaves to be a must-have kitchen tool; but, if you are still on the fence about whether or not you need a microwave in your home, let us try and further convince you.
A microwave oven is one of the most useful appliances in your kitchen. Credit: Sharp.
Why should you get a microwave oven in your home?
The main reason why people buy microwaves is that they are so easy to use. Where else can you heat or prepare food at the touch of a button and have it ready in a matter of minutes? Food cooks faster in a microwave than in a regular oven, and it doesn't get messy either.
Everyone agrees that cold leftovers are the worst. To make your leftovers taste like they just came out of the oven, all you have to do is pop them in the microwave for a few minutes.
For those who are concerned about their health, microwaves make it possible to enjoy meals that are better for you. You won't lose all the nutrients in your vegetables if you steam them instead of boiling them.
And no, you need not worry about any rumours of potentially harmful ‘waves’ emanating from a microwave; researchers have previously established their safety. (Take that, Gordon Ramsay.)
To top it all off, microwaves are a great option for the environmentally conscious because they use a fraction of the energy required by gas burners or traditional ovens.
Why shouldn't you get a microwave oven for your home?
Microwaves indeed have many benefits, but there are also some downsides to using them. Nothing is perfect, after all.
It's important to be aware and careful about what you put into a microwave and how long it stays there. If you put food in a container that isn't suitable for the microwave, the food and the plastic will react, melting the dish and making the food unsafe to eat.
Another problem with microwaves is that they can only hold a limited amount of food, so they are not the best choice for big families.
And as much as we'd like to believe otherwise, not everything can also be prepared in a microwave. For example, crispy hot chips are out of the question.
Now that you have a clearer picture of whether or not you need a microwave, here are some options to consider:
The Samsung 28L Sensor Microwave Oven is currently the best overall choice available on the market. Credit: Finder.
Best overall microwave - Samsung 28L Sensor Microwave Oven ($209 at Appliances Online)
After researching more than one hundred different microwaves, the experts at Finder concluded that the Samsung 28L Sensor Microwave Oven is currently the most superior product available on the market.
The Kmart Anko 20L Microwave is recommended by many satisfied customers online. Credit: Product Review.
Best cheap microwave - Anko 20L Microwave ($52 at Kmart)
Even though this one isn't from the Finder team, we still decided to include it on the list since we thought it was a fantastic budget-friendly option. Kmart's affordable microwave has been receiving overwhelmingly positive ratings (4.8 out of 5) on the retailer's website from shoppers who have experienced its high quality and value for the price.
The Panasonic NNCF770M 27L Convection Flatbed Microwave was chosen as the best convection option. Credit: Finder.
Best convection microwave - Panasonic NNCF770M 27L Convection Flatbed Microwave ($654 at Appliances Online)
The Panasonic NNCF770M 27L Convection Flatbed Microwave is an excellent choice if you're in the market for a convection microwave. It has received 4.3 out of a possible 5 stars from the customers who have reviewed it on Appliances Online.
The Panasonic 44L Cyclonic Inverter Genius Sensor Microwave Oven was chosen as the best inverter microwave. Credit: Finder.
Best inverter microwave - Panasonic 44L Cyclonic Inverter Genius Sensor Microwave Oven ($369 at JB Hi-Fi)
The Panasonic 44L Cyclonic Inverter Genius Sensor Microwave Oven was chosen as the best inverter microwave due to its 4.8/5 star rating on Appliances Online and 4.4/5 star rating on JB Hi-Fi. Because of its large 44-litre capacity, this microwave can quickly reheat a variety of foods, making it ideal for a busy family.
The Whirlpool 30L Flatbed Grill Microwave is recommended as the best flatbed option. Credit: Finder.
Best flatbed microwave - Whirlpool 30L Flatbed Grill Microwave ($348 at Appliances Online)
The Whirlpool 30L Flatbed Grill Microwave is recommended as the best flatbed alternative. Thanks to its auto cook menu and turntable design, the product has been given 4.2 out of 5 stars by users of Appliances Online. With its nine preset automatic cooking modes, this flatbed microwave is sure to meet all of your microwave cooking needs.
LG's NeoChef 23L Smart Inverter 1000W Microwave Oven is regarded as the top compact microwave oven on the market today. Credit: Finder.
Best small microwave - LG MS2336DB NeoChef 23L Smart Inverter 1000W Microwave Oven ($227 at Appliances Online)
LG's NeoChef 23L Smart Inverter 1000W Microwave Oven is regarded as the top compact microwave oven on the market today. It's rated 4.5 stars on The Good Guys website. This smart inverter microwave has a variety of pre-set menu options and a modern design, making it suitable for a wide variety of heating needs without cluttering your counter space.
The Westinghouse WMF4102SA 40L Microwave 1100W, with its 4.5-star rating on Appliances Online, is the best large-capacity option. Credit: Finder.
Best large-capacity microwave - Westinghouse WMF4102SA 40L Microwave 1100W ($332 at Appliances Online)
The Westinghouse WMF4102SA 40L Microwave 1100W, with its 4.5-star rating on Appliances Online, is the best large-capacity alternative, as determined by the Finder team. With a large 40-litre capacity and 1100 watts of power, this countertop oven can handle all of your favourite dishes with ease.
The Westinghouse WMB4425DSC 44L Built-in Combination Microwave and Oven was chosen as the best multi-purpose microwave. Credit: Finder.
Best multi-purpose microwave - Westinghouse WMB4425DSC 44L Built-in Combination Microwave and Oven ($1,592 at Appliances Online)
The Westinghouse WMB4425DSC 44L Built-in Combination Microwave and Oven was chosen as the finest multi-purpose model due to its 4.8-star rating on Appliances Online.
They opted for Breville's Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave as the finest microwave air fryer combo. Credit: Finder.
Best microwave air fryer combo - Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave ($699 at Harvey Norman)
They opted for Breville's Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave as the finest microwave air fryer combo. A total of 4.4 out of 5 stars have been awarded to it on Harvey Norman’s website.
This Breville model is the pinnacle of kitchen convenience since it performs the functions of a microwave, air fryer, and convection oven all in one. It provides one-touch programming for typical heating jobs as well as a variety of useful functions for everyday use.
Folks, we hope this list will help you decide! Let us know in the comments if you have any more to add to the list.
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