Top 9 Best Over-the-Range Microwaves Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Over-the-range microwave ovens are placed above the cooking range so that the user can save a significant amount of space. These multifunctional ovens serve the functions of a hood vent and an overhead light source. Most of them circulate air back and forth, maintaining an optimum air flow inside the kitchen.
The most significant advantage of owning an over-the-range microwave oven is that you need no dedicated counter space as it mounts on the wall above the cooking range. It is highly suitable for compact kitchens. Convenience is another benefit as the cooking range and oven are together; the user needs to move around less while cooking.
1. BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven, EM044KB19
This is a 1000 Watts over-the-range microwave oven. Multiple pre-programmed menus, like popcorn, pizza, vegetable, etc., make it highly convenient to use this device. You only have to choose the required setting through its one-touch mechanism. The venting system is quite powerful and has two-speed settings.
There are two racks in the oven, which is handy for cooking or heating more food. The turntable function ensures that the food cooks evenly. You can also switch the turntable feature off if you cook larger dishes. The LED lighting on the oven focuses right on the cooktop and is an excellent blessing while cooking in limited light conditions.
Pros
- Ten power levels
- Kitchen timer
- Express cooking feature that cooks in thirty seconds
- 400-CFM venting system
- Safety child lock
Cons
- The scent of the previously cooked food item tends to linger inside the oven
- The turntable is less stable; thus, food items slide from it sometimes.
2. COSTWAY 900W Retro Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
This over-the-range microwave is made of glass and steel. It has a 360-degree heating mechanism which is excellent at uniformly heating the food item. There is a digital display showing the cooking status details, which is very convenient. Time control and temperature control have easy-to-move dials.
Five power levels start from Defrost and go up till Speed Cooking. These multiple power levels offer fantastic versatility, and you can try almost all kinds of recipes using them. An exciting and valuable feature is that once the cooking finishes, a mild alarm goes off; thus, you need not be around the oven waiting to finish cooking.
Pros
- Uniform heating through the 360-degree cooking feature
- ETL certified
- Glass turntable
- Auto reminder
- Pre-programmed cooking options
- Safety child lock
Cons
- The door has to be pushed to close properly
3. FRIGIDAIRE 1000 Watts FGBM19WNVF Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
This is a highly functional over-the-range microwave oven. It efficiently doubles as a kitchen hood and provides ventilation for three levels. As the ventilation system is adjustable between low, medium, and high, you can conveniently choose the ventilation level according to your requirement.
The zero-clearance door is a unique feature of it and is very convenient in tight spaces. The door opens at a 90-degree angle, and make sure not to touch any adjacent walls or items. There is a handy timer and built-in LED light, which is excellent for cooking. The exterior is smudge-proof; thus, you need not worry about getting dirty after a while.
Pros
- Extra-large glass turntable
- Easy to clean through simple wiping
- Sensor-equipped cooking
- Interior LED light
- One-touch operation
Cons
- The timer light is too bright to look directly at, especially during dark conditions.
4. COSMO 1000W COS-3019ORM2SS Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
This is an impressive two-in-one over-the-range microwave oven. It quickly transforms into a kitchen hood and removes odors, smoke, and steam. The hood feature has two settings, high and low, which are adjustable according to the requirement.
The built-in cooktop lighting focuses on the cooking range and is very useful. The stainless-steel exterior is eye-catching and suits any kitchen. The touch controls are straightforward to use. There are touch presets for both the timer and power level; this adds to the machine’s versatility. The sensor-equipped cooking is convenient as it recognizes and adjusts the cooking conditions appropriately.
Pros
- 1000 Watts of power
- Glass turntable
- Sensor-equipped cooking
- Automatically turns off once cooking is over
- Two-level rack for high-volume cooking
Cons
- The oven beeps endlessly once the cooking is over
- The follow-up service from the seller is sub-par
5. GASLAND OTR1603S Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
This is a convenient over-the-range microwave oven if you have limited kitchen space. The design is relatively compact and sleek. As the oven also serves the functions of a kitchen hood, it is the perfect addition to any compact kitchen. The hood feature exhibits high suction capacity. Two built-in lights are enough to illuminate the cooking range beneath.
The oven performs exceptionally well in uniformly heating or cooking the food product as it features 360-degree cooking. Although the design is compact, it has a well-accommodating interior space, and the glass turntable can hold relatively larger dishes. The most significant advantage is that cleaning is relatively easy with this device. The interior of the oven can clean using a simple wipe cloth.
Pros
- 1000 Watts of power
- Express settings of 1-6 minutes
- Four pre-programmed cooking options
- 2-speed 300 CFM venting system
- 1.6 cu ft of interior space
- UL safety certification
Cons
- Assembling instructions are inadequate
- Very expensive
6. Galanz 1000W GLOMJA17S2B-10 Over the Range Microwave
This is a standard-sized over-the-range microwave oven. The auto-defrost function is the highlight of this device. The auto defrost function is highly efficient in providing an optimum temperature depending on the weight and size of the food product. The controls are touchpads and are very convenient and easy to use.
The Eco Mode on this device saves a significant amount of energy. If you are in a hurry, the 30-second express cooking features come in handy. You can also save time by depending on the nine pre-programmed cooking options. The safety lock is also convenient to avoid any mishaps.
Pros
- 1000 Watts of power
- Eleven adjustable power levels
- Ergonomic design
- Two-speed kitchen hood system
- Built-in light sources
Cons
- No sensor functions
- No multiple racks
7. SHARP 1000W R-21LCFS Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
This is an easy-to-use over-the-range microwave oven. It can cook a variety of dishes due to its high power. The durability of this device is commendable. The interior capacity is slightly low, but the easy-to-clean feature is admirable.
The highlight of this oven is that you can adjust the cooking time and the temperature even in the middle of cooking using the easy-to-use dial. It is also an interesting choice to keep the control panel minimum as otherwise, it might have been confusing to older adults.
Pros
- LED indicators
- The device cancels the set timer if or when the oven door opens between
- Guide with a recommended time chart
- Adjustable time and power settings
Cons
- No additional convenience features
- Low interior space
8. GE Over-the-Range Microwave Oven, JVM3160DFWW
This over-the-range microwave oven has ten power settings, which helps carry out versatile cooking. The built-in venting system has two speeds, which is helpful if you want to adjust the fan speed.
The interior lighting and digital display help monitor the cooking process. The capacity is also reasonably good, and the express cooking option is quite handy. The built-in light’s nightlight option is a unique and valuable feature.
Pros
- Convertible venting
- Ten power levels
- 300-CFM venting system
- UL-certified
- Charcoal filter
Cons
- When you switch on the light for the cooking range, the turntable inside the oven and the lower exterior of the oven start heating up.
9. FORTE 1000W F3015MVC5SS Microwave Oven
This is a UL-certified over-the-range microwave oven. It has a reasonable capacity and can accommodate bigger plates. The ventilation fan is easily adjustable. The LED cooktop light in it is helpful in low-lit conditions.
The turntable function can be switched off while using larger plates. A downfall of the product is that the exterior gets dirty quickly and is not much easier to clean.
Pros
- 1000 Watts of power
- Sensor-equipped cooking
- Child lock
- Multiple convection modes
- A convenient auto-cook menu
Cons
- Not smudge-proof
How to Choose the Best Over-the-Range Microwave?
The essential features to look for in an over-the-range microwave are:
Capacity
Capacity is crucial when purchasing an over-the-range microwave oven. An over-the-range microwave oven can have the same capacity between 1.5 and 2.2 cubic feet as a standard oven. Larger size ovens may hang lower than the upper cabinets. Many manufacturers have introduced over-the-range ovens with compact exteriors and expansive interiors to solve that.
CFM
CFM, alias Cubic Feet per Minute, is the rate with which airflow is measured in an over-the-range microwave oven. It is always better to have an oven-cum-hood with the highest CFM. High CFM indicates that the airflow and ventilation are much more vigor and optimal. Over-the-range microwave ovens usually feature CFM from 300 to 1200.
Cleanup
As the over-the-range microwave ovens mount above the cooking range, chances are high that they get dirty from the smoke, steam, and splatter while cooking. So, it is vital to have an easy-to-clean over-the-range microwave oven to avoid unhygienic conditions. A non-stick, smudge-proof exterior and interior that are easy to clean using simple wiping is, thus, essential.
Auto cook options
Auto-cook options are a must for any microwave oven, especially an over-the-range microwave oven. Auto-cook options are the pre-programmed settings that can be operated with a single click of the button and save significant time for the user. There are auto-cook options available for many popular recipes, and this way, the user need not adjust the timer or temperature for each recipe.
Panel Type
The control panels for an over-the-range microwave oven include manual, dial, and touchpad types. Both manual and dial types are common in over-the-range ovens and are basic. The touchpad control panel is much more convenient and easier to clean.
Conclusion
Over-the-range microwave ovens are great additions to small and relatively compact kitchens as they serve the functions of both oven and kitchen hood without occupying much space. They can be conveniently mounted above the cooking range and possess many advantages.
After considering and comparing the best over-the-range ovens in the market, the BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 Over-the-Range Microwave Oven turns out to be the best among them, thanks to its high capacity, auto-cook options, high CFM, etc.
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