Imagine this: you’re craving a quick snack, or maybe you need to heat up leftovers fast. You reach for your microwave, but is it doing the job you need it to? Choosing a KitchenAid microwave can feel like a big decision. There are so many models, and they all promise different things. It’s easy to get confused and wonder which one is the best fit for your kitchen and your budget.
We’ve all been there, staring at a wall of choices and feeling a little overwhelmed. You want a microwave that’s reliable, easy to use, and maybe even looks good. But how do you know which features are worth it, or which one will truly last? This post cuts through the confusion and helps you find the perfect KitchenAid microwave without the headache.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand the key differences between popular KitchenAid models. We’ll break down what makes each one special, so you can feel confident about your choice. Get ready to discover the KitchenAid microwave that will make your kitchen life a whole lot easier.
Our Top 5 Kitchenaid Microwave Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Kitchenaid Microwave Detailed Reviews
1. Breville BMO650SIL Compact Wave Soft Close Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.3/10
The Breville BMO650SIL Compact Wave Soft Close Countertop Microwave Oven, Silver brings convenience and quiet operation to your kitchen. Its compact size is ideal for smaller spaces, but it doesn’t skimp on features. This microwave is designed to handle all your everyday cooking needs with ease.
What We Like:
- The 25L capacity is surprisingly generous for its compact footprint, fitting most everyday dishes.
- The soft-close door operates 80% quieter, making for a peaceful kitchen experience.
- One-touch auto buttons and a Food Menu offer quick and simple cooking for common items like pizza or potatoes.
- The defrost and reheat functions work gently to prevent overcooking or drying out your food.
- A Child Lock feature provides peace of mind for families with young children.
- The Mute button and Breville Sound Suite reduce annoying beeps and clangs.
What Could Be Improved:
- While compact, some users might prefer a slightly larger capacity for bigger meals or batch cooking.
- The 900-watt power is sufficient for most tasks, but very large or dense items might take a bit longer to cook.
This Breville microwave is a smart choice for anyone seeking a quiet, feature-rich, and space-saving cooking solution. It makes preparing meals simple and less disruptive to your household.
2. Breville BMO850BSS Smooth Wave Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.5/10
The Breville BMO850BSS Smooth Wave Countertop Microwave Oven in brushed stainless steel brings smart cooking to your kitchen. It uses special technology to make cooking easier and quieter. This microwave is designed to take the guesswork out of heating your food.
What We Like:
- Sensor iQ technology automatically adjusts cooking time and power for perfect results.
- 15 smart presets, including Smart Cook, Smart Defrost, and Smart Reheat, offer convenience.
- The microwave operates much quieter, with a soft-close door that’s 80% quieter and operation that’s 50% quieter.
- Power Smoothing Inverter delivers even heat, preventing overcooking or drying out edges.
- The “A Bit More” button lets you easily add extra cooking time.
- A Child Lock feature keeps your little ones safe.
- The shortcuts panel inside the door provides quick access to common tasks.
- It has a generous 1.2 cu.ft capacity.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 1-year limited warranty is standard but some users might prefer a longer period.
This Breville microwave offers a smarter, quieter, and more precise way to heat and cook your meals. It’s a great addition for anyone looking for an upgrade in their kitchen appliance.
3. TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft
Rating: 9.2/10
The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven is a modern kitchen helper with a sleek black finish. It offers a generous 1.2 cubic feet of space, perfect for reheating leftovers or cooking quick meals. Its smart humidity sensor takes the guesswork out of cooking, making sure your food is just right every time.
What We Like:
- The Smart Humidity Sensor cooks food perfectly by automatically adjusting time and power.
- It has 12 auto menus for easy cooking of popular foods like pizza and vegetables.
- You can choose from 10 different power levels for more control over your cooking.
- The Mute Function lets you turn off the annoying buzzer with a simple button press.
- ECO Mode helps save energy when the microwave is not in use.
- The Easy Clean Interior makes wiping up spills a breeze.
- It heats food quickly and evenly with 1000 watts of power.
- The large 12.4-inch removable glass turntable fits bigger plates.
- One-touch start buttons and easy defrost options make cooking fast and simple.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might prefer a slightly more compact design for smaller kitchens.
- While it has many features, the interface might take a little time to get used to for some.
This TOSHIBA microwave is a great addition to any kitchen, offering smart features and user-friendly operation for delicious results every time.
4. Toshiba ML-EM62P(SS) Large Countertop Microwave with Smart Sensor
Rating: 9.5/10
The Toshiba ML-EM62P(SS) is a large countertop microwave that makes cooking and reheating easy. Its spacious 2.2 cubic feet interior easily fits big items like a 16-inch pizza or a whole chicken. This microwave boasts 1200 watts of power, so it heats food quickly. Its smart sensor technology and various preset menus ensure your food is cooked perfectly every time.
What We Like:
- Its large capacity is great for families and cooking big meals.
- The smart humidity sensor and 6 auto menus take the guesswork out of cooking.
- Auto-defrost feature handles meats, poultry, and fish with ease.
- The ECO mode helps save energy, and the mute option is handy for quiet kitchens.
- It has a position memory turntable, so your food always ends up in the right spot.
- The child safety lock offers peace of mind for households with little ones.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it has many features, some users might find the sheer number of options a bit overwhelming at first.
- The stainless steel finish, while stylish, can show fingerprints and may require frequent wiping.
This Toshiba microwave is a powerful and versatile kitchen appliance. It brings convenience and excellent cooking results to your countertop.
5. SHARP Countertop Microwave Oven with Removable 16.5″ Carousel Turntable
Rating: 8.8/10
The SHARP Countertop Microwave Oven is a large, powerful appliance that can handle all your cooking and reheating needs. Its sleek stainless steel finish looks great in any kitchen. This microwave is designed for families, offering plenty of space for big meals.
What We Like:
- It has a huge 2.2 cubic feet of space. This means you can fit large dishes and multiple items inside.
- The 1200-watt power cooks food quickly and evenly.
- The new gray interior and LED lighting make it easy to see your food.
- Inverter Cooking Technology cooks food more evenly and preserves texture.
- The 16.5-inch turntable ensures everything gets cooked thoroughly.
- You can choose from 10 power levels and even set up 2-stage cooking.
- The “+30 seconds” button is super handy for instant reheating.
- It has special settings for melting and softening foods.
- Sensor Cook and Reheat take the guesswork out of cooking.
- Auto Cook offers pre-programmed options for popular foods.
- Weight and Time Defrost makes thawing meat easy.
- “Express Cook” lets you start cooking for up to 6 minutes with one button press.
What Could Be Improved:
- Because it’s so large, it might take up a lot of counter space.
- With so many features, it might take a little time to learn how to use all of them.
This SHARP microwave is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering powerful cooking and convenient features for busy households. It makes preparing meals and snacks a breeze.
Finding Your Perfect KitchenAid Microwave: A Buyer’s Guide
KitchenAid microwaves are known for their sleek design and powerful performance. They can be a great addition to any kitchen. This guide will help you choose the right one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a KitchenAid microwave, keep these important features in mind:
- Wattage: This tells you how powerful the microwave is. Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most KitchenAid models range from 900 to 1200 watts. For everyday tasks, 1000 watts is usually good.
- Capacity: This is how much food you can fit inside. Microwaves are measured in cubic feet. Small kitchens might do well with 1.0 to 1.5 cubic feet. Larger families or those who cook bigger meals might need 1.6 to 2.2 cubic feet.
- Sensor Cooking: This is a smart feature. It senses the humidity from your food and adjusts the cooking time and power automatically. This helps prevent overcooking or undercooking.
- Turntable: A turntable rotates your food. This makes sure it heats evenly. Most microwaves have this. Some larger models might have a turntable on/off option.
- Convection Cooking: Some KitchenAid microwaves offer convection. This means they have a heating element and a fan. They can bake, roast, and broil like a regular oven. This is great if you want to do more than just reheat.
- Special Presets: Many models have buttons for common foods like popcorn, potatoes, or pizza. These are set to the right cooking times and power levels.
Important Materials
The materials used in a microwave affect its durability and how it looks.
- Stainless Steel: This is a popular choice for its modern look and durability. It resists fingerprints better than regular steel. Many KitchenAid microwaves use stainless steel.
- Glass: The door window is usually made of tempered glass. This glass is strong and can handle heat. The turntable inside is also made of glass.
- Plastic: The interior cavity is often made of a durable plastic that is easy to clean. High-quality plastic is important for longevity.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things make a KitchenAid microwave great, while others might make it less ideal.
- Build Quality: A well-built microwave feels solid. The door should open and close smoothly. Buttons should be responsive. KitchenAid is known for good build quality.
- Ease of Cleaning: A microwave with a smooth interior and removable turntable is easier to clean. Some have special coatings that resist splatters.
- Noise Level: Some microwaves can be quite loud. Check reviews to see if a model is known for being quiet.
- User Interface: A simple and intuitive control panel makes the microwave easy to use. Confusing buttons can be frustrating.
- Brand Reputation: KitchenAid has a strong reputation for making quality kitchen appliances. This often translates to reliable microwaves.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use your microwave will help you choose the best model.
- Quick Reheating: If you mainly use your microwave to reheat leftovers, a basic model with good wattage will work well. Sensor cooking is a bonus here.
- Defrosting: For defrosting frozen foods, consistent power and a good defrost setting are important.
- Snack Preparation: If you make popcorn or bake potatoes often, look for models with specific presets for these items.
- As a Second Oven: If you want to bake cookies or roast a small chicken, a convection microwave is an excellent choice. It can speed up cooking times and save energy compared to a full-sized oven.
- Small Apartments: For limited counter space, a compact countertop model might be best. Over-the-range microwaves are also an option if you want to save counter space and use the ventilation hood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the typical wattage for a KitchenAid microwave?
A: KitchenAid microwaves usually have a wattage between 900 and 1200 watts. Higher wattage means faster cooking.
Q: Do all KitchenAid microwaves have a turntable?
A: Most KitchenAid microwaves have a turntable to ensure even heating. Some larger models may offer the option to turn it off.
Q: What is sensor cooking and why is it useful?
A: Sensor cooking uses sensors to detect humidity from food. It automatically adjusts cooking time and power to prevent overcooking or undercooking. This makes cooking easier and more precise.
Q: Can a KitchenAid microwave with convection cook like a regular oven?
A: Yes, a convection microwave has a heating element and fan. It can bake, roast, and broil, offering more cooking versatility.
Q: Is stainless steel a good material for a microwave?
A: Yes, stainless steel is durable, looks good, and is often resistant to fingerprints, making it a popular choice for KitchenAid microwaves.
Q: How do I choose the right size microwave?
A: Consider how much food you usually cook. Smaller households might need 1.0-1.5 cubic feet, while larger families may prefer 1.6-2.2 cubic feet.
Q: Are KitchenAid microwaves easy to clean?
A: Many KitchenAid models are designed for easy cleaning. Look for smooth interiors and removable turntables.
Q: What does “special presets” mean on a microwave?
A: Special presets are pre-programmed buttons for common foods like popcorn or potatoes. They automatically set the right cooking time and power level.
Q: How important is the brand reputation when buying a microwave?
A: Brand reputation, like KitchenAid’s, often indicates good quality and reliability. It suggests the appliance is built to last.
Q: Where can I find reviews for specific KitchenAid microwave models?
A: You can find reviews on retailer websites, appliance review blogs, and consumer product review sites.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!