If you are looking for a microwave that you can neatly tuck into a cabinet or a wall, you have come to the right place.
There are many microwaves that have been designed to be mall mounted saving you space on your kitchen counter. And they can also come cheap as these best microwaves under 200 or these best simple and basic microwaves.
After many hours of testing, I narrowed down my list to these 5 built-in microwaves and they include FRIGIDAIRE Built-in Microwave Oven, Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel microwave, GE JVM3160RFSS 30 microwave, Advent MW912BWDK Black microwave, and Panasonic Microwave Oven.
Top 3 Built-in Microwaves
4.9/5
[Best Overall]
Panasonic microwave oven is one of the few appliances that are designed with a genius sensor. The genius sensor automatically adjusts power levels so you can have evenly cooked food.
4.8/5
[Best for the Money]
2. GE Over-the-Range Microwave
This is a microwave that can be installed over your stove. It comes with a 300-CFM, 2-speed venting system to remove odors, smoke, and steam. It will take the place of a range hood since it is able to filter smoke and other contaminants.
4.7/5
[[Best Venting System]
3. FRIGIDAIRE Built-in Microwave Oven
Farberware Stainless Steel Microwave is definitely worth your money as it is one of the top built-in microwaves we have on the market right now.
Read the entire best built-in Microwave review to learn about their features, functions, dimensions, pros, and cons, prices, just to name a few. On the other hand, if you need them for your work space, check out the best microwave for office use review.
Best Built-in Microwave Reviews
Main Features
- It is designed with inverter technology
- Has a genius sensor-with the tough of its genius sensor cooking button, it automatically sets power levels to create evenly cooked meals
- It is a built-in microwave-it will create space on the kitchen counter which you can use for other activities
- Its brand is Panasonic
- Its capacity is 1.2 Cubic Foot
- Its cooking power is 1200W
- Has a keep warm feature; to keep your soups, desserts, and other foods warm until you are ready to eat them
- It has a compact design hence can fit into any kitchen cabinet, a microwave drawer, or into a wall
- It is easy to clean
A Genius Sensor
Panasonic microwave oven is one of the few appliances that are designed with a genius sensor. The genius sensor automatically adjusts power levels so you can have evenly cooked food.
It measures the amount of steam produced so as to measure the remaining cooking time.
Inverter Technology
The technology boasts impressive cooking power, delivering precision cooking even at low settings. Whether you're cooking or defrosting, this feature ensures that your meals are perfectly prepared.
Additionally, the microwave's door latches smoothly, and its overall design is well-thought-out, powerful, and reliable, providing even heating.
I just like its ease of use and cleaning. When it comes to quality, the Panasonic microwave stands out, making it an excellent choice. Notably, the defrost feature performs exceptionally well.
Perfect for Countertop or Inbuilt Installation
Find the perfect place in your kitchen for this microwave. You can place it on your countertop or build it into cabinetry. Placing it on a countertop will definitely take up valuable space that you can use for preparing your meals or whipping cream.
In order to free up counter space and achieve a more organized kitchen, I would recommend storing your microwave ovens in cabinets or drawers. Do not worry; it will not lose its convenience since it has been designed with ease of use no matter where you store it.
What's more?
It is worth noting that mostly GE and Panasonic microwaves use this technology. Panasonic is a popular brand that has been in operation for a long time now. It makes kitchen appliances such as microwaves, toasters, rice cookers, and many more.
Panasonic Microwave Oven Pros
Panasonic Microwave Oven Cons
[Best For The Money]
Main Features
- It is specially made to fit into cabinetry
- Brand is GE
- It is made of stainless steel
- Its capacity is 1.6 cu ft.
- It has a cooking power of 1,000 watts
- It has dimension of 29.87" W x 15.25" D x 16.5" H
- Comes with a 300-CFM venting system to remove smoke, odors, and steam; is one of the best range microwaves
- Installation type; easy to mount
- Number of power levels are 10
Built-in Microwave
GE Over-the-Range Microwave is one of the best over-the-range microwaves that I have tested. It arrived well packaged and in good condition. I love it and I recommend it to anyone looking for a microwave that can be installed over the stove.
What's more?
This particular model will free up your countertop space which you can use to prepare ingredients, place your juice or blender.
A Venting System
This is a microwave that can be installed over your stove. It comes with a 300-CFM, 2-speed venting system to effectively eliminate odors, smoke, and steam.
With its ability to filter smoke and other contaminants, it serves as a convenient replacement for a range hood. The fan operates smoothly, and the lights emit a bright illumination, while the clock is highly visible.
Moreover, the stainless steel construction of the microwave complements the oven it sits above, resulting in a more visually appealing kitchen. Personally, I am impressed with this microwave as it combines a sleek design with all the features we need.
Installation is a breeze, especially when replacing an older GE space saver model. Having used it for about a month now, I am extremely satisfied with this purchase.
Heats Food Evenly
Some microwave ovens heat food quickly and unevenly that you can end up with a meal that is hot on one side and the other is lukewarm. This is the opposite of this kitchen appliance.
This model will give you hot and tasty food. It reheats and defrosts food evenly. I used a food thermometer to check temperatures throughout the food and see if all parts have reached a safe temperature; no cold or lukewarm spots when heating my food.
GE Over-the-Range Microwave Pros
GE Over-the-Range Microwave Cons
Main Features
- Its capacity is 2.2 Cubic Feet-this is a large capacity to fit different dishes
- It is made of stainless steel
- Has cooking watts of 1,200
- Brand is Frigidaire
- Its installation style is built-in
- Has 9 power levels to choose one that fits your cooking needs
- Weighs 44 pounds-perfect for building into your cabinets
- This microwave human interface input or control panel is buttons
- Its dimensions are 19.63 x 24.44 x 13.63 inches
- Comes with over 30 settings options like settings for chicken nuggets, popcorn, potato, snacks, veggies, auto cook, defrost, melt, soften, just to name a few
- Has a 14-3/16" Glass turntable to hold both small and large dishes
- You can reheat all foods with this microwave with just a touch of its effortless buttons
Free up Counter Space
Choose FRIGIDAIRE Built-in Microwave Oven if you want to build a microwave into your cabinets so as to free up your kitchen counter space.
What's more?
This type of microwave is so popular nowadays because it helps to reclaim that valuable countertop space especially if you have a small kitchen or have a lot of kitchen appliances that occupy most of your countertop space.
30 Settings Options
This is my personal favorite microwave because it does much more than simply reheating my food. With its sensor cooking feature, I can bake potatoes, make popcorn, steam veggies, defrost food, and even crisp my bacon or make poached eggs.
The versatility is impressive. I especially appreciate the convenient button that allows me to add 30 seconds to the cooking time or input my desired time precisely. The quality and convenience of this microwave are top-notch.
In terms of aesthetics, it looks quite attractive and even better than the GE Monogram we previously owned, in my opinion. What's more, this microwave offers great value for money as it is one of the most affordable built-in stainless steel options with a capacity of 2.2 cubic feet.
The operation and capabilities are fairly standard but meet all expectations. It's no wonder many people choose to have this type of microwave in their homes.
FRIGIDAIRE Built-in Microwave Oven Pros
FRIGIDAIRE Built-in Microwave Oven Cons
Main Features
- It is a built-in microwave oven
- Comes with 6 pre-programmed settings that will let you auto defrost, auto cook like potatoes, make pizza, popcorn, beverages at the touch of its control panel
- Its cooking space is 0.9 cu ft.
- Has 900 watts of power
- Has 10 power levels that can be adjusted
- Brand is the Advent
- Its installation type is built-in
- Its dimensions are 19 x 14 x 11 inches
- Features a one-touch digital display
- You will get a one-piece trim kit when you buy this microwave oven
One-Touch Electronic Controls
Advent Black Built-in Microwave comes with one-touch controls that allow you to easily adjust power levels, cook times, and choose power level, and time. I am happy to say that I had zero issues when I tested this built-in microwave.
The plate rotates very well so it can warm your food evenly. No hotspots or spills. Its 10 power levels can be adjusted and they will let you defrost, make popcorn, pizza, cook potatoes, just to name a few.
What's more?
Its 6 pre-programmed settings will come in handy when you want to prepare different foods that you don’t know their cooking time, eliminating guesswork. It’s great for quick and convenient cooking.
Will fit into Cabinetry
If you're looking to free up your countertop space for other activities like prepping vegetables, then consider purchasing this popular microwave oven.
Not only does it help you save precious working area in your kitchen, but it is also an aesthetically appealing model. Built-in microwaves have a sleek appearance as they are designed to fit seamlessly into kitchen cabinets.
Customers have expressed their satisfaction with this microwave, praising its perfect fit and easy installation. It's been particularly popular among RV owners, with its dimensions perfectly matching their space requirements.
Additionally, it offers all the desired operating features and includes a trim panel to enhance its overall look. Installing it in an RV is a breeze, according to customers.
Advent Black Built-in Microwave Pros
Advent Black Built-in Microwave Cons
Main Features
- Has a LED lighting
- Its cooking power is 1000 watts. It is powerful enough to cook almost all of your favorite meals
- Brand is Farberware-a well-renowned brand in making stainless steel cookware and other meal preparation equipment
- Features 6 auto cook programs for pizza, popcorn, potato, etc
- This built-in microwave capacity is 1.1 cu ft
- It is made of stainless steel
- It is designed to fit any kitchen cabinet
- It was designed with child safety in mind-has a child lock to prevent access by kids
- Has a large glass turntable to accommodate large and small casserole dish/s
It is Worth your Money
Farberware Stainless Steel Microwave is definitely worth your money as it is one of the top built-in microwaves on the market right now. It delivers ample power, making it ideal for heating leftovers and cooking your favorite meals.
This oven consistently cooks food well and evenly, satisfying our needs so far. Not only does it perform excellently, but it also boasts an attractive design and a convenient size.
Although it may not be the quietest microwave, it still operates within an acceptable range of noise.
Overall, it works perfectly and has left me thoroughly pleased. My husband surprised me with this purchase, and I can confidently say that I love everything about this microwave.
What's more?
When I bought this convection oven microwave, I was impressed with the number of food it can prepare. It is also quiet and can fit any kitchen cabinet. It is so cute, I love this model.
Farberware Brand
You will buy a built-in microwave from one of the oldest and most trusted brands in the world. It makes high-quality cookware and other food preparation equipment.
Child Lock
I recommend this microwave oven if you have small kids that love messing with kitchen machines. This function will prevent the accident and unintended use from children. The control panel of the oven can be locked at any time.
Usually, many built-in microwaves and countertop microwaves will indicate a small L in the corner of the display to show that the control panel is locked.
Farberware Stainless Steel Microwave Pros
Farberware Stainless Steel Microwave Cons
Best Built-in Microwave
Are Built-in Microwaves Worth it?
Yes, they free up more cooking space in your kitchen. This type of microwave is built into a cabinet so as to keep a kitchen neat and of course to save valuable counter space that can be used for other activities such as storing other kitchen tools.
This type of installation is ideal for kitchens that are pressed for space.
Installation
When installing one, ensure that you have measured the space that you want to build in and you have selected the model that can fit. Install your microwave ovens at a comfortable height, and a location that suits you best.
Most people prefer near their wall oven since it offers more convenience when moving dishes in the kitchen. Find a professional to install for you and have sufficient space for your microwave to ventilate properly.
Which is the Best Built-in Microwave?
Farberware Stainless Steel Microwave
This is our editor’s choice. When you buy a microwave, you want to ensure that it does the basic tasks of heating and defrosting.
Farberware stainless steel microwave does more than this; it comes with 6 cooking programs so you make your favorite dishes such as pizza, popcorn, just to name a few.
Child lock feature; if you have little kids, you will love this microwave because it will keep your kids safe. No accidents associated with microwaves such as accidental use or burning.
Has a defrost option; it will defrost all of your frozen food evenly without burning their edges
LED display; the LED lights the cooking controls so you can see better when cooking
Inbuilt or Countertop Microwave; you can place this microwave on your counter or build it in a cabinet if you are fed up with a freestanding one taking space on your worktop.
Factors to Consider when Buying a Built-in Microwave
If you are planning to purchase this type of microwave, ensure you consider your budget, installation cost, its capacity, if it can cook, its special features, cooking power, if it is built-in or it’s for your countertop, and many more.
Price
Buy a microwave that you can afford or within your budget. The microwaves that I have reviewed here comes with a low price tag hence can be afforded by most people.
With so many models, brands and sizes, I am very sure that you will find a microwave that will suit your needs. Please note that these types of microwave ovens come with an extra cost of installation.
You can build in the microwave to save the installation cost but make sure it is safely bracketed into the cabinet and there is enough room for ventilation to prevent fire hazards.
Built-in or Countertop Microwave
The type of microwave that you will purchase will depend on the design layout and size of your kitchen. Countertop microwaves are the most popular because they do not require any installation.
If you do not have enough kitchen space, consider a built-in microwave since it does not use any counter space. It can be built in any space that fits the dimensions of it like a microwave drawer, cabinet, or wall.
You can also go for an over-the-range microwave that is installed directly over the stove. It comes with its ventilating system so as to eliminate smoke, odors, or steam. If you have a small kitchen, I would recommend these types of microwaves since they will also save your kitchen space.
Convectional Microwave Oven
This is another type of microwave that uses high heat temperatures and a fan to circulate air to cook food instead of electromagnetic waves like other microwaves. This convection oven does much more than heating and defrosting meals; it can bake, roast, broil, and even steam food.
It costs a bit more than those that use electromagnetic waves to cook.
Sensor cooking
Some microwaves such as the ones that I have reviewed here come with sensor cooking. With sensor cooking, the vapor is measured to determine when the food is ready.
Size and Capacity
Just like your food processor or oven, microwaves have their own array of sizes and capacities. There are small, medium, and large sizes. Their capacities are measured in cubic feet or cu ft.
Small-sized ones have a capacity of less than 1.0 cu ft., the medium has the oven capacity of 1.2cu ft. to 2.2 cu ft. while large size has cu ft. larger than 2.2.
If you have a small family, I would recommend buying a small or medium-sized microwave of 1.2 cu ft to 2.2 cu ft. but If you have a big family, buy a big one. When purchasing your kitchen appliance, do not forget to check their cooking or heating power.
Power Measured in CU FT
The power of a microwave is measured in watts. This is the amount of energy that is used to heat your food. Small and medium-sized microwaves have cooking power of 800 to 1000 watts.
Medium and large ones use 1,000 to 1,200 watts of power to heat meals.
Benefits of using a Microwave
These types of kitchen appliances are very popular due to the numerous benefits that they offer.
They are widely used to reheat food evenly for set times i.e., 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, defrost frozen foods, auto cook foods such as popcorn, potatoes, pizza, bread, just to name a few.
You can also use a microwave to disinfect kitchen items, roast food, heat beauty products, de-crystallize honey, make great poach eggs, soak lentils and beans, steam vegetables, cook fish and bacon, and many more.
Reheating meals is the number 1use of this kitchen appliance. Defrosting frozen foods comes second. It offers an efficient way of warming or heating food. You can cook food in a microwave oven.
You can grill, boil water, roast nuts, make beverages, steam vegetables, make popcorn, and many more.
Many people swear that they cannot live without a microwave and with all these benefits, you can see why. It is an essential kitchen appliance and 98% of most homeowners with 1 microwave.
FAQs
1. Which is the best built-in microwave?
Here are the Top 3 Built-in Microwaves that we can recommend.
1. Advent Black Built-in Microwave - It comes with one-touch controls that allow you to easily adjust power levels, cook times, and choose power level, and time. I am happy to say that I had zero issues when I tested this built-in microwave.
2. Farberware Stainless Steel Microwave - Farberware Stainless Steel Microwave is definitely worth your money as it is one of the top built-in microwaves we have on the market right now. It delivers power; making it ideal for heating leftovers and cooking your favorite meals.
3. GE Over-the-Range Microwave - This is a microwave that can be installed over your stove. It comes with a 300-CFM, 2-speed venting system to remove odors, smoke, and steam. It will take the place of a range hood since it is able to filter smoke and other contaminants.
2. Are built-in microwaves worth it?
If you have enough counter space and don't want to spend a fortune on custom-built microwaves, a countertop microwave is the best option for you. However, if you have a very tiny kitchen and need to maximize the amount of space available, a built-in microwave is the ideal option.
3. Why are built-in microwaves so expensive?
There are a few reasons why built-in microwaves are so expensive. For one, they require professional installation, which can be costly. Additionally, they're often more high-end than traditional microwaves, and come with additional features like convection cooking.
My recommendation is to buy a traditional microwave and install it yourself. This can save you a lot of money, and you'll still get the same functionality as a built-in model.
4. Do built in microwaves need ventilation?
Most built in microwaves do not need ventilation, but it is always best to check the manufacturer's instructions. If the microwave has a vent, it should be used to prevent the build-up of heat and steam.
5. What's the difference between a built in microwave and a countertop microwave?
The main difference between a built in microwave and a countertop microwave is that a built in microwave is designed to be installed into cabinetry, while a countertop microwave can be placed on any flat surface. Countertop microwaves are also typically smaller in size than built in microwaves.
