If you want a microwave below $100, you should generally expect a small microwave. The prices of microwaves are mostly determined by their size and their wattage.
Smaller microwaves are cheaper and have lower wattage compared to other sizes or prices.
These budget microwaves usually have below 1000 watts. Despite the fact that wattage usually determines the power and the quality of the microwaves functions, there are some quality microwaves you can purchase for $100 or below.
In this article, we will consider the best microwaves under $100 and what makes them so special.
Top 3 Microwaves Under $100
4.9/5
[Best Overall]
The great feature of this budget oven is its smart home integration; The Alexa voice function is a relatively new feature by Amazon that allows you to give your oven instructions.
You can simply say Alexa, reheat bowl of pasta, and the function works along with an echo device to obey your instructions.
4.8/5
[Best for the Money]
The oven comes with a wattage of 1000 which is really great for speedy microwaving needs. An increase in wattage improves the cooking time.
It is colored red with a sleek metallic back and digital controls which gives it a sophisticated look.
4.7/5
[Best Compact Option]
It has a silver and stainless steel finish which gives it a sleek look. Its compact size makes it easy to find a position for it in your kitchen as it can easily be placed on any clear and safe surface without potential damage to it.
List of Best Microwaves Under $100 in 2023
The following are excellent under $100 microwave oven options
- AmazonBasics Microwave – Small and Simple
- Farberware FMO11AHTBKN – for speedy cooking
- Panasonic NN-SB458S – Compact and Mid Powered
- Costway Retro – Minimal Retro Oven
- Toshiba EM925A5A-BS – Commonly Used
1. AmazonBasics Microwave- Small and Simple
The most affordable high quality microwave oven. Compact, low powered and comes with smart home integration.
If you are looking for the perfect microwave below $100, the Amazon Basics Microwave is a good one to go for. This is affordable compared to a lot of microwaves that are available out there.
Another feature of this budget oven is its smart home integration; The Alexa voice function is a relatively new feature by Amazon that allows you to give your oven instructions.
I've never had a microwave oven that can operate with voice command let alone having a microwave operates with voice command for less than $100 I've got the Amazon Alexa app on my phone and tablet and I have two Echo dots one in the living room. Now, I can simply say Alexa, reheat bowl of pasta, and the function works along with an echo device to obey my instructions.
Unfortunately, for this feature, you might have to purchase the echo device separately as it does not come along with the microwave oven.
This oven is only 700 watts which makes it a low powered oven, although is alright for a budget oven. I can simply put food in it before I go to bed or do something else, and when I get the munchies or wake up, I tell Alexa to heat my food.
The oven is relatively small at 0.7cubic feet and cannot be used by a large number of people, but it should be able to fit in your dinner plate, a small bag of popcorn or a microwave safe soup bowl.
Finally, if you are looking for an oven with multiple function like a convection oven, or one that can be used for grilling or broiling, you might have to consider a different oven.
This oven has very limited features, which is good enough for a budget oven but not necessarily a house over 3 people. However, it's handy for those who work late shifts, can stick in a microwave meal when they awaken, then once they get home, get Alexa to heat it up while they fill the kettle or prepare a side dish or something.
Some people may laugh at the voice controlled microwave, but for seniors and those with visual impairments, they can be a life saver.
All in all if you are looking for the most affordable option, then this is one of the best microwaves under $100.
Also Read: Is a 700 Watt Microwave Good?
2. Farberware FMO11AHTBKN – High Recommended Midsize
A highly recommended affordable midsize and mid powered microwave oven for small home use.
This Farberware Classic FMO11AHTBKN Microwave Oven is slightly bigger than the amazon basics. At 1.1 cubic feet, it can decently serve about 5 people.
It costs at a mid-range which is a little pricey compared to the amazon Basics or if you are looking for affordable microwaves but its size and features makes the price worth it.
The oven also comes with a wattage of 1000 which is really great for speedy microwaving needs. An increase in wattage improves the cooking time.
It is great for home use but like most budget microwave ovens, it comes with basic features compared to more pricey microwaves. However, microwave ovens remain a popular appliance in many households due to their convenience and versatility. They can cook food faster than a regular oven and are much easier to clean.
Another feature of this oven is that it has 10 power controls which means that you can increase or decrease the heat of the microwave over 10 levels. More multi-stage cooking means that you can set the power level to adjust during the cooking cycle for perfect results without interruption. This controls range between 10-100%.
Additionally, 6 one-touch cooking programs let you optimally cook six of the most popular food items.
It is colored red with a sleek metallic back and digital controls which gives it a sophisticated look. This oven also comes with a detachable turntable that makes it easy to clean your oven.
Overall, if you are looking for a medium sized option at an affordable price tag, then this is one of the best microwaves under $100 for me, as the memory function allows me to customize and save my favorite cook settings for added one-touch benefits.
3. Panasonic NN-SB458S – Popular Compact Option
A popular compact microwave oven for a small family.
The Panasonic NN-SB458S Compact Microwave Oven is a very popular product. It can be used to microwave meals, prepare popcorn and simple cups of coffee.
It measures about 900 cubic feet. So the oven is only suitable for dorm use or smaller families. Its 0.9 cubic feet size means it can barely fit a dinner plate.
It has a silver and stainless steel finish which gives it a sleek look. Its compact size makes it easy to find a position for it in your kitchen as it can easily be placed on any clear and safe surface without potential damage to it.
It costs almost the same as the previous microwave and has a power wattage of 900, this is not the best power range you can get at the price, but its 900 watts is considered a moderate range and can get food cooked in record time.
The oven also comes with a “keep food warm” feature that is designed to help you maintain the warmth of your food. I've been using this microwave for two months it's perfect. It provides the power and precision you want for fresh, healthy meals.
This feature doesn’t cook the food, it only keeps it at a low and stable temperature so that it is the perfect temperature when you’re ready to eat. This can be very useful for people who dislike cold food. I like that the turntable turns slowly, and also the microwave is amazingly quiet and easy to use.
Ideal for singles or families, it delivers even cooking power through a non-inverter LC power supply. Finally, it has a child safety lock, making it very easy to monitor anyone attempting to use the oven and prevent kitchen accidents.
In the end, due to its compact form factor with a reasonable power rating, this is one of the best microwaves under $100. I made the decision to purchase this microwave mainly based on its size. I needed something with a smaller countertop footprint. Surprisingly, the cost was a bit less than I expected to pay.
4. COSTWAY Retro – Minimal Option
A minimal and a mechanical microwave oven that features manual knob selectors for high ease-of-use.
The Costway Retro Countertop Microwave Oven comes with relatively simple features and costs fairly high.
It size of 0.7 cubic ft is quite small and this makes it a great option for dorm use or a family of three or less.
It also comes with manual controls which is quite suitable for older people or people who don’t have much experience using ovens with digital functions. More experienced oven users might consider it a downgrade.
The oven is very easy to maintain and spills can easily be cleaned by using a warm and damp washcloth
Its wattage is not its best feature, at 700 watt, you should expect a slow cooking process which is a little disappointing.
Thankfully, its glass and stainless steel finish makes its underwhelming features a little better. I do like the microwave. It looks great and cooks well.
The low power use is good because it never sets off the circuit breaker like my old powerful microwave used to when somebody runs another appliance at the same time.
The oven door has a transparent window that can be used to track the process of your meal.
Finally, it has a rotational turntable that automates even cooking for your meals. The 6 levels of power also gives an opportunity to decide the amount of heat you want for your meal.
While this oven is not the most advanced option on this list due to its low power and manual controls, it can still serve you well if you don't have too many strict specifications for your microwave oven.
Additionally, it's a nice little microwave. One important thing to keep in mind is to ensure no water ever sits under the glass plate because new microwaves have metal bottoms inside that can rust.
For those who prefer a minimal option, this is certainly one of the best microwaves under $100.
5. Toshiba EM925A5A-BS – Typical Home Microwave
A popular and a staple microwave oven for home use.
The Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave Oven is a simple but popular microwave oven with some attractive functions. Its led lightening is rare in microwave ovens around this price range.
It has a 0.9 cubic ft capacity that will serve about 3-5 people and is suitable for small homes and office uses.
Nevertheless, it has a 900 watts power function which makes it easy to prepare speedy meals without fear of uneven cooking
It has a black, stainless steel finishing that makes the exterior very attractive.
This oven is affordable and comes with a number of pre-set cooking recipes. It is suitable for making pizza, popcorn and some other foods. I love the beepless feature; the microwave beeps when it stops, then it pesters you with more beeps until you come to open the door.
It is also comes with a buzzer that alerts you when your timer goes off. With it, you can easily monitor your meals. If you find the buzzer annoying after some time, you can decide to turn it off.
Finally, it has 10 different power range which you can use for your different heating levels.
Despite all these functions, the oven is still a budget oven, so don’t expect more advanced functions like grilling, broiling or roasting as you will likely not get multiple function microwaves around this price range.
In the end, if you are looking for different options, perhaps to suit your taste in looks, then you can put this among the list of your best microwaves under $100 for home use.
What to Expect from Budget Ovens
There are a few features that you will generally find in microwave ovens that cost below $100. Some of them include;
Type
Most of the under $100 microwave are solo options. No Convection or Grill feature here.
Cheaper ovens tend to have limited features. It is very unlikely that you will find a convection, grill or toaster microwave oven below $100.
Multiple function microwave ovens cost more and are also designed in sleeker models to accommodate the multiple functions.
You might need up to $300 to purchase a grill or convection oven. Ovens with these functions have 2 different controls and heating range for their extra uses. Which means that the prices makes up the functions
It should also be noted that if are you looking for inverter based microwaves, you will be disappointed here.
Inverter microwaves have an inverter circuit that regulates the power delivered to the food smoothly and thus helps achieve consistent results.
Unfortunately, this technology is generally found on the more expensive models.
Size
If you want a microwave oven that would cost less than $100, you will find sizes along the range of 0.7- 1.0 cubic fts. Most bigger microwaves cost more. Although oven interior space does not always equal price, it mostly does.
In fact, most brands tend to make all their budget ovens smaller in size which means they are suitable for families of 1-3 people.
These oven types are usually suitable for the most basic cooking needs like microwaving coffee or warming a leftover meal. It is not the best option for microwaving whole chickens or turkeys
Also Read: Which Type of Microwave Oven is Best for Home Use?
Power
The cheaper the oven, the lower the power. Budget ovens usually have lower power ranges, this makes it a little difficult to get your desired result as lower power watts tend to cook food slowly and possibly unevenly.
Ovens below $100 usually have a power range between 700-950 watts. This is low for a microwave. Occasionally, you might find a few models having watts a little above 1000, but they are very rare.
Also Read: Microwave Wattage Input or Output – Which One Matters?
Final Words
In this article we reviewed some of the best microwaves under $100 price range.
The point to note here is that an under 0 budget will afford you a basic a simple microwave. These microwaves will generally have a small interior capacity as well as a low power rating.
Yet, these microwaves are excellent for small apartments as well as for those who just need a minimal microwave for limited tasks like reheating or defrosting.
FAQs:
1. What is the best microwave under $100?
Top 3 Microwaves Under $100 that we can recommend.
1. AmazonBasics Microwave - The great feature of this budget oven is its smart home integration; The Alexa voice function is a relatively new feature by Amazon that allows you to give your oven instructions. You can simply say Alexa, reheat bowl of pasta, and the function works along with an echo device to obey your instructions.
2. Farberware FMO11AHTBKN - The oven comes with a wattage of 1000 which is really great for speedy microwaving needs. An increase in wattage improves the cooking time.
It is colored red with a sleek metallic back and digital controls which gives it a sophisticated look.
3. Panasonic NN-SB458S - It has a silver and stainless steel finish which gives it a sleek look. Its compact size makes it easy to find a position for it in your kitchen as it can easily be placed on any clear and safe surface without potential damage to it.
2. How much does a decent microwave cost?
Countertop microwaves are typically less expensive than other types. Small models start at $50, while midsized models typically cost between $100 and $300. Over-the-range microwaves, or OTRs, start at $200, but the majority we tested cost $400 or more.
3. Is it worth getting a microwave with a grill?
Yes, it worth the money. Microwave with grill speeds up and optimizes the performance of the primary heating elements. Cooking products in the microwave with such a grill results in more succulent results. It is critical to understand that microwave ovens equipped with this feature consume significantly more electricity and also take up significantly more space.
4. Is a flatbed microwave better than a turntable?
The microwaves emitted continue to bounce around the cavity, but at slightly different angles than with a turntable microwave. Indeed, a significant advantage of the flatbed design over a turntable is that it tends to cook and heat food more evenly.
5. Are expensive microwaves worth it?
If you're looking for a good countertop microwave, you should budget between $150 and $200. A high-quality microwave oven will have a large cubic footprint, a high wattage, and a variety of features. However, just because something is expensive does not automatically make it good.