The microwave is one of the most important appliances in your kitchen yet can be one of the trickiest ones to buy. Microwaves can range in price from less than $100 to upwards of several thousand. Not only do you have to consider price, but you also need to consider what type of microwave you want, the size and features you want. In this cost article we walk you through the average cost of a microwave.
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The Average Cost of a Microwave: $94.60
Our bot found the average cost of a microwave on Amazon to be $94.60. This number may be a little misleading however. What we really should say the average cost of a countertop microwave is $94.60. Countertop microwaves are your most common microwave and should be what the vast majority of shoppers are looking for. Generally the cheapest countertop microwave you will find is going to be $50 and the most expensive around $100. What determines the price?
Average Cost of a Microwave By Size
For countertop microwaves price is a function of the size and power of the microwave. Microwaves generally range from 0.5 cubic feet to as large as 2 cubic feet. You can get a microwave that is 0.7 cubic feet for about $50 to $70. Generally anything over 1 cubic feet is going to be over $100. Which size should you get? It really depends on how much and what types of foods you cook.
The best way to determine what size microwave you need is by taking your most commonly used plates and measuring them. If you often use big plates with lots of food, then you should invest in a 0.9 cubic feet and up microwave.
Average Cost of a Microwave by Power
The other side of the equation is determined by the power of the microwave. Countertop microwaves range from 600 watts to over 1,200 watts. The more watts, the better and quicker your microwave oven will be at cooking your food. It will also be better at heating food evenly. To determine how much power you need again depends on the types of food you are cooking. If you are just planning on using your microwave to cook popcorn or heat up soup, then you don’t need a high powered microwave. On the other hand, if you are going to be using your microwave to defrost meat and heat up full meals, you may want to invest in a high powered microwave.
Average Cost of an Over-The-Range Microwave: $159.60
Over-the-range microwaves have range hood and sit over your stove serving the dual purpose of providing ventilation and heating up food. Over-The-Range microwaves are economical with space but require a bit more installation and end up costing a bit more than your conventional stove top. OTR microwaves are a bit larger than your traditional countertop kind. The smallest OTR will be about 1 cubic foot while the largest can be upwards of 3 cubic feet. OTR microwaves are also a bit more powerful than countertops. Generally a over-the-range microwave is going to be at least 1,000 watts. Therefore, getting an over-the-range microwave for around $130 to $150 would be a great deal.
Average Cost of a Microwave by Brand:
Whether you go with a OTR or countertop microwave, price will also fluctuate based on the brand you go with. We’ve identified four major brands when it comes to microwaves: Kenmore, Panasonic, LG, and Toshiba. Amazon also has a line of their own microwaves which tend to be very cheap. Here is the breakdown:
| Rank | Brand | Cost | Example |
| 1 | Kenmore | $110 | |
| 2 | Toshiba | $147 | |
| 3 | Panosonic | $185 | |
| 4 | LG | $206 |
Kenmore and Toshiba on average tend to be the cheapest, while Panasonic and LG fall on the more expensive end. A reason for the discrepancy may lie in the fact that the brands use different materials for the construction of their microwaves. Panasonic and LG microwaves tend to be made of stainless steel instead of aluminum. Stainless steel is more durable than aluminum and looks sleeker and more modern in most kitchens.
Our Top Picks:
During our research we came across some great microwaves. If we had to recommend some, these would be our top picks.
| Microwaves | |
| Toshiba EM131A5C-SS | |
| Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN936B | |
| Sharp Microwaves ZSMC1655BS | |
| AmazonBasics Microwave | |
| LG NeoChef | ] |