7 Best High-End Microwave Ovens of 2026

This luxury-tier microwave redefines what a countertop oven can do, blending precision engineering with intuitive intelligence. At its core, the Sensor iQ technology stands out—using steam detection to auto-adjust cooking time and power, ensuring lasagnas emerge bubbling but not dried, and leftovers reheat evenly without rubbery edges. Backed by a 1250-watt Power Smoothing Inverter, it delivers consistent energy flow, eliminating hot spots and making it a game-changer for delicate tasks like softening butter or gently defrosting seafood. If you’ve ever zapped a meal into oblivion, this model is your redemption.

In real-world testing, the Breville excels across diverse scenarios: reheating pizza (crust stays crisp), cooking vegetables (retains texture), and defrosting chicken breasts (no cooked edges). The 1.2 cu.ft. cavity comfortably fits dinner plates and medium casserole dishes, while the smooth wave distribution system ensures even heating without constant repositioning. Even at full power, the 50% quieter operation and 80% quieter soft-close door make it ideal for open-plan kitchens or late-night snacks. However, the inverter’s precision falters slightly with dense frozen meals—sometimes undercooking the center if not manually stirred.

Positioned above budget models and even most mid-range competitors, the Breville BMO850BSS competes with high-end offerings like the Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) but prioritizes refined cooking intelligence over sheer size. It’s perfect for food-focused households who treat the microwave as a primary cooking tool, not just a reheating station. Compared to the feature-packed Toshiba air fry combo, this Breville trades air frying and broiling for superior sensor accuracy and quieter performance, making it the best overall for culinary precision and daily usability.

The GE GCST10A1WSS is a multitasking powerhouse that brings restaurant-quality crisping to your countertop without the bulk. Its standout trio—air fry, convection, and broil modes—transforms it from a simple reheater into a full mini-oven, capable of roasting chicken thighs to golden perfection or browning mac and cheese with a crunchy top. With 1050 watts of power and a circular convection fan, heat circulates evenly, eliminating cold spots and delivering results that rival standalone appliances. For anyone craving crispy skin or caramelized edges, this microwave is a kitchen revelation.

During testing, the air fry mode produced fries with a deep-golden crunch in under 20 minutes—no preheating required—while the broil function seared salmon skin beautifully using direct top heat. The 1.0 cu.ft. cavity is compact but smartly designed, fitting a 9-inch pie or a small whole chicken on the elevated rack. However, dense foods like thick potato wedges sometimes needed mid-cycle rotation for even browning, and the lack of sensor cooking means you must manually adjust times. Still, the preset buttons for nuggets and fries simplify daily use.

When stacked against the Breville BMO850BSS, the GE model sacrifices quiet operation and smart sensors for versatility and browning capability. It’s ideal for small kitchens, dorms, or anyone downsizing their appliance lineup. While not as refined in reheating precision, it outperforms in texture creation and is a stronger value for users who want air frying and broiling in one compact unit. It doesn’t cook as quietly or intelligently as the Breville, but it delivers more cooking styles at half the price.

Don’t let its compact footprint fool you—the Breville BMO650SIL is a quiet titan of convenience, engineered for spaces where noise and size matter most. With an 80% quieter soft-close door and 50% reduced operational sound, it’s a dream for studio apartments, bedrooms, or open-concept living areas where microwave beeps and clangs feel disruptive. The 900-watt inverter power may not match high-output models, but it delivers smooth, consistent heating for everyday tasks like reheating coffee or cooking instant oats without boil-overs.

In real use, the shortcuts panel shines—buttons for popcorn, beverage, and pizza reheat make one-touch cooking effortless. The 0.9 cu.ft. cavity fits most mugs and small plates, though larger dinnerware requires angling. While it handles light meals and defrosting with care, it struggles with larger portions or dense foods like whole potatoes, where the lower wattage leads to longer cook times. Still, the Child Lock and mute button enhance usability, and the Breville Sound Suite minimizes auditory clutter—a rare win in a world of beeping appliances.

Compared to the louder, more powerful Farberware 1.2 cu.ft. model, this Breville prioritizes serenity and space-saving design over raw capacity. It’s not meant for families or heavy cooking, but for singles, couples, or minimalist kitchens, it’s unmatched in quiet, thoughtful operation. While the Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) offers more space and sensor tech, this Breville stands out for acoustic refinement, making it the best quiet operation microwave in its class.

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is a sensor-smart specialist that nails the art of set-and-forget cooking using Smart Humidity Sensor Technology. Unlike basic microwaves that rely on timers, this model detects moisture levels in real time and adjusts cooking duration and power automatically—turning overcooked oatmeal and dried-out chicken into perfectly steamed, evenly heated meals. With 1000 watts of inverter power and a 1.2 cu.ft. cavity, it balances efficiency with enough space for family-sized dishes, making it ideal for households that value consistency over bells and whistles.

In practical tests, the sensor reheat function revived cold pasta without mushiness, and the auto-defrost by weight gently thawed ground beef while keeping edges cool. The 12.4-inch turntable rotates smoothly, and the ECO mode reduces standby power, a small but meaningful touch for eco-conscious users. However, the lack of convection or air fry modes limits its versatility, and the preset menu is limited to six options, fewer than competitors. Still, for reheating, defrosting, and simple cooking, it’s remarkably reliable.

Against the feature-heavy Toshiba ML2-EC10SA(BS), this model trades multifunctionality for sensor precision and simplicity. It’s not for those wanting air frying or broiling, but for users who want foolproof, consistent results without manual tweaks, it’s unmatched. Compared to the Breville BMO850BSS, it offers similar sensor logic at a fraction of the cost, though with less power and fewer presets. For smart, hassle-free cooking, this Toshiba is the best smart sensor cooking pick.

The Toshiba ML2-EC10SA(BS) is a Swiss Army knife of countertop cooking, packing eight functions into one sleek unit: microwave, air fry, convection bake, broil, combi-cook, low-temp cooking, odor removal, and defrost. This high-end hybrid eliminates the need for multiple appliances, crisping fries like an air fryer, roasting chicken like an oven, and reheating like a microwave—all without sacrificing counter space. The 12.4-inch Position Memory Turntable remembers its last position, making it safer and easier to remove hot dishes.

In real-world use, the air fry mode delivered crispy wings with minimal oil, and combi-cook (microwave + convection) slashed total cook time for casseroles by nearly 40%. The 1.0 cu.ft. cavity fits a 12-inch pizza or whole chicken, though it’s tight for larger dishes. The odor removal mode is a subtle but brilliant addition, using a fan and filter to clear lingering smells—a rare feature in microwaves. However, the interface can feel cluttered, and mastering all eight functions has a learning curve.

Compared to the GE GCST10A1WSS, this Toshiba offers more cooking modes and smarter features like position memory and multistage cooking. It’s pricier than basic combos but justifies it with greater functionality and premium build. While the Breville BMO850BSS wins on quiet operation, this model dominates in versatility and innovation, making it the best high-end feature-rich microwave for tech-savvy cooks who want one appliance to rule them all.

For families or meal preppers, the Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) is a spacious powerhouse that combines high capacity with smart cooking in a way few microwaves dare. Its 1.6 cu.ft. interior and 13.6-inch turntable can handle a whole roasted chicken, a full lasagna tray, or a 13-inch pizza—making it ideal for households tired of rotating dishes or using multiple appliances. The 1200-watt output and smart sensor menus ensure even cooking, automatically adjusting time and power for potatoes, veggies, or frozen meals, so nothing burns or stays cold.

In testing, the multi-stage cooking function allowed seamless transitions—like defrosting then cooking in one cycle—while the position memory turntable returned to its start point, reducing the risk of spills. The sensor reheat preserved moisture in leftovers, and the mute function silenced beeps for late-night use. However, its large footprint demands significant counter space, and the lack of air frying means you’ll still need a separate appliance for crispy results.

Stacked against the Breville BMO850BSS, this Toshiba offers more room and higher wattage but less quiet operation. Compared to the Farberware 1.2 cu.ft. model, it’s a clear upgrade in capacity and cooking flexibility. It’s not the quietest or most feature-packed, but for family-sized meals and hassle-free sensor cooking, it’s the best for large capacity—a true workhorse for busy kitchens.

The Farberware 1.2 cu.ft. microwave punches far above its price tag, delivering smart sensor cooking and reliable performance at a budget-friendly cost. With 1000 watts of power and a 1.2 cu.ft. cavity, it offers the perfect middle ground between compact and full-sized models—ideal for small families, offices, or anyone upgrading from an aging unit. The Smart Sensor Auto Cook adjusts time and power based on humidity, preventing overcooked soups and under-thawed meats, while the six one-touch presets (popcorn, pizza, potato) make daily use effortless.

In real use, it reheated meals evenly and defrosted by weight with surprising accuracy. The easy-clean interior resists stains, and the child safety lock adds peace of mind. However, the sensor logic isn’t as refined as Breville or Toshiba’s high-end versions—sometimes undercooking dense items. The turntable is standard (no position memory), and the build feels less premium, but for the price, it’s remarkably capable.

Compared to the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, it offers similar sensor tech but with a brighter display and more intuitive layout. Against the Breville BMO650SIL, it provides larger capacity and higher wattage at a lower cost. While it lacks the quiet operation of Breville or the air frying of Toshiba’s combo model, it delivers core smart features with exceptional value, making it the best value high-end microwave for budget-conscious buyers who still want modern convenience.