7 Best Luxury Countertop Microwaves of 2026

This spacious workhorse redefines what a luxury countertop microwave should deliver—offering a rare 2.0 cubic feet capacity without sacrificing kitchen real estate. With 1,200 watts of power, a sensor cooking system, and an expansive interior that fits full-sized casserole dishes and 16-inch pizzas, it’s engineered for families and serious home cooks who demand more from their appliances. The auto-defrost by weight and one-touch express cooking eliminate guesswork, solving the all-too-common pain of unevenly thawed meats or overcooked leftovers.

In real-world testing, the GE shines when reheating multiple plates or cooking large portions—its glass turntable ensures even heat distribution, while the humidity-sensing tech adjusts cooking time to prevent drying out food. It handles everything from steaming vegetables to baking potatoes with consistent results, though it lacks convection or air frying capabilities, limiting its versatility compared to multifunction models. The child lock adds peace of mind, especially in homes with curious toddlers, and the clean stainless steel design resists smudges better than most.

Compared to the Breville BMO850BSS, this GE model trades advanced smart features for sheer volume and straightforward performance. While it doesn’t offer inverter technology or preset shortcuts for pizza or butter softening, it outperforms in capacity and raw utility for large households. It’s the ideal pick for those who prioritize cooking space and reliability over gourmet functions, delivering greater functionality than compact models at a competitive feature-to-price ratio.

Step into the future of countertop cooking with the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA, a true multifunctional powerhouse that blends microwave speed with air frying, convection baking, broiling, and even odor removal—all in one sleek black stainless steel package. Boasting 1,000 watts of microwave power and an 8-in-1 cooking system, this unit replaces multiple appliances, tackling everything from crispy wings to golden-brown casseroles without firing up the oven. Its 12.4-inch position memory turntable is a game-changer, allowing you to remove and replace large dishes without misalignment—perfect for roasting a whole chicken or baking a 12-inch pizza.

During testing, the air fry function delivered remarkably crisp results with minimal oil, outperforming standalone air fryers in texture and browning. The convection and broil modes worked in harmony to sear and finish proteins beautifully, while the multi-stage cooking feature let us defrost then cook in one seamless cycle. However, the interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food, and the control knob, while intuitive, lacks the responsiveness of touch panels on higher-end models.

When stacked against the BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA, the Toshiba offers more cooking modes and a larger turntable, justifying its premium positioning. It’s best suited for small kitchens, apartments, or cooks eager to maximize culinary flexibility without cluttering the counter. With broader functionality than most combo microwaves and a refined finish, it delivers more gourmet potential than budget models while staying under the luxury price ceiling.

Don’t let its compact size fool you—the BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA is a budget-savvy multitasker that punches well above its weight, combining microwave, air fry, convection, bake, and roast functions in a minimalist stainless steel shell. With 900 watts of power and 11 dedicated air fry presets, it simplifies meal prep for singles and couples, turning frozen nuggets into golden bites or churning out crispy roasted vegetables with minimal effort. The speedy 30-second start button and child lock make it ideal for fast-paced households where convenience is king.

In daily use, the air fry results are impressively crisp, though not quite on par with larger models like the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA. The small 0.9 cu.ft. cavity limits large dishes, making it unsuitable for big family meals, but perfect for reheating leftovers or cooking single servings. While it lacks a broil function and has a basic digital interface, the preset menus for popcorn, oatmeal, and pizza streamline routine tasks. It struggles slightly with even convection baking due to its compact fan system, but for its size and price, performance is commendable.

Compared to the GE B0DDM4N45M, this model sacrifices interior space and sensor cooking for greater cooking diversity at a lower cost. It’s the go-to for students, dorm dwellers, or minimalist kitchens where multifunctionality trumps capacity. Offering the most features per dollar, it delivers exceptional value for those who want air frying without investing in a full-sized combo unit.

The Breville BMO850BSS isn’t just a microwave—it’s a precision kitchen partner that redefines reheating, defrosting, and cooking with its Sensor iQ intelligence and inverter technology. With 1,250 watts of power and a 1.2 cu.ft. cavity, it delivers smooth, even energy distribution, eliminating cold spots and overcooked edges—a common flaw in standard microwaves. The Smart Reheat and Smart Defrost modes detect steam and adjust cooking time automatically, making it ideal for busy professionals who want restaurant-quality leftovers without babysitting the clock.

In testing, the inverter technology proved transformative, gently reheating lasagna without drying out edges and defrosting thick chicken breasts evenly—tasks where most microwaves fail. The shortcuts panel inside the door (think: melt chocolate, soften butter) adds a luxury touch rarely seen outside high-end ovens. However, the turntable must be removed for convection use, disrupting workflow, and the lack of air frying may disappoint those seeking all-in-one versatility.

Pitted against the Breville BMO650SIL, this model offers more power and smarter cooking logic, making it the clear upgrade for serious users. It’s engineered for those who value culinary precision and quiet operation in a premium package. With smarter automation and better performance than mid-tier models, it justifies its premium status by delivering refined control and consistency unmatched in its class.

Meet the GE GCST10A1WSS, a crisp-focused performer that brings restaurant-style air frying and broiling to the countertop with impressive finesse. Packing 1,050 watts of power, convection baking, broil mode, and a dedicated air fry setting, it transforms frozen fries into golden perfection and gives chicken a satisfying sear—all without preheating the oven. The elevated rack and crisper pan work in tandem to circulate hot air, delivering crunchy textures that rival standalone air fryers.

Real-world tests confirmed its air fry superiority: wings came out blistered and juicy, and reheated pizza regained its pizzeria crunch. The convection mode bakes evenly, though small batch cookies browned slightly faster on the edges. The broil function adds a gourmet touch, perfect for finishing off gratins or caramelizing scallops. However, the 1.0 cu.ft. capacity limits larger meals, and the lack of sensor cooking means you’ll need to monitor defrosting manually.

Compared to the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA, this GE model focuses on air fry and broil excellence over multifunction breadth, making it ideal for health-conscious cooks who crave crispy food with less oil. It’s the top pick for small kitchens wanting air fry performance without bulk. With sharper browning and faster crisping than most combo units, it offers better texture-focused results than general-purpose microwaves.

For large families, the Toshiba ML-EM62P(SS) is nothing short of a kitchen MVP, offering a cavernous 2.2 cubic feet interior—one of the largest available—paired with 1,200 watts of sensor-powered precision. This microwave swallows whole turkeys, 16-inch pizzas, and oversized casserole dishes with ease, solving the eternal frustration of overcrowded cavities. The smart humidity-sensing tech auto-adjusts cooking time, ensuring moist meats and perfectly reheated stews every time.

In practice, the auto-defrost function handled a 3-pound roast with care, thawing evenly without cooking the edges—a rare feat. The 16.5-inch position memory turntable stays aligned even when removed, a small but brilliant detail for heavy dish handling. While it lacks air frying or convection, its eco mode and mute function cater to eco-conscious and noise-sensitive users. The control panel is intuitive, though the beep volume can’t be fully silenced.

Against the GE B0DDM4N45M, this Toshiba offers even more space and smarter sensors, making it the ultimate choice for households that cook in bulk. It’s built for those who need maximum capacity without sacrificing smart features. With larger volume and more intelligent cooking than most, it delivers family-sized performance that outpaces compact luxury models.

The Breville BMO650SIL is the quiet achiever of luxury microwaves, engineered for those who value serenity and subtlety in the kitchen. With an 80% quieter soft-close door and 50% quieter operation, it eliminates the jarring beeps and clangs that plague most microwaves, creating a peaceful cooking environment—perfect for open-concept homes or late-night snacks. Its 0.9 cu.ft. compact cavity is ideal for singles or couples, and the one-touch shortcuts for pizza, potatoes, and beverages make daily use effortless.

In real use, the reheat and defrost functions are gentle and effective, preserving moisture in leftovers without rubbery edges. The mute button and Breville Sound Suite minimize noise pollution, a rare luxury in countertop appliances. However, the 900-watt power output feels underpowered for large meals, and the small capacity limits family use. It lacks advanced cooking modes, focusing instead on refined execution of basics.

Compared to the Breville BMO850BSS, this model trades power and smart presets for ultra-quiet operation and space-saving design. It’s best for apartments, offices, or minimalist kitchens where noise reduction and compact size are priorities. With quieter performance and sleek styling than most, it offers a more serene experience than high-powered but noisy counterparts.