8 Best Microwaves at Home Depot 2026

Spacious, smart, and engineered for real family life, the TOSHIBA ML4-EM22PAIT(SS) stands out as a powerhouse built for households that demand consistency and capacity. With a 2.2 cu ft interior and a massive 16.5-inch turntable, it effortlessly accommodates oversized dishes and full meals—no more awkward plate rotation or multi-round reheating. Its Inverter technology with Smart Sensor is a game-changer, delivering precise, even heating by continuously adjusting power instead of pulsing on and off, eliminating cold spots and overcooked edges. For busy families, the 6 auto-sensor menus take the guesswork out of cooking everything from lasagnas to leftovers, making it one of the most intuitive large-capacity microwaves on the market.

In real-world use, this microwave shines when handling complex tasks like multi-stage cooking and defrosting large cuts of meat without cooking the outer layers. The 1200W output ensures fast, reliable performance, whether you’re boiling water or reheating a casserole for four. The removable turntable is a breeze to clean, and the interior dimensions are generous enough to fit wide baking dishes or tall mugs. However, its sheer size means it’s not ideal for compact kitchens or small countertops—it needs space to breathe. While the control panel is responsive, the interface lacks the modern touchpad elegance of higher-end models, leaning more toward functional than flashy.

Compared to the Panasonic NN-SN97JS, the TOSHIBA holds its own with nearly identical capacity and inverter tech but at a significantly lower price point, making it a strong value contender for large families. It doesn’t have the Panasonic’s Cyclonic Wave distribution or 20 presets, but it delivers 90% of the performance for daily cooking needs. If you need maximum interior space and sensor intelligence without premium pricing, this Toshiba is a workhorse that outperforms its class. It’s more capable than budget mid-size models, yet simpler and more affordable than luxury built-ins.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) strikes an impressive balance between sleek design, smart features, and mid-tier affordability, making it a standout for users who want premium touches without the luxury price. Its black stainless steel finish resists smudges and adds a modern elegance to any kitchen, while the 1.6 cu ft capacity and 13.6-inch turntable comfortably handle family-sized meals—like a full 13-inch pizza—without crowding. What truly sets it apart is the Position Memory Turntable, a clever innovation that returns the plate to its starting position after opening, making it easier and safer to remove hot dishes without fumbling.

Performance-wise, the 1200W inverter-powered motor delivers consistent, even heating across a wide range of foods, from reheating soups to cooking frozen dinners. The sensor menus for pizza, vegetables, and popcorn are surprisingly accurate, adjusting time and power automatically for optimal results. The multi-stage cooking and memory function allow for customized sequences, ideal for reheating then crisping leftovers. However, it struggles slightly with very dense or layered dishes, where heat penetration isn’t quite as deep as in larger models. The sound on/off feature is a quiet luxury—literally—letting you mute beeps for late-night use in shared spaces.

Against the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM, this Toshiba offers more power, larger capacity, and smarter cooking logic, justifying its mid-range position. It doesn’t match the Panasonic’s Cyclonic Wave or sensor depth, but it delivers refined functionality at a fraction of the cost. It’s perfect for small families or couples who want restaurant-quality reheating with minimal counter clutter. While not the most powerful, it offers the best blend of style, intelligence, and usability in the mid-tier segment—outshining rivals with thoughtful touches that elevate daily use.

When it comes to microwave excellence, the Panasonic NN-SN97JS sets the gold standard with its Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology, which distributes energy in a 360-degree pattern for unmatched cooking uniformity. This isn’t just marketing fluff—real-world testing shows it reheats dense foods like stuffed pasta or casseroles without dry edges or cold centers, a common flaw in standard microwaves. The 2.2 cu ft cavity and 16.5-inch turntable offer the same spaciousness as the large Toshiba, but with a thinner profile, maximizing interior volume without dominating your countertop. With 1250W of power and 20 preset menus, it’s built for users who want restaurant-grade results at home.

In daily use, the Genius Sensor adapts cooking time and power based on steam feedback, making it nearly impossible to overcook rice or dry out leftovers. The Turbo Defrost function is notably faster than competitors, thawing a pound of ground beef in under 5 minutes while preserving texture. It handles multi-stage cooking with ease, and the delay start feature is perfect for scheduling meals. However, its high price tag and complex interface may overwhelm casual users. The eco mode and food warming function add convenience, but the unit is heavier and less portable than others in its class.

Compared to the TOSHIBA ML4-EM22PAIT(SS), the Panasonic offers superior heating technology and more presets, but at nearly double the cost. It’s the clear choice for culinary enthusiasts who prioritize precision and consistency over budget. While the Toshiba matches it in size, the Panasonic’s Cyclonic Wave and higher wattage deliver a noticeable upgrade in performance. For those who cook frequently and demand perfection, this microwave justifies its “Best Overall” title by blending innovation, power, and intelligence in a way few others can match.

For dorm rooms, offices, or tiny kitchens, the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM is a compact champion that proves big features can come in small packages. With a 0.7 cu ft interior and 700W power, it’s designed for individuals or light users who need quick reheat cycles and basic cooking without sacrificing convenience. Despite its size, it packs in six auto-cook presets—including popcorn, pizza, and reheat—making it surprisingly capable for snacks and simple meals. The mute function is a standout, letting you disable all beeping with a 3-second press, a godsend in shared spaces or late-night use.

In practice, the 700W output is adequate for beverages and small meals but struggles with larger or dense foods—a full bowl of stew takes noticeably longer and may heat unevenly. The 9.6-inch turntable limits plate size, and there’s no sensor cooking, so you’ll need to manually adjust time and power. However, the ECO mode cuts standby power by 50%, appealing to eco-conscious buyers. The one-touch express buttons (1–6 minutes) speed up routine tasks, and the two-step child lock ensures safety without complexity. It’s not built for families, but for minimalist living or secondary use, it delivers essential functionality in a clean, modern shell.

Pitted against the TOSHIBA MM-EM07PA(BK), the COMFEE’ offers similar size and power but fewer defrost options and no ChefDefrost feature. It’s slightly cheaper and more widely available, making it the go-to budget pick at Home Depot for tight spaces. While neither matches full-sized models in performance, the COMFEE’ wins on simplicity and quiet operation. If you’re looking for a no-fuss, space-saving microwave that gets the basics right, this model offers the best value under $80—proving that small can still be smart.

Don’t let its size fool you—the TOSHIBA MM-EM07PA(BK) is a precision-engineered compact microwave that outperforms expectations for small-space cooking. With 700W power and 11 power levels, it offers greater control than most mini microwaves, letting you fine-tune everything from delicate yogurt warming to full popcorn batches. The standout is the ChefDefrost feature, which uses intelligent algorithms to defrost food up to 40% faster while preserving texture—far superior to basic time-based thawing in budget models. For singles or couples in studios or RVs, this level of culinary flexibility is rare at this size.

Real-world testing shows it handles daily tasks efficiently, with one-touch start buttons for 1–6 minutes making reheating coffee or oatmeal effortless. The 6 auto menus cover essentials like pizza and frozen veggies, though it lacks sensor cooking for adaptive adjustments. The 9.6-inch turntable is standard for its class, but the interior is well-designed for its footprint, maximizing usable space. The mute mode and ECO mode add quiet, energy-efficient operation—perfect for apartments. However, it can’t match larger models in speed or capacity, and dense foods require manual stirring for even heating.

Compared to the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM, this Toshiba offers an extra power level, ChefDefrost, and a slightly more responsive interface, justifying its modest price bump. It’s not for families, but for urban dwellers or downsizers, it delivers more cooking intelligence in a compact form. If you want a small microwave that feels capable, not compromised, this model is the best choice for efficiency and defrost performance—outclassing rivals with thoughtful engineering where it counts.

The Emerson MWG1191SB is a game-changer for texture lovers—those who hate soggy pizza or rubbery leftovers. What sets it apart is the built-in grill function, a rare feature in this price range, that uses a quartz heating element to crisp, brown, and toast foods right inside the microwave. Whether you’re reviving last night’s slice or giving a sandwich a golden finish, the grill+microwave combo delivers results that mimic a toaster oven—something no standard microwave can claim. With 1100W power and 11 levels, it’s also strong enough for everyday cooking, and the 1.1 cu ft cavity fits most standard plates.

In testing, the grill mode works impressively well, browning cheese on casseroles or crisping chicken skin in under 5 minutes when combined with microwave heat. The 9 preset menus include smart options like popcorn and veggies, and the retro-style dial controls are tactile and easy to use, though not as modern as touchpads. However, the grill requires a longer cooldown period, and using both functions together increases cooking time. The interior coating is prone to scratching, and the turntable is smaller than in similarly sized models, limiting plate options.

Against the Chefman B0C6NHVT5F, the Emerson trades some digital features (like memory function) for superior cooking versatility. While the Chefman has more presets and eco mode, it lacks any browning capability. For users who want more than just reheating, the Emerson’s grill function is a major differentiator. It’s ideal for dorms, small kitchens, or as a secondary unit where counter space is limited but cooking variety matters. It delivers unique functionality at a mid-range price, making it the top pick for anyone tired of mushy microwave meals.

The Chefman B0C6NHVT5F is a budget-savvy performer that punches above its weight with 1000W of power and a surprising array of smart features for under $110. Its 1.1 cu ft interior is spacious enough for family meals, and the 10 power levels allow precise control for everything from defrosting to boiling. The 6 auto menus—popcorn, pizza, veggies—work reliably, and the multi-phase cooking function lets you program two stages (e.g., reheat then crisp), a feature usually found in pricier models. The +30-second express start is a small but brilliant touch for quick top-ups.

In real use, it heats evenly for its class, though it lacks inverter tech, leading to slight hot spots in dense foods. The mute function and eco mode enhance usability, reducing noise and standby power—great for apartments or offices. The stainless steel finish resists fingerprints better than expected, and the removable turntable simplifies cleaning. However, the LED display is dim in bright light, and the child lock requires a 3-second hold, which isn’t intuitive. It’s not the quietest or most powerful, but for daily reheating and basic cooking, it’s remarkably capable.

Stacked against the Emerson MWG1191SB, the Chefman wins on simplicity and energy efficiency but loses on versatility—no grill function. It’s better suited for users who want a no-frills, reliable microwave with modern features like memory save and quiet operation. If you cook mostly leftovers and frozen meals, this model offers the best balance of price, power, and convenience in the budget category. It may lack luxury touches, but it delivers solid performance where it matters most.

The Emerson MWI1212SS is a hidden gem for value seekers who want inverter technology without breaking the bank, earning its title as the Best Inverter Under $130. Its inverter-powered 1000W motor delivers continuous, even heating—a major upgrade over traditional pulsing microwaves—making it ideal for delicate tasks like melting chocolate or steaming vegetables without overcooking. The 1.2 cu ft interior is one of the largest in its class, fitting bigger plates and deeper dishes, while the push-open door adds a premium, handle-free aesthetic that’s easy to use with full hands.

In testing, the inverter system proves its worth, reheating lasagna with even heat distribution and no rubbery edges. The 99-minute timer is perfect for slow dishes like oatmeal or stews, and the 8 pre-sets cover essentials efficiently. The stainless steel front and black cabinet offer a sleek, modern look that resists smudges. However, it has only 10 power levels and fewer presets than competitors, and the turntable rotation can be noisy on some surfaces. It lacks eco mode and mute function, missing small but useful conveniences.

Compared to the Chefman B0C6NHVT5F, the Emerson trades some digital features for superior heating tech—a smart tradeoff for cooking quality. While the Chefman has more presets and memory save, it doesn’t match the Emerson’s even cooking. For users who prioritize food texture and consistency, this model is a no-brainer upgrade from basic microwaves. It’s the best entry point into inverter cooking, offering premium performance at a mid-range price—a rare find in today’s market.