We recommend currently available microwaves with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 80% overall and 70% for ease of use. 

The CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of 70% performance (four test scores weighted equally), and 30% ease of use.

We test the microwaves using the sensor program (or the auto program or manual mode for models without this feature). We defrost mince meat and chicken, cook broccoli and reheat quiche.

We check that controls are intuitive, easy to operate and the instructions are easy to follow. We also check the effectiveness of the light, and whether the viewing window is large enough and easy to see through. We assess the interior and exterior of the microwave for ease of cleaning – do the surfaces wipe clean easily, and are there small holes and seams that can gather dirt?

We cook broccoli to assess the microwave's ability to cook vegetables.

We defrost mince to assess the microwave's auto-defrost ability. Parts of the food can start cooking if the auto-defrost time is too long, the power program is poorly designed or the oven's microwave distribution is not even.

We defrost chicken to assess the microwave's auto-defrost ability. Parts of the food can start cooking if the auto-defrost time is too long, the power program is poorly designed or the oven's microwave distribution is not even.

We reheat a quiche to assess the microwave's ability to heat a solid, high-fat food evenly throughout and to a high enough temperature.

We melt chocolate to assess the microwaves ability to melt a food that's very sensitive to high temperatures. We look for chocolate that's melted perfectly without having to stop, stir and check the melting process during the program. This is a new test, which hasn't been carried out on previously tested models, so the results don't form part of the CHOICE Expert Rating yet.

We grill toast (in models that have a grill), looking for even toasting results across the whole rack.

Based on our 2021 survey of microwave oven owners. These scores refer to the brand only, not the particular model. We may not have enough data for all brands.

We ask how satisfied microwave owners are with their appliance on a scale of excellent to very poor. These scores refer to the brand only, not the particular model. We may not have enough data for all brands.

The manufacturer's stated warranty. You're still covered by the Australian Consumer Law regardless of the manufacturer warranty.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

'Tested model' refers to microwaves that are currently available in shops and online. 'Discontinued model' refers to microwaves that are no longer available in shops, but may be available in second-hand stores.

The manufacturer's recommended retail price at the time of testing.

Costs based on 30 cents per kWh.

Running cost per year calculated on the energy used reheating a plated meal every day at 30 cents per kWh.

Some microwaves have a removable turntable that rotates while food is heating, whereas others just use a flatbed surface.

Our own measured volume of the microwave.

Whether the microwave is a built-in type rather than freestanding.

Measured dimensions of the microwave.

This refers to the measured dimensions inside the actual microwave, not the size of the cavity it sits in.

The higher the wattage, the faster the food will cook – but our testing shows it doesn't necessarily give a better result.

How noisy the cooling fan and beep are (decibels).

Microwaves need at least 5cm clearance on each side, approximately 10cm at the rear, and 15–50cm on top. It's worth checking the requirements before buying the largest unit that will fit into your cabinetry. Grill or combi-microwaves get hotter than standard microwaves and will have further requirements.

We've started recording whether you can turn the sound up or down on the controls or for the audible alert sound on microwaves. We may not have data on all microwaves.

A typical microwave's magnetron (the gizmo that creates the microwaves) at, say, 50% power will cycle between being on at full power and completely off for 50% of the cooking time. Inverter technology continuously uses 50% power for the whole cooking time – so no on/off power cycling and (at least in theory) more even heating of your food.

Sensor programs take automatic functions one step further by measuring vapours emitted during cooking or reheating to adjust the cooking time and power.

Automatic functions prompt you to enter the weight and type of food for the microwave to calculate the cooking time.

Automatic functions prompt you to enter the weight and type of food for the microwave to calculate the reheating time.

Time-adjust during cooking allows you to increase or decrease the time programed during cooking.

Microwaves with this feature can be programmed to perform a sequence of functions, such as defrost, cook and leave to stand.

The timer can be used to time other kitchen tasks such as boiling an egg on a stovetop.