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Over-the-range, or OTR, microwaves help homeowners maximize compact kitchens, unlike countertop microwaves. While built-in microwaves can be installed almost anywhere in your kitchen, over-the-range microwaves are specifically designed to be installed over your stove or cooktop.
Over-the-range microwaves can differ significantly depending on the make and model, with varying capacities, cooking modes, styles, handle designs, and other considerations. The cost of an over-the-range microwave can range anywhere from $200 to $300 for budget-friendly models, $300 to $600 for standard models, and up to $1,000 for high-end models with a large capacity.
To help you narrow down your options, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best over-the-range microwaves on the market. Overall, our top choice is the LG Smart Over-the-Range Microwave, which combines convection cooking capabilities with a large capacity and intuitive smart features.
You can also read our comprehensive buying guide to microwaves to help you make the best purchasing decision.
Best Over-the-Range Microwaves: Top 6 Picks
- Best Overall: LG Smart Over-the-Range Microwave
- Best Compact Microwave: Sharp Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
- Best Slim Design: Samsung Smart SLIM Over-the-Range Microwave
- Best Large Microwave: FRIGIDAIRE SmudgeProof Over-the-Range Microwave
- Best Features: Café Convection Over-the-Range Microwave
- Best Turntable Design: GASLAND Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
Compare Top Over-the-Range Microwaves
| Product | Capacity | Power | Handle Design | Weight | Dimensions (Outer) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG Smart Over-the-Range Microwave | 1.7 cu feet | 950 watts | Push | 82 pounds | 30 x 16 x 16 inches | |
| Sharp Over-the-Range Convection Microwave | 1.1 cu feet | 850 watts | Push | 72 pounds | 30 x 16 x 15 inches | |
| Samsung Smart SLIM Over-the-Range Microwave | 1.1 cu feet | 1,100 watts | Push | 56 pounds | 30 x 11 x 19 inches | |
| FRIGIDAIRE SmudgeProof Over-the-Range Microwave | 1.9 cu feet | 1,000 watts | Pull | 60 pounds | 30 x 15 x 16 inches | |
| Café Convection Over-the-Range Microwave | 1.7 cu feet | 950 watts | Pull | 85 pounds | 30 16 x 16 x inches | |
| GASLAND Over-the-Range Microwave Oven | 1.6 cu feet | 1,000 watts | Pull | 62 pounds | 30 x 15 x 16 inches | |
| Product | Capacity | Power | Handle Design | Weight | Dimensions (Outer) |
Best Overall
LG Smart Over-the-Range Microwave
- $599
- $699
- 14% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Customers seeking a high-end microwave with convection cooking.
What Are People Saying About the LG Smart Over-the-Range Microwave?
We found that customers who gave this product a positive review were impressed with its elegant, sleek design, numerous cooking features, and convenient touchpad. A few also pointed out the sound it makes to indicate when food is done cooking as a positive. On the other hand, some others felt this microwave didn’t have enough power for their liking, and others said that the air-frying feature was insufficient and not customizable.
“I love this new microwave. I have never owned a microwave without a handle, but I saw this LG Microwave model…I had to buy it. It looks great, but what I love most is the sound of the touchpad when entering food, and it makes a really fancy ‘jingle’ sorta sound when your food is finished. It’s a fairly quiet microwave with air fry. I never thought I could be in love with a microwave, but I have fallen in love with my new LG.” — Grabberboy via LG
“The microwave is a little underpowered — only 950 watts — which leads to longer cooking times. I’m very disappointed in the convection cooking part of this combination appliance. Trying to make some oven-roasted potatoes was an exercise in futility, taking more than an hour at what was supposed to be ‘425’ degrees — the oven never actually got to the temperature according to the thermometer I had placed in the oven to verify.” — ThomThom 17 via LG
Best Compact Over-the-Range Microwave
Sharp Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
- $599.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the Sharp Over-the-Range Convection Microwave?
We found that users appreciated the compact size of this microwave, stating that it fits perfectly inside their RV or motorhome kitchen. Other customers thought the over-the-range microwave looked modern and sleek and frequently utilized the four-way convection cooking system. Alternatively, our research showed a few users found the microwave difficult to install, and others experienced issues with broken door handles.
“…You can cook anything in these babies, and it will come out perfect every single time. The touchscreen is extremely intuitive, well laid out, and easy to customize. I have personally baked and roasted whole chickens, stuffed chickens, pork loins, cakes, cookies, brownies, casseroles, and grilled vegetables. Grill the quickest, easiest, best-tasting fresh salmon steaks in it with no mess to clean up afterward! Also has an awesome cookbook that has numerous pictures and detailed explanations as to all of its capabilities.” — Brenda via Amazon
“The hood light is very dim, and the replacement bulbs (2) each cost at least $4 a piece if you can find them. Because we had to vent this into the kitchen, we had to send away to Sharp for a charcoal filter that cost $20 (filter plus shipping and handling.) We had planned to vent it to the outside, but the vent didn’t even come close to matching up the hole from our former range hood. The cooking turntable is white and very hard to keep clean. It is only a month old and is very stained already.” — Coleen via Amazon
Best Slim Design
Samsung Smart SLIM Over-the-Range Microwave
- $476
- $529
- 10% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Homeowners with wide cabinets who want a slim, powerful microwave.
What Are People Saying About the Samsung Smart SLIM Over-the-Range Microwave?
Our team found that customers who gave this product a positive review often pointed to its large capacity, space-saving design, and powerful fan as features that they liked the most. On the other hand, some reviewers did find that this microwave’s clock often fell out of sync, while others felt the fan was overly loud.
“I am absolutely in love with my Samsung microwave. At first, I was afraid of how small it looked and thought my deep dishes or a whole chicken would not fit, but boy, was I wrong. You can absolutely fit a whole chicken and deep casserole dish. I read other’s complaints about accidentally hitting the fan button while closing the door, and it turns it on, but I am more aware and careful of that. I love that it gives me more wall space underneath to hang my spices. I do recommend this microwave.” —Samsung addict via Samsung
“Basic functions like the digital clock don’t work properly. The smart features that Samsung advertises as part of this model interfere with other features or are just unreliable.” —RCMassachusetts via Samsung
Best Medium Over-the-Range Microwave
FRIGIDAIRE SmudgeProof OTR Microwave
- $450
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the FRIGIDAIRE SmudgeProof OTR Microwave?
When looking through reviews for this product, we found that most customers were happy with the looks and performance of this over-the-range microwave oven. In their positive reviews, they highlighted the microwave’s quiet noise level, powerful heating capabilities, and quality of the smudge-resistant stainless steel on the exterior of the unit. However, negative feedback we saw revolved around the thin packaging from the manufacturer, which left the microwave and its mounting hardware unprotected during transit.
“This is a stunning microwave. The black stainless steel color stands out. Everyone stops and compliments my Frigidaire microwave when they see it. It is very spacious. Heats up the food very well. Love it!” — WendyQ via BestBuy
“The microwave function is great, no complaints. But the exhaust fan is pointless. Do not expect the fan to divert any of the steam or smoke from cooking. It all just rolls tight up the front of the microwave. It blows hard at the outlet, but there is no perceptible intake draft. It’s so bad that I took the unit back down and traced through the air path to make sure there were no obstructions and that the fan was in the correct position. I went through the installation instructions and didn’t identify any issue with the installation.” — Worldsokayestengineer via BestBuy
Best Features
Café Convection Over-the-Range Microwave
- $800
- $909
- 12% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: People who use their microwave for a variety of cooking functions and want a high-end model.
What Are People Saying About the Café Convection Over-the-Range Microwave?
Our team noted that customers who gave this microwave a satisfactory review were impressed with its design and space-saving features. Several were also impressed with its air frying feature and convection cooking. However, some felt that the learning curve for using some of the features was high and that the directions were unclear. There was also some negative feedback regarding this microwave’s control panel.
“Bought this for my small apartment. It looks absolutely stunning with the white and chrome handle. Complements the rest of our appliances well. Not only that, but since it’s a small apartment, the more appliances you can eliminate, the better, and this has an air fryer feature which eliminated the need for an air fryer that we always use. Paying a premium for counter space was a no-brainer.”—Yohanan via Best Buy
“I love having the added features of a convection oven and air fryer. A more confident or experienced cook likely will not have my complaints. … However, the directions for use are less than a page and there are no recipes. For me to learn to use it, I will need to invest time in searching for recipes and figuring out how to use these features. I would like better instructions. I didn’t find anything telling me whether I need to change the time for convection cooking.” — PatB via Best Buy
Best Microwave Turntable Design
GASLAND Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
- $298.99
- $329.99
- 9% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the GASLAND Over-the-Range Microwave Oven?
Happy users said this over-the-range microwave oven was easy to install, and the included instruction manual was helpful and easy to understand. Unsatisfied customers also wished that there were multiple brightness settings for the cooktop lighting and said the microwave’s noise level was too loud for their liking.
“I purchased a microwave from this company some time ago and was impressed with the performance. Attractive, strongly built, and all-around quality. Things happen, and I had an issue with the door jamming. I contacted the company, and they honored the warranty instantly. They offered me a choice of either a refund or a replacement. I asked for a replacement as I was so impressed with its performance. The dual lights below the machine provide enhanced visual details for the stovetop. Their customer service is, quite simply, brilliant. I highly recommend them.” — Eric steinhauser via Amazon
“When we opened the box. The door was bent, and a dent on the top of the microwave. I’m guessing the damage happened in shipping. But we bent the door back in place, and the dent is under the cabinet, not to be seen. It’s a lower quality, cheap compared to our last microwave. But it works for what we need it for.” — Barbara Blake via Amazon
Buying Guide for Over-the-Range Microwaves
Above all else, you’ll want to ensure your microwave fits flush above your cooktop and in between cabinetry. Fortunately, our research shows the sizing for over-the-range microwaves is relatively straightforward.
Additional considerations to think about when buying an over-the-range microwave include the capacity of the unit, the number of cooking options it has, the fan speed, what materials it is made from, and the overall wattage of the unit.
Read our buying guide below for more information on how to select the best over-the-range microwave
What is a good capacity for an over-the-range microwave?
In the U.S., we measure microwave oven capacity or size in cubic feet.
Our research covered small microwaves with capacities around 1 cubic foot to large units with capacities exceeding 2 cubic feet.
While this size range may sound insignificant, even half a cubic foot makes a big difference in how much food you can fit inside and how much space the microwave occupies in your kitchen.
What are some common cooking options?
All microwaves, including over-the-range models, allow you to select exactly how long you want to reheat or cook your food. Defrost and auto-cook modes are also standard in most microwaves. You’ll also come across popular preset cooking times to heat popcorn, potatoes, fish, and other types of food.
What fan speeds do over-the-range models have?
The over-the-stovetop microwaves we’ve seen usually have two fan speed settings: high and low. The same is true for most range hoods on the market, although a dedicated range hood is more likely to have three or more fan speed settings.
What material are over-the-range microwaves made from?
Most over-the-stove microwaves are made of stainless steel or hard plastic. While more expensive, stainless steel microwaves can also be fingerprint-resistant, a sought-after feature for many families. Black stainless steel, while less common according to our research, is also available on some high-end models.
The removable turntable inside the microwave is tempered glass.
All modern microwaves are fairly easy to wipe down and maintain thanks to the nonstick materials manufacturers apply to the interiors.
Do over-the-range microwaves have built-in lighting?
Most, if not all, over-the-range microwaves have a built-in surface light at the bottom of the unit. This illuminates the cooking surface beneath the microwave and may have multiple brightness settings.
Your microwave oven should also have an interior light that activates when the door is open and when the machine is in use.
What controls and features should I look out for?
We’ve seen that most microwave ovens have standard push buttons to control the timer, cooking duration, and other settings.
Soft-touch controls, rather than hard-press buttons, are becoming more common on countertop and over-the-cooktop microwaves.
Voice control is less common but rapidly increasing in popularity. This feature is available on newer smart appliances with Wi-Fi capabilities.
What is a good wattage for an over-the-range microwave?
We measure a microwave’s total cooking power in wattage. This applies to both countertop microwaves and over-the-range microwaves.
Smaller, less powerful units we researched had a 700 or 850-watt motor, while higher-end microwave ovens put out more than 1,000 watts of power.
Over-the-Range Microwave Maintenance and Tips
Our team found that microwaves tend to last up to 10 years with regular use. However, you can extend the lifespan of your over-the-range microwave if you take good care of it and only use it as designed. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your over-the-cooktop microwave.
- Clean spills as soon as they happen. No one likes using a dirty microwave, and it’s much more difficult to clean off caked-on grime and leftover food matter inside a neglected microwave. Though it takes a little discipline, wipe down any messes with a paper towel as soon as they happen. You can also use a microwave-safe food cover to place over your food to contain any spills.
- Open and close the door gently. The components on your microwave’s door can only withstand so much abuse, but they’ll last longer and won’t give you many issues if you treat them gently. Never slam the door closed or rip it open.
- Don’t run the microwave if it’s empty. A microwave oven is designed to bounce waves back and forth around the inside, warming up the water molecules in food. Over time, running an empty microwave may damage the magnetron inside.
- Don’t microwave any metal materials. Though it’s common knowledge, you should never place anything with metal in your microwave. If you clean your microwave with a steel wool pad, ensure none of the pieces remain.
- Clean the grease filter periodically. Over-the-range microwaves have a grease trap at the bottom next to the ventilation system—this collects any greasy fumes from cooking. If you frequently cook at home, we recommend checking the trap and washing it with soap and water every couple of months.
- Stick to the preset cook times as much as possible. Microwave oven manufacturers test their models to determine how long, based on the appliance’s size and power, it takes to cook different types of food. When in doubt, choose a preset option and add time after it’s done rather than running the microwave for too long.
- Check to make sure the turntable is aligned correctly. Turntables spin 360 degrees to evenly heat your food, which means less time operating your microwave oven and greater longevity.
It’s important to take great care of all of your kitchen appliances. In this episode of Ask This Old House, repairman Richie Isaacson shows host Kevin O’Connor how to get the most out of your commonly used kitchen appliances:
Frequently Asked Questions About Over-the-Range Microwaves
Can any microwave be installed over the range?
No. You should confirm that the model you’re interested in is specifically designed to install above a stovetop or range. From our experience, this designation from the manufacturer is usually clear. The sizing for most over-the-range microwaves is straightforward, too. We found that most measure around 30 inches wide, 17 inches high, and 15 to 18 inches deep, depending on whether the door is open or closed.
Do over-the-range microwaves need to be vented?
Not necessarily. Though you can choose to vent air from your microwave to the outdoors, over-the-range microwaves can also recirculate air around your kitchen. There is no requirement that your microwave requires this air duct. However, we found that venting air outdoors is generally more effective than recirculating air.
What are the advantages of having a microwave over the range?
Other than freeing valuable counter space in your kitchen, over-the-stovetop microwaves have built-in fans at the bottom of the unit, eliminating the need for an additional exhaust fan for your range or stovetop. This makes an over-the-range microwave a two-in-one appliance.
Do over-the-range microwaves work well?
Typically, yes. Over-the-range microwaves should function just as well, if not better, than a regular countertop microwave. Make sure you choose a model with your desired power level, cooking modes, design, and other considerations, so it meets your expectations.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of over the range microwaves with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.