In general, the higher the wattage, the faster and more evenly your food will cook. Most microwaves sit somewhere between 600 to 1,200 watts. Larger, more expensive microwaves tend to have a higher wattage, so this is a price and size consideration that can strongly influence microwave cooking performance.
Make sure the microwave you buy has the size, wattage, and features you want, then spend what you can afford. When it comes to microwaves, don't buy into bells and whistles unless you're sure you'll use them.
Models with more watts typically have more cooking power, but differences of 100 watts or so don't matter much. All the microwaves in our tests have a minimum of 700 watts; models with higher wattages provide faster and more even cooking.
The quality of the appliance: More expensive microwaves typically last longer than more budget-focused models – something that's so often true in the world of kitchen appliances.
With normal usage for an average family and good maintenance, a microwave often lasts for 7 to 8 years. If the microwave is used less frequently by a single person or a couple and is well-maintained, the lifespan can increase to up to 10 years.
Signs you may need to replace the unit include: Cooking times are off. If your food cooks too quickly or too slowly test its power by placing one cup of water inside and turning the microwave on for two minutes. If the water isn't piping hot when you take it out it may be time to replace the unit.
The average-sized microwave oven uses about 215 kWh of electricity per year. In terms of energy usage, the appliance's wattage ranges from 600 to 1,500 watts. However, because microwaves are only used for short periods of time, their overall yearly energy use is lower than what their pull would suggest.
On average, microwaves use about 600 to 1000 watts of electricity. Using a microwave for 15 minutes per day will use about 6.1 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month and 73 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. A microwave costs an average of $0.86 to use for a month and $10.36 to use for a year.
Yet, the door on a microwave is typically the most expensive part to replace, ranging from $200 to $500. It also can come with an especially high price for small, foreign appliance manufacturers due to the import and sourcing costs.
Under 700 Watts
These microwaves are fine for reheating drinks, heating up small plates of food, and cooking most instant meals. If you are accustomed to a higher powered model, a 700 Watt microwave may take a little longer to heat than you are used to, but you can adjust cooking times accordingly.
800W microwaves are a great essential appliance for any household. They are perfect for helping to prepare, warm, or defrost food. The higher wattage means you can cook foods much faster – which is useful for busy households.
As a general guideline, consider choosing a microwave with around 1,000 watts as this is a standard power for most recipes. It's important to be selective about your microwave's functions and choose a model with wattage, shortcuts and functionality suited to how you use a microwave.
A 1,000-watt microwave will cook quickly and efficiently, so that's a great baseline. Microwaves with 700 watts or less are slower and may not cook evenly. In general, the higher the wattage, the faster the cooking time.
Microwave cooking does not reduce the nutritional value of foods any more than conventional cooking. In fact, foods cooked in a microwave oven may keep more of their vitamins and minerals, because microwave ovens can cook more quickly and without adding water.
Using the oven only on special occasions is the single most impactful thing an individual can do.” Microwaves, slow cookers, electric pressure cookers and air fryers all consume significantly less energy than ovens, so using these instead, if possible, will save you money.
1. Sprinkle an appropriate amount of water on the food surface beforehand to improve the efficiency of the microwave oven and save electricity. 2. Cover the food with a lid or microwave oven wrap to shorten the heating time and help save energy.
Since January 2021 alone, the Producer Price Index (PPI) of these kitchen appliances has more than quadrupled. High appliance demand and delayed shipping due to the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the price increases, according to manufacturer Yale Appliance.
Smoke, sparks, and burning smells. These are signs of a serious and urgent problem. Stop what you're doing, and turn off and unplug the microwave immediately. There's no going back if you see smoke or sparks, or smell something burning.
To avoid replacing yours more than about once every 10 years—which is how long most manufacturers tell us they should last—you'll want to take care of it. Your microwave may not get as grimy as your oven, but even so, one of the best ways to keep it humming along is to keep it clean.
Clean any spills and splatters right away, and do a full wipe-down with a mild detergent once a week to once a month, depending on your usage. Keep the outside clean. Dust, grease, and other residues can build up on the outside of your microwave, especially on the controls.