Microwaves

MICrowave reviews 

Best microwaves to buy in Australia

Find the right microwave for you. Compare how they cook, reheat and defrost.

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47 models rated and ranked

Scientifically tested in accredited labs

Get facts, not opinions. Our experts put each microwave to the test in our labs.

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Our experts test and rate

Best for cooking

We conduct a range of tests to determine cooking performance for microwaves

Easiest to use

We assess how easy it is to set up, use and clean each microwave

Most reliable brand

Learn which ones won’t let you down over time

Microwaves to avoid

Members can compare all the models we test. Here’s a sample of the Microwaves we suggest you avoid

Microwaves to avoid buying
illustrated microwave with cross mark

We give each microwave a CHOICE score made up of:

Cooking performance (70%)

We assess the performance of regular microwaves by conducting four main cooking tests: reheating, defrosting mince, defrosting a whole chicken, and cooking vegetables. We check whether the meat warms or cooks during defrosting and that it defrosts within the auto-defrost time, instead of cooking it.

Ease of use (30%)

We test how easy the controls are to use, how effective the light is, how easy the interior and exterior are to clean, and how noisy the beeping alerts and cooling fans are.

See key features side by side

Save time with our easy comparison tool – all the features rated so you don’t have to.

CHOICE keeps the marketplace honest. Without them, manufacturers will be able to do whatever they want.

Aaron – CHOICE member

They’re here to make a difference and here to make us safe.

Allison – CHOICE member
CHOICE member Aaron

CHOICE keeps the marketplace honest. Without them, manufacturers will be able to do whatever they want.

James – CHOICE member
Which brands does CHOICE review?

Our experts test microwaves from brands like Big W, Breville, Heller, Ikea, Kmart, Kogan, LG, Miele, Panasonic, Russell Hobbs, Samsung, Sharp, Smeg, Solt, Westinghouse, Whirlpool, and more.

How does CHOICE pick which microwaves to test?

Our priority is testing the models you’ll see in stores and major online retailers. To do this, we check current market data to see what’s most popular. We’ll also test models that a lot of members have requested.

How are microwaves tested in the lab?

We conduct a range of cooking tests to assess cooking performance. We judge how well each microwave reheats a quiche, defrosts mince meat, defrosts a whole chicken, cooks vegetables, and melts chocolate. For convection ovens, we bake pizza to test their ability to crisp and brown the base and evenly cook the toppings. To test grilling, we toast bread to assess the grill area for how quickly it toasts the bread and how evenly the heat is distributed.

What’s the best microwave?

We rate the microwaves we test based on cooking performance and ease of use. Using our ratings, you should be able to work out the model that best suits your needs.

How does CHOICE get the microwaves it reviews?

Unlike other product review sites, we don’t accept free test models from manufacturers. This allows us to be independent and review without interference. Instead, we buy products anonymously from a variety of retailers, then bring them into our labs. This means we get what you’d get, and can be sure the model hasn’t been potentially ‘tweaked’ by the manufacturer for better performance.

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