A microwave oven is an indispensable, heaven-from-manna for busy people, or even for anyone who values convenience and relates it to productivity.
Now, where to put it in your kitchen is what some people are baffled about, especially when the space is quite limited and a counter microwave will take up the prep space. This is where the over the range microwave becomes a great option.
An over the range microwave saves you space on the kitchen countertop. Instead, the design allows you to mount it on an elevated space, like a cabinet. Your cabinet microwave can also blend seamlessly with your kitchen. You can also conceal it within a cabinet for a more organized look.
An over the stove microwave is equipped with exhaust fans to keep it cool. Meanwhile, it also doubles as your stove’s air vent delivers average performance. This makes it a great alternative for home kitchens that cater to a normal number of household members.
Though if you are particular about venting more air than having a microwave, range hoods still fare better. Otherwise, a double-purpose appliance like an over the range microwave gives more mileage to your investment.
An over the range microwave is normally instead elevated beyond line-of-sight. And with this configuration in your kitchen come pros and cons. This setup is an advantage of homes with kids and this refrains them from accessing and playing the appliance. Meanwhile, the disadvantage is that for some, it is harder to adjust the controls. It is also challenging to take in and out the food, especially when it has liquid that might spill since your view of it is limited.
There are many over the range microwave models in the market you can choose from that will fit the intended space. More so, there are also tons of features for different needs. We narrowed down our list to 3 of the best ones that are considered the best when it comes to design, performance, and features.
| Name | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|
| GE JVM7195SKSS Microwave– Editor’s Choice | Four-speed venting fan system that produces 400 CFM; With Steam Clean function | Check Price |
| FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1645TS 30″ Over the Range Microwave | Comes with a cooktop light, a stay-on interior light, and a zero-clearance door | Check Price |
| Cosmo COS-2413ORM1SS Over the Range Microwave Oven | Designed with the buttons at the bottom of the unit for easy access | Check Price |
GE JVM7195SKSS Microwave – Editor’s Choice
This over the range microwave looks modern and professional in any kitchen space with its black and stainless steel finish. It also comes with touch buttons that are labeled clearly with their corresponding functions. Aside from intuitive operation, it also has some smart features that add more convenience to your cooking tasks.
This GE microwave comes with a sensor microwave function. This allows you to heat certain food items with a touch of a button. The over the range microwave automatically sets the time and temperature according to food type, action, or weight.
This over the range microwave includes features like Beverage (like your coffee that was left cold in the countertop after a while you attend to the baby), Popcorn (for movie nights or cravings), Potato (to prep for peeling or mashing), Melt (for butter, caramel, marshmallow, or chocolate), Reheat (admit it, you do this often!), and Defrost. The latter will ask you to enter the weight over the range microwave will automatically set the temperature and cooking time to effectively.
The GE over the range microwave also comes with a host of controls that allow you to customize your over the range microwave according to your cooking and heating needs. You can set the Power Level, adjust the Time, set a Timer, and access Settings. You can also choose to turn off the turntable, the Display, or Mute it.
Aside from basic controls like the ones mentioned, as well as the Start and Stop, and the Add 30 Seconds button, this over the range microwave also comes with a Steam Clean function. This helps you clean the inside faster and more effectively.
The GE JVM7195SKSS Microwave also comes with an indicator light that lights up when it is time to change the charcoal filter. This filter absorbs odors and keeps the inside deodorized for as long as its lifetime. Anyway, your over the range microwave will let you know when it is time to change into a new one.
This built in microwave comes with a four-speed venting fan system that produces 400 CFM. This is powerful enough to keep the smoke and odors from your cooktop out of your home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sensor-based microwave functions – Melt, Potato, Beverage, Popcorn, Defrost, Reheat | The basic controls (start, stop, and add 30 seconds) are placed in the middle and not easily seen |
| Adjustable controls for power level, time, timer, turntable on/off, mute, display on/off | |
| Four-speed venting fan system that produces 400 CFM | |
| Steam Clean function | |
| Black and stainless steel finish | |
| 1.9 cubic feet capacity |
Conclusion
The GE JVM7195SKSS Microwave performs great as it looks. What I personally love about this over the range microwave is the Steam Clean function since it allows cleaning to be a breeze.
FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1645TS 30″ Over the Range Microwave
This over the range microwave has the right features that make it effective both as a microwave and a venting system.
The Frigidaire microwave comes in different modern finishes to fit any kitchen interior or space. Choose between black, white, black stainless steel, and pure stainless steel. This over the range microwave is equipped with one-touch buttons for easy operation.
Speaking of functions, the FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1645TS 30″ Over the Range Microwave includes special buttons that execute the task automatically with a single press of the button. It has buttons to cook Popcorn, Potato, work on Beverages, Melt butter or chocolate, or reheat cooked food. The over the range microwave automatically designates the time and temperature for each task.
Meanwhile, you can also instantly add 30 seconds to the time with a single press of the button should you find the need. No need to go through the settings again. Also, the Defrost button will automatically calculate the temperature and time according to the weight of the item you input.
This over the range microwave has a support venting system for your cooktop. It produces up to 220 CFM and also comes with a cooktop light and allows you to turn off or on the light, as well as set the strength of the exhaust – low or high or off. Meanwhile, the over the counter microwave comes with an interior light as well that stays on as it runs.
This stainless steel microwave has a multi-stage cooking feature. With it, you can set the power level and cooking time ahead to schedule your cooking in time when you want to serve it hot and fresh.
The FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1645TS 30″ Over the Range Microwave comes with a zero-clearance door that allows you to open it in full 90 degrees for easy food and cleaning access. This over the range microwave also has a big capacity of 1.6 cubic feet and can fit bowls and casseroles with 12.5-inch diameters.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multi-stage cooking feature | No option to turn off the sound and the interior light |
| Special buttons for Popcorn, Potato, work on Beverages, Melt butter or chocolate, or Reheat cooked food | |
| 220 CFM 2-speed venting system | |
| Comes with a cooktop light and a stay-on interior light | |
| With a zero-clearance door |
Conclusion
The FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1645TS 30″ Over the Range Microwave provides straightforward features and also looks beautiful and modern in the kitchen.
Cosmo COS-2413ORM1SS Over the Range Microwave Oven
This over the range microwave is designed thoughtfully with the buttons strategically put at the bottom of the door instead of the sides. This makes it more accessible since it is installed in an elevated space.
This beautiful black microwave offers 10 power levels at 1,000 watts as the maximum level. It allows you to customize the cooking operation according to your needs.
Meanwhile, to elevate its convenience and functionality, this over the range microwave features Sensor Cook and Sensor Reheat. These programs execute the task with a press of the button. The rest of the settings like time and temperature are automatically set according the weight you input the microwave.
Also, this built in microwave oven comes with presets that allow you to cook fast foods like Pizza, Casserole/Lasagna, Dinner Plate, Beverage, Popcorn, and Sauce/Soup. I love how it executes the Popcorn function by allowing you to input the bag size so it will cook it perfectly with less un-popped or burnt popcorn.
The Cosmo COS-2413ORM1SS Over the Range Microwave Oven comes with a 2-speed venting system. The above stove microwave though missed the exterior light, but still with interior light and a removable turntable for easy cleaning and replacement as needed. Capacity is at 1.34 cubic feet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designed with the buttons at the bottom of the unit for easy access | No exterior light |
| 10 power levels at 1,000 watts max level | |
| Sensor Cook and Sensor Reheat programs | |
| Preset programs | |
| Two-speed venting system | |
| Popcorn setting that allows you to input the bag size for more precise cooking |
Conclusion
The Cosmo COS-2413ORM1SS Over the Range Microwave Oven is compact and functional for tight spaces even in RVs.
Final Verdict
A microwave oven surely helps any household cope better in the kitchen tasks of cooking and preparing food. And you can definitely own one even if you have a tight space in your kitchen. An over the range microwave allows you to maximize its features and also double as another appliance for your kitchen – as an exhaust system.
The best over the range microwave on this list is the GE JVM7195SKSS Microwave.
The GE JVM7195SKSS Microwave has tons of adjustable controls for precise and customized cooking and heating functions that fit your needs. It also comes with a 4-speed 400 CFM powerful venting system and a Steam Clean function for cleaning support that not all over the range microwave models have.