5 Best Over-the-Range Microwaves (October 2026)
The best over-the-range microwaves include the GE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave for a simple everyday microwave, the Toshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave for big family dinners, and the Midea 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave for hands-off auto menus.
On this page (8 sections)
- How we picked the best over-the-range microwaves
- Side by side: five 30-inch over-the-range microwaves
- The five picks in detail
- Venting: what 300 and 400 CFM mean for your kitchen
- Who each pick suits
- Width, depth and height: measure before you buy
- Installing and replacing a unit safely
- Which over-the-range microwave should you buy?
An over-the-range microwave does two jobs. It heats your food, and it takes the place of a range hood, so the width, the fan and the depth all matter.
We compared five 30-inch models on the specs each maker publishes: size, venting, power, cubic feet and controls. Each one gets a score and a single "Best for" badge, so you can match it to your kitchen.
Most kitchens need the same two things from this type of microwave: a unit that fits a standard opening, and one that clears smoke from the cooktop. The five picks below cover that need at different price tiers.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a simple everyday microwaveGE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for big family dinnersToshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.3/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for hands-off auto menusMidea 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itFrigidaire FMOS1846B 1.8 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
Best for fast 1,500-watt reheating - 5
Check itBLACK+DECKER 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
Best for strong venting at a mid-range price
How we picked the best over-the-range microwaves
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. For this roundup, the main question is whether a model fits a standard 30-inch opening and vents well enough for your cooktop.
Each model faced the same five questions:
- Does it fit a standard 30-inch cabinet opening?
- How strong is the venting, measured in CFM?
- How much cooking room is inside, in cubic feet?
- Which controls, presets and safety features does it have?
- Does the maker give a clear note on filters and installation?
Venting counted for the most, since it decides how well the unit handles smoke and steam. Cubic feet came second, because it decides whether a large dish or a family-size plate fits inside.
Here's how the scores landed:
- GE, 8.5: the simplest controls, a standard width and a charcoal filter for recirculating use.
- Toshiba, 8.3: the most room and 400 CFM venting, at the top of the price range here.
- Midea, 8.0: 18 auto menus and a shallow 13.5-inch depth.
- Frigidaire, 7.9: the most power at 1,500 watts, with a standard width.
- BLACK+DECKER, 7.8: 400 CFM venting and a child lock at a mid-range price.
Side by side: five 30-inch over-the-range microwaves
The five picks are all 29.9 inches wide, so width doesn't separate them. Cubic feet, venting, power and depth do, and the table shows them in one place.
| Product | Best for | Capacity | Vent fan | Power | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | a simple everyday microwave | 1.6 cu ft | 300 CFM, 2 speeds | 1,000 W | 8.5 |
| Toshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | big family dinners | 1.9 cu ft | 400 CFM, 2 speeds | 1,000 W output | 8.3 |
| Midea 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | hands-off auto menus | 1.7 cu ft | 300 CFM, adjustable | 1,000 W | 8.0 |
| Frigidaire FMOS1846B 1.8 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | fast 1,500-watt reheating | 1.8 cu ft | 300 CFM, 2 speeds | 1,500 W | 7.9 |
| BLACK+DECKER 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | strong venting at a mid-range price | 1.9 cu ft | 400 CFM, 2 speeds | 1,000 W | 7.8 |
Depth varies more than width. The Midea, the Toshiba and the BLACK+DECKER are all under 14 inches deep, while the Frigidaire and the GE reach further in.
The five picks in detail
The GE scores highest because it balances a standard fit, simple controls and a filter for kitchens without an outside vent. The Toshiba and the BLACK+DECKER lead on venting, and the Frigidaire leads on power.
GE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 1.6 cu ft with 1,000 watts of cooking power
- 300 CFM venting on two speeds
- Replaceable charcoal filter for recirculating use
- One-touch express cooking and a turntable on/off setting
The simplest pick in this group, with a standard 30-inch width and one-touch cooking buttons. It's the one to start with if you want a microwave that fits without much setup.
Pros
- Standard 30-inch width
- Charcoal filter for kitchens without an outside vent
- Simple one-touch controls
Cons
- 300 CFM is less venting than the 400 CFM models
- Holds less than the 1.9 cu ft picks
GE's 1.6 cu ft unit is the one to start with if you want a standard 30-inch microwave that doesn't take much setup. It measures 29.9 inches wide, 15.6 inches deep and 16.1 inches tall, so it sits in a typical opening above the range.
The 300 CFM fan has two speeds. The charcoal filter lets the unit recirculate air when you can't run a duct outside, and the manual covers when to replace it.
One-touch express cooking covers the common jobs, and the digital display sets the time and power by hand. The turntable can be switched off for large or oddly shaped dishes.
Where it falls short is venting and room. At 300 CFM it trails the 400 CFM models, and at 1.6 cu ft it holds less than the two 1.9 cu ft picks.
Toshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 1.9 cu ft with a 13.5-inch turntable
- 400 CFM venting on two speeds
- Sensor cooking, 24 preset menus and 11 power levels
- Soft-close door and a flip-and-lock bracket
The most room in this group, with 400 CFM venting and sensor cooking. Toshiba also redesigned the mounting bracket with a flip-and-lock design.
Pros
- Largest interior here at 1.9 cu ft
- 400 CFM venting with two speeds
- Sensor cooking and 24 preset menus
Cons
- Premium price tier, the highest in this group
- Draws 1,500 watts of input, more than the 1,000-watt units
Toshiba's 1.9 cu ft unit has the most interior room in this group. Its 13.5-inch turntable can hold several plates at once, which suits a family that cooks in batches.
It runs 400 CFM on two fan speeds, the same venting as the BLACK+DECKER 1.9. Toshiba's sensor cooking checks the moisture in the food and adjusts the heat, and it offers 24 preset menus and 11 power levels.
Toshiba says its ChefDefrost setting cuts defrost time by 40 percent. The door has a soft-close hinge, so it closes quietly without slamming.
Toshiba also redesigned the mounting bracket with a flip-and-lock design. The company says that cuts installation time by 48 percent, but the mount is still a job for a qualified installer.
The trade-off is price, since this is the premium pick here. It also draws 1,500 watts of input, so check that the outlet and circuit can handle it.
Midea 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 1.7 cu ft with a 12.4-inch turntable
- 18 auto menus and 10 power levels
- 300 CFM with adjustable fan speeds
- Bright cooktop light and a 13.5-inch depth
Midea gives this one 18 auto menus, so popcorn, pizza or rice takes one button. It's also one of the shallower units in the group.
Pros
- 18 auto menus with one-touch cooking
- Shallow 13.5-inch depth
- Bright light over the cooktop
Cons
- 300 CFM is below the 400 CFM models
- Its 12.4-inch turntable is smaller than the Toshiba and BLACK+DECKER turntables
Midea's 1.7 cu ft unit is the pick for people who want a button for most jobs. Midea gives it 18 auto menus that cover popcorn, pizza, rice, potatoes and defrosting, with 10 power levels for manual cooking.
The 12.4-inch turntable is smaller than the Toshiba and BLACK+DECKER turntables. Midea says it holds a 12-inch pizza, so most family dishes will fit.
At 13.5 inches deep and 16.4 inches tall, it's one of the shallower units here. That means it sits less far into the cabinet than the GE or the Frigidaire.
Venting is 300 CFM with adjustable fan speeds. That handles everyday smoke and steam, but a heavy frying habit will want the 400 CFM units instead.
Frigidaire FMOS1846B 1.8 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 1.8 cu ft with 1,500 watts of power
- 10 power levels and quick-start cooking
- 300 CFM venting on two fan speeds
- LED lighting and a 12.4-inch glass turntable
The most power in this group, at 1,500 watts, which heats food faster than the 1,000-watt units. It's a black model with LED lighting over the cooktop.
Pros
- 1,500 watts for faster heating
- Standard 30-inch width
- LED lighting and a glass turntable
Cons
- Black finish only, so it won't match a stainless wall
- The 300 CFM fan trails the 400 CFM models
Frigidaire's FMOS1846B is the most powerful pick here, at 1,500 watts. Most of the other units run at 1,000 watts, so this one heats food faster.
It measures 29.9 inches wide, 15.8 inches deep and 16.4 inches tall. The interior holds 1.8 cu ft, and the glass turntable is 12.4 inches across.
Frigidaire gives it 10 power levels and quick-start cooking options, which help when you want a fast meal on a weeknight. The LED lighting sits over the cooktop, so you can see the pan clearly, and a PureAir filter comes with it.
The finish is black. That suits a dark or black-stainless kitchen but won't match a full stainless wall, so check the color before you order.
If you want a lighter finish, our white over-the-range roundup covers that choice.
Its 300 CFM fan is the weaker point. If your cooktop runs hot for long stretches, the 400 CFM models give you more pull.
BLACK+DECKER 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 1.9 cu ft with a 13.6-inch turntable
- 400 CFM venting on two speeds
- 10 power levels and 30-second express cooking
- Child lock and a cooktop LED
The strongest fan at a mid-range price, with a large turntable and a child lock. It measures 29.9 inches wide, 13.9 inches deep and 16.4 inches tall.
Pros
- 400 CFM venting with two speeds
- 13.6-inch turntable for large dishes
- Child lock and cooktop lighting
Cons
- Fewer auto menus than the Midea
- Simpler cooking options than Toshiba's sensor controls
BLACK+DECKER's 1.9 cu ft unit is the best pick here if venting is the main job. Its two-speed fan moves 400 CFM, the same as the Toshiba and more than the 300 CFM models in this roundup.
It measures 29.9 inches wide, 13.9 inches deep and 16.4 inches tall. The 13.6-inch turntable turns on and off for large dishes.
It has 10 power levels, a 30-second express cooking button, a child lock and a cooktop LED. The menus are fewer than the Midea's 18 auto menus, and the controls are simpler than the Toshiba's sensor cooking.
That's the trade-off for a mid-range price. For a family that cooks every day but doesn't need sensor features, it's a fair choice.
Venting: what 300 and 400 CFM mean for your kitchen
CFM, or cubic feet per minute, measures how much air the fan moves. Toshiba and BLACK+DECKER both move 400 CFM, and the other three move 300 CFM.
Over-the-range microwave fan power in plain terms
A stronger fan clears more smoke and grease from the cooktop, which matters most when you sear, stir-fry or cook on a gas range. A 300 CFM fan handles everyday cooking, so pick the 400 CFM units only if you cook hot and often.
Two fan speeds matter as much as the top number. The low speed suits simmering and steaming, and the high speed is for frying or searing, so look for a fan with two settings on any model you buy.
Who each pick suits
Each pick here fits a different kind of cook, and the badges show the main use. Read the list below before you compare the numbers.
- A standard family kitchen: the GE, with a standard width, simple controls and a filter option.
- Big batches and bigger dishes: the Toshiba, with the most interior room and a larger turntable.
- Weeknight cooking with presets: the Midea, with 18 auto menus for popcorn, pizza and rice.
- Fast reheating and high power: the Frigidaire, at 1,500 watts.
- Heavy venting on a mid-range budget: the BLACK+DECKER, with 400 CFM and a child lock.
If you're not sure which group you fit, count how often you cook a full meal on the cooktop each week. Frequent cooks gain the most from a 400 CFM fan and a bigger interior.
Venting only works if the air has a way out. A ducted install sends air outside through a duct, and a recirculating install passes air through a charcoal filter and back into the kitchen.
The GE comes with a replaceable charcoal filter and the Frigidaire comes with a PureAir filter, so check the manual of any other model before you plan a recirculating install. Our venting options guide explains each setup, and whether an over-the-range microwave needs to be vented covers the rules.
Width, depth and height: measure before you buy
Measure the cabinet opening before you pick a model, since the width, depth and height decide the fit. All five picks are 29.9 inches wide, so a standard 30-inch opening takes any of them.
Checking the fit of an over-the-range microwave
The depths run from 13.5 to 15.8 inches, and the heights run from 16.1 to 16.4 inches. Those numbers are the maker's own dimensions, so check them against the space you have.
Measure three points before you order: the width of the opening, the height from the cooktop to the bottom of the cabinet, and the depth from the wall to the front of the cabinet. Write each number down, and compare it with the width and height of the model you pick.
If your cabinet is shallow, the Midea and the Toshiba are the two picks with the least depth. For a wider look at size options, see our 30-inch roundup and the dimensions guide.
Installing and replacing a unit safely
Hire a qualified installer to mount any of these units, and a licensed electrician to check the outlet and the circuit. The unit is heavy, it hangs over a hot cooktop, and it ties into the wiring and the vent.
A swap goes faster when you know the old unit's model and size, so write them down first. Our guide on how to replace an over-the-range microwave covers the planning, and the installation guide lists what to check before you order.
If the cabinet opening is wider than the microwave, a filler kit closes the gap. Our guide to mounting brackets and filler kits explains the parts you may need.
Which over-the-range microwave should you buy?
Pick the GE if you want a standard 30-inch fit with simple controls. Pick the Toshiba if you want the most room and sensor cooking, and you can pay the premium price.
Pick the Midea if you'll use auto menus most days, and the Frigidaire if you need the most power for fast reheating. Pick the BLACK+DECKER if strong venting matters more than sensor features.
If you bake or crisp food often, our air fryer guide explains the one over-the-range model with an air fry mode.
For a shorter fan list or a low profile unit, see the low profile roundup. If you're not sure which type fits, start with the buying guide for an over-the-range microwave.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a simple everyday microwave
GE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for big family dinners
Toshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.3/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for hands-off auto menus
Midea 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is the best over-the-range microwave?
For most kitchens, the GE 1.6 cu ft is the best pick here, because it's a standard 30-inch unit with simple controls. If you cook for a big family, the Toshiba 1.9 cu ft gives you the most room.
How wide is an over-the-range microwave?
The five picks here are all 29.9 inches wide, which matches a standard 30-inch cabinet opening. Depths run from 13.5 to 15.8 inches, and heights from 16.1 to 16.4 inches, so measure the depth and the height too before you order.
Which over-the-range microwave has the strongest fan?
Toshiba's 1.9 cu ft and BLACK+DECKER's 1.9 cu ft both move 400 CFM, which is the most in this group. The GE, Midea and Frigidaire units all run at 300 CFM, which is enough for everyday cooking.
Do over-the-range microwaves need to be vented outside?
Ducted models send air outside, while recirculating models pull air through a charcoal filter and send it back into the kitchen. Our guide on whether an over-the-range microwave needs venting explains which setup your kitchen needs.
