Best 30-Inch Over-the-Range Microwaves: Top 5 Picks (October 2026)
The best 30-inch over-the-range microwaves include the GE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave for a standard 30-inch cabinet, the Toshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave for sensor cooking and a soft-close door, and the Frigidaire FMOS1846B 1.8 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave for high-power cooking.
On this page (11 sections)
- How we picked the best 30-inch over-the-range microwaves
- Side by side: 30-inch fit, depth, height and venting
- The five 30-inch picks in detail
- Measuring a 30-inch opening before you order
- Venting and the 30-inch install
- Checking the fit before the box arrives
- Replacing a 30-inch unit without starting over
- Why most kitchens use a 30-inch microwave
- When a narrower or wider opening changes the choice
- Cooking room and dish sizes for a 30-inch unit
- Which 30-inch over-the-range microwave should you buy?
A 30-inch over-the-range microwave is the standard size for most kitchen ranges. This roundup covers five 30-inch models and checks each one against the fit measurements that matter: width, depth, height and venting.
We compared the specs each maker publishes for these five models. All five are 29.9 inches wide, so width is a match for a standard opening, and depth and height are where they differ.
If you're replacing a unit, match the width first, then the depth and height. That keeps the new microwave in the same footprint as the old one.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a standard 30-inch cabinetGE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for sensor cooking and a soft-close doorToshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.3/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for high-power cookingFrigidaire FMOS1846B 1.8 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
7.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itBLACK+DECKER 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
Best for strong venting - 5
Check itBLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
Best for a shallow cabinet
How we picked the best 30-inch over-the-range microwaves
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. For a 30-inch search, fit comes first, so each model gets checked against the measurements a buyer needs before ordering.
Each model faced these checks:
- Is the width the standard 29.9 inches for a 30-inch opening?
- How deep does it sit, and will it fit a shallow cabinet?
- How tall is it, and does it clear the cabinet bottom?
- How strong is the venting, measured in CFM?
- How heavy is it, and does it need a two-person lift?
Depth and height decided most of the scores. Width is the same across all five, so it only matters when the opening is not standard.
Here's how the scores landed:
- GE, 8.5: the standard fit, a charcoal filter and simple controls.
- Toshiba, 8.3: 400 CFM venting, sensor cooking and a soft-close door, at the top of the price range.
- Frigidaire, 7.9: the most power at 1,500 watts, in a standard width.
- BLACK+DECKER 1.9, 7.8: 400 CFM venting and a child lock at a mid-range price.
- BLACK+DECKER 1.7, 7.4: the shallowest body here, with 300 CFM venting.
Side by side: 30-inch fit, depth, height and venting
The width column reads the same across all five picks. Depth is where they split, so the table puts it first.
| Product | Best for | Size (W x D x H) | Vent fan | Capacity | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | a standard 30-inch cabinet | 29.9 x 15.6 x 16.1 in | 300 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.6 cu ft | 8.5 |
| Toshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | sensor cooking and a soft-close door | 29.9 x 13.8 x 16.4 in | 400 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.9 cu ft | 8.3 |
| Frigidaire FMOS1846B 1.8 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | high-power cooking | 29.9 x 15.8 x 16.4 in | 300 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.8 cu ft | 7.9 |
| BLACK+DECKER 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | strong venting | 29.9 x 13.9 x 16.4 in | 400 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.9 cu ft | 7.8 |
| BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave | a shallow cabinet | 29.9 x 13.2 x 16.4 in | 300 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.7 cu ft | 7.4 |
The BLACK+DECKER 1.7 is the shallowest at 13.2 inches, and the Frigidaire is the deepest at 15.8 inches. The other three sit between 13.8 and 15.6 inches.
The five 30-inch picks in detail
The GE leads because it fits a standard opening with the fewest surprises. The Toshiba shares the lead on venting with the BLACK+DECKER 1.9, and the Frigidaire leads on power.
GE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 29.9 inches wide and 16.1 inches tall
- 300 CFM venting on two speeds
- Replaceable charcoal filter for recirculating use
- One-touch express cooking
The standard fit in this group, with a charcoal filter for kitchens without an outside vent. It's the one to pick if you want a 30-inch unit with no surprises.
Pros
- Standard 29.9-inch width
- Charcoal filter for recirculating use
- Simple one-touch controls
Cons
- Deeper than the Toshiba and the two BLACK+DECKER models
- 300 CFM trails the 400 CFM models
GE's 1.6 cu ft unit measures 29.9 inches wide, 15.6 inches deep and 16.1 inches tall. It's the one to start with if you want a standard 30-inch fit and simple controls.
The 300 CFM fan runs on two speeds. The charcoal filter lets the unit recirculate air when you can't vent outside, and the manual covers how often to replace it.
One-touch express cooking covers the common foods, and the turntable can be switched off for large or oddly shaped dishes.
At 1.6 cu ft, it holds less than the two 1.9 cu ft models in this roundup. Measure the dishes you use most before you pick it.
Toshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 29.9 inches wide and 16.4 inches tall
- 400 CFM venting on two speeds
- Flip-and-lock mounting bracket
- Sensor cooking and a soft-close door
A 30-inch unit with 400 CFM venting, sensor cooking and a soft-close door. It's the premium pick here, with the most features.
Pros
- 400 CFM venting on two speeds
- Sensor cooking and 24 preset menus
- Soft-close door
Cons
- Premium price tier, the highest here
- Draws 1,500 watts of input
Toshiba's 1.9 cu ft unit measures 29.9 inches wide, 13.8 inches deep and 16.4 inches tall. That's about two inches shallower than the GE, which helps in a cabinet with less depth.
Toshiba says its flip-and-lock bracket shortens installation time by 48 percent. The mount still belongs to a qualified installer, because the unit is heavy and hangs over a hot cooktop.
The unit runs 400 CFM on two fan speeds, and its sensor cooking checks the food's moisture before it sets the heat. The soft-close door closes quietly, with no slam.
The 13.5-inch turntable holds several plates at once. Toshiba is the premium pick in this group, and it draws 1,500 watts of input, so have an electrician check the circuit before it goes up.
Frigidaire FMOS1846B 1.8 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 29.9 inches wide and 16.4 inches tall
- 1,500 watts of power
- 300 CFM venting on two fan speeds
- LED cooktop lighting and a glass turntable
The highest-power unit in the 30-inch group, with a 1.8 cu ft interior and LED lighting. It's a black unit, so it suits dark or black-stainless cabinets.
Pros
- 1,500 watts for faster cooking
- Standard 30-inch width
- LED cooktop lighting
Cons
- Depth is close to the GE's, so check the cabinet
- Black finish only
Frigidaire's FMOS1846B measures 29.9 inches wide, 15.8 inches deep and 16.4 inches tall. It's the high-power option in a standard 30-inch body, with 1,500 watts for faster cooking.
The 1.8 cu ft interior and the 12.4-inch glass turntable handle everyday dishes. The LED cooktop light makes the burners easy to see while you cook.
The 300 CFM fan runs on two speeds. Its depth is close to the GE's, so measure how far the cabinet reaches before you order.
The finish is black. That suits a dark or black-stainless cabinet more than a full stainless wall.
BLACK+DECKER 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 29.9 inches wide and 16.4 inches tall
- 400 CFM venting on two speeds
- 13.6-inch turntable and 10 power levels
- Child lock and cooktop LED
The strongest fan in a standard 30-inch body, with a child lock and a large turntable. It's a fair pick at a mid-range price for a family kitchen.
Pros
- 400 CFM venting on two speeds
- 13.6-inch turntable for large dishes
- Child lock and a cooktop LED
Cons
- Fewer auto menus than the Midea
- Simpler controls than the Toshiba's sensor cooking
BLACK+DECKER's 1.9 cu ft unit measures 29.9 inches wide, 13.9 inches deep and 16.4 inches tall. That makes it shallower than the GE and about the same depth as the Toshiba.
Its 400 CFM fan on two speeds ties the Toshiba for the strongest venting in this group. 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 trade-off is simpler controls, with fewer auto menus than the Midea and no sensor cooking.
For a family kitchen where venting matters most and the budget is mid-range, this is a fair choice.
BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
- 29.9 inches wide and 16.4 inches tall
- 13.2 inches deep, the shallowest here
- 300 CFM venting on two speeds
- Six quick menus and multi-stage cooking
The least depth in this group, which suits a shallow cabinet or a spot where the microwave can't sit far in. Its 300 CFM fan is the same as the GE's and the Frigidaire's.
Pros
- Shallowest body at 13.2 inches
- Six quick menus and a 12.4-inch turntable
- Multi-stage cooking in one setting
Cons
- 300 CFM trails the 400 CFM models
- Fewer menus than the Midea's 18 auto menus
BLACK+DECKER's 1.7 cu ft unit measures 29.9 inches wide, 13.2 inches deep and 16.4 inches tall. It's the shallowest model in this roundup, so it suits a cabinet where the microwave can't sit far in.
It has a 12.4-inch turntable and six quick menus for popcorn, beverage, melt, reheat and defrost. It also offers 10 cooking levels, plus a multi-stage setting that runs 90 percent power for 10 minutes and then 50 percent for 20 minutes.
The 300 CFM fan has two speeds and an integrated light. That matches the GE and the Frigidaire, so it's the pick for light everyday use.
The trade-off is venting and menus. It has fewer menus than the Midea's 18 auto menus, and the fan trails the 400 CFM models.
Measuring a 30-inch opening before you order
Start with the opening, not the box. Measure the width at the top, the middle and the bottom, since some cabinets are slightly out of square.
Then measure the height from the cooktop to the cabinet bottom, and the depth from the wall to the front of the cabinet. Compare those numbers with the picks above and leave room for the power cord and any duct.
Over-the-range microwave depth and height in the cabinet
The depths in this roundup run from 13.2 to 15.8 inches. The heights run from 16.1 to 16.4 inches, so most of these units need the same vertical room above the cooktop.
Deeper units sit further into the cabinet, so a shallow cabinet needs one of the shallower picks. Check the depth against the spot before you check the features.
Venting and the 30-inch install
Venting is the part of a 30-inch install that's hardest to change later, so decide it first. Ducted units send air outside, while recirculating units pass 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. The venting options guide explains each setup in more detail.
If your kitchen can't take a duct, read whether an over-the-range microwave needs to be vented before you buy. That guide covers the rules for each setup.
Checking the fit before the box arrives
Before you buy, mark the unit's outline on the cabinet bottom with painter's tape. Use the width and depth from the spec table, then look at how the outline sits against the cabinet door and the handle.
Open the door of the cabinet beside the opening, and check that it still swings clear of the microwave's front. If the door hits the unit, a shallower model or a different mounting position may be needed.
Look at the space above the cooktop, too. The manual lists the clearance the unit needs, and the tape marks should leave room for that clearance on every side.
Replacing a 30-inch unit without starting over
A swap goes smoother when you check early whether the old mounting plate fits the new unit. Our replacement guide covers the planning for a swap.
Hire a qualified installer for the mount, and a licensed electrician to check the outlet and the circuit. A 30-inch unit is heavy, and it ties into the wiring and the vent.
If the new unit is narrower than the cabinet, a filler kit closes the side gap. Our mounting bracket and filler kit guide explains the parts.
Why most kitchens use a 30-inch microwave
Most standard kitchens have a 30-inch range, and a 30-inch over-the-range microwave matches that footprint. That's why the 30-inch size is the usual starting point when shoppers compare models.
A matching width keeps the sides even and makes the unit look built in. It also makes the side gaps easier to plan, since a standard opening often needs no filler at all.
When a narrower or wider opening changes the choice
If your opening is narrower than 30 inches, a 30-inch unit won't fit, and you'll need a 24-inch model. Our 24, 30 and 36 inch guide explains the sizes side by side.
If your cabinet is wider, a 30-inch unit can still fit with side filler panels. The mounting bracket and filler kit guide covers the trim pieces that close those gaps.
Cooking room and dish sizes for a 30-inch unit
The five picks here hold 1.6 to 1.9 cubic feet, and their turntables run from 12.4 to 13.6 inches. The bigger turntable helps with large dishes, while the smaller one suits a standard plate.
Before you choose, measure your largest dish and check it against the turntable. A dish wider than the turntable won't rotate, so check the size before you buy.
Larger interior room suits a family that cooks several dishes at once. A 1.6 cu ft unit is a good fit for one or two cooks who make one dish at a time.
Which 30-inch over-the-range microwave should you buy?
Pick the GE if you want the standard fit and simple controls. Pick the Toshiba if you want 400 CFM venting plus sensor cooking, and you can pay the premium price.
Pick the Frigidaire if high-power cooking matters most, and check the depth first. Pick the BLACK+DECKER 1.9 for strong venting, or the 1.7 if the cabinet is shallow and you cook light.
If the cabinet is narrower than 30 inches, see our 24-inch guide before you order. For the full set of measurements, the dimensions guide covers what to check.
If you want a white finish, our white over-the-range roundup covers white models in the same 30-inch width.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a standard 30-inch cabinet
GE 1.6 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for sensor cooking and a soft-close door
Toshiba 1.9 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
8.3/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for high-power cooking
Frigidaire FMOS1846B 1.8 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave
7.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
How wide is a 30-inch over-the-range microwave?
The five picks here are all 29.9 inches wide, which matches a standard 30-inch cabinet opening. Width is rarely the problem, so depth and height do most of the work when a unit doesn't fit.
How deep is a 30-inch over-the-range microwave?
The depths in this roundup run from 13.2 to 15.8 inches. The shallowest is the BLACK+DECKER 1.7, and the deepest is the Frigidaire, so measure the cabinet from the wall to the front before you order.
Can a 30-inch over-the-range microwave fit a 36-inch cabinet?
A 30-inch unit can fit a wider opening if you add side filler panels to close the gaps. Our guide to mounting brackets and filler kits explains which trim kits fit a 30-inch unit in a wider cabinet.
Do 30-inch over-the-range microwaves need to be vented outside?
Some do and some don't. Ducted models send air outside, while recirculating models use a charcoal filter, so check the manual for the setup your kitchen needs before you buy.
