Consumer Reports – December 2018

This strong (and quiet)

performer is especially

notable because it’s

tough to find an over-

the-range model for

this price. It earns a

rating of Very Good

for heating evenness,

an important test. GE

over-the-range models

earn a rating of Good

for predicted reliability;

they’re middling for their

estimated breakage

rate by the end of the

fifth year of ownership.

This model doesn’t have

a sensor, so you’ll be

fiddling with timing till

you get used to it.

Sleek and squat, this

over-the-range Whirlpool

microwave is above

average in our ratings.

Its shape is unique; if

you prefer more space

between your range and

microwave, this model

might work because it’s

only about 11 inches high.

It earns an Excellent

rating for venting and

airflow but only a Good

for heating evenness, so

it isn’t the best at getting

dishes uniformly warm.

Whirlpool microwaves

have a rating of Very

Good in our predicted

reliability survey.

This big boy can

accommodate a

9x15-inch baking

dish, which means it

can easily reheat a

family-sized lasagna

or casserole. It earns a

rating of Excellent in our

speed of heating test

and has a “doneness”

sensor that prevents

overcooking. We also

appreciate that it’s

fairly quiet and that its

controls are easy to use.

We think its size, price,

and strong performance

make it a triple threat.

This model packs the

power you need for

reheating food. It earns

a rating of Excellent

in our defrosting and

speed of heating tests,

but it doesn’t come

with a sensor. It earns a

Very Good rating in our

heating eveness test.

Panasonic sells a trim

kit that allows you to

mount this microwave

to a wall or inside a

cabinet if you’re short

on counter space.

If minimalist good looks

matter to you, this model,

with its pared-down

control panel, will make

you purr. It has 10 power

levels and seven auto-

cook options. It also

features something

called Smart Diagnosis. If

something is wrong, call

LG and when instructed,

hold your smartphone

up to the microwave

to ping the company’s

service center, which will

run a diagnostic test.

Sporting a control panel

that’s easy to program

thanks to very legible

buttons, this Danby

is a good low-cost

microwave that can

still do a decent job. It

receives a rating of only

Good in our heating

evenness test (how

well a microwave can

heat a dish of mashed

potatoes through to

the center). But if all

you’re using it for is to

zap your coffee, make

popcorn, or reheat a

slice of pizza, this might

be a good choice at a

great price.

A LOT TO LOVE (LARGE)

VERSATILE PLACEMENT (MIDSIZED)

SLEEK DESIGN (MIDSIZED)

NICE PRICE AND EASY TO US E (MIDSIZED)

STRONG, SILENT T YPE KEEPS A LOW PROFILE

0 $^ GE JVM3160RFSS

16Hx 3 0Wx15D $250

82

Whirlpool WML55011HS

10Hx 3 0Wx18D $405

77

Danby DMW111KBLDB

12Hx21Wx16D $90

65

! 0 Panasonic NN-SA651S

13 Hx21Wx16D $200

79

Panasonic NN-SN736B

12Hx22Wx20D $165

$ 0 LG NeoChef LMC1275SB

13 Hx22Wx18D $160

75 82

DECEMBER 2018 CR.ORG 23

The Microwave Matchmaker

We highlighted these tested models for their unique features to help you start your search.

Countertop

Over

the

Range

DECEMBER 2018 CR.ORG 23