Each affects 5 to 6 percent of the countertop microwaves owned by our members. Failure to heat food properly and excessive noise top the list. There are plenty to choose from.Ĭomplaints about countertop microwaves are similar to those about OTRs. To avoid problems, opt for a model that aces these tests.
Bosch and Sharp also get a thumbs-up for quiet operation.Ĭonsumer Reports tests microwaves for performance, including whether a microwave heats evenly and how noisy it is when operating on the highest setting. On the attribute of appearance, four brands rose to the top for how they look-Bosch, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, and Sharp. We found that the attributes that most affect members’ overall satisfaction with their OTR microwave were reliability, how well it heats food, ease of using the controls, appearance, noise, variety of features, and venting capabilities. We also asked our members what they like about their OTR microwaves. Other brands that stand out in our survey for having specific problems include:
Members also reported problems with turntables, interior lights, exhaust fans, and cooling fans, but these problems affected only 2 to 3 percent of the microwaves.Įlectrolux, in particular, stands out as one of the brands more likely to have problems with control panels and interior lights. Six percent of the OTR microwaves had a problem with noise, and 5 percent had a broken or faulty control panel and/or door.Īfter that, the most common problems reported for OTRs by our members were microwaves that fail to heat food evenly. The most frequently reported problems? Excessive noise, control panels that don’t work properly, and doors that don’t lock correctly. Of those three brands, only LG makes our recommended list. No brand earns an Excellent rating on that measure. Three brands earn a Very Good rating for owner satisfaction-LG, Sharp, and Signature Kitchen Suite. Five get a Good reliability rating, which is high enough to retain their eligibility status for a CR recommendation. Of the 20 brands rated in our survey, 10 earn a Very Good reliability rating. “Because of this, none of these brands can be recommended by Consumer Reports at this time,” says Tian Wang, a survey research associate.īetter bets are OTR microwaves from Hotpoint and Whirlpool, brands that earn an Excellent rating for predicted reliability.
OTR microwaves from Electrolux, Samsung, and Jenn-Air are likely to develop problems or break at a higher rate than their competitors, according to our survey.
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So when your old one breaks, you’ll want to install a new one from a reliable brand. Replacing an OTR model can be a bit of an ordeal because you have to unbolt it from the wall and cabinets. An over-the-range microwave is a strategic choice if you’re short on counter space and like the fact that it doubles as a range hood (though typically an underpowered one).
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