The Hands-Free Chef strikes again! Today, I’m bringing you my guide on choosing the best smart microwave. As if microwaving food didn’t already make life easier, life just miraculously got even easier. With the help of Alexa and Google Assistant, it’s now possible to use voice commands to get cooking with your microwave.
What’s the advantage here? Well, just imagine you’re enjoying your lazy Sunday and have no desire to peel yourself away from your couch. With the help of Alexa or a few presses of a button on your phone, your microwave is going to work remotely. Never before has laziness been so glamorous.
In addition to voice control, there are additional smart cooking features. If you’ve visited this site before, then you know I’m a fan of Breville’s smart appliances. For this reason, I couldn’t resist adding Breville’s smart microwave – the only model in this guide without voice control.
Several smart cooking features you’ll find in the models below are:
- Smart Cook
- Smart Reheat
- Barcode Scanning Technology
- Smart Defrost
- Smart One-Touch Presets
- Energy-Saving Functions
- Intelligent Humidity Sensor
Now, since I know you’re excited about all these wonderful features, let’s check out an overview of my top picks before moving along to the reviews of each model.
Top 5 Smart Microwaves
| Product | Description |
#1) Amazon Smart Oven  |
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#2) Toshiba ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Countertop Microwave Oven   |
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#3) GE 0.9 Cu. Ft. Capacity Smart Countertop Microwave Oven with Scan-To-Cook Technology  |
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#4) Breville the Smooth Wave  |
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#5) AmazonBasics Microwave  |
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Smart Microwave Reviews
It’s no surprise that Amazon has leveraged its Alexa technology to manufacture its own line of smart microwaves. What’s really great about this is the multi-functional Amazon Smart Oven. This nifty smart device is the first of its kind. So, if you’re a fan of the smart air fryer, yet still want a microwave, you and the Amazon Smart Oven are a match made in Heaven.
Outside of Amazon, well-known brands GE and Toshiba have officially entered the smart microwave realm. In the following reviews, you’ll discover unique features offered by each model to make your final decision an easy one. Also, if you’re looking for a microwave that takes the guesswork out of cooking, be sure to give Breville’s microwave the consideration it deserves.
Lastly, consider the wattage and size of each model. Whether you’re a renter, homeowner, or college student looking for a good microwave for a dorm, the Hands-Free Chef has you covered.
#1) Amazon Smart Oven
Amazon’s Smart Oven is undoubtedly the best smart microwave convection oven, mainly because the competition is scarce and the seamless Alexa integration. With this model, you get four cooking modes including microwave, convection, food warming, and even an air fryer. Though, it’s important to note that Amazon states that the air fry function may take longer than a standalone air fryer.
Next, what I like about this smart oven is the designated wattage for each cooking mode to ensure you get consistent results. Additionally, this model is a great microwave for the elderly who may have trouble understanding smart devices since it’s an official Amazon Certified for Humans product.
Finally, it features scan-to-cook technology, and this is really cool. With this feature, you simply scan the barcode on packaged food via the Alexa app, and the microwave does the rest for you. All in all, Amazon’s Smart Oven is a perfect example of what this site is all about, and that is a hands-free, thought-free cooking experience.
Pros
- The smartest microwave convection oven on the market
- Scan-to-cook technology
- An Amazon Certified for Humans device makes it a good choice for seniors and smart device newcomers
- The extra-large capacity cooks up to a 5lb chicken
- 30+ smart voice-enabled presets
- Seamless integration with Amazon Echo
Cons
- No Google Assistant option
- The air fryer function is not on par with the best smart air fryer
- The door doesn’t open past 90º
#2) Toshiba ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
If you’re not comfortable choosing an Amazon microwave and want to stick with a more well-known electronics band, this model is my current favorite. The first advantage here compared to Amazon’s oven is integration with both Alexa and Google Assistant, so if you’re a Google Assistant fan, you’re in luck. Also, it boasts more power at 1100 watts than Amazon’s 1000W microwave function.
The next feature that makes this model special is the Intelligent Humidity Sensor. This is a unique feature used in this model that automatically detects humidity levels inside the microwave to optimize cooking power. If you’re someone who wants to take the guesswork out of the microwave experience, this is a nice feature to have at your disposal.
A couple of final highlights are the option to mute beeping sounds (which I love), 23 total presets, an energy-saving eco mode, and 1.3 cu ft is more than enough room for most dishes. All in all, Toshiba built an excellent smart microwave here for a very reasonable price.
Pros
- Intelligent humidity monitoring automatically calibrates cooking power
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Plenty of presets to choose from
- The optional mute function is a godsend for people who are easily annoyed by beeping sounds
- Spacious enough to fit large bowls and plates
- Voice commands come in handy while multitasking, e.g. chopping vegetables
Cons
- Not as easy to set up with Alexa as Amazon microwaves
- You may find the beeping sounds to be too low
- The door stops at 90º
#3) GE 0.9 Cu. Ft. Capacity Smart Countertop Microwave Oven with Scan-To-Cook Technology
Now, let’s check out what GE is bringing to the table. Unlike Toshiba’s model, GE’s does not feature an Intelligent Humidity sensor. Additionally, it has a smaller capacity, yet it is more affordable at the time of this writing. The good news is that like the Toshiba model, GE also works with both Alexa and Google Assistant. According to GE, this is its SmartHQ technology that integrates with its smart app.
Along with SmartHQ, GE’s smart microwave features the same scan-to-cook technology offered by Amazon’s Smart Oven. However, one thing to consider is that while this feature does look great on paper, it’s not yet widely available. This means, there are a limited number of companies currently using this barcode scanning system.
The last point to consider is that this microwave works smoothly with Alexa. This is good to know for people who are concerned about compatibility issues and want to skip any potential pairing headaches. Overall, GE’s smart microwave is an excellent option for folks who are low on space and want a reliable model.
Pros
- More compact with a smaller footprint than Amazon’s Smart Oven and Toshiba’s model
- Integration with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Scan-to-cook technology
- No need to worry about cleaning smudges off the microwave with the touchless smooth voice commands
- Powerful for its size
- The GE app notifies you when your food is done
Cons
- No mute function
- Built for countertop use only
- You may want more wattage & size, and this is currently the only smart microwave by GE
#4) Breville the Smooth Wave
Alright, I know this model isn’t a smart microwave with WiFi, but it’s one of the smartest microwaves on the market without WiFi. This smart microwave is for people who want a model that takes the most guesswork out of cooking. Compared to the other models in this guide, Breville’s microwave does a better job of consistently cooking delicious food on near-autopilot.
How does this work? The secret sauce in Breville’s microwave is the combination of smart presets, Power Smoothing Inverter technology, and Sensor IQ tech. This combination of tech goes far beyond where Toshiba goes with its Intelligent Humidity Sensor. With Breville’s Smooth Wave, everything you’ve ever wanted to do with a microwave is possible with the touch of a button.
There’s no need to worry about overcooking, undercooking, or reheating food with this microwave. The interface makes every decision easy. Lastly, of the models in this guide, the Smooth Wave is the most attractive and built with the highest quality components. So, if you want to skip the voice commands, this is the best smart microwave for you.
Pros
- The best model for cooking delicious food in this guide
- Loads of options for microwaving all foods on autopilot
- Cooks and reheats foods evenly and to perfection
- Mute function
- Child lock for families with small children
- The soft-close door is a pleasure to use
Cons
- No voice commands
- Higher upfront cost than other models in this guide at the time of this writing
- Not all modes use the Smart IQ sensing function
#5) AmazonBasics Microwave
Last up is the best affordable smart microwave. This is a no-frills microwave that integrates with Alexa for a low cost. Ideal candidates for this model are college students living in dorms, renters, and people who want a compact smart microwave. Compared to the other models in this guide, you get fewer smart functions in addition to voice commands.
Outside of voice commands with Alexa, this model features 10 power levels, a child lock, and a turntable which is nice to see to avoid cold spots and uneven cooking. Other than those features, there’s not a lot going on here that you haven’t seen in a microwave before.
The biggest advantage of choosing this model is the low cost and the fact that it’s a smart microwave that costs about as much as a standard microwave. Additionally, its size makes it a good microwave for small spaces.
Pros
- The most affordable smart microwave
- A child lock for families with children
- A kitchen timer function for people who like to use their microwave as a timer
- 10 power levels
- Compact in size for small spaces
- Easily integrates with Alexa
Cons
- No smart cooking functions outside of voice commands
- 700W may not be enough power for your needs
- The user manual could be better
Bottom Line
Before choosing the best smart microwave for your home, consider the following points if you’re still undecided:
- How much space do you have for your new microwave? Is there enough vertical clearance?
- Which type of installation do you prefer?
- Do you want a smart microwave with Alexa only or both Alexa and Google Assistant?
- How important are smart cooking features for you? Do you want to be able to cook food evenly and consistently on autopilot?
- What do you plan to cook in your microwave? Models with lower wattages and capacities may not be adequate for you.
Overall, smart microwave options are currently limited, and it appears that Amazon is interested in occupying this space by taking advantage of its existing Alexa technology. GE and Toshiba are two of the first well-known electronics brands to enter the space, and their models feature Alexa along with Google Assistant.
Lastly, be sure to consider how much you use your microwave because you may find that Breville’s model suits you the best, despite not having voice commands. People who want consistently even cooking and better overall performance will find the most value offered by Breville’s smart cooking tech. Also, if you want a smart microwave convection oven, Amazon is the first company to offer one, yet the air fry function appears to be the current weak point.
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