Microwave ovens are probably the most popular kitchen appliance of the last couple of decades.
This is fueled many innovative ideas around this unit. One of the more striking ones are the Over the Range microwaves - the microwaves that fit on top of your cooking range. These can function as your microwave as well as the range hood for ventilation.
Now when you go out in the market to shop for over-the-range microwaves you’ll be flooded with many brands, many size and power levels and variations in those with loads of accessories.
Now we are not even including the number of stores, their promotional offers and the others.
So how do we pick the best Over The Range microwaves? Well a good starting point is to look at the expert reviews. The models mentioned below were picked by some microwave experts for some of their features and functionality.
Panasonic NN-SD297 Over the Range Microwave Ovens
The Panasonic NN-SD297 is a luxury genius prestige OTR microwave oven and it has incorporated the inverter technology that is the latest thing in microwave cooking.
This inverter tech cooks faster and more evenly than ever before. Inverter technology allows fast cooking while preserving the shape, color and textures of the foods.
The oven also offers features like turbo boost defrosting and foods defrost without overcooking the edges and leaving the middles frozen.
It also gives you a choice of languages and the stainless steel cabinet adds style and class to any kitchen
Whirlpool WMH3205XVB Over the Range Microwave Ovens
From one of the most trusted names in home appliances we get the Whirlpool Microwave Range Hood Combination Model WMH3205XVB.
This one is a beauty and it boast the CleanRelease® interior this means it has a nonstick interior surface that makes cleanup a breeze.
It also comes with an AccuSimmer® cycle that brings things to a boil and automatically turns down the heat to allow it to simmer without spilling into the cavity of the microwave.
One more great Whirlpool innovation designed to save time when cleaning out the oven.
LG LMV2015SW Over the Range Microwave Ovens
LG is the new kid on the block and that does not mean they are any less than terrific.
They have come on strong in the area of appliance manufacturing and offers the LG over the range microwave LMV2015SW as a contender for you redecorating dollars.
With features like the trademarked QuietPower™ ventilation you know it is going to be at the top of the heap.
The key to great cooking is ventilation and this OTR has it, it also does the job with less outside noise and odor.
The humidity sensing technology allows you to take the all of the guessing out of microwave cooking.
It automatically senses when a food is done and shuts itself off.
| Panasonic NN-SD297 | Whirlpool WMH3205XVB | LG LMV2015SW | |
| Front View | ![]() |
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| Wattage | 1200 | 1000 | 1100 |
| Convection | No | No | No |
| Sensor Cooking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor Reheat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Defrost | Inverter Turbo | Auto and Quick | Auto and Rapid |
| Melt/Soften | No | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Warm | Yes | Yes | No |
| More/Less | Yes | No | Yes |
| Turntable | 12" | 12.75" | 14.2" |
| Fan Speed | 4 speed | 3 speed | N/A |
| Filter Change Indicator | No | Yes | No |
| Dimension (DxHxW) | 15" x 16-7/16" x 19-7/8" | 16" x 17-1/4" x 29-15/16" | 15-7/8" x 16-3/4" x 29-7/8" |
| Remarks | Inverter/Genius Sensor | AccuSimmer/Steam Cooking | Custom Set |
| Weight (lbs) | 53 | 74 | 63 |
| MRSP Price | $699.95 | $349 | $419 |
All of these companies have a great deal to offer when it comes to over-the-range-microwaves and you will be well pleased with any of these.
Most come in a choice of colors ranging from basic White or Black to the beauty and style of Stainless Steel.
The smart money would be on Whirlpool, it offers style, convenient and easy clean up and the features are comparable to the others we have mentioned. The whirlpool OTR will not only save you time but it is also budget friendly, and in today’s economy that is what counts the most.
Given below are four of the best models graded based on their features and price range.
Whirlpool WMH1163 XV Over the Range Microwave OvensThis is the perfect blend of affordable price with ideal microwave features. Given the lower price, you will not find the fancy features and smart options which are rarely used by common microwave users in the first place.
With a 1000W power, you can cook just about anything in the unit. Not just cooking, if you are someone who relies on microwave to defrost and thaw frozen foods, you can do it as efficiently in this unit as any in the market.
It is quite user friendly too with its touchpad controls. To top it all, you can choose between black or stainless steel finishes to go with your kitchen theme.
A common problem with this unit is that it’s quite noisy. Of course, being a no frills microwave, it lacks the sensor technology which can actually prevent the food from getting over cooked.
USP: High power and ample capacity at low price
Samsung SMH9187The most important aspect of any microwave is the capacity, more so with the OTR type of microwaves. The bigger the capacity, the easier it is to cook food in larger quantities which is a must for families.
This unit from Samsung, provides a large internal capacity as compared to the external dimensions, to give you just that extra space to fit in a large chicken piece or steak slab.
The wire rack used with this unit allows you to maximize the use of the space by cooking two different dishes simultaneously.
The turbo ventilation ensures that removes all the smoke and steam from the range quickly leaving a clean kitchen for you to work.
The Rapid Defrost option allows you to defrost the frozen foods quickly and evenly. This unit come with the sensor cooking technology which is a great feature for the price this microwave is available.
USP: High quality cooking features with sensor technology at decent price
Kenmore Elite 8852This is one of the high end models in the OTR microwave space. It has a large capacity with a solid 1000W cooking power, making it an ideal family microwave.
Its biggest selling point is the sensor cooking technology which allows the microwave to sense when the food is ready and adapt the cooking time and power accordingly.
Sensor combined with auto defrost gives a terrific combination for the users.
The touch pad controls make the entire operation very simple and straight forward.
The most striking feature about this microwave is the gliding tray instead of the typical turntable. This allows maximum usage of the available space inside the microwave.
Another interesting design is the dual swing door which allows you to open the microwave from either side.
The only real drawback in this fantastic unit is that it’s hood is a touch bigger than other OTR microwave units.
USP: Large capacity with high power and Sensor technology
Kenmore Elite 8601This unit is the culmination of the cutting edge technology in both microwave as well as OTR space. Its features are comparable to any of the latest models in the market today.
It comes with 1.7cu ft space and950W microwave power for efficient and effective cooking.
The convection heating adds a new dimension to the OTR space. You can not only cook food using the usual microwave functions but also use the convection heating feature to add to the variety of dishes you can prepare.
You can grill, broil and bake foods in this OTR microwave too. The sensor cooking means that you are always assured that your food will not remain under cooked or get overcooked.
The unit comes with a regular turntable, but you have the option of switching the turning function off. This is invaluable when you are trying to cooking food in a large vessel.
Among the drawbacks, the loud sound of the fan is something that can be a bit of an irritant for some people.
USP: Combination cooking features with sensor technology.
Comparison table between those above 4 models of over the range microwave ovens
| Whirlpool WMH1163 XV | Samsung SMH9187 | Kenmore Elite 8852 | Kenmore Elite 8601 | |
| Front View | ![]() |
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| Wattage | 1000 | 1100 | 1000 | 950 |
| Capacity | 1.6 cuft | 1.8 cu ft | 2.0 cu ft | 1.7 cu ft |
| Turntable | Yes, Glass | Yes, on/off | Yes, Wide Glide | Yes, on/off |
| Sensor Cooking | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Convection cooking | No | No | No | Yes |
| Fan Speed | 220 CFM | 400 CFM | 600 CFM | 300 CFM |
| Filter | Yes, Charcoal | Yes, Charcoal | Not Known | Not Known |
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What to look for when buying Microwave Vents.
Click here to find out Top 10 over the range microwave oven based on customer review at Amazon.com
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