What is the average price of a microwave

GE, which stands for General Electric, is one of the major microwave brands found in big-box and independent appliance dealers worldwide. GE offers countertop and over-the-range models. You can expect to pay on the cheaper end of the scale for a countertop model and on the pricier end for an over-the-range model.

They are known for their many microwaves in the over-the-range and countertop categories. Their products range from the most basic microwaves to fully featured products. Samsung microwaves are available nationally and located at all major retailers around the world.

LG offers microwaves that will revolutionize the way you cook. They offer a complete collection of basic countertop microwaves to advanced over-the-range styles. They are sold at large regional stores such as Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, and independent appliance dealers. Frigidaire is known for its high-quality products, which are sold nationwide. Frigidaire microwaves are made by Electrolux. They come in a variety of types, including countertop, built-in 2 , and over-the-range.

Their models are designed to do far more than reheat leftovers but also add a touch of elegance to the space. Wolf offers an extensive selection of microwaves, including drop-door door styles, drawer, and side-swing models. Wolf appliances can be found at some big-box retailers nationwide.

The job can be carried out by either an electrician or handyman. The price you pay for installation depends on whether there are existing brackets 3 , if the vent needs to be connected, and how tight the fit is.

To install built-in models, you can expect to pay more as they may require cabinet customization to fit in a specific space. Microwave installation is a very straightforward process, regardless of the type of microwave you have. Nearly all microwaves come with an installation kit that includes all hardware and brackets required for installation. First, a professional installs the necessary hardware.

The microwave is then plugged in and slid into the brackets. If the microwave vents out of the house, this will be hooked up before the microwave is slid into the brackets. Conventional, below the counter, and below-cabinet models are easy to install. Their installation is cheaper compared to over-the-range and built-in models that are much more difficult. The layout and space in your kitchen influence the location in which you want your microwave to be installed.

The chart below highlights different location models with their respective costs, followed by subsections explaining each type. Conventional ovens do not require any installation. Only delivery and unboxing fees apply. Also commonly referred to as countertop microwaves, conventional microwaves are a very popular choice among homeowners, students, and for use in office spaces.

They are very easy to work with as they can be placed anywhere in your kitchen where a standard outlet is present. Most conventional microwaves come with valuable features such as a defrost, broil, or bake function.

The only labor involved with conventional microwaves is installing an outlet, if necessary. These microwaves, as the name states, are installed below the counter. They are a great option for those who do not want to take up any extra counter space and prefer their easy installation. The only con associated with this type is that they can be more difficult to reach and require bending down to use.

The installation of a below the cabinet microwave is very similar to that of a below the counter microwave. Below-cabinet microwaves are simply installed below the cabinets. Similar to below the counter microwaves, this type is popular among homeowners who do not want their microwave on the counter yet want it to sit at an easy to use height.

A few cons associated with this type is that they may leave little room between the microwave and countertop below. These microwaves fit above the stove and carry out the double duty of a microwave and vent hood. They help to eliminate odours from food while cooking in the kitchen.

They come in a wide variety of sizes to fit any space. These microwaves provide you with a seamless look, built right into your cabinetry or wall. Built-in microwave installation can be quite pricey as it may require cabinet customization to fit in a specific space. Like over-the-range and conventional microwaves, these microwaves typically offer features such as defrost, bake, and broil to make cooking easy.

Talk to local pros to get quotes for your microwave installation Find Pros. A microwave is usually equipped with a ventilation system to help control smoke, moisture, and cooking odors from the cooking surface. How the unit is vented depends on the microwave and the configuration of your kitchen. Some microwaves require ventilation ducts that lead to an exterior vent. Others may require recirculating vents that recycle filtered air back into the kitchen. The process of outlet installation is easy for an electrician and is usually a low-cost project.

Outlets are important in any home. Having many outlets provides you with the option of setting up your microwave anywhere you want within reach. A wide variety of microwaves are on the market today, each offering many features to help make your life easier. Add ons such as cooking presets or defrost presets allow you to quickly cook food or defrost food with the click of a button, while sensors 1 calculate the cooking time based on the steam the food emits.

The features included in the microwave influence the cost you pay. The chart below lists very common microwave add-on features with their respective costs, followed by subsections explaining each. The cooking preset buttons allow you to cook your favorite foods using preset power levels and times at the touch of a button. Some of the most common preset buttons on a microwave include popcorn, pizza, potato, soup, frozen vegetables, beverages, and more.

Each button has a certain time programmed to cook each type of food. The defrost preset buttons provide you with a convenient feature for defrosting frozen foods. The microwave asks you to input the weight of your food and automatically sets the defrost time for you. Installation might require an electrician. Usable Capacity Most of our tested OTR models have usable capacity of about 40 to 50 percent of what manufacturers claim.

This category includes models designed only to be built in—surrounded by cabinetry or built into a wall. Microwave drawers, for example, can be placed under the countertop, removing them from sight lines, and glide out for easy access, or they can be installed below a wall oven.

The look is sleek and integrated. Some countertop microwaves can be built in with a kit. Information below is for models designed only to be built in, not for countertop models with optional built-in kits.

As the price goes up, so does the number of features. One we find invaluable is the sensor, which measures the steam food emits and turns off the microwave at exactly the point when cooking is done. Here are other features to consider. They keep food moving for uniform heating. Most microwaves have a turntable that rotates food. Some instead have a rectangular tray that slides from side to side which might work better for large casseroles or platters.

A 1-minute or second key requires just a tap to extend the preset cooking time, maintaining whichever power level was selected. It also allows quick adjustments to your previous settings—pushing the button more than once multiplies the time extension. These racks let you speed things up, cooking multiple dishes simultaneously. They may also be used to improve convection cooking by allowing heat beneath the cooking dish. But you may have trouble fitting even a coffee mug in some models unless you remove the rack, so check when shopping.

They take the guesswork out of cooking popular foods such as popcorn and frozen vegetables, and some models have shortcuts for oatmeal, pasta, stew, and grits. These features offer the appeal of a second oven in your kitchen. But none of the tested models consistently provided the results you'd get from a regular oven or a grill.

If there are children in the house, a lockout function prevents children from opening the door and possibly getting burned from hot food. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.

Sign In. Skip to content Home Miscellaneous What is the average price of a microwave? Esther Fleming February 15, Table of Contents. Previous Article What is the number 1 crop in Wisconsin? New Microwave. Get Started. Appliance Installation Locations. Looking for appliance installation near you? How it Works. Appliance installers near me. Popular and affordable No installation required Versatile placement Easy replacement Takes up counter space No ventilation system Fewer features available.

Customize to match other appliances Blends in with the cabinetry More installation choices Frees up counterspace Requires professional install. Safe and convenient Easily accessible to everyone Entry models are more expensive No convection cooking or turntable functions Hardest type to install.

Combination wall unit with a microwave and traditional oven Built into the wall or cabinetry. Internal fans circulate heat evenly Cooks faster with more cooking options Available in countertop, over-the-range, and built-in models. Either custom build into cabinets or with a trim kit. Blends in with the cabinetry Customize to match other appliances. Convenient access Install in the lower cabinet, kitchen island, or below a wall oven No convection cooking or turntable function.