If you’re looking to maximize space and functionality in your kitchen, over the range microwaves are a great option. These nifty appliances sit above your stove and give you extra cooking power while freeing up precious counter space. But with so many models available, it can be tricky to pick the right one.
That’s why I tested and reviewed the top 3 best-selling 36-inch over the range microwaves on Amazon. I compared them across different features like sensor cooking, design, and value to help you find the perfect fit. Whether you need to reheat leftovers or cook a full meal, these over the range ovens have you covered. Read on for the pros, cons, and key details of each microwave so you can make the best choice for your home!
Best for Sensor Cooking: Samsung ME19R7041FS
The Samsung ME19R7041FS is a 1.9 cubic foot over the range microwave that has 1000 watts of cooking power and 10 power levels. It also has an inverter technology that provides even heating and defrosting without overcooking or drying out the food. It also has a built-in sensor menu that automatically adjusts the time and power based on the type of food you’re cooking.
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The Samsung ME19R7041FS has a sleek and modern design with a stainless steel exterior and interior. It has a digital control panel with LED display, clock, timer, child safety lock, mute button, eco mode, and more/less control. It also has some one-touch cooking functions for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, dinner plate, soup, oatmeal, rice, pasta, fish, chicken, beef, pork, cake, brownie, cookie, muffin, bread pudding, and scrambled eggs.
I love this microwave because it makes cooking so easy and fast. The sensor menu is very accurate and convenient. It detects the moisture level of the food and adjusts the cooking time and power accordingly. I don’t have to guess or check the food constantly. The inverter technology also ensures that the food is heated evenly and gently without losing its texture or flavor. The one-touch cooking functions are also very handy for quick and easy snacks or meals.
Pros:
- Inverter technology for even heating and defrosting
- Sensor menu for automatic cooking
- Variety of one-touch cooking functions
Con:
- Some users reported that the door is hard to open or close
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Best for Design: GE JVM7195SKSS
The GE JVM7195SKSS is a 1.9 cubic foot over the range microwave that has 1000 watts of cooking power and 10 cooking levels. It also has a melt feature that allows you to melt butter, caramel, chocolate and marshmallows without worrying about burning or boiling over. It also has a weight and time defrost feature that lets you enter the weight of the food or set your desired time for defrosting.
The GE JVM7195SKSS has a stylish and sophisticated design with a stainless steel exterior and interior. It has an easy-to-use digital interface with one-touch buttons for reheat, defrost, popcorn, beverage, and food menu. The food menu includes some quick and easy snacks such as pizza, potato, frozen vegetable, and more. The microwave also has a multi-stage cooking feature that allows you to set the power level to change during the cooking cycle for optimal results.
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I think this microwave is very elegant and user-friendly. The melt feature is very useful for making sauces or desserts. It melts the ingredients gently and evenly without scorching or splattering. The weight and time defrost feature is also very convenient for thawing frozen food quickly and safely. The digital interface is very intuitive and easy to operate. The one-touch buttons are also very helpful for common tasks.
Pros:
- Melt feature for worry-free melting of butter, chocolate and cheese
- Weight and time defrost feature for easy thawing
- Easy-to-use digital interface
Con:
- Some users reported that the turntable makes a rough noise at the beginning of the cycle
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Best for Value: BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19
The BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 is a 1.6 cubic foot over the range microwave that has 1000 watts of cooking power and 10 power levels. It also has some sensor menus that automatically set the optimal time and power level for popcorn, potato, vegetable, pizza, snack, bacon, frozen dinner, rice, and frozen breakfast.
The BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 has a black exterior and interior that looks sleek and easy to clean. It has a touchpad control panel with LED display, clock, timer, child safety lock, and more/less control. It also has some express cook buttons for 1-5 minutes and a 30 second quick start button. It also has a keep warm feature that keeps your food warm and delicious until you’re ready to serve it.
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I like this microwave because it offers a good balance between performance and price. It has a decent capacity and moderate power that can handle most of my cooking needs without breaking the bank. It also has some features that make it more convenient and user-friendly, such as the sensor menus, the express cook buttons, and the keep warm feature. The touchpad control panel is also very simple and easy to use.
Pros:
- Sensor menus for automatic cooking
- Express cook buttons for fast and easy cooking
- Keep warm feature for keeping food warm and tasty
Con:
- Some users reported that the door only swings 90 degrees and may interfere with loading or unloading food
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| Model | Capacity | Power | Inverter | Sensor | Melt | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung ME19R7041FS | 1.9 cu.ft | 1000W | Yes | Yes | No | $319.99 |
| GE JVM7195SKSS | 1.9 cu.ft | 1000W | No | No | Yes | $281.00 |
| BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 | 1.6 cu.ft | 1000W | No | Yes | No | $279.99 |
Conclusion
There you have my recommendations for the top 3 over the range microwave ovens that will maximize your kitchen space and cooking convenience. The Samsung is great for sensor cooking accuracy, the GE has an elegant design and melt feature, and the Black+Decker delivers solid performance for the price.
I hope this review guide gave you the details you need to decide which 36-inch over the range microwave is right for your home and cooking needs. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions! I’m always happy to help my readers find the best kitchen appliances and gadgets.
