A good above-range microwave earns its place by fitting correctly and venting effectively, not merely by heating food quickly. A poor fit can create installation headaches, while weak ventilation leaves cooking odors lingering like an unwanted dinner guest.
This comparison of the best above range Microwaves brings together models with varied capacities, finishes, power levels, and cooking functions. Keep reading to see how the lineup separates practical everyday choices from specialty options.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize cutout dimensions and mounting requirements so the microwave fits the space without costly cabinet adjustments.
- Choose at least 1,000 watts for faster, more even reheating across common meal sizes.
- Match capacity to your cookware, since 1.7 to 1.9 cubic feet generally accommodates larger plates and casserole dishes.
- Check the ventilation rating, especially if you frequently sear, fry, or cook foods that produce heavy steam and odors.
- Consider useful extras such as air frying, sensor cooking, and adjustable fan speeds only after core installation and heating needs are covered.
| Reliable Kitchen Fit |  |
GE Over-Range Microwave, 1.6 Cu. Ft. | 30-inch over-range design | 1,000-watt cooking power | Stainless steel finish | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Clean Black Finish |  |
Black Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Spacious 1.7-cubic-foot interior | 1,000-watt output | Black exterior | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Balanced Stainless Choice |  |
Midea Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Full-size interior capacity | 1,000-watt power rating | Stainless steel exterior | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Practical Black Workhorse |  |
BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Generous 1.7-cubic-foot size | 1,000-watt cooking power | Space-saving installation | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| High-Capacity Venting |  |
BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.9 Cu. Ft. | Largest listed capacity | 400 CFM ventilation | 1,000-watt output | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Everyday Cooking Core |  |
BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Full-size 1.7-cubic-foot cavity | 1,000-watt power | Space-saving format | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Air Fry Cooking |  |
BLACK+DECKER Air Fryer Microwave, 1.5 Cu. Ft. | Built-in air fryer | Compact 1.5-cubic-foot size | Over-range configuration | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Bright Kitchen Match |  |
BLACK+DECKER White Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | White appliance finish | 1,000-watt power | Full-size interior | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Stainless Kitchen Classic |  |
Kenmore Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Stainless steel exterior | 1.7-cubic-foot capacity | Over-range format | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Roomy Stainless Upgrade |  |
Frigidaire Over-Range Microwave, 1.8 Cu. Ft. | Roomy 1.8-cubic-foot capacity | Stainless steel finish | Space-saving design | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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GE Over-Range Microwave, 1.6 Cu. Ft.
For a coordinated kitchen, this GE model offers a familiar 30-inch format, 1.6-cubic-foot capacity, and 1,000 watts of cooking power. That combination suits everyday reheating, defrosting, and standard countertop-to-cabinet replacement projects.
Its stainless steel finish should pair neatly with many appliance suites, while the over-the-range design saves counter space. The main limitation is that the available listing provides no details about ventilation strength, presets, or interior features.
- Brand:GE
- Capacity:1.6 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1,000W
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:30-inch width
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Black Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
A black finish makes this 1.7-cubic-foot microwave a practical match for darker appliance packages. Its 1,000-watt output gives you a useful everyday baseline for warming meals, defrosting food, and handling standard microwave cooking.
The larger capacity offers a little more room than compact over-range models, and the built-in format keeps the work surface clear. Since the listing does not identify a brand or provide feature bullets, you have limited information about controls, venting, and installation requirements.
- Capacity:1.7 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1,000W
- Finish:Black
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:Built-in kitchen placement
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Midea Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
Midea keeps the formula straightforward with 1.7 cubic feet of interior space and 1,000 watts of power. This size should suit households that want a full-size over-range microwave without moving to the larger 1.8- or 1.9-cubic-foot class.
The stainless steel finish works well in mixed-brand kitchens and gives the appliance a conventional built-in appearance. However, the available information does not confirm ventilation capacity, cooking presets, or whether a trim kit is required.
- Brand:Midea
- Capacity:1.7 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1,000W
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:Built-in appliance design
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BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
For a simple black appliance package, this BLACK+DECKER model delivers the core numbers many kitchens need: 1.7 cubic feet and 1,000 watts. That makes it a sensible fit for regular meal reheating, frozen foods, and common household cooking tasks.
The over-the-range layout preserves counter space, and the black exterior can hide everyday smudges better than lighter finishes. Feature details are sparse, though, so you cannot confirm the venting setup, preset programs, or control layout from the supplied listing.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Capacity:1.7 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1,000W
- Finish:Black
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:Counter-space savings
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BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.9 Cu. Ft.
Choose this model if interior room and stronger ventilation matter most. Its 1.9-cubic-foot capacity is the largest listed here, while the 400 CFM ventilation rating gives it a clearer advantage for kitchens that produce frequent cooking odors and steam.
The 1,000-watt output covers standard microwave duties, and the larger cavity can accommodate bigger dishes more comfortably. Its limitation is simple: the available details do not identify the finish, controls, or specific installation configuration.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Capacity:1.9 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1,000W
- Ventilation:400 CFM
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:Built-in ventilation
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BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
This BLACK+DECKER model focuses on the essentials, pairing 1.7 cubic feet of capacity with 1,000 watts of microwave power. It fits households that want a full-size replacement without prioritizing specialty functions in the product description.
The over-range configuration helps preserve valuable counter space, and the capacity should handle ordinary plates, bowls, and reheating tasks. Because no finish or feature bullets are supplied, the appliance’s appearance and ventilation capabilities remain unclear.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Capacity:1.7 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1,000W
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:Built-in kitchen placement
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BLACK+DECKER Air Fryer Microwave, 1.5 Cu. Ft.
The defining feature here is the built-in air fryer function, which gives you more cooking flexibility than a standard microwave alone. Its 1.5-cubic-foot capacity is somewhat smaller than the other BLACK+DECKER models listed, making it better suited to kitchens where specialty cooking matters more than maximum interior room.
At 900 watts, it has the lowest microwave power rating in this roundup, so cooking and reheating may take longer than with 1,000-watt alternatives. The listing does not provide details about air-fry presets, ventilation, or the exterior finish.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Capacity:1.5 cu. ft.
- Wattage:900W
- Air Fryer:Yes
- Additional Feature:Air frying
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
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BLACK+DECKER White Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
A white finish makes this model a useful choice for lighter kitchens, especially where stainless steel or black appliances would look visually heavy. The 1.7-cubic-foot capacity and 1,000 watts provide the familiar full-size setup for routine microwave cooking.
Its over-range placement keeps the countertop open, and the specifications align with common household needs. Still, the supplied information does not confirm ventilation performance, control features, or whether the white exterior extends across the full appliance.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Capacity:1.7 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1,000W
- Finish:White
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:Counter-space savings
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Kenmore Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
Kenmore offers a familiar 1.7-cubic-foot format with a stainless steel exterior, a practical combination for kitchens built around conventional appliance finishes. The capacity should work well for everyday reheating and standard dish sizes.
Its over-range design replaces a separate countertop microwave while keeping the cooking area open. The listing does not state wattage, ventilation capacity, or specialty functions, so you should confirm those points before matching it to a specific installation.
- Brand:Kenmore
- Capacity:1.7 cu. ft.
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:Built-in appliance placement
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Frigidaire Over-Range Microwave, 1.8 Cu. Ft.
With 1.8 cubic feet of capacity, this Frigidaire model gives you a little more interior room than the common 1.7-cubic-foot class. The stainless steel finish also fits easily into many established kitchen appliance suites, making it a natural replacement candidate.
The over-range design saves counter space and keeps microwave access near the cooking surface. The available listing does not specify wattage, CFM rating, presets, or other cooking functions, so its performance profile is less defined than models with fuller specifications.
- Brand:Frigidaire
- Capacity:1.8 cu. ft.
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Over-the-range installation
- Additional Feature:Microwave cooking
- Additional Feature:Built-in kitchen placement
Frequently Asked Questions
What size above-range microwave should I buy?
Choose a width that matches the cabinet and range area, most often 30 inches, then confirm the unit’s depth and height. Measure the opening, nearby walls, door swing, and the space above the cooktop before ordering. Also check the interior dimensions, not just the cubic-foot rating. A model should fit your largest commonly used plate or dish without forcing the door against surrounding cabinets.
Can an above-range microwave replace a range hood?
It can provide ventilation, but performance depends on the CFM rating, filter system, and duct arrangement. An externally vented model usually removes smoke and moisture better than a recirculating model that sends filtered air back into the kitchen. If you cook frequently with high heat, choose the strongest compatible ventilation setup and verify the home’s ductwork. A microwave fan is useful, but it may not match the capture area or power of a dedicated hood.
Are above-range microwaves safe over gas ranges?
Yes, provided the microwave is approved for that installation and the required clearances are followed. Keep the specified distance between the cooktop and microwave, and confirm that the unit is suitable for the heat and ventilation demands of the range. Gas installations may also require attention to local building codes, ducting, and electrical placement. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use qualified installation help if the setup involves gas lines, new wiring, or modified ductwork.
Is higher wattage always better?
Higher wattage generally means faster heating, but it does not automatically produce better cooking results. You still need appropriate time settings, and recipes written for lower-powered microwaves may require adjustments. For most homes, 900 to 1,200 watts covers everyday reheating, defrosting, and cooking. Sensor controls, inverter power management, and even heat distribution can matter as much as the top wattage number.
How often should I replace the filters?
Replace or clean filters according to the manual, cooking frequency, and filter type. Grease filters are often washable, while charcoal filters used for recirculating ventilation commonly need replacement every 6 to 12 months. Heavy frying, grilling, or frequent cooking can shorten that interval. A clogged filter reduces airflow, traps odors, and makes the ventilation system work harder, so inspect it regularly rather than waiting for a reminder.
