When you are buying your first microwave, there are a lot of things you need to keep in mind. But like all the latest devices, microwaves too have come a long way and now boast a ton of features. However, these come at a price and can make the purchase pretty pricey.
Not everyone has the budget for a large and technologically advanced device, and some of us just want the core job to be done- heating our food. This is why we have put down the best microwaves under 150$ down below.
Now, these might not be the fanciest, but they sure have all the essential and much-needed features to get the job done. These all come with good size and capacity, a decent wattage and some even have added on features!
So take a good look at these details, and get yourself a microwave! It really makes work so much easier.
Best Microwaves Under 150$ Reviews
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven
- 【Pre-programmed sensor menu】 for optimum heating of popular foods like pizza, potatoes, veggies and more; Power Wattage (Microwave): 1100W; Rated Voltage: 120V - 60Hz
- 【Stylish Appearance with Large Interior, fitting a 12inch Pizza】Black exterior, 20.51 x 17.14 x 12.83 inch (w x d x h); large 1. 2 cubic feet capacity, cavity 13.07 x 15 x 9.5 inch (w x d x h), removable turntable 12.4 inch (diameter)
- 【Other Functions】1100 watts with 10 power settings, defrost by time&weight, clock, and kitchen timer, One touch start for multiple food presets
- 【Practical Control Panel】Large digital display, easy-to-read control panel. The keypad was covered by a protective film during the shipment. Please peel it off before your first use.
- 【Mute Function】If you wish to mute the buzzer of the microwave, pleas long press on the button "8" for 3-5 seconds. The buzzer is automatically switched off after a long beep.
This microwave from Toshiba is one that is suitable for small to medium-sized families. The oven is not the biggest, but it comes at just the right size that lets you heat food for a handful of people, from 3-4 for example.
But this is not to say that it is insufficient. The oven comes with some brilliant features that will make you see how this is a pure steal at this price range.
There are pre-programmed menus included. These can be used for all the common food items that we constantly heat or make, like popcorn, potatoes, pizza, veggies, and so on.
Since you have to make them multiple times, the oven remembers how to, so you do not waste time inputting settings every single time.
Even though this is an affordable model, the exterior says otherwise. You get a full black and stainless-steel body, which makes it look high end any day. Not to mention, looks great on the counters too!
Power-wise, there are 1100 watts along with 10 whole power settings. This is a great combination and it lets you heat food really quickly and efficiently.
On the front of the oven, there is a display. But unlike most, this is pretty big, so you do not have to come close or squint to see what it says.
The turntable inside is yet another feature we love. This is 12.4 inches in diameter, so you can easily put in dinner plates to heat them directly.
Highlighted Features
- 1.2 cu. ft. oven capacity
- 12.4 inches of turntable diameter
- Built-in sensor removes the guesswork from cooking
- Custom defrost works according to food weight
- Includes 7 auto menus
Emerson Griller Microwave Oven
- 1.2 cu ft of cooking space with sleek design: This microwave features 1.2 cubic feet of cooking space, providing ample room for cooking or reheating large dishes. The sleek metal front and black cabinet make it a stylish addition to any kitchen decor.
- 11 microwave power levels and 1 pure grill power level: With 11 different microwave power levels to choose from, you can easily adjust the power to cook or reheat your food to perfection. The 1 pure grill power level allows you to cook foods with a crispy exterior.
- 99-minute, 99-second digital timer with time and weight defrost: The large digital timer allows you to easily monitor your cooking time, and the time and weight defrost options make it easy to thaw frozen foods quickly and evenly.
- LED display with digital clock: The bright LED display and digital clock make it easy to read the time and monitor the cooking progress, even from a distance. The clock also doubles as a kitchen timer for added convenience.
- 9 pre-programmed recipes for effortless cooking: This microwave features 9 pre-programmed recipes, including popcorn, potato, frozen pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, dinner plate, meat/chicken, meat/beef, and meat/pork. Simply select the appropriate recipe and the microwave will automatically adjust the power and cooking time for perfect results every time.
As one of the older oven brands, you can always count on Emerson to give you some great microwave oven models, that too at a good price! This one here, for example, is one of the cheaper ones, but still carries an impressive 1100 watts.
Along with that, there are 11 power levels to give you a lot of control on the heating, and 1 of which is dedicated to grilling. This also helps you save money, and you get two functions in this one device.
Inside, there are 1.2 cubic feet of space provided. This easily takes on all the dishes you need to cook and heat up on an everyday basis. Plus, the 315mm turntable further ensures that the heat is being evenly distributed.
There are pre-programmed recipes too. You get a total of 9 recipes in this model. So you will be able to take on quite a lot of the daily snacks with this function alone. From potatoes to frozen pizza, these will not take up your time or effort anymore.
Highlighted Features
- 1.2 cu. ft. oven capacity
- 315 mm of turntable diameter
- Stainless steel body front and back
- Includes one pure grill power level
- Comes with a total of 9 pre-programmed recipes
COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM Countertop Microwave Oven
- Stylish stainless steel finish, Compact Size: 0.7 cubic-foot capacity, 700 watts and 11 power levels
- Mute Function, settings, clock, kitchen timer, Child safety lock, Easy auto-cook functions: Popcorn, Potato, Pizza, Frozen Veggie, Beverage, Reheat
- One Touch Express cooking function with 1-6 minutes and +30 seconds functions, and two defrost settings (by weight or by time)
- Energy Saving Eco Mode: Minimizing 50% standby power by turning on ECO mode
- Bright digital display, easy-to-read control panel, interior light and 10 inch glass turntable
This is a countertop microwave oven from COMFEE’. You get a sleek and stylish black stainless-steel body, which lifts the aesthetic of kitchen counters.
Capacity wise, you get 0.7 cubic meters for cooking, and this makes the model suitable for families of around 4 people.
There is an energy-saving eco mode as well. So not only does this come at a cheap price, but it also allows you to save energy, and hence bills in the long run as well.
A one-touch express cooking function is added that works in 1 to 6 minutes. And there are +30 second functions for smaller food warm-ups, along with two defrost settings. Defrosting is done based on the time and weight of the food placed.
Auto cook functions are added for the kinds of food you need quickly. This includes snacks like pizza or popcorn, and you can get them done without spending any time fixing the timer.
A child safety lock is put in. If there are kids at home, this really comes in handy!
Highlighted Features
- The oven has a total of 11 power levels
- 0.7 cu. ft. oven capacity
- Fast cooking with one-touch express cooking feature
- Energy-saving mode reduces electric bills
- Child safety lock provided
Farberware Professional FMO16AHTPLB
- CONVENIENT MICROWAVE: Prepare quick and easy meals in a snap with our powerful microwave. It packs 1100 of output power and features a range of settings for press-and-go speed.
- POWERFUL SETTINGS: This microwave has ten power levels with multi-stage cooking. You can fully customize your cooking with six one-touch options, including popcorn, potato, and pizza. Defrost by weight or by time settings to make quick work of any task.
- PERFECT SIZE: Measuring 1.6 cu ft, this microwave is the ideal small-space solution that offers full-sized cooking in a compact space. It features an easy-to-clean interior and exterior and is perfect for the home or office.
- ALL YOU NEED: This microwave has a clear LED display with a kitchen timer and clock that lets you easily keep track of time. Easy-to-view interior lighting lets you keep an eye on your dish, and a child safety lock adds additional security.
- FARBERWARE: From weeknight favorites to family feasts they'll never forget, Farberware helps today's families craft the meals that make memories and bring everyone together.
We call this one of the finest because it truly comes with a set of features that make it a steal at this price point.
Not only is this affordable, but it has an excellent 1100 wattage as well. This allows the oven to heat food as quickly as possible, and not keep you waiting.
On top of this, you get 10 power levels too. This means you get to adjust this setting from 10 up to 100% depending on how you need your food.
For the one-touch cooking program, you get a total of 9! So whenever you need to cook up any quick snack, simply use this to do so. It will not take up time but will give you a quick result.
There is an Inverter Precision Cooking Technology to make sure that the heat and humidity inside the oven are evenly distributed. And the Smart Sensor Cooking Technology monitors the heat and humidity, which inturn lets the oven know when the food will be ready.
Highlighted Features
- Smart Sensor Cooking Technology can monitor inside conditions
- 1.6 cu. ft. oven capacity
- Energy saver mode conserves energy when not in use
- Defrost option can be used with time or weight
Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave oven
- 【Better texture with sensor menus 】This 1200-watt high power countertop microwave with 10 power levels includes a pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum heating of popular foods like pizza, potato, vegetable and more
- 【Large Capacity for a Family Size】1.6 cu. ft. capacity ; 13.6" turntable; fitting a 13inch pizza; with one touch popcorn button as kitchen essential
- 【Position Memory Turntable】 Innovative position-memory technique resets the turntable to the initial position for more convenient and safer use
- 【Convenience Features】Auto defrost, fast cooking, memory function, multi-stage cooking, child safety lock, clock and kitchen timer
- 【Sound On/Off Function】If you wish to mute the buzzer of the microwave, please long press on the button "8" for 3-5 seconds; The buzzer is automatically switched off after a long beep.
If you want an affordable countertop microwave, this is the one to go for. This Toshiba oven is a high power 1200-watt microwave that can cook food up in a fast and efficient manner.
It also has 10 power levels to let you adjust the power as much as needed for the right type of cooking.
Inside, it is very spacious as well. You get 1.6 cubic feet of space for the food to nicely rotate. This also lets you put in larger bowls and trays at once.
There is an Eco mode on this. And this helps to save power in the long run as you use it. So not only is the oven itself affordable, but it keeps the bills down too.
Other features that help make our lives easier include the memory function, the auto defrost, the multi-stage cooking, the memory function, and of course, the timer!
You will also find a child safety lock on this. This feature makes it safe to work with, in a space where you have kids around.
Highlighted Features
- The oven comes with 10 power levels
- 1.6 cu. ft. oven capacity
- Energy-saving eco mode reduces bills
- Auto defrost is useful for fast food
- Child safety lock included for users with children
Microwaves Under 150$ Buying Guide
Size and Location
The size and location of microwaves go hand in hand. Depending on where you will keep it, the size of the microwave will have to be considered. If you have more space to spare, obviously go for a bigger size. Of course, this will cost more as well.
If not, compact ones are not too bad either. These are cheaper as well, so for those of you on a budget, these will be your new best friend.
While you check for the size, do make sure to take height into consideration as well. This is often overlooked, but should not be.
Power
The power of the oven is related to the size you get. But we will put it here so you can decide on what you need.
If you have to cook or heat food for a large family, then you will need something around 1000 to 1600 watts. These are large or full-sized ovens.
Medium-sized ones have 800 to 1000 watts and are suitable for users who have to cook or heat for around 5 to 6 people.
Smaller ones have a lower power of 500 to 800 watts. These are enough for a handful of people. If you live alone or are looking for a small microwave for a dorm room or the office, only then go for these.
Turntables
The best microwaves under 150 dollars should have a turntable. This rotates the food as it heats, so you are ensured that it is being cooked or heated evenly. Some microwaves have trays, and others have enough space for both.
If you can get both, do choose that. Since having large trays is good for when you are cooking in larger pots or pans which cannot be rotated. Casseroles for example will be well done when put inside on a tray.
Quick Keys
Quick keys are something you will definitely find in most microwave ovens. There are 30 second- and 1-minute keys. But how many you get is what you should check.
Of course, having more options makes work more flexible. This also lets you add on minutes or seconds afterward with a quick press.
Shortcut Keys
These keys come in handy for when you are cooking quick foods and snacks that are done all the time. Take popcorn for example. Shortcut keys are programmed in such a manner that you can hit go and have the popcorn pop up.
There is no need to stand around and watch over or think over how much you need to put in. The oven will do the thinking for you.
Child Lock
This is important only if you have kids in the house. The child lock uses a passcode to open the oven door. Enter these numbers before you open it, so the kids cannot access it.
This helps to prevent accidents, especially if you live in a big house and cannot keep an eye on the kids at all times.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you all the information you need to buy the best microwave under 150$. While this is a budget oven, it does not mean it has to be a bad one. In fact, you can get a pretty good oven in this price range when you know where to look.
If you are having trouble with all the skimming though, you can take a quick look at the chart that highlights the differences and holds out key points. For details, refer to the guide and product descriptions, and you will be able to buy a budget microwave in no time!