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When you watch a blockbuster movie, nothing enhances the experience more than the perfect bowl of popcorn. To find the best microwave to pop your favorite snack in a jiffy, we’ve tested 12 microwaves and finally, we can tell you which are the 5 best microwaves for popcorn in 2022.
The Black+Decker EM031MB11 proved to be the most efficient option, while the Amazon Basic microwave was the best when it comes to value for the money.
However, the overall winner of our testing is a stainless steel model designed to last. Find out more by continue reading.
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Editor’s Choice
|
Amazon Basics Microwave
|
10
|
Check Current Price |
|
Most Versatile
|
Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft.
|
9.5
|
Check Current Price |
|
Best Value For Money
|
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
|
Best Seller
|
BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
|
Budget Option
|
Sharp ZSMC2242DS
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
The Best Microwaves For Popcorn
Table of Contents
When popping popcorn, a professional microwave should be able to produce a soft and fluffy edible delight. The wrong microwave can burn your snack into charcoal, resulting in an unpleasant aroma and eating experience.
The best microwaves for popcorn will be able to deliver a light popcorn texture, full warm aroma, and an overall consistent cook while being durable, energy sufficient, and suitable for warming up all kinds of foods.
Because popcorn has become such a popular microwavable food, some brands even implemented a special popcorn button. This ensures that the microwave isn’t working at full blast to avoid burnt popcorn.
After our tests, we’ve picked the following five microwaves as the best suited to pop your corn. In addition, we’ve added a section that will give you a few tips on factors to consider when purchasing a microwave specifically designed for popcorns.
Amazon Basics Microwave
- Option to add an Echo device
- Compatible with Google Alexa
- Compact size
- 10 Power levels
- Lightweight
- Not for large families
The Amazon Basics Microwave is exactly that, a basic budget microwave perfect for those living by themselves. It isn’t suitable for defrosting large amounts of meat or food and can therefore only cook small bags of popcorn.
It’s a compact device that measures 17.3 inches in width, 10.1 inches in height, and 14.1 inches in depth. Weighing almost 22 pounds, it’s easy to move around and transport between apartments and living areas.
This microwave is perfect for bachelors and bachelorettes, or even students who live in dorms, in fact, since it only has 700 Watts of power, it isn’t suitable for large families who will utilize it on a very regular basis, but it’s a perfect single-serve microwave oven.
The Amazon Basics Microwave features 10 power levels, defrost setting by time or weight, and a special microwave popcorn button. Included with the product there is a 1-year limited warranty, a quick start guide, a glass turntable, as well as an easy-to-follow user manual. Plus, U.S. customers can enjoy an extended warranty of up to 3 years.
One of the best features of this microwave is that it is fully Wi-Fi connectable and compatible with the Alexa App on Android, iOS, and Fire OS. Once these devices are connected, Alexa can be used through an Echo device, providing a hands-free voice control function to warm your popcorn on demand.
Consumers can even sign up to automatically reorder popcorn from Amazon at a 10% discount.
The Amazon Basics is great for those on a budget looking for a cheap popcorn microwave, but if you need a more durable option that is suitable for larger families, continue reading our reviews.
Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft.
- 1.1 cubic feet capacity
- Durable Stainless Steel design
- Available in four colors
- 6 different cooking programs
- Special Popcorn setting
- LED display
- Compact
- A bit noisy
Farberware is a credible brand that has been producing quality cookware since 1900. It has a tradition of excellence that has been proven time and time again and this microwave is proof of that.
One of the best features of the Faberware 1.1cu is its one-touch cooking programs. These include a popcorn button and other cooking programs for foods like potatoes, pizza, and frozen vegetables.
This microwave is perfect for families since it has a 1.1 cubic feet capacity as well as a safety lock feature to ensure the security of young children, plus thanks to its 1000 watts you can be assured to have enough power even for the busiest kitchens.
Other features include a 1-year warranty, a LED display with a clock and timer, and a speedy +30 second control button.
We loved the Farberware 1.1cu because it comes in four different color options including copper, white platinum, stainless steel, and red, plus weighing 15.8 pounds and measuring 20.2 x 16.5 x 12.03 inches it is suitable for any kitchen.
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS
- 1.2 cubic feet capacity
- Smart sensor
- 10 power settings
- One-touch start popcorn setting
- Option to mute the buzzer
- Durable product
- Turntable doesn’t have a position memory
- No safety lock
The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is a stylish microwave that will fit into numerous kitchens. Known for its quality appliances and devices, Toshiba outdid itself when it created this great value for the money microwave.
The greatest thing about this model is that it features a special smart sensor that estimates the heating time by sensing humidity, it offers solutions for reheating popcorn, vegetables, potatoes, and other dishes, plus it can also be used to melt chocolate or butter over already popped popcorns.
The inside cavity of the microwave is made of hard-wearing material, this allows for an easily maintainable and cleanable inside that can be wiped with a wet cloth. Perfect for those butter spills.
With a 12.4-inch turntable and 1.2 cubic feet capacity, the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is the perfect solution for large families. Not only is it functional and durable, but it also has a slick design that will enhance any kitchen style.
Users can turn on the ECO mode which minimizes energy usage by 50%, without taking away power from the unit’s 1100 watts.
This is definitely one of our favorite choices when it comes to the best microwaves for popcorn.
BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11
- Push-button door release
- Removable glass turntable
- LED digital display
- Child safety lock
- UL approved
- Easy settings and controls
- A bit noisy
The Black+Decker EM031MB11 is an energy-efficient microwave, perfect for countertop installation, and depending on your kitchen space and individual needs, users can choose between 1.1 and 1.4 cubic feet capacity.
This microwave comes with a full functioning popcorn button as well as 5 other pre-programmed buttons, that include potato, dinner plate, beverage, frozen vegetable, and pizza.
It features an interior light, that makes it easy for you to keep an eye on your popcorn from outside the unit. Peeking through the glass gives you the ability to monitor whether the extra butter or chocolate has already melted.
It weighs almost 40 pounds and is measures 20.4 x 16.9 x 12.4 inches. Making it a durable and strong stainless steel model for your kitchen.
Finally, the large LED digital display, the child safety lock, the 12.4 inches glass turntable, and the sleek design make it a desirable model.
Sharp ZSMC2242DS
- Certified by popcorn manufacturers
- Popcorn preset button
- 12.8-inch glass turntable
- Durable
- Easy-to-clean
- Some models were damaged during transport
We left the best for last. The Sharp ZAMC2242DS is our top choice when it comes to the best microwaves for popcorn, in fact, this unit also comes highly recommended by a variety of high-quality popcorn bag manufacturers.
It features a 2.2 cubic feet capacity, which is much bigger than other microwaves. Even though its capacity is much larger, it isn’t bulky; measuring just 19.8 x 24.1 x 13.1.
What makes it perfect for cooking popcorn is its one-touch popcorn setting. As well as the melt and soften feature which allows you to melt butter, chocolate, and cheese over your snacks. Within 6 minutes your popcorn will be done with an added bit of sweetness melted on top.
This family-sized, extra-large microwave is a great addition to your kitchen, especially if you want to make multiple popcorn bags within one evening. It’s extremely easy to clean and is stylish in any home.
Despite some customer reviews reported damages while the unit was being transported, no serious damages were done to the one we ordered for our testings.
How To Choose a Microwave for Popcorn
What factors should you consider if you want a microwave that can produce perfectly fluffy popcorn without burning them? With the number of options available on the market, it can be quite difficult to choose one that’s a perfect fit.
If you want to purchase the best unit to make popcorn, then you have to consider the following determining factors before checking out your online cart.
Popcorn pre-setting
To ensure your popcorn receives an even warmth cook within the bag, you should pick a model with a popcorn setting button.
These one-touch cooking settings ensure that the unit doesn’t heat up too much and gradually reduces the heat to ensure all kernels are cooked, without burning those that have already popped during the cycle.
Watts
It has been stated that at least 500 watts are required to pop popcorns, that’s why all the microwaves we reviewed have more than 1000 watts of power.
This will ensure that no matter the circumstances, pressing the popcorn button, your microwave will reach the right temperature and get the job done.
Size
To be able to fit a large popcorn bag into your microwave, you should consider the capacity of the unit. Smaller microwaves are perfect for individuals, whereas big families might require a bigger model with a larger capacity.
When you follow ConsciousEating’s expert tips and reviews, you’ll be able to purchase the right microwave for your kitchen. Not only for heating and defrosting food, but also to create the perfect bowl of fluffy and aromatic popcorn for movie nights.
He likes to call himself a ‘tech freak’ and if you ask him anything about whatever tech-trend is on these days, he will likely go on for hours.
Apart from his passion for technology, Lucas has worked in an appliance store for many years and is also an over-enthusiastic foodie.
He considers his job at ConsciousEating a ‘dream come true’ because it allows him to explore the two things he loves the most in the world: technology and food.
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