Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.
Microwaves with dials are very sought-after because they’re the easiest to use, and that’s why we spent over a week testing 20 different models in order to compile a list of the best microwaves with dial controls currently on the market.
We were extremely satisfied with the quite compact and affordable Commercial Chef, while the Avanti was certainly powerful for its size and weight.
And finally, for those who are willing to spend a little more for a unit of higher level, we found the perfect microwave for you. Read below to find out about its specifics!
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Editor’s Choice
|
COSTWAY Retro Countertop Microwave
|
10
|
Check Current Price |
|
Most Versatile
|
Avanti MM07K1B
|
9.5
|
Check Current Price |
|
Best Value For Money
|
Commercial Chef CHM660B
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
|
Best Seller
|
Nostalgia RMOD7IVY
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
|
Budget Option
|
Impecca CM0674K
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
The Best Microwaves With Dial Controls Of 2023
Table of Contents
Nowadays the market of microwaves is rather wide and full of a large variety of different models to choose from, which makes it harder to pick the best microwave for our needs if we don’t have specific requests.
Many people cannot live without the comfort that most high-tech microwaves can provide, but at the same time, many people also find themselves annoyed by the sometimes long set-up that these microwaves require.
There is also a large part of the population who would rather have a very simple model with few functions. This is especially the case with older people who often don’t have the technical knowledge to put up with the most advanced microwaves.
The rotary dial microwave is the classic microwave we all remember. It has just a few, fundamental functions and it’s very easy to make it work. Some of the best dial microwaves today have some additional controls on the knob, one of the most common being the defrost option.
If you’re looking for a microwave with a dial timer, check out our list of the 5 best microwaves with knobs of 2023.
COSTWAY Retro Countertop Microwave
- Easy to clean
- Digital clock
- Auto-cooking option
- Great capacity
- A bit noisy
The Costway Retro Countertop Microwave will offer great power while taking little space on your counter in return.
Among the other turn dial microwaves we tested, we chose this unit as the overall best one not only because it’s incredibly pretty, but also because it delivers a performance very similar to its bigger and more powerful brothers while remaining a compact and low wattage microwave.
Despite the simple design of its control panel, this microwave has actually more functions than it may seem at first glance. In fact, while one knob is the normal dial control for the timing, the other will set the firepower.
There are also additional functions on the second knob, including defrosting and auto-cooking. Auto-cooking is the mode for popular foods such as pizza, popcorn, and potatoes. After choosing it, it’s enough to input the menu weight selection and press Start.
The rotating glass table ensures that all foods are cooked thoroughly and evenly, but it doesn’t affect the large capacity of this microwave, which is 0.9 cubic feet. However, if you are looking for something of bigger capacity, check out our list of recommendations for microwaves without a turntable.
With its 900 watts of power, this unit proved more powerful than machines with higher wattage. Its 5 power levels are designed to meet all of your cooking needs. On top of that, this microwave is easy to clean once you remove the glass table because it’s made of steel.
The LED display shows the remaining cooking time and when not in use, it works as a digital clock, which is always an appreciated addition. When cooking time’s done, the microwave beeps quite loudly, but you can prevent that if you take out the food as soon as it’s done heating.
The Costway Retro comes in two colors, white and vintage green, the white one being slightly more expensive than the other. We believe either of them will make a great purchase for your kitchen.
Avanti MM07K1B
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Nice design
- Slow heating
The Avanti MM07K1B is the perfect unit for those who need a microwave with just a few but essential functions. It has a simple yet classic look, with two dial knobs, one for the fire level and the other for the cooking time.
The control panel is as explicit as it gets and you probably won’t need the instructions booklet to make this non-digital microwave work. It is the perfect gift for the elderly and for those who are not too comfortable with the newest technologies.
While testing this unit we realized that its low wattage (700 watts) wasn’t really an issue for most foods, however, sometimes it would take a couple of minutes longer than more powerful microwaves.
The end result was nonetheless perfect, and given its reduced watts power, this microwave surely won’t be a burden on your electricity bill.
This compact microwave is also quite light, so it could be moved or brought along without problems. It’s a microwave you could use in your cabin, college room, or any place with limited countertop space.
The Avanti MM07K1B is perfect for those who look for quality at a reasonable price. Among the units we tested, the Avanti was indeed one of the most affordable analogic microwaves, without sacrificing too much power or functionality.
Commercial Chef CHM660B
- Small
- Easy to use
- Well-designed control panel
- Quick heating
- A bit noisy
The CHM660B is the smallest in the family of Commercial Chef microwaves. We tested several units from this brand and we believe this one to be the best value for money, on top of having a great size for power ratio.
In fact, the Commercial Chef CHM660B is the smallest among the microwaves we tested and also the most compact on this list. We believe this unit could fit anywhere, even between a cabinet and the top of the fridge.
Its low wattage doesn’t interfere with its heating power: we didn’t really notice big differences between this unit and other more powerful microwaves. For a 600 watts microwave, we believe it works as an 800/900 watts machine.
Like many other microwaves with knobs, the Commercial Chef has two dial controls: one is for programming and the other for the cooking time. The design of the control panel is well-thought-out: white lettering over a black background, it’s easy to read even for older people.
On top of being quite compact, this microwave is also lightweight, which makes it the ideal unit to bring along on camping or other outdoor activities.
We tested this microwave several times during our testing period and it’s maybe the one we used most frequently. We believe the Commercial Chef CHM660B to be a high-volume microwave, similar to many microwaves without a turntable. It handles heavy work pretty well for its power and size.
This microwave is a good investment for your kitchen because it has the potential to last for a long time even under heavy use. On top of that, it runs really well on solar power, which is often used during travels in vans or semi-trucks nowadays.
Nostalgia RMOD7IVY
- Compact
- Easy to clean
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Might not fit full-size plates in it
No better name could define this lovely microwave oven with manual dials that can fit into both modern and vintage kitchens but looks particularly great in the latter.
The Nostalgia RMOD7IVY won us over with its simple design, which makes it really easy and quick to operate by using one of the two knobs, the cooking time dial, and the power dial.
Like most microwaves in the list, even the Nostalgia comes with a defrost setting, which grades very low on the firepower scale and it’s perfect when you need to get your food ready to cook quickly. The other settings go from low to high, but there are middle-ground settings that usually fit most foods.
This microwave with dial isn’t as small as the Commercial Chef CHM660B, but it’s not as big as the Impecca CM0674K either. With its 0.7 cubic feet capacity and 700 watts of power, the Nostalgia is a good medium volume machine that easily fulfills all of your cooking needs.
Despite not having additional functions like the Costway Retro, we were pleasantly surprised by how well this little unit works. It has all the basic functions needed in the kitchen and it’s so easy to use that we hardly needed to check the instruction manual.
This microwave can be a great gift for a friend, a parent, or a relative who needs a good machine with no complicated setup. The Nostalgia brand also offers this unit in different colors, but the alternatives do not feature the double knobs.
We believe this model to be the best one from Nostalgia, for all those who love a good retro touch in the kitchen, but also for those customers who’d prefer a less complex and more straightforward machine.
Impecca CM0674K
- Easy to use and clean
- Well-designed control panel
- Quick heating
- No door handle
Among the microwaves in this list, the Impecca CM0674K beats the Costway Retro by a very small margin in terms of dimensions, claiming the title of the biggest microwave of the rank, but still remains a quite small and compact unit in comparison with the average microwave you can find on the market.
In fact, this microwave will fit perfectly in the corner of your countertop and with its 25.8 pounds of weight, you can be sure it’s a quite solid unit that won’t budge during the heating process.
Its 700 watts of power place this unit in the middle, between the 600 watts of the Commercial Chef CHM660B and the 900 of the Costway Retro. This unit is indeed a good medium volume microwave for kitchens, office break rooms, or college rooms.
The vents on this unit are placed on the top, so be careful not to place anything over the microwave. Apart from that, it’s a very solid appliance and it’s made evident from its sturdy exterior.
The design on the Impecca CM0674K is simple but effective. Painted all-black, the two dial knobs pop out because of the bright white the numbers are painted with. These characteristics make it a good purchase for those who have eyesight problems or for elderly people.
The microwave includes all the functions necessary to fulfill the basic cooking needs, from defrosting to high power. It is extremely intuitive and easy to use, so it’s perfect for that last-minute meal or midnight snack.
The only “flaw” we found while testing this product was the absence of a door handle. Many customers prefer door handles to release buttons because the latter are sometimes the first to break down or cause problems.
We used the Impecca quite a lot during our testing period and had no problems with the release button at any point, however, we cannot comment on its durability in the long run.
From what we’ve seen, the Impecca CM0674K is a reliable microwave with few but essential functions, easy to operate, and aesthetically pleasing.
How To Choose A Microwave With Dial Controls
Whether you’d like a little retro touch or you’re just looking for a microwave that is easy to use, there is a large variety of non-digital microwaves on the market.
We tested twenty different models in order to help you make an informed choice and to finally answer the question: Which is the best microwave with knobs? But now, you may be wondering how to choose the best turn dial microwave for your needs.
After our research, we came to the conclusion that there are mainly two characteristics to consider when choosing a rotary dial microwave, so read on if you want to know what they are!
Low/High Wattage
Most analogic microwaves have more or less the same characteristics, but one spec that changes is the wattage. The microwaves we reviewed all ranked between 600 and 900 watts, but there are also turn dial microwaves that exceed the 900 watts.
For personal use, a microwave with low wattage is the best choice because it allows you to save up on your energy bills. Some low watt microwaves might take a little longer to heat your food, but in general, today microwaves are quite powerful even with reduced wattage.
If you’re in doubt, you can opt for a medium volume microwave like the Nostalgia RMOD7IVY or the Avanti MM07K1B with their 700 watts.
Single/Double Knobs
In this list of the 5 best microwaves with dials, all the units mentioned have two dial knobs, one meant to control the power and the other for the cooking time. However, there are also microwaves with single dial control for cooking time only, which are even easier to use.
Many of the best microwaves with single-dial are the ones without a turntable. These units are usually meant for commercial use (restaurants, cafes, diners, etc.), so they’re made to last for a long time even under heavy use and are easy to clean due to the absence of the glass plate.
Microwaves with a single dial usually feature a cooking menu printed on the control panel, to make it easier to choose the right cooking time based on the food you need to heat.
However, these microwaves are also rather expensive, so double knobs microwaves like the Commercial Chef CHM660B or the Impecca CM0674K make for a more affordable solution.
If you don’t mind the price, but wish for something slightly more powerful and with two knobs, the Costway Retro microwave might also be the right solution for you
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.
- The 5 Best Microwaves without a Turntable - February 22, 2023
- The 8 Best Microwave Crispers - June 27, 2021
- The 5 Best Microwave Rice Cookers - June 26, 2021
