5 Best Microwave Drawer Reviews | UPDATED 2023 GUIDE

Unanimously dominating the built-in drawer microwave segment of kitchen appliances, Sharp is a brand that you must give thoughtful consideration over more recent companies stepping in. The brand has extremely popular models in all standard size segments and hence remains a common go-to for most households.

A major fraction of Sharp’s popularity for convenient drawer microwaves comes from its proprietary patented designs and technologies that can be seen integrated with most of its models.

This 24-Inch Microwave Drawer Oven in specific, is a highly sought-after model, arguably the best drawer microwave in the 24-inch category. A striking appearance, inclusion of all essential features and convenient cooking controls are some of the many reasons the appliance has received widespread approval from picky homeowners. 

Apart from these, the microwave comes with the signature advantage of being highly versatile with regards to placement options. The built-in ready microwave drawer can be conveniently installed under your kitchen counter, in the island, in custom cabinetry or even below your standard wall oven providing you with the functionality of a built-in wall oven microwave combo.

Up next in our microwave drawer reviews, we have a yet another popular option for people that don’t quite get along with Sharp products or have had unpleasant experiences with their products. This one is a 24-inch drawer microwave from Bosch. Bosch is a highly renowned brand profoundly known for manufacturing heavy-duty and reliable home and kitchen appliances. This 24” microwave drawer puts the brand’s core values at full display.

Starting with the microwave’s cooking capacity, it is at par with the 24” microwave drawer from Sharp at 1.2 cu. ft. The heating cavity being accessible from top, you better utilise the space and can manage to conveniently fit in a large 4 qt. casserole dish.

The drawer microwave installs low at around waist height sitting pretty under your kitchen counter, island or below your Bosch Oven. While you do have the liberty to install it with your single or double wall oven that’s from some other brand, but if you’re someone with even a slight hint of OCD, below counter is a better option.

There’s not much variety or a whole bunch of options when it comes to shopping the best drawer microwaves. Appreciating this concern, Zline brings you a spacious yet compact black stainless drawer microwave that complements light themed kitchen decors like no other.

While not all homeowners may relate to it, but a black stainless finish often ends looking prettier than a stainless-steel finish. Of course, the kitchen’s scheme plays a role. Good thing, there’s a stainless steel variant of this model available too.

The 1000-watt microwave compares at par with our other top picks both; in terms of elegance and functionality. The control panel is front-mount and comprises of highly responsive touchscreen controls and an easy-to-read digital display. The settings further include 11 power levels for precise and multistage cooking. The cavity measures a decent 1.2 cu. ft. and is evidently enough to cater needs of a small to medium household.

For my readers who’re pinching pennies while on a kitchen revamp, this 24” drawer microwave is just what you’ve been looking for. This next pick from FORTÉ is an absolute delight for the frugal shopper in all of us. Let me explain why! There’s virtually nothing you compromise on with this drawer microwave despite a 30 – 40% price discount that it comes with. Here’s a quick rundown of what all is in store for you if you make this purchase.

Perhaps the most important aspect, it comes with a pleasant cooking capacity of 1.2 cu. ft., at par with all 24” and 30” drawer microwaves you can find on the market. The microwave has an elegant stainless steel finish along the periphery and a sleek black central block including the front peeping window and an intuitive control panel on the top.

A convenient feature that the brand boasts with this one is the convenient touch open and close function. The drawer smoothly extends out at the touch of a button and retracts back in the same way! Pretty handy feature.

If you desire to upgrade to a 30” microwave drawer or are looking for a worthy replacement for your existing 30” cutout, we wouldn’t recommend overlooking this sleek workhorse from Bosch. The microwave stands toe-to-toe with industry leading models and has proven its credibility through years of service in busy kitchens.

Looking quite similar to its 24” counterpart, this larger variant peaks at almost the same levels in terms of performance standards as well. For instance, despite a greater width, the cooking cavity still measures 1.2 cu. ft. in volume.

While it’s definitely enough for reheating large dishes, a higher capacity would better justify the larger blueprint. Nevertheless, the built-in microwave drawer easily takes care of frequent cooking requirements for moderate to large sized families.

The control panel features similar glass touch controls and a white LCD display but is rather short as compared to its smaller predecessor. The buttons include sequential settings for 11 power levels, sensor cooking modes, timer, child lock and drawer open/close commands. The door opens very smooth avoiding any chances of spilling liquids inside the cavity. Further, the microwave aids visibility through the front panel owing to a bright oven light.

Countertop microwaves are comparatively more affordable options available out there and are one of the most commonly used models as well. There is no additional installation required and you just need to put them on the kitchen countertop, alongside your convection oven and you are all set. You may also find cost-effective convection microwaves that double as convection ovens and save the money and space of owning these separately.

As they are placed on the countertop, they are portable and become accessible to both kids and adults. Since there are no drawers involved, they occupy their ideal space which can make your kitchen look quite cluttered with appliances and may also interfere with everyday kitchen tasks. 

2. Over-the-Range Microwave​

3. Drawer Microwave

Benefits of the Best Drawer Microwave

1. Aesthetic Appearance

Microwave drawers blend flawlessly with any stylistic layout and incorporate a modern touch to your kitchen. Most of them are integrated with sharp stainless steel featured with concealed, touch glass controls. The controls are situated on a 45-degree plot for advantageous use. The dark glass, stainless-steel finish, and bright interior LED lighting make the microwave drawers resemble a top of the line, extravagance apparatus.

The glass likewise takes into account simple cleaning. Besides, they offer various customization and installation prospects. You can without much of a stretch incorporate your new microwave drawer in your cabinetry or introduce it under your counter or in an island structure.

2. Added Convenience

The first and foremost benefit of installing microwave drawers is that they offer a lot of free space on the kitchen countertop while providing you with a rather convenient operating spot.

That’s probably the primary reason why they have become so popular among American families. A countertop microwave occupies around 4 square feet of your kitchen space which can be efficiently utilized in managing other kitchen appliances involving convection oven, knife blocks, juicers etc. This will make your kitchen space look less cluttered and well-organized while offering enough space for meal preparation and other kitchen tasks. 

3. Larger Cooking Cavity

There is a wide array of microwave drawers in terms of their width that ranges from 24 to 30 inches. Most of them easily accommodate a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or casserole and can hold a latte cup as well. As they are installed in drawers, it gets convenient to maintain a safe grip on a hot baking pan or bowl. Moreover, the smooth pull-out action of the drawer also aids in keeping things quite stable. 

How to Select the Best Microwave Drawers? ​

1. Power

If you want to do full meal preparation in the microwave rather than just baking potatoes or making popcorn, then you should consider buying a medium or full-size oven.

Microwave drawers are essentially standard microwaves that work on magnetron tubes. It delivers 1,000 to 1,600 watts of power which is ideal for preparing meals for an entire family. Also, it’s going to be installed in a drawer, therefore it’s recommended for you to have a three-prong outlet high inside the cabinet at the back to access the plug if required.

2. Base Support

To have a smooth movement of the microwave drawer, you need to have a sturdy and supportive shelf with a tolerance of 100 pounds.

3. Cabinet Width

You need to take the dimensions of the drawer carefully before the purchase where you want to fit in the microwave. Drawer microwaves usually have a width ranging from 24 to 30-inches, so if you have a stock base cabinet, they will easily get fit into them. But, if they are custom-built, then you need to hire a professional carpenter for additional framing.

4. Depth

Considering the depth of your base cabinet is also essential. This requires you to take the depth measurements of your cabinet and match it with the microwave dimensions that you want to purchase. 

5. Requirements

It is vital to choose the one that suits your requirements while matching your preferences. Some microwave drawers accompany a child lock function, others offer a few warming modes, while some of them are integrated with great touch controls that would make your experience perfect. So, go for the most practical option for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Drawer microwaves are absolute for chefs of all ages and heights, including the ones who have heavy lifting problems. However, they do require specific cabinet supports, custom cuts and special power access. But, all of it is worth it when you are getting luxurious, modern-looking microwave which is helping you in restoring the most precious kitchen counter space.

Also, they may seem a bit expensive as compared to other countertop options available, so ensure to pick the one that suits your requirements and fits into your budget without breaking the bank.

In case you are erecting another kitchen or redesigning a current space, a drawer microwave can be a rich expansion to space as it permits you to flaunt your astonishing countertops too.