What is a good wattage for a microwave?

Author: Jovani Dickens  |  Last update: Saturday, October 25, 2025

As a general guideline, consider choosing a microwave with around 1,000 watts as this is a standard power for most recipes. It's important to be selective about your microwave's functions and choose a model with wattage, shortcuts and functionality suited to how you use a microwave.

Is 1200 watts a lot for a microwave?

Compact models, popular in smaller kitchens, typically range from 500 to 800 watts, while medium to large models use 800 to 1800 watts. Commercial microwave ovens designed for heavy-duty use have a minimum requirement of 1200 watts and can go even higher.

Is a 900 watt microwave good?

Yes, 900 watts is generally enough for a microwave to cook or heat food effectively. Most microwaves range from about 600 to 1200 watts, and 900 watts is considered a mid-range power level.

How many watts is a decent microwave?

The ideal wattage for most microwave recipes is 1,000 watts for versatility in defrosting, reheating and cooking. Select models such as the 1,000-watt Whirlpool® over-the-range microwave have a Steam Cooking feature that's convenient for when you want to get tasty, tender veggies on the table in minutes.

Is there a big difference between a 1000 watt and 1100 watt microwave?

1100 watts lets you use a few seconds less cooking time. Sometimes that difference makes a significant change in your meal planning.

What's Better? Best Microwave Wattage for a Family Home

Is 1000w microwave worth it?

A 1,000-watt microwave will cook quickly and efficiently, so that's a great baseline. Microwaves with 700 watts or less are slower and may not cook evenly.

Do I need 1100 watt microwave?

1000-1100 watts: This range is suitable for most households, offering a balance between cooking efficiency and affordability. Microwaves with 1000-1100 watts can heat food quickly and evenly, making them a popular choice for many families.

Does a higher wattage microwave use more electricity?

When it comes to wattage, the most common wattage for microwaves is between 600 and 1,200 watts. A higher wattage will mean that your microwave can cook food faster, but it will also consume more electricity to do so.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive microwaves?

In general, the higher the wattage, the faster and more evenly your food will cook. Most microwaves sit somewhere between 600 to 1,200 watts. Larger, more expensive microwaves tend to have a higher wattage, so this is a price and size consideration that can strongly influence microwave cooking performance.

How many watts is an air fryer?

Air fryers usually have a power between 800 and 1500 watts, but may vary depending on the model and brand. For example, if an air fryer has a power of 1,200 W and is used for 30 minutes, the energy consumption will be 0.48 kWh. In general, air fryers consume between 0.9 kWh and 1.5 kWh per hour of use.

Is there a big difference between a 900 watt and 1000 watt microwave?

Yes, wattage dictates the cooking power of your microwave. The higher the wattage, the more power to cook your foods quickly. It also gives you more versatility in the types of meals you can prepare. A lower microwave wattage can reheat dishes, while a higher wattage cooks frozen foods or meals from scratch.

Will a 900 watt microwave pop popcorn?

Step 2: Cooking the popcorn

Place the bowl in your microwave, setting the power to between 800 and 900 watts, for two to three minutes, depending on the power setting chosen. Keep an eye on the cooking time to prevent the popcorn from burning.

How to figure out microwave wattage?

Check the inside of the oven's door, on the serial number plate on the back of the oven, or in the owner's manual or the manufacturer's website for the wattage.

What to look for when buying a microwave?

4. Features to Consider When Choosing a Microwave
  • Wattage. Microwaves with more wattage may cook your food more quickly. ...
  • Microwave Finish and Design. ...
  • Convection Cooking and Broiler Element. ...
  • Steam Cooking. ...
  • Sensor Functions. ...
  • Turntables and Trays.

How many watts are in a TV?

The average TV uses 150 watts. Your devices wattage may be different depending on the brand, size, or other factors. You can generally find the wattage of your TV in the user manual or on the device itself.

What is the best microwave brand?

As the best microwave overall, we chose the Panasonic Microwave Oven; it combines a 1,200-watt motor with a compact exterior. If you're looking to save money and space, the Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave is the best budget microwave: simple but effective, much like microwave cooking itself.

How much should I pay for a good microwave?

Microwave buying guide. A good microwave costs $100 to $600 on average, depending on the type, size, features, and capacity.

Do newer microwaves use less electricity?

Newer models use less energy and have more eco-friendly features.

Which microwave is best for all purposes?

Convection microwave ovens are the most versatile among the three types. They combine the features of a microwave with those of a convection oven, which uses hot air to cook food evenly. This makes them more advanced than solo or grill microwaves. These ovens are great for a variety of cooking tasks.

What is a good size microwave?

Family size

On average, microwaves range in capacity from 0.7 cu. ft., which is suitable for most dinner plates, to 2.2 cu. ft., which is a better size for bigger cookware. It's important to consider what capacity you need to fit your dishes and suit your cooking needs.

What is the best energy rating for a microwave?

In general, a microwave that needs fewer watts will eat up less energy. Most microwaves hover around 1000 watts. That's a good, family sized microwave. If you only have one person to worry about you might look to a smaller microwave that's rated at 650 to 800 watts.

Does leaving microwave plugged in use a lot of electricity?

Switching off your microwave after every use is another way you could make a saving. The Energy Saving Trust also said a microwave is one of the appliances that will "eat up electricity" when left on standby.

Is there a big difference between a 1000 and 1100 watt microwave?

A: 1100 watts is 10% more than 1000 watts, so add 10% more time when heating with the 1000 watt oven to get similar results. In other words, with a 1000 W. oven, add an extra 6 seconds per minute of heating time when following instructions intended for an 1,100 watt oven, then evaluate the results of the adjustment.

What is the best over the stove microwave to buy?

Best Over-the-Range Microwaves of 2025
  • GE JNM7196SKSS.
  • KitchenAid KMHS120ESS.
  • LG MHEC1737F.
  • LG MVEF1337F.
  • LG MVEL2033F.
  • LG MVEL2125F.
  • Thermador MU30WSU.
  • Whirlpool WMH78519LZ.

How long to cook two items in the microwave?

To bring them both up to the desired temperature, then, the heating time must be lengthened by the factor 80/64. So if a lone serving would require 10 minutes, then the two together would require 10 x 80/64 or 12.5 minutes.

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