Liam McCabe covered appliances for Wirecutter and worked on previous versions of our guide to the best countertop microwaves.. We’ve been evaluating over-the-range microwaves since 2020.

These are the best over-the-range microwaves from Consumer Reports' tests. An OTR, cabinet-mounted microwave can save space in your kitchen.

Save space, with the bonus of better ventilatation. Food & Wine / Kevin Liang Over-the-range microwaves are a popular addition to new and renovated kitchens, as they can free up valuable counter ...

This is important because over-the-range microwaves often have a vent fan that can blow cooking vapors (smoke, oil, grease fumes) up and out of your kitchen through a vent pipe.

There are some drawbacks worth noting, however. Although over-the-range microwaves have a built-in exhaust fan, they don’t vent cooking gases as well as range hoods do.

With this in mind, we selected the LG Smart 1.7 cu. ft. Smart Over-the-Range Microwave as our best overall pick. It has an impressive 1.7 cubic-foot capacity, up to 1,700 watts of convection ...

Over-the-range microwaves almost always fall between 29 – 30 inches to fit snuggly in the space above your oven, below the cabinets you don’t use, or the hood ventilation.

If you have an over-the-range microwave, you need to make sure you’re cleaning out the grease filter regularly. Below, we’ve ...

An over-the-range (OTR) microwave, on the other hand, might be a good choice if you have limited counter space or prefer a built-in appliance. OTRs are pricier, though. Top-rated models in our ...

How to locate and replace a microwave's charcoal filter. Most over-the-range microwaves use a charcoal filter in addition to the grease filter—or at least give you the option of using one.

Save space on the counter with a cabinet-mounted model that stands out in Consumer Reports' testsIn CR's ease-of-use test, we assess a microwave's quick keys, including the one for popcorn.By Mar ...