Best LG Microwaves in 2026: 4 Picks Compared on Specs
Of the four LG microwaves in this guide, the 1.5 cu ft countertop model is our top pick for most households. It pairs a mid-size cavity with a stated 1200 W of power, the highest stated wattage among the LG picks here, and it does not need to be installed above a range. The other three picks are over-the-range units, including a smart 30-inch model, a straightforward 1.7 cu ft unit, and a convection LG Studio oven. We kept every LG microwave in the pool and compared them on the specifications in each listing.
4 picks from 3 microwaves that match this guide with a price we can quote today. Live prices throughout, each with the moment it was read.
The list in brief
| # | Pick | Microwave | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best overall | LG 1.5 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave | |
| 2 | Best smart over-the-range | 2.1 cu. ft. 30 in. Width PrintProof Stainless Steel 1 | $579.95 (as of 11/05/2026 02:36 PST - Details) |
| 3 | Best basic over-the-range | 1.7 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven in Stainless Steel | $259.00 (as of 11/05/2026 02:35 PST - Details) |
| 4 | Best convection | LG Studio MHES1738F 1.7 Cu. Ft. Stainless Over-the-Range Convection | $925.00 (as of 11/04/2026 23:57 PST - Details) |
Which pick fits you?
- For a full-size countertop: A mid-size 1.5 cu ft LG countertop with 1200 W of stated power is the easy pick if you want a free-standing microwave that does not require installation. See pick 1
- For a smart kitchen or range hood replacement: The 30-inch smart over-the-range model adds the largest cavity in the pool plus smart controls. Choose it when you are replacing an existing over-the-range unit or range hood. See pick 2
- For convection cooking: The LG Studio over-the-range model is the only convection pick in this pool, so it fits cooks who want to use hot-air circulation for baking and roasting. See pick 4
The full list of 4
1 Best overall
LG 1.5 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave
- Type
- Countertop
- Capacity
- 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft
- Wattage
- 1200 W or more
- Sensor cooking
- Yes
- Inverter
- Yes
- Smart or Wi-Fi
- Yes
The only countertop microwave in this LG pool, it is the easiest to place because it does not need to be installed above a range. Its stated 1200 W is the highest stated power in this lineup, and 1.5 cu ft is a practical mid-size cavity for everyday reheating and cooking.
Pros
- 1.5 cu ft capacity, a mid-size for most kitchen counters
- 1200 W stated power, the highest stated wattage in this list
- Countertop design, so no installation above a range is needed
- Stainless steel finish stated in the model name
Cons
- Smaller capacity than the 2.1 cu ft smart over-the-range pick
- No smart features stated, unlike the 30-inch over-the-range model
- Width not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Buyers who want a free-standing LG microwave that sits on a counter
- Anyone who prioritizes stated wattage: 1200 W is the highest stated wattage in this lineup
Skip if
- You need an over-the-range model to replace a vent hood
- You want the 2.1 cu ft cavity of the smart over-the-range pick
Verdict: A simple, high-power countertop LG microwave for most kitchens.
2 Best smart over-the-range
2.1 cu. ft. 30 in. Width PrintProof Stainless Steel 1
- Type
- Over the range
- Capacity
- 2.0 cu ft or more
- Wattage
- 1000 to 1199 W
- Width
- 30 inch
- Smart or Wi-Fi
- Yes
$579.95 (as of 11/05/2026 02:36 PST - Details)
This over-the-range model is the only smart LG microwave in the pool and the only one with a stated 30-inch width. Its 2.1 cu ft cavity is the largest here, and the ExtendaVent 2.0 ventilation system is named in the listing. It carries a stated 1,050 W of power.
Pros
- 2.1 cu ft capacity, the largest in this guide
- Smart enabled, the only smart pick in this guide
- 30-inch width stated, the only width stated in this pool
- PrintProof stainless finish named in the product name
Cons
- 1,050 W stated power, lower than the 1,200 W countertop pick
- Requires installation over a range
Good fit if
- Kitchens replacing a 30-inch over-the-range microwave or vent hood
- Buyers who want the only smart model in this LG pool
Skip if
- You want a countertop microwave with no installation
- You do not need a 2.1 cu ft cavity
Verdict: The most capable over-the-range LG on the list if you want the largest cavity and smart controls.
3 Best basic over-the-range
1.7 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven in Stainless Steel
- Type
- Over the range
- Capacity
- 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft
$259.00 (as of 11/05/2026 02:35 PST - Details)
The simplest over-the-range pick in the pool: 1.7 cu ft, stainless steel, and an EasyClean interior named by the seller. It has no smart or convection features in the stated specs, which keeps it a straightforward choice for standard over-the-range installations.
Pros
- 1.7 cu ft capacity, larger than the 1.5 cu ft countertop pick
- Over-the-range design keeps the counter clear
- EasyClean feature named in the product name
- Stainless steel finish
Cons
- Power not stated by the seller
- No smart or convection features in the stated specs
- Width not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Shoppers replacing an over-the-range microwave with a simple LG model
- Kitchens with limited counter space that need a 1.7 cu ft cavity
Skip if
- You want smart controls or convection cooking
- You need a stated power rating to compare models
Verdict: A straightforward LG over-the-range microwave when you do not need extra features.
4 Best convection
LG Studio MHES1738F 1.7 Cu. Ft. Stainless Over-the-Range Convection
- Type
- Over the range
- Capacity
- 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft
- Convection
- Yes
$925.00 (as of 11/04/2026 23:57 PST - Details)
The only convection microwave in this LG lineup. Like the basic over-the-range pick, it has a 1.7 cu ft cavity and stainless finish, but it adds convection cooking for baking and roasting under the LG Studio label.
Pros
- Convection cooking, the only convection pick in this guide
- 1.7 cu ft capacity, matching the basic over-the-range pick
- Stainless steel finish under the LG Studio label
Cons
- Power not stated by the seller
- No smart features stated, unlike the 30-inch smart pick
Good fit if
- Cooks who want convection baking and roasting in an over-the-range unit
- Buyers who prefer the LG Studio line for a finished kitchen look
Skip if
- You do not need convection: the basic over-the-range pick offers the same 1.7 cu ft with an EasyClean finish
- You want the largest 2.1 cu ft cavity in this guide
Verdict: A capable over-the-range convection LG microwave for cooks who want more than reheating.
The specs, compared
| # | Microwave | Type | Capacity | Wattage | Width | Convection | Air fry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LG 1.5 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave | Countertop | 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft | 1200 W or more | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 2 | 2.1 cu. ft. 30 in. Width PrintProof Stainless Steel 1 | Over the range | 2.0 cu ft or more | 1000 to 1199 W | 30 inch | not stated | not stated |
| 3 | 1.7 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven in Stainless Steel | Over the range | 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 4 | LG Studio MHES1738F 1.7 Cu. Ft. Stainless Over-the-Range Convection | Over the range | 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft | not stated | not stated | Yes | not stated |
Why these made the list
The pool for this guide contains four LG microwaves, small enough that we kept every one of them rather than dropping models. We compared the stated specifications in the catalogue: type, capacity, power, width where listed, and features such as smart controls or convection cooking. None of the units was tested by this site; the selections rest on the seller's stated specifications and the product names. Live prices are shown on the page with the time they were read and may change. None of the four listings is marked renewed or refurbished, and the product names are LG brand models rather than reseller configurations.
Things to weigh before buying
Countertop or over-the-range
Start by deciding where the microwave will live. A countertop model such as the 1.5 cu ft pick does not require installation, so it works in rented homes, dorms, or kitchens without a hood space. An over-the-range unit replaces the space above your stove and typically includes a ventilation fan, but it also means measured installation and a more permanent fit. If you already have a 30-inch opening, the smart over-the-range model is the only pick here with a stated width.
Power: what the wattage tells you
Wattage is the stated heating output of a microwave. Among these picks, the countertop model states 1200 W and the smart over-the-range model states 1,050 W; the two other over-the-range models do not state power. If you prefer a microwave with a higher stated wattage, the countertop is the pick to compare.
Capacity: match the cavity to your kitchen
Capacity is the usable interior volume. The LG models here range from 1.5 cu ft to 2.1 cu ft. A 1.5 cu ft cavity is enough for standard plates, bowls, and casserole dishes. The 2.1 cu ft over-the-range model is the largest in this guide and can handle bigger platters or taller containers. The two other over-the-range picks sit at 1.7 cu ft, which is a common mid-size for that form factor.
Smart controls and connectivity
Only one LG model in this pool is described as smart: the 30-inch over-the-range unit. If you want to control the microwave from an app, receive alerts, or integrate it with a larger connected kitchen, that is the pick to start with. The other three models have no smart features in their stated specifications. Smart controls add convenience but also require setup and a network connection, so they are not essential for every kitchen.
Convection cooking: beyond reheating
A convection microwave uses a fan to circulate hot air around food, which lets it brown and crisp in ways a standard microwave cannot. The LG Studio model is the only convection pick in this pool. It suits cooks who want to bake, roast, or get closer to oven-style results without turning on a full-size oven. If you only reheat leftovers and defrost food, convection is an extra feature you may not use.
Finishes and interior care
The LG listings mention two surface treatments that affect how often you need to wipe the outside: PrintProof stainless, named on the smart over-the-range model, is designed to resist fingerprints and smudges. The basic over-the-range pick names EasyClean, which describes a smooth interior that wipes down without heavy scrubbing. For a busy family kitchen, those details can matter more than any single cooking feature.
Questions
Are LG microwaves countertop or over-the-range?
LG makes both types. In this guide, the 1.5 cu ft model is a countertop unit, while the three larger models are designed for installation over a range. Countertop microwaves sit on a surface and do not need venting. Over-the-range units mount above your stove and usually include ventilation, which means they require more involved installation.
What wattage should I look for in an LG microwave?
Look for 1000 W or more if you reheat leftovers often and want faster cooking. Among the LG picks here, the countertop model has the highest stated wattage at 1200 W, followed by the 30-inch smart over-the-range at 1,050 W. The other two over-the-range models do not have power stated by the seller, so compare them on capacity and features instead.
Can the LG Studio convection microwave bake food?
Yes, within the limits of any convection microwave. The LG Studio MHES1738F is the only convection model in this guide. A convection microwave uses a fan and a heating element to circulate hot air, which supports baking and roasting. It is not a substitute for a full-size oven for large batches, but it can handle single trays and small casseroles.
How do I clean the inside of an LG microwave?
Use a soft cloth, warm water, and a mild kitchen cleaner. The basic over-the-range pick specifically names EasyClean, which describes an interior surface designed to be wiped down without harsh scrubbing. For stainless exteriors, follow the maker's care instructions and use cleaners meant for stainless steel if you want to avoid streaks.
Is a smart LG microwave worth it?
A smart microwave is worth it if you already use connected kitchen appliances or want the convenience of starting, stopping, and monitoring cooking from your phone. The 30-inch over-the-range model is the only smart LG in this pool. If you rarely use app controls, a non-connected unit with the same capacity can be simpler and leaves you with fewer features to set up.
Latest changes
- : First published.