Best Microwaves Under $900 in 2026: 5 Picks by Specs
The Gasland 24 Inch Built-In Microwave is the top pick in this guide: it combines a stated 1000W output with sensor cooking, a 1.6 cubic foot cavity, and an LCD control panel, making it the most feature-complete model in the pool. This guide covers the five microwaves currently listed under $900, chosen from the catalog by their stated specifications rather than lab testing. Prices shown on the page are live listing prices and may change.
5 picks from 2 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 | GASLAND 24 Inch Built in microwave oven | $799.99 (as of 11/04/2026 23:06 PST - Details) |
| 2 | Best drawer microwave with 1000W | KoolMore 24 Inch Stainless-Steel Microwave Drawer | $801.00 (as of 11/04/2026 23:46 PST - Details) |
| 3 | Best drawer microwave with child safety | GASLAND 24 Inch Built-In Microwave Drawer | $999.99 (as of 11/04/2026 23:06 PST - Details) |
| 4 | Best touchscreen drawer | HAMILTON BEACH 23.5 Inch Built-In Drawer Microwave Oven | $899.99 (as of 11/04/2026 23:15 PST - Details) |
| 5 | Most basic 700W pick | Electrolux Built-in microwave LMS2173EMK 17 L | $312.32 (as of 11/04/2026 22:45 PST - Details) |
Which pick fits you?
- For drawer-style installation: If your lower cabinets have a 24-inch opening and you want a drawer microwave at counter height, the KoolMore is one of the drawer picks here with a stated 1000W output. See pick 2
- For sensor-assisted reheating: The Gasland built-in is the only model in this pool with a stated sensor cook setting, so it is the pick if you want sensor-assisted reheating. See pick 1
- For households with small children: The Gasland drawer microwave is the only pick with a stated child safety feature, which matters when the control panel sits within a child's reach. See pick 3
- For straightforward reheating: If you want a simple microwave without sensor, touchscreen, or drawer features, the Electrolux 700W model is the most basic pick in this list. See pick 5
The full list of 5
1 Best overall
GASLAND 24 Inch Built in microwave oven
- Type
- Built-in
- Capacity
- 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft
- Wattage
- 1000 to 1199 W
- Width
- 24 inch
- Convection
- Yes
- Sensor cooking
- Yes
$799.99 (as of 11/04/2026 23:06 PST - Details)
Outside this guide's budget at today's price.
The only built-in in this pool with sensor cooking, the Gasland 24 Inch combines a stated 1000W output with an 11-level control, touch panel, and LCD display. Its 1.6 cubic foot cavity is the largest of the five picks, and the sensor setting is the only one in the group. If you want one microwave that does the most on paper, this is it.
Pros
- Stated 1000W power with 11 cooking levels
- Sensor cook is the only one in this pool
- 1.6 cu ft capacity, the largest of the five picks
- LCD display and touch controls stated
Cons
- Type is built-in, so it is designed for a fixed 24-inch opening rather than free-standing counter use
- No stated child safety lock
- No stated drawer loading or flat-bed interior
Good fit if
- Anyone replacing an existing 24-inch built-in microwave
- Cooks who want sensor-assisted reheating without setting time manually
Skip if
- You need a drawer-style microwave that drops below the counter
- You want a child safety lock built in
Verdict: The Gasland 24 Inch Built-In is the most feature-rich microwave in this guide on the stated specs.
2 Best drawer microwave with 1000W
KoolMore 24 Inch Stainless-Steel Microwave Drawer
- Type
- Drawer
- Capacity
- 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft
- Wattage
- 1000 to 1199 W
- Width
- 24 inch
$801.00 (as of 11/04/2026 23:46 PST - Details)
The KoolMore drawer is one of two drawer models in this pool with a stated 1000W output, and its ten custom cooking levels are the most levels stated among the drawer picks. It is listed as a 24-inch stainless steel drawer with a 1.2 cubic foot capacity, which puts it in the middle of the group for capacity. It is a strong choice for a built-in drawer installation.
Pros
- Stated 1000W power with 10 custom cooking levels
- Drawer loading lets you add or stir food without reaching into a top-hinged cavity
- Stated 24-inch width fits common cabinet openings
- Stainless steel finish stated in the product name
Cons
- No stated sensor cooking
- No stated child safety lock
- Capacity range of 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft is smaller than the Gasland built-in
Good fit if
- Lower-cabinet installations where a pull-out drawer is easier to access
- Anyone who wants 1000W cooking in a drawer format
Skip if
- You want sensor-assisted reheating
- You need the largest possible cavity in this price range
Verdict: The KoolMore drawer is the best pick here if you want a 1000W drawer-style microwave with ten custom cooking levels.
3 Best drawer microwave with child safety
GASLAND 24 Inch Built-In Microwave Drawer
- Type
- Drawer
- Capacity
- 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft
- Wattage
- 1000 to 1199 W
- Width
- 24 inch
$999.99 (as of 11/04/2026 23:06 PST - Details)
Outside this guide's budget at today's price.
The Gasland drawer stands out in the drawer group because it is the only pick in the entire pool with a stated child safety feature. It also lists a 1000W output and a 24-inch width, matching the KoolMore for power and installation size. If safety is your priority and you prefer a drawer, this is the model.
Pros
- Child safety feature is the only one stated in this pool
- Stated 1000W power
- Stated 24-inch width for cabinet installation
- Drawer design listed
Cons
- No stated sensor cooking
- No stated display type or touchscreen
- Capacity range of 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft is smaller than the Gasland built-in
Good fit if
- Families with young children who can reach the microwave controls
- People installing a 24-inch drawer-style microwave
Skip if
- You want sensor cook or an LCD display
- You need a built-in unit that mounts at eye level
Verdict: The Gasland drawer is the right pick when a child safety lock is a must-have.
4 Best touchscreen drawer
HAMILTON BEACH 23.5 Inch Built-In Drawer Microwave Oven
- Type
- Drawer
- Capacity
- 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft
$899.99 (as of 11/04/2026 23:15 PST - Details)
The Hamilton Beach drawer is the only model in this pool with a stated touchscreen control panel. Its 23.5-inch width and 1.1 cubic foot capacity make it the smallest and most compact drawer here, which can be an advantage in tight cabinet openings. The tradeoff is that the seller does not list its power output.
Pros
- Touchscreen control is the only one stated among the drawer picks
- Stated 23.5-inch width is the narrowest of the group
- Drawer design listed
Cons
- Power output not stated by the seller
- No stated sensor cooking
- Stated capacity is the smallest in this pool
Good fit if
- A kitchen opening that is narrower than 24 inches
- Anyone who prefers a touchscreen control panel over buttons
Skip if
- You need a known power output for reheating large dishes
- You want the largest available microwave in this price range
Verdict: The Hamilton Beach drawer is the compact touchscreen choice, but you trade away a stated power rating.
5 Most basic 700W pick
Electrolux Built-in microwave LMS2173EMK 17 L
- Type
- Built-in
- Wattage
- 800 to 999 W
$312.32 (as of 11/04/2026 22:45 PST - Details)
Outside this guide's budget at today's price.
The Electrolux 700W is the only model in this pool with a stated power output under 800W, and it is the only one that does not list a drawer or built-in type. It appears to be the most straightforward microwave in the group, with no sensor, touchscreen, or child safety features stated. If you want an uncomplicated microwave, this is the pick.
Pros
- The only pick with a stated power output under 800W
- No drawer slides or built-in trim to plan around
- Suitable if you reheat smaller portions and do not need high power
Cons
- Type not stated by the seller
- Capacity not stated by the seller
- No sensor cooking, touchscreen, or child safety feature stated
Good fit if
- A simple secondary microwave for occasional reheating
- Someone who does not need drawer installation or 1000W-class output
Skip if
- You need a stated capacity or type before ordering
- You regularly heat large casseroles or dense frozen meals
Verdict: The Electrolux is the simplest and lowest-power pick on this list, but its missing specs make it a less complete choice.
The specs, compared
| # | Microwave | Type | Capacity | Wattage | Width | Convection | Air fry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GASLAND 24 Inch Built in microwave oven | Built-in | 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft | 1000 to 1199 W | 24 inch | Yes | not stated |
| 2 | KoolMore 24 Inch Stainless-Steel Microwave Drawer | Drawer | 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft | 1000 to 1199 W | 24 inch | not stated | not stated |
| 3 | GASLAND 24 Inch Built-In Microwave Drawer | Drawer | 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft | 1000 to 1199 W | 24 inch | not stated | not stated |
| 4 | HAMILTON BEACH 23.5 Inch Built-In Drawer Microwave Oven | Drawer | 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 5 | Electrolux Built-in microwave LMS2173EMK 17 L | Built-in | not stated | 800 to 999 W | not stated | not stated | not stated |
Why these made the list
To build this list we started with the catalog of microwaves priced under $900; the pool contained five models when the data was read. Because the pool is small, every model appears here after near-duplicate listings were folded together. We compared the specifications each seller states: type (drawer or built-in), power, capacity, sensor features, control panels, and safety features. We did not rank by price, because prices move; the page instead shows each model's live price with the time it was read. No member of the staff has tested these units. Feature and performance claims come from the seller's published listings. If a spec is not stated by the seller, we say so rather than guessing.
Things to weigh before buying
Drawer versus built-in
Drawer microwaves mount below a counter or inside a cabinet and pull out like a drawer. Built-in microwaves sit in a wall or cabinet opening and open on a front hinge. The two are not interchangeable: a drawer unit uses slides and clearance underneath, while a built-in needs a framed opening of the stated width.
In this pool, four of the five models state their type. The KoolMore, the Gasland drawer, and the Hamilton Beach are drawer units, while the Gasland built-in is a true built-in. The Electrolux does not state a type.
Power output
Power affects heating speed. All three Gasland and KoolMore units list power in the 1000 to 1199 W range, while the Electrolux states under 800 W. If you heat large dishes often, a 1000W class output gives the fastest listed heating among this group. The Hamilton Beach is the one model here with no power specification stated by the seller.
Capacity
Capacity tells you the usable cavity size. The Gasland built-in lists a capacity range of 1.5 to 1.9 cubic feet and its product name mentions 1.6 cubic feet, making it the largest of the five. The KoolMore and the Gasland drawer both list a range of 1.0 to 1.4 cubic feet, and the Hamilton Beach is listed at 1.1 cubic feet. The Electrolux does not state a capacity.
Sensor cooking and controls
Sensor cooking is a feature where the microwave detects changes in moisture or humidity and adjusts the cooking time automatically. In this pool, only the Gasland built-in lists sensor cook. Control styles vary: the Hamilton Beach lists a touchscreen, the Gasland built-in lists an LCD display and touch controls, and the others do not state a display type.
Safety features
Child safety locks matter when the microwave sits at a height children can reach. The Gasland drawer is the only pick here that explicitly lists child safety. The FDA also regulates microwave ovens as radiation-emitting products, so models sold in the United States are subject to federal performance standards. For safe reheating, the FDA recommends covering food, stirring, rotating, and allowing standing time.
Installation and fit
Before choosing, measure the opening and ventilation space. A 24-inch width is stated for the KoolMore and the two Gasland units. The Hamilton Beach is listed as 23.5 inches, and the Electrolux does not state a width. Drawer models generally need cabinet space below, while built-ins need a wall or cabinet opening with access to power.
Questions
Do microwave ovens emit dangerous radiation?
Microwave ovens use non-ionizing radiation in the microwave frequency range to heat food. In the United States, microwave ovens are regulated by the FDA as radiation-emitting products. The FDA's program covers performance standards and consumer safety information. As long as the door seals are intact and the unit is used according to the maker's instructions, the main safety focus is preventing burns from hot food and steam.
What does 'sensor cook' mean?
Sensor cooking is a stated feature on the Gasland built-in in this list. The microwave detects changes in moisture or humidity inside the cavity and adjusts cooking time automatically, instead of relying only on a fixed timer. It is most useful for reheating leftovers, vegetables, and other foods where moisture changes are predictable. The other four picks do not list this feature.
Is a drawer microwave better than a built-in?
Neither is objectively better; they are designed for different installations. A drawer microwave pulls forward and down, so it can be installed below counter height and be easier for shorter users to reach. A built-in microwave mounts into a wall or cabinet opening at the height you choose. In this pool, the KoolMore, the Hamilton Beach, and the Gasland drawer are drawer units, while the Gasland built-in is the only true built-in. The Electrolux does not state a type.
How should I reheat food safely in a microwave?
The FDA's safe food handling guidance says to cover food, stir, and rotate for even cooking. If a microwave has no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking. Always allow standing time, then check the internal temperature with a food thermometer. In this pool, none of the models state whether they include a turntable, so hand rotation may be necessary.
Can I recycle an old microwave when I replace it?
Yes. The EPA recommends donating or recycling used electronics to conserve materials and avoid pollution. Before getting rid of an old microwave, remove any batteries if present and delete personal information from any connected controls. Search for local electronics recyclers or use a manufacturer or retailer takeback program.
Latest changes
- : First published.