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An above-stove microwave has to juggle two jobs at once, and that is where most fail. It must heat your food evenly and quickly, then switch roles to suck up smoke and steam from the burners below. The best 1.7 cu. ft. models pull this off with a vent fan rated at 300 CFM, which is the airflow number that tells you how fast cooking odors disappear.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You want a machine that clears the air and fits the cabinet cutout, and the above stove microwave choices below are ranked on vent power, capacity, and the features owners actually use daily.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Above Stove Microwave
Half the battle is the fit. Above-stove microwaves are almost always 30 inches wide to match a standard range, but depth and height vary, so measure your cabinet opening before you fall for a design. The second half is venting, since this appliance replaces your range hood entirely.
Match the vent to your cooking style
Vent power is measured in CFM, which stands for cubic feet per minute of air moved. A 300 CFM fan handles everyday frying and boiling comfortably, while heavier searing benefits from a motor rated higher. Two-speed fans let you run a whisper-quiet setting for light simmering and crank full power only when things get smoky.
Capacity is about the dish, not the box
The cubic-foot number tells you how large a casserole or plate fits inside. A 1.7 cu. ft. interior with a 12.4-inch turntable handles a 12-inch pizza, while a 1.9 cu. ft. cavity can swallow a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. If you roast whole chickens, go bigger; if you mostly reheat, the smaller cavity still works.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Vent Power (CFM) | Capacity | Power (Watts) | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu Ft★ Best Overall | Reliable daily reheating | 300 | 1.7 cu ft | 1000 | Amazon |
| Farberware 1.7 Cu FtCompact Fit | Small kitchens with low cabinets | 2-speed | 1.7 cu ft | 1000 | Amazon |
| SAMSUNG ME17R7021ESStyle Leader | Style-first kitchens | — | 1.7 cu ft | 1000 | Amazon |
| Midea 1.7 Cu Ft | One-touch auto menus | 300 | 1.7 cu ft | 1000 | Amazon |
| Frigidaire 1.8 Cu Ft | Large baking dishes | 2-speed | 1.8 cu ft | 1000 | Amazon |
| ThermoMate 1.7 Cu Ft | 11-level power control | 300 | 1.7 cu ft | 1000 | Amazon |
| COSMO Stellar Coll 1.9 Cu Ft | Sensor cook & reheat | — | 1.9 cu ft | 1000 | Amazon |
| KoolMore 1.3 Cu Ft 24-inch | Compact 24-inch openings | 300 | 1.3 cu ft | 1000 | Amazon |
| Sharp R1874T | Convection baking & broiling | built-in | 1.1 cu ft | 850 | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven, 1.7 Cu.Ft, 1000W
Our pick — over 4★ from 12,000+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The dependable 1000-watt workhorse that most owners simply trust for everyday meals.
You are rarely thinking about the microwave when it is doing its job, and that is the whole point of this BLACK+DECKER. It puts a 1000-watt output behind six quick menus for Popcorn, Potato, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, and Defrost, so a baked potato or a mug of coffee is a button press away, not a settings puzzle. Its fit is also friendlier than most, sitting at 13.9 inches deep against the 16.5-inch depth of the Samsung below, which gives you roughly 19% more gap above the cooktop for tall pots.
The 1.7 cu. ft. interior spins a 12.4-inch turntable, and that generous footprint is the thing owners single out most, with quality and ease of use being what wins people over. Multi-stage cooking is the hidden gem here, letting you run 90% power for 10 minutes and then drop to 50% for 20 minutes inside one program, which suits slow-cooked sauces. The 300 CFM vent with a 2-speed fan and integrated light does the hood duty, clearing steam and odors from the burners below.
The recurring gripe is the door, with buyers reporting a loud slam that can rattle a quiet kitchen at 5 a.m., so treat the close with a lighter hand. An occasional unit arrives weak on heating, though that sits against a much larger wave of satisfied owners. As owners put it, the machine “looks clean and modern, has plenty of space inside, and is easy to use.”
Built for Daily Rotation
- 12.4-inch turntable fits platters and large bowls
- Multi-stage cooking handles long, low-power simmering
- Shorter depth leaves extra room over the burners
The Honest Trade-offs
- Door slams loudly if closed carelessly
- A small share of units arrive with weak heating
Grab it for: a balanced 1000-watt workhorse with real venting for a busy family kitchen.
Think twice if: you are a light sleeper in an open-plan space, since the door close is not subtle.
2. Farberware 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
A low-profile 10.375-inch frame that slides under tight shelves without sacrificing power.
Low ceilings above the stove are the reason many kitchens rule out a microwave entirely, but this Farberware was built for exactly that squeeze. Its low-profile body is only 10.375 inches tall, so it tucks under upper cabinets that swallow taller units, and its flat top doubles as spare counter space in small kitchens. The 1000-watt output runs even and fast, with accurate melt and soften presets that owners specifically call out, plus a 1550-watt input to back the cooking.
Inside, the 1.7 cu. ft. cavity handles large plates and bowls, and performance is the thing everyone raves about here, with appearance and fit close behind. The 2-speed vent and LED cook lights keep the stovetop visible and clear, and the stainless finish blends with most appliance suites. Buyers report it installed with ease and fit perfectly, with noise that runs a little louder than a previous unit but nothing bothersome.
The trade-offs are small but real: the control buttons are unlit, the interior height is 6.5 inches so tall bottles are out, and it needs a 110V outlet rather than hardwiring. A few note a slight door gap that felt strips fix, and the grease filters can be tricky to reseat. This is the pick for kitchens where every vertical inch counts.
Why it fits: the 10.375-inch height answers a problem most reviews ignore, that low-cabinet kitchens need a slimmer profile than standard units offer.
Reach for this if: your space is height-constrained and you want even 1000-watt cooking with a clean stainless look.
Look elsewhere if: you cook with tall stockpots, because the 6.5-inch interior height limits what stands upright.
3. SAMSUNG ME17R7021ES 1.7 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave
The stainless showpiece that looks expensive on the wall and cleans up in seconds.
Some kitchens need the appliance to do more than cook, they need it to anchor the whole look, and this Samsung delivers on that front first. Its stainless face reads as a premium fixture, and the appearance is what owners mention most, with one noting it “looks expensive” in place. The 1.7 cu. ft. cavity plus auto defrost and bake, broil, and roast programs covers the standard rotation of meals, all driven from a simple keypad with a timer.
Owners describe it as very stylish and easy to clean, and the enamel or stainless interior wipes down without stubborn residue. Functionality is where opinions split, with some reporting it works great after a decade-plus of service while others hit issues sooner, so this is a buy-on-looks with a reliability question mark. It survived a house fire in one owner’s account, which says plenty about build toughness even if that is not a spec.
Plan for a two-person install, since owners mention it took two people over an hour to mount, and the paper instructions could be clearer. Physically, it runs deeper than the BLACK+DECKER above at 16.5 inches versus 13.9 inches, so tall pots on the back burners need checking. Buy it for the wall it anchors, not for a quick solo swap.
On the wall it wins: no other pick here draws the same compliments for how it looks in a finished kitchen, and the easy-clean surface backs that up in daily use.
Pick it for: a stainless centerpiece that improve the whole cooktop wall and wipes clean easily.
Skip if: you are replacing a unit solo, since this one realistically needs two people and over an hour.
4. Midea Over the Range Microwave Oven, 1.7 Cu.Ft, 1000W
Eighteen auto menus put popcorn, pizza, and cream cheese softening one touch away.
If your family cycles through the same dozen dishes, the Midea’s 18 Auto Menus turn dinner prep into a single button press. That covers popcorn, pizza, defrost, softening cream cheese, rice, and potato, and it pairs with 10 power levels at 1000 watts so you are not locked into one heat setting. The 1.7 cu. ft. cavity spins a 12.4-inch turntable that easily holds a rotisserie chicken or a 12-inch pizza without crowding.
Performance and functionality are the twin positives here, with owners applauding how well it defrosts, pops corn, and bakes potatoes, and calling it a good buy that cooks quick and looks really nice. The 300 CFM vent runs with adjustable fan speeds to pull smoke and odor away, and the bright cooktop light keeps the burners visible. A sturdy handle suggests this one will last past the first year of heavy use.
The honest catches are split: some owners find it surprisingly quiet while others call the hum a little noisy, and the interior light has been flagged as dimmer than expected. Installation splits too, with some calling it simple and others wrestling the bracket. It also lacks the premium sensors of higher-end units, so auto-cook is menu-driven rather than moisture-sensing. For the feature list at this level, few pack in 18 menus.
One-Touch Lineup
- 18 auto menus cover popcorn through rice and potato
- 12.4-inch turntable swallows a 12-inch pizza
- Adjustable 300 CFM fan speeds clear smoke
Before You Commit
- Interior light runs dimmer than some rivals
- Hum level is a coin flip between quiet and noticeable
Choose it for: the densest auto-cook menu set here, ideal for households that repeat the same meals.
Not for: cooks who need a bright interior light to check browning, since this one is on the dim side.
5. Frigidaire 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over-The-Range Microwave
The extra-large cavity that swallows a 13 x 9-inch baking dish whole.
Big casseroles are the reason most people graduate from countertop microwaves, and this Frigidaire answers with the biggest cavity in this lineup at 1.8 cu. ft. It accommodates a full 13 x 9-inch baking dish, which is the exact pan size family lasagnas and sheet bakes are made in, and the extra-large 12.5-inch glass turntable rotates even the heaviest bowls. The 1000-watt output heats evenly, and owners call the heating time perfect and the noise level minimal.
The LED cooktop light stays bright while you cook, giving a clear view of the burners, and the interior LED keeps the dish visible as it spins. A zero-clearance door opens to a full 90 degrees without banging adjacent walls, which matters in tight galley kitchens. One-touch buttons handle baked potatoes, popcorn, and a quick 30-second add, and the two-speed vent covers hood duty.
Quality and easy installation are the positives owners lean on, with several reporting a perfect fit and minimal fuss. The honest caveats are real: some units have broken within months, and the door takes extra effort to close properly, so treat the latch gently and check the unit on arrival. It also ships with a plastic interior rather than stainless, a durability detail worth knowing. For oversized cookware, this is the one.
The honest read: you get the largest cooking area in this guide at 13 x 9 inches, but customers note mixed durability, so handle the door gently and unbox carefully.
Reach for it if: your cooking centers on big baking dishes that smaller cavities simply cannot hold.
Pass if: you want a proven long-haul build, since a share of units have failed within months.
6. ThermoMate 30″ Over the Range Microwave Oven
Eleven power levels give finicky reheating jobs a precision no other pick matches.
Not all reheating deserves full power, and the ThermoMate is the only pick here offering 11 power levels that adjust from 0% to 100% at 1000 watts. That fine-grained control matters for melting chocolate, softening butter, or gently warming leftovers without turning the edges rubbery, and the one-touch cooking buttons cover the fast 30-second bursts. The 1.7 cu. ft. cavity spins a removable glass turntable 360 degrees for even heat across the plate.
The two-speed ventilation moves up to 300 CFM of air to clear smoke, steam, and odors from the cooktop, and the built-in cooktop light adds a layer of ambient kitchen glow. Owners call the install simple, with one fitting it solo into pre-drilled holes, and performance is the praise leaders here, backed by strong appearance feedback. A child safety lock keeps curious hands away, and the quick-cook feature adds 30 seconds with a single touch.
The noise profile is a mixed bag, with some finding it quiet and others noticing the fan at higher speeds, and value opinions split between great deal and skip. One owner dealt with bent sheet metal near the vent motor after a rough shipment, so inspect on arrival. At 30 inches wide and 15.4 inches tall, it fits standard range openings and locks in fine-grained control most rivals lack.
Precision Cooking
- 11 power levels from 0% to 100%
- One-touch 30-second quick cook
- Removable turntable for easy cleaning
Watch For
- Fan noise grows at higher speeds
- Shipment can arrive with bent vent metal
Grab it for: precision reheating and melting that demands more than the usual 10 power levels.
Skip if: you want a dead-silent fan, since this one is audible the faster it blows.
7. COSMO Stellar Coll 30 in. 1.9 cu ft Over the Range Microwave
The sensor mode that watches moisture and shuts itself off before food overcooks.
Burnt leftovers are usually a timing problem, and the COSMO solves it with sensor reheat and cook modes (built-in detectors that sense when food is done and switch off automatically). That is the standout feature here, letting you walk away without guessing minutes, and it pairs with six pre-programmed options covering popcorn, potato, veggies, and more. The 1.9 cu. ft. capacity is the biggest in this guide, and at 1000 watts with 10 power levels you keep precise control when you want it.
The optional rack enables two-level cooking, effectively doubling what fits at once, and the 13.6-inch turntable handles large platters. Owners praise the strong blower, the LED downlight with multiple brightness settings, and the quiet operation, with performance and appearance leading the positive feedback. It integrates well with existing stoves and comes with grease filters, an exhaust adaptor, and an installation kit in the box.
The fine print matters: a persistent beeper that cannot be silenced, bright white LEDs that are not adjustable, and a wide door that needs extra clearance from cabinet handles. Some units have burned up after about a year, so durability is the expressed risk. An occasional owner added darkening filters to tame the LEDs. For sensor-driven convenience and the largest cavity, this one leads.
The standout: sensor cook and reheat take the guesswork out of timing, and the optional rack doubles capacity, a combination no other pick here offers.
Pick it for: hands-off heating with automatic shutdown and the biggest usable cavity in the list.
Pass if: a relentless beeper or bright fixed LEDs in a dark kitchen would drive you up the wall.
8. KoolMore 1.3 cu. ft. 24 inch Over The Range Microwave
The rare 24-inch unit that slides into compact openings standard 30-inch models cannot.
Most above-stove microwaves assume a 30-inch opening, which leaves owners of compact kitchens with few options, and this KoolMore is the answer at exactly 24 inches wide. Its slim profile fits spaces where a full-size unit never will, and the 1.3 cu. ft. cavity still holds a rotating turntable you can switch on or off depending on the dish. A 1000-watt output keeps heating quick without overwhelming small kitchens.
The 300 CFM vent motor pulls smoke, odors, and moisture away fast, working like a slim range hood while the controllable fan and light give you options for airflow and visibility. Quality leads the owner feedback, with ease of use and quiet operation right behind, and the wide labels and buttons earn specific praise for being easy to read and press. Owners call the fit perfect without overwhelming the space, and the drawer-style door glides smoothly.
Heating performance draws compliments for speed, and the flat bottom fits large dishes without a turntable in the way. The mixed notes center on the drawer not always staying fully closed, and this unit is heavy, with one owner reporting it needs two people just to move it. Confirm your opening is truly 24 inches before ordering, since that is the whole point of this pick. It is the sensible choice for a nook, an apartment, or a rental.
Compact Wins
- Fits 24-inch openings the big units cannot
- Flat-bottom interior handles large dishes
- Quiet operation with easy wide buttons
Compact Costs
- Heavy unit that needs two people to move
- Drawer occasionally does not stay fully shut
Reach for it if: you have a 24-inch opening and want a functional venting microwave instead of a bare shelf.
Look elsewhere if: you need real interior height, since the 1.3 cu. ft. cavity trades capacity for that slim profile.
9. Sharp R1874T 30 in. 1.1 cu. ft. Convection Microwave Oven
The 850-watt convection oven that browns, bakes, broils, and roasts inside a microwave frame.
If you want to replace a failing countertop convection oven, this Sharp is the above-stove unit that genuinely multi-tasks. Its 850 watts drive convection heating (a fan that circulates hot air) to brown, bake, broil, crisp, and roast, which is a different category from the standard 1000-watt reheaters in this guide, and 12 convection programs plus 8 sensor programs cover serious cooking. The 1.1 cu. ft. stainless interior with a 13-inch turntable spins even heat, and the turntable can be switched off for convection baking with sheet pans.
The smart and easy sensor settings handle the guesswork, while the 2-color 7-digit display keeps everything readable. The built-in exhaust system with hood light and powerful fan pulls cooktop smoke, and low and high racks are included, so you are set for two-level convection baking.
Installation is the mixed battleground here, with some finding it easy and others wrestling the mount, and a loud rattle from the fan is the recurring noise complaint. The durability picture is concerning, with several units failing after 18 months and one dying at three months with a burning smell and no heat. This is a specialist tool for cooks who will actually use convection, not a simple reheater.
The trade-off read: no other above-stove unit here bakes and broils like this one, but the 850-watt output and durability reports mean it rewards cooks who will truly use the convection modes.
Grab it for: convection baking, broiling, and roasting in an over-the-stove format that frees counter space.
Pass if: you just want quick reheating, because this spends its power budget on cooking modes you would never touch.
Understanding the Specs
Vent Power in CFM
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, the volume of air the fan moves. A 300 CFM rating clears everyday frying steam and odors from the burners below, while two-speed fans let you run a quiet low setting for simmering. If you sear heavily, look for the highest CFM number available in your size class.
Wattage and Power Levels
Watts measure cooking speed and evenness, and 1000 watts is the balance for above-stove units, heating plates fast without hot spots. Power levels, from 10 to 11 here, control intensity for delicate tasks like melting and defrosting. Higher wattage cooks quicker, but more power levels give you finer control over gentle jobs.
FAQ
What CFM vent power do I need for an above-stove microwave?
Will a 30-inch microwave fit my existing range hood opening?
What size microwave do I need for a 13 x 9-inch baking dish?
Can I install an above-stove microwave by myself?
Does an above-stove microwave replace my range hood?
What is the difference between 1000W and 850W microwaves?
What does a cooktop light do on an over-the-range microwave?
How long should an above-stove microwave last?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
If you want one dependable pick, the above stove microwave winner is the BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu Ft because it balances a 1000-watt output, a 300 CFM vent, and a 12.4-inch turntable at a price that makes sense for a daily kitchen. If you want precision reheating, grab the ThermoMate with its 11 power levels. And for the biggest cavity plus sensor cook, the COSMO 1.9 Cu Ft is the one to reach for, with durability being the trade-off to weigh.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gadgets Feed earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.