Microwave Buying Guide — Reheating Is Just the Start, Choose Right and Cook a Feast

I used to think there was nothing special about buying a microwave — just pick the cheapest one. But after I bought one to heat up lunch at work, I discovered that the difference between cheap and expensive microwaves is way bigger than I thought. A cheap 200 yuan microwave heats unevenly — the outside of your food is boiling hot while the center is still cold. It makes a loud buzzing noise that bothers the whole office. So when I upgraded my home kitchen, I researched microwaves thoroughly and learned a lot. Let me share what I found.

Three Types of Microwaves: Solo, Broiler, and Microwave-Oven Combo

Most people think a microwave is just for reheating food. But the current market offers three distinct types of microwave. Each type caters to very different needs:

Type	Primary Function	Price Range	Pros	Cons	Best For
Solo Microwave	Reheating, defrosting, basic cooking	200-600 yuan	Cheapest, lightest, simplest operation	Only heating & defrosting, uneven heating for some models	Students, renters, lunch heaters
Broiler Microwave	Reheating + grilling/broiling	500-1500 yuan	Can make grilled meat/veggies at home, more versatile	Grill heats unevenly, limited heat, small capacity	Small families wanting grilling function
Microwave-Oven Combo	Microwave + oven + steamer all-in-one	2000-5000 yuan	Replaces microwave and oven, multi-function, professional baking control	Premium price, larger, complex operation	Baking enthusiasts, large families, those with limited kitchen space

My advice: If you only need to heat up lunch and occasionally defrost, a basic solo microwave is fine. But I recommend spending a bit more — around 300-400 yuan gets you a quality-brand flatbed model with inverter technology. It heats more evenly, is quieter, and won’t leave your food half-cold. For those who want to grill chicken wings or bake sweet potatoes at home, consider a broiler microwave, which costs only a few hundred more. If you have a passion for baking but your kitchen is too small for both a microwave and an oven, go for a microwave-oven combo. It takes up only one slot but does the work of two or three appliances.

Inverter vs Traditional Microwave: The Key to Even Heating

Inverter technology is the most important distinction in microwaves. Traditional microwaves work by turning the magnetron on and off in cycles — full power for a few seconds, then off, then on again — to achieve an average power level. This on-off cycle is the main reason for uneven heating. In contrast, inverter technology continuously adjusts the magnetron’s output power, providing a steady stream of microwave energy, which makes heating much more even and also preserves food texture and nutrients better.

Traditional microwave drawbacks: the outside may be overcooked while the center is still cold, especially with thick foods like buns or meat. Inverter microwave advantages: heat penetrates more evenly, food tastes better, defrosting is gentler — meat won’t be half-cooked on the outside while still frozen inside. Inverter microwaves also tend to be quieter (no noisy on-off cycling) and more energy-efficient.

My recommendation: If your budget allows, definitely choose an inverter microwave. Brands like Panasonic have pioneered inverter technology, and now many mid-to-high-end models from Galanz and Midea also use inverters. The price premium is only about 100-200 yuan, but the user experience is noticeably better.

Turntable vs Flatbed: Which Is Better?

Type	Working Principle	Evenness	Usable Space	Cleaning	Price Impact
Turntable	A rotating glass tray turns food to expose it evenly to microwaves	Average	Limited by round tray, rectangular dishes don’t fit	Glass tray is detachable and easy to clean	Low cost
Flatbed	Bottom antenna rotates to distribute microwaves evenly across a flat surface	Good	Full use of rectangular interior, fits rectangular and square dishes	Flat base, easy to wipe clean	Slightly more expensive

I strongly recommend flatbed microwaves. As a home cook, the turntable design drives me crazy — you can only fit round or small dishes. Rectangular lunch containers or long buns can’t rotate properly and end up getting stuck, leading to uneven heating. The flatbed design gives you the full interior space. You can put any shape of container in there, and the heating is still even. Cleaning is also much easier — just wipe the flat bottom with a cloth. No glass tray or rotating ring to deal with.

Flatbed microwaves do cost a bit more and the mechanism is slightly more complex, but for home use, the convenience is well worth it. Of course, if you only ever heat small round bowls and are on a very tight budget, turntable microwaves are still functional — just be aware of the limitations.

Power and Capacity: How to Choose

Power (W): Microwave output power directly affects heating speed. 700W is entry-level, suitable for basic reheating. 800-900W is mainstream, enough for most home needs. 1000W+ is high-efficiency — heats food faster and can handle larger quantities. My recommendation: choose 800W or above. Below 700W, heating a full lunchbox can take 5-6 minutes, which is painfully slow.

Capacity (L): 20L or less is compact, good for 1-2 people. 23-25L is the standard family size, fits most dishes. 30L+ is large, can fit whole chickens and large baking trays. I strongly recommend 23-25L for families. This size perfectly fits a standard 750ml lunch container and has room for a bowl of soup and a plate of veggies on the side. 20L is a bit cramped — you can only place one container at a time.

Mainstream Brand Model Comparisons and Recommendations

Brand	Recommended Model	Type	Capacity	Power	Key Features	Reference Price
Galanz	P70D20TL-D4	Solo (Turntable)	20L	700W	Mechanical control, simple and durable, classic budget model	199-249 yuan
Galanz	G70F23CN1L-DG(S0)	Solo (Flatbed)	23L	700W	Flatbed, touch panel,智能菜单, classy appearance	369-429 yuan
Galanz	D90N1AP-B6	Broiler	23L	900W	Inverter, light wave broiler, steam combo, smart sensor	699-899 yuan
Midea	M1-L213C	Solo (Turntable)	21L	700W	Mechanical control, classic design, budget option	219-279 yuan
Midea	PC23M6W	Broiler (Flatbed)	23L	800W	Flatbed, inverter, light wave broiler, steam combo, smart menu	549-699 yuan
Panasonic	NN-SM36WM	Solo (Flatbed)	23L	800W	Inverter (变频), flatbed, smart sensor, classy Japanese design	599-799 yuan
Panasonic	NN-DS2200	Microwave-Oven Combo	27L	1000W	Inverter, top & bottom oven baking, steam combo, 46 auto menus	2499-2999 yuan
Toshiba	ER-SD80CNW	Microwave-Oven Combo	26L	1000W	Inverter (变频), stone oven baking, steam combo, 5 face 360° heating	2799-3299 yuan
Casdon (Kade)	ST25S-D6	Microwave-Oven Combo	25L	1000W	Steam + bake + microwave 3-in-1, top & bottom独立控温, fermentation	1999-2499 yuan

Galanz is the go-to brand for budget microwaves. The P70D20TL-D4 is a classic entry model for under 200 yuan, selling millions of units. It’s mechanical and built like a tank, making it perfect for offices or dormitories. But to get a nicer experience, I recommend the G70F23CN1L-DG — a flatbed for just over 300 yuan, with a sleek appearance and touch controls. If you want more advanced features, the D90N1AP-B6 with inverter and light wave broiler is a strong mid-range contender.

Midea has a wide range. The M1-L213C is their budget leader, similar in positioning to Galanz’s P70D20TL-D4. The PC23M6W is Midea’s sweet spot — flatbed, inverter, light wave broiler, all for about 600 yuan. Strongly recommended for value.

Panasonic is the premium option. The NN-SM36WM is the entry-level inverter model, priced around 600-800 yuan, with smart sensor and excellent heating evenness. If you want a microwave-oven combo, the NN-DS2200 is outstanding — top and bottom heating elements for real baking, plus steam function, rivaling dedicated ovens. It costs more, but it’s a true kitchen powerhouse.

Toshiba’s ER-SD80CNW is another top-tier microwave-oven combo, with stone oven baking and 5-face 360-degree heating for incredibly even results. If you’re a serious baker, this is a machine worth considering.

Casdon (Kade) is an emerging brand in the microwave-oven combo space. The ST25S-D6 has independent top and bottom temperature control, steam function, and fermentation mode — very practical for a household serious about bread-making. The value proposition is strong.

Key Functions Explained: Steam, Broiler, and Oven

Broiler function: A heating element (quartz tube or heating wire) at the top of the microwave cavity generates high temperatures for grilling. It’s suitable for simple grilling tasks — chicken wings, skewers, pizza — for color and flavor. But broiler mode alone can’t match a dedicated oven. The heat comes from the top only, so food needs to be flipped halfway through. If you grill frequently, consider a model with both top and bottom heating elements.

Steam function: Built-in steam generator produces steam for cooking. It preserves the original flavor of ingredients and is healthier — rice comes out moist and fluffy, vegetables stay vibrant and crisp. Models with steam function typically have a water tank that needs refilling. The steam output volume and duration are important factors.

Oven function: Microwave-oven combos feature both top and bottom heating elements with a convection fan for hot air circulation, achieving proper baking results — bread, cakes, cookies, roast chicken all possible. High-end models offer independent temperature control for top and bottom heat, giving you more precise control for baking.

Buying advice: Solo microwave for pure reheating. Broiler microwave for reheating plus grilling. Microwave-oven combo for serious cooking and baking. Assess your cooking habits before deciding.

Special Materials: Control Panel and Interior Coating

Control panel: Mechanical (knobs) vs electronic (touch). Mechanical knobs are intuitive and durable, ideal for elderly users. Electronic touch panels look modern and allow precise time settings and智能菜单 selection, but are more delicate. My advice: if it’s primarily for parents, choose mechanical; for your own use, electronic is fine.

Interior coating: The interior cavity material matters for ease of cleaning. Options include: painted steel (entry-level, hard to clean stains), enamel (easy to clean, durable, antibacterial), and stainless steel (most durable, corrosion-resistant, but heavier). I recommend enamel or stainless steel interiors — they’re easy to wipe clean and won’t absorb food odors over time.

Buying Plans for Different Budgets

Under $40 (under 300 yuan): Pure Entry-Level

Galanz P70D20TL-D4 mechanical turntable, or Midea M1-L213C. These are basic and functional, perfect for office pantries, dorm rooms, or rental budgets. Don’t expect even heating or any extra features.

$40-100 (300-700 yuan): Value Sweet Spot

This is my recommended range. Galanz G70F23CN1L-DG flatbed (around 400 yuan), Midea PC23M6W inverter broiler (around 600 yuan), or Panasonic NN-SM36WM inverter flatbed (around 700 yuan). These offer excellent value and will satisfy most home needs for years.

$100-200 (700-1500 yuan): Mid-Range with Grilling

Galanz D90N1AP-B6 inverter broiler (around 800 yuan) or other broiler models from Midea and Panasonic. You get inverter technology plus grilling, making weekend chicken wings and pizza a reality.

$280+ (2000 yuan+): Microwave-Oven Combo Flagship

Panasonic NN-DS2200, Toshiba ER-SD80CNW, or Casdon ST25S-D6. These machines truly replace your microwave and oven. For baking enthusiasts with limited kitchen space, they’re an excellent investment.

Further Reading

Want to dive deeper into microwave selection and usage? These articles on 66.chibie.cn have real user discussions:

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