Microwaves: The best brands

The best brand of microwave to buy is to a degree an individual thing - some manufacturers will produce ovens that are more ideally suited to your needs than others. However, there are definite differences in some areas between brands, and looking at a comparison before you go shopping for a new one is a worthwhile exercise.

Comparing microwave brands - what to look for

There are several factors to take into account when comparing microwaves. The obvious one is price - sometimes you get what you pay for, but there are some bargains out there too. Longevity is important, as is accessibility of the company for backup and repairs, safety (including child safety locks), cooking efficiency, and features such as sensor cooking, programmability, help functions, timer and defrost. Check these out yourself in the store.

Ease of use is another important feature to consider - not much point in all those features if you can't figure out how to access them! Energy efficiency is important too.

When comparing brands yourself, decide what features are important to you and compare available models on safety, reliability and ease of service.

Best microwave brands

Some of the leading microwave brands on the market include these:

• LG appliances have a good history of reliability, and their microwaves are a very good choice. They offer a range of features, reliability, powerful cooking and combination ovens for generally very competitive prices
• Panasonic microwaves are generally very high quality, and receive excellent product reviews from buyers
• Sharp have some very good overall microwave ovens on the market, with a full range of features, good overall performance and competitive pricing, as well as a wide range of sizes and models available
• GE is another leading brand, and one which has been producing electrical goods for a long time. Their larger microwaves, such as the Profile, receive excellent feedback from consumers, who report that the Profile is easy to use and clean and is comparatively more powerful than others of its size. It is also very competitively priced

Some problems have been found in these brands:

• Whirlpool make great fridges and freezers, but some consumers have found their servicing of microwaves difficult to obtain, and the quality of the machine not up to the standards of their other appliances
• Some buyers of smaller Sharp microwaves have reported durability issues

As with purchasing any new appliance, shop around and ask store owners as well as your friends and family for feedback on different models. Models may vary considerably within brands, but brands like Panasonic and LG have generally good track records with reliability.

Microwave ovens

The best policy when buying a new microwave is to listen to a range of reviews from friends, family and appliance store owners. Consumers are in the best position to know about the long term practical performance of an oven. Choose one that has the features you want, is well regarded, and from a reliable brand such as the ones above, and it should be a valuable addition to your kitchen.