The Best Over-The-Range Microwaves That Save Counter Space

Air frying is the healthier way to cook fried foods compared to using oil. Chicken tenders, tater tots and mozzarella sticks come out hot and crispy without getting drenched in oil. Air fryers are available as a standalone appliance but are now integrated into ovens and microwaves to make these appliances more useful, which helps reduce clutter in a kitchen.

Over-the-range microwaves with an air fry feature are available from LG, GE, Café, KitchenAid and Whirlpool^®. If you are cooking for a large family, choose one with two racks to double its abilities so everyone can eat at once.

Air fryers are great, but an over-the-range microwave with the ability to also be used as a convection oven makes this a truly game-changing appliance. These oven hybrids may not have the space to cook a 12-pound turkey, but they should cover almost every other kind of oven-cooked meal.

For homeowners with small kitchens, losing the oven opens more cabinet space and is one less appliance to buy. If you’ve already got a standard oven, adding the feature to your microwave may sound redundant, until you need that extra space for baking or cooking meals for a large group.

Smart kitchen features are widely available, even for over-the-range microwaves. These smart features mimic those of a convection oven. Pairing your microwave with an app on your phone to notify you when food is ready, assist in choosing microwave settings and even deliver personalized recipes.

Some smart microwaves are also voice-activated, so no app is needed to access the timer, select cooking functions or change settings.

Stainless steel is the overwhelming color for over-the-range microwaves. White is an option for shoppers that prefer their appliances match their white cabinets or stand out from the crowd with a blue microwave.

Black stainless steel is another popular choice and looks great in a kitchen with colored or dark cabinets. If stainless steel is too pricey, black microwaves are a budget-friendly alternative.

Cooking with a microwave boils down to convenience. Know that not everything should be cooked on high heat. Modern over-the-range microwaves can cook and reheat food using a variety of signals that adjust for the intensity of the heat, temperature of the food and humidity levels.

Over-the-range microwaves that include convenience cooking controls help take the guesswork out of choosing the right settings. From popping a bag of popcorn to reheating pizza, these basic tasks can be done quickly and at the touch-of-a-button.

If you need a bit more room below your microwave to fit tall pots on the stove, then opt for a low-profile over-the-range microwave that measures 11-inches or less in height.

Shop with confidence knowing you can get help installing your new over-the-range microwave and removing your old one using Lowe's professional installation services.

For over-the-range microwaves that aren’t vented, a charcoal filter is helpful to clean the recirculated air and remove unwanted odors. These filters should be replaced every six months to keep them working efficiently. They’re usually at the top of your microwave and are replaced from the front.

All over-the-range microwaves have a grease filter that’s located underneath the microwave. It’s used to catch oil and grease that splashes up from pan frying food. These filters should be cleaned once a month using warm soapy water. They’re also dishwasher safe. Unless your grease filter is damaged or too dirty to clean, it doesn’t need to be replaced.