Quietest Microwaves – Low Noise Countertop Reviews

Microwaves are great for cooking food or reheating leftovers but they can be noisy! The beeping and loud door opening and closing makes it tricky to warm a late night snack without waking the rest of the house.

We’ve reviewed 5 of the quietest microwaves on the market. These low noise models are great for preserving the zen of your peaceful kitchen.

What if you already have a noisy microwave? How do you make your microwave quiet? We’ll be answering that question in this article as well after these reviews. 

Our Top 5 Quiet Countertop Microwaves 

 TOP PICK - Quietest Countertop Microwave

TOSHIBA EM925A5A-SS Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.9 Cu Ft With 10.6 Inch Removable Turntable, 900W, 6 Auto Menus, Mute Function & ECO Mode, Child Lock, LED Lighting, Stainless Steel

Besides being a really quiet microwave there are a number of other good features that push this microwave to the top of the list.

The different functions or 6 pre-set menus allow you to cook a variety of foods in the microwave without having to dial in the exact times and power settings yourself.. 

You’re also able to choose from 10 power levels, giving you more control when you want it.

You can also save time by using the “one touch start”, which is also helpful for if you need to quickly heat something up and don’t want to fuss with all the different buttons.

But, at the same time, if you don’t want to use the quick access option, you don’t have to worry about being confused by the buttons and different functions. What I like about the microwave is that the options are designed in such a way that is quite easy to follow and use. 

Now we get to the part that you’ll be the most interested in. What makes this microwave quiet?

This Toshiba microwave has been designed with a sound on/off button. If you decide to mute the microwave beeps, you can simply long press the “8” button for 3-5 seconds.

Don’t be alarmed if you hear a long beep sound because it just means that the microwave is now muted. No more electronic beeps and noises to disturb the culinary peace.

Whether you’re a parent or not, we all know how much kids love to touch things. It’s true that we want our kids to explore the world around them, but you may not be keen on your food being interrupted in the microwave. So, another thing you might love about this microwave is the child lock. 

Overall, the Toshiba microwave is sleek in design as well as easy to operate. The bright LED light gives you a clear view into what’s happening inside the microwave which is super helpful when you need to check on your food while it’s heating up.

Besides these features, its compact size doesn’t limit its ability to house common dishes but still allows it to be used in smaller spaces. It’s great for users who have kids, or for those who want to enjoy late night snacks without waking anyone up.

And let’s not forget to include that this quiet microwave is equipped with an energy-saving eco mode, that helps you do your part to protect the planet.

EDITORS CHOICE

Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN966S Stainless Steel Countertop/Built-In with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor, 2.2 Cubic Foot, 1250W

Panasonic don’t go out of their way to brag that this microwave is designed to be quiet but they really should. It's one of the quietest microwaves we've reviewed. And it has other great features too.

How many times have you tried to microwave something that ended up being over-cooked on the outside and cold inside? That’s probably not the result you wanted.

We love that the Panasonic Microwave Oven has been designed with Inverter Technology. It ensures that your food will be evenly prepared without fear of being over-cooked and reduces cooking time. 

You have the option to poach, braise and steam along with 14 preset menu items. Basically, the Panasonic microwave oven gives you more choice when it comes to cooking in a way that suits you. It’s also done in a way that preserves the quality of the meal. 

It’s been designed with what is called a “maximum interior” and “minimum footprint”. This just means that the compact design of the microwave devotes a lot less space than other microwaves to electronics, leaving you with more space inside the microwave. 

For those of you that find yourself easily distracted by everyday tasks, you’ll like how the microwave oven allows you to choose a “keep warm” feature. 

If your food is done, but you have to go somewhere or sort something out in the house, you can do that with the peace of mind that your meal will still be warm when you get back. 

This reliable model is capable of cooking your meals to the proper degree without sacrificing the quality of the food or the nutrients in it.

The different features allow you to cook the way you want to in a variety of different ways, without causing unwanted noise. With this quiet microwave, you’ll be able to add a high quality, efficient, and modern-looking appliance to your kitchen.

BEST VALUE

COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 1050W , Black

This is another quiet microwave that allows you to use a sound on/off feature to make it even quieter. Similarly, to the Toshiba microwave we’ve reviewed, you can long press the “8” button to toggle the sound on/off. 

We really love that this microwave is a lot more affordable than some of the other microwaves we’ve reviewed but it still does an amazing job of providing you with efficient cooking and a variety of different menu options.

One thing that does place this quiet microwave below others, is its appearance. It doesn’t look as modern or sleek as other microwaves. But its design doesn’t detract from its ability to cook your food properly, in the way you want it to be done. And to do it quietly.

We love that it has 11 power levels to choose from, so you can really be in control of how your meal is made.

The dual-purpose microwave clock acts as a kitchen timer besides showing you how much cooking time is remaining. You’ll also able to choose from an energy saving eco mode. It provides you with high power without limiting the amount of space you can take up inside. 

We recommend this particular microwave to those of you who have especially limited space. Its smaller size is perfect for apartment kitchens, vacation homes, offices, or dorms. It's the smallest microwave on our list and one of the quietest microwave models on the market.

RUNNER UP

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A really noticeable feature when it comes to the LG NeoChef is how easy it is clean. I’m sure you can relate to the struggle of trying to clean a dirty microwave.

It’s often a long process and you don’t always feel confident that you cleaned the microwave properly.

Since the LG NeoChef microwave has been designed with an Anti-Bacterial Coating, cleaning the microwave will be so much easier. All you need is a damp cloth and you’re good to go. 

Have you ever experienced a microwave that plays music to let you know when its done? Me either. But this microwave does just that. Many consumers have said that they really enjoy the tunes and that it’s much better than the beeping sound microwaves normally make.

But since you’re looking for a quiet microwave, you most likely don’t want to hear anything when your food is done. Fortunately, the microwave has been designed with a sound on/off feature.

You just need to “press and hold both the clear and auto reheat buttons at the same time” and wait for a few seconds. After that, you should be able to use your microwave sound-free. 

The microwave comes with a 10-year warranty on Magnetron, which is one of the major components used in the microwave.

You’ll be getting a modernised, easy to clean and operate, practical, quiet microwave appliance that will allow you to stay in control of your cooking. 

RUNNER UP

BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, Stainless Steel, 0.9 Cu Ft

We don’t always know at what temperature to cook different foods, so the one touch option on this microwave makes cooking really easy.

Whether you’re wanting to cook pizza or popcorn, you don’t have to stress too much about how its done. Just pop it in the microwave, press the button and let it do its job.

The microwave will automatically detect at which power level the food needs to be cooked, guaranteeing you good food made with less hassle. 

With an easily removable glass turntable, cleaning will be just a little bit easier. Consumers have found that the microwave and glass turntable can be cleaned well with a microfibre cloth.

We like that it can support large amounts of food and is big enough to hold a large plate. 

Now when it comes to the microwave noise levels, this is a fairly quiet microwave. There's no way to switch the beeps off unfortunately but they're not that loud. When the microwave is running it's really quiet though.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Quietest Microwave

What to keep in mind when you set out to buy your quiet microwave:

Know which type of microwave you want

There are different types of microwaves. Below you’ll find the different kinds of microwaves and an explanation of what they are: 

Conventional Countertop Microwaves 

A conventional benchtop, or countertop, microwave will need to be positioned near a power outlet. It’s a more simple, affordable microwave. These kinds of microwaves are a lot easier to use since they’re not complicated in design and don't require installation. 

Combination Microwave Ovens 

These are built-in microwaves that tend to add a lot of style to your kitchen since they can be installed into custom-made cavities. They’re a bit more complicated to install because you need to make sure that there’s adequate ventilation. If you need your benchtop space for food preparations, then this kind of microwave will be a good buy. 

Steam Microwaves 

Microwaves can really affect the amount of nutrients we have in our food. Since this microwave uses steam to cook your meals, it ensures that your food maintains its quality. The steam microwaves can be placed on a benchtop, or they can be built-in. 

Convection Microwaves 

A convection microwave uses conventional microwave heating to do its job but it also cooks like an oven by circulating hot air. It’s great for browning and caramelising food. You’re able to purchase this microwave to be used on your benchtop. It comes with different styles, like a single convection mode and oven-style shelving. 

Inverter Microwaves 

This type of microwave is powered by an inverter. It helps you to cook your meals more evenly. It’s cooking ability is more superior than traditional models and is energy efficient. 

Know what size microwave you need

Unfortunately, you can’t go out and buy just any quiet microwave tjust because it looks nice. You have to make sure that it’s the right size for your countertop or the space you want to put it inside of.

Another important thing you need to remember, is that not all microwaves have enough space inside them to fit one of your dishes.

So, do yourself a favour and try and measure the size of your dishes as well as the amount of space you’ll need for your new microwave to sit comfortably.

Smaller microwaves will use less power and that means they'll run quieter too. It's a similar principal when choosing a quiet range hood or a quiet blender.

Microwave wattage matters

Wattage is important since the more wattage your microwave needs, the better it’ll function. A microwave that uses 900–1000 watt range will be able to provide you with enough heat to properly heat and defrost any kind of food thoroughly.

If you choose a microwave that only requires 700 or fewer watts, it’ll have a difficult time heating things up. 

More isn't always better though. If you're looking to buy a quiet microwave then remember that higher power often means more microwave noise.

Smart Sensors For Energy Efficiency

If a microwave has a smart sensor, it means that it automatically detects how long a meal needs to be cooked in the microwave. Why is this helpful?

It helps save time and energy since you don’t have to guess how long your food needs to stay in the microwave.

It prevents your food from exploding all over the microwave from overheating, preventing mess. Microwaves that have a sensor will be a more expensive option, but the benefits outweigh the costs. 

Safety first

It will be safer for you to buy a microwave that gives you a child-lock option. This applies mostly to families with young children though.

We know how adventurous young ones can be. One minute they're playing with their quiet toys and the next they're in the kitchen.

A microwave that moves things inside it will be quite exciting for them and they may want to take a peek inside. Most of the quietest microwaves we’ve reviewed have a child-lock feature. 

Can you make a microwave quieter?

You can silence a microwave. But it depends on what kind of microwave you have. If you have a more modern microwave it's probably already pretty quiet. On the more expensive quiet microwave you normally have the option to mute the beeping sounds it makes somewhere on the number pad. But if you don’t, you can’t actually get rid of the beeping sounds. 

Your microwave might be making more noise than necessary though. Take a look at some of things you can do to make your microwave quieter. 

What can you do to fix a noisy microwave?  

  1. Try resetting the sensors. 

The sensors are normally the cause for the incessant beeping sound. You can follow these steps to reset the sensors: 

  • Put sugar or salt in a cup of water and place it in the microwave. 
  • Make sure that the heat is on its lowest setting. 
  • Let the microwave run for no less than 15 seconds. 
  • Take the cup out and press the clear/stop button. 
  1. Try to hard reset your microwave. 

This is a really simple step to follow. Just unplug the microwave and wait 5 minutes before plugging it back in. 

  1. Find the silent mode. 

Even though not all microwaves have silent modes, you may be able to engage silent mode on a microwave that doesn’t indicate that it has one. Try long-pressing the “cancel” or “0” button. It may allow you to adjust the sound settings. 

  1. Replace certain parts in the microwave. 

There are about 4 parts of the microwave that you can potentially replace. 

  • Motor Drive

The motor drive is what’s used to rotate the turntable. If you hear a grinding noise near the tray, a bad motor is most likely the cause. 

You can replace the motor drive by yourself but it’s quite a process. You might want to call someone in to do the job for you. 

  • The Drive Coupler

You’ll want to take a look at the drive coupler if you still hear a funny noise after replacing the motor drive. The drive coupler is what connects the motor to the tray.  

You may not have to replace the drive coupler. It might be that the coupler just needs a good clean. Depending on which model you have, you may be able to remove the drive coupler quite easily. Otherwise, you’ll have to remove the motor before you can access the drive coupler. You’ll need to call an expert if that’s the case. 

  • The Magnetron

If you hear a humming sound whenever you use your microwave, there could be a problem with the magnetron. The magnetron is what generates heat to the microwave. Once again, it’ll be best to get an experts help, preferably an electrician. In order to replace the magnetron, you need to dismantle the cabinet of your microwave which is tricky and could be dangerous. 

  • The High Voltage Diode 

When the high voltage diode is damaged, it’ll make a humming or buzzing sound and even causes an electrical discharge. Use a multimeter to test whether the high voltage diode is faulty. You can buy a multimeter in your local hardware store. 

Does it matter whether your microwave has an inverter or not? 

In a way, yes it does.

When a microwave oven is designed with inverter technology, it’s able to control the amounts of heat used to cook, defrost and heat up your food. This is energy efficient and also ensures that your food maintains its nutrients. 

On the other hand, if your microwave isn’t equipped with inverter technology, your food will end up being overcooked and dry most of the time. On top of that, it’s not an energy-saving option. 

What to be careful of when you start using your microwave

  1. Don’t turn an empty microwave on. 

You probably would never use your microwave if there’s nothing in it, but sometimes we want to test if our new microwave works without putting something inside it. Never do this. 

Turning an empty microwave on seriously affects the quality and endurance of your microwave (this is because the radio waves are not being absorbed by anything). 

  1. Try not to slam your microwave door shut. 

I’m sure we’ve all done this, especially when we’re in a hurry. The problem is that after a long period of time of this happening, the latches will break and blow the fuse. 

  1. Press “cancel” before you open the microwave door. 

This will just ensure that the quality and functionality of your microwave is maintained. 

Conclusion

After reviewing 5 of the quietest microwaves, we’ve seen they’re super helpful appliances that don't have to make a lot of noise. If you buy a quiet microwave that is also energy efficient and time-saving it can really make cooking time a lot easier. 

It's good to read user reviews as they're more likely to give you an idea of how quiet the model is, rather than relying on the manufacturer's info. Choose one that has the sound on/off feature, soft close door and inverter technology. That's going to give you the best performance while still staying quiet.

And don’t give up on your old microwave just yet! Try the suggested methods to make your microwave quieter.