Different Brands of Microwave Ovens

Panasonic

• Panasonic manufactures countertop and over-the-range microwaves. Product lines include Flat and Wide, Prestige Built-in, countertops and commercial microwaves. The flat and wide line offers 1 cubic foot capacity, 1,000 watts of power and the ability to heat large, square dishes. The over-the-range line features capacity up to 2.2 cubic feet, pop-out dials with flat control panels and up to 1,200 watts of power. The Prestige line features options such as stainless steel finish, convection oven combination and capacity up to 2.2 cubic feet.

GE

• General Electric (GE) offers three microwave oven product lines, including GE, GE Cafe and GE Profile. Capacities range from .7 to 2 cubic feet. Choose between countertop, over-the-range, microhood, convection and wall microwave ovens. At the top of the line, the GE Profile Advantium wall oven offers sensor microwave, convection oven, speed-cooking and warming features in one oven. The Advantium features a 16-inch turntable, 1,200 watts and more than 175 preprogrammed recipes. The least expensive countertop microwaves feature 700 watts, 10 power levels and a glass turntable.

Kenmore

• Kenmore offers countertop, convection, over-range, microhood combination, wall oven and pizza oven/microwave combination models. Countertop and convection model capacity ranges from .7 to 1.5 cubic feet, and microhood model capacity up to 2 cubic feet. The microwave/pizza oven combination model features a separate pizza oven underneath the microwave.

Whirlpool

• Whirlpool manufactures countertop microwave ovens and combination range/hood models. Capacity ranges from .7 to 2 cubic feet. With 700 watts and 10 power levels, the nonsensor WMC1070XB is the most space-saving and economical but least powerful option. At the top end, the GH7208CRS model offers 1,200 watts of power and four cooking options, including standard microwave, convection oven, a speed-cook oven and a steamer.

LG

• LG offers countertop and over-the-range microwaves. Countertop models range from the 2.0-cubic-foot LRM2060, which features a stainless steel finish and a curved interior cavity for easy cleaning, to the Studio Series model, which features sensor cooking that utilizes humidity-sensing technology and auto shutoff. Over-the-range models include features and options such as warming lamps, extended venting systems and humidity sensors.