Microwave ovens, that is ovens that heat or cook food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation, first became widely popular in the late 1970s. With it becoming increasingly common for both parents in a household to work, the microwave’s speed, convenience and ease-of-use made it the principal cooking implement for many busy families on the go.
Today’s microwaves aren’t just fast, they’re also smart. Many models contain sensors and are designed to automate various cooking tasks. Microwaves can range widely in price with some models costing $1,000 or more. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend that kind of money to find a microwave oven that will work for you.
The main job of a microwave, after all, is to evenly heat or defrost your food. And there are good microwaves available for under $100 that are capable of performing those tasks well. Some even provide a fair modicum of modern and smart features.
If you’re looking for an affordable microwave you’ll need to consider a countertop model as opposed to an over-the-range model. Countertop models tend to be smaller and cost less than OTA models.
While countertop models are more affordable, you should expect to sacrifice some cooking space inside the oven. On the plus side, a compact countertop model will take up less space in your kitchen.
Dealspotr’s online research determined that the best microwave under $100 is the Kenmore 73092. With a 4.3 star rating on Amazon.com and an 85 percent recommendation level on Sears.com, this model definitely resonated with consumers. It’s currently only $59.99 on sale at Sears (and Kenmore.com), but you can also get it at Amazon for a little more.
Despite its low price tag, the 73092 delivers power and performance that’s easily on par with far more expensive competing models. It’s also easy to use and runs quiet.
The 73092 is a compact countertop model that comes in white. While the Kenmore 73092 may lack the extras some of today’s top-of-the-line models do, it has a number of impressive features that include:
One-touch cook and reheat settings for the Kenmore 73092 include: Potato, Pizza, Popcorn, Frozen Vegetables, Dinner Plate and Beverages. You can modify these setting by selecting cook or defrost time. You may also defrost by weight.
The LED display, which is located above the controls, makes it easy to see what power level or cooking time you’ve programmed, or just to glance over and check the time throughout the course of the day.
It’s true that the Kenmore 73092 lacks functions like convection; cooking, grilling and browning that are available on some more expensive microwaves designed for people looking to add a second oven without remodeling. However, Consumer Reports tests indicated that such features are rarely a truly effective substitute for using a conventional oven anyway.
If you’re looking for a compact, affordable microwave, that will evenly heat and cook your food, the 73092 is a good choice.
At less than $90, you’d be hard-pressed to find a microwave oven that offers as good a value for the money as the Kenmore 73092. It’s quiet, dependable, and as Oven Shopper noted, it packs quite a punch with its 900 watts of power. Especially considering that smaller microwaves usually only carry between 600 to 800 watts of power.
The Kenmore’s memory feature is also particularly handy, and rather more sophisticated than you might expect to find in a microwave that costs less than $100. Best Reviews awarded it the honor of “Best Bang for your Buck,” for a reason.
The 73092 is an inexpensive countertop model and lacks many of the features that today’s more expensive microwaves offer. If you’re looking for features like sensor cook or convection settings, you won’t find them on this model.
It’s also pretty small and not that heavy. So when opening and closing the door, it’s best to use a light touch so as not to upset its placement on the counter.
If you’re trying to feed a family of five, you might need a bigger model. But when it comes to simple things like defrosting meat, melting butter for baking, or heating up enough food for two, the Kenmore 73092 offers adequate capacity and excellent functionality.
Its compact size also enables the unit to fit comfortably on most countertops. A door that opens via a push-button mechanism further reduces the Kenmore’s footprint on your counter.
In addition to not taking up much space, the Kenmore 73092 is easy to use and runs quiet. And at just under $90, it’s hard to beat when it comes to price. If you’re looking for a good microwave under $100, the Kenmore 73092 is certainly worth checking out.
