Best-Rated Microwave Ovens

Compare microwave oven brands in New Zealand at Canstar Blue. Anko, LG, Samsung, Sharp, Breville, Panasonic and Living & Co were compared on Overall Satisfaction, Value for Money, Performance, Ease of Use, Design and Features & Functionality.

See our Ratings Methodology.

Most Satisfied Customers | Anko

Anko’s microwave ovens are hot stuff with Kiwi consumers, winning Canstar Blue’s 2023 Award for Most Satisfied Customers | Microwave Ovens.

 

How we rate microwave ovens

Our review compares microwave oven brands on customer satisfaction, so you can discover what other Kiwis think about our compared microwave oven brands before you go ahead and purchase a new appliance. Think of it like asking hundreds of your closest mates which microwave ovens they think are best!


Canstar Blue surveyed 694 Kiwis who had purchased and used a new microwave oven in the past three years and asked for their feedback on their oven brands.

  • The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics.

Respondents rate their satisfaction with their microwave oven brands from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Brand satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:

  • Overall Satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a microwave oven as an individual score NOT a combined total of all criteria.
  • Value for Money: takes into account the number of functions, the sophistication of technology, and how well it works for the price.
  • Performance: the microwave oven cooks foods effectively, hasn’t broken (i.e. is without faults) and its performance hasn’t reduced over time.
  • Ease of Use: the settings and functions are easy to find, use and understand.
  • Design: the microwave oven size suits its purpose and the appearance/finish of the appliance is aesthetically pleasing.
  • Features & Functionality: the appliance has adequate cooking functions and features.

The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall Satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall Satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.

  • Overall Satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
  • When we cannot determine a clear winner from the criteria for the Overall Satisfaction rating, we will then look at the other criteria measured in the rating.
    • The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and thus win the award. If a clear leader still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

  • Anko (Kmart)
  • LG
  • Samsung
  • Sharp
  • Breville
  • Panasonic
  • Living & Co


Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.

Best microwave oven brands in New Zealand

  1. Anko
  2. LG
  3. Samsung
  4. Sharp
  5. Panasonic
  6. Living & Co

Anko

Ratings Results

As the only brand to earn a top 5-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction, Anko is the deserved winner of Canstar Blue’s Microwave Ovens Award for 2023. The budget-friendly brand proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune on an appliance to find one that delivers on quality, performance and design.

Across all categories it rates highly with consumers, earning a further two 5-Star ratings, for Value for Money and Ease of Use. In our three other categories – Performance, Design and Features & Functionality – it earns admirable 4-Star ratings.

Editor’s Notes

Anko’s 34L Microwave Oven

From kitchen appliances to shoes, Kmart’s home brand, Anko, has it all. Anko is known for its affordable yet durable products, and its microwave ovens are no exception. With three microwaves on the market, and each costing less than $170, Anko has a price point that is hard to beat.

The microwave ovens come in three sizes: 34L ($169) 25L ($129), and 28L ($129), ensuring you have plenty of room to reheat and cook.

To keep its microwaves affordable, Anko keeps its designs simple, each appliance coming with typical features, including:

  • 6-10 auto-cook settings
  • Child safety lock
  • Cool, minimalistic design

LG

Ratings Results

Rated second for Overall Satisfaction by the Kiwi consumers in our survey, LG earns an impressive 4-Star rating. The brand scores a 5-Star rating for its stylish design. Across most other categories it earns 4-Star ratings, only falling short for Ease of Use, for which it earns a 3-Star rating.

Editor’s Notes

Established in 1958, LG has become a leader of the digital era, thanks to its technological expertise in manufacturing home appliances.

The brand has six microwave ovens currently on offer, ranging from 24L to 42L. As mentioned above, LG microwaves best feature in our ratings is Design. Each appliance has a sleek and minimalistic design, with easy touch controls and a tempered glass door.

To fight against harmful organisms, LG microwave ovens also feature an interior anti-bacterial coating.


Samsung

Ratings Results

In third place in this year’s award ratings, Samsung earns a 4-Star Overall Satisfaction rating, and stands with Anko as one of only two microwave oven brands that earns multiple 5-Star ratings: for Ease of Use, Performance, Design and Features & Functionality. Samsung also earns a respectable 4-Star rating for Value for Money.

Editor’s Notes

Samsung is known for smart appliances and industry leading technology, and its microwave ovens are no different. Sporting unique features, such as humidity sensors, a home dessert setting and an easy-clean ceramic inside, Samsung microwave ovens are perfect for those looking to cook perfectly, with minimal fuss.


sharp_logoSharp

Ratings Results

Sharp scores a strong set of results in our ratings, achieving 4-Star ratings in five out of six categories, including for Overall Satisfaction. It scores an impressive 5-Star rating for Ease of Use.

Editor’s Notes

Sharp is a Japanese electronics company that since its foundation, in 1912, has produced a string of world-first products. Sharp arrived in New Zealand 1968 and its products can be found in most major retailer outlets.

Sharp sells the widest range of microwave ovens of the brands on our list, which can be split into three categories: standard microwaves, grill ovens, and convection microwave ovens.

Most of the brand’s microwaves are mid-sized, perfect for small families or those with less kitchen space. However, Sharp also manufactures compact microwave ovens, for those who are really short on space.


breville_logoBreville

Ratings Results

Breville is synonymous with kitchen appliances, and this year it scores strongly across our ratings, earning 4 Stars in four out of six categories, including Overall Satisfaction. The brand falls slightly short with two 3-Star ratings, for Value for Money and Ease of Use.

Editor’s Notes

Founded in Sydney in 1932, Breville is an iconic brand that sells kitchen products in over 70 countries around the globe.

Breville only produces two microwaves, both on the pricier end of the spectrum. However, the more expensive option, which retails for $780 is a three-in-one, combining an air fryer, convection oven and microwave into a single appliance.

While Breville Microwave ovens don’t come cheap, they do come with all the bells and whistles, including power-smoothing invertor technology and an extensive range of easy-cooking presets.


panasonic_logoPanasonic

Ratings Results

Panasonic scores well across the board this year, taking 4-Star ratings in five out of six categories. The brand scores a respectable 3-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction.

Editor’s Notes

Panasonic is a Japanese electronics company that arrived in New Zealand in 1998. Since then it has become a trusted provider of household appliances and electronics for Kiwis across the nation.

The brand’s extensive selection of microwave ovens ranges from 18L up to 44L, meaning it has something for every kitchen.

Panasonic microwave ovens can be found at major retail outlets, including The Warehouse and Noel Leeming.


Living & Co

Ratings Results

It’s not surprising, given Living & Co’s emphasis on affordability, that the brand earns its top rating for Value for Money. Across all other categories, it earns a clean sweep of 3-Star ratings. While not a top rating, 3-Stars still indicates that Living & Co consumers are content with the value and performance of their microwave oven choices.

Editor’s Notes

Distributed by The Warehouse, Living & Co offers a range of affordable appliances and homewares, including four microwave ovens, all available for under $170.

Other microwave oven brands

Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here’s another brand to check out before making a purchase decision.

  • Fisher & Paykel

Fisher & Paykel

Editor’s Notes

Fisher & Paykel doesn’t sell standalone microwave ovens, instead it retails a comprehensive range of built-in combination microwave ovens: traditional built-in ovens with microwaving capabilities.

As can be expected, these options are far more expensive than standard microwave ovens. Fisher & Paykel’s combination microwave ovens range in price from $4800 to $6999.


 

Choosing the Right Microwave Oven for You

Microwave ovens are a household workhorse, one that in most homes are used multiple times a day. Indeed, over 60% of respondents in our survey say that they use their microwave oven every day.

Therefore, it’s no surprise to discover that when it comes to what makes Kiwis content with their microwaves, they say performance is the most important concern, cited by almost half in our survey: 41%.

However, cost is still a concern. Does a $800 microwave oven really reheat yesterday’s pizza any better than a $200 model? Well, over half of consumers (59%) in our microwave ovens survey say they use their microwave for reheating and defrosting. And value for money? It rates second on our list of main concerns when it comes to microwave oven satisfaction.

Overall, here’s how the consumers in our survey rank the main things they consider when rating their microwave oven choices:

  • Performance: 41%
  • Value for Money: 17%
  • Ease of Use: 17%
  • Design: 13%
  • Features & Functionality: 12%

How to Clean a Microwave Oven

Don’t be intimidated by any built-up grime, cleaning a microwave oven is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean a microwave oven:

What you’ll need

  • Microwave-safe container
  • Water
  • White vinegar or lemon juice
  • Dish soap or a mild cleaning solution
  • Soft cloth or sponge
  • Microwave-safe lid or plate

Steps

1. Unplug the microwave

Before cleaning, make sure the microwave is unplugged or disconnected from the power source to ensure safety.

2. Remove loose debris

Use a damp cloth to remove any loose debris, such as food particles or crumbs, from the microwave.

3. Create a cleaning solution

In a microwave-safe container, mix equal parts water and white vinegar (or use lemon juice as an alternative). You can also add a few drops of dish soap or a mild cleaning solution to the mixture.

4. Microwave cleaning solution

Place the bowl with the cleaning solution in the microwave. Microwave the solution on high for 3-5 minutes or until it boils and creates steam. The steam will help loosen food residue and stains inside the microwave.

5. Let it sit

Keep the microwave closed for a few minutes to allow the steam to work its magic in softening dried-on food.

6. Wipe down the interior

Carefully open the microwave and remove the bowl with the cleaning solution (use oven mitts, as it will be hot).

Using a soft cloth or sponge, wipe down the interior of the microwave. Pay extra attention to areas with stains or splatters. For stubborn stains, you can dip the cloth or sponge in the cleaning solution to help remove them.

7. Clean the turntable and racks

Remove the turntable (glass dish) and any removable racks or shelves from the microwave. Wash them in warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly.

8. Clean the door

Wipe down the microwave door, including the frame and the inside of the glass with a damp cloth.

9. Exterior cleaning

Wipe down the exterior of the microwave, including the control panel and the handle. Use a separate, clean cloth and a mild cleaning solution or a mixture of water and vinegar.

10. Reassemble

Once everything is clean and dry, reassemble the microwave by putting the racks and turntable back inside.

11. Plug it in

Plug the microwave back in to the wall socket and turn it on.

About the editor of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.

More Information

Key statistics

Reason for Using Microwave Oven

Only use microwave oven for reheating and defrosting: 59%

Regularly use microwave oven to cook ready-made meals: 32%

Use microwave oven to save power when cooking: 19%

Frequency of Use

Use microwave oven every day: 61%

Canstar Blue surveyed 2505 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from respondents who have an oven in their home and have used it during the past 12 months. In this case, 694 New Zealanders.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria. Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criterion.

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