A microwave popper replaces the paper bag with a bowl you use again and lets you pick your own kernels, oil and salt. It doesn’t take much: a bowl that handles the heat, a lid that holds things in, and a microwave that suits it. The trouble is that these bowls don’t all pop well, and reviewers have found big differences between models that look alike.
This guide covers seven poppers in glass, silicone and plastic. We haven’t used them. Our notes come from the makers and from two reviews we read in full, GearLab and Your Best Digs, and we tell you when a pick rests on its listing alone. If you’d rather use an electric or stovetop machine, our popcorn maker guide covers those.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, maker information and the sources we name.
Quick verdict: which microwave popcorn popper to buy
Buy the Ecolution Micro-Pop if you want a family-size glass bowl: GearLab found it the fastest microwave model it tried and the one leaving the fewest unpopped kernels. For one person in silicone, buy the Lékué Mini, the small sibling of the popper Your Best Digs rated highest. For plastic made in the USA, look at the Nordic Ware 12-cup popper.
Five poppers side by side
Five of the seven, one for each kind of snacker. All seven are covered in full below.
| Pick | Best for | Material | Capacity | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ecolution Micro-Pop Glass Popper, 3-QuartBest overall
|
Family batches you can watch | Borosilicate glass | 3 quarts | View on Amazon |
Lékué Mini Microwave Popcorn MakerBest mini popper
|
One person, drawer storage | Silicone | Small single serving | View on Amazon |
Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper, 12-CupBest US-made
|
Popping and serving in one bowl | High-heat plastic | 12 cups | View on Amazon |
Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Popcorn Makers, Set of 2Best single-serve
|
Single portions | Silicone | About 1 oz kernels each | View on Amazon |
HotPop Silicone Popcorn Maker, 15-CupLargest folding bowl
|
Big batches in a folding bowl | Silicone | 15 cups | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best microwave popcorn popper
1. Ecolution Micro-Pop Glass Popper, 3-Quart – A Glass Bowl for the Family
Ecolution’s popper is a borosilicate glass bowl with a handle and a lid that does three jobs: it measures kernels, melts butter and vents. It holds 3 quarts, and Ecolution says no oil or butter is needed. Being glass, you can watch the kernels pop and stop when they slow down.
GearLab called it the fastest microwave model it tried, averaging 1:45, and it left the fewest unpopped kernels of the microwave group. It still left a few, and GearLab warns that trying to pop those leftovers will burn some of the popcorn.
Ecolution’s care rules are firm and worth reading. Use it only in a microwave with a clean, working turntable, and don’t use your oven’s popcorn button. Fresh kernels matter too, according to the maker.
This is the same 3-quart model that appears in red on our popcorn maker guide. We list the aqua version here because a page on microwave poppers would be misleading without the one with the best reported results.
Why we like it
- Fast and few unpopped kernels in GearLab’s review
- Watch the popping through the glass
- Lid measures kernels and melts butter
- Limited lifetime warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | Ecolution (listing) |
|---|---|
| Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Capacity | 3 quarts |
| Oil | Not needed |
| Size | 9.88 in. across, 6.5 in. tall |
| Microwave needs | Turntable required; no popcorn button |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
Why we recommend it
Suits a family movie night, and anyone who wants the option with independent results behind it and a bowl that stays clear to see through.
Skip it if your microwave has no turntable. Ecolution says the popper is only for ovens with one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast in GearLab’s review
- Generous capacity
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Glass can break
- Turntable required
- Leftover kernels can burn if re-popped
2. Lékué Mini Microwave Popcorn Maker – A Single Serving That Folds Flat
This is the small sibling of Lékué’s standard popper. It cooks a small single serving, and Lékué says to fill to the lines inside the bowl and cook at no more than 800 watts for 1 to 2 minutes, with a tablespoon of oil and a pinch of salt if you want them. The suction lid can also store leftovers, and the bowl folds down to 2 inches.
Your Best Digs rated Lékué’s standard popper the best in its 2022 comparison, reporting about 10 unpopped kernels on average and little burning. That larger model is on our popcorn maker guide. The review didn’t cover this mini, so its results are a pointer to the design and not a promise about this bowl.
The 800-watt limit matters. Many countertop microwaves run stronger than that, so lower the power setting on yours. This listing was sold through Amazon Germany when we checked, so look at the shipping and return terms before buying.
Why we like it
- Small single serving
- Folds to 2 inches
- Lid can also store leftovers
- 10-year guarantee, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | 0202227S01 |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone |
| Capacity | Small single serving |
| Oil | Optional, 1 tablespoon |
| Size | 5 in. across, 3.3 in. tall |
| Microwave needs | Maximum 800 W |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | 10-year |
Why we recommend it
Suits one person in a small kitchen, with a microwave whose power you can turn down.
Skip it if you share your popcorn. This is a very small bowl, and Lékué’s standard size is on our popcorn maker guide.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy to store
- Long guarantee
- Quick single batch
Cons
- Tiny capacity
- 800-watt limit requires a power setting
- Sold through Amazon Germany at last check
3. Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper, 12-Cup – A Plastic Bowl That Serves Too
Nordic Ware’s popper is a sturdy two-piece bowl and lid, made in America from microwave-safe, high-heat material. The base doubles as a serving bowl, so there’s one less dish to wash. It holds 12 cups, and you can pop with or without oil.
The bowl is 9.8 inches across and 4.9 inches tall with its lid, and the interior is 8.3 inches by 4.5 inches. Instructions are in the product details, so look through them before your first batch, because cook times and fill levels matter with these bowls.
We read no independent test of this model, so it’s on this list for its maker, its size and its design. The listing doesn’t state a warranty for this popper or whether it goes in the dishwasher.
Why we like it
- Base doubles as a serving bowl
- Clear lid to watch the pop
- Pops with or without oil
- Made in America
Key specifications
| Model | 60127AMZ |
|---|---|
| Material | High-heat microwave-safe plastic |
| Capacity | 12 cups |
| Oil | Optional |
| Size | 9.8 in. across, 4.9 in. tall |
| Microwave needs | Follow the included instructions |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone who wants a light bowl that goes straight to the couch.
Skip it if you want a reported test result before you buy. Ecolution has one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Serve from the same bowl
- Made in USA
- Light
Cons
- Care and warranty not stated in the listing
- No independent test read
4. Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Popcorn Makers, Set of 2 – One Portion Each
This pack contains two small silicone poppers, each cooking about an ounce of kernels. There is a measuring guide in the base, a folding lid, and no oil or butter is required.
The maker says they fit microwaves with an internal height over 6 inches, and they’re dishwasher safe, with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. That small size is the point: each person gets their own bowl with their own seasoning, and you don’t have to make a big batch for one.
The listing doesn’t say how the kernels pop in practice, and we read no independent test of them, so judge them on their format.
Why we like it
- Two separate portions
- Kernel guide in the base
- No oil required
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 45018 |
|---|---|
| Material | Heat-resistant silicone |
| Capacity | About 1 oz kernels each |
| Oil | Not required |
| Size | 5.71 in. tall |
| Microwave needs | Over 6 in. interior height |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | 1-year, manufacturing defects |
Why we recommend it
Suits kids’ snacks or two people who never agree about butter and salt.
Skip it if you want a bowl to share. These are single portions.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Portion control
- Two in the pack
- Stores easily
Cons
- Small
- No independent test read
5. HotPop Silicone Popcorn Maker, 15-Cup – A Big Folding Bowl
HotPop’s bowl holds up to 15 cups and collapses to 2.2 inches. It has handles, which help when lifting a floppy silicone bowl out of the microwave, and it’s dishwasher safe. The brand is mostly sold through Amazon, and the listing gives no warranty or place of manufacture.
We should be direct about this style of bowl. GearLab tried two similar silicone bowls from other brands, Salbree and Popco, and said they left many unpopped kernels, and that Popco burned others. HotPop wasn’t in that test, so it may do better or not. We read nothing independent about HotPop itself.
Choose it for its size and its folding design, and watch your first batches closely.
Why we like it
- 15-cup capacity
- Collapses to 2.2 inches
- Side handles
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | SYNCHKG129927 |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone |
| Capacity | 15 cups |
| Oil | Add kernels and seasoning |
| Size | 9.6 in. across, 5.7 in. tall |
| Microwave needs | Not stated |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits people who want a large batch and have no room for a rigid bowl.
Skip it if you want evidence of how it pops. Ecolution has more behind it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large capacity
- Folds small
- Won’t shatter
Cons
- No independent results read
- Similar bowls did poorly at GearLab
6. Proper Popper Silicone Popper, 15-Cup – A Folding Bowl With a Stated Promise
The Proper Popper is another 15-cup silicone bowl with built-in handles and a fill line. The listing says it pops up to 15 cups in under four minutes and folds from 5.7 inches to 2.2 inches. You can add oil and salt or leave them out.
What sets it apart is the listing’s promise: a lifetime warranty with a money-back offer if you’re not satisfied. That’s a seller’s promise, and the seller at last check was a company called Bones For The Phones, so keep your order details. The listing also criticizes microwave bags in terms we can’t back up, so don’t take that as a health claim from us.
The GearLab warning under HotPop applies here too, since this is the same style of bowl.
Why we like it
- Fill line inside
- Lifetime warranty offer
- Folds to 2.2 inches
- Handles built in
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone, BPA free |
| Capacity | 15 cups |
| Oil | Optional |
| Size | 8 in. across, 2.2 in. folded |
| Microwave needs | Not stated |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Lifetime, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
Suits a dorm or apartment cook who wants a big folding bowl and values the refund offer.
Skip it if you prefer a maker with more published detail. Lékué and Ecolution tell you much more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Refund offer
- Big capacity
- Compact when folded
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- No independent results read
7. Presto PowerPop Microwave Multi-Popper – Uses Replaceable Concentrators
Presto takes a different approach. A base and a disposable cup, called a PowerCup concentrator, are meant to focus microwave energy on the kernels. Presto says this pops up to 3 quarts in as little as 2.5 minutes with almost no unpopped kernels, and with or without oil. A supply of concentrators comes with the popper.
The independent report isn’t so kind. Your Best Digs says it did worse than all its other finalists on unpopped kernels, across 10 tests with three sets of concentrators. So there is a gap between the maker’s claim and that review, and you should know it before buying.
You also need concentrators to keep using it, so check that replacements are on sale before you commit. It needs a microwave more than 6.5 inches tall and 10 inches wide.
Why we like it
- Up to 3 quarts in one batch
- Salt can go in before popping
- Bowl and lid are dishwasher safe
- Well-known US maker
Key specifications
| Model | 04830 |
|---|---|
| Material | Not stated |
| Capacity | Up to 3 quarts |
| Oil | Optional |
| Size | 10.94 in. wide, 6.31 in. tall |
| Microwave needs | Over 6.5 in. tall, 10 in. wide |
| Dishwasher | Bowl and lid; wipe the base |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone who already knows and likes this system, or wants to try the concentrator method and accepts the mixed reports.
Skip it if you want the fewest unpopped kernels based on what reviewers found, or you’d rather not buy consumables.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large batch
- Works with or without oil
- Most parts wash easily
Cons
- Did poorly at Your Best Digs
- Relies on concentrators
How to choose a silicone or glass popper
Check your microwave first
Ecolution needs a turntable, Lékué sets an 800-watt limit, and Joseph Joseph and Presto give minimum interior sizes. These aren’t small print. They decide whether the popper will work at all.
Pick by material
Glass lets you watch and doesn’t fold, and it can break. Silicone folds away and won’t shatter. Plastic like Nordic Ware’s is light and goes straight from oven to table.
Size it honestly
A 15-cup bowl is a family bowl. If you’re snacking alone, a single-portion popper uses less storage. A small batch in a large bowl may also behave differently from a full one, so follow the fill line.
Don’t use the popcorn button
Ecolution tells you not to use your microwave’s popcorn setting. Listen instead, and stop when the popping slows. Handle the bowl with care afterward, since the FDA says most microwave injuries are burns from hot containers and food.
Use fresh kernels
Ecolution says fresh kernels matter for results. If your first batch disappoints, try a new bag before you blame the popper.
How we picked these seven poppers
We looked for poppers made for the microwave from identifiable makers, with no more than two Amazon-first brands, here HotPop and Proper Popper. Each one was in stock with a new offer when we checked. Only the Ecolution shares a model with our other popcorn pages, in a different color, for the reason given in its section. We read GearLab’s and Your Best Digs’ comparisons directly. Your Best Digs was last updated in April 2022, so it’s a few years old.
We did not test these ourselves. Where we read no independent review of a model, which is the case for the Lékué Mini, Nordic Ware, Joseph Joseph, HotPop and Proper Popper, we said so and relied on the listing.
Microwave popcorn popper questions, answered
Silicone and glass popper: which pops better?
It depends more on the model than the material. In the reviews we read, Ecolution’s glass did well at GearLab, Lékué’s standard silicone bowl did well at Your Best Digs, and two other silicone bowls did poorly at GearLab.
Do I need oil in a microwave popper?
Mostly no. Ecolution and Joseph Joseph say no oil is required, and Lékué and Nordic Ware treat it as optional. Follow your maker’s instructions, since limits differ.
Can I re-pop the unpopped kernels?
GearLab warns that this will burn some of the popcorn. It’s usually better to accept a few leftovers and start with a fresh batch.
Why is my popcorn burning?
Your microwave may be too powerful, or the time too long. Lower the power if the maker gives a limit, stop when the popping slows, and don’t use the popcorn button if your maker says not to.
Can I season before popping?
Presto says salt and seasonings can go in before popping, and Lékué allows a pinch of salt. For others, season after popping, or check the instructions.
Our final pick for movie night
For a family bowl, we’d start with the Ecolution, and for one person in a small kitchen, the Lékué Mini. If you decide you want a machine rather than a bowl, see our popcorn maker guide, our oil popcorn maker guide and our value popcorn maker guide.
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