Anyone who has cooked a batch of carnitas or charred a tray of chiles under a weak fan knows how long the smell stays around. An over-the-range microwave has to do two jobs in one box: it reheats your food and it pulls the smoke away from your stove. Most fall short of a dedicated hood on the second, so the fan is the number to read first.
We compared models by what each listing states about vent CFM, then capacity and size. Only models with a stated CFM figure made this list. Several big names were low on stock when we checked, so they are not here, and we say which.
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Quick verdict: which over the range microwave to buy
Start with the Toshiba 1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave. It states a 400 CFM fan and a flip-and-lock bracket that makes mounting easier, and it was sold by Amazon when we checked. The Panasonic NN-SU158S is the one to pick if you care about noise, since it states three speeds and 49 dB. For a 24-inch opening, the Sharp SMO1461GS is the one that fits.
If you do not need a built-in fan at all, our inverter microwave guide covers countertop models, and you can pair one with a separate hood.
Five microwaves with vents, side by side
Five standout picks, one for each kind of kitchen, with the vent figures each listing states. All seven are reviewed in full below.
| Over the range microwave | Best for | Stated vent | Capacity | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Toshiba 1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range MicrowaveBest overall
|
Most kitchens | 400 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.9 cu. ft. | View on Amazon |
Panasonic NN-SU158S Over-the-Range MicrowaveBest stated quiet
|
A stated noise level | 400 CFM, 3 speeds, 49 dB | 1.9 cu. ft. | View on Amazon |
Black+Decker 1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range MicrowaveBest simple controls
|
Strong fan, simple controls | 400 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.9 cu. ft. | View on Amazon |
Frigidaire FFMV1846VS Over-the-Range MicrowaveBest known brand
|
A known appliance brand | 105/300 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.8 cu. ft. | View on Amazon |
Sharp SMO1461GS 24-Inch Over-the-Range MicrowaveBest for 24-inch spaces
|
24-inch openings | 300 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.4 cu. ft. | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. CFM figures are the makers’ own stated numbers. We have not measured them.
Our picks for the best over the range microwave
The picks start with the strongest stated fans and then move to specific needs, such as presets and narrow openings. Each section notes who sold it when we checked, because that affects returns and warranty on an item this big.
1. Toshiba 1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave – 400 CFM and a Faster Mount
This Toshiba has the features we would look for first in a stove that sees a lot of frying. The listing states a 400 CFM, two-speed exhaust fan, which matches the highest figure on this page. It also has a 1.9 cubic foot interior with a 13.5-inch turntable, enough for a family-size plate of leftover enchiladas.
Toshiba says a redesigned flip-and-lock bracket shortens installation, and that is a real point in its favor, because mounting is the hard part of this purchase. The door has a hydraulic soft-close damper. Sensor cooking reads food moisture, and there are 24 presets and 11 power levels. Output is 1000 watts, with 1500 watts stated as input.
Outside, it is 29.9 inches wide, 13.8 deep and 16.4 tall, and the listing gives its weight at 54.7 pounds. The warranty is one year, and it was sold by Amazon when we checked, which makes any return far simpler for something this big. Like every microwave here, it rests on the listing, not on an independent review we could read.
Why we like it
- 400 CFM, two-speed fan
- Flip-and-lock mounting bracket
- 13.5-inch turntable
- Soft-close door
Key specifications
| Model | OA-EM19PH(SS) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.9 cu. ft. |
| Cooking power | 1000 W output, 1500 W input |
| Stated vent | 400 CFM, 2 speeds |
| Size (W x D x H) | 29.9 x 13.8 x 16.4 in. |
| Turntable | 13.5 in. |
| Menus and sensor | 24 presets, sensor cooking |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits most home kitchens replacing an older unit, especially cooks who want a strong fan and do not want to fight the bracket.
Skip it if your opening is shallow or narrower than 30 inches. Measure first, as you should with every pick here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Top stated CFM here
- Sold by Amazon at last check
- Generous interior
Cons
- No independent review read
- Heavy to lift into place
- Two fan speeds, not three
2. Panasonic NN-SU158S Over-the-Range Microwave – The Only Stated Noise Level
Vent fans can be loud, and few listings admit how loud. This Panasonic does. It states a 400 CFM exhaust fan with three speeds and a noise level of 49 dB, and it is the only pick here that gives any noise figure. We cannot say at which fan speed that figure applies, so treat it as the maker’s number and not a promise for the top setting.
Three speeds are also useful in practice, since you can run it low while simmering a pot of beans and then turn it up when you sear. The interior is 1.9 cubic feet, and Panasonic’s Genius sensor handles cooking and reheating. Output is 1000 watts.
The look is different too: a smoky glass front with a static touch panel, listed as black rather than stainless. Glass will show fingerprints, and it may not sit well beside other appliances, so look at the photos against your own kitchen. The size is 29.9 inches wide, 15.5 deep and 16.4 tall. The lead offer came from a third-party seller, DigitalEtc, so confirm the warranty applies before you buy, because the listing does not state its length.
Why we like it
- 400 CFM with three speeds
- Stated 49 dB noise level
- Genius cooking and reheating sensor
- Static glass touch panel
Key specifications
| Model | NN-SU158S |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.9 cu. ft. |
| Cooking power | 1000 W |
| Stated vent | 400 CFM, 3 speeds, 49 dB |
| Size (W x D x H) | 29.9 x 15.5 x 16.4 in. |
| Turntable | Not stated |
| Menus and sensor | Genius sensor |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who runs the fan for long stretches and cares about noise, and it comes from a long-established maker of microwaves.
Skip it if the rest of your kitchen is stainless steel and matching matters. This one is a dark glass front.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three fan speeds
- A stated noise figure
- Strong stated fan
Cons
- Third-party seller at last check
- Warranty length not stated
- Dark glass will not match everywhere
3. Black+Decker 1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave – 400 CFM From a Plain Machine
If you want the bigger fan without much else to learn, look at this one. Black+Decker states a two-speed, 400 CFM venting fan with cooktop LED lighting. It has 1000 watts, ten power settings, a kitchen timer and thirty-second express cooking, and the turntable can be switched off to make room for a wide dish.
The auto menus are plain and useful: popcorn, potato, vegetable, pizza, snack, bacon, frozen dinner, rice and frozen breakfast. There is a child lock as well. It runs on 120 volts at 60 hertz, as the listing states. The 13.6-inch turntable is the largest on this page, which helps when you are reheating a big casserole.
The dimensions are 29.9 inches wide, 13.9 deep and 16.4 tall, and the listing gives a weight of 57.4 pounds and a one-year manufacturer warranty. Black+Decker says installation instructions are available on the page in English, so read them before you order. What it lacks is a sensor mode. That means more guessing at time and power, though many cooks will not mind.
Why we like it
- 400 CFM, two-speed fan
- 13.6-inch turntable with on-off switch
- Nine auto menus
- Sold by Amazon when we checked
Key specifications
| Model | EM044KB19 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.9 cu. ft. |
| Cooking power | 1000 W |
| Stated vent | 400 CFM, 2 speeds |
| Size (W x D x H) | 29.9 x 13.9 x 16.4 in. |
| Turntable | 13.6 in. |
| Menus and sensor | 9 menus, no sensor stated |
| Warranty | 1 year, manufacturer |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants a strong stated fan and straightforward buttons, and who does not need sensor cooking.
Skip it if you rely on a sensor to tell you when food is done. The listing does not mention one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong fan
- Largest turntable here
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Cons
- No stated sensor cooking
- Heaviest listing weight here
- Fan has only two speeds
4. Midea 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave – Eighteen Menus at 300 CFM
Midea’s model gives you the most auto menus on this page, with 18 one-touch settings that include popcorn, pizza, defrost, softening cream cheese, rice and potato. If you use a microwave mostly by pressing one button, that counts for more than a bigger fan.
The vent is 300 CFM with adjustable speeds, which is a common figure for this type of unit and lower than the three picks above. Midea says the 1.7 cubic foot interior and 12.4-inch turntable hold a large rotisserie chicken or a 12-inch pizza. There are ten power levels and 1000 watts of output, and a cooktop light above the burners.
The width is 29.88 inches. The other two dimension fields read 16.41 and 15.41 inches, and the listing does not make clear which is depth and which is height, so confirm both if your space is tight. It weighs 52 pounds according to the listing, carries a one-year warranty, and was sold by Amazon when we checked. Midea is a major appliance maker that builds for other brands too.
Why we like it
- 18 one-touch auto menus
- Ten power levels
- Holds a 12-inch pizza, per Midea
- Cooktop light
Key specifications
| Model | MOR17BSA-SS |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 cu. ft. |
| Cooking power | 1000 W |
| Stated vent | 300 CFM, adjustable speeds |
| Size (W x D x H) | 29.88 in. wide; 16.41 and 15.41 in. |
| Turntable | 12.4 in. |
| Menus and sensor | 18 menus |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family that heats up more than it fries and wants an easy panel with plenty of presets.
Skip it if you sear or fry often. You may want the 400 CFM picks for that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most presets here
- Sold by Amazon at last check
- Stated one-year warranty
Cons
- Smaller fan than the top three
- Listing dimensions need confirming
- Sensor not stated
5. Frigidaire FFMV1846VS Over-the-Range Microwave – A Familiar Name at 300 CFM
If you prefer a name you already know from your other appliances, the Frigidaire FFMV1846VS was one of the few from a major appliance brand that showed plain stock when we checked. It holds 1.8 cubic feet, cooks at 1000 watts with ten power levels, and has a child lock and auto defrost.
The fan has two stated speeds, 105 and 300 CFM. The low setting is handy for a simmer, and the high one is mid-range among these picks. It measures 29.87 inches wide, 15.75 deep and 15.62 tall, runs on 120 volts, and has 27 touch pad buttons.
A couple of things need checking. The listing gives venting type as non-ducted and also says a recirculating kit is sold separately, which reads oddly together, so confirm with Frigidaire how it vents and what you need to buy. The listed weight of 35 pounds is also low against the other units here. The lead offer came from a third-party seller, DealiciousDeals, so ask about warranty coverage before you order. The listing gives no warranty length.
Why we like it
- Two stated fan speeds, 105 and 300 CFM
- 1.8 cubic foot interior
- Child lock and auto defrost
- Stainless steel finish
Key specifications
| Model | FFMV1846VS |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.8 cu. ft. |
| Cooking power | 1000 W |
| Stated vent | 105/300 CFM, 2 speeds |
| Size (W x D x H) | 29.87 x 15.75 x 15.62 in. |
| Turntable | Not stated |
| Menus and sensor | Auto defrost, 27 buttons |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen with other Frigidaire appliances, or a buyer who prefers a familiar name.
Skip it if you need to buy from Amazon directly, or if the venting wording on the listing bothers you.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Known appliance brand
- Low fan speed stated
- Good interior size
Cons
- Third-party seller at last check
- Venting wording needs confirming
- Warranty not stated
6. Sharp SMO1461GS 24-Inch Over-the-Range Microwave – Made for a 24-Inch Opening
Almost every model on the market is built for a 30-inch opening, so a 24-inch range leaves you with few choices. The Sharp SMO1461GS is one of them, with a stated width of 23.88 inches, a 16.69-inch depth and a 17.5-inch height. That makes it the only pick here for an apartment range of that size.
The capacity drops to 1.4 cubic feet, as you would expect, but it still cooks at 1000 watts and has a 12.8-inch carousel turntable. The two-speed fan is stated at up to 300 cubic feet per minute, the same as most of the 30-inch models here. It has sensor cook and reheat settings, a +30 second key, LED lighting and a cool white display.
It is the tallest unit on this page, so measure the height between your range and the cabinet above it, not only the width. The listing gives a weight of 51.7 pounds and a one-year limited warranty. Sharp is an established microwave maker, though the lead offer here came from a third-party seller, superior sales, so confirm how the warranty works when buying through them.
Why we like it
- Fits a 24-inch opening
- 300 CFM, two-speed fan
- Sensor cook and reheat
- One-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | SMO1461GS |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.4 cu. ft. |
| Cooking power | 1000 W |
| Stated vent | Up to 300 CFM, 2 speeds |
| Size (W x D x H) | 23.88 x 16.69 x 17.5 in. |
| Turntable | 12.8 in. carousel |
| Menus and sensor | Sensor cook, +30 sec key |
| Warranty | 1 year, limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits apartments and small kitchens with a 24-inch range, where a standard unit will not fit.
Skip it if you have a standard 30-inch space. It would leave a gap at each side and a smaller interior for no reason.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Solves a narrow-opening problem
- Same stated CFM as bigger units
- Sensor cooking
Cons
- Tall for a small unit
- Third-party seller at last check
- Smaller interior
7. ThermoMate OTR773S Over-the-Range Microwave – A Basic Unit From Its Own Store
ThermoMate is the Amazon-first brand on this list, and it sells this unit through its own store. The OTR773S is a simple model: 1.7 cubic feet, 1000 cooking watts, ten power levels and a 300 CFM, two-speed fan with LED lighting. Dimensions are 29.92 inches wide, 15 deep and 16.42 tall.
It has four auto-cook programs, for reheat, popcorn, baked potato and beverage, along with one-touch buttons, a safety lock and a +30 second feature. That is fewer choices than the Midea, and for someone who mostly reheats, that is fine. The turntable is removable glass, though the listing does not give its size.
We include it as the plainest option, and we rank it last for good reason. It has the least known maker on this page, and the listing states no warranty or sensor. If you choose it, keep the original box until it is installed and working, and contact the seller before buying if you want to know what the warranty covers.
Why we like it
- 300 CFM, two-speed fan
- Simple one-touch buttons
- Sold by the maker’s own store
- LED cooktop lighting
Key specifications
| Model | OTR773S |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 cu. ft. |
| Cooking power | 1000 W |
| Stated vent | Up to 300 CFM, 2 speeds |
| Size (W x D x H) | 29.92 x 15 x 16.42 in. |
| Turntable | Removable glass; size not stated |
| Menus and sensor | 4 auto-cook programs |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a rental or a second kitchen where basic heating and a basic fan will do.
Skip it if you want a well-known brand or a stated warranty. Everything above it does better on at least one of those.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple controls
- Bought directly from the brand’s store
- Stated fan and power
Cons
- Lesser-known, Amazon-first brand
- No stated warranty
- Few auto programs
How to choose a microwave for over your stove
Fit decides this purchase before features do. Get these questions out of the way, in this order, and you will save yourself a return.
Measure the opening first
Popular Science notes that over-the-range models “almost always fall between 29 – 30 inches” wide. Measure the width between your cabinets, the height from the range to the cabinet above, and the depth of the wall cabinet. Also check how much clearance your range’s manual and the microwave’s installation guide call for. The picks here run from 15.62 to 17.5 inches tall, so a low cabinet can rule some out.
Read the vent figure for what it is
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, and it describes how much air a fan is rated to move. Every figure on this page is the maker’s own. The real result in your kitchen also depends on the duct run, and on whether the unit vents outside or recirculates. If you fry and sear a lot and have a way to vent outside, a real hood is usually the better tool. Our under-cabinet range hood guide and our low-profile range hood guide cover those.
Know whether you can vent outside
These units can generally either push air outside through a duct or filter it and send it back into the room. Popular Science describes this as a system that “either recirculates the air or pumps it into your vent.” Recirculating needs a charcoal filter, and it moves odors more than it removes heat or moisture. Check your home’s setup, then read the manual for what your unit needs. Frigidaire, for one, lists its recirculating kit as sold separately.
Plan the installation honestly
Popular Science calls mounting “a rough project for beginners.” Your old bracket may not fit the new unit, and if it does not, you will be making new holes in the wall. These machines weigh around 50 pounds or more according to most of the listings here, and they go up at head height. Get a second person, follow the maker’s instructions, and call a handyman or an electrician if there is no suitable outlet in the cabinet above.
Match the interior to the dishes you heat
Capacity on this page runs from 1.4 to 1.9 cubic feet. More important in daily use is the turntable size, which sets the largest plate that can spin. Black+Decker lists 13.6 inches and Toshiba 13.5, while Midea lists 12.4. If you heat big platters, this number will matter more than the capacity.
How we picked these seven microwaves with vents
We have not used these products ourselves. We read each Amazon listing and confirmed that it was in stock with a new lead offer when we wrote this, setting aside anything shown as low stock. That removed the GE, Samsung and LG models we found, along with a 30-inch Sharp and a Hamilton Beach. The Whirlpool result we found was a door part rather than a microwave. Anything without a CFM figure in the listing was also left out, which removed the Cosmo and Galanz models. We read Popular Science’s guide to over-the-range microwaves by Curtis Silver for fit and installation advice, but it covers other models, and we found no independent review we could read on these seven. The rest of what our search returned was mostly thin shopping lists. So these picks rest on the listings. We checked the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for each brand and found no recall on these models.
Questions about a microwave with vent
Is 300 CFM enough for an over-the-range microwave?
For everyday cooking it can be, and it is the stated figure on four of the picks here. Frequent frying and searing will test it, and that is when we would look at a 400 CFM model or a separate hood. The real result depends on your duct, so treat the number as a starting point.
Does an over-the-range microwave need to vent outside?
Not always, since most can recirculate through a filter. Venting outside takes smoke and moisture out of the house, while recirculating only filters and returns the air. Check your unit’s manual for what it supports and what comes in the box.
Can I replace one myself?
Many people do, but Popular Science warns it is a hard project for a beginner. You will need a second person and may need to drill new holes if the bracket differs. If in doubt, hire someone.
What size do I need?
Most kitchens need one close to 30 inches wide, and six of the seven picks here are. For a 24-inch opening, look at the Sharp. Also measure the height from the range to the cabinet above.
Does a microwave with a vent replace a range hood?
It does the job for many home kitchens, but in our view a good hood is the stronger tool over a hard-working stove. If you cook at high heat most nights, compare it with a hood before you decide. A separate countertop microwave leaves that spot free.
Our final pick for over your stove
Measure first, then buy the strongest stated fan that fits. For most kitchens, that is the Toshiba, with the Panasonic close behind for quieter cooking. If you would rather stay out of the smoke altogether, you can leave the frying to us. Julia’s is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston. Call to order at (346) 546-8283.