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Microwaves

7 Best Microwaves Without Turntable In 2024! (Explained Why)

Antonio Forde
Updated: February 27, 2024
10 min read

There aren’t many microwaves without a turntable available in today’s market. I recommend the Panasonic NE-1025F for everyone who wants a compact, high-performance heating microwave without a turntable.

How I picked
Heating performance

I rated the microwaves based on how fast and how even they heat food. Note: The heating speed tracks with the wattage on all models.

Controls and design

I prioritized models with widely liked features, such as express buttons, door handles, a mute option, and a sensor reheat mode.

Price

The price of microwaves is usually linked to their power. I rated the microwaves based on performance in relation to power and price.

Reliability and longevity

I digged through customer reviews, reliability data, and other data to rank different manufacturers in terms of reliability and longevity.

Top pick
Panasonic NE-1025F Compact Light-Duty Countertop Commercial Microwave Oven with 6-Minute Electronic Dial Control Timer, Bottom Energy Feed, 1000W, 0.8 Cu. Ft. Capacity Silver
Panasonic NE-1025F

The Panasonic NE-1025F with 1000W is my top pick when it comes to microwaves without a turntable. It’s compact, easy to use, and has a stainless steel design.

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The model boasts an impressive 0.8 cubic feet of cooking space at 1000 watts, but it is the fact that the energy travels from the bottom up that is the most impressive.

The bottom energy feed design minimizes the distance the waves need to travel to heat the food, maximizing the entire cooking process. This feature not only offers more evenly heated food, but it offers it faster!

At first glance of the Panasonic NE-1025F, the model might seem a bit simplistic.

There are no fancy digital timers or controls, but this is one of the beauties of the product. The simplistic 6-minute electric dial timer counts down in increments of 15-seconds for easy monitoring and tracking of your food. There is also a high-visibility backlight that makes monitoring and tracking the process easier than you’d ever imagine.

While this microwave certainly isn’t cheap you’ll have to consider that this microwave is made by Panasonic.

Panasonic is no stranger to the household world. They are a highly respected Japanese company that’s grown well-known throughout the world for creating everything from quality TVs to microwaves without turntables.

When you invest in this model, you are getting a foundation, a name that will be around for years and years to come!

Budget pick
Sharp Medium-Duty Commercial Microwave Oven (15-0429) R-21LVF1 Cubic Feet
Sharp Microwave Oven R-21LVF

The Sharp Microwave Oven R-21LVF is an affordable option for a powerful countertop microwave. It offers touch control and features a stainless steel exterior, and interior.

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Unfortunately, a lot of consumers today find themselves shopping with a budget-consensus mind.

There is nothing wrong with saving money when and where you can. If that is your goal when shopping for a microwave without a turntable, you simply cannot go wrong with the Sharp R-21LVF.

To start, it is one of the few models that you will find available on the market constructed entirely of stainless steel.

Sure, the Panasonic model above boasted a sleek exterior stainless-steel design, but it featured its plastic parts as well. That is not the case with this model at all. It boasts an entirely stainless-steel design.

The stainless-steel design no doubt makes the Sharp R-21LVF extremely durable and even easier to clean, but it is the 20 programmable keyboard that shines.

The microwave features an adjustable and programmable keyboard that can hold up to 20 different recipes. The beauty here is, only 10 of the memories are pre-programmed. The other 10 settings give you plenty of personalizing options.

With 10 different options, you can build an impressive arsenal of dishes to keep dinner exciting.

Traditional microwaves can be loud. In small apartments, you must crank the TV or radio when the appliance runs. Forget trying to reheat a dish of last night’s delectable pasta while the baby catches a nap during the day.

Luckily, that won’t be the case at all with the Sharp R-21LVF thanks to the quiet fan operation. Not only is the model virtually noiseless, but there is even an additional option of turning off the buzzer. You don’t have to worry about a loud ding or buzzing once the food is cooked.

Also great
Sharp R-21LCFS Medium-Duty Commercial Microwave Oven with Dial Timer, Stainless Steel, 1000-Watts, 120-Volts, One Size
Sharp R-21LCFS

The Sharp R-21LCFS Microwave is the perfect appliance for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain microwave.

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After seeing everything that the Sharp-21LVF had to offer, it is probably more than easy to understand why the Sharp R-21LCFS made the list.

The German company certainly held back no punches when it came to this model. The first most noticeable thing about this model is the sleek black design.

Most traditional microwaves only come available in plain, boring white, or silver. That’s not the case at all with this model. The Sharp R-21LCFS is available in an impressive and sleek black design. The Sharp R-21LCFS will be an addition to your countertop!

Despite the futuristic black design, this model is anything but complicated.

The model does offer seven different preset heat settings, so you don’t waste valuable time trying to program the unit. The simplistic turn dial makes the model one of the easiest on the market to operate. Simply toss in your food, set the dial to the desired time, and let the appliance do its thing.

Although there is a dial timer, the Sharp R-21LCFS does boast a more than impressive crystal-clear LED display. The red lettering meshes nicely with the frame’s black design. You won’t have a problem reading the time.

Along with the red-lighted LED display, you’ll also get a whole panel of highlighted dials and controls. Operating this model will be simplistic and easier than ever.

Sneaking into the kitchen for a midnight snack won’t be a problem because you won’t even have to turn on a light with the highlighted control panel. You’ll be able to see all the important settings right there on the beautifully backlit control panel.

#4
Midea Equipment 1025F0A Countertop Commercial Microwave Oven with Dial, 1000W, Stainless Steel.9 CuFt
Midea Equipment 1025F0A Countertop Microwave

The Medea Equipment’s 1025F0A Countertop Microwave is my fourth choice. With a 6-minute dial timer, 1000 watts of power, and bottom rotating antenna, this microwave is easy to use and provides reliable performance.

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The interior of the Midea 1025F0A might be a bit on the smaller side, but not by much. Its 0.9 cubic feet interior is still capable of holding a 12-inch platter, which is a good size.

Where the appliance is lacking in space, it more than rectifies the problem with its power output. The 1000 watts of power is delivered most efficiently via the bottom, centralized rotating antenna.

Speaking of effective and evenly distributed heat, it is the bottom-fed power system that is the most impressive.

If you recall, a similar power distribution system was why the Panasonic was today’s top pick. Since the power comes up from the bottom, it reaches the food faster. In addition to this, the centralized rotating antenna allows for more evenly heated dishes.

If you are looking for a model that mimics today’s top pick, the Midea 1025F0A is your best alternative.

This model also boasts an impressive and durable stainless-steel exterior and interior design. The stainless steel is sleek and easier to clean, but its durability allows for a stackable installation. This feature will come in extremely handy in a commercial setting or smaller kitchens.

The appliance is built sturdily enough so that you can install another appliance on top of it. Maybe you want an additional microwave so you can heat multiple dishes at once. This design allows for maximum space optimization of any kitchen.

#5
AMANA RCS10TS Medium-Duty Microwave Oven, 1000W
Amana RCS10TC Medium-Duty Microwave

The Amana RCS10TC is a medium-duty commercial microwave oven that’s perfect for small businesses and home kitchens. With its 1.2 cubic feet capacity, 1000 watts of power, and 4-stage cooking feature, this microwave can handle just about any cooking task you throw at it.

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Being that Amana is another well-known name in the household appliance industry, they can deliver exactly what consumers need in an appliance.

The user-friendly design alone shows this much to be true. Although this model doesn’t go as simplistic as the dial timer models, it does boast an easy-to-read LED control display.

With the option to program in 100 dishes, you would never run out of space for your favorite, even in a commercial setting. The digital readout is highly visible and features braille for those visually impaired.

The major thing that sets the Amana RCS10TC Medium-Duty Micr sowave apart from all the others listed here is the interior capacity.

You’ll notice that all the models mentioned so far have only offered a 1 cubic foot interior or smaller. The RCS10TC takes things to the next level by offering a 1.2 cubic feet interior design. This might not sound like much more, but it offers nearly an additional 2 inches of space.

You combine the extra interior space with the 5 power levels and 4-stage cooking options, and you are going to be in heaven. Along with the defrost feature, you won’t have a problem heating the most frozen dishes with the utmost efficiency.

The 4-stage heating operation will ensure the unit doesn’t heat with maximum power when it isn’t needed, potentially expanding the life of your new unit.

#6
Panasonic NN-SF550M 'FLAT INTERIOR CAVITY' 1.0 cuft, 1000-Watt Microwave with Inverter Technology, Black w/silver wrap
Panasonic NN-SF550M Microwave With Inverter

The Panasonic NN-SF550M microwave oven features Inverter Technology for even cooking and delicious flavor. The flat microwave cavity makes it easy to access dishes, while the Auto Cook and Reheat settings make cooking a breeze.

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With 1.0 cubic feet cooking interior and 1000 watts of power at your fingertips, you won’t have a problem getting a quick, delicious dinner on the table in a hurry.

Not only is the power and capacity impressive, but the power unit that delivers this power is smaller than with most modes, making it lighter and more compact. You’ll not only save on countertop space, but this unique design allows for more interior space to fit your favorite casseroles or pasta dishes.

Panasonic takes microwave heating to an entirely new level with the inverter technology installed in this model.

Instead of the common high or low pulsating heat that you get with most conventional microwaves, the inverter technology varies the power while also offering even cooking temperature.

When you invest in the NN-SF550M, you can rest assured that all your dishes will come out with consistent temperatures and textures.

The black exterior with a beautiful silver wrap brings something entirely different to the table.

Stainless steel is durable and sleek, but it doesn’t offer anything extra. Especially not when all your other appliances are constructed of the same material. Bring something different to your kitchen and countertop with this unique black and silver wrapped work of art.

#7
Panasonic Consumer NE1054F 1000 Watt Commercial Microwave Oven With 10 Programmable Memory, Stainless
Panasonic NE-1054F Heavy Duty Microwave

Last on my list, but still not a bad choice, is the Panasonic NE-1054F Heavy Duty Microwave. The stainless-steel door is durable and reliable, making this microwave perfect for high-usage applications.

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With a name that includes heavy-duty in the title, you can bet the NE-1054F is built for durability and longevity.

The sleek-looking stainless steel offers easier cleaning combined with pleasing aesthetics, but the real durability is with the anti-theft protection. The handy bolt-down feature included with this Panasonic model gives you the peace of mind that your microwave won’t be carried off in the middle of the night.

Although microwaves don’t bounce, they do vibrate, and the bolt-down design can help secure the appliance to your countertop.

This NE-1054F comes fully equipped with Panasonic’s ultra-popular and efficient bottom-fed energy system. However, the six power levels with two and three-stage heating put the microwave on the map.

These variable settings allow families to heat their food in the most efficient way possible while also ensuring they don’t burn extra energy when it isn’t needed.

Another impressive feature is the grab-and-go handle. The NE-1054F was designed with simplicity in mind, and the grab-and-go handle boasts this.

Eliminating the hassle of moving parts like those you will find installed on conventional push-button microwaves, makes this model much more user-friendly and intuitive. Don’t worry about being too aggressive because the door is bonded to the handle with a stainless-steel system to ensure longevity and smooth operation.

How Does a Microwave Without a Turntable Work?

A microwave without a turntable utilizes a centralized rotating antenna to disperse radiated heat to the inside of the items placed inside.

Most of the heating is accomplished with micro-waves or small wavelength radio waves distributed from the antenna. The insides of these models are also coated with a special metallic surface, designed specifically for the reflection of the waves.

The waves bounce off all the metallic surfaces collecting momentum until they reach the food, allowing you to take advantage of the full effect of the waves.

Sounds a bit more scientific and complicated than your modern turntable designs, doesn’t it?

Not to worry because this guide is going to provide you with everything you need to find the very best model for you and your family’s specific needs. You’ll learn about everything from the much-needed essential features to today’s top available models.

What Are the Advantages of Not Having a Turntable?

It might not seem like it, but there are plenty of advantages to reap by investing in a microwave without a turntable.

If you hadn’t realized it the turntable on the traditional models consumes most of the interior space of the appliance. This is not to even mention the potential for spills and mishaps because of the actual movement.

Spills and mishaps can be avoided because there is no actual movement. Plus, you’ll have access to a much larger cooking volume. Battling family-sized pasta dishes and awkwardly shaped containers will become a problem of the past.

Without the turntable, there are fewer components. No rotating motor, no glass dish, and no guiding track with wheels.

This not only means that there is far less to go wrong, but it cuts your cleaning and maintenance in half.

The days of half-heated food and hot spots are going to be gone as well.

Thanks to metallic coated surfaces and the unique distribution of the micro-waves, the items inside the appliance get full advantage of every wave.

What Are the Disadvantages of Not Having a Turntable?

A microwave without a turntable is not unlike every other product available today. This means there are, unfortunately, going to be downside associated with the product as well.

While the advantages of the models far out weight the disadvantages, it is still important to note where you are at a disadvantage.

The most notable disadvantage is without a doubt the price. This technology is still somewhat new to the market; therefore, it’ll tend to be more expensive.

Along with this, there are fewer features available. It’ll be hard to find one of these models sold as a combo unit.

These are all things that can and probably will change in the future. Even now with the limited features and additional cost, the advantages of these models easily justify the purchase.

Should You Buy a Microwave Without a Turntable?

With the above in mind, it shouldn’t take long for anyone to see that there is a lot more to microwaves without turntables than meets the eye.

Along with the handful of features, users must consider the budget and design. Whether you buy one of the above models or not, if you use their designs and features as a basic outline, you’ll walk away happy.

That being said, you honestly can’t go wrong with any of the models listed here.

Written by
Antonio Forde
I'm the head-writer @ Ask The Home Geek (or, in plain English, I'm the guy writing & editing the majority of the content here). Current learning project: Korean.
Have any questions? Write us a message.
Antonio Forde
I'm the head-writer @ Ask The Home Geek (or, in plain English, I'm the guy writing & editing the majority of the content here). Current learning project: Korean.