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Microwaves

7 Best Quiet Microwaves Of 2024! (Tested & Ranked!)

Antonio Forde
Updated: October 8, 2024
8 min read

If you’re shopping for a quiet microwave the Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave Oven is your best choice. You’ll have a hard time hearing the motor and it gives you the option of eliminating beeps and buzzes altogether.

How I Picked
Noise

Being that I was shopping for a quiet microwave, I made noise my most important deciding factor. That being said, all models listed here are super quiet.

Heating Power

Since it is the motor that’s the biggest contributing factor for sound, some manufacturers will sacrifice power output to keep noise levels down. I still wanted complete versatility and heating efficiency, so I made sure my recommendation offered enough power for various dishes.

Reliability And Dependability

I didn’t want to spend a few hundred dollars annually to replace my microwave. Therefore, I made sure all the models I considered were built for the long haul as well as repeated use.

Design And Style

I knew I would be seeing my microwave daily. So would my guests. I wanted my model to make a statement sitting there on my countertop. All the models I chose would make great aesthetic additions.

Top Pick
TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4' Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior, 1100W, Silver
Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Smart Sensor Microwave Oven

By spending a little more, you can get the best of all worlds with this Toshiba. Style, durability, dependability, and optimum features!

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There are ample features that make the Toshiba EM131A5C-SS a great appliance. However, when it comes to noise, there aren’t many that can match wits with this model.

That’s because this model can go completely noiseless. Sure, there will be noises from the motor, but the mute button allows you to cycle the beeps and buzzes on and off.

As far as the motor goes, this bad boy can pump out a powerful 1100 watts. However, the real kicker I found here was the rounded risers. You’ll notice that the Toshiba sits a few inches off the ground because of the risers.

This not only over more of an aesthetically pleasing look, but it helps add stability. Even on precarious surfaces, you can manipulate the feet to eliminate any wanted motor vibrations.

These vibrations sometimes are a huge contributing factor to the overall noise. Don’t worry about burning too much energy with all these watts because Toshiba includes an equally impressive economical operating mode.

You can cut your energy consumption in half when utilizing this operation. All that along with the other innovative features make this one of the most effective appliances on the market today.

Budget Pick
Nostalgia Retro Countertop Microwave Oven - Large 800-Watt - 0.9 cu ft - 12 Pre-Programmed Cooking Settings - Digital Clock - Kitchen Appliances - Ivory
Nostalgia RMO4IVY Retro Countertop Microwave

Everything one could want in terms of technology, all wrapped up in an affordable, beautiful little package.

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Nostalgia offers the best of all worlds with its RMO4IVY. You get all the necessary and convenient heating features, like even heating, digital clock, and pre-programmable options, at a fraction of the cost.

This model not only offers a refreshing, new retro look, but it comes available in various unique colors.

Between ivory, red, aqua, jet black, yellow, and seafoam green, you won’t have a problem keeping things original in your kitchen.

With 800 watts of power output, you’ll have enough power at your fingertips to serve your family’s every heating need.

You’ll also do it without adding to the already rising costs of your electric bill thanks to the effective heating offered here. 0.9 cubic feet of interior space offers ample room for some of the largest and most awkwardly shaped dishes, bowls, and plates.

The controls are simple, but this beauty is packed with convenient technologies that will make you think this model is otherworldly. Not the cheapest, but no doubt the best buy for the money when you consider everything offered here.

Best Over The Range
GE JNM3163DJBB 1.6 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave, Black
GE JNM3163DJBB Over-The-Range Microwave

Huge power and convenient controls, with a 300-CFM fan to remove all unwanted, lingering smells.

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The GE JNM3163DJBB is an over-the-range microwave that combines functionality with pure value. Offering 1.6 cubic feet of interior cooking space, you’ll have enough room for the largest-sized dishes.

Along with the express cooking features and even heating technology, you’ll be able to get those larger dishes on the table in a fraction of the time it takes the competition.

Even with the 950 watts of power offered here, the GE JNM3163DJBB is super quiet. Turn up the TV just a notch or two and you’ll never even know this model is running. The model features an effective and super quiet 300-CFM venting system that will make quick work of smokes and other unwanted cooking odors.

The surface light even comes available with two brightness settings in the event that you want to lower your cooking proclivities even further. The back, white, and stainless steel color schemes are just a testament to the beauty this appliance can add to your entire kitchen space.

#4
Samsung 1.7 Cu. Ft. White Over-The-Range Microwave
Samsung White Over-The-Range Microwave

A beautiful sparkling white over-the-range microwave choked full of today’s best features.

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Samsung is a name that has grown synonymous with quality, innovative designs, and dependability over the years. When you see everything that their over-the-range microwave has to offer, you will have no option but to agree.

Starting with the impressive power output of 1000 watts this machine is capable of whipping up the largest and deepest dishes with ease. The beautiful bright white design will bring some life back into your kitchen.

This along with the grab-and-go handle offers a refreshing new look. The handle eliminates the machinal push-door door operation, while also adding more convince to the entire cooking process.

Don’t worry about unwanted children getting burnt or messing with your settings because Samsung will expressly keep them out with their child lock design.

All this with 1.7 cubic feet and you’ll have complete cooking and heating versatility at your fingertips. This is not to even mention the quiet operation.

#5
Comfee EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7 Cu Ft, Black
COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Microwave Oven

A basic looking microwave but packed with next-level heating technologies.

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At an affordable price, the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB not only offers a quiet motor, but it offers the option of going completely noiseless. Of course, you’ll still hear the slight and pleasant vibrational hum of the motor, but you’ll have the option of eliminating all beeps, dings, and buzzes.

All this can be accomplished by simply holding the on/off button for 3 seconds. With 0.7 cubic feet of interior space and 700 watts, you won’t have a problem thawing or heating most dishes.

Don’t worry about the big power draining your power because this model was specifically designed to prevent that.

It offers a one-of-a-kind energy-saving mode that will reduce your power output by half of what the competitors require. There are also 11 different power levels for even more customization.

Despite all this, I found that the most impressive thing was the one-year warranty. The company is willing to stand by its product completely for the first year. Chances are, if something is going to go wrong, it will within that first year.

#6
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Countertop/Built-In with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor, 1.2 Cubic Foot, 1200W
Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave

A reputable tech giant puts its innovative workings in a beautiful, convenient home appliance.

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In need of a microwave that’ll provide enough power for complete heating and cooking versatility without waking the neighbors? Look no further than the Panasonic NN-SN686S because that’s exactly what you are getting with it more than impressive 1200 watts of power.

Don’t worry about breaking the electrical bank with this huge power because Panasonics got you covered.

Their patented inverter technology was specifically designed to provide a seamless stream of power to the most efficient and evenly cooked dishes.

This along with the turbo defrost option, and your only problem will be deciding which of your family’s favorite to put on the table tonight. The 1.2 cubic feet of interior space and 13.4” turntable offer plenty of unique cooking options.

The turntable is even specifically designed with a thinner, lighter, and more efficient design to accommodate large and awkward dishes. I found that the built-in smart sensor was the cherry on top with this Panasonic.

This technology eliminates all the guesswork of all cooks by automatically adjusting the heat applied to your food. It does this by accurately monitoring interior cooking parameters and adjusting accordingly.

This combined with the additional 14 preset heating options, and there is nothing this bad boy can’t do.

There is also a keep warm feature that allows you to your favorite soups, beverages, and desserts hot and fresh until they are ready to serve. And all of this comes with a durable all-stainless steel design that’s sleek and refreshing.

Is there anything the Panasonic company can’t do? The only downside here is, you will have to boot a little bit more for all these features.

#7
Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave BMO650SIL, Silver
Breville BMO650SIL Compact Wave Soft Close Countertop Microwave

Take your cooking proclivities to another world with everything this appliance offers.

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The sleek and compact design of the Breville BMO650SIL fools most people at first glance. There is no denying the machine is sleek and compact, but it still boasts an impressive 25 L cooking capacity.

Even with a small counter footprint, your new machine will still be able to handle some of the largest and most awkwardly shaped dishes.

As if this wasn’t convenient enough, there are plenty of various one-touch buttons that make setting your heating options quick and easy. Take advantage of the reheat, defrost, popcorn, and beverage settings to whip up your favorites.

The motor installed in the Breville BMO650SIL not only offers a soft, pleasing hum, but the company went a step further.

The model is specifically engineered with an 80 percent quieter soft close door. This will not only do away with unwanted sounds of a slamming door, but it will add years and years of life to your appliance.

That with the grab-and-go handle, you’ll never have to worry about wearing out that mechanical push button. The beautiful and bright LED display will offer enough intensity to set up your heating options even in the dimmest of environments.

The turn dials and push-button controls only contribute even further to making operation more convenient and all-around easier. 900 watts of power and 0.9 cubic feet of interior space are nothing to smirk at, but I found the best feature was the child lock door.

With the simple press of a button, you can set your appliance to keep out all unwanted invaders.

Is There a Silent Microwave?

Misconceptions are far and wide when it comes to microwaves. There are a lot of them regarding noise and sound. With that in mind, the first thing you need to know is that it is impossible to silence a microwave right out of the box.

This means if you buy a microwave and immediately operate it right out of the box it will produce noise. This is where a lot of people go wrong. They automatically assume that because their microwave promises silence, it will be completely silent.

Even right out of the box a microwave will produce noise. This is because it is not probable to silence the motor. The motor is always going to produce a light murmur or vibration.

Now, this doesn’t mean that some models produce louder noise than others. Usually, the more powerful motors produce more noise.

When a microwave manufacturer refers to a silent or quiet microwave, they are talking about the beeps and dings that are usually accompanied when hit buttons or when the heating cycle is complete.

You’ll notice that some of the models I recommended above give you the option of silencing the beeps and dings. That’s the reason I put them on the list. That and the fact that they offer extremely quiet motor operation.

That’s what it means when the manufacturer says you can eliminate sound. That being said, sound can tell you a lot. How do you usually detect when something is wrong with your vehicle? You feel it or hear unfamiliar noises.

This could be the case with your microwave. It’s possible that your appliance isn’t stabilized properly. It could also mean that the turntable isn’t stable on the inside. If the microwave or turntable are not fully seated the machine will create undue noise and vibration.

If your microwave seems overly noisy these will be the first things you want to check. Turn the microwave on and adjust its sitting position to see if the noise quiets or worsens. You won’t be able to do this with the turntable because the door will be open.

However, you can usually tell when the turntable isn’t properly stabilized. It will be wobbly. You’ll know when the turntable is seated properly because it’ll be like a puzzle piece fitting in the right notches.

Excessive noise could also be an indication of a malfunctioning sensor. Unplug the device, leave it unplugged for 5 minutes, and hook it back up. This is a procedure called a hard test. If the noise stops after the test, it could indicate a bad sensor. The noise will likely return. If this is the case, I have listed several excellent choices above.

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.