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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The best over-the-range microwave depends on two separate jobs: cooking reliably and fitting the way your kitchen vents. For cooking and everyday usability, RTINGS’ September 2026 tests name the LG MVEM1825F best overall, with the LG MVEL2033F, GE JVM6175SKSS and GE JVM3160RFSS as alternatives at different feature and price tiers. Samsung’s ME80H30 is a newly announced contender—not an independently tested winner—with a different dual-intake ventilation design.
Before choosing, confirm that the exact model fits your cabinet opening and works with your exhaust setup. An OTR microwave is an installed appliance, so dimensions, ducting and clearance matter as much as the feature list.
How the five models compare
| Model and role | Form and dimensions | Cooking output and cavity | Ventilation | Controls and cooking features | Noise and usability tradeoffs | Evidence and availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG MVEM1825F — best overall tested | OTR form; dimensions and low-profile status not stated in RTINGS’ roundup. | RTINGS scores capacity 8.3 and power 8.7; wattage and cavity dimensions are not stated in the roundup. | Fan configuration and duct options are not stated in the roundup. | Steam sensor, control lock, add-time control, responsive glass controls, and turntable-off option. | RTINGS scores everyday use 8.1, ease of use 7.6, and in-use noise 8.2. Onboard controls do not mute sounds; muting requires the app. | Independently tested and selected by RTINGS; roundup updated September 16, 2026. |
| LG MVEL2033F — upper mid-range | OTR form; dimensions and low-profile status not stated in RTINGS’ roundup. | 1,050 watts in the U.S. and 900 watts in Canada; large cavity, with exact capacity and dimensions not stated in the roundup. | Four fan speeds; duct configuration not stated in the roundup. | Controls along the bottom of the door, sensor cooking, app connectivity, and onboard mute. | Controls can partly obstruct the view into the cavity; noisier than the MVEM1825F. | Independently tested by RTINGS; regional wattage differs. Roundup updated September 16, 2026. |
| GE JVM6175SKSS — mid-range | OTR form; dimensions and low-profile status not stated in RTINGS’ roundup. | 1,000 watts; chamber is comparatively small but wide enough for larger plates and casserole dishes. Exact capacity and dimensions are not stated. | Four fan speeds; duct configuration not stated. | Sensor programs, mute, control lock, and high/low cooktop lighting. | Membrane panel is less responsive than pricier glass-touch controls. | Independently tested by RTINGS; roundup updated September 16, 2026. |
| GE JVM3160RFSS — budget tested pick | OTR form; dimensions and low-profile status not stated in RTINGS’ roundup. | 1,000 watts; heats nearly as quickly as the JVM6175SKSS and has a similar chamber. Exact capacity and dimensions are not stated. | Fan and cooktop light have high/low settings only; duct configuration not stated. | Membrane panel; turntable-off option; no steam sensor or mute button. | Fewer fan and lighting adjustments than the JVM6175SKSS; lacks a mute button. | Independently tested by RTINGS; roundup updated September 16, 2026. |
| Samsung ME80H30 — newly announced contender | OTR form; dimensions and low-profile status not stated in Samsung’s announcement. | Cooking output and cavity details are not stated in the announcement. | DualVent draws through bottom and front intakes. Samsung reports up to 82% fume capture in its own chamber test; this is not an independent cross-brand comparison. | Specific control and sensor features are not stated in the announcement. | Independent comparative noise and usability results are not available. | Samsung announced availability beginning September 2026 in the U.S. and Canada. Announced, not an RTINGS-tested winner. |
Dimensions, prices and current stock are not established for these five models in the cited roundup or Samsung announcement. Confirm the complete model number, current local listing and installation documentation before purchase; do not assume that a family name guarantees the same configuration across regions.
Which tested microwave fits your priorities?
LG MVEM1825F: strongest all-around tested choice
Choose the MVEM1825F if a roomy cavity, fast heating and quieter operation matter more than built-in sound muting. RTINGS highlights responsive glass controls, a steam sensor, control lock, add-time control and an option to stop the turntable. The key annoyance is specific: sounds cannot be muted from the microwave’s onboard controls, so you need its app for that function.
#1 Best Overall
- Space-Saving Over-the-Range Design: Maximize kitchen space with this 30-inch microwave that mounts above your stove. This microwave hood vent combo combines cooking and ventilation in one appliance. Measures: 16.12" H x 29.87" W x 15.56" D
- Trusted GE Performance: From quick breakfasts to late-night snacks, this GE over-the-range microwave delivers the reliable performance, user-friendly controls, and everyday convenience that have made GE a trusted name in kitchens for generations
- Powerful 2-Speed Ventilation: Keep small spaces clear of cooking odors, steam and smoke with a 300-CFM ventilation system and 2-speed fan
- Charcoal Filter: Enjoy cooking and cleaner air, too. The replaceable charcoal filter removes fumes and odors that are released from foods during cooking
- Simple One-Touch Controls: One-touch express cooking settings and 4 convenience cook settings provide easy operation for busy lifestyles, while the digital display and electronic keypad provide precise control of cook time and power settings
LG MVEL2033F: useful controls and ventilation adjustment
The MVEL2033F puts its controls low on the door, which may be easier to reach for some installations, and provides four fan speeds, sensor cooking and onboard mute. Its output rating is regional: RTINGS lists 1,050 watts for the U.S. and 900 watts for Canada. Check the exact regional model, and consider whether the controls partly blocking the cavity view and its greater noise than the MVEM1825F are acceptable.
GE JVM6175SKSS: a practical middle option
The JVM6175SKSS offers 1,000 watts, four fan speeds, high/low cooktop lighting, sensor programs, mute and a control lock. RTINGS describes its chamber as relatively small, though wide enough for larger plates and casserole dishes. Its membrane controls are less responsive than glass-touch panels on more expensive models.
GE JVM3160RFSS: simpler budget-tested pick
The JVM3160RFSS is rated at 1,000 watts and, in RTINGS’ comparison, heats nearly as quickly as the JVM6175SKSS while offering a similar chamber. It also lets you switch off the turntable. The tradeoff is a simpler feature set: fan and cooktop light have only high and low settings, and there is no steam sensor or mute button.
Rank #2
- Large Capacity: 13.9"D x 29.9"W x 16.4"H. Featuring a spacious interior, this 1.7 cubic feet microwave oven includes a 12.4-inch turntable and will serve as your top sous chef for any meal or cooking adventure.
- 10 Cooking Levels: With a 1000-watt output, this over-the-range microwave oven has 6 quick menus for your daily meals, including settings for Popcorn,Potato, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, and Defrost.
- Speedy Cooking: For quick action, press numbers 1, 2, or 3 for using the 100% power level at 1-3 minutes.
- Multi-stage Cooking: Save time by cooking with 90% microwave power for 10 minutes and then cooking with 50% power for 20 minutes in one time setting.
- 300 CFM Vent Fan with Light: With a 2-speed strong suction, the powerful vent on this stainless steel microwave helps to remove fumes and odors while an integrated light offers focused lighting while cooking.
Samsung ME80H30: consider it for its new ventilation approach
Samsung announced U.S. and Canadian availability beginning in September 2026 for the ME80H30, which uses DualVent intakes at the bottom and front. Samsung says its chamber test found up to 82% fume capture. The company describes tests conducted at its ICE&KS Pre-Development Lab on February 9, 2026, using a CO2 tracer method per LBNL (2020), comparing two intakes and one exhaust with standalone hoods under identical conditions. Samsung cautions that installation, duct type, cooking method and environment can change results. That manufacturer test is not an independent, cross-brand ranking, and the announcement does not establish comparative cooking, noise or usability performance.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat to measure before ordering
Measure the actual opening and surrounding installation space, then compare those measurements with the precise model’s dimensions and instructions. As a general guide, Whirlpool says its OTR models commonly range from 24–30 inches wide, 10–20 inches high and 12–19 inches deep; these ranges do not replace model-specific fit requirements. Whirlpool distinguishes low-profile, classic and space-saving bodies because they address different cabinet and clearance situations.
If overhead clearance is tight, a low-profile model may be worth investigating. Whirlpool says the format fits the same space as an under-cabinet hood. Its WMML5530RZ catalog listing describes a 1.1-cu.-ft., 1,000-watt microwave with a three-speed fan, and calls out a 450 CFM motor class for its most-powerful-ventilation feature. Those are manufacturer catalog claims, not an independent capture-rate comparison; verify exact installation fit and specifications for the model being considered.
Rank #3
- Large Capacity: 13.9"D x 29.9"W x 16.4"H. Featuring a spacious interior, this 1.7 cubic feet microwave oven includes a 12.4-inch turntable and will serve as your top sous chef for any meal or cooking adventure.
- 10 Cooking Levels: With a 1000-watt output, this over-the-range microwave oven has 6 quick menus for your daily meals, including settings for Popcorn, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, and Defrost.
- Speedy Cooking: For quick action, press numbers 1, 2, or 3 for using the 100% power level at 1-3 minutes.
- Multi-stage Cooking: Save time by cooking with 90% microwave power for 10 minutes and then cooking with 50% power for 5 minutes in one time setting.
- 300 CFM Vent Fan with Light: With a 2-speed strong suction, the powerful vent on this stainless steel microwave helps to remove fumes and odors while an integrated light offers focused lighting while cooking.
Check how the microwave will exhaust air
Find out whether your kitchen uses a ducted exhaust to the outside or recirculating ventilation, and verify that the exact microwave supports the required arrangement. Whirlpool gives 280–400 CFM as a typical motor-class range for its OTR models and notes that performance varies with installation. A CFM rating describes airflow capacity, not a guarantee of how much smoke or cooking fumes a hood captures in your kitchen.
Installation, duct type and the cooking environment affect real-world ventilation. The cited sources do not establish an independent, cross-brand ranking of OTR fume-capture rates, so the available evidence does not support naming a ventilation winner from CFM figures alone.
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Compare cooking and convenience separately
Once fit and exhaust compatibility are settled, compare the features you will use day to day. Wattage alone does not describe the whole experience: cavity shape determines what dishes fit, and control placement can affect reach and visibility.
Rank #4
- Large Capacity: 13.2"D x 29.9"W x 16.4"H. Featuring a spacious interior, this 1.7 cubic feet microwave oven includes a 12.4-inch turntable and will serve as your top sous chef for any meal or cooking adventure.
- 10 Cooking Levels: With a 1000-watt output, this over-the-range microwave oven has 6 quick menus for your daily meals, including settings for Popcorn, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, and Defrost.
- Speedy Cooking: For quick action, press numbers 1, 2, or 3 for using the 100% power level at 1-3 minutes.
- Multi-stage Cooking: Save time by cooking with 90% microwave power for 10 minutes and then cooking with 50% power for 20 minutes in one time setting.
- 300 CFM Vent Fan with Light: With a 2-speed strong suction, the powerful vent on this stainless steel microwave helps to remove fumes and odors while an integrated light offers focused lighting while cooking.
- Cooking: output wattage, usable cavity dimensions, sensor settings and whether the turntable can be switched off.
- Controls: glass-touch or membrane panel, location, responsiveness, control lock and sound muting.
- Ventilation and lighting: fan-speed choices, supported duct arrangement and cooktop-light settings.
- Everyday comfort: operating noise, visibility into the cavity and how accessible the controls are in your kitchen.
RTINGS’ model reviews provide tested usability and noise comparisons for the four reviewed models; feature count by itself does not show whether a particular control or tradeoff will suit your household.
Sources and scope
- RTINGS, “The 4 Best Over-The-Range Microwaves of 2026”, updated September 16, 2026. RTINGS says it checked inventory on August 5 and September 16, 2026.
- Whirlpool, “Combination Microwave & Vent Hood Comparison Chart.”
- Samsung Global Newsroom, “Samsung Introduces New Over-the-Range Microwave With DualVent Technology,” August 20, 2026.
- GE Appliances, “Over The Range Microwave Ovens Comparison.”
Catalog specifications, stock and prices can change. The GE comparison page is manufacturer information; it is not presented here as an independent test of the five shortlisted models.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
