In this article, we have reviewed the best microwave for seniors. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot. Or you can scroll down for detailed product reviews.
Contents
Even a simple act of reheating food can be a difficult job for elderly people who are living alone. Thankfully, technology has intervened to provide easy to use microwaves for them.
Microwaves constructed keeping seniors in mind come with simple control buttons, large and easy to read buttons, auto-shutoff feature, sound based operation and several other features.
However, given the huge variety of microwaves out there, it becomes difficult to choose the best microwave for seniors. If you are also looking for the right one for your loved ones, this article will help you in your task.
Our Top Choice – Nostalgia Store Microwave Oven
The Nostalgia Retro Countertop Microwave Oven - Large 800-Watt - 0.9 cu ft - 12 Pre-Programmed Cooking Settings - Digital Clock - Kitchen Appliances - Aqua is our top choice for the best microwave for seniors, because of the following reasons:
- The microwave comes with 800 watts cooking power that enables fast cooking.
- Easy to read, large LED display and timer
- The cooking controls are easy to understand and use.
- The easy navigation turn and push dial and buttons bring out an old-world charm
- Takes up minimum countertop space, while still having a lot of space to hold a full plate
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Best Microwave For Seniors
#1 Nostalgia Store Microwave Oven
One of the best microwaves designed especially for senior citizens, this Nostalgia store microwave oven is perfect for your home kitchen, basement bars, and break rooms. The beautiful and sleek retro design oven is sure to stand out in any kitchen. This features 12 pre-programmed cooking settings and LED lighted digital clock that displays the current time.
The compact size oven highlights the popular food choices that are pre-programmed to heat your food in the most efficient way. This is one of the simplest as well as the easiest to use kitchen tools for seniors. The various pre-programmed cooking options provide you with a variety of food choices in the best possible way.
Its rotating glass carousel helps to cook food evenly. You can easily navigate cooking settings with a simple turn and push program dial. The oven is powered in a way to quickly cook and reheat foods. Thus making it a vital tool for your everyday kitchen purpose.
The video below features Nostalgia RMO4AQ.
Pros
- The oven features 12 pre-programmed cooking settings.
- Sleek door chrome handle with control panel.
- An eye-catching tool for any countertop.
- Child safety lockout mode is included to prevent accidents.
- It can easily fit a standard size plate.
Cons
- The Defrost feature is a bit complicated as it shuts down even before heating.
- When you try to heat anything beyond 6 minutes, it shuts down immediately.
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#2 AmazonBasics Microwave
This microwave eases cooking by letting your microwave use your voice and an Echo device. It is engineered with voice control features. The Ask Alexa button is included for this purpose. The cooking p[rocess includes calling Alexa to start cooking while mentioning the cooking time. As the button will instantly wake up your paired echo.
This AmazonBasics oven has ten power levels, a kitchen timer, a child lock, and a turntable, which can enable you to prepare all different types of foods. Moreover, you can automatically reorder popcorn when you run low as you can select the popcorn brands in the Alexa app.
This oven is easy to use and simple to set up. Now you can easily defrost vegetables, make popcorn, and reheat rice.
Pros
- Its compact size helps to save your counter space.
- With quick-cook presets, there is no need to guess cook times.
- Add voice control by combining it with an Alexa device.
- It works on Amazon dash Replenishment technology.
Cons
- Voice command is not inbuilt in the oven, it works only with amazon Alexa echo dot.
#3 Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave
Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave oven is designed in a way to ease your cooking work. The Countertop oven has an interior capacity of 0.9 cubic feet. The oven assures to boost the kitchen experience with reheating features and innovative cooking.
This six power level makes the microwave oven suitable for your everyday cooking purpose. It features a middle level to reheat food or defrost veggies. The high settings are available for more heavy-duty cooking tasks like preparing a frozen dinner. This oven, therefore, holds a special place in your kitchen.
This tool does not consume any electricity, and there is no glow from an electronic display to disrupt sleep. Moreover, cleaning this oven is easy and convenient. Its removable glass turntable can go in the dishwasher. The microwave is quite simple in its working so senior people can operate it with convenience.
Pros
- With this oven, you get 900 watts of cooking power and a .09 cubic foot interior.
- It comes with six easy to use cooking power levels.
- Mechanical dial control is easy to use.
- Easy to clean and require minimal upkeep.
- High settings are available for heavy-duty cooking tasks.
Cons
- Some users felt that the control panel was installed on the wrong side.
- The timer also does not stop the microwaving.
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#4 Sharp Store Microwave Oven
If you are seeking an oven that can handle your versatile needs, this product would be excellent. This oven is made of stainless steel exterior and interior. The oven is best for its durability and convenience. It comes with 20 memory pads that allow you to program the perfect power level and time settings.
Effortless cooking is another awesome feature of this microwave, making it worthwhile for senior people. This oven lets you defrost food in a quick and easy way. This oven is an excellent option if you are looking for a microwave to defrost your food and to retain its taste for a long time.
This oven comes with some nice features that any person would love to have. One of these features is its ten pre-programmed memories. Its simplicity makes it easy to use, especially by the seniors.
Pros
- Its express defrost responds quickly with easy, offering last-minute defrosting.
- 1000 watts design makes it easy for daily use.
- The interior is stainless steel with a smooth plastic bottom.
- Easy and fast to use.
- Cleaning of the flat surface is also easy.
.Cons
- Some users complained of the microwave stopping during the use.
#5 Magic Chef Countertop Microwave
Magic Chef Countertop Microwave is a multifunctional cooking oven for your everyday purpose. This microwave oven combines innovation with comfort. This microwave is especially for senior citizens. As you are guaranteed a perfect meal with this oven. The oven features eight quick-set menu buttons.
This microwave model provides 900 watts of power and ten power levels along with 6 auto cook menus. That helps you quickly and easily prepare your favorite meals in no time. The oven features electric control with LED display. This LED display makes it easy for you to see the food as you don’t have to keep repeating the process of opening the door to check on your cooked meal.
There is a push-button door. This push-button door helps you with easy microwave operations. Its auto defrost by time or weight eliminates the guesswork in determining defrosting time. Thus, this oven caters to your daily kitchen needs.
Pros
- The oven features eight quick-set menu buttons.
- Ideal to use for defrosting, popcorns, and warming food.
- Simple to change power.
- Simple and convenient to operate.
- It is already programmed to hi-power.
- The compact microwave offers 900 watts of power.
Cons
- Sometimes this oven causes loud, rattling noise.
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What Should You Look For Before Buying The Best Microwave For Seniors?
There are a variety of microwaves that flood the market. Check out the buyers’ guide to find the best microwave oven that suits the utility of seniors.
Easy To Operate
Whether you feel like munching on popcorn or reheating your leftovers, a tap touch allows you to control your microwave oven. Seniors suffering from arthritis may face difficulties in maneuvering the microwave’s dial buttons. Microwave ovens for seniors have easy to use control panels. It gives them the option to boil, reheat, defrost, bake, or grill with a simple touch system.
Control Lockout
The control lockout option is a unique feature for seniors facing memory loss. It avoids any accidental operation of the microwave ovens. If the microwave switches on without any food inside, it can cause a fire. Thus, the safety aspect of the control lockout prevents unintended operation of the microwave oven
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Prominent Alarm
The time indicator alerts the user automatically after the food is heated or cooked. Once the food is ready to eat, the microwave oven intimates the user with a prominent DING sound.
Sometimes seniors who experience forgetfulness need gentle reminders that the food is ready to eat. The sound is loud enough for seniors suffering from hearing problems.
Easy Open Microwave Door
Seniors with arthritic joints may find it difficult to open and close the microwave doors with latch. However, manufacturers producing microwaves for seniors keep in mind their difficulties. Therefore, the best microwave for seniors has a recessed button on the side of the door for easy access.
Accommodating Interior
Who would want to make several rounds to the microwave for a single meal? The microwave for seniors is meant to reduce their efforts to serve supper. The glass turntable is large enough to accommodate a full dinner plate. Moreover, a wide interior avoids several trips to the microwave oven to fetch your food.
Easy Clean
Spills and splurts of soup, coffee, etc. are unavoidable when you are using the microwave. Cleaning the interior of the microwave could become a task for seniors. However, you can wipe off the spills with a damp cloth without applying too much effort.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest microwave to use for seniors?
Undoubtedly, senior citizens need microwaves that are easy to operate. AmazonBasics is a compact counterfeit microwave, which combines with an Alexa device. It operates on verbal instructions. Thus, seniors with finger arthritis do not need to strain their hands to push or dial buttons.
Apart from that, people with vision impairments can opt for microwaves with mechanical dial control. Thus, Commercial Chef CHMH900B6C microwave offers dial control and simple functionality for senior citizens with weak vision.
How many watts is best for microwave cooking?
The best microwave oven’s with 700 watts or more will give you the best results. Nostalgia RMO4AQ Retro microwave is 800 watts. Alternatively, you can opt for Magic Chef MCD993R, which is 900 watts. It cooks the food evenly at a relatively quick speed. Microwaves with less than 700 watts can do decent reheat of food.
However, microwaves with 800 watts of power allow you to experiment with different recipes. Moreover, higher watts of power, help to save cooking and reheating time.
When do we need to switch to a new microwave?
The average life of a safe microwave oven is about seven years with regular use. If you have crossed the decade mark, it is best to renew your microwave to AmazonBasics for the sake of energy efficiency. The smart technology microwave combines with an Alexa device, which receives voice commands.
Even if your microwave works without any complaints, you could be at risk of health hazards due to radiation leakage. It would be best to check for radiation emission from your microwave after every few months to ensure there is no leakage. In case of the slightest leakage, you need to replace your microwave with a new one immediately.
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Conclusion
When it comes to selecting the best microwave for seniors, you need to choose one that is not only easy to understand but is comfortable for use as well.
In this article, we have selected the best microwave for seniors based on the features mentioned in our buyer’s guide and the ratings and comments mentioned by actual users on Amazon.
In our opinion, the Nostalgia Retro Countertop Microwave Oven - Large 800-Watt - 0.9 cu ft - 12 Pre-Programmed Cooking Settings - Digital Clock - Kitchen Appliances - Aqua is the best choice among the various options that we have considered, because the Nostalgia microwave oven comes with easy navigation cooking settings that makes the process fun for seniors.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the COMMERCIAL CHEF Rotary Dial Microwave with 6 Power Levels, Small Microwave with Pull Handle, 900W Countertop Microwave with Kitchen Timer, Microwave 0.9 Cu Ft with Rotary Dial Controls, Black, which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
For more senior-friendly appliances do read the best coffee makers, electric kettles, water filters, blenders, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
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