Types of Microwaves Explained
Quick Answer: The Types of Microwaves
There are five main types: countertop (freestanding, cheapest, most popular), over-the-range (mounts above the stove and doubles as a vent hood), built-in (flush into cabinetry for a seamless look), microwave drawer (opens like a drawer, easy to reach), and convection microwave (adds a heating element so it can bake and brown). Choose by where it will go and whether you want extra cooking power.
- Best value and flexibility: countertop
- Saves counter space and vents the stove: over-the-range
- Seamless premium look: built-in or drawer
A microwave is a microwave when it comes to heating leftovers — but the type you buy decides where it fits, how your kitchen looks, and whether it can also vent your stove or bake a tray of vegetables. This guide walks through every type, explains wattage in plain terms, and helps you match the right one to your kitchen and habits.
Microwave running but not heating?
That is a magnetron or high-voltage part — and a microwave holds a dangerous charge even unplugged, so it is not a DIY fix. Neighborville handles it safely. Upfront pricing, $99 diagnostic waived when you approve the repair.
Countertop Microwaves
The countertop microwave is the freestanding box most people picture: you set it on a counter or shelf, plug it into a standard outlet, and you are done. It is the cheapest type, the easiest to install (there is no installation), and the simplest to replace or move. The only real cost is the counter or shelf space it occupies. For most households on a budget, or renters who cannot modify the kitchen, this is the default and sensible choice.
Over-the-Range Microwaves
An over-the-range (OTR) microwave mounts on the wall above your cooktop, freeing the counter entirely. Its bonus feature is that it doubles as a range hood: it has a light for the cooktop and an exhaust fan to pull away steam and smoke. That two-in-one design is why OTR models are so common in American kitchens. The trade-offs are a more involved installation (it must be mounted and, ideally, vented outside), a higher price than a countertop unit, and a mounting height that can be a reach for shorter cooks.
Built-In Microwaves
A built-in microwave installs flush into cabinetry or a wall, often paired with a wall oven or set into an island, usually with a trim kit for a finished look. Its whole purpose is aesthetics and a custom, integrated kitchen — nothing sticks out onto the counter, and the appliance disappears into the design. It is the most expensive way to add a microwave and requires cabinetry planned around it, so it suits kitchen remodels and higher-end kitchens more than a quick purchase.
Microwave Drawers
A microwave drawer installs below the countertop or in an island and opens by sliding out like a drawer, so you load it from the top. It is sleek, keeps the counter and upper cabinets clear, and is the most accessible type — easy for children, shorter adults, and anyone who cannot comfortably reach an over-the-range unit. Drawers are a premium option with a higher price and a dedicated cabinet cutout, but for accessibility and a clean look they are hard to beat.
Convection Microwaves
A convection microwave is defined by what it can do rather than where it goes: it adds a heating element and a fan to standard microwave cooking, so it can bake, roast, and brown like a small oven. It is genuinely useful in a small kitchen, an apartment, or as a second oven at holidays. The catch is a higher price, a learning curve to use the microwave and convection functions well, and the fact that it is still smaller than a real oven. Countertop, over-the-range, and built-in models all come in convection versions.
All Types Compared
| Type | Install | Cost | Space | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop | None (plug in) | Lowest | Uses counter | Value, renters, flexibility |
| Over-the-range | Mounted + vent | Mid | Frees counter | Small kitchens, stove venting |
| Built-in | Cabinet cutout + trim | High | Integrated | Remodels, seamless look |
| Drawer | Cabinet cutout | High | Frees counter + uppers | Accessibility, sleek design |
| Convection (any form) | Varies | Higher | Varies | Baking and browning too |
Understanding Wattage
Wattage is the microwave’s cooking power, and it matters more than most buyers realize. Most household units run 700 to 1,200 watts, and package cooking instructions are generally written for about 1,000 watts.
| Wattage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 700 – 800 W | Budget and compact units; slower, less even cooking |
| 900 – 1,000 W | The all-around sweet spot; matches package instructions |
| 1,100 – 1,200 W | Fast, even cooking; common on full-size and premium models |
Which Type Should You Choose?
| Choose this | If you… |
|---|---|
| Countertop | Want the lowest price and flexibility, or rent and cannot modify the kitchen |
| Over-the-range | Want to free the counter and also vent your stove in one appliance |
| Built-in | Are remodeling and want a seamless, integrated kitchen look |
| Drawer | Value easy access and accessibility, or a sleek counter-free design |
| Convection | Want the microwave to also bake, roast, and brown |
When a Microwave Needs a Pro
Microwaves last around 9 to 10 years, and when they fail it is usually the magnetron (runs but does not heat), a door switch, the high-voltage diode, or the turntable motor. Small things like a burnt-out bulb or a stuck turntable are minor, but anything involving the high-voltage side is genuinely dangerous. If you are weighing a repair against a cheap countertop replacement, the repair-or-replace calculator helps, and the appliance lifespan database shows where yours is in its expected life.
No heat, sparking, or a dead turntable? We service every microwave type.
Book a Diagnostic →Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of microwaves?
What is the difference between over-the-range and built-in microwaves?
What is a convection microwave?
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No heat, sparking, or a broken door latch?
Neighborville safely services countertop, over-the-range, built-in, and drawer microwaves of every major brand — honest diagnosis, upfront pricing, parts-and-labor warranty. The $99 diagnostic is waived when you approve the repair.
📞 (863) 474-2970Microwave type descriptions, wattage guidance, and lifespan figures reflect manufacturer specifications and Neighborville service-call records on microwave repairs across countertop, over-the-range, built-in, and drawer models.
Last updated: July 2026
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