Whether you’re pressed down on time or just looking for a quick snack, there is nothing as convenient as a microwave. With the power to dish up food in the shortest time possible, a microwave is almost every American kitchen’s necessity.

A microwave is not just convenient, but a highly versatile appliance which lets you defrost, heat, steam, cook food, and in some instances even bake. However, not every microwave can perform each one of these functions.

Today, the United States of America has a large number of appliance brands that sell microwave ovens. But selecting a one that gives you not just excellent service but also value for money is critical. However, we understand what a mammoth task choosing a microwave that is best suited for your needs can be. This is why we’ve put together a list of five of the best microwaves to help you choose.

Maytag MMV4205DH

This over-the-range microwave is the best among our list of top five microwave ovens. It comes endowed with a sensor cooking technology that adjusts the power and cooking time, thus ensuring that your food is evenly heated. This microwave has a space of 2 cubic feet and an additional rack that allows for multi-level cooking. It has a stainless steel interior that makes for easier cleaning. This Maytag microwave also comes with an inbuilt charcoal filter that helps clear up any smell of food it cooks, thus ensuring you have an odorless kitchen. Its turntables can be operated with the click of a button. For the fantastic features it comes with, this microwave at USD 269 is a complete value for money.

KitchenAid KHMC319ESS

Costing about USD 765, this convection microwave makes sure your food is cooked very fast. It comes with an inbuilt sensor steam/simmers cook cycle that gauges how much time a particular food takes to prepare, and accordingly adjusts the power supply and cooking time. This 1,000-watt microwave comes with a stainless steel interior can go up to 1,500 watts when used as convection. It also has a 14-inch turntable, a 1.9 cubic foot cavity, and two cooking racks that allow you to cook more than one dish at a time. This KitchenAid microwave has a steam cleaning feature that eases your task of microwave cleaning.

GE JES1072SHSS

This 700-watt counter-top microwave that costs just USD 89, is one of the best among budget microwave ovens. It has a bare minimum capacity of 0.7 cubic feet and an easy to read LED display. It also comes with a child lock, sound control and an option to increase your cooking time. Although it comes with minimum frills and fancies, this microwave gives you total value for money.

Samsung MG14H3020CM

This 950-watt counter-top microwave from Samsung is a sleek and classy looking one that has a mirror finish to it. It has a 1.4-foot cubic cavity with a ceramic enamel interior that is easy to clean as well as resistant to scratches. Priced at USD 175, this microwave comes with a variety of different cooking options as well as a grill option that is perfect for baking foods like pizzas.

Danby DNW7700BLDB

This simple microwave that is priced at just USD 55 has a 0.7 cubic foot capacity and is perfect for kitchens where space is a constraint. It comes with an easy to read LED clock and timer. It is also endowed with ten power levels, a turntable, a one-touch cooking feature and an oven light. For the price it is sold at, this 700-watt microwave offers the best quality.

Before choosing the right microwave, be sure to read about its specifications to select the perfect one for yourself and your family.