
"Even the simpler aspects of this great value microwave have been executed well..."
At the lower end of the market with a price of between $50 and $70, the Amazon Basics Microwave has some industry-leading features. When paired with an Amazon Echo you can use voice command to control this microwave, giving a continually evolving number of pre-set cooking options. Even the simpler aspects of this great value microwave have been executed well, such as the use of a basic, sleek black design to suit any kitchen and a simplified, easy-to-use touchpad and LCD display. There are a couple of areas that Amazon have had to make sacrifices in, such as the size of the internal capacity, however this model deserves a top spot in the race for the best microwave on the market.
Design/Appearance
Amazon have kept their Amazon Basics Microwave very sleek and simple in its visual design. It is a basic, black design with a reflective finish, with a simple touchpad and LCD display to the right of the main door. The simplicity of this microwave’s design means it would suit most kitchen interiors. The external dimensions of this great value microwave are (Width x Height x Depth): 17.3 in. x 10.1 in. x 14.1 in. which means it will fit under almost any overhanging kitchen cabinets and won’t take up much room on your countertop either. The Amazon Basics Microwave turntable is 10 inches in diameter meaning it can support plenty of different dishes, however it probably wouldn’t be the best choice if you use the microwave for a lot of large-scale family cooking. The turntable is also included with the price so you’re getting a lot for your money.
Cooking Performance
This microwave is 700W and microwaves with turntables such as the Amazon Basics Microwave, ensure thorough cooking as the food steadily rotates; absorbing the cooking power from every angle. There are ten power levels which gives you plenty of options to suit lots of different kinds of cooking. Cooking has been made much simpler by this microwave as its Amazon Alexa feature allows you to choose from a variety of different pre-set options for different food types. You can even re-heat a cup of tea without having to think about how long it will take or the power it will require. By keeping things simple, Amazon have made sure this microwave does what it is supposed to, and well. If you’re disappointed with the cooking quality however, this microwave does come with a one-year warranty included in the price. This is a testament to the belief Amazon has in this good quality microwave.
Ease of Use
Ease-of-use is an area that Amazon have really focused on with their Basics Microwave. Amazon have made this Microwave Alexa-compatible so that you can use your Amazon Echo Dot device to use voice command and activate the Microwave’s functions. This makes it incredibly easy to use as it gives the option of a delayed start, which allows you to get on with other jobs. It also creates loads of pre-set cooking options which Amazon are continually adding to. You don’t need to know a lot about cooking when you can just give a simple command such as “Re-heat one plate of chicken”. This feature is very easy to set-up and use and the microwave comes with a handy instruction manual to help you. Basic instructions have also been printed onto the interior rim of the door which is a thoughtful design aspect. If you do not have an Amazon Echo, the simple design of this great value microwave means the touch controls are also straightforward to use. The LCD display clearly shows any information you need to know, and the simple touchpad gives a possible ten power options. You need to manually input timings however, but with a simple ten keys, it is not difficult to do. The Amazon Basics microwave is very easy to clean and thanks to the black finish any marks it does have on it are not clearly visible anyway.
Features
Despite the fact you have to purchase the Amazon Echo separately, the voice command on the Amazon Basics Microwave is a fantastic feature. It is very rare to find on any competitor models, making this one of the best microwaves on the market. Another innovative feature offered by this great quality microwave is the fact you can programme it to re-order popcorn for you should you run out. Using this Amazon Dash Replacement technology, you can save 10% on the cost of popcorn as well as saving time. Other basic but very useful features include a timer function and a child lock, which is a vital safety feature for a lot of users.
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Final Thoughts
As well as highly innovative features like Amazon Dash Replenishment technology which has the ability to tell when you need to re-order popcorn, the Amazon Basics Microwave also covers all the basics very well. For example, there is a timer function and a child lock which shows that Amazon have designed a versatile, top-quality microwave despite its extremely affordable price. If you’re looking for your next microwave be sure to check this one out.