While the market abounds with microwave ovens by various brands, not all models are suitable for elderly people. The ideal microwave oven for seniors is one that has simple controls such as dials and knobs (or better yet, large legible buttons), easy-to-read labels, an auto-shutoff sensor, a pull-style handle, and very loud alerts.
Best Microwave Ovens for Seniors: Our Top 7 Picks
In this post, we’d be looking at some of the best microwave ovens that meet these requirements. In ranking our top picks, we also considered brand trust, durability, reviews by users, pricing, and other important factors.
Now, let’s cut right to the chase.
Magic Chef MCD770CW 0.7-Cu. Ft. 700W Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
No products found.Magic Chef is known all over the world for producing quality kitchenware, and this retro countertop microwave is no different.
There are several reasons why it makes our list. For starters, it’s vintage design is perfect for seniors. It’s also reasonably small so it isn’t too heavy. Seniors are unlikely to need a large microwave oven so, at just 0.7 cubic feet, this one’s perfect.
Its compact size also makes it perfect for tiny spaces. It fits seamlessly into a smaller house or caravan, making life easy.
This microwave comes with seven different power levels, making it versatile enough to make everything from popcorn to much more complex dishes. It doesn’t consume too much power, either, making it perfect for seniors, who might be looking to save money.
A towel bar handle attached to the door makes it easy to open and close the door when putting in and taking out food. There are also two rotary dials on the front which complete the retro look. Although it has a simple design, this microwave is still high quality, making it the perfect choice.
Pros
- Easy to operate.
- Retro design.
- Towel bar handle.
- Compact size.
Cons
- No built-in light.
- Setting really short cooking times can be difficult.
Nostalgia RMO4AQ Retro Large 0.9 cu ft, 800-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven
No products found.When you think of quality kitchenware, one of the brands that come to mind is Nostalgia. This countertop microwave is another retro design, making it perfect for seniors who are more comfortable with vintage designs rather than the latest technology.
At 0.9 cubic feet, it’s a little bit larger than the one above. Despite this, it’s still compact enough to fit into small spaces, making it a great choice for small kitchens or even on a caravan trip. Seniors often don’t need to make food for large families so it could be perfect for their needs.
Another reason why we like this one is that it’s really convenient to use and control. The oven comes with twelve preset cooking controls, giving the user an array of options and making it versatile in terms of what it can cook.
Unlike a lot of retro microwaves, it comes with a timer and a digital clock that lights up using an LED, which also lights up the cooking settings, making it easy to read in low light. The retro look is completed by an old-school dial and buttons, as well as a towel door handle.
Pros
- Easy and convenient to use.
- Retro design.
- Compact
- Durable
- Up to twelve preset cooking options.
- Delay timer.
- Digital clock with an LED light.
Cons
- It shuts down too early, after just six minutes.
- The microwave needs to cool for about ten minutes before you can restart cooking.
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN936B Black Countertop
No products found.This microwave is a perfect example of the quality and class that the Panasonic brand is synonymous with, as well as representing a true depiction of the way microwaves have evolved. A lot of time and effort was clearly put into this oven, so it just to meet our list.
Who would’ve thought to put an inverter in a microwave? Panasonic did, ensuring constant heat that cooks your meal even faster and more evenly. At 1.2 cubic feet, this is bigger than many other microwaves, making provision for larger meals or bulk cooking for meal prep.
It comes with fourteen pre-programmed settings for a variety of foods, making it quite versatile. It also includes a series of “One-Touch settings”, which including Turbo Defrost, Popcorn, Keep Warm, and Sensor Reheat.
Panasonic has definitely sacrificed electronic space for utility here, so while it isn’t necessarily bigger on the outside, it has a huge capacity on the inside. For example, the turntable is 13.4 inches in circumference, but the sleek, high-end design sports just buttons and no chunky dials.
Pros
- Sleek, high-end design.
- Fourteen pre-programmable controls.
- One-Touch controls.
- Large internal space.
- Easy to operate.
Cons
- The beeper isn’t very loud.
Daewoo KOR07R3ZEC 0.7 cu. ft 700W Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
No products found.Daewoo is another brand that is synonymous with high-quality products and this microwave won’t disappoint. This is the third in their line of retro ovens designed to take you down memory lane.
It’s a perfect mix of vintage design with modern functions, making it perfect for the more technologically minded senior. They’ll find it easy to use while still enjoying the latest technology. The gloss finish means it fits seamlessly with any kitchen décor; and it’s not just elegant in design, it’s also functional.
At 0.7 cubic feet, it’s perfect for small kitchens, making it a good option for any senior, especially those who live alone and don’t need to make much food. There are five programmed cooking levels and power levels, and a child lock as well.
The retro dial controls on this oven are very easy to manipulate, with very few buttons. All in all, it is a cute piece of kitchenware that performs brilliantly, making it a really great choice for seniors.
Pros
- Controls are easy to manipulate.
- Compact size.
- Very affordable.
- Retro design.
- Child lock.
Cons
- Not enough programmable cooking options.
- Not very stable.
COSTWAY Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
No products found.This is another microwave that mixes vintage design with modern functions. It’s one of the latest releases from COSTWAY and is – as expected – of very high quality.
Its maximum power consumption is relatively low at 700 watts, making it valuable to seniors who want to conserve as much power as possible. With up to eight cooking menus and five power levels, it’s pretty versatile and user-friendly, with a multi-function feature to make cooking easy.
This microwave was built for both elegance and efficiency, meeting your daily cooking needs without stress. One of its stand out features is a delayed start function, and the compact size makes it easy to move around and fit into small spaces.
It also comes with a digital timer, auto-reminder, and an LED light that makes it easy to see the timer/clock, even in low light.
Pros
- Compact.
- Affordable.
- Auto-reminder.
- Delayed start function.
- Customizable auto-cooking settings.
Cons
- May run a little slow.
Impecca CM0674 700-Watts Countertop Microwave Oven
No products found.Impecca did a great job with the design of this microwave, especially the compact size at 0.6 cubic feet with a turntable of 9.65 inches in circumference. You can adjust the power controls for personalized a cooking experience, and the safety feature on this oven ensures that cooking times will not exceed 30 minutes.
Dual dial knobs on the front make it another retro-style model, and the small size is perfect for condos, studios, and caravans. It also has a defrost function and a push-button door.
Pros
- 30-minute time limit.
- Compact.
- Affordable.
- Retro design.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- The dials are a bit difficult to read because they’re the same color as the oven.
Commercial Chef CHM660B Countertop Counter Top Microwave
No products found.Commercial Chef is another brand that’s known for its high quality products. This oven is designed for ease and comfort, perfect for seniors who just want something simple and efficient.
With up to six power levels, it can take on most cooking tasks, making it versatile and capable of tackling many different dishes. It comes with a defrost function and a standby mode that reduces power consumption.
This microwave is compact and easy to maintain. The rotating carousel can be removed and placed in the dishwasher for washing. Seniors will find the retro mechanical controls easy to use, and the construction durable and sturdy.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy construction.
- Easy to use.
- Mechanical controls.
- Standby and defrost functions.
Cons
- A bit too old school.
- Not as durable as more powerful microwaves.
Last update on 2023-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API