Compare microwave oven brands in New Zealand at Canstar Blue. Breville, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, Anko, Living & Co and Sharp were compared on Overall Satisfaction, Ease of Use, Design, Features & Functionality, Performance and Value for Money.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Kiwi consumers rate Breville the No.1 brand for microwave ovens.
Our review compares microwave oven brands on customer satisfaction, so you can discover what other Kiwis think about our compared microwave oven brands before you go ahead and purchase a new appliance. Think of it like asking hundreds of your closest friends and family which microwave ovens they think are best!
Canstar Blue surveyed 806 Kiwis who had purchased and used a new microwave oven in the past three years and asked for their feedback on their oven brands.
Respondents rate their satisfaction with their microwave oven brands from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Brand satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall Satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall Satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.
BrevilleBreville is synonymous with quality kitchen appliances. This year’s award winner, it’s the only brand to earn a 5-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction, a fantastic score it replicates across all award categories except one, Value for Money, for which it earns a great 4-Star rating.
Founded in Sydney in 1932, Breville is an iconic brand that sells kitchen products in over 70 countries. It retails a range of microwave ovens: smaller cheaper units, between 23L and 4L, and a top-of-the-range 3-in-1 model that has air-fryer and convection oven features, in addition to microwave cooking.
PanasonicPanasonic scores an equal mix of great 4- and 5-Star ratings across all categories. It earns its top ratings for Design, Ease of Use and Features & Functionality.
Panasonic is a Japanese electronics company that arrived in New Zealand in 1998. Since then it has become a trusted provider of household appliances and electronics for Kiwis across the nation.
The brand’s extensive selection of microwave ovens ranges from 20L up to 44L, meaning it has something for every kitchen. Panasonic also retails a range of combination microwave-convection ovens.
LGRated 4 Stars for Overall Satisfaction by the Kiwi consumers in our survey, LG earns its best ratings for Design and Performance. It has 4-Star ratings for Value for Money and Features & Functionality, and takes home 3 Stars for Ease of Use.
Established in 1958, LG has become a leader of the digital era, thanks to its technological expertise in manufacturing home appliances.
The brand sells seven microwave ovens in New Zealand, ranging from 23L to 42L. Each appliance has a sleek and minimalistic design, with easy-touch controls and a tempered glass door. To fight against germs, LG microwave ovens also feature interior anti-bacterial coatings.
SamsungSitting fourth on our awards table, Samsung earns predominantly Four Star ratings from its microwave customers. It earns its lowest ratings, 3 Stars, for Value for Money and Ease of Use. However, it’s worth noting that 3 Stars is by no means a measure of dissatisfaction, rather it shows that Samsung’s customers are happy with the levels of Value for Money and Ease of Use their microwave ovens deliver.
Samsung is known for its high-tech and innovative products, and its microwave ovens are no different. There are nine models to choose from, ranging from 23L-40L, which feature innovations such as humidity sensors, home dessert settings and easy-clean ceramic insides. One model also has a grill element, to brown and crisp your food.
Anko lives up to its reputation as a budget-friendly brand by earning a 5-Star rating for Value for Money – the only top rating in the value category on our awards table. Anko also has a 5-Star rating for Ease of Use and a 4-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction.
Kmart’s home brand Anko is known for its affordable products. It has four microwaves in its range, each at a low price point. Its smallest and cheapest model is 20L and costs $69, while its largest oven, 34L, costs $169. The appliances’ features include: 6-10 auto-cook settings and child locks.
Living & CoLiving & Co’s customers award the brand a consistently good set of 4-Star ratings across all categories, from Overall Satisfaction to Value for Money.
Distributed by The Warehouse, Living & Co offers a range of affordable appliances and homewares, including four microwave ovens that range in size from 20L-34L and cost between $69 and $189.
SharpSharp rounds out our awards table and earns predominantly 3-Star ratings. It earns it highest praise for Features and Functionality, 4 Stars.
Sharp is a Japanese electronics company that was founded in 1912 and arrived in New Zealand 1968. It sells the widest range of microwave ovens of the brands on our list, which can be split into three categories: standard microwaves, grill ovens, and convection microwave ovens. Most of the brand’s microwaves are mid-sized, perfect for small families. Sharp also manufactures compact microwave ovens, for those who are really short on space.
Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here’s another brand to check out before making a purchase decision.
Fisher & PaykelFisher & Paykel doesn’t sell standalone microwave ovens, instead it retails a comprehensive range of built-in combination ovens with microwaving capabilities. As can be expected, these options are far more expensive than standard microwave ovens, and most cost a few thousand dollars. However, Fisher & Paykel does sell a small, built-in combination microwave and grill for around $500.
A microwave oven is a household workhorse that in most homes is used multiple times a day. Indeed, 65% of respondents in our survey say that they use their microwave ovens every day.
Therefore, it’s no surprise to discover that when it comes to what makes Kiwis content with their microwaves, nearly a third of those in our survey say performance is the most important concern.
However, cost is still important. Does a $800 microwave oven really reheat yesterday’s pizza any better than a $200 model? Well, over half of consumers (52%) in our award survey say they use their microwaves for reheating and defrosting. And value for money? It rates second on our list of main concerns when it comes to microwave oven satisfaction.
Overall, here’s how the consumers in our survey rank the main things they consider when rating their microwave oven choices:
Don’t be intimidated by any built-up grime, cleaning a microwave oven is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean a microwave oven:
Before cleaning, make sure the microwave is unplugged or disconnected from the power source to ensure safety.
Use a damp cloth to remove any loose debris, such as food particles or crumbs, from the microwave.
In a microwave-safe container, mix equal parts water and white vinegar (or use lemon juice as an alternative). You can also add a few drops of dish soap or a mild cleaning solution to the mixture.
Place the bowl with the cleaning solution in the microwave. Microwave the solution on high for 3-5 minutes or until it boils and creates steam. The steam will help loosen food residue and stains inside the microwave.
Keep the microwave closed for a few minutes to allow the steam to work its magic in softening dried-on food.
Carefully open the microwave and remove the bowl with the cleaning solution (use oven mitts, as it will be hot).
Using a soft cloth or sponge, wipe down the interior of the microwave. Pay extra attention to areas with stains or splatters. For stubborn stains, you can dip the cloth or sponge in the cleaning solution to help remove them.
Remove the turntable (glass dish) and any removable racks or shelves from the microwave. Wash them in warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
Wipe down the microwave door, including the frame and the inside of the glass with a damp cloth.
Wipe down the exterior of the microwave, including the control panel and the handle. Use a separate, clean cloth and a mild cleaning solution or a mixture of water and vinegar.
Once everything is clean and dry, reassemble the microwave by putting the racks and turntable back inside.
Plug the microwave back in to the wall socket and turn it on.
About the editor of this pageThis report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.
Reason for Using Microwave Oven
Only use microwave oven for reheating and defrosting: 52%
Regularly use microwave oven to cook ready-made meals: 35%
Use microwave oven to save power when cooking: 22%
Frequency of Use
Use microwave oven every day: 65%
Canstar Blue surveyed 2575 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from respondents who have an oven in their home and have used it during the past 12 months. In this case, 806 New Zealanders.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria. Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criterion.
The past winners from Canstar Blue’s Microwave Ovens:
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