Microwave on the kitchen counter

How Much Does A Microwave Weigh? (Table With Examples)

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Since the invention of the microwave oven, it has gradually become a common kitchen appliance in homes, cafes, restaurants, offices, and even recreational vehicles. Different places have different demands from microwaves. Thus, the capacity of microwaves differs, and so do their weights. But, how much does a microwave weigh?  

Microwave ovens are compact, and they occupy a limited space on your kitchen countertop. Because of the dimensions, microwaves are not so heavy. They can be lightweight, weighing only 20 pounds, or heavyweight, weighing up to 140 pounds. 

In this article, I will talk about the weight of various types of microwave ovens. You will also learn how microwave ovens have changed to become so compact and lightweight today. Thus, you can choose the right-weight microwave oven for yourself. 

How Much Does A Microwave Weigh?

The weight of a microwave depends on its size and material. On average, microwave ovens can weigh up to 55 pounds. However, the size and weight of microwaves also vary based on their types and manufacturers. A small countertop microwave can weigh only 20 pounds, whereas; the heaviest commercial microwaves weigh over 100 pounds.  

Now, even if microwaves have the same sizes, their weight can still vary depending on the brand. For example, a Toshiba 1.2 cubic foot microwave oven is 34.6 pounds, and a Panasonic 1.2 cubic foot microwave is 25.5 pounds. Again, a 0.7 cubic foot Black and Decker microwave weighs 23.8 pounds, but an Amazon Basic of the same size weighs only 21.9. 

This difference happens because the manufacturers use different materials for building microwaves. Besides, the power system and multifunctional features also affect the size and weight of the microwave ovens.  

Weight Of Different Types And Brands Of Microwave Ovens

As I have mentioned before, there are different types of microwave ovens and hundreds of models from different brands. Thus, their size and weight also change. So, the common microwave ovens are: 

  • Countertop Microwave Ovens
  • Over the Range Microwaves
  • Built-In Microwaves
  • Drawer Microwaves

Here is a table to understand the weight and dimension of microwaves: 

SizeHeight (in)Width (In)Depth (In)Capacity (cu.ft)WattsWeight (lbs)
Small Size countertop Microwave10-1415-1910-140.7-1700-100020 to 30
Medium Countertop14-1720-2412-171.1-1.6900-130030 to 40
Full-size Countertop16-1826-3015-201.7-2.21000-140040-100 
Over the Range Microwaves16-1824-3015-181.1-2.21000-120050-80 
Built-in /Drawer Microwaves13-3028-3016-251.1-2.2950-192050-100
Commercial Microwaves 12-2016-2616-240.5-1.6Up to 300040-140

Countertop Microwave Weights 

Countertop microwave ovens are produced for domestic use. Thus, this type of microwave is the most common type of microwave. As they are made for home use or office use, they have a minimal size. The size is compact, and they are easy to operate. 

So, the weight of countertop microwaves is also lightweight. The manufacturers try to keep the size and weight user-friendly so that users can move them easily. Besides, these microwaves take a very limited space on the kitchen countertop.

Typically, countertop microwaves weigh between 25 to 55 pounds. The countertop microwaves come in various sizes- small or compact, medium, and full-size. The capacity of a microwave is measured in cubic feet.

An ideal example of a countertop microwave can be Toshiba’s EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven. It has a 1.2 cubic foot capacity and weighs 34 pounds. Thus, it is not too large and does not occupy much space. 

Toshiba’s EM131A5C-BS
Toshiba’s EM131A5C-BS

Over The Range Microwaves

These microwaves can process large amounts of food. They have a larger size compared to countertop microwaves for home use. Besides, these ovens are built inside a kitchen or attached to the stove. Thus, you can not move them like countertop microwaves. 

You see, over-the-range microwaves in restaurants, hotels, food courts, and other places where food is cooked in a large amount. As there is no need to move the microwaves, they are often heavyweight. 

An example of a full-size over-the-range microwave is the FRIGIDAIRE FGMV17WNVF. It has a 1.7 capacity and weighs 60 pounds. Thus, it is ideal for microwaving a good amount of food in a short time. 

FRIGIDAIRE FGMV17WNVF
FRIGIDAIRE FGMV17WNVF

Built-in /Drawer Microwaves

Built-in microwaves are similar to ‘Over the range’ microwave models. But they usually have more capacity, power, and weight. Built-in microwaves are either built on the kitchen wall or kitchen cabinets. Hence, you can save some space on your countertop.

Drawer microwaves are a type of built-in microwaves that are installed below the countertop. These microwaves have a great capacity and a depth of 16-25 inches. Thus, you can cook a lot of food all at once. Since the size of built-in microwaves is quite large, you can expect the weight of these microwaves to be 50 to 100lbs. 

Commercial Microwaves

Commercial microwaves come in different sizes, ranging from small to large. You can also place them on the countertop like a countertop microwave. But commercial microwaves have some differences from countertop microwaves. They can be large and heavy. The weight can be 50 to 140 pounds and can have up to 3000 watts of power.

This extra weight is not only for the size of the microwave. The material, multi-functionality, and food processing powers also influence the weight of the microwave. Commercial microwaves are thus used more in hotels and restaurants to prepare food for a large group of people. 

What Affects The Weight Of Microwaves?  

The weight of microwaves varies depending on various factors. In the past, it was the elements and materials used to build microwaves. However, with the invention of microchips, modern microwaves have become even more compact and lighter. 

Modern manufacturers now use lightweight materials to make microwaves. However, the weight still varies depending on the design and multi-functional features of the microwaves. More functions mean the manufacturers have to add more components.  

Thus, basic microwaves like the ones from AmazonBasics are one of the lightweight microwaves in the market. They have a small size and capacity of only 0.7 cubic feet. The functions are basic, and the design is simple. 

On the other hand, a Panasonic NN-SN6865 has a 1.2 cubic foot capacity and 1200 watts high-power. The structure of the oven is made of aluminum. So, the weight is 25.5 pounds.

Panasonic NN-SN6865
Panasonic NN-SN6865

Again, a 1.2 cubic foot capacity Farberware with similar power is 38.2 pounds heavier. Though it has the same power and capacity, it is heavier because of its stainless steel body. Therefore, the weight of a microwave depends on its dimensions, materials, capacity, and features. 

What Type Of Microwave Should You Get? 

As you can see, there are both heavyweight and lightweight microwaves in the market. So, which one is best for you? Before buying a microwave, you have to think about a few factors. 

First, think about the purpose of buying the microwave. If you have a small household, you do not have to buy a heavyweight microwave. A lightweight microwave can easily serve your purpose. For that, you can buy a small or medium-sized countertop microwave. 

However, if you are looking for a microwave for your restaurant, you can choose between built-in and commercial microwave ovens. They are heavyweight because they have high capacity. 

Moreover, consider the place you are going to keep your microwave. If you have limited space on the counter, you can use a lightweight countertop microwave. They are easy to move and take up only a small space on your counter or table. 

You can also install a built-in microwave, on the wall or under the countertop. This way, you can save some space. Built-in microwaves are heavy, but they are multifunctional.  

Microwaves Are Becoming Lighter 

What if I told you the invention of the microwave was a mistake? Yes, it was invented accidentally, but turned out to be one of the greatest inventions. Today, no kitchen is complete without these electric boxes. 

Percy Spencer is the inventor of microwaves. From a young age, Spencer had an interest in radio transmission and electricity. Once, he was working on a magnetron and eventually discovered its power to cook food. 

Then, Spencer used his new technology with an enclosed metal box. The box helped to focus the energy waves on the food and speed up the cooking process. However, Raytheon had named the machine “Radialand.” The size and weight of the oven were enormous compared to the modern microwave.  

The first commercial microwave oven was sold in 1945. It was about six feet high and weighed 750 pounds. It was also quite expensive at that time. In the 1950s, the brand Tappan introduced the first home model. 

The technology and materials for building microwaves have developed. As a result, in 1967, the microwaves became much smaller compared to the Radarange. As the size became compact and the weight became lighter, the ovens gained popularity among western households. Now, over 90% of American households own a microwave. 

Whirlpool WMC20005
Whirlpool WMC20005

Now, we have the Whirlpool WMC20005 which is the smallest and also the lightest microwave in the world. Weigh just under 25 pounds.  So, you can say, with newer technologies and lighter materials microwaves will keep getting lighter over time. 

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