Comparison: What Is The Best Microwave Popcorn (Updated | Dec 8th)
Let’s be honest—nothing beats the smell of freshly popped popcorn, especially when it’s straight from the microwave. But with so many brands vying for your snack-time love, how do you know which one truly delivers the best taste, texture, and value? We’ve crunched the kernels, tested the buttery (and not-so-buttery) flavors, and endured a few sad, unpopped bags so you don’t have to. Whether you’re a classic butter lover or crave a bold, cheesy kick, we’re breaking down the top contenders to help you find your perfect microwave popcorn match.
Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper with Temperature Safe Glass
Glass Gourmet Popper
- Best for classic ladyfinger flavor: Amish Country Popcorn | Old Fashioned Microwave Popcorn | 10 Bags Ladyfinger Butter | Non-GMO
- Best for sweet kettle delight: Amish Country Popcorn | Old Fashioned Microwave Popcorn | 10 Bags Sweet Kettle White Hulless | Non-GMO
- Best for butter‑boost bulk: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn Value Size
- Best for lightly salted crunch: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for low‑cal white pop: Amish Country Popcorn | Old Fashioned Microwave Popcorn | 10 Bags Lite Natural White Hulless | Non-GMO
- Best for cinema‑style butter: Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn
- Best for glass gourmet popper: Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper with Temperature Safe Glass
- Best for theater butter bulk: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for eco glass popper: Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper with Temperature Safe Glass
- Best for smartpop butter value: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn SmartPop! Value Size
Product Comparison: What Is The Best Microwave Popcorn
Amish Country Popcorn | Old Fashioned Microwave Popcorn | 10 Bags Ladyfinger Butter | Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Microwaveable and Kosher (10 Bags)
- OLD FASHIONED MICROWAVE POPCORN – Right when the mail man drops this off, you can take it out, throw it in the microwave, and you’ll be eating popcorn within minutes!
- NON-GMO & GLUTEN FREE – With our products being Non-GMO and Gluten Free, you can eat this popcorn with peace of mind!
- LOW CALORIE – Not only is our Popcorn low calorie, but it is delicious and healthy as well!
- TREE NUT & PEANUT FREE – You don’t have to worry about nut allergies with Amish Country Popcorn products. You can grab a bag, pop it, and you’re ready to enjoy the deliciousness.
Amish Country Popcorn | Old Fashioned Microwave Popcorn | 10 Bags Sweet Kettle White Hulless | Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Microwaveable and Kosher (10 Bags)
- OLD FASHIONED MICROWAVE POPCORN – Right when the mail man drops this off, you can take it out, throw it in the microwave, and you’ll be eating popcorn within minutes!
- NON-GMO & GLUTEN FREE – With our products being Non-GMO and Gluten Free, you can eat this popcorn with peace of mind!
- LOW CALORIE – Not only is our Popcorn low calorie, but it is delicious and healthy as well!
- TREE NUT & PEANUT FREE – You don’t have to worry about nut allergies with Amish Country Popcorn products. You can grab a bag, pop it, and you’re ready to enjoy the deliciousness.
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn Value Size, Ultimate Butter Flavor, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 3.29 oz., 12-Count
- Contains twelve (12) Classic Bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Ultimate Butter Microwave Popcorn
- Microwave popcorn packed with delicious flavor and loads of real butter
- Made from 100% whole grains and is a good source of fiber
- Ultimate Butter Popcorn is a gluten-free snack
- 0 g trans fat per serving
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn, Naturals Light Simply Salted Popcorn, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 2.7 oz., 6-Count
- Contains six (6) 93.3 g Classic Bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted Popcorn
- Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Popcorn is whole grain, and its delicious, buttery flavor is topped off with a hint of salt
- Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Popcorn is made from 100% whole grains and is gluten free
- Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Popcorn pops up in minutes to give you a delicious, whole-grain popcorn snack that is perfect anytime
- Naturals Popcorn has 0 grams of trans fat per serving
Amish Country Popcorn | Old Fashioned Microwave Popcorn | 10 Bags Lite Natural White Hulless | Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Microwaveable and Kosher (10 Bags)
- 10 BAGS OF LITE NATURAL WHITE HULLESS POPCORN – 3 ounce bags of microwavable Amish Country Popcorn. Just “Pop” it in and enjoy!
- NON-GMO & GLUTEN FREE – With our products being Non-GMO and Gluten Free, you can eat this popcorn with peace of mind!
- LOW CALORIE – Not only is our Popcorn low calorie, but it is delicious and healthy as well!
- TREE NUT & PEANUT FREE – You don’t have to worry about nut allergies with Amish Country Popcorn products. You can grab a bag, pop it, and you’re ready to enjoy the deliciousness.
Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 1.75 Oz Snack Bags, (Pack of 12)
- Movie theater taste: bring the movie theater home with this classically rich buttery flavor and airy popcorn crunch
- Delicious any time: a delicious snack for movie night, TV watching, family game time, or any time!
- Warm popcorn: delicious hot popcorn with n irresistible aroma and flavor, ready in minutes
- Ingredients to feel good about: non-GMO corn and no artificial preservatives, flavors, fructose corn syrup or trans fats
- 12 single-serve snack bags: box of 12 means there are plenty of microwave popcorn bags to go around
Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper with Temperature Safe Glass, 3-in-1 Lid Measures Kernels and Melts Butter, Made Without BPA, Dishwasher Safe, 1.5-Quart, Red
- FAST GOURMET POPCORN: Choose beautiful, durable temperature safe borosilicate glass for better popcorn popping experiences. No oil or butter needed. Hot air circulates preventing burning. Melt butter with the dual function lid for gourmet results. Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. A fun gift idea.
- PREPARING AND SHARING: Great for a healthy snack, movie night, the big game or recipes including popcorn. Simply use the dual-function lid to measure the desired serving size, pour into the Micro-Pop and place in microwave for 3-minutes or less. Hundreds of fun and healthy snack recipe possibilities for your popcorn enjoyment.
- MONEY WELL-SPENT: Make homemade popcorn as an alternative to buying expensive single use prepackaged bags containing unwanted chemicals, ingredients, and calories. The Micro-Pop popcorn maker top and borosilicate glass bowl are dishwasher safe for fast and easy clean-up.
- WHY GLASS IS BETTER: Watch your popcorn popping for perfect results. Temperature safe glass resists wear-and-tear and will not absorb acids or chemicals typically produced during use. Glass is made without BPA, hypoallergenic, and thermal shock resistant. Wide-mouth design and ergonomic handle add versatility and ease-of-use.
- USE AND CARE: For use with microwaves with turntables only. Only use popcorn popper in a clean, fully functioning microwave oven with unrestricted, rotating turntable. Do not use popcorn button or setting on your microwave. Make sure to use fresh popcorn kernels.
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 3.29 oz., 24-Count
- Contains (24) 3.29 oz. classic bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter Popcorn, offering a bulk supply of popcorn
Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper with Temperature Safe Glass, 3-in-1 Lid Measures Kernels and Melts Butter, Made Without BPA, Dishwasher Safe, 3-Quart, Red
- FAST GOURMET POPCORN: Choose beautiful, durable temperature safe borosilicate glass for better popcorn popping experiences. No oil or butter needed. Hot air circulates preventing burning. Melt butter with the dual function lid for gourmet results. Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. A fun gift idea
- PREPARING AND SHARING: Great for a healthy snack, movie night, the big game or recipes including popcorn. Simply use the dual-function lid to measure the desired serving size, pour into the Micro-Pop and place in microwave for 3-minutes or less. Hundreds of fun and healthy snack recipe possibilities for your popcorn enjoyment.
- MONEY WELL-SPENT: Make homemade popcorn as an alternative to buying expensive single use prepackaged bags containing unwanted chemicals, ingredients, and calories.
- WHY GLASS IS BETTER: Watch your popcorn popping for perfect results. Temperature safe glass resists wear-and-tear and will not absorb acids or chemicals typically produced during use. Glass is made without BPA, hypoallergenic, and thermal shock resistant. Wide-mouth design and ergonomic handle add versatility and ease-of-use.
- USE AND CARE: For use with microwaves with turntables only. Only use popcorn popper in a clean, fully functioning microwave oven with unrestricted, rotating turntable. Do not use popcorn button or setting on your microwave. Make sure to use fresh popcorn kernels. Nontoxic way to make popcorn
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn SmartPop! Value Size, Butter Flavor, 4g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 2.69 oz., 12-Count
- Contains (12) 2.69 oz. classic bags of Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! Butter Popcorn
- These popcorn packs are 94% fat free and made with 0 g trans fat per serving so you can enjoy alongside your favorite sensible sweet snacks for a pop of fun (and flavor)
- Orville Redenbacher’s is the only leading popcorn brand that uses real butter (Select products contain real butter. See package ingredients for details.)
- Orville Redenbacher’s is the only leading brand of microwave popcorn with no artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes in all of our products-so grab your favorite popcorn bowl or bucket, and enjoy this gluten-free snack
- In 1952, Orville Redenbacher hand selected a small group of farmers to grow his exclusive kernel, and our family farmers still grow our special kernels today
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What key factors should I consider when picking a microwave popcorn brand?
Look at flavor profile, ingredient transparency, and nutritional stats such as calories, fiber, and trans‑fat content. Check for dietary restrictions like gluten‑free, non‑GMO, or nut‑free certifications. Also compare package size and price per ounce to gauge overall value.
How do Amish Country Old Fashioned and Sweet Kettle microwave popcorn differ in taste and nutrition?
Old Fashioned offers a classic, lightly salted corn flavor, while Sweet Kettle adds a caramel‑like sweetness for a dessert‑style snack. Both are non‑GMO, gluten‑free, and low‑calorie, but the Sweet Kettle variety contains slightly more sugar. Choose Old Fashioned for a savory bite or Sweet Kettle when you crave a sweet treat.
Which options provide the healthiest choice for a low‑calorie, high‑fiber snack?
Amish Country Lite Natural White Hulled popcorn and Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted are both low‑calorie, whole‑grain options with notable fiber content. They contain no trans fats and are gluten‑free, making them suitable for health‑focused shoppers. The Lite Natural also markets a reduced‑calorie count compared to the standard varieties.
Is buying a value‑size bag of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn more cost‑effective than regular packs?
Value‑size packs, such as the 12‑bag Ultimate Butter or 24‑bag Movie Theater Butter, lower the cost per ounce compared with single‑serve bags. They also reduce packaging waste and are convenient for families or frequent popcorn eaters. However, ensure you have adequate storage space to keep the bags fresh.
What are the advantages of using the Ecolution Micro‑Pop glass popper over pre‑packaged microwave popcorn?
The reusable glass popper eliminates the need for single‑use bags, cutting down on waste and allowing you to control added butter, oil, or seasonings. It’s BPA‑free, dishwasher‑safe, and lets you see the popping process for perfect results. While the initial cost is higher, long‑term savings and healthier customization often outweigh the expense.
Are there any gluten‑free popcorn options among the listed products?
Yes, several brands label their popcorn as gluten‑free, including Amish Country Old Fashioned, Sweet Kettle, Lite Natural, and all Orville Redenbacher’s varieties such as Ultimate Butter, Naturals Simply Salted, and Movie Theater Butter. Pop Secret also states it’s made with non‑GMO corn and contains no gluten‑derived ingredients. Always verify the packaging for any cross‑contamination warnings.
How does the flavor intensity of Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter compare to Orville Redenbacher’s Ultimate Butter?
Pop Secret’s Movie Theater Butter aims to replicate the rich, buttery taste of cinema popcorn, offering a bold, indulgent flavor. Orville Redenbacher’s Ultimate Butter also uses real butter but leans toward a slightly milder, more balanced buttery profile. If you prefer a strong, theater‑style experience, Pop Secret may be the better pick.
What should I know about the shelf life and storage of bagged microwave popcorn versus bulk kernels for a popper?
Bagged popcorn typically has a best‑by date printed on the package and should be stored in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness. Bulk popcorn kernels for a popper, like those used with the Micro‑Pop, can last longer if kept airtight and away from moisture. Proper storage helps prevent stale flavors and ensures consistent popping performance.