Comparison: Best Microwave Popcorn Brand (Updated | Dec 8th)
Let’s be honest—movie night just isn’t the same without the buttery aroma of freshly popped popcorn filling the air. But with so many microwave popcorn brands claiming to be the best, how do you know which one truly delivers on flavor, crunch, and that perfect melt-in-your-mouth goodness? We’ve done the taste-testing (yes, it’s a tough job) so you don’t have to. From theater-style classics to bold new flavors, we’re breaking down the top contenders to help you find your next go-to snack.
- Best for ultimate butter delight: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn Value Size
- Best for bulk butter supply: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for movie theater taste: Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn
- Best for fairground kettle corn: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for real butter classic: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for xtreme butter value: Act II Xtreme Butter Microwave Popcorn
- Best for shareable butter packs: Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn
- Best for simply salted light: Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted Microwave Popcorn
- Best for naturals light salt: Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn
- Best for homestyle clean butter: Pop Secret Popcorn
Product Comparison: Best Microwave Popcorn Brand
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, 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
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
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn, Kettle Corn, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 3.3 oz., 6-Count
- Contains (6) 3.28 oz. classic bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn
- Grab your favorite popcorn bucket, and enjoy the salty and sweet snack that tastes like the state fair in popcorn form
- Orville Redenbacher’s is the only leading brand of microwave popcorn with no artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes in all of our products
- 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
- Add these microwaveable, gluten-free popcorn packs to your pantry for a flavorful twist on your family’s favorite snack
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 3g Fiber Per Serving, Movie Night Supplies, 3 oz., 6-Count
- Contains (6) 3.29 oz. classic bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter Popcorn
- 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 also 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, pop it up in a jiffy, and have a jolly time pretending like you’re at the movies
- 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
- Serve our buttery popcorn packs alongside your favorite sweet snacks to add a pop of fun (and flavor) to every occasion
Act II Xtreme Butter Microwave Popcorn, Movie Night Supplies, 2.75 oz., 12-Count Bags
- Contains twelve (12) 33.01-ounce bags ACT II Xtreme Butter Microwave Popcorn
- Microwave popcorn with high-impact flavor
- The best value in popcorn
- Gluten free
- 0 grams trans fat per serving
Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 3 Oz Sharing Bags, 30 Ct
- 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 an 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
- 30 shareable bags: box of 30 shareable Pop Secret microwaveable popcorn bags
Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted Microwave Popcorn, 3.3 oz., 6-Count
- Six 6 count boxes of Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted Microwave Popcorn
- Premium salted popcorn alternative to regular butter popcorn for a sensible popcorn experience in the comfort of your home
- This microwave popcorn has a lighter touch of oil and salt, a light and fluffy texture and a satisfying crunch
- Classic sized popcorn bags ensure you get enough in each bag to share with friends and family
- Made with no artificial preservatives, flavors or dyes and made with 100% whole grain popcorn for gluten free snacks you can feel good about
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
Pop Secret Popcorn, Homestyle Butter Microwave Popcorn, 3 Ounce (Pack of 18)
- CLEAN, NON-GMO GOODNESS — Popped from non-GMO whole-grain corn with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, delivering feel-good popcorn that satisfies big cravings while aligning with modern clean-label snacking.
- LIGHT, AIRY CRUNCH — Each kernel pops up fluffy with an irresistible buttery aroma, turning any couch into a cinema seat and balancing indulgent flavor with satisfying texture.
- MICROWAVE CONVENIENCE — Every bag pops hot, fresh popcorn in about 3–4 minutes, giving you an effortless, shareable snack for movie night, game day, lunch boxes, or whenever cravings strike.
- HOMESTYLE COMFORT — A sprinkle of salt and nostalgic buttery taste evoke stovetop popcorn, delivering cozy, back-to-basics flavor that feels like family movie night in every light, fluffy bite.
- PARTY-READY 18-PACK — Eighteen 3.2 oz bags per box ensure you’ll never run out during big gatherings, team watch parties, or back-to-back family movie sessions.
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 should I prioritize when choosing microwave popcorn?
Look for real butter or natural flavor ingredients, fiber content, and whether the product is gluten‑free. Also consider the size of the bag and the number of servings you need for your household or gatherings. Checking for trans‑fat‑free claims and non‑GMO corn can add health value.
How does Orville Redenbacher’s Ultimate Butter compare to Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter?
Orville Redenbacher’s Ultimate Butter offers a richer, real‑butter taste and includes 12 bags in a value pack, while Pop Secret provides a non‑GMO, preservative‑free option with 12 single‑serve bags. Both are gluten‑free and trans‑fat‑free, but Pop Secret emphasizes a cleaner ingredient list. The choice hinges on whether you prefer authentic butter flavor or a cleaner‑label snack.
Is there a cost‑effective bulk option for frequent popcorn eaters?
Yes, Act II Xtreme Butter and Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter both come in 12‑bag bulk packs that deliver the lowest price per ounce. Act II highlights high‑impact flavor and claims the best value, while Orville Redenbacher’s adds the benefit of real butter and no artificial additives. Compare unit prices to decide which bulk pack fits your budget best.
Which brands offer a healthier, low‑fat alternative?
Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted and Pop Secret Homestyle Butter both market a lighter oil profile and zero trans fats. The Naturals line is made from 100% whole‑grain popcorn and is gluten‑free, while Pop Secret focuses on non‑GMO corn and clean‑label ingredients. Both provide a satisfying crunch with fewer calories than traditional butter‑heavy varieties.
How do the flavor varieties differ across the product lineup?
The lineup includes classic butter (Ultimate Butter, Movie Theater Butter), sweet‑salty kettle corn, and simply salted options. Kettle corn from Orville Redenbacher’s adds a fair‑ground sweet twist, whereas the Simply Salted line offers a minimalist, salty bite. Choose based on whether you want rich buttery indulgence, a sweet‑savory mix, or a light salt flavor.
Are there any notable differences in packaging size and convenience?
Packaging ranges from single‑serve 1.75‑oz snack bags (Pop Secret) to larger 3.29‑oz classic bags (Orville Redenbacher’s) and bulk 12‑bag boxes (Act II, Pop Secret). Single‑serve packs are ideal for on‑the‑go snacking, while larger bags are better for family movie nights. Consider how often you’ll pop popcorn and whether you need shareable or individual portions.
What makes Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn stand out?
Kettle Corn combines a sweet glaze with a salty crunch, mimicking the classic state‑fair snack. It’s the only leading microwave popcorn brand that guarantees no artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes across all its products. This makes it a flavorful yet clean‑label choice for those seeking variety.
Which popcorn offers the best value for large gatherings or parties?
Pop Secret’s 30‑bag shareable pack provides the highest quantity per purchase, ideal for big groups. Act II’s 12‑bag Xtreme Butter also delivers a bulk discount with high‑impact flavor. Evaluate the total number of servings you need and compare the per‑bag cost to select the most economical option.