Comparison: Best Zero Clearance Over The Range Microwave (Updated | Dec 8th)
Looking for the best zero clearance over-the-range microwave but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. These sleek, space-saving powerhouses combine style and functionality without sacrificing performance. Whether you’re upgrading your kitchen or building from scratch, choosing the right model can make all the difference. Let’s break down the top picks that deliver on both form and function.
- Best for 400‑cfm vent: BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 Over The Range Microwave Oven with One Touch
- Best for large capacity: BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking
- Best for zero‑clearance door: Frigidaire 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over-The-Range Microwave
- Best for premium protection: GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle with 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
- Best for 18 auto menus: Midea MOR17BSA-SS 1.7 Cu.ft. Over The Range Microwave Oven with Smart Touch Panel
- Best for slim smart design: Midea MMO12S3ASTZ Over the Range Microwave Oven
- Best for sleek black: GE JVM3160DFBB 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Black Bundle with 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
- Best for dual‑speed vent: FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30″ Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave with 1.8 cu. ft. Capacity
- Best for potato program: Farberware 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power
- Best for versatile quick cook: BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking
Product Comparison: Best Zero Clearance Over The Range Microwave
BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 Over The Range Microwave Oven with One Touch, 1000 Watts, 400 CFM and Auto Cooking, OTR 1.9 Cu.ft
- Pre-programmed auto menus for popcorn, potato, vegetable, pizza, snack, bacon, frozen dinner, rice, and frozen breakfast..Rated Voltage : 120V – 60Hz
- 1000 Watts with ten power settings, clock and kitchen timer, 30 seconds express cooking and child lock.
- Cooktop LED lighting that offers a clear and bright vision for your meals on cooktop.
- Two-speed, 400-CFM venting fan system.
- Turntable On/Off function allows you to cook large dishes.
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 29.9” x 15.4” x 16.4”, Internal dimensions: 19.84” x 13.78” x 9.09” (W X D X H) Turntable Diameter: 13.5”
- English installation instructions can be viewed on the page.
BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking, 1.7 cu. ft. OTR Over Stove Microwave, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, EM044K6CE-SS
- Large Capacity: 15.4″D x 29.9″W x 16.4″H. Featuring a spacious interior, this 1.7 cubic feet microwave oven includes a 12.4-inch turntable and will serve as your top sous chef for any meal or cooking adventure.
- 10 Cooking Levels: With aa 1000-watt output, this over-the-range microwave oven has 6 quick menus for your daily meals, including settings for Popcorn, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, and Defrost.
- Speedy Cooking: For quick action, press numbers 1, 2, or 3 for using the 100% power level at 1-3 minutes.
- Multi-stage Cooking: Save time by cooking with 90% microwave power for 10 minutes and then cooking with 50% power for 5 minutes in one time setting.
- 300 CFM Vent Fan with Light: With a 2-speed strong suction, the powerful vent on this stainless steel microwave helps to remove fumes and odors while an integrated light offers focused lighting while cooking.
Frigidaire 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over-The-Range Microwave
- Better cooktop visibility with LED lighting Make meal preparation and cooking simple with LED lighting that offers a clear, bright view of your cooktop.
- Interior LED Lighting LED interior microwave light stays on while your dish cooks.
- Fits-More Capacity Extra-Large microwave provides 1.8 cu. ft. of cooking space to accommodate larger cookware – even a 13″ x 9″ baking dish.
- One-Touch Cooking Options Our microwaves feature easy-to-use one-touch buttons so you can cook baked potatoes, popcorn or even add 30 seconds with the touch of a button.
- Zero-Clearance Door The microwave door opens to a 90° angle without touching any adjacent walls.
- Two Speed Ventilation Over-the-range microwave doubles as a hood offering ventilation with two fan speeds.
- Extra-Large 12-1/2″ Diameter Glass Turntable Big bowls and large casserole dishes are no problem for our extra-large glass turntable. It rotates for even cooking.
GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle with 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
- GE USA AUTHORIZED – Includes 2 Year Extended Protection Plan in ADDITION to the Included FULL
- Charcoal filter replacement for microwaves with behind the door grille | 1.6 cu. ft. capacity | Convenience cooking | controls | Dimensions: 13″D x 16″W x 9″H
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: GE 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel
- 2 Year Premium Extended Service Protection Plan
Midea MOR17BSA-SS 1.7 Cu.ft. Over The Range Microwave Oven with Smart Touch Panel, Auto Cooking Menu, 1000 W, 300 CFM Ventilation, in Stainless Steel
- One-touch-cook with 18 Auto Menus, and you can make popcorn, pizza, defrost, soften cream cheese, rice, potato, and so on. Feel free to create delicious dishes efficiently and easily.
- 1.7 cu.ft capacity with 12.5 inch turntable can easily hold your big rotisserie chicken and 12 inches pizza.
- 10-level power settings satisfy your different heating needs. (With 1000W outcome power)
- CFM 300 strong suction power with adjustable fan speeds, effectively removes the unpleasant fumes and odor.
- Bright cooktop light to serve your cooking with a clear view.
Midea MMO12S3ASTZ Over the Range Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu.ft Slim Microwaves with Sensor Cook, Stainless Steel Microwaves, 1000W heating power with 400CMF vent fan
- 【Slim for more space】The slim body frees up your overhead space for your cabinet.
- 【Voice control & Smarthome compatible】Provide more conveniences in cooking with the SmartHome APP.
- 【Notifying and remotely control】You can easily control cooking and ventilation, and lets you know when it finishes.
- 【Sensor Cook & Sensor Reheat: For the best taste】The smart steam sensing technology helps to find the optimal cooking time and power without any guesswork.
- 【Auto cook menu】Feel free to create delicious dishes with the touch of a button.
GE JVM3160DFBB 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Black Bundle with 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
- GE USA AUTHORIZED – Includes 2 Year Extended Protection Plan in ADDITION to the Included FULL Manufacturer Protection
- 1.6 cu. ft. capacity – 1000 Watts (IEC-705 test procedure)
- Two-speed, 300-CFM venting system – Removes smoke, steam and odors
- Turntable On/Off – Controls turntable operation
- Auto and time defrost – Defrosting times and power levels are programmed automatically or manually for optimal results
- Convenience cooking controls – Operating made quick and easy
- Charcoal filter replacement for microwaves with behind the door grille – Easily install your new charcoal odor filter
- IN THE BOX: GE 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Black | Appliance Parts & Accessories | Miscellaneous | oven-accessories
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: 2 Year Premium Extended Service Protection Plan
FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30″ Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave with 1.8 cu. ft. Capacity, 1000 Cooking Watts, Child Lock and 300 CFM
- Width: 29.87″ x Height: 15.62″ x Depth: 15.75″
- CFM: 300 – Capacity: 1.8 cu. ft. – Cooking Watts: 1000 – Number of Power Levels: 10
- Venting Type: Non Ducted – Auto Defrost – Timer – 27 Touch Pad Buttons
- 2 Speeds – 105/300 CFM – Recirculating Kit: Sold Separately
- 120 Volts – Weight: 35.00 lbs
Farberware 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – White
- Powerful & Efficient: 1000W output and 1550W input power for fast, even cooking. Perfect for busy kitchens.
- Large Capacity: 1.7 cu. ft. interior, ideal for a variety of meals.
- Versatile Cooking Options: Features include Veggies, Snack Menu, Auto Cook, and a specialized Potato program.
- Smart Defrosting: Time and weight defrost settings for precise and efficient thawing.
- Quick Cooking Features: Speedy +30 seconds cooking and Melt/Soften options for butter, chocolate, and more.
- Child Safety Lock: Ensures kitchen safety, preventing unintended use.
- Convenient Kitchen Additions: Comes with an LED timer, efficient vent fan, and a handy stovetop light.
- Adjustable Volume Control: Offers low, normal, high, and off settings for customizable alerts.
- Space-Saving Design: Over-the-range installation for a streamlined kitchen setup.
BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking, 1.7 cu. ft. OTR Over Stove Microwave, Black, 1000 Watts, EM044K6CF-BK
- Large Capacity: 15.4″D x 29.9″W x 16.4″H. Featuring a spacious interior, this 1.7 cubic feet microwave oven includes a 12.4-inch turntable and will serve as your top sous chef for any meal or cooking adventure.
- 10 Cooking Levels: With aa 1000-watt output, this over-the-range microwave oven has 6 quick menus for your daily meals, including settings for Popcorn, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, and Defrost.
- Speedy Cooking: For quick action, press numbers 1, 2, or 3 for using the 100% power level at 1-3 minutes.
- Multi-stage Cooking: Save time by cooking with 90% microwave power for 10 minutes and then cooking with 50% power for 5 minutes in one time setting.
- 300 CFM Vent Fan with Light: With a 2-speed strong suction, the powerful vent on this stainless steel microwave helps to remove fumes and odors while an integrated light offers focused lighting while cooking.
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 is a zero‑clearance door and why does it matter for an over‑the‑range microwave?
A zero‑clearance door opens to a 90° angle without touching adjacent walls, allowing the microwave to sit flush against the cabinet. This design prevents debris from getting trapped and makes cleaning easier, while also giving you more usable countertop space around the appliance.
How do I compare ventilation performance among the models?
Look at the CFM rating and fan speed options: most models offer 300 CFM with two speeds, but the Black+Decker B09SB8MK37 provides a 400‑CFM fan for stronger suction. Higher CFM is better for removing steam and cooking odors, especially in open‑plan kitchens.
Which microwave offers the most interior space for large dishes?
The Frigidaire FFMV1846VS and the Frigidaire 1.8 cu ft. model both provide 1.8 cu ft. of capacity, fitting a 13″ × 9″ baking dish or a 12.5″ turntable. If you need a bit more room, the Black+Decker B0DY16YYPC and its sibling B0DY1689M1 give 1.7 cu ft. with a 12.4‑inch turntable, which is still generous for most family meals.
Do the one‑touch auto‑cook menus really save time?
Yes, most of these microwaves include pre‑programmed menus for popcorn, pizza, potatoes, and more, letting you start cooking with a single press. Models like the Midea MOR17BSA‑SS and the Black+Decker units also add specialty menus such as melt/soften and beverage, reducing the need to guess power levels or times.
How important is the turntable on/off feature?
Being able to turn the turntable off lets you use larger, flat‑bottomed dishes that would otherwise be blocked by a rotating plate. This feature appears on the Black+Decker B09SB8MK37 and several GE models, giving you flexibility for baking trays or casserole dishes.
What should I consider regarding power and cooking levels?
All the listed microwaves deliver 1000 W output, but they differ in the number of power levels, ranging from 6 to 10. More power levels give finer control for delicate foods like cheese or reheating leftovers without overcooking.
Are there any smart or connectivity features worth paying extra for?
The Midea MMO12S3ASTZ stands out with voice control, a SmartHome app, and remote notifications, which can be convenient if you already use a smart home ecosystem. If you don’t need these capabilities, a standard model will provide the same cooking performance at a lower price.
Which model gives the best overall value for a zero‑clearance over‑the‑range microwave?
Considering capacity, ventilation, zero‑clearance design, and feature set, the Black+Decker B0DY16YYPC offers a balanced package: 1.7 cu ft. space, 300 CFM fan, ten power levels, and multiple auto‑cook menus at a competitive price point. It combines practical features without the premium cost of higher‑end brands.