In this article, you’ll learn all about the best microwave drawers, including the reliability.
You’ve probably read online reviews about Sharp, Dacor, Viking, Bosch, Thermador and Wolf and analyzed all their features.
Hard to find the differences between those flowery descriptions, isn’t it?
However, you’ll be surprised at how simple buying a microwave drawer is.
In this article, you’ll have three definite choices, including a few you can buy under $500.
People have reported all sorts of problems with drawers blogs and social media.
I wanted to address that with real numbers based on an internal service repair rates.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Best Microwave Models
Sharp does have a few interesting models. Then again, Sharp is the only manufacturer of every microwave drawer, even if it’s sold under another name.
Sharp SMD2499FS
The SMD2499FS has microwave convection. Meaning, you can use this as a microwave and a convection oven.
You can use their combination of convection plus microwave for baking and roasting, saving half the time without the microwave texture.
It even has an air fry setting, which may work because of its small size.
We still haven’t been able to successfully air fry in a larger oven.
This unit has all the cool features, WiFi and app functionality, and you can even ask to cook with Alexa and set it remotely from your office.
Wave at it and it will open automatically.
Not sure why that’s important, maybe if you have your hands full.
Then again, you can always press the buttons.
However, what’s baffling about Sharp is their availability. These units are unavailable and have longer lead times than other brands.
Maybe it’s because they’re producing so much for the other brands.
Sharp SMD2489ES
The SMD2489ES has all the functionality of the previous microwave, just without the convection feature.
Having a microwave respond to Alexa is interesting.
Now this is where buying a drawer becomes interesting. The majority of drawers you can buy perform like a regular microwave.
Mounting the microwave flush to the cabinet is the most popular feature after microwaving.
Beko MWDR24100SS
Beko can be flush mounted. It’s relatively inexpensive at $1,499. KitchenAid has an identical unit for over $1,700, but Beko also has a 5 year warranty.
They are smart enough to design without logos or trim that might clash with a dishwasher or any other undercounter appliances.
You may not have heard of Beko. They’re a Turkish based company and extremely popular in Europe in 140 countries worldwide.
But in this case it’s the same as the others, a Sharp microwave with just another name and a better warranty.
Rebates
Many other brands have rebates, usually around $1,399, JennAir, Monogram and Thermador.
We don’t carry several popular brands, such as Viking or Dacor, which may have similar deals.
Thermador, for example, sells their MD30WS microwave for $1,899. You can apply the rebate, their microwave drawer is free.
Monogram may be better, if you buy a qualifying pro range or cooktop and wall oven, their microwave drawer again built by Sharp, is totally free.
Reliability
If I weren’t confident in the reliability of a microwave drawer, or any other product, we certainly wouldn’t sell it and I certainly wouldn’t put it in my home, like microwave drawer in my home.
A microwave is one of the most reliable appliances in your home if you install it correctly.
Sharp microwave doors are safe with a 6.5% service rate in the first year based on internal service stats. Easily one of the lowest for appliances.
Based on over 40,000 service calls we logged just last year, the average appliance service rate was 9.5%.
Key Takeaways
First, microwave drawers are safe and reliable. They also look good in your kitchen.
Installing a microwave drawer may be the hardest part of the purchase. Buying one is not.
You’ll be buying the same product with different names.
The Sharp convection microwave drawer has the best features allowing you to cook and microwave in the same unit.
Look at combining rebates from some of the premium manufacturers to buy a drawer at a much lower price.
After that, look at the lowest price because you’ll be buying the same product just with a different label.
Right now, Beko is the least expensive and has the best warranty. If that changes with another brand, then so will our recommendation.