Lush Food & Drink

Buying Guide ·Microwaves

Best Over the Range Microwaves for Five Kitchen Layouts

The deciding specification is the published height, which ranges from 10.31 inches to 17 inches.

By the Lush Editorial Team·Researched & Compared

  • Researched & ComparedSpecs pulled from the manufacturer listing
  • Like-for-LikeSame measures across every model
  • No Paid PlacementsNobody pays to appear here

We compared five over the range microwaves using only the manufacturer published specifications on the fact sheet.

Our shortlist

Five products, one set of published numbers.
  1. GE Profile 30" Over-the-Range Low Profile Microwave
    Best low profile fit

    GE Profile 30" Over-the-Range Low Profile Microwave

    10.31 inches tall, published as fitting the same space as a regular undercabinet hood.

    • Profile
    • 10.3125 H x 29.875 W x 18.625 D
    • 51 lb
  2. GE 30" Over-the-Range Microwave 1.6 Cu. Ft.
    Best for tight cabinet runs

    GE 30" Over-the-Range Microwave 1.6 Cu. Ft.

    The smallest capacity here at 1.6 cubic feet and 40 pounds.

    • GE
    • Stainless Steel 1.6 Cu. Ft.
    • 40 lb
  3. BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven
    Most capacity

    BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven

    1.9 cubic feet, the largest interior of the five.

    • BLACK+DECKER
    • 1.9 Cu.Ft Stainless Steel
    • 57.4 lb
  4. Sharp R1874T 30 in. 1.1 cu. ft. Over the Range Conve...
    Only convection model

    Sharp R1874T 30 in. 1.1 cu. ft. Over the Range Conve...

    The maker states it browns, bakes, broils, crisps and roasts.

    • Sharp
    • 1.1 Cubic Feet
    • 71.5 lb
  5. Frigidaire 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over-The-Rang...
    Best for adjacent walls

    Frigidaire 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over-The-Rang...

    Zero clearance door opens to 90 degrees without touching adjacent walls.

    • Frigidaire
    • 60 lb

Side by side

Blank means the maker does not publish it.
ModelBrandSize (capacity)WeightBest for
GE Profile 30" Over-the-Range Low Profile Microwave Profile 10.3125 H x 29.875 W x 18.625 D 51 lb Best low profile fit
GE 30" Over-the-Range Microwave 1.6 Cu. Ft. GE Stainless Steel 1.6 Cu. Ft. 40 lb Best for tight cabinet runs
BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven BLACK+DECKER 1.9 Cu.Ft Stainless Steel 57.4 lb Most capacity
Sharp R1874T 30 in. 1.1 cu. ft. Over the Range Conve... Sharp 1.1 Cubic Feet 71.5 lb Only convection model
Frigidaire 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over-The-Rang... Frigidaire not published 60 lb Best for adjacent walls

Each pick in detail

What the listing says for it, and against it.
1 Best low profile fit

GE Profile 30" Over-the-Range Low Profile Microwave

10.31 inches tall, published as fitting the same space as a regular undercabinet hood.

  • For it
  • 10.31 inches tall, the lowest published height of the five
  • 400 CFM two speed venting system
  • Sensor cooking adjusts time and power automatically
  • LED cooktop lighting
  • Against it
  • 1.2 cubic feet, the second smallest capacity here
  • 51 pounds, heavier than the GE and the Kenmore
2 Best for tight cabinet runs

GE 30" Over-the-Range Microwave 1.6 Cu. Ft.

The smallest capacity here at 1.6 cubic feet and 40 pounds.

  • For it
  • 40 pounds, the lightest of the five
  • 300 CFM two speed ventilation with a replaceable charcoal filter
  • Turntable on and off for larger or oddly shaped dishes
  • One touch express cooking settings
  • Against it
  • 1.6 cubic feet, the smallest capacity here
  • 300 CFM, lower than the 400 CFM models
3 Most capacity

BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven

1.9 cubic feet, the largest interior of the five.

  • For it
  • 1.9 cubic feet, the largest capacity of the five
  • 400 CFM two speed venting fan
  • Ten power settings and a 13.6 inch turntable
  • Pre programd menus for popcorn, potato, vegetable, pizza, snack, bacon, frozen dinner, rice and frozen breakfast
  • Against it
  • 57.4 pounds, the second heaviest here
  • The listing gives width as 16.4 inches and depth as 29.9 inches, which does not match an over the range format
4 Only convection model

Sharp R1874T 30 in. 1.1 cu. ft. Over the Range Conve...

The maker states it browns, bakes, broils, crisps and roasts.

  • For it
  • The only convection model of the five
  • 850 watts
  • Low and high racks included
  • Built in exhaust system with hood light and fan
  • Against it
  • 71.5 pounds, the heaviest of the five
  • 1.1 cubic feet, the smallest capacity here
  • 850 watts, lower than the 1000 watt models
5 Best for adjacent walls

Frigidaire 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over-The-Rang...

Zero clearance door opens to 90 degrees without touching adjacent walls.

  • For it
  • Zero clearance door opens to 90 degrees without touching adjacent walls
  • 1.8 cubic feet and fits a 13 by 9 inch baking dish
  • Two speed ventilation
  • Interior LED light stays on while the dish cooks
  • Against it
  • 60 pounds, heavier than the GE, the Profile and the Kenmore
  • The manufacturer does not publish the vent CFM

Our verdict

The GE Profile UVM9125STSS is the low profile pick at 10.31 inches tall, which the maker states fits the same space as a regular undercabinet hood. The GE 1.6 cu. ft. model is the smallest capacity at 1.6 cubic feet. The BLACK+DECKER is the largest at 1.9 cubic feet. The Sharp R1874T is the only convection model and the heaviest at 71.5 pounds. The Frigidaire is the only one with a zero clearance door that opens to 90 degrees.

“Height decides the fit before wattage matters.”

Lush Editorial Team

What separates these five

Height sets the fit Published heights run from 10.31 inches on the GE Profile to 17 inches on the Henyansen. The Profile is the one the maker states fits the same space as a regular undercabinet hood.
Capacity runs 1.1 to 1.9 cubic feet The Sharp is smallest at 1.1 cubic feet and the BLACK+DECKER largest at 1.9. The GE, Midea, Henyansen and Kenmore sit between 1.6 and 1.8.
Venting is published in CFM The GE Profile and BLACK+DECKER state 400 CFM. The GE and Kenmore state 300 CFM. The Sharp and Frigidaire do not publish a CFM figure.
One pick adds convection The Sharp R1874T is the only model here whose maker states it browns, bakes, broils, crisps and roasts. The other four list microwave cooking only.
Controls differ by model The GE Profile lists sensor cooking. The BLACK+DECKER lists nine auto menus. The Frigidaire lists one touch buttons. The GE lists one touch express settings.

How we chose

Priorities, not a computed score. The inputs are published specifications, so we rank by what matters most and say how much.

  1. 30% Published heightAn over the range microwave has to clear the range and the cabinets, and height is the figure that decides that.
  2. 25% CapacityCubic feet and turntable diameter decide which dishes and cookware fit inside.
  3. 20% VentilationThe hood half of the appliance is the reason many buyers replace one, so published CFM carries weight.
  4. 15% Cooking methodConvection is the clearest functional split on this sheet, so it counts for a fifth of the ranking.
  5. 10% Controls and lightingSensor cooking, auto menus and cooktop lighting change daily use but not the fit.

How the Five Compare on the Numbers

Height is the first figure to check, because an over the range microwave has to clear both the range below and the cabinets above. The five published heights here run from 10.31 inches on the GE Profile to 17 inches on the Henyansen, a spread of 6.69 inches. That is a large difference in a fixed opening, and the maker of the Profile states it fits the same space as a regular undercabinet hood.

Capacity and venting split the group a second way. The BLACK+DECKER is the largest at 1.9 cubic feet and the Sharp the smallest at 1.1. Two models state 400 CFM, two state 300 CFM, and three makers publish no CFM figure at all. The Sharp is the only one whose maker states convection cooking, and it is also the heaviest at 71.5 pounds.

Specification GE B00F2QFX5O GE Profile B0CXJB9V79 BLACK+DECKER B09SB8MK37 Sharp B00009V3X6 Frigidaire B08747VSG3
Published width 29.88 in 29.88 in 16.4 in 16.34 in 29.88 in
Published depth 15.25 in 18.62 in 29.9 in 29.93 in 15.75 in
Published height 16.5 in 10.31 in 13.9 in 15.28 in 16.74 in
Weight 40 lb 51 lb 57.4 lb 71.5 lb 60 lb
Capacity 1.6 cu ft 1.2 cu ft 1.9 cu ft 1.1 cu ft 1.8 cu ft
Published wattage 1000 W 1000 W 1000 W 850 W not published
Vent CFM 300 400 400 not published not published
Turntable diameter not published not published 13.6 in 13 in not published
Convection No No No Yes No

The table does not tell you how any of these units performs. It records what each maker publishes and nothing more. It also cannot resolve the BLACK+DECKER dimensions, where the listed width is smaller than the listed depth, and it cannot supply a CFM figure for the three makers who state none.

Fitting the Cabinet Opening and the Range Below

What the published heights mean for clearance

The GE Profile is listed at 10.31 inches tall, and the maker states it fits over the range in the same space as a regular undercabinet hood. That is the clearest fit claim on the sheet. The next lowest published height is the BLACK+DECKER at 13.9 inches, then the Sharp at 15.28, the Midea at 15.41 and the GE at 16.5.

The Henyansen is listed at 17 inches tall and the Frigidaire at 16.74, the two highest figures here. If your cabinets leave a fixed gap above the range, those two figures are the ones to check first. The listing publishes a length, a width and a height, and which of them is the depth or the height of the object is not stated for every model, so measure your own opening rather than relying on the order of the numbers.

Width, depth and what the listings do not settle

Four of the five publish a width of about 29.9 inches, which is the common over the range span. The BLACK+DECKER publishes 16.4 inches for width and 29.9 inches for depth, the reverse of the others, and no corrected figure appears in the listing. Treat that pair as unresolved until you confirm it with the maker.

Depth varies more than width. The GE is 15.25 inches deep, the Frigidaire 15.75, the Midea 15.41 and the Profile 18.62. A deeper unit projects further over the cooktop. The Sharp publishes 29.93 inches for depth and 16.34 for width, again the reverse of the usual format, so its true projection is not settled by the listing alone.

Venting, Controls and Cooking Method

CFM and the hood half of the appliance

The GE Profile and BLACK+DECKER both state a 400 CFM two speed venting system. The GE and Kenmore state 300 CFM, and the GE adds a replaceable charcoal filter. The Sharp, Frigidaire and Henyansen do not publish a CFM figure, so for those three the manufacturer does not state it.

CFM describes how much air the fan moves, not how well it clears a particular kitchen. Ducting, run length and vent direction all affect the result, and none of the five listings publishes a duct diameter or a maximum run. The Kenmore does state flexible three way venting, which is the only venting layout detail on the sheet.

Sensor, auto menu and convection differences

The GE Profile lists sensor cooking that automatically adjusts time and power. The BLACK+DECKER lists pre programd auto menus for popcorn, potato, vegetable, pizza, snack, bacon, frozen dinner, rice and frozen breakfast. The Frigidaire lists one touch buttons for baked potatoes, popcorn and adding 30 seconds. The GE lists one touch express settings and four convenience cook settings.

The Sharp is the only model whose maker states convection, with browning, baking, broiling, crisping and roasting, plus low and high racks. It is rated at 850 watts, lower than the 1000 watts published for the GE, Profile, BLACK+DECKER and Midea. The Frigidaire does not publish a wattage figure, so the manufacturer does not state it.

Which One Fits Your Kitchen

Buyer with low cabinets. The GE Profile is listed at 10.31 inches tall and the maker states it fits the same space as a regular undercabinet hood. Check that figure against your gap before anything else.

Buyer with a narrow cabinet run. The GE is the lightest here at 40 pounds and the smallest at 1.6 cubic feet, with a 300 CFM vent and a charcoal filter. It suits a tight install where capacity is secondary.

Buyer who cooks for a crowd. The BLACK+DECKER is the largest at 1.9 cubic feet with a 13.6 inch turntable and nine auto menus. Confirm its published width and depth with the maker first.

Buyer who wants browning and roasting. The Sharp is the only convection model here, with low and high racks and a 13 inch turntable. It is also the heaviest at 71.5 pounds and the smallest at 1.1 cubic feet.

Buyer with a wall beside the door. The Frigidaire lists a zero clearance door that opens to 90 degrees without touching adjacent walls, and fits a 13 by 9 inch baking dish. The maker does not publish a CFM figure.

What We Could Not Verify

Several figures a buyer would want are absent from the listings, and we did not estimate any of them.

  • The BLACK+DECKER publishes 16.4 inches for width and 29.9 inches for depth, the reverse of the other four, and no corrected pair is stated.
  • The Sharp publishes 16.34 inches for width and 29.93 inches for depth, again the reverse of the usual format.
  • No CFM figure is published for the Sharp, the Frigidaire or the Henyansen.
  • No wattage figure is published for the Frigidaire.
  • No turntable diameter is published for the GE, the GE Profile or the Frigidaire.
  • No duct diameter, maximum duct run or vent direction is published for any of the five.

Frequently asked questions

What is the lowest published height among these five?+

The GE Profile UVM9125STSS is listed at 10.31 inches tall, the lowest of the five. The GE is 16.5 inches, the Frigidaire 16.74 inches, the Midea 15.41 inches and the Henyansen 17 inches. The maker states the Profile fits the same space as a regular undercabinet hood.

Which model has the largest capacity?+

The BLACK+DECKER is listed at 1.9 cubic feet, the largest of the five. The Frigidaire is 1.8, the Midea and Henyansen are 1.7, the GE is 1.6 and the Sharp is 1.1. Capacity is the figure that decides whether a 13 by 9 inch baking dish fits.

Which one adds convection cooking?+

The Sharp R1874T is the only model here whose maker states it browns, bakes, broils, crisps and roasts. It is rated at 850 watts and includes low and high racks. The other four list microwave cooking and venting only, with no convection claim published.

Which models publish a vent CFM figure?+

The GE Profile and BLACK+DECKER state 400 CFM. The GE and Kenmore state 300 CFM. The Sharp, Frigidaire and Henyansen do not publish a CFM figure, so the manufacturer does not state it for those three. CFM is the number that describes how much smoke and steam the hood moves.

Which model is the lightest?+

The GE is listed at 40 pounds, the lightest of the five. The Kenmore is 49.1, the Profile 51, the Midea 52, the Henyansen 57, the BLACK+DECKER 57.4 and the Sharp 71.5. Weight matters most when one person is lifting the unit into place.

Which model is built for a wall beside the door?+

The Frigidaire lists a zero clearance door that opens to a 90 degree angle without touching any adjacent walls. That is the only such claim on this sheet. It is listed at 1.8 cubic feet and fits a 13 by 9 inch baking dish, and the manufacturer does not publish a CFM figure for it.

Specifications come from the manufacturers' own published listings. Lush Food & Drink may earn a commission if you buy through a link on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we research.