Farberware

Countertop Microwave

Bottom Line

We liked the customizability of this sleek, lightweight Farberware microwave in our user testing.

Pros

1000 watts heats foods quickly and evenly. Compact 1.1 cubic foot capacity can still fit a standard dinner plate. We liked the light weight and customizable settings in our testing. Simple pull handle door.

Cons

The interior was a bit dim in our testing, and the multiple options took time to master.

About the product

Farberware Countertop Microwave

Reviewing the Farberware Countertop Microwave

A microwave is perfect for those with limited time to cook or reheat food on a stove or in a traditional oven. It offers a way to cook foods from scratch in minutes and reheat leftovers in seconds. You can choose from a few styles of microwaves, but a countertop microwave is a solid option if you have enough space on your kitchen counter and want the freedom to move it around.

The BestReviews Testing Lab tested the Farberware Countertop Microwave to determine if it’s a worthy microwave to add to your kitchen. With a compact and modern design, functionality and features are what we’re most curious about.

 

Testing the Farberware Countertop Microwave

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The testers at the BestReviews Testing Lab were presented with several pre-testing questions and were asked to detail their experiences with microwaves and Farberware appliances. Testers then proceeded to examine the packaging, unbox the unit, position it on a kitchen countertop and test its features and cooking functions.

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim Farberware makes about the product. For this article, the main product claim is that using it will let you cook food faster and increase kitchen efficiency.

What is the Farberware Countertop Microwave?

The Farberware Countertop Microwave is a straightforward countertop microwave oven with a traditional design and a modern look. It packs 1,000 watts of output power and has a 1.1 cubic foot interior, making it suitable for office or home use. It offers programmable settings, convenient cooking modes and several practical features.

See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best countertop microwaves.

Farberware Countertop Microwave price and where to buy

The Farberware Countertop Microwave is available at Amazon, Home Depot and Wayfair and retails for $130, but can often be found for as low as $100.

How to use Farberware Countertop Microwave

The Farberware Countertop Microwave is easy to use, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. The packaging is simple, and once it’s unboxed, getting started only requires plugging it into a power outlet. From there, you can choose a cooking mode based on what you want to cook, set a timer for a custom cooking time or reheat foods to your preferred temperature.

However, it's worth noting that every cooking mode has three settings for quantity which will affect how thoroughly food is heated. For example, larger portions of food should be cooked under the setting with the most ounces, as it typically means that the microwave will cook it for longer. If food isn’t warm enough after one cycle of a preset cooking function, it’s best to add additional cooking time using the custom timer.

Farberware Countertop Microwave benefits

The best thing about the Farberware Countertop Microwave is it cooks food evenly. Some microwaves aren’t effective at cooking food on the inside, but this isn’t a problem you need to be concerned about with this microwave, as long as you use the correct cooking function and heat it long enough.

Liquids heat quickly, so if you find your morning coffee going cold, you can get it hot again in seconds. Testers appreciated this microwave’s lightweight and compact design, which makes it suitable for the average kitchen countertop and easy to move around. Also, its stainless steel exterior gives it a look that goes well with most modern kitchen decor.

There are six one-touch programs for cooking foods such as pizza, potatoes and popcorn, and a defrost function for cooking frozen foods in minutes. The LED is easy to read, helping you keep track of time, and there’s a child safety lock for added security.

Farberware Countertop Microwave drawbacks

The Farberware Countertop Microwave has a light to see your food as it cooks, but it can’t be replaced once the bulb burns out. While the stainless steel exterior looks fantastic, it smudges easily and can be challenging to clean. Operation isn’t necessarily loud, but it’s not as quiet as other countertop microwaves.

The manual is pretty vague and can be hard to follow, making learning the ins and outs of this microwave a bit of a challenge, and the 1.1 cubic foot size may be too small for some. Also, while its low cost is a plus for budget-conscious shoppers, this isn’t a convection microwave oven and therefore doesn’t have an air frying cooking function.

Should you get the Farberware Countertop Microwave?

The Farberware Countertop Microwave is a decent pick for anyone with a busy lifestyle, whether that’s a parent with children to attend to, someone with a demanding job or a student with a hectic school schedule. Its compact design makes it a doable size for any kitchen, and it’s an excellent microwave oven for work break rooms and dorm rooms.

Quality 4

The build quality is excellent, and there are rarely complaints of the unit failing to function correctly.

Performance 5

It cooks food evenly and thoroughly, usually within the time allotted to each preset cooking mode.

Accurate Product Claims 5

It undoubtedly offers ways to cook foods much faster than traditional methods, so it’s fantastic for boosting productivity in the kitchen.

Ease of Setup 5

Setup only requires positioning the microwave and plugging the cord into a power outlet.

Appearance 4

The design is consistent with modern microwaves, and while it isn’t anything special, the stainless steel exterior is a nice touch.

 

Product Dimensions:
16.54 x 20.2 x 12.03 inches
Item Weight:
0.01 ounces
Manufacturer:
Farberware
ASIN:
B01EIZSF6I
Country of Origin:
China
Item model number:
FMWO11AHTBKB
Customer Reviews:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Best Sellers Rank:
#721 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #7 in Countertop Microwave Ovens
Date First Available:
April 19, 2016
Capacity:
1.1 Cubic Feet
Item Weight:
0.01 Ounces
Wattage:
1000