Samsung - 1.1 cu. ft. Smart SLIM Over-the-Range Microwave with 550 CFM Hood Ventilation - Stainless Steel

I have a love/hate relationship with Samsung appliances. I love the concept behind them, but I dislike that I almost always run into technical issues with them. There were two primary factors driving my decision to get this microwave. First, I am on the short side and I can't reach the things I keep in the cabinet above the microwave - like cooking oils. The size of this microwave allowed me to utilize a shelf between the microwave and the range for easier access to common things. This has worked out quite well for me and I am very happy with the results. However, there have been a couple times that I tried to put something in the microwave that was too tall to fit. A quart mason jar fits with just about 1/2 inch of clearance. The top of the inside isn't completely flat, so I was able to put a Pampered Chef deep dish baker in as long as I lined the cover up with a high spot in the microwave and turned off the turn table. I was happy to see that turning off the turn table only applies to one cooking cycle. I didn't have to turn it back on again. The second factor in my decision was that I wanted smart microwave so I could set up automations such as turning the light or fan on when the cooktop is turned on, and turning the light on at sunset. I like that I can set the time on the microwave by just tapping an icon in the SmartThings app. However, I was disappointed to see that the light was the only thing I could control through automation. Creating a routine that controls the fan isn't an option. I haven't tried any of the app-controlled cooking settings yet. A few other thoughts - I like the sleek design with no handle. However, the fan button is in the lower right corner so I accidentally turn on the fan when opening and closing the door quite regularly. This is minor but when the microwave isn't in use, pressing the "Add 30 Seconds" button just sets to cook time to 30 seconds, but you have to press Start to turn it on. My last microwave turned on immediately when that button was pressed without the need to press another button. I also find myself pressing the OK button a lot when I mean to press 0 or Start - especially when the kitchen lights are dimmed. The keypad doesn't light up and I need my reading glasses to read low contrast text. Finally, and this is my biggest complaint, after multiple repeated attempts and a very long time on Samsung support chat, I wasn't able to connect the microwave to the SmartThings app on my iPhone. I sent them screenshots, a recorded the steps I was taking and sent them the video, and tried everything else suggested (unplugging and resetting the stove, rebooting my router, etc) and it would not connect to the app. Finally, one of the technicians asked if I had any Android devices in the house. I called my son down and had him install SmartThings on his Galaxy phone, and the microwave connected to the app right away. Finally, the fan is strong (a bit loud in "Boost" mode, which is the first mode that comes on, then you press the fan button 3 more times to get it to Low - I wish it went from low to high then boost), and the light is nice and bright. Overall, I'm happy with my choice.

Bought this with out seeing one in real life, but after verifying it is not made in china, thankfully. It's made in Malaysia. This doesn't do anything to up the quality, but I just don't like buying anything from china that I don't have to. I do not like the color temp of the light, it is a very cool white and almost looks blue, and it isn't all that bright. I went to unscrew the 3 screws to pull one of the bulbs so I could see about ordering replacements that are to my liking, and 2 of the screws were stripped, so that was annoying. eventually got them out, but now that they are back in they aren't super secure, and I am wondering if they'll end up in my food. The bulbs are a just 2 surface mount LEDs soldered onto an aluminum backed circuit board. So i'd have to chase down LEDs to change the color temp. On the back of the board it say "5600k. . .7400k". Based on my experience, I'm assuming I'd want something around 3000k - which is what the kohler medicine cabinet in my bathroom is, and that light is just a nice white but it doesn't make you or your food look gross, or you look sick. I guess 3000k is the color temp they use to do make up on people. The fan seems powerful (it can almost hold up a dish towel), but direct access to the fan speeds would be nice...however not as nice as direct access to the timer - there are many things you don't have direct access to on the keypad, so be aware. had i noticed no direct timer access, i probably would have skipped this model. but that is on me for not paying attention. The other items are less painful to lose, because I don't use them much. Only other item I wish I had direct access to is power level. It looks nice. I am just more unhappy about the light color, and if it was just such a huge pain to exchange it, I would. If the light was a nice color for food, i'd give it 4 stars. if it had direct access to the timer, and good lights, i'd give it 5 stars. and oh yeah, you'll see my stove doesn't have the knobs installed...that's because they turn on super easy, and have started two fires - but samsung says they meet all safety standards! i've you have other over range microwaves, you are probably going to have some holes to take care of...that will be tomorrow's task! the microwave does has a clean look, and i think i like the half height design, my girlfriend does.

The aesthetics of the microwave including the glass capacitive controls on the front are indeed appealing and feel high-quality. The fan also is very powerful and out performs my previous over-the-range model by Whirlpool. The specs here say that this microwave support re-circulate only venting, but the installers were able to connect this to an exterior venting setup easily. The experience so far seems good, but I've only had it for a week. A plastic piece belonging to one of the grease screens broke off easily within the first hour, which is disconcerting. Those parts can be washed for re-use, but I usually tend to replace them every year anyway, so I suppose it's not the end of the world. After synchronizing the time on this microwave with my phone using the SmartThings app, the microwave constantly shows a static time (whatever was set by the phone). Power cycling the microwave did not solve this issue, nor did manually setting the time. It's okay though: I like to think it's 17:35 ... somewhere, right? Lastly, regarding the app, for those who like to configure their microwave's cook power (like my family does) instead of relying on sensor reheat settings and such, this microwave will require you to pair it with SmartThings and configure the microwave's next cook cycle with your phone. I personally think that's a cool setting, albeit inconvenient. However, guests and my father noticed the lack of this feature from the front-facing controls. All in all I don't regret the purchase. The microwave is indeed short but for my life style this is fantastic. And I even got to learn how to tile a backsplash.

I have been pretty hesitant in purchasing Samsung appliances in the past. While I think Samsung is a great tech company, I have seen not so great reviews on their appliances. My search for a new microwave was very specific. I was looking for a slim microwave, black stainless steel, 500 cfm fan, with some bells and whistles such as auto sensor cook. I narrowed it down to Samsung and another brand. Samsung won given that the inside of the microwave isn't plastic. I started watching the prices on best buy compared to the other big box stores. Best buy had the best price (as usual!) I ordered it online and picked it up at the store within a few hours. Installation was fairly easy, similar to any microwave. It comes with the installation guide and everything else you need. Once installed I couldn't be happier with it's performance! The sensor cook is right on. It's even wifi enabled so Alexa will tell you when your food is done. I turned that setting off but it is a cool feature to have anyway. I love love the slimmed down design. We don't microwave too often so this model is perfect for us! It works great and I have zero complaints. The price actually dropped a week later and Best Buy gave me a price adjustment! So happy!

Looks good, opening on side is good, fan power is good, big reason why we wanted to try this. If you use a timer a lot this is not a strong feature in the microwave. Timer is in a menu, no one touch access, ok, but cannot run timer and cook function at the same time, what a disappointment. Smart features with the app pretty much unnecessary, and again using the timer not part of it. Install not terrible. We are tall people so we can still reach up and over it to upper cabinets, gives a lot if room above stove, if shorter could be hard to reach above the microwave or kids reaching buttons, but that is this style. You can see in pic difference in standard size. Luckily have extra tile for backsplash.