Customers value the 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave for its even heating performance and quiet operation compared to other models. The inverter technology and sensor cooking are appreciated features, and many find it easy to use. The capacity is also suitable for many users' needs.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 118 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Extremely happy with this purchase!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I purchased this item after reviewing many different microwaves and reviews and decided this one sounded the best… I’m really glad I did. I am very happy with this microwave!
I really like the sensor feature, which I wasn’t sure I would… It’s great not to have to worry about something being done or not…every time the potatoes are perfect! I like the size and capacity. It fits on my counter nicely without being too overwhelming, It’s quiet and I have been extremely happy with this purchase!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Must have
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Loved this stainless steel microwave, big capacity and the trigger on the handle made it safe for child’s.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Good buy
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Good product, Easy to use. Good value price vs Cu ft and watts.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Exellent Microwave
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Beautiful Microwave everything works perfectly it blends well with the whole kitchen
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Heating performance, Power
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great features with inverter cooking technology
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is a very nice looking microwave. The front is stainless steel with black accents. The top and sides are painted black, which helps to make it a little less inconspicuous as it sits on the counter. It has a fair amount of features that make it a good buy for people that use microwaves to cook a wide variety of foods and not only to heat stuff up. At 1200 watts, it's a pretty powerful microwave.
Cook settings include a lot of the standards that people expect and are used to using. Both time, and weight defrost, cook time and power for more manual cooking, and some specialty modes that include melt/soften, potato, frozen vegetables, beverage, dinner plate, pizza and popcorn. There's also a sensor reheat. The keypad is laid out well, where everything is easy to find and nicely labeled. The numeric keypad also has the first six digits as express cook buttons.
Microwaves are notoriously tricky to use correctly. Everyone has their own tricks for how they like to use them, but understanding a few basics will go a long way to getting good results. While many people feel that the "extra" cooking modes are a waste of space and only want the standard time and power cook buttons, a lot of thought has gone into these extra buttons to help people get good cooking results, no matter what kind of food they're using it to cook.
You may not of heard of Inverter Technology on a microwave, and it may sound like a brand buzz phrase, but it's actually a cooking method that's used by a lot of brands and actually has to do with how the heat is applied to food.
Standard technology microwaves cook the food by always using the 100% power setting. Even if you choose 50% power to cook with, that only means the microwave will use the 100% power setting for half of the time, and then no power for the other 50% of the time. So the power level is actually based on how long the microwave uses the 100% power, it doesn't actually decrease the power level.
Inverter technology however, does cut the power down. So when you choose 50% power for 4 minutes, your microwave will actually cook your food using half the power for the full 4 minutes. This is a more even way of cooking and heating food. This method seems to work best for low power cooking (like softening butter), but to me it just seems like a better way to cook food at any level.
Sensor technology is another mode that's included. And like the name implies, it uses sensors to monitor the food you're cooking, and adjusts the power and time automatically to heat the food to a perfect temperature, which helps to eliminate hot spots and cold spots in the final result.
The Insignia offers both sensor and inverter cooking methods, so you get the best of both worlds. It's still up to the user to understand the different modes and select the one that will work best for your food, but at least the options are there for those who choose to use them.
The 1.6 Cubic foot size is a medium to large size, and even acknowledging that, the Insignia is a bit larger than most in its size class. It's by no means a small microwave, but with that said, it has ample space inside to cook a lot of different foods in a variety of dishes, bowls and plates. It also includes a good sized turntable. The door has a safety feature on it, making it a safer choice for those with small children. This involves pressing up on a button in the handle before it will allow you to pull open the door. It's a bit of an awkward motion, but I've seen this on other brands as well, so I guess this is a safety feature that the industry is adopting. My cooking experience with this microwave has been primarily using it for re-heating, and small frozen items like veggies. This is just how we use our microwaves. I can say that for the items we have used it for, it cooks very evenly and thoroughly. The food comes out at a more uniform temperature and I didn't notice any hot spots, or cold areas. So for me, I'll attribute this to the inverter cooking method. The microwave performs very well overall, and is easy to operate and get a feel for where your favorite buttons ended up. The cooking results have been very positive and I'm anxious to explore heating other foods in it. This microwave promises to be a staple in the kitchen and has made me rethink the way I want to use a microwave in general. Really nice product.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Heating performance, Power
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A Step Up In Micrawave Technology For Us.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
We never have been much of a family to actually cook in a microwave. We had your basic no frills microwave before this one.
It was the occasional dinner reheater, water heater and popcorn popper.
This Insignia has many features that have shown me already this is a much more versitile countertop appliance.
It for sure has plenty of room for a full size dinner plate or a medium size cassorole dish.
So far we have used it several times trying out the features that are new to us to have in the kitchen.
I used the sensor cook feature this last time on a huge russet potato.
It was a hands off set it and forget it kinda thing and it cooked the potato to a near perfect doneness the first time around and did it in a very short time. No checking and guessing and restarting required. Still not as good as a oven baked potato but still quite good.
It also has Inverter Technology that regulates the power of the microwaves as needed and that also is how throttles down the power to a level other than 100 percent.
Without that technology if you select 50% power, it will actually run at 100% but cycle on and off so it runs only 50% of the time.
This microwave actually regulates the microwaves to 50% power for the entire cook time.
That cooks the food the way it should be cooked without over cooking it or drying it out.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I feel good about this purchase because I got it for $185 including a 4-yr extended warranty, which is a way better deal than my Panasonic Inverter which cost A LOT more and up and died after 3 short years.
Most of the functionality is identical to the Panasonic.
This is also a lot more powerful than the Panasonic (which actually had higher wattage), so I now have to lower my power levels when I cook. It doesn't cook as evenly as the Panasonic, and the bottoms of my cookware really heat up. And yes, the door latch is slightly annoying even after 4 weeks of use.
This is advertised as the same 1.6 cubic feet as my (dead) Panasonic, but the interior and plate are definitely smaller. This is not a problem for my needs. The exterior dimensions are the same. The control panel and black detailing show fingeprints more than the Panasonic.
Bottom line, I liked my Panasonic more, but the expense of the Panasonic plus its crappy warranty, its short life, and lousy customer service...downsides that many other reviewers have also documented...these all made buying the Insignia a no-brainer.
I'm still getting used to it, but it definitely does the job. I love that it's quieter. I love that you can turn off the beeps, And I love that you can turn off the display.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Choice for your Next Microwave
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Insignia - 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave with Sensor Cooking and Inverter Technology is an excellent choice for your next microwave.
I remember when microwaves were first introduced amid uncertainty about what the effects of this new, mysterious radiation would be. Today, a microwave is an essential kitchen appliance. Most of us would be at a loss to imagine how we’d function without it. Over the years there have been a number of improvements and added features.
The thing with microwaves is they’re a rare purchase because a good one just keeps on doing what it does and I take it for granted - until I need a new one. So, with the Insignia - 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave with Sensor Cooking and Inverter Technology, I have been impressed by a number of refinements.
PROS
* The stainless steel and black finish is easily cleaned and looks classy.
* The adjustable legs make for easy leveling on a less-than-perfect counter or other surface.
* The nineteen preset functions streamline cooking/reheating.
* The popcorn setting includes amount options from 3 ounces to 1.75 ounces for more accurate popping—no more handfuls of unpopped kernels or burnt popcorn (unless you like it that way).
* The child—lock increases your options for oven placement for comfortable wheelchair access. The lock could possibly prevent misuse from persons with dementia - as well as curious children.
* The “sound off” feature means the whole house (or a baby) will sleep through the reheating of coffee—a huge plus for us “mourning doves” or okay—“night owls”.
* I appreciate that the ‘How To Use’ guides for various languages come in separate booklets rather than one single (and bulky) form.
* The 1.6 ft. size is good for large quantities. Especially nice when cooking for large groups.
* The butter-softener setting was a big selling point for me - along with the 1–6 minute express mode.
* Having a reference guide displayed inside the microwave for quick programming of a variety of menus is a big convenience.
CONS
* I can’t, honestly, think of anything I did not like. However, it did take me a little time to get used to using the door latch. It’s very simple and easy-to-use, but I had to remember to stop instinctively pulling on the door without sliding my hand up to release it first. Eventually it became automatic for me.
The Insignia - 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave with Sensor Cooking and Inverter Technology is an excellent choice for your next microwave.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
It's a microwave that cooks food! News at 11.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I picked this up for our basement wet bar so guests can heat dips and snacks without running upstairs. After a week, it’s doing exactly what I wanted, heating food.
Looks-wise, the stainless-and-black combo fits in great. The Insignia logo is a bit bold for my taste, but the overall look is clean. It’s a bit bigger than I hoped for a 1.6 cu. ft. unit, It does fit on my countertop but doesn't leave as much room as I'd hoped. For my purpose though it swallows dinner plates easily and the turntable is plenty large.
Day to day, it’s simple. The touch panel is clear, the display’s easy to read, and the express buttons are perfect—tap 1 for a minute, 2 for two minutes, or hit Start for 30 seconds. Heating has been even and quick. I’ve had to shave a few seconds off my usual times (a slice of pizza is about 50 seconds here), which I take as a good sign. The melt/soften preset surprised me—I'd never encountered an "Ice Cream" button on the microwave , but instead of half-melted edges and a frozen middle, it softened my Americone Dream evenly, like it sat on the counter for 10 minutes. Win!
Noise from the microwave itself is normal, but the beeps were loud and shrill out of the box. You can mute them by holding the “8” key for about five seconds—a tip that was inconveniently missing from the owners manual. Build feels a little hollow/light, and the trigger-style door release works fine but may confuse guests. Normally the first thing I do when I buy any product is remove all the stickers, but I left on the little “how to open” sticker on the front so that I wouldn't have to explain to my grandma how to open the door. Who am I kidding...I'm still going to have to.
Overall, easy to use, easy to wipe down, and cooks evenly. For a basement/bar setup, it’s a win. I'd probably give 4.5 stars, but on a 5-star system I'll round up, because at the end of the day - it's a microwave that cooks and that's really all you can ask for.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Power
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
High powered and easy to use
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Nice high powered microwave at a good price. It's easy to use, and even the clock is simple to set. It's also big enough to put all kinds of stuff in- like the half a ham or turkey so a "starving" pup doesn't snatch it off the counter! No complaints, would recommend.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Heating performance, Noise level
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
3rd times a charm
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I received 2 defective ones, before finally getting a good one on the 3rd try. I’ve only had it about a week but so far it’s great. It’s so much quieter when running than my last microwave that it replaced. it heats/cooks everything perfectly.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Button functionality, Heating performance
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Very Good Microwave!
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is a very good microwave. Having a potato and frozen vegetable buttons for sensor cooking was a plus for us. Very impressed also with the 1400 watts which makes defrosting and cooking faster. Highly recommend this microwave.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Power
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Insignia Micro
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This microwave is great. It's easy to operate and has a large capacity and great power. It does have a large footprint so check the space where you plan to use it. Fits my space well and just what I needed.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Noise level
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Quiet
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I can't believe how quiet it is and easy to use, the child lock out on the handle is something to get used to but may a good idea if you have little ones.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Heating performance
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Works very well but do not like the door latch
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This microwave works very well. I do not care for the door latch. Right out of the box it was hard to get closed (the light inside stayed lit). As we used it that improved. It is a very good value. Overall I would recommend it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Heating performance, Noise level
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
It’s amazing
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The microwave if quiet compared to my last one and it evenly heats my food
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic microwave, incredible value
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Honestly, this is probably one of the best microwaves I've ever owned. I wasn't looking to spend a ton of money on a microwave, and this one seemed reasonably priced. So, I was naturally quite surprised when it out-performed a higher end model I had purchased a few years ago.
The design of the microwave looks very clean and sharp on the countertop. Most importantly, it does an amazing job of heating food. I didn't mess with any settings out of the box, but it heats food quickly and evenly, and it's incredibly quiet. The only thing you have to be mindful of, is it probably won't take near as long to heat up food as the microwave you're replacing.
All in all, incredibly happy with this device, it has the inverter technology that my previous microwave had, so you get even cooking. As a plus, the top inside of the microwave is a flush metal, so I can stick my magnetic plate cover up there, and it's easily accessible when needed. Can't complain with this purchase at all.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Must have for price!
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
After researching numerous microwaves and reading countless reviews, I chose this one—and I'm thrilled with my decision. It's easily one of the best purchases I've made!
I especially love the sensor cooking feature, which I was initially unsure about. Now I couldn't imagine being without it—it takes the guesswork out of cooking, and my baked potatoes come out perfectly every single time. The size and capacity are ideal too; it fits comfortably on my countertop without dominating the space. It's remarkably quiet during operation, and overall, I've been extremely satisfied with this microwave. Highly recommend!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Insignia 1.6 cu ft microwave
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This was a gfit for my daughter and son in law for their new apartment. I read all the reviews before purchasing and was deciding between this one and a smaller one ((1.1 cu ft). I ultimately decided to get this one- because of the sensor cooking technology. Turns out that is the very thing they love about it! Very nice looking microwave with a large selection of cooking options. Very happy this full-sized microwave purchase. Got it on sale, so even better!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I recently purchased the Insignia microwave, and overall, I’m very satisfied with it. It heats food quickly and evenly, and the controls are simple and intuitive. The interior space is generous for everyday cooking, and the exterior design looks clean and modern on the countertop.
One thing to note is that it’s a bit louder than I expected, but not enough to be a deal-breaker. For the price, it offers great value and reliable performance. If you need a budget-friendly microwave that gets the job done well, this is a solid choice.