Criterion Microwave Oven Reviews: Why You Should Grab One Today?

If you’re tired of overpriced kitchen appliances that promise the world but barely heat your leftovers evenly, listen up. A Criterion microwave oven is the smart buy right now – affordable, no-nonsense performance that gets the job done without draining your wallet.

I’ve used one for years, and if you’re on a budget but need something reliable for everyday meals, this is it. Go for it; you won’t regret adding this workhorse to your kitchen.

My Experience With My Criterion Microwave Oven

Let me take you back to when I first brought home my Criterion over-the-range model.

Our old microwave had finally given up after a decade of faithful service – it was one of those name-brand ones that cost a fortune initially but started sparking and unevenly cooking everything toward the end.

I wasn’t looking to spend hundreds again, especially since we were remodeling the kitchen on a tight budget.

That’s when I spotted the Criterion line at Menards. The price caught my eye first – under $200 for a solid 1.6 cubic foot over-the-range unit with 1000 watts. I thought, “How bad could it be?” Turns out, pretty darn good.

Installation was straightforward. My husband and I handled it ourselves over a weekend. It fit perfectly into the space above our stove, and the venting setup was simple compared to some fancier models we’ve dealt with before.

From day one, I loved how quiet it ran. No more that annoying high-pitched hum that drowns out conversations. I started with the basics: reheating coffee. It nailed it – hot but not scalding, no cold spots in the middle like our previous one.

Then came popcorn. You know how some microwaves burn half the bag while leaving the rest unpopped? Not this one. The sensor cooking feature actually works. It detects the steam and stops at just the right time, giving me perfectly popped kernels almost every time.

I’ve used the auto-defrost on ground beef more times than I can count – it thaws evenly without cooking the edges, which saves me when I forget to plan dinner ahead.

One feature that surprised me was the LED cooktop lighting. It’s bright enough to illuminate the entire stovetop without being harsh, and it uses way less energy than the old bulb in our previous microwave.

The turntable is spacious; I can fit a full dinner plate or even a small casserole dish without issue. And the child safety lock? A lifesaver with little ones around – they can’t accidentally start it anymore.

Over the past couple of years, it’s handled everything from melting butter for baking to quickly steaming veggies when I’m in a rush. Sure, it’s not loaded with smart apps or voice control – and honestly, who needs that in a microwave?

It focuses on what matters: heating food quickly and reliably. My family uses it multiple times a day, and it’s held up without a single hiccup. The stainless steel finish wipes clean easily, and the controls are intuitive – no complicated menus to navigate when you’re hangry.

What really won me over is how it performs compared to the price. I’ve had friends splurge on big-name brands only to complain about the same issues I avoided.

With my Criterion, mornings are smoother, dinners come together faster, and I feel like I made a practical choice that fits our real-life needs. If you’re like me – busy, practical, and not into gimmicks – you’ll appreciate how this microwave just works, day in and day out.

What I Love About Criterion Microwave Ovens?

You know when an appliance exceeds your low expectations and becomes something you actually recommend to friends? That’s my Criterion microwave. Here are the standout pros that make it a winner in my book.

• Unbeatable Price-to-Performance Ratio You can walk into Menards and roll out with a 1.6 cu ft, 1000-watt over-the-range Criterion for $179–$229 on a regular day. That same size and wattage from GE, Whirlpool, or Frigidaire starts at $350 and climbs fast. I’m talking real money left in your pocket that you can spend on groceries instead of a brand name.
• Surprisingly Even Heating with Sensor Reheat The sensor cooking isn’t just marketing fluff. I throw in a bowl of leftover lasagna, hit “reheat,” and it comes out steaming hot edge-to-edge with no frozen center or boiling edges. Same with baked potatoes—fluffy inside, no hard spots. My old $400 name-brand microwave never managed that consistently.
• Whisper-Quiet Operation I can run popcorn at 10 p.m. while the kids are asleep in the next room and nobody wakes up. The exhaust fan on the over-the-range model has two speeds, and even on high it’s quieter than my previous GE that sounded like a jet engine.
• Bright, Long-Lasting LED Cooktop Lighting The two LED lights underneath bathe the entire stovetop in crisp white light. I replaced bulbs every year in my last microwave; these LEDs are still going strong after three years and use almost no electricity.
• Spacious Turntable and Smart Interior Layout The 13.5-inch glass turntable actually fits my 9×13 Pyrex dish diagonally (something my old one couldn’t). Tall mugs, dinner plates, even a whole rotisserie chicken—no problem.
• One-Touch Buttons That Actually Work The popcorn button gives me one burnt kernel out of a whole bag maybe once every 20 times. The potato button nails russet potatoes perfectly. Beverage heats coffee without super-heating the mug. These aren’t gimmicks on the Criterion—they’re legitimately useful.
• Easy-to-Clean Ceramic Enamel Interior Splattered chili or exploded spaghetti sauce wipes off with one pass of a damp sponge while it’s still warm. No stuck-on crust like the painted interiors I’ve dealt with before.
• Solid Venting Power for Over-the-Range Models 300 CFM isn’t class-leading, but it clears bacon smoke and boiling-pasta steam faster than most people expect from a budget unit. I’ve never had lingering cooking smells the next morning.
• Child Lock That’s Actually Easy for Adults to Use Hold the “Stop/Cancel” button for three seconds—done. My toddlers mash buttons all day long and nothing happens. Brilliant.
• Stainless Finish That Resists Fingerprints Better Than Expected It’s not “black stainless” or premium matte, but it hides smudges way better than the Whirlpool we had before

These pros add up to an appliance that feels premium without the cost. If you’re skeptical about house brands, give Criterion a shot – it punches way above its weight.

The Drawbacks of Criterion Microwave Oven I Noticed

No appliance is perfect, and I’ve been honest with myself about where my Criterion falls short. It’s not a deal-breaker for me, but you deserve the full picture.

• Door Handle and Buttons Feel a Little Cheap The plastic handle has a slight flex when you pull it, and the number pads don’t have that satisfying click of pricier models. They work fine, but you feel the cost savings in your hand.
• No Inverter Technology This is the biggest performance gap. When you defrost or cook on lower power (like melting chocolate or simmering sauce), it cycles the magnetron on and off instead of delivering steady low power. You can still do it—just stir more often. If you’re a serious cook who melts chocolate or makes hollandaise in the microwave regularly, you’ll notice.
• Turntable Can Derail If You Slam the Door I’ve knocked the glass plate off the roller ring a handful of times by closing the door too hard. It’s a 30-second fix to pop it back on, but my GE never did that.
• Control Panel Isn’t Backlit In a dimly lit kitchen at 5 a.m., I sometimes have to turn on the overhead light to see the labels. Not tragic, but annoying when you’re half asleep.
• Exhaust Fan Filter Design Is Mediocre The charcoal filter (for non-ducted installs) is flimsy and a pain to replace. The metal grease filters work fine, but they’re thinner than what you get on a $500 unit and bend if you’re rough cleaning them.
• Shorter Expected Lifespan Realistically, I’m planning on 6–8 years of heavy use before something major fails (magnetron or keypad). My last Panasonic went 14 years. Criterion is built to a price, and that shows in long-term durability reports I’ve read from other owners.
• Warranty and Parts Support Are Basic One-year warranty through Menards. After that, repair parts exist but aren’t as widely available as GE or Whirlpool. If the magnetron dies in year four, you’re probably buying a new microwave instead of repairing.
• No Convection or Air-Fry Modes If you want an all-in-one countertop oven/microwave/air fryer, Criterion doesn’t play in that league. You’re getting a straight microwave (and a good one), nothing more.
• Occasional Factory Quality Issues A small percentage come with cosmetic dents, misaligned doors, or dead-on-arrival keypads. Menards is great about exchanges, but it’s still a hassle to haul a 70-pound box back to the store

These cons keep it grounded as a budget option. For me, the savings outweigh them, but if longevity is your top priority, you might want to spend more.

Keeping Your Criterion Microwave In Top Shape

You and I both know appliances last longer when we treat them right. I’ve picked up some habits that keep my Criterion running smoothly – simple stuff that anyone can do.

• Daily Wiping to Prevent Buildup: After each use, I grab a damp cloth and wipe the interior while it’s still warm. Spills come off easily, and it stops odors from lingering. Use mild soap if needed – never abrasives that scratch the coating.
• Deep Cleaning the Turntable and Filters: Once a month, I remove the turntable and wash it in the sink with dish soap. For over-the-range models, those grease filters need soaking in hot soapy water every few weeks. It keeps the vent working efficiently and prevents grease fires.
• Steam Cleaning for Stubborn Messes: Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and lemon slices, run on high for 5 minutes. The steam loosens everything – wipe down, and it smells fresh.
• Checking the Door Seal Regularly: I inspect the rubber gasket for cracks or food buildup. A clean seal ensures safe operation and even cooking.
• Avoiding Common Mistakes: Never run it empty – that damages the magnetron. Use microwave-safe covers to reduce splatters, and don’t overload it.
• Exterior Care for That Like-New Look: A microfiber cloth with vinegar water keeps the stainless steel shining without streaks.

These tips take minutes but extend the life big time. Your Criterion will thank you by performing reliably for years.

How Criterion Stacks Up Against Other Popular Brands?

• Criterion Versus Black and Decker

Black and Decker makes solid countertop basics that you’ll find at Walmart or Target for about the same money as a small Criterion.

I’ve used a 0.9 cu ft Black and Decker at my sister’s house plenty of times.

It heats fast, the buttons are simple, and it’s super lightweight to move around.

But once you put both side by side, the Criterion feels roomier inside, the turntable is larger, and the sensor reheat actually works—Black and Decker’s “sensor” options usually overcook or leave cold spots. The Black and Decker door also feels flimsier; mine started squeaking after a year.

Criterion’s door latch still snaps shut like new after three years of kids slamming it. If you just need something tiny and cheap for a dorm or office, Black and Decker is fine, but for daily family use, Criterion gives you more space and better results for the same dollars.

• Criterion Versus Galanz

Galanz has exploded lately with those retro-looking models everybody posts on TikTok, and they’re priced almost identically to Criterion—sometimes even cheaper on sale.

I almost bought a mint-green Galanz because it’s cute, I won’t lie.

In real life, though, the Galanz I tested at a friend’s place runs noticeably louder, the turntable is smaller (my dinner plates hang off the edge), and the express-cook buttons are confusing.

The air-fry feature on some Galanz models sounds cool until you use it—everything comes out drier than my Criterion’s plain microwave setting.

Heating performance is close, but Criterion edges it out on evenness and definitely wins on quiet operation. If kitchen aesthetics matter more to you than performance, grab the Galanz and enjoy the vibe. If you actually cook and reheat every day like I do, Criterion is the one that doesn’t annoy you after a month.

• Criterion Versus Chefman MicroCrisp

The Chefman MicroCrisp is the one with that crisper pan built in that’s supposed to make things crunchy—think microwave “air fryer.” It’s usually $10–$30 more than a comparable Criterion countertop model.

I borrowed one for two weeks to test the hype. Yes, the crisper pan does make decent microwave french fries and reheated pizza that’s crispier on the bottom than anything my Criterion can do on its own. But the interior is tiny—only 1.1 cu ft—and tall mugs barely fit.

The controls are cluttered with air-fry cycles I never used after the first week. Cleanup is a pain because the crisper pan has to be hand-washed and the nonstick flakes if you’re not gentle. My Criterion wipes clean in ten seconds and fits everything I own.

The Chefman is fun for specific crunchy snacks, but as an everyday microwave, Criterion is bigger, simpler, and honestly more reliable—no weird burning smells after six months like I noticed on the Chefman.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

After all this time with my Criterion, I’m convinced: if you want a dependable microwave that heats food right, saves space, and doesn’t cost a fortune, buy one now. It’s changed how I cook daily, and the value is unbeatable.

You deserve an appliance that works hard without the hype – Criterion delivers exactly that.