Best Microwave Cookware

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Microwave cooking is a fast, convenient, and energy-efficient way to prepare meals, but getting the best results requires the right cookware. Microwave-safe dishes come in a variety of materials and shapes, each suited to different cooking needs. Safety is the top priority—always choose cookware labeled “microwave-safe” to prevent hazards. Additionally, the shape and size of the dish matter; round or oval containers tend to heat food more evenly than square ones. Durability and ease of cleaning are also important factors for frequent use. We tested a range of microwave cookware to find the best options for even heating, safety, and overall efficiency in the kitchen.

  • Anyday Small Dish Set

    10

    We recommend this versatile microwave cookware set for its time-saving convenience and healthy cooking capabilities.

    10

    We recommend this versatile microwave cookware set for its time-saving convenience and healthy cooking capabilities.

    Pros

    • Cooks food quickly and evenly
    • Retains more nutrients than traditional cooking
    • Versatile for cooking, serving, and storing

    Cons

    • Dishes get very hot during cooking
    • Pricey compared to basic microwave-safe containers
    • Limited size options in this set

    We’ve been testing the Anyday Small Dish Set, and it’s changed how we use our microwave. These glass dishes with silicone-rimmed lids cook food from scratch amazingly well. We cooked vegetables, pasta, and even eggs with great results.

    The steam-trapping lid is key. It keeps food moist and cooks it evenly. We loved how quickly meals came together – much faster than stovetop cooking. The dishes are sturdy and go from microwave to table to fridge with ease.

    Cleanup is a breeze since these dishes are dishwasher-safe. We appreciated being able to cook, serve, and store food all in one container. While they’re pricier than basic microwave dishes, we think the convenience and quality make them worth it for frequent microwave cooks.

  • La Cuisine Microwave Set

    9.7

    This 18-piece set offers good value for convenient microwave cooking and food storage, though it has some durability concerns.

    9.7

    This 18-piece set offers good value for convenient microwave cooking and food storage, though it has some durability concerns.

    Pros

    • Variety of sizes for different needs
    • Microwave and dishwasher safe
    • Lids included for easy storage

    Cons

    • Thinner plastic than expected
    • Lids don’t fit as snugly as we’d like
    • May not be BPA-free (unclear labeling)

    We found the La Cuisine Microwave Set handy for quick meals and leftovers. The 48-oz casserole dish was perfect for family-sized portions, while the smaller bowls worked well for individual servings and snacks.

    The plastic felt a bit flimsy at first, but it held up fine in the microwave. We liked being able to take food straight from the fridge to the microwave. Clean-up was a breeze thanks to the dishwasher-safe design.

    One thing that bugged us was the loose-fitting lids. They didn’t seal as tightly as we wanted, which made us nervous about spills. We also couldn’t find clear info about whether the set is BPA-free, which might be a deal-breaker for some folks. Still, for the price, it’s a useful set for busy households.

  • Anyday Microwave Cookware Set

    9.5

    We think this Anyday set is a smart buy for anyone looking to simplify cooking and save time in the kitchen.

    9.5

    We think this Anyday set is a smart buy for anyone looking to simplify cooking and save time in the kitchen.

    Pros

    • Cooks food from scratch in the microwave
    • Versatile for cooking, serving, and storing
    • Durable borosilicate glass construction

    Cons

    • Limited to microwave use only
    • May require recipe adjustments
    • Pricier than basic microwave containers

    We’ve been using this Anyday Microwave Cookware Set for a few weeks now, and it’s changed how we think about microwave cooking. The medium starter set includes two deep and two shallow dishes, which we found perfect for most meals. The frosted glass looks nice enough to serve from, and we like that we can take it straight from the microwave to the table.

    The silicone-rimmed lids are a standout feature. They trap steam while cooking, which helps food cook evenly and stay moist. We noticed our vegetables came out tender and flavorful, not soggy or dry like they sometimes do in the microwave. The knob on top vents just enough steam to prevent pressure buildup, which made us feel safe using it.

    Cleaning up is a breeze with these dishes. We just pop them in the dishwasher when we’re done. It’s nice not having to scrub multiple pots and pans after cooking. We also use them for storing leftovers in the fridge. The lids create an airtight seal, keeping food fresh. When it’s time to reheat, we just put the dish back in the microwave. It’s so simple, we find ourselves cooking more often.

  • Calypso Basics Microwave Set

    9.4

    We think this versatile 6-piece set is a smart buy for anyone looking to streamline their microwave cooking and food storage.

    9.4

    We think this versatile 6-piece set is a smart buy for anyone looking to streamline their microwave cooking and food storage.

    Pros

    • Handy vented lids for steam release
    • Stackable design saves space
    • Microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe

    Cons

    • Lids don’t seal as tightly as some alternatives
    • Limited size options
    • Plastic may stain with certain foods

    We’ve been using these Calypso Basics containers for a while now, and they’ve quickly become a go-to in our kitchen. The set comes with three bowls in different sizes, each with its own lid. What we really like is how the lids have a built-in steam vent. It’s super handy when heating up leftovers – no more exploding spaghetti sauce in the microwave!

    The bowls are made of sturdy plastic that’s BPA-free. We’ve put them through their paces in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer without any issues. They stack neatly inside each other too, which is great for saving cabinet space.

    One thing to note: while the lids fit well enough for storage, they’re not completely airtight. We wouldn’t trust them for carrying soup in a lunchbox. But for reheating and storing most foods, they work just fine. The largest bowl is perfect for family-sized portions, while the smaller ones are ideal for individual servings or snacks. All in all, we find this set to be a practical addition to our microwave cookware collection.

  • ReneeChef Microwave Veggie Steamer

    9.3

    We think this 2-quart microwave steamer is a great choice for quick and easy vegetable cooking.

    9.3

    We think this 2-quart microwave steamer is a great choice for quick and easy vegetable cooking.

    Pros

    • Locking lid prevents spills
    • Large 2-quart capacity
    • Easy to clean

    Cons

    • Plastic construction may not be as durable
    • Only comes in black
    • Lid can get hot

    We found the ReneeChef steamer to be a handy kitchen tool. Its 2-quart size was perfect for cooking veggies for our family dinners. The locking lid was a standout feature – it kept everything secure and made draining a breeze.

    In our tests, we steamed broccoli, carrots, and even rice. The results were great. Food came out evenly cooked and kept its nutrients. We liked that we could see the food through the clear lid while it cooked.

    Cleaning was simple. We just popped it in the dishwasher. The BPA-free plastic held up well, but we wonder about its long-term durability. We had to be careful when taking it out of the microwave, as the lid got pretty hot. All in all, this steamer made quick work of veggie prep and saved us time on busy weeknights.

  • Joseph Joseph Stackable Microwave Cooker

    9.1

    We think this versatile microwave cooking set is a great choice for quick and easy meals.

    9.1

    We think this versatile microwave cooking set is a great choice for quick and easy meals.

    Pros

    • Stackable design for cooking multiple foods
    • Easy to use and clean
    • Versatile for different dishes

    Cons

    • Plastic construction may not be as durable
    • Learning curve for cooking times
    • Limited capacity for larger families

    We were impressed by how well this Joseph Joseph microwave cooking set worked in our tests. The stackable design let us cook a full meal with rice, veggies, and protein all at once. We liked being able to add or remove pieces as needed during cooking.

    The 2-liter pot was perfect for cooking rice or pasta. The steamer basket worked great for vegetables and fish. We even used the griddle to crisp up some bacon. Everything came out nicely cooked.

    Cleanup was a breeze since all the pieces are dishwasher safe. The integrated handles stayed cool and made it easy to remove from the microwave. While the plastic construction felt a bit flimsy, it held up well in our testing. For quick meals or small households, this set offers good value and convenience.

  • GoodCook Microwave Steamer

    9

    We recommend this microwave steamer for quick, easy, and healthy meals.

    9

    We recommend this microwave steamer for quick, easy, and healthy meals.

    Pros

    • Fast cooking time
    • Keeps nutrients in food
    • Easy to clean

    Cons

    • Limited capacity
    • Plastic construction
    • Can be slippery

    We tried out the GoodCook Microwave Steamer and found it great for busy cooks. It’s super fast – we steamed fresh veggies in just 2-3 minutes. The clear lid let us check on our food without opening it.

    The steamer did a good job keeping vitamins in our food. We liked how our broccoli stayed bright green and crisp. The steam vent on top was handy. We could change it to get our veggies just right.

    Clean-up was a breeze. We just popped it in the dishwasher when we were done. It’s small enough to fit in most cabinets too. We wish it was a bit bigger, though. It’s fine for 1-2 people, but you might need more for a family.

  • MACONEE Microwave Pan

    8.7

    We think this microwave pan is a good choice for people who rely on microwaves but want tastier meals.

    8.7

    We think this microwave pan is a good choice for people who rely on microwaves but want tastier meals.

    Pros

    • Cooks food evenly
    • Easy to clean
    • Works for many dishes

    Cons

    • Small size
    • Takes practice to use well
    • Not great for all foods

    We tried out the MACONEE microwave pan and found it pretty handy. It’s nice for cooking quick meals when you don’t have a stove. The pan did a good job crisping up foods that often get soggy in the microwave.

    We cooked some chicken and veggies in it. The food came out juicy, not dry like we feared. The non-stick coating worked well – cleanup was a breeze. We just wiped it down with soap and water.

    This pan isn’t perfect though. It’s on the small side, so you can’t cook big meals. We had to play around with cooking times to get things right. Some foods, like fish sticks, didn’t crisp up as much as we hoped. But for most dishes, we were happy with how they turned out.

  • Microwave Saucepan Set

    8.7

    We think this microwave saucepan set is a good buy for quick and easy meal prep.

    8.7

    We think this microwave saucepan set is a good buy for quick and easy meal prep.

    Pros

    • Easy to use and clean
    • Comes with lids to prevent splashes
    • Versatile for various foods

    Cons

    • Plastic may stain with certain foods
    • Lids don’t seal tightly
    • Smaller capacity than expected

    We’ve been using these microwave saucepans for a while now, and they’ve become a handy tool in our kitchen. The 24-ounce capacity is just right for single servings of soup, oatmeal, or leftovers. We like that we can take them straight from the fridge to the microwave.

    The lids are a nice touch. They help keep food from splattering all over the microwave. This makes cleanup much easier. We’ve found the handles stay cool enough to grab right out of the microwave, which is a plus.

    One thing to note is that these pans can stain if you heat tomato-based sauces or other colorful foods. The plastic is on the thinner side, so they might not last forever with heavy use. Still, for the price, we think they’re a good value for quick meals and reheating.

  • Evelots Colorful Microwave Bowls

    8.6

    We recommend these versatile bowls for their convenience and practicality in everyday microwave cooking.

    8.6

    We recommend these versatile bowls for their convenience and practicality in everyday microwave cooking.

    Pros

    • Comes in various sizes for different needs
    • Stay-cool handles for safe handling
    • Vented lids for steam release

    Cons

    • Shallow design may limit some uses
    • Plastic material may not suit all preferences
    • Some users reported issues with lid seals

    We found the Evelots 10-piece microwave bowl set to be a handy addition to our kitchen. The colorful bowls brightened up our meal prep routine. We liked having different sizes available for various dishes, from small snacks to larger meals.

    The stay-cool handles were a standout feature. We could grab the bowls right out of the microwave without worrying about burns. This made them perfect for quick office lunches or late-night snacks at home.

    We appreciated the vented lids when reheating leftovers. They let steam escape while keeping food from splattering. The bowls also worked well for storing food in the fridge or freezer. We found them easy to stack and store when not in use.

    While cooking soups or larger portions, we noticed the bowls were a bit shallow. This wasn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s worth keeping in mind. The plastic material felt sturdy enough for regular use, though some might prefer glass or ceramic options.

Buying Guide

When shopping for microwave cookware, we recommend focusing on a few key factors:

Material

Look for microwave-safe materials like glass, ceramic, and certain plastics. Avoid metal or aluminum foil. Silicone is also a good option for flexibility.

Size and Shape

Choose cookware that fits comfortably in your microwave. Round or oval shapes tend to heat food more evenly than square ones.

Lids and Vents

Lids help retain moisture and prevent splatters. Vents allow steam to escape safely. We suggest opting for cookware with both features.

Heat Resistance

Check the temperature rating. Higher heat resistance means more versatile use for cooking and reheating.

Ease of Cleaning

Dishwasher-safe options save time. Non-stick surfaces can make cleanup easier but may not last as long.

Versatility

Some microwave cookware can also be used in conventional ovens or for food storage. This multi-use capability adds value.

Handle Design

Look for cool-touch handles or grips for safe handling when removing hot dishes.

Here’s a quick comparison of common microwave cookware materials:

MaterialProsCons
GlassDurable, doesn’t absorb odorsCan be heavy
CeramicRetains heat well, attractiveMay chip or crack
PlasticLightweight, affordableCan stain or warp over time
SiliconeFlexible, easy to cleanMay retain odors

By keeping these factors in mind, we can choose microwave cookware that best fits our needs and cooking habits.