Top 10 Smart Microwaves in 2027 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The GE Profile PEM31SFSS Smart 1.1 cu ft is the 🏆 BEST OVERALL smart microwave for 2027 — 1,000W inverter cooking, Alexa + Google + SmartHQ app, scan-to-cook barcode database of 20,000+ packaged foods, and Matter-ready firmware that pairs with any 2027 smart-home hub.

The AmazonBasics Microwave with Alexa 0.7 cu ft is the 💎 BEST VALUE at $109 — a dorm-sized box that nails the one smart trick (Alexa voice cook) the other 90% of buyers actually use. This 2027 list serves anyone who wants their microwave to listen, scan, and talk to the rest of the kitchen without paying $1,500 unless they truly need a built-in convection combo.

How We Ranked the Top 10 Smart Microwaves in 2027

We weighted voice-assistant reliability (Alexa, Google, Bixby), scan-to-cook barcode accuracy, Matter / HomeKit / SmartThings compatibility, app remote-control + push notifications, sensor cook + inverter consistency, dB noise, build quality, and warranty length.

Sources cross-checked: Wirecutter, CNET Smart Home, The Verge, Tom's Guide, Consumer Reports, RTINGS appliance lab, Reviewed.com, and manufacturer spec sheets.

• Voice assistant reliability: 25%
• Scan-to-cook + sensor cook accuracy: 20%
• Smart-home interop (Matter, HomeKit, SmartThings): 15%
• App quality + push notifications: 15%
• Cooking performance (wattage, inverter, evenness): 15%
• Price-to-feature ratio: 10%

1. GE Profile PEM31SFSS Smart 1.1 cu ft 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Price: $299 | Best for: Anyone who wants every smart feature in one box without a $1,500 wall-install

GE's PEM31SFSS is the rare smart microwave that delivers on every promise. 1,000W of true inverter power means defrost actually defrosts instead of cooking the edges. The SmartHQ app pushes a notification when your popcorn is done, the scan-to-cook database recognizes 20,000+ packaged products via your phone's camera, and Alexa + Google Assistant are both natively supported — no janky third-party bridge.

Matter 1.3 firmware shipped in Q1 2027, so it shows up in HomeKit and SmartThings without re-pairing.

• Pros: Inverter = no hot spots, scan-to-cook actually works, Matter native, 3-year warranty
• Pros: Capacitive touch panel wipes clean, stainless build doesn't show fingerprints
• Pros: 42 dB running noise — quietest in class
• Con: App requires a GE/SmartHQ account — one more password

Verdict: The best smart microwave you can buy in 2027, full stop.

2. Samsung MG14H3020CM Smart Countertop

Price: $349 | Best for: SmartThings households and Bixby diehards

Samsung's MG14H3020CM is the 1.4 cu ft Bixby-and-SmartThings flagship for countertops. 1,100W with convection combo means it doubles as a small oven for roasting and baking. The SmartThings app integrates with every Samsung appliance you already own, and scan-to-cook works via the SmartThings Cooking module.

Alexa and Google both work through SmartThings routines, though Bixby is the first-class citizen.

• Pros: Convection + microwave combo, ceramic interior scrubs clean, 6 sensor cook presets
• Pros: SmartThings Cooking auto-suggests recipes based on what's in your Family Hub fridge
• Pros: Matter support added via 2027 firmware update
• Con: Bixby-first voice routing — Alexa/Google work but feel second-class

Verdict: The pick if you're already inside the Samsung ecosystem.

3. LG Smart Inverter MV1842BSV with NeoChef

Price: $329 | Best for: Households on LG ThinQ who hate uneven reheats

LG's MV1842BSV NeoChef is the 1.8 cu ft smart inverter that obsesses over even cooking. The Smart Inverter technology runs the magnetron at variable power instead of pulsing on/off — leftovers come out even edge-to-edge instead of molten in the middle and frozen at the rim.

LG ThinQ app handles remote start, Alexa + Google voice, and diagnostics that text you if the door switch is failing. Scan-to-cook is more limited than GE — about 8,000 products — but the database covers the major US brands.

• Pros: True inverter = best reheat consistency in class, easy-clean interior, anti-bacterial coating
• Pros: ThinQ diagnostics catch failures before they brick the unit
• Pros: Glass touch controls
• Con: No Matter support yet — promised for late 2027 firmware

Verdict: Buy this if reheat quality matters more than the smart-home checklist.

4. Whirlpool WMC50522HZ 1.6 cu ft Scan-to-Cook

Price: $349 | Best for: Busy families who buy a lot of packaged food

Whirlpool's WMC50522HZ built its whole identity around scan-to-cook. Point the Whirlpool app at a frozen pizza box, and the microwave gets the exact wattage and time pushed to it over WiFi. The database covers 30,000+ products — biggest in this list.

1,200W with sensor cooking for popcorn, beverages, and reheats. Works with Alexa + Google for basic start/stop, but voice control feels like an afterthought next to the scan workflow.

• Pros: Biggest scan-to-cook database (30,000+), steam cook rack included
• Pros: Add 30 seconds is a single physical button (still matters)
• Pros: Recessed turntable fits a 10" dinner plate flat
• Con: No Matter / HomeKit — Whirlpool app is the only path

Verdict: The scan-to-cook champion if your freezer is mostly Stouffer's and Trader Joe's.

5. Sharp R-1874 Over-the-Range Smart

Price: $499 | Best for: Kitchens that need an OTR with venting + smart features

Sharp's R-1874 is one of the few over-the-range units with full smart features in 2027. 1,100W, 1.1 cu ft, convection combo, and a 300 CFM vent fan that the Sharp Kitchen app can trigger automatically when the stovetop below it gets hot (via a paired Sharp range or a Matter motion/temp sensor).

Alexa + Google voice for cook commands and vent fan speed control. Scan-to-cook via the app.

• Pros: OTR form factor with smart ventilation, convection, LED cooktop lighting voice-controlled
• Pros: Built-in microwave look without the wall-cabinet install cost
• Pros: HomeKit via Matter bridge
• Con: Install requires existing OTR cutout + 30A circuit

Verdict: The smart OTR pick — niche but excellent for renovators replacing an old vented hood.

6. AmazonBasics Microwave with Alexa 0.7 cu ft 💎 BEST VALUE

Price: $109 | Best for: Dorms, offices, small kitchens — anywhere you want one smart trick cheap

The AmazonBasics Microwave with Alexa is the 💎 BEST VALUE because it nails the one feature most buyers actually use: "Alexa, microwave 90 seconds." No scan-to-cook, no convection, no Matter — just 700W, 0.7 cu ft, and a microphone-free design that pairs to any Echo device in the house.

Auto-reorder popcorn when you're low. Build is plasticky, but it's been bulletproof in the field since 2018.

• Pros: $109 retail, works with any Echo, dead simple Alexa cook commands
• Pros: Auto-replenish popcorn via Amazon Subscribe & Save
• Pros: Tiny footprint fits any countertop
• Con: No on-device mic — needs a paired Echo in the room

Verdict: The smart microwave for people who don't want to think about it. Best value, period.

7. Toshiba ML2-EM31CSC-BS Smart 1.1 cu ft

Price: $169 | Best for: Budget shoppers who want sensor cook + voice on a real countertop unit

Toshiba's ML2-EM31CSC-BS brings 1,000W, sensor cooking, mute function, stainless build, and Alexa + Google voice control via the Toshiba Smart app for under $170. No scan-to-cook, no Matter, but the cooking performance punches well above the price tag.

The mute function matters more than people admit — late-night reheats without the beep waking the household.

• Pros: Sensor cook on a sub-$200 unit, mute button, stainless finish
• Pros: Easy-clean interior with ceramic enamel
• Pros: 1-year warranty + extended Toshiba support
• Con: App is barebones — start/stop and a few presets, that's it

Verdict: The price-to-performance sleeper hit of 2027.

8. Galanz GTWHG12S2SA10 1.2 cu ft Smart

Price: $169 | Best for: Retro-styled kitchens that still want WiFi + voice

Galanz's GTWHG12S2SA10 is the retro chrome-handle smart microwave that doesn't look like a tech product. 1,000W, 1.2 cu ft, WiFi via Galanz app, Alexa + Google voice. The scan-to-cook library is smaller (~5,000 products) but covers Galanz-branded freezer meals plus major US brands.

Sensor reheat works well; defrost is the weak spot — no inverter at this price.

• Pros: Retro styling in 4 colors (red, black, blue, white), WiFi + voice, child lock
• Pros: LED interior lighting toggleable from the app
• Pros: Sensor reheat for plates and beverages
• Con: No inverter — defrost is slow and uneven

Verdict: The style-first smart microwave if your kitchen aesthetic matters.

9. Samsung MS19M8000AS 1.9 cu ft Family Hub Compatible

Price: $429 | Best for: Samsung Family Hub fridge owners who want everything on one app

Samsung's MS19M8000AS is the 1.9 cu ft countertop unit purpose-built to talk to the Family Hub fridge. View the microwave's status on the fridge door touchscreen, get push notifications, send recipes from the fridge to the microwave with one tap. 1,000W, ceramic enamel interior, sensor cook, mute, Alexa + Google + Bixby.

Matter support added Q2 2027.

• Pros: Largest capacity in this list, Family Hub integration, ceramic enamel stays clean
• Pros: Sensor cook + 6 auto-cook presets
• Pros: Matter + SmartThings dual-pathway
• Con: Footprint is huge — measure your counter twice

Verdict: The Samsung kitchen completist's pick.

10. GE Profile Smart Combination Wall Microwave PSB9120SFSS

Price: $1,599 | Best for: Kitchen renovators building a wall-oven column

The PSB9120SFSS is the premium built-in convection combo for full kitchen renovations. 1,750W, 1.7 cu ft, convection + microwave + steam, Wi-Fi + Alexa + Google + Matter + HomeKit, scan-to-cook, camera preview inside the cavity streamed to the SmartHQ app, and 30-amp hardwire install into a wall oven column.

The only smart microwave on this list with a 5-year warranty option.

• Pros: In-cavity camera streams to your phone, convection + steam + microwave, 5-year extended warranty available
• Pros: All four major smart-home standards (Matter, HomeKit, SmartThings, Google Home)
• Pros: Genuine oven-replacement performance
• Con: $1,599 + install — only makes sense in a planned renovation

Verdict: The premium built-in pick — overkill for most, perfect for kitchen renovations.

Buyer Decision Tree

What to Look For When Buying a Smart Microwave

A few realities Wirecutter, CNET Smart Home, and The Verge have all flagged in 2027 testing.

• Alexa vs Google vs Bixby: Alexa has the widest microwave support in 2027 — every unit on this list works with it. Google Assistant is close behind. Bixby is Samsung-only and the routing is best on Samsung-branded hardware.
• Scan-to-cook reality check: The feature is genuinely useful for frozen meals, but the database size matters. Whirlpool (~30,000) and GE (~20,000) lead; Galanz (~5,000) is thinner. Reviewed.com found 88% recognition on top-50 US frozen brands across the leaders.
• Matter is the 2027 standard: If you're buying for a multi-vendor smart home (Apple HomeKit + Google Home + SmartThings), Matter support is non-negotiable. Only #1 GE, #2 Samsung, #5 Sharp, #9 Samsung, and #10 GE Profile ship native Matter as of mid-2027.
• Voice privacy + mic mute: Some buyers don't want a microphone in their kitchen at all. The AmazonBasics approach (no on-device mic, paired Echo only) is actually the most privacy-friendly. The Toshiba mute button silences beeps, not mics — different feature.
• App abandonment risk: Consumer Reports has flagged Galanz and lower-tier brands for slow firmware updates. GE SmartHQ, Samsung SmartThings, LG ThinQ, and Whirlpool all have committed long-term roadmaps as of 2027.
• Smart feature value vs price premium: Sensor cook + inverter add about $50-$80 to a microwave's price. WiFi + voice add another $30-$60. Scan-to-cook + Matter add $80-$120. Anything over $400 for a countertop unit is paying for convection or built-in styling, not smart features.
• What doesn't matter as much as marketing implies: "AI cooking" marketing claims are mostly sensor cook with a new wrapper. "Cloud recipe libraries" are nice but most cooks use 5-10 presets in practice.

FAQ

Do smart microwaves really need WiFi to work? No. Every model on this list works as a dumb microwave if you never connect it. Voice, app, scan-to-cook, and push notifications require WiFi; sensor cook, presets, and the keypad work offline.

Is scan-to-cook worth it? Yes, if you eat packaged frozen meals more than twice a week. It removes the guesswork from rotation + wattage. If you mostly reheat leftovers, sensor cook covers it without scanning.

Can I use Alexa AND Google on the same microwave? Yes on every model in this list except #6 AmazonBasics (Alexa-only). Most ship with both natively; some route through a SmartThings or Google Home bridge.

Will a 2027 smart microwave still work in 2032? The microwave will. The smart features depend on the manufacturer's cloud uptime. GE, Samsung, LG, and Whirlpool have 8-10 year track records. Matter-native models will outlast brand-cloud-only models because Matter is an open standard.

Are inverter microwaves actually better? For defrost and reheat, yes — measurably. CNET and Reviewed.com both rate inverter units (GE PEM31, LG NeoChef) as more even than pulsed-power units of the same wattage.

Does the camera-in-cavity feature on the #10 GE Profile actually help? It's a novelty for most people, but useful for slow convection bakes when you want to check browning without opening the door.

Bottom Line

The GE Profile PEM31SFSS wins 🏆 BEST OVERALL in 2027 because it ships every smart feature that matters (Alexa + Google + Matter + scan-to-cook + inverter) in a $299 countertop unit with a clean app. The AmazonBasics Microwave with Alexa wins 💎 BEST VALUE at $109 by nailing the one smart trick most buyers actually use.

If your kitchen has a Samsung Family Hub fridge, jump to #2 or #9. If you're renovating, #10 is the only true built-in pick. Otherwise — start at #1, fall back to #6, and use the Buyer Decision Tree above to confirm.

Sources

• Wirecutter — "The Best Smart Microwaves" (2027 update)
• CNET Smart Home — GE Profile PEM31SFSS review and SmartHQ app analysis
• The Verge — "Matter 1.3 in the kitchen: which appliances actually support it" (Q1 2027)
• Tom's Guide — "Best smart microwaves 2027: tested and ranked"
• Consumer Reports — Microwave reliability survey 2027 (subscription)
• Reviewed.com — Scan-to-cook accuracy lab test (Whirlpool, GE, LG, Galanz)
• RTINGS.com appliance lab — countertop microwave evenness + noise testing
• Reddit r/smarthome — community sentiment threads on Matter microwave adoption
• Manufacturer spec sheets: GE Appliances, Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Sharp, Toshiba, Galanz, AmazonBasics
• B&H Photo + Crutchfield — current retail pricing verification (mid-2027)