Size
Chances are, you'll start your microwave hunt by thinking about which size is right for you. A 2.2 cubic foot, 1,250 watt microwave isn't necessarily the best option for everyone.
Power
If you're in a tight space or have power limitations (my college dorm hit us with a whopping 900 watts), then you're best off looking for compact models under 1,000 watts. You'll also want to consider whether you want to consider over-the-range microwaves, countertop microwaves, or inverter microwaves.
Setup and features
Once you've decided on size and power, consider which features mean the most to you. If you never eat popcorn but eat a lot of leftover pizza, make sure the model you choose has the single slice option. Microwaves come with dozens of functions, power settings and preset cooking programs, but apart from a few, such as defrost or reheat, you might not use them that much.
Galanz makes affordable microwaves with a touch of retro charm.
Color and design
Narrow it down to the right size, power level and feature set, and all that's left to do is choose a color. Several of the models we tested come in multiple finishes, so if your microwave becomes part of your kitchen landscape, you should be able to find the right shade.
One last tip: don't throw away the manual as soon as you open the box. Your microwave oven owner's manual is a excellent resource on exactly how to use each cooking mode. Each manufacturer seems to do things a little differently, and every manual we encountered during testing had time guides and helpful explanations.