To me it's a small issue, and I would choose on features, especially ease of use, capacity and reliability, before handle shape. However, if all else is truly equal, then go for a matching handle.

Thank you. They are the exact same microwaves except one says Kitchenaid and one says Whirlpool.

If they are exactly the same in functions/features, wouldn't you pick the one that "matches", especially since it's an over the range MW and, based on your comments, I assume it has the same curved handle the Whirlpool MW has?

Appliances should not be matched by "brand" anyway. They should be chosen for functionality/features and reliability. No single brand has the "best" of all...e.g., in my experience GE makes very good cooking appliances, but lousy DWs and mediocre refrigerators, KA similarly makes some good, some not-so-good appliances.

As to keeping your appliances when you do a full remodel -- I would hold that thought regarding the OTR MW as a true hood does a much, much better job than an OTR MW (and, if you have children, are short/average height, or have gas -- OTR MWs are not a good choice.)

So you are asking if you should match logos or handles?

I say handles in this case.

Thank you everyone! I appreciate the help!
I would love to go with a hood only for over the range (it's electric as gas is not available here) but the footprint is not very large and I am not sure we can put it anywhere else. It's a little bigger than a galley kitchen and we don't want to open up significant walls to expand it more than removing the drop ceiling and adding pantry cabinets on one wall.

get the matching handles as long as it's not crazy expensive. in the long run, you probably won't even care?

The large microwave I bought and had intended to put on a shelf near/above the stove ended up on the other side of the kitchen because the instructions with the microwave said do not put over or adjacent to a heat source -- it, at least potentially, decreases the life span of the microwave.

Consider putting pan shelving above your range and put the microwave of your choice elsewhere. The larger ones do come in really handy when entertaining such as large family holiday gatherings -- easier to put items cooked the night before in corning or pyrex or anchor hocking serving dishes that you will be using to warm and serve the next day.

mishmosh, it won't cost us any difference because they are exchanging the Kitchenaid with Kitchenaid and the Whirlpool one (with matching handle) is $200+ cheaper. Which is why my husband thinks we should go with the Kitchenaid because we'll be losing value.

We were looking at these microwaves and i thought the appliance dealer said we could get the kitchenaid with either handle option. I'm surprised that they don't offer you the different handle.

Still surprised at form over function. Does anyone really notice or care what handle is on the microwave? I have an old range that came with the house that still works and is harvest Gold (so you know how old this is). My newer appliances are white. No one has yet to faint when entering my kitchen. The kitchen update fund has been used to travel to Asia, Europe, and Oceania. My memories will last longer than any of the new appliances based on feedback on this forum.

I think the desire to match microwave with oven is simply because a microwave really does one thing. Not much function to differentiate unless you're paying $1k+ for a convection model. So might as well get these two appliances to match. Especially when they sit in the same cabinet area.

Helen, they are exactly the same. Same buttons, and everything. The only difference is the luxury badge.

This is purely a personal decision. Matching handles or matching badges/logo, that's the question. I would want both to match, no doubt, but matching handles is much more "obvious" so that's probably the right way to go. Handles tend to define a kitchen as industrial vs contemporary, etc. I don't like things looking mismatched. But again, purely personal as at least half (or more) of the folks on this site hate the idea of brand matching, whereas someone like myself can't deal with not having everything match.

I do care how my appliances look. Form + function is the ideal. Function here being the same, I'd go for the matching handles.