Whirlpool - 2.1 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Fingerprint Resistant Microwave with Sensor Cooking Model: WMH53521HZ (also at Home Depot)

(Most responses here will be unhelpful, simply telling you not to install an OTR microwave oven.)

OTR Microwaves are problematic for a number of reasons but one is that the heat from your range bakes the electronics causing premature failure. Unlike heavier duty built-in units like an Advantium that provide better protection, the price point for OTR's doesn't afford that option.

Do you have an option to install a real range exhaust hood and put the microwave somewhere else? That would be a better long term solution for the longevity of your MW and for your health (OTR MW's are very poor exhaust hoods).

I hate my OTR and specifically designed my new kitchen to arrange for a hood. It was there when we bought the house and UGH!

If you have a gas range the auto exhaust will kick on all the time. It will be like nails on chalkboard and you will not have the option of turning down or off. I only use my back burners when I absolutely necessary for this reason.

Put in a recirculating exhaust if you have to and find another place for the microwave.

@opaone we don’t really have another good option because our kitchen is fairly small. I really appreciate your answer though and will give it a deeper look if we can possibly squeeze another type of microwave in somewhere. Do you have any brand recommendations? You seem very well versed and I would really appreciate your advice if you have any.

OTR microwaves (aka Microhoods) have gotten deeper over the years. They use to be pretty shallow and looked nice. I had one two houses ago back in my 30s. Now they are deeper and can stick out passed the cabinets by about 4". If you have room for a microwave elsewhere, consider that option.

They stick out @Kompy for: (1) better coverage of the range beneath, rather than just being able to exhaust solely the back burners, and (2) so that the door opens easily while being next to the adjoining upper cabinetry.

To the OP - almost all OTR microwaves are made by Sharp and LG, and just rebadged by the other brands, but the innards are Sharp or LG. So just shop for the features and price you want without regard for brand name. Note that the fewer gadgetry and extra options, the less to break. However, all OTR MWs break within a few years due to the exposure of their electronics to the heat of the cooktop. Therefore, shop for low-priced ones given that built-in obsolescence.

@Kompy: "Now they are deeper and can stick out passed the cabinets by about 4"."

A typical wall cabinet is 12", 13" including the door. There are plenty of OTR ovens such as the inexpensive, gazillion-seller GE JVM3160RFSS that are around 15" deep (the GE is 15.25" deep) and would extend only around 2" beyond the cabinet door.

Have great success with Panasonic brand with inverter technology.

I like Panasonic too. Just got a new one to replace a 15 year old Panasonic that still worked fine, but the door latch was getting finicky.

Good point mdln. I forgot about Panasonic when I wrote my previous post. Yes, there are 3 MW manufacturers - Sharp, LG and Panasonic.

If you need to go with an OTR, check out the low profile Whirlpool or Kitchenaid microwaves. As I understand, the reason the Kitchenaid is more expensive is because it has a more powerful vent fan--more CFMs.

Look at one that has the option to vent the exhaust outside instead of just recirculating.

We have a small Breville countertop microwave. Styling goes well with our other appliances (Thermador and GE). lots of options. Got it at BB&B with 20% off coupon. https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/breville-the-smooth-wave-microwave-oven-in-stainless-steel/5516892?brandId=255

I've found Breville small appliances to be very good, but haven't had their microwave. My very first microwave when they became available to homeowners was Amana. I had it a couple of decades. That was followed by a couple of Sharps that were only OK. In the pantry, and - I don't use a microwave often.

This house had a built in microwave when we bought it. Or, rather a microwave finished with a trim kit in a wall of cabinets. It's Amana. We've been here almost 9 years. The woman who we bought the house from is a friend, and she had lived here 5 years. Our best guess is the microwave and dishwasher (KA) are approx 16 years old....seems to be the year the kitchen was last updated.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-microwave/

^^Panasonic micros with the inverter tech. Best that I have ever owned.

One tip--my former Panasonic turned into a rust bucket. With the new one, I leave the door open a bit so the condensation will dry and not be trapped inside.

I looked for a micro with a stainless steel interior but, because I liked the functionality of the old Panasonic, I went with another one. The 'sensor reheat' function is amazing.

NN-SD745S

1.6 cu ft. I really wanted the 1.2 cu ft model but the larger one was a great buy from Amazon--one of those 'packaging may be damaged' deals for less than $100. (2 years ago.)

Looking at Panasonic on Amazon and loving how many options there are! Honestly I was resigned to buying a Viking or something similar and spending ~1.5k so to hear such great things about Panasonic is extremely helpful.

This is the Panasonic I bought last month:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085T6RKF4/ref=twister_B089FB92BH?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

The price has gone up $30 in 3 weeks, I see! But at least it was in stock & Amazon delivered in 2 days. I haven't done much real cooking with it because I'm preoccupied with learning my new induction cooktop & new oven right now. But it's easy to use, & the Sensor Cook feature cooked a potato perfectly, & the Delay Start feature was nice for cooking cauliflower at the right time when I was busy with other dishes. Makes me want to try the recipes at the Panasonic site to see how I can get the most from it.

Not sure if you're a Costco member, but they typically carry a Panasonic countertop microwave in store. In the past, I've had Panasonic and GE and been satisfied with both.

@Ryan B we love Costco! I will look online, thank you so much

If you can spare the space in an upper cabinet, the MW would be better located next to (or near) the fridge. These are from the 'net, but you can search Houzz site for Darbuka's excellent example:

ETA, you can see Darbuka's MW in this recent thread: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6117619/where-is-the-best-place-to-put-the-microwave

@mama goose_gw zn6OH yes this was the thread that kind of convinced us that maybe we didn’t need an over the range after all. We both love that look

It's true that OTR microwaves die from heat in a few years. My $299 GE is 15 1/2 years old & won't die,,, Looking forward to the low profile Whirlpool when it goes. Small kitchen & don't want to put it on the counter.