You have your choice on how high to install a microwave drawer - that means you won't necessarily have to bend down to pick up your tea, rather just reach down. I find microwave drawers much easier to use than my current wall installed microwave.

Are you suggesting I put the microwave drawer on the wall or on the island? On the island I thought I’d have to bend down. I guess you’re saying you like the drawer better which gives me some confidence.

Or, get an inexpensive table top mw, and do this:

We bought the largest GE mw, and ordered a shelf for it. Our contractor made a couple of adjustments. There is enough room around the mw for air circulation.

You started another thread on microwave drawers.

i have a Bosch side opening wall oven with a Sharp microwave below and they look fine.

It is my understanding that all microwave drawers are made by Sharp so there is no advantage in paying a huge amount for a different brand .

I am not sure what you mean by the Gaggenau having an oven. I would think that might cause issues since generally microwaves have a shorter life span than ovens and so you might have to replace everything at the same time.

If you have a large kitchen an option is to just have the microwave put into a cubby. You just need to make sure it is large enough so that there is sufficient ventilation - you can check the specifications. My friend did this and had a pull out "ledge" built under it so that taking out and putting in food is very easy. Since it is just a standard counter top microwave, it is easy to replace if it dies.

However the microwave drawers are really an elegant solution - and as you have learned on your other thread, most people really like them. They are more expensive than standard microwaves and have to be installed as well which adds to the cost but given the level of appliances you are getting, I don't think cost is what is driving your decisons.