Since Amazon got into the production and manufacturing game with their AmazonBasics line of products, customers on their platform have had an alternative that is cheaper, and of good quality compared to what a well known brand has to offer. This also applies to microwaves, and their AmazonBasics microwave is not only cheaper, but it also comes with a couple of features that are very difficult to find anywhere else. Stay put, and we’ll take you through a couple of reasons why we think that it might be well worth considering, especially if you’re out looking for the best microwave but on a budget.
Why We Like It – AmazonBasics 700w Microwave
The AmazonBasics 700W Microwave is an appliance that introduces a new form of convenience to your cooking – Alexa voice control. The voice control feature will only work once it’s linked to your Echo device, so if you already have a bunch of smart devices in your house, a voice activated microwave will make a perfect addition to your smart device network.
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- Voice Controlled
- Easy to use
- Reorders your popcorn
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- Requires an Amazon Echo device for voice control
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Power & Performance
The AmazonBasics countertop microwave is a light duty appliance that has a 700 watt power output, and an internal capacity of 0.7 cubic feet. This makes it perfect for the bachelor or bachelorette living in their own small apartment, or a college student in a dorm. Just like the Toshiba EM925A5A, the microwave has generally basic features such as defrosting by weight or time, and only has up to 10 power levels to choose from.
Durability
The build quality of this AmazonBasics microwave oven is pretty solid, so you shouldn’t expect anything breaking down while it’s still new. Just like the Samsung MG14H3020CM, It’s covered by a 1 year warranty, but there’s still the option to purchase an extended warranty that runs for 1 year, 2 years or 3 years more than the original warranty. The only caveat with this option is that it’s available for US shoppers only.
Ease of Use
The major highlight of this microwave is of course its voice control capability, where you’re able to issue a voice command to the microwave and have it do as you please. For full disclosure, it’s not the microwave itself that is “listening” to your commands, but rather, an Amazon Echo device that’s connected to it. This, therefore, means that without an Echo device, you won’t be able to use your voice and get it to do what you want it to. The Panasonic Countertop Microwave, on the other hand, uses cyclonic inverter technology to ensure food is well cooked
Additional Features & Versatility
If you’re familiar with Amazon Smart devices, then getting this Microwave to work should be a synch. All you have to do is add it to your list of smart home devices, and to be able to issue commands, you’ll just have to Say Alexa, followed by what you need done. If I wanted some popcorn, for example, I’d say Alexa, make popcorn. You can avoid saying “Alexa” by pressing the Ask Alexa button on the microwave and just issuing your command. All the button does is activate your echo device so that it’s ready to listen to your instructions.
Value
Some people may argue that voice control on a microwave isn’t a very useful feature since, you’d still have to walk up to it and put your food inside, the same way you would if you were using an ordinary microwave like the NN-SD372S Panasonic Countertop Microwave for example. Other than voice control, there’s really no other feature that makes the AmazonBasics microwave special, but if you’d rather issue a voice command than use the touch key controls, then go for it.
AmazonBasics 700w Microwave Wrap Up
One particularly interesting feature of the microwave is its ability to keep a record of your popcorn supply, and even reorder popcorn when it runs out. Maybe in the future, the microwave will also be able to keep track of a lot of other things that you cook, and let you know when they’re about to run out, who knows?
