We found the microwave of the future at Amazon — and it’s just $60!

November 2, 2019 at 11:43 PM

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Just about everything in your home can be a smart device. From speakers to doorbells, smart home devices have taken over just about every room of the house — and now they’re even in your kitchen!

While it may look like a typical microwave, this AmazonBasics microwave is anything but. Sure, it can warm up last night’s dinner and help prepare frozen meals, but it does much more than that.

More than just a microwave

When paired with an Echo Dot, the AmazonBasics Microwave can access smart features for hands-free navigation and control, check in with Alexa for recipes and cooking times, and it can even re-order ingredients from Amazon. It can also make popcorn, re-heat pizza, defrost veggies, and of course, give leftovers new life.

The device is compact, coming in at over 17 inches wide and 10 inches tall, plus it weighs just under 22 pounds. It features a simple keypad to program cooking times and a kitchen timer, along with a few preset options like defrost and power levels. The microwave has 700-watts of juice behind it, so food might take a little longer than usual to re-heat and cook. Inside, you’ll find a 10-inch in diameter turntable, so food can be evenly warmed. It even has a child lock for safety.

Smart home features

Though the AmazonBasics Microwave has a dedicated Alexa button on its face, it needs to be paired with the Echo or Echo Dot to access its smart home features. Once synced, you can just ask Alexa to heat something up in the microwave, and it’ll start re-heating at the correct power level for the appropriate amount of time. Alexa is armed with a number of presets, including “cook a potato,” “make popcorn,” “re-heat one cup of soup” and more. Amazon adds more presets based on use, so you’re not just limited to what’s already included.

Prefer to be more hands-on? Just press the dedicated Alexa button on the microwave, inform the microwave how long you’d like it to cook whatever is inside, and it does the rest.

Realize you’re out of popcorn for movie night? Just ask the Alexa-equipped microwave to add it to your Amazon cart. In fact, you can save 10 percent on popcorn orders when you pick up the AmazonBasics Microwave with Amazon Dash. All you have to do is set up an account, select the brand and type of popcorn you’d like and whenever you’re running low, the smart home microwave will actually re-order it for you when prompted. Isn’t that cool?!

Please note: The AmazonBasics Microwave requires an Echo Dot to access its smart features. If you don’t already have one for your home, you can get an Echo Dot separately for $50 or in a bundle with this smart microwave for $110. The choice is yours!

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a great microwave for a smaller space or for a busy family, then the AmazonBasics Microwave is a great option to consider. It’s the perfect size for limited countertop space in the kitchen, plus it’s super easy to use. The gadget is also equipped with Alexa for hands-free navigation and control, and it’s suitable for singles, couples, and families with kids. At just $60, this microwave is a very good value for its functionality and smart home features.

AmazonBasics Microwave

This smart microwave has a 4 out of 5 stars from nearly 2,100 reviews. (Photo: Amazon/Yahoo Lifestyle)

Shop it: $60, amazon.com

Here are just two of the thousands of five-star reviews.

“Thumbs up Amazon! Another amazing product,” wrote a satisfied five-star shopper. “Some people rolled their eyes at me when I shared my excitement about ordering the Alexa Microwave. If you are the person who reads the directions on a frozen food box, throw the box in the garbage, only to dig said box out of the garbage a few minutes later to reread the directions on the box or if you microwave guess and stick your finger in the food to see if it’s hot enough, you will probably see the benefits of Alexa’s very helpful heating advice. She microwaved popcorn perfectly. I think I had only 5 unpopped kernels. Reheated one-half cup of coffee this morning to exactly the temperature I like it! I’m not sorry I bought it. Saves space on the counter but big enough for a dinner plate. No complicated set up. Worked with my Echo Show as soon as I plugged it in.”

“I love this little microwave! It’s perfect for my needs and is great for apartment living, as it doesn’t take up much space,” a delighted reviewer wrote on Amazon. “Easy setup and my echo linked to it right away. You don’t have to use the voice activation, but it definitely makes for a neat experience and is helpful for those of us who reheat coffee or tea and then forget about it- just tell Alexa to heat it up again!”