Microwaves provide a quick, easy way to heat up a meal, making them very popular appliances. To choose the best microwave for you, consider size, power, placement and special features.

The best size microwave for you will depend on how much space you have available and how much food you'll need to heat up at a time. If your space is limited or you're only heating food for one person, a 0.5 cubic-foot model may be a good choice. If you're furnishing a gourmet kitchen, you may want a 2.5 cubic-foot combination microwave-convection oven.

A second factor to consider is power. Microwaves of other size  can cook more food in less time. If you plan to cook a lot of food at once, a higher-wattage model is probably a good idea.