Best Microwave in Israel: How to Choose Without Paying for What You Don’t Need

For most homes, the best choice is a ⁦23–25⁩ liter countertop microwave of ⁦800–1,000⁩ watts from an official importer, costing about ₪⁦400–850⁩; above that, you pay for an inverter, a grill or cabinet installation.

A microwave is a simple appliance: most use is reheating leftovers, defrosting and sometimes light cooking. So it’s easy to overpay for features you won’t use. Before choosing, answer three questions:

1. Where will it go? On the counter (countertop) or inside a cabinet (built-in). A built-in microwave costs about two to four times as much as a countertop model of the same capacity, and only makes sense if you’re planning a kitchen or tower.

2. How much do you defrost? If you defrost meat, chicken or challah every week, inverter technology gives more even defrosting, with fewer cooked edges and frozen centers.

3. Do you need a grill? If you have a built-in oven or toaster oven, probably not. If the microwave is your main reheating appliance, a grill can be useful for browning.

In Hebrew searches you’ll see both “microwave” on its own and “integrated microwave”. The difference is the installation type, which we explain below.

In Israeli stores the common models are from Samsung, LG and Bosch, plus brands like Sharp, Midea and Sauter. With countertop microwaves the differences between brands are small, so choose by capacity, power, inverter and price, and make sure the model is from the official importer. (Israel runs on 230V/50Hz; a 110V microwave brought from the US would need a transformer.)

A simple order of priorities: first location (countertop or built-in), then capacity, then inverter and grill, and design last. A microwave lasts many years, but it’s also one of the cheapest kitchen appliances, so there’s no reason to settle for a capacity that doesn’t suit you just to save ₪100. On the other hand, there’s no reason to pay ₪2,000 for a built-in microwave if your kitchen isn’t designed for one.

Who needs two microwaves? In kosher homes, and in large families where several people reheat food at the same time, two basic microwaves are sometimes more convenient than one large one.

⁦23–25⁩ liters and ⁦800–1,000⁩ watts suit most families; 20 liters is enough for a couple, and ⁦30–42⁩ liters suits mainly a microwave with grill or anyone who reheats large dishes.

Capacity: capacity determines which plate or container will fit. A 23-liter microwave usually has a turntable of about ⁦29 cm⁩ (11.4 in), per the Samsung MS23K3513AS product page. In a 20-liter built-in like the Bosch BFL523MB1F the turntable is ⁦25.5 cm⁩, so a large serving plate won’t turn. If you reheat Shabbat dishes, check the diameter before buying.

Power: the power in the specs is the microwave output itself. According to LG Israel’s site, the MS2595DIS has 1,000 watts of output and draws 1,150 watts from the outlet. The MH8295DIS has 1,200 watts of microwave output, and the combined draw with the grill reaches 1,500 watts.

What does this mean in practice? A 1,000-watt microwave heats a portion faster than an 800-watt one, but the difference is noticeable mainly with large quantities. For reheating coffee or a single plate, 800 watts is enough.

Power levels: important for defrosting and gentle cooking. The Samsung MS23K3513AS has 6 levels per the specs, and the Bosch BFL523MB1F has 5 levels, from 90 to 800 watts.

External dimensions: a ⁦23–25⁩ liter microwave takes about ⁦48–⁦49 cm⁩⁩ of width, about ⁦27–⁦28 cm⁩⁩ of height and about ⁦35–⁦39 cm⁩⁩ of depth. A 42-liter microwave like the LG MH8295DIS takes about 55×31×⁦45 cm⁩, much more counter. Measure the space and don’t forget ventilation clearance above and at the sides, per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Auto programs: most digital microwaves include programs by food type and weight. The Samsung MS23K3513AS, for example, has 20 auto programs per its product page. In practice most people use two or three: quick reheat, defrost by weight and popcorn. Don’t choose by the number of programs.

An inverter is worth it if you defrost a lot, and a grill is worth it if you have no oven or toaster oven, or want to brown and roast in the microwave.

Inverter: in a regular microwave, at low power the magnetron switches on and off alternately. In an inverter microwave, power is continuous at low settings. The result, according to manufacturers, is more even defrosting and reheating. At LG the technology is called Smart Inverter, and per LG Israel’s site it’s on the MS2595DIS and MH8295DIS, including inverter defrosting.

The price difference: the LG MS2595DIS with inverter and 1,000 watts sells for about ₪⁦750–850,⁩ compared with about ₪⁦400–600⁩ for a basic 800-watt microwave. If you defrost chicken or meat for Shabbat every week, it’s a difference worth considering.

Grill: a microwave with grill has a top heating element, usually quartz, that browns the surface of the food. You can use it alone or combined with the microwave. According to LG Israel’s site, the MH8295DIS grill draws 1,000 watts.

When isn’t a grill needed? When you have a built-in oven or toaster oven that does the job better. Most cheap microwaves, like the 23-liter Samsung models in this guide, have no grill per the specs.

Air Fry and baking: some microwaves have turbo (convection) or Air Fry and work as a small oven. On the models we checked in this guide, Air Fry is marked as not available. If it matters to you, look for a convection microwave, but note that they cost more.

What to watch out for with a microwave with grill? The top surface gets very hot when using the grill, so don’t put things on it, and mind the clearance from the upper cabinet. Also, microwave-safe dishes aren’t always grill-safe: use dishes marked as resistant to high heat, and the metal grill rack only on programs the manufacturer allows.

A ⁦60 cm⁩ built-in microwave needs, per product pages, a niche of about ⁦38–⁦38.2 cm⁩⁩ high, ⁦56–⁦56.8 cm⁩⁩ wide and ⁦55 cm⁩ deep, and it’s designed for a tower above a built-in oven or for an upper cabinet.

In Israeli searches and stores, the word “integrated microwave” (mikrogal integrali) is used for two kinds:

• A ⁦60 cm⁩ built-in microwave: designed for a cabinet niche, with a frame that matches built-in ovens. For example, the Bosch BFL523MB1F (20 liters, ⁦59.4 cm⁩ wide, ⁦38.2 cm⁩ high) and the Bosch BFL554MB0 (25 liters, 900 watts). Per the BFL554MB0 product page, the niche is ⁦38–⁦38.2 cm⁩⁩ high, ⁦56–⁦56.8 cm⁩⁩ wide and ⁦55 cm⁩ deep.
• A microwave the store lists as integrated: for example, the Samsung MS23A7013AB, measuring 48.9×27.5×⁦34.6 cm⁩. The product page doesn’t list niche dimensions or an installation kit, so it’s important to ask the seller how it’s installed in a cabinet and whether a matching frame exists.

What to check before planning a cabinet:

• Niche dimensions on the manufacturer’s installation sheet, not just the appliance dimensions.
• Ventilation openings: some built-in microwaves vent from the front, and some need an opening at the back of the cabinet.
• Door opening direction: check which side the door opens to, and that it won’t hit a wall or adjacent cabinet.
• A power outlet in the adjacent cabinet, not behind the microwave.
• Height: a microwave at eye level is more comfortable and safer than one above your head.

Worth the price? A built-in microwave costs about ₪⁦1,800–2,100⁩ for Bosch models, compared with ₪⁦400–850⁩ for a countertop model. You pay for a uniform look and freeing up counter space, not for better heating. In a small kitchen it may be worth it, especially alongside a built-in oven in a tower.

Over-the-range microwave? In some countries (the US, for instance) microwaves installed above the cooktop with a built-in range hood are common. None of the models in this guide have a built-in hood. If you want to install a regular microwave in a cabinet above the cooktop, check the manufacturer’s minimum distance from the cooktop, because heat and steam from cooking can damage the appliance.

A basic countertop microwave costs about ₪⁦400–600⁩ in Israel, a microwave with inverter or grill about ₪⁦750–1,250,⁩ and a built-in microwave about ₪⁦1,000–2,100,⁩ based on store prices in November 2026.

Prices we saw on store product pages:

• Samsung MS23K3513AS (23 liters, 800 watts): about ₪⁦400–500.⁩
• Samsung MS23DG4500AT (23 liters, 800 watts): about ₪⁦500–600.⁩
• LG MS2595DIS (25 liters, 1,000 watts, inverter): about ₪⁦750–850.⁩
• Samsung MS23A7013AB (23 liters, listed as integrated): about ₪⁦950–1,100.⁩
• LG MH8295DIS (42 liters, grill, inverter): about ₪⁦1,100–1,250.⁩
• Bosch BFL523MB1F (built-in, 20 liters): about ₪⁦1,800–2,000.⁩
• Bosch BFL554MB0 (built-in, 25 liters, 900 watts): we saw it at about ₪2,100, but at the time of checking it was listed as temporarily out of stock.

Is an extended warranty worth it? On a ₪⁦400–600⁩ microwave, a paid warranty extension usually isn’t worth it. On a ₪2,000 built-in microwave, whose replacement also involves fitting the niche, it’s worth considering.

Parallel import: microwaves are sometimes sold as parallel imports (yevu makbil) at a lower price. On a cheap appliance the difference is small, so an official importer is better. On the product pages we checked, the warranty is provided by Newpro (Samsung), Brimag (LG) and BSH (Bosch).

Energy label: the product pages of the microwaves we checked show no energy rating, unlike dishwashers and refrigerators. A microwave’s total consumption is low, since it runs a few minutes a day, so electricity use isn’t a major factor in choosing.

Where to buy? We saw all the models in this guide on Israeli store product pages, and the LG models also on LG Israel’s site. Prices vary between stores and promotions, so compare before buying, and note delivery times: for some models we saw delivery times of ⁦7–14⁩ business days.

Shabbat mode doesn’t appear on the product pages of the microwaves we checked, and a microwave usually isn’t used on Shabbat; for reheating on Shabbat, people use dedicated appliances such as a Shabbat hot plate (plata) or an oven with a certified Shabbat mode.

If you’re looking for a Shabbat reheating solution, see our built-in oven guide, where we cover Shabbat mode and halachic institute certifications. For halachic questions, consult a rabbi.

Kashrut: in kosher homes it’s common to keep one microwave for meat (basari) and one for dairy (chalavi), or to use a cover and separate dishes. That’s a question of custom and halacha, not specs. If you buy two microwaves, two basic ₪⁦400–500⁩ models cost less than one built-in.

Safety:

• Don’t put in metal, aluminum foil or dishes with metallic trim, unless the manufacturer allows it on a specific program.
• Don’t heat a whole egg in its shell or liquids in a sealed container.
• A child lock, available on some models, like the LG MS2595DIS per its product page, is useful in a home with small children.
• Leave ventilation clearance around a countertop microwave.

Cleaning: heat a bowl of water and lemon for a few minutes and wipe. On microwaves with an Easy Clean coating, like the LG MH8295DIS per its product page, cleaning is easier.

Tips for better reheating: spread the food in a ring rather than a pile in the center of the plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid to keep moisture in, and stop halfway to stir. When defrosting, use the by-weight program and turn the piece over halfway. Simple habits like these improve results more than a 200-watt difference between models.

How long does a microwave last? We have no official lifespan data by brand, and we don’t invent any. What extends its life is regular cleaning, keeping the waveguide cover free of grease, and never running the microwave empty.

Most microwave problems are a turntable that won’t turn, sparks from an unsuitable dish, or a microwave that won’t heat; you can fix the first two yourself, but a microwave that won’t heat needs a certified technician only.

• The turntable won’t turn: check that the ring and plate sit correctly on the spindle.
• Sparks: almost always metal inside, or burnt-on dirt on the wall or waveguide cover. Clean it and stop using the metal dish.
• The microwave runs but doesn’t heat: an internal fault. Don’t open the microwave yourself: it has high-voltage components even after unplugging. Contact the importer’s service.
• The door doesn’t close properly: don’t use the microwave until the door is fixed.

Electricity: a microwave draws about ⁦1,150–1,500⁩ watts from the outlet per LG’s site, so it’s better not to plug it into the same power strip as a kettle, toaster or coffee machine. In a new kitchen, plan a separate outlet for the microwave niche, in addition to the lines for the built-in oven, induction cooktop and dishwasher.

If you’re planning a whole kitchen, it’s worth going through our best dishwasher and best refrigerator guides too, to plan all dimensions and electrical needs together, and in a very small kitchen also our small dishwasher guide.

Before throwing out an old microwave: if it works but is noisy or the turntable squeaks, it’s usually the ring or rollers, which can be replaced. If it doesn’t heat, or the door is damaged, replacing it with a new ₪⁦400–600⁩ appliance is usually cheaper than an out-of-warranty repair. Take the old appliance to electronic waste recycling; some stores will remove it on delivery if you ask.

In short: the best microwave is the one that fits your space, capacity needs and defrosting habits, from an official importer at a reasonable price, not necessarily the model with the most features.

And if you’re equipping a new kitchen, plan the microwave together with the oven and cooktop at the carpenter’s planning stage.