The Best Microwave Drawers for a Luxury Kitchen
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The best microwave drawer for most luxury kitchens is the Wolf MD30TE/S. It opens and closes on its own, matches Wolf ovens and adds Gourmet presets and a 99-minute keep-warm, at about $2,595 list. Bosch's 800 Series is the smart pick with app control and 26 auto programs, and Sharp's SMD3070ASY is the value buy at about $2,000 list.
A microwave drawer installs below the counter, usually in an island or under a wall oven, and slides out so you load it from above. It keeps the microwave out of sight and within reach of kids, and it frees the wall for ovens. All three picks here are 30 inches wide with a 1.2-cubic-foot cavity and 950 watts, so the differences are in controls, smart features, design and warranty.
We have not tested these microwaves. The picks rely on manufacturer specs, warranties, list prices and what owners and dealers commonly report. Planning a full kitchen? The Kitchen Suite Matcher suggests a matched suite for your style and budget.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Appliance | Width | List price | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall microwave drawer | Wolf 30-inch Transitional Drawer Microwave | 30″ | $2,595 | Check price |
| Best smart microwave drawer | Bosch 800 Series 30-inch Smart Microwave Drawer | 30″ | $2,499 | Check price |
| Best value microwave drawer | Sharp 30-inch Microwave Drawer Oven | 30″ | $2,000 | Check price |
Our picks, in detail
Wolf 30-inch Transitional Drawer Microwave
Wolf · Speed oven / microwave · Microwave drawer
- $2,595 MSRP
- 30″ wide
- Electric
- 2-yr full warranty
- Capacity (cu ft): 1.2
- Microwave (watts): 950
Wolf's 30-inch Transitional drawer microwave is the most polished choice. The drawer opens and closes automatically, sensor cooking adjusts time for you, and Gourmet mode adds presets for common foods. Keep Warm holds food for up to 99 minutes, which is handy when dinner runs late. It has 10 power levels and a control lock for homes with young children.
It is the obvious pick in a Wolf kitchen, and Wolf offers an accessory for flush-inset installation, so it can sit perfectly level with your cabinet faces.
The trade-offs: at about $2,595, it costs about $600 more than Sharp's list price for the same capacity and wattage, and it has no Wi-Fi. Wolf does not state the warranty on this model's retailer listing, though 2 years full is Wolf's standard. Skip it if your other appliances are not Wolf, because you are mostly paying for the match.
Bosch 800 Series 30-inch Smart Microwave Drawer
Bosch · Speed oven / microwave · Microwave drawer
- $2,499 MSRP
- 30″ wide
- Electric
- 1-yr full warranty
- Capacity (cu ft): 1.2
- Microwave (watts): 950
Bosch's 800 Series HMD8054UC is the most connected microwave drawer here. Home Connect lets you check and control it from your phone, and 26 CookSmart auto programs plus sensor cooking take the guesswork out of reheating and defrosting. It has 11 power levels, a tilt-out LCD display and a touch-to-open drawer.
It suits busy families and anyone with a Bosch or Thermador kitchen. Its listed MSRP is about $2,499. Like the others here, it has a 1.2-cubic-foot cavity and 950 watts, so you are choosing it for the controls and the app rather than more cooking power.
The trade-offs: the warranty is 1 year, compared with 2 for Wolf. Bosch's own site showed it out of stock when we checked, so confirm availability. Skip it if you do not want another app, because the core cooking hardware matches the others.
Sharp 30-inch Microwave Drawer Oven
Sharp · Speed oven / microwave · Microwave drawer
- $2,000 MSRP
- 30″ wide
- Electric
- 1-yr full warranty
- Capacity (cu ft): 1.2
- Microwave (watts): 950
Sharp is the best-known name in microwave drawers, and the SMD3070ASY shows why. It has an automatic drawer that closes hands-free, a concealed control panel that tilts to 45 degrees so it is easy to read, 12 sensor-cook settings and room for a 4-quart casserole.
At about $1,999.99 list, it is the least expensive drawer here. Retail prices move, so compare authorized sellers. It suits value-minded remodels, second kitchens and anyone who wants the drawer layout without paying for a luxury badge.
The trade-offs: a 1-year warranty, a plainer look than Wolf's, and no smart features. Sharp lists 950 watts, while one retailer lists 1,000 watts; we use Sharp's figure. Skip it if your kitchen is built around a single luxury brand and matching finishes matter to you.
How to choose a microwave drawer
All three drawers here share the same basic hardware, so decide on design, controls and service first.
| Spec | Wolf 30-inch Transitional Drawer Microwave | Bosch 800 Series 30-inch Smart Microwave Drawer | Sharp 30-inch Microwave Drawer Oven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Wolf | Bosch | Sharp |
| Category | Speed oven / microwave (microwave drawer) | Speed oven / microwave (microwave drawer) | Speed oven / microwave (microwave drawer) |
| Width | 30″ | 30″ | 30″ |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric | Electric |
| Installation | Undercounter | Undercounter | Undercounter |
| List price (MSRP) | $2,595 | $2,499 | $2,000 |
| Full warranty | 2-yr full | 1-yr full | 1-yr full |
| Made in | - | - | - |
| Wi-Fi / app | No | Yes | No |
| Capacity (cu ft) | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Microwave (watts) | 950 | 950 | 950 |
| Power levels | 10 | 11 | - |
| Sensor cooking | Yes | Yes | - |
| Performance rating | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Design rating | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Features rating | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Value rating | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Where to buy | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Prices are manufacturer or retailer list prices when we last checked; luxury brands set minimum advertised prices, so savings usually come from dealer packages and rebates. Ratings are editorial estimates: see how we rate.
Microwave drawer pros and cons
The pros: a microwave drawer keeps the microwave off the counter and out of sight, and you lift food out from above rather than reaching up to a wall unit. Older kids can reach it without a step stool, and it works well in an island. The cons: it costs more than a standard built-in microwave, it is 1.2 cubic feet, so large platters may not fit, and it only microwaves. It cannot bake, roast or crisp.
Microwave drawer in an island
The island is the most popular spot. Put it on the side facing away from the main cooking zone, so someone reheating a snack does not block the cook. Sharp's drawer is just under 16 inches tall and about 23 inches deep. Check every model's cutout before cabinets are built, and confirm the electrical requirements with your electrician.
30-inch vs 24-inch
All three picks are 30 inches wide, which is the common luxury size. Some brands also make 24-inch microwave drawers; we have not included them here because we did not have verified specs and prices for them. If you are fitting a 24-inch cabinet, ask your dealer which models fit.
Installation and matching
Microwave drawers are usually installed by the dealer or a contractor during the remodel. Wolf offers a flush-inset accessory. Match the drawer to your wall ovens or range where you can, because a microwave drawer sits at eye level whenever you cook. If you are still choosing ovens, see our best wall ovens and steam ovens.
Speed oven vs microwave drawer
If you want one appliance to microwave and bake, a speed oven may be a better use of the space. A speed oven combines microwave and convection, so it can reheat, roast and bake, and serve as a second oven. Wolf's 30-inch E Series speed oven lists at about $3,700, about $1,100 more than Wolf's microwave drawer. The Miele PureLine 24-inch speed oven is a compact option for a 24-inch wall. See our best speed ovens, and read what is a speed oven to see whether it fits how you cook. Choosing between the two leading brands? Read Wolf vs Miele speed oven.
The catch is placement. Speed ovens install in the wall at eye level, while a microwave drawer goes under the counter. Many luxury kitchens use a speed oven in the wall and skip the microwave entirely.
Pairing with other drawers
A microwave drawer often sits beside other undercounter appliances, such as a warming drawer or refrigerator drawers. See our best warming and vacuum seal drawers and browse every model on the speed ovens and microwave drawers hub.
Price and buying
List prices run from about $2,000 for Sharp to about $2,595 for Wolf. Microwave drawers are usually bought as part of a package with ovens and a cooktop, which is where dealers have room on price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best microwave drawer?
The Wolf MD30TE/S is the best microwave drawer for most luxury kitchens, with automatic open and close, sensor cooking, Gourmet presets and a 99-minute keep-warm, at about $2,595 list. Bosch's 800 Series is the best smart drawer, with app control and 26 auto programs. Sharp's SMD3070ASY is the best value at about $2,000 list.
Are microwave drawers worth it?
They are worth it if you want the microwave off the counter and out of the wall, especially in an island, and if kids use the microwave on their own. They cost more than a standard built-in microwave and only microwave. If you would rather have a second oven that also microwaves, a speed oven is a better use of the budget.
Who makes the best microwave drawer?
Sharp is the best-known microwave drawer brand and offers the best value. Wolf is the best match for a luxury Wolf kitchen, with a flush-inset option and a 2-year standard warranty. Bosch is the best choice if you want app control. All three picks here have 1.2 cubic feet and 950 watts, so design and service matter most.
How is a microwave drawer installed?
A microwave drawer slides into a base cabinet or island opening and needs its own electrical supply planned in, so check the installation guide. Check the exact cutout for your model before cabinets are built; Sharp's drawer, for example, is about 15.9 inches tall and 23 inches deep. Wolf offers an accessory for flush-inset installation. Most buyers have it installed by the dealer or contractor.
Speed oven or microwave drawer: which should I get?
Get a microwave drawer if you mainly reheat and want it under the counter. Get a speed oven if you want a compact second oven that can microwave, bake and roast, and you have wall space at eye level. A speed oven costs more; Wolf's lists at about $3,700 versus about $2,595 for its microwave drawer.