Inverter microwaves are a fairly recent innovation, and to understand what makes them so appealing, you first have to understand how a conventional microwave operates. If you cook something at 50% power in a standard microwave, the appliance actually cycles on and off, intermittently cooking at 100% power for a few seconds then 0% power. This is why the edges of items often end up cooked much more than the center and why defrosting takes so long.

Inverter microwaves, on the other hand, can operate at 50% power (or another reduced level) throughout the whole cooking process, which results in faster and more even cooking. This technology is ideal for those who regularly use their microwave for defrosting, but it does tend to drive up the price of the appliance.

What to Consider

When shopping for a microwave, you’ll first want to check that “inverter technology” is listed as one of its features, as it’s still a fairly new concept. From here, you’ll want to consider factors such as the size of the microwave, as well as its power, which is measured in watts. Microwaves with higher wattage tend to cook food faster and more evenly.