From the outside, flatbed models look the same as regular microwaves. But open the door and you’ll see a flatbed microwave doesn’t have a turntable.
Rather than rotating food on the turntable to heat evenly, a flatbed model has a rotating microwave antenna that is located underneath the base of the microwave.
Flatbed microwave pros
Extra cooking space: as there is no turntable taking up space, the
microwave’s internal volume is bigger. This allows you to use bigger
dishes or plates.
Flexibility with dishes: you can place any shaped dish inside the
microwave without the hassle of plates hitting the side of the
microwave while the turntable moves.
Easier to clean: with a flatbed there’s no more removing the
turntable to clean it and there are fewer places for cooking grime
and food splashes to collect.
Flatbed microwave cons
More expensive: the flatbed models we’ve tested range from $279 to
$550. In comparison, you can pick up a recommended microwave with a
turntable for less than $250.
How do flatbeds perform?
We’ve tested seven flatbed microwaves from four brands. Only the two Panasonic models were good enough to recommend.
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