The problem you are going to run into is that the controls on a countertop are made to be read by a person standing in front of them at counter height or above and the flat fronts mean they drop off quickly when you are above them. The front of the micro drawer is angled to make it easier to read under the counter, but it also costs a lot more. Larger type on the controls will help when you stand back and look down at it, but I've never seen a counter top model with an angled control panel.

We have a KitchenAid mounted under counter. It's one of the models with a drop down door. The controls are pretty easy to read and use from above. Things that help: the controls are on the top rather than the side; there's a knob rather than a key pad; there are two rows of buttons. Fewer buttons in fewer rows mean that its easy to know which button to push without bending down to read them.

We also liked that it had more of a solid feel than the cheaper plasticy microwaves with controls on the side. It's construction is similar to their speed oven.

If we were buying today, we might buy a microwave drawer to put in the same space. 5 years ago, they were very new and there were some details of the first models that we didn't like. However, we like the one we have a lot, it has a bit higher capacity than the drawer models.

We just put a countertop MW in our peninsula and I do not find it that hard to use. Is it perfect, no. Like was mentioned above it is made to look at from eye height but as much as we liked the drawer MW I could not justify $1,000 vs $100.

FWIW, I'm seeing prices around $800 on the 24" Sharp microwave drawer. The current price for KitchenAid Architect with drop down door that we have is around $1000.

Ikea Nutid (made by Whirlpool). Drop down door, display on top. Been using it for a month now. No problems. Takes some getting used to.

In my old kitchen I had a micro/convection oven under the counter. I'm short, didn't bother me. And you get used to where the button are so you don't have to bend over to see them. In the new house, I opted for a Sharp MW drawer and love it!! I shopped around online and got it for $624. I love it not only because the drawer makes access so easy, but that I can fit so much in it at once.

I bought my 24" Sharp MW drawer yesterday on eBay for $479. It is a factory refurbished, certified working unit with no exterior or interior damage from a highly-rated seller I've seen mentioned on the Appliances forum as a trusted vendor. I can buy a one year warranty from Square Trade, a trusted warranty company, for $65 or from Sharp for $69. I have bought refurbished appliances a couple of times before with no issues. It's a great way to save money. My appliance salesperson quoted me about $950 for in the box!! Btw, my model is the slightly larger and more expensive one.

I'm 5'8" on a good day and have used countertop MWs set under counter before. It's way too much bending and stooping for me. I'd gladly pay the extra few hundred to forgo that issue.

Good deal Breezy! Glad to know that -- just in case mine fails, I'll know to shop hard. I'm taller than you and have neck problems. I couldn't do a countertop under the counter. Interesting that IKEA has one with a top display. Average and taller people could probably use that on the counter just as well.

When you get to a certain age, you cant read any of them in any location! LOL!By the time you're standing back far enough that it's clear, the digits are too small.