Microwaves break so often. Drawer ones seem to have less problems than countertop models, but there are still lots of stories on here about having to replace it in 5 years. If you're building a new house and happen to have a walk in pantry, that's exactly where I would put my $150 cheapo microwave. No tears when it inevitably breaks in 3 years, and no taking up valuable space in the kitchen with an eyesore. Win win!

I put in a MW drawer when I remodeled my last kitchen and will be doing another one in the house we are building. Actually, I went with the new Sharp MW-convection combo.

We had a regular MW under the counter in our second house, years ago, and it worked alright, but I wouldn't choose to design it that way.

I had my kitchen renovated a few years ago and have my Panosonic microwave ( 22” wide, 12” high, 20” deep ) shelved in the middle of my upper cabinets on the one side of my galley style kitchen, and am happy with it. We use our microwave alot. This way, if I need to ever replace this microwave, my shelf could accommodate a bigger or smaller one.

Whirlpool makes two under-$500 built-in microwave ovens, the standard size WMT55511KS and the slim WMT50011KS, both of which could be installed in an island and include a trim kit for a clean appearance.

Consumer Reports has ratings of countertop microwave ovens ($10/month digital). If you go this route remember that you must provide clearance on the sides, rear, and top for air flow.

Remember that all drawer microwaves are made by Sharp. Sharp OEMs ovens for other companies; appearances are modified and prices are higher, often much higher.

I think this depends on how often you use your microwave. We had a regular old microwave (with trim kit) in our island at our last house and I liked it. We don't use it often though so I preferred having it out of the way and didn't feel the need to have a drawer for how rarely we used it. Mostly it was used for steaming veggies. Occasionally reheating leftovers but not often.

New house has it in a shelf next to the fridge. This is fine. I guess I'd prefer having stuff lower than higher, but given how rarely we use it, the placement doesn't really matter that much. Counter level would be the best but for such a rarely used appliance I don't really want it on my counter. YMMV.

My Sharp microwave drawer is 13 years old and not a single problem. I would never put a regular microwave in a lower cabinet as it would be too difficult to use. I would also never put it in a separate pantry, that's just too inconvenient.

I've always been able to find a space for a small microwave but I often use deeper counters and recess the microwave into the back wall.

We have ours on a shelf to the left of our fridge. It is a small cheap one. It is over 10 years old and still going strong. When it dies we will replace it with another small cheap one. I can not see spending over $1000 on microwave.

I had a regular mw under a counter in my old house years ago before Sharp came out with the drawer mw. Never again. But then again I and my family used the mw daily.

In my last place and in my new one, I put in the Sharp drawer mw and love it. So convienent and no bending down.

How much and how often do you use your microwave? If it's used multiple times a day, invest in a drawer microwave, rather than an under-counter shelf (or put in on a counter somewhere). If you use it once or twice a week, then just put one in a cut-out under the counter.

I have mine on a shelf in my pantry. The shelf is slightly above waist-height so there is no bending to use it. I had my electrician install an outlet there. It is the perfect place for our use - we are not frequent MW users, and the pantry location is both convenient, yet out of sight and not taking up valuable counter space or cabinetry shelf space. @A L0108 - since you said you are currently building your home, are you building a pantry in your kitchen? I love mine! Note that with the MW's pantry location, there needs to be counter space nearby to set down hot things - I have a counter just a couple feet from the pantry.

Regarding the drawer microwaves, many people love them, but I am too impatient with their slow-open and slow-close. I want a MW where I can slam the door shut haha. I also agree with @vinmarks that $1000 seems steep - so many other things in the kitchen I'd rather spend that money on. My MW is a Sharp countertop model that cost about $115. I didn't want convection or any other features or gadgetry; I barely use the basic settings that are on there as it is.

if its the island spot for certain and you dont want the drawer then be certain you get preset functions/ sensor functions/ a keypad that you wont struggle to see. . In my opnion these functions on a good full function model will make less bending etc. Set the time and function/ insert item/ pull out and done. If you have to open/close a lot for whatever reason. like you picked a cheap model that cooks unevenly..... then .yes the bending will be a negative. Microwaves can be very efficient/excellent . Get a good model and right below the counter can work just fine. Drawer would be better .

wdccruise - thank you so much for sharing the two whirlpool options! That's super helpful! Any experience with these?

@vinmarks - right?! I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger on a $1000+ microwave when there are so many other things I could spend that $ on!

@Shannon_WI - thank you so much for your thoughts (and from another (i'm guessing) Wisconsinite!!) ... we will have a pantry but it's behind the kitchen so it'll be a little bit of a walk in order to heat up butter or carry a hot bowl etc. which is why i'm leaning towards keeping in the island. We don't do a lot of cooking in the MW - mostly just reheating items or heating up something for our toddler ... but we definitely need a microwave and couldn't be one of those people who didn't have ;)

Mine is in a wall of cabinets at about chest high to my 5'2". Two tall with shelves above it, two deep drawers below it. Trim kit gives a built in look. We didn't update the kitchen, but as close as we can tell it's approx 15 years old like the other appliances (have replaced the refrigerator). I've been using it almost 10 yrs, minimum once a day. Amana. My very first microwave back when they first became available to regular household kitchens was Amana. I worked in an appliance store that year with a discount or probably couldn't have paid the high price then. I had a couple in between, believe one was Kenmore. I honestly don't remember the other brand, they were somewhat short lived.

Would not give up what could be drawer space, for a microwave.

Microwaves are not as deep as drawers, they are closer to the depth of upper cabinets.

@MDLN: "Would not give up what could be drawer space, for a microwave..."

The OP wrote that she will put the oven in an island.

Islands have drawers.

wdccruise - thank you so much for sharing the two whirlpool options! That's super helpful! Any experience with these?

Those two microwaves ARE NOT drawer microwaves. They are meant to be built into a wall of cabinets so if you put them under the counter, you'll be bending down constantly to try and see what is inside. A drawer micrwave opens like a drawer so you just have to put your food in like if you were loading up a drawer.

Confirming that yes, it would replace a drawer in the island :)

As I've said I've had 2 of the Sharp microwave drawers. One in my old condo and now one in my house. Well worth the money. BTW if you use it daily and have it for 5 years that means it will cost you a grand total of 54 cents a day.

@cpartist: "Islands have drawers." "Those two microwaves ARE NOT drawer microwaves."

The OP wrote that she didn't want to spend 1000+ on a [drawer] microwave oven and that the oven would be placed in an island so obviously she was willing to give up space there...which she confirmed in a subsequent comment.

If she doesn't want to spend $1000 for a drawer microwave then it's best to put one higher up, in a pantry or on the counter so you're not constantly having to bend down to see what's inside or to take stuff out. I know because I had one like that in my house back in the 80's. And I'm not tall. If someone is tall, it's worse.

We put in a Sharp Microwave drawer in our island 10 years ago when we built our home. Not a single problem with it and well worth the money. I love that it isn't noticeable in our kitchen although I do wish it had a carousel inside. Perhaps the newer models have carousels.

LOVE the location of our island microwave, would definitely keep it there, but HATE the drawer microwave! We have bosch but they are all the same. If I could do it over I'd get the kitchenaid built-in drop down door microwave (same price as the drawer).

@redlodger123 they don't, one of the many reasons I hate it lol.

just an idea and it will cost money but if you could use an additional oven, you might consider a speed oven. it works as both a microwave and an additional convection oven. i have one in both of my homes. i didnt want a drawer microwave because it seemed like a lot of money to spend for a single-function appliance. in our city apartment, we use the speed oven as our primary oven because it heats up so quickly.

FYI, July 2021 Consumer Reports has an article & ratings on microwaves