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For reheating leftovers, the most relevant Consumer Reports measure is heating evenness: whether a microwave warms food throughout rather than leaving hot and cold spots. Consumer Reports names the Café CVM721M2NS5 in its 2026 over-the-range microwave roundup, but the available results do not establish a separate leftovers ranking or provide every model’s evenness score. Its reported tradeoff is useful: the Café heats quickly and defrosts evenly, but is not quite as strong at heating evenly.
What Consumer Reports tests for reheating leftovers
Consumer Reports assesses heating evenness by heating a bowl of cold mashed potatoes for 10 minutes, then measuring temperatures at 20 spots with thermocouples. A strong result indicates fewer hot and cold areas; a top-scoring model warms the center and edges alike, which is useful for leftovers. The method makes evenness a more direct signal for this use than speed alone. Consumer Reports’ 2026 roundup describes the test, but the accessible results do not disclose a numeric cutoff or scores for every recommended model.
What the named models tell us
| Model | Evidence relevant to leftovers | What is not established |
|---|---|---|
| Café CVM721M2NS5 | Named in Consumer Reports’ 2026 roundup. CR reports excellent defrosting evenness and very good heating speed, but says it is not quite as good at heating evenly. It has sensor cooking; its model page lists 1,000 watts. The Café brand received very good predicted reliability and middling owner satisfaction in CR’s latest member survey. | No numerical heating-evenness score is available in the reported excerpt. The brand-level survey results are not a prediction for this individual unit. |
| Insignia NS-OTR16SS8 | CR’s model review describes its mashed-potato heating-evenness result as “very good.” Listed configuration: 1.6 cubic feet, 1,000 watts, sensor cooking, auto-defrost, and touchpad controls. See Consumer Reports’ model review. | This is a model-specific test example, not evidence that it appears in CR’s 2026 best-of roundup. |
| GE JVM6172SKSS | CR expects it to perform similarly to the tested GE JVM6175YKFS. | This is an expected-similarity assessment, not a direct test result for the JVM6172SKSS; CR cautions that price and features may differ. See Consumer Reports’ model review. |
The Café is the only one of these examples identified in the 2026 roundup. The Insignia and GE results can help illustrate model-specific evidence, but they should not be treated as a ranked leftovers shortlist. The available reporting does not provide the full 2026 selection or all its individual ratings.
How to choose an over-the-range microwave for leftovers
Prioritize even heating, not just speed
Compare heating-evenness results where available. Speed can matter if you often reheat food, but a fast cycle does not prove the food will heat uniformly. Consumer Reports rates evenness and speed as separate measures.
#1 Best Overall
- Space-Saving Over-the-Range Design: Maximize kitchen space with this 30-inch microwave that mounts above your stove. This microwave hood vent combo combines cooking and ventilation in one appliance. Measures: 16.12" H x 29.87" W x 15.56" D
- Trusted GE Performance: From quick breakfasts to late-night snacks, this GE over-the-range microwave delivers the reliable performance, user-friendly controls, and everyday convenience that have made GE a trusted name in kitchens for generations
- Powerful 2-Speed Ventilation: Keep small spaces clear of cooking odors, steam and smoke with a 300-CFM ventilation system and 2-speed fan
- Charcoal Filter: Enjoy cooking and cleaner air, too. The replaceable charcoal filter removes fumes and odors that are released from foods during cooking
- Simple One-Touch Controls: One-touch express cooking settings and 4 convenience cook settings provide easy operation for busy lifestyles, while the digital display and electronic keypad provide precise control of cook time and power settings
Check usable space and installation fit
Do not assume the advertised cubic-foot capacity is all practical cooking space. Consumer Reports notes that its lab measurements can find only 40–50 percent of advertised capacity usable in over-the-range models. Compare measured usable capacity when it is available, then check the manufacturer’s installation instructions for cabinet dimensions, cooktop clearance, and vent configuration before buying.
Consider sensors and controls as convenience features
Sensor cooking can automate parts of a cooking decision, but it does not guarantee even reheating. Look at the control layout and ease of use as well as whether a sensor is included. The Café CVM721M2NS5 has sensor cooking; the Insignia NS-OTR16SS8 is also listed with a sensor.
Rank #2
- Large Capacity: 13.9"D x 29.9"W x 16.4"H. Featuring a spacious interior, this 1.7 cubic feet microwave oven includes a 12.4-inch turntable and will serve as your top sous chef for any meal or cooking adventure.
- 10 Cooking Levels: With a 1000-watt output, this over-the-range microwave oven has 6 quick menus for your daily meals, including settings for Popcorn,Potato, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, and Defrost.
- Speedy Cooking: For quick action, press numbers 1, 2, or 3 for using the 100% power level at 1-3 minutes.
- Multi-stage Cooking: Save time by cooking with 90% microwave power for 10 minutes and then cooking with 50% power for 20 minutes in one time setting.
- 300 CFM Vent Fan with Light: With a 2-speed strong suction, the powerful vent on this stainless steel microwave helps to remove fumes and odors while an integrated light offers focused lighting while cooking.
Separate microwave noise from ventilation
Consumer Reports evaluates microwave noise, vent noise, and vent airflow separately. If the unit will be used often while someone is cooking nearby, consider those ratings individually rather than treating “quiet” or “good ventilation” as one combined feature.
Keep brand survey ratings in perspective
Consumer Reports combines lab results with brand reliability and owner-satisfaction survey inputs in overall model scores. Its 2025 over-the-range survey covered 36,707 microwaves purchased new between 2015 and 2025. Owners reported noise problems in 6 percent, broken control panels in 6 percent, doors that did not close or lock properly in 4 percent, and unevenly heated food in 4 percent of surveyed units. These are survey-reported issues across the population and period, not failure predictions for any one model. CR’s reliability estimate concerns newly purchased units’ estimated problem rates by the end of year five and excludes extended warranties or service contracts. Read Consumer Reports’ survey context.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- One-touch-cook with 18 Auto Menus, and you can make popcorn, pizza, defrost, soften cream cheese, rice, potato, and so on. Feel free to create delicious dishes efficiently and easily.
- 1.7 cu.ft capacity with 12.4 inch turntable can easily hold your big rotisserie chicken and 12 inches pizza.
- 10-level power settings satisfy your different heating needs. (With 1000W outcome power)
- CFM 300 strong suction power with adjustable fan speeds, effectively removes the unpleasant fumes and odor.
- Bright cooktop light to serve your cooking with a clear view.
Rank #4
- Pre-programmed auto menus for popcorn, potato, vegetable, pizza, snack, bacon, frozen dinner, rice, and frozen breakfast..Rated Voltage : 120V - 60Hz
- 1000 Watts with ten power settings, clock and kitchen timer, 30 seconds express cooking and child lock.
- Cooktop LED lighting that offers a clear and bright vision for your meals on cooktop.
- Two-speed, 400-CFM venting fan system.
- Turntable On/Off function allows you to cook large dishes.
Rank #3
- Large Capacity: 13.2"D x 29.9"W x 16.4"H. Featuring a spacious interior, this 1.7 cubic feet microwave oven includes a 12.4-inch turntable and will serve as your top sous chef for any meal or cooking adventure.
- 10 Cooking Levels: With a 1000-watt output, this over-the-range microwave oven has 6 quick menus for your daily meals, including settings for Popcorn, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, and Defrost.
- Speedy Cooking: For quick action, press numbers 1, 2, or 3 for using the 100% power level at 1-3 minutes.
- Multi-stage Cooking: Save time by cooking with 90% microwave power for 10 minutes and then cooking with 50% power for 20 minutes in one time setting.
- 300 CFM Vent Fan with Light: With a 2-speed strong suction, the powerful vent on this stainless steel microwave helps to remove fumes and odors while an integrated light offers focused lighting while cooking.
What to verify before ordering
- Confirm the exact model number; similar model names can refer to different features or configurations.
- Check manufacturer dimensions and installation instructions against your cabinet, cooktop, and vent setup.
- Compare usable capacity, heating evenness, speed, controls, noise, and airflow separately where those ratings are available.
- Confirm current availability and price with the seller; neither is established here.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
