This large, spacious countertop microwave is much more than your bulky new best friend. Its technology promises that your dinner will be defrosted evenly and your soup leftovers won’t have hot spots, making you wish you had used the stovetop.
LG’s NeoChef Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter is a roomy 0.9 cu ft. product that could fit an entire roast, casserole dish, and much more than a large dinner plate.
While many positives about this product make it the best compact microwave, it’s also relatively large and may take up more countertop space than some people have, mainly due to its depth front to back. I have a countertop where a coffee pot, toaster, and air fryer live, and this microwave would never fit in that space because it’s simply too deep.
In addition, the opening mechanism, which is a two-part system, presents some accessibility issues. It will likely prevent small children's hands from reaching in and grabbing something too hot. However, it can also present some convenience and access issues for adults, though the child lock function can be disabled if needed.
Alex Frost is a mom of 5 who has microwaved her cold coffee multiple times every day, and an experienced journalist and product reviewer. She tests a variety of products, including small and large home appliances, mattresses and products that make parenting easier, or at least should. She particularly tests products for durability, efficiency, and the ability to make family life a bit less chaotic.
LG NeoChef™ Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter 0.9 cu. ft. MSER0990S: Key specs
| Power | 1000 watts |
| Capacity | 0.9 cu. ft. |
| Functions | 10 power levels, 7 sensor cooking options, child safety lock, 12” turntable |
| Dimensions | 18" x 11" x 14 1/2 inches |
| Weight | 20 lbs |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Smart Technology | SmartDiagnosis™ |
LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave: Setup
The microwave arrived in a well-packaged box. Admittedly, due to its cumbersome size and 25-lb overall weight, I couldn’t lift the microwave myself, but I appreciated that it was protected in styrofoam.
I was also impressed at how easy the microwave was to remove from the packaging once my husband and I got it to our kitchen. Some appliances arrive covered in tape, and you spend much time trying to scrape them off, but that wasn’t the case with this LG microwave.
The only set-up required before use was installing the turntable, which was pretty simple overall. This microwave comes with a 12” glass plate, and I liked how easy it was to place it on the turntable without those annoying divots and notches that can sometimes make reinserting the plate difficult.
The microwave is extremely sleek-looking with its stainless steel exterior. It does seem as if the top of the microwave might be easily scratched, as I noticed a few marks on the top of mine due to my family seeing it as another surface to place cups and plates.
- Score: 9/10
LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave: Design & Features
I liked how large this microwave's interior was and the various-sized dishes I could put in it for cooking or reheating.
The hexagonal design of the turntable and its wheels are great for ease of cleaning the plate, and it also seems more stabilized and accommodating of taller items than the typical 3-wheel turntable.
While this microwave's buttons are super easy to see and read, some functions aren’t intuitive and can be confusing. Certain buttons seem to have dual jobs depending on how long you hold them. While it makes sense to accommodate display space, it feels almost like a “shift” button to access additional functions, and that can be frustrating if you want to heat something in a busy kitchen or on a tight schedule.
Regarding child safety, LG took it seriously with the child lock on this microwave. Given that it has to sit on a countertop, which is easier for young children to access, the company utilizes a 2-step process for opening the microwave door. There is a button on the side of the microwave that you must press first before pressing the open button on the front.
While I didn’t struggle opening it and appreciated knowing my kids might not think of a two-step process, I worry that someone like my mom, who has arthritic hands, might struggle a bit, given the location of the buttons and the pressure required. This feature can be disabled if desired, so those who don’t worry about kids accessing the appliance could forgo it if preferred.
One of the features I appreciated about the microwave had less to do with the microwave’s functionality and more to do with ease of getting product support if needed. The microwave has a QR code that is easy to access and gives you direct information on product model numbers, LG support, and additional product resources.
In a world where you can be bombarded with manuals and registration paperwork, it was nice to quickly access key information.
- Score: 8/10
LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave: Performance
The microwave uses sensor heating, which means it uses humidity-sensing technology to help determine when food is ready. These pre-programmed settings mean you don’t have to try and figure out the best power level or time for your cold piece of pizza or leftovers from three nights ago.
Although it has the Smart Diagnosis and Sensor Cook functions, it makes a slight buzzing sound and seems louder than other microwaves.
This product has two areas that appear for venting purposes, one on the back. So, even though it’s already bulky, it might be best to give it some room on all sides of the countertop to ensure proper ventilation.
Upon starting the microwave, a slight buzzing sound seems a bit more distinct than other products, though it’s not loud enough to be a big issue.
During my testing, I tried out what we will likely use our microwaves for—reheating meals. I warmed up a bowl of chili and part of a sandwich, using multiple functions, such as guessing at a specific time and checking the food.
I also practiced other buttons, such as auto reheat, which allows you to use specific functions for various foods to better tailor the cooking settings to your meal. My lunch heated quickly, in minutes, without overheating or hot or cold spots.
After years of testing kitchen appliances, I’ve determined that microwaves' popcorn functions are accurate (or lack thereof). Most popcorn bags are standard size and contain similar amounts of popcorn, but some microwaves can do the job in under two minutes, while others take four.
The accuracy of the popcorn button tends to speak to the accuracy of the machine as a whole. Luckily, this machine performed well, cooking the popcorn in just over two minutes without leaving excessive unpopped kernels behind.
- Score: 7/10
LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave: Care & maintenance
LG’s microwave uses an EasyClean interior, which means that for most messes, you simply need to wipe it with a damp cloth. This limits chemicals and scrubbing. However, the company advises heavier messes or build-up on the microwave interior may require more scrubbing.
I had no issues with typical care and maintenance or spills that seemed too daunting to clean with a simple damp cloth. Even residue stuck to the microwave plate is easily removable if you take it out and soak it in warm, soapy water, although the plate might even be too big for some sinks.
- Score: 9/10
LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave: Price & Value
The LG NeoChef™ Countertop Microwave with Smart Inverter is available directly through LG for $149 ($179 MSRP). Other retailers that sell this microwave include Best Buy and Home Depot. Depending on your location and retailer, model numbers may vary slightly, but overall features of the microwave should not. The microwave is priced reasonably, especially for its size and progressive technology for even sensing and heating.
- Score: 8/10
Would I buy the LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave?
The LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave is excellent if you're looking for a high-quality appliance; this microwave is durable and well-constructed. Its modern design and stainless steel exterior make it visually appealing. Additionally, the sensor cook menu options simplify cooking by heating food evenly and efficiently.
However, counter space is a concern, as this larger model occupies a significant amount of space. If you find multi-function buttons challenging, know they have a learning curve. If these features frustrate you, consider exploring other options that might better suit your needs.
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | The small amount of setup required was fairly simple | 9/10 |
| Design | Large and bulky but with some intuitive features | 8/10 |
| Performance | Effective at sensing and cooking thoroughly and evenly. | 7/10 |
| Maintenance | Use a damp cloth for simple messes. | 9/10 |
| Value | Fair price without availability issues | 8/10 |
How does the LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave compare?
If you're not convinced that the LG NeoChef is for you, why not consider a few of TTR's best-rated microwaves, including models by Toshiba, Breville, and GE, to name a few?
How I tested the LG MSER0990S 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave
We test for the features and functions that consumers will want to know from when they get the box to when they eat the food they prepared. Here’s what we considered for this microwave:
Unboxing: We observed the packaging, which was mostly recyclable and minimal in quantity. The included instructions were detailed and precise enough to follow without confusion, though they weren’t needed for much.
Assembly: The assembly took approximately 5 minutes from start to finish and required just one person. Besides putting the microwave box on a counter, no heavy lifting was needed, and the process was straightforward.
Sound Test: Overall, the noise was fine, though we also listened for abnormal sounds such as buzzing or rattling. With louder products, we tested using decibel meters.
Performance: We test the microwave functions using a variety of foods that consumers typically use to heat, defrost, and cook in microwaves. We test aspects such as how evenly the food cooks, how quickly it takes, and ease of use when getting the microwave to the proper settings.
Cleaning, Storage, and Maintenance: We test how simple it is to clean the inside and outside of the product, noting whether it requires substantial elbow grease, specific products, or other specifics.
Find out more about how we test here.
