If you’re considering getting a new microwave oven for your home, you’re probably torn between microwaves with a dial and microwaves with a keypad.
This is an essential factor to consider when choosing a new microwave oven, since it will significantly affect the overall cooking experience along the way.
In this article, we will be comparing both microwaves with dial and microwaves with keypad. Let’s dive in to see the differences and decide which is the better choice for you.
Microwave Dial vs Keypad: Is a Microwave with Dial a Good Choice in Comparison?
What are microwaves with dials? Are they any good? Is a microwave with dial control a good choice in comparison?
A microwave with dial is a microwave that has dial knobs on the exterior display. And in most cases, these dial knobs are designed to set the cooking time and cooking power.
Microwaves with dial controls have been around for decades. We are so used to microwaves with dials and that’s what we’ve always been familiar with.
Users commonly love the fact that microwaves with dial are easy to use, because the knob design is intuitive and straightforward. We can quickly turn the dial to set the cooking time and power in seconds.
And when you take a closer look at a few options of microwave with dial on the market, you will find that they are not likely to have complicated features.
Being intuitive and not complicated, they make a perfect choice for those who want to keep things simple while getting the job done. Also, they would be a perfect choice for senior citizens.
RELATED READING: Best Microwaves for Senior Citizens
However, there are valid reasons why some people would opt for a microwave with keypad these days. The microwave with dial has its drawbacks.
One of the major drawbacks is that the dial controls of microwaves are not that precise. At least, they are not as precise as keypad controls.
With dial controls, you can set the cooking time or power to an estimated level. And it works fine for most cooking tasks. However, if you constantly work on recipes that require precise cooking time or power, a microwave with dial might not be a good choice for you.
Another drawback to note about a microwave with dial is the fact that it might not be very easy to clean. With dial knobs on the exterior display, it could be challenging and time consuming to remove the dust and spills from the narrow and hard-to-reach area.
Microwave Dial vs Keypad: Are Microwaves with Keypad Any Good?
Microwaves with keypad are the type of microwave that has a digital control panel on the exterior display.
It’s safe to say that microwaves with keypads are getting more and more popular in recent years.
In terms of appearance, microwaves with keypad just look more modern and sleek. They simply look nice with any kitchen decor.
Microwaves with keypad boast a smooth surface, making the unit a lot easier to clean when compared to microwaves with dial.
The keypad microwave uses digital technology to control the temperature and cooking time. That is to say, they would be more precise with the settings.
Also, microwaves with keypad tend to have more fancy features than microwaves with dial. If you’re looking for features like remote controls, steam cooking function, crisp function and more, you’re more likely to find them in a microwave with keypad.
With that said, microwaves with keypad available today are more expensive than microwaves with dial.
Another drawback of the microwave with keypad is that the operation would be more complicated. Unlike dial knobs, it might take some time to fully understand the digital keypad and get familiar with it. With all those buttons on the keypad, things could get confusing for some people.
Microwave Dial vs Keypad: Who Is the Winner?
After we take a closer look at both dial microwave and keypad microwave, we have to say that there is no obvious winner between them.
They both get the job done, while they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Besides, there are some great models from both types too. The best choice between the dial microwave and keypad microwave depends on your personal preference.