The Cuisinart CMW-100 Stainless Microwave is a long-lived stainless microwave for everyday cooking, best for households replacing an older microwave with a proven design. Rated 4.4 out of 5 across 919 user ratings. The main drawback: end-of-cycle reminder keeps sounding after the door opens. We scored it 4.4 out of 5.
Its stainless steel interior and a design Cuisinart has barely changed in years are what make the CMW-100 appealing, since it resists odours, cleans easily and has a track record of lasting, but the one-touch express buttons make entering a precise time a two-step job, and the door and noises feel less premium than the finish.
NoFussDeal rates the Cuisinart CMW-100 Stainless Microwave 4.4 out of 5 at $133.98. Last updated September 27, 2026.
The CMW-100 cooks at 1000 watts with 10 power levels, enough for everyday reheating, vegetables, bacon and defrosting in a 1-cubic-foot cavity.
There are 25 preprogrammed settings, including 8 presets with serving-size options for foods like popcorn, baked potatoes and fresh vegetables. Two defrost functions work by weight or by time, and two-stage cooking runs a defrost straight into a cook cycle.
The cavity is stainless steel rather than painted, so it absorbs no odours and is easy to sanitise. The exterior, door and control panel are brushed stainless with a dark tinted window.
At 20.5 inches wide, 14.75 deep and 12.88 high and 33.5 lbs, it is a solid countertop unit. It carries a 3-year limited warranty and is built to North American electrical standards.
None of the ten owner reviews we read mention it. Score 88: its 4.4 star average on a 100 point scale.
Cuisinart lists the product dimensions as 14.75"D x 20.5"W x 12.88"H and the capacity as 1 cubic feet. Five of the ten owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 93: we started at 88 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.
Cuisinart lists the material as Stainless Steel. One of the ten owner reviews we read mentions it. That owner gave the product four or five stars. Score 88: its 4.4 star average on a 100 point scale.
Five of the ten owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 93: we started at 88 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.
Five of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. 15% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.
Durability opinions are also mixed, with some reporting it lasted 17 years while others say it broke after 5.5 months of use. Cuisinart lists the warranty description as 3 Year Limited. Two of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. 15% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is wh…
Durability opinions are also mixed, with some reporting it lasted 17 years while others say it broke after 5.5 months of use. Cuisinart lists the warranty description as 3 Year Limited. Two of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. 15% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.
72% of ratings are five stars and 13% are four. 5% are three stars and 10% are one or two. The spread skews positive, but enough ratings sit low that the drawbacks below are worth reading. Score 88: its 4.4 star average on a 100 point scale.
Four of the ten owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 93: we started at 88 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.
Based on 919 Amazon customer ratings, averaging 4.4 out of 5, recorded 12 September 2026. See the reviews on Amazon
| 5 stars | 72% | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 stars | 13% | |
| 3 stars | 5% | |
| 2 stars | 3% | |
| 1 stars | 7% |
I just purchased this because it had features other microwaves did not. I'm writing because when I was reading all the reviews for this product i noticed that most reviews were for "microwav… Read it on AmazonSuzzie · February 6, 2017 · Verified
We have used the Cuisinart CMW-100 for a week, and so far we really like it. I chose this over other machines given how much I like my other Cuisinart appliances plus I liked the stainless i… Read it on AmazonAlison · February 25, 2024 · Verified
I use the oven every day, it works well. It probably runs at an average noise level, but is not what I'd call quiet. Doesn't really matter though. Spacious oven, seems to be of good quality,… Read it on AmazonOutdoorman777 · May 22, 2025 · Verified
So I bought this Cuisinart microwave six years ago. I've only needed to use two buttons on it, the "Start +30 sec," and the "Stop/ Clear," button. That's all you really need. Does anyone act… Read it on Amazonbenjamin bannister · March 24, 2016 · Verified
This purchase is of the exact same model Cuisinart Microwave that I bought thirteen years ago. And the only reason I'm replacing my old one is because the turntable recently stopped rotating… Read it on AmazonForever Geralyn · April 14, 2020 · Verified
My grandmother purchased this microwave back in 2007. She wasn’t the kind of person to buy anything without heavily researching it first. When she passed, I inherited it and it’s been amazin… Read it on AmazonTiki · July 24, 2024 · Verified
Remove the packing tape and look for the thin protective plastic sheet on the body, which is easy to miss, and peel it off before use.
Place the microwave on a level countertop with room around it for ventilation, and adjust the feet if the surface is uneven.
Seat the turntable support and the 12-inch glass tray in the cavity.
Plug into a 120-volt socket and set the clock using the touchpad, following the manual.
For a custom time, press Power, enter the digits and press Start. Pressing a number on its own starts an express cook of that many minutes.
Run a preset such as fresh vegetables or baked potato and choose the serving size to see how the programs work.
For most buyers, yes: we score it 4.4 out of 5. The controls take a little learning, since custom times need the Power key first, and the door, start-up thunk and persistent end reminder feel less refined than the finish.
Rated 4.4 out of 5 across 919 user ratings, with 72% giving it five stars and 7% one star.
Custom times need the Power key first because of the express buttons. Door closes with a tinny sound.
Wipe the stainless interior after spills while it is still easy to clean. Use a microwave splatter cover to keep the cavity clean.
Use two-stage cooking to set a defrost followed by a cooking stage, so frozen food goes straight from thawing to cooking.
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A to Z Consumer Review
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Quick Pick
The Cuisinart CMW-100 is a straightforward 1000-watt microwave whose stainless steel interior resists odours and stains, and whose design has proven itself in homes for well over a decade. It fits full-size plates, offers 25 programs, two defrost modes and two-stage cooking, and comes with a 3-year warranty. The controls take a little learning, since custom times need the Power key first, and the door, start-up thunk and persistent end reminder feel less refined than the finish. Durability reports are strong overall, with some early failures.
Buy the CMW-100 for its easy-clean stainless cavity and track record. Learn the Power-then-time sequence on day one, and it will be one of the least fussy appliances in the kitchen.
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