5 Best Talking Microwaves For The Visually Impaired [2024]
Cooking can be a challenge for the visually impaired and can turn into a safety hazard if not done right.
Luckily, when it comes to microwaves, several brands make models, also known as talking microwaves, catered specifically to the needs of people with limited vision.
So, what are the best talking microwaves for the visually impaired? The best talking microwaves are smart microwaves that have added functionality with voice control features. When attached to a smart home device, they can be controlled with the help of voice commands.
Read on for a detailed buyer’s guide for choosing the best talking microwaves for the visually impaired, along with our top picks of the 5 best ones!
Buyer’s Guide
When choosing the best talking microwave for the visually impaired, there are a few standout features to look for that include:
Smart Sensor
A microwave with a smart sensor can significantly simplify the functions of a microwave, especially for people who are visually impaired.
A good built-in smart sensor will make heating decisions for you, such as whether to continue heating the food or not, by detecting the humidity and temperature of the food during cooking.
This feature is particularly useful for people with compromised vision since it eliminates the need to monitor the food by oneself. All you have to do is put the food inside the microwave and let it do the rest.
Voice Control
A microwave becomes a talking microwave with the use of voice control.
It is an extremely important feature for the visually impaired since it enables you to operate the microwave hands-free or use other smart devices such as your smartphone to control it.
Talking microwaves are connected to your smart home devices, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and allow you to communicate directly with the microwave.
All you have to do is ask it to heat your dinner and it will do so.
In addition to that, they can also send you audible reminders for the cooking time, power level, and if there is food left inside the microwave.
Big Dials/Knobs
Most microwaves come with small buttons, and while they may look aesthetic, they can be extremely frustrating to work with for people with limited vision.
Therefore, for an appliance that is more accessible and user-friendly, it is best to opt for microwaves with big dials or knobs.
Coupled with smart sensors and voice control, big knobs are a must-have for visually impaired individuals who wish to set the heat and time in the traditional manner.
Braille Keypad
Another great additional feature to have on a microwave for the visually impaired is a braille keypad. Since the small letters on the buttons may be difficult to read, a braille keypad will help such individuals to a great extent.
Not only does this offer more control over the microwave’s functions but is also a great option for visually impaired individuals who are not tech-savvy and want something more traditional.
The 5 Best Talking Microwaves For The Visually Impaired
Microwaves are popular kitchen devices meant to make our lives easier. They have a variety of uses, some of the most common ones being reheating, defrosting, cooking, and baking.
Since they are such versatile kitchen appliances, it is only fair that they must be made to accommodate all types of individuals, including those who are visually impaired.
Luckily, several top brands manufacture microwaves targeted specifically toward such individuals. They are called talking microwaves and can be operated by voice control.
Here are our top picks of the 5 best talking microwaves for the visually impaired to help you choose:
| Rank | Product | Best Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Toshiba ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Countertop Microwave Oven | Can be set up to work with Alexa and Google Assistant |
| 2. | Amazon Basics Voice-Controlled Microwave | Compact and super easy to adjust |
| 3. | Panasonic NN-SV79MS Smart Countertop Microwave Oven | Works with Alexa and has over 100 voice commands |
| 4. | Sharp ZSMC1449FS Smart Countertop Microwave Oven | Precise Cook Sensor Technology with 6 sensor presets |
| 5. | GE Smart Countertop Microwave Oven | Scan-To-Cook Technology that sets the appropriate cooking time and power level |
1. Toshiba ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
Toshiba is a renowned name in the world of electrical appliances and rightfully deserves the top spot on our list with this pick.
With several useful features, this microwave is an ideal option for the visually impaired.
The standout feature of this model is that it doesn’t work exclusively with Alexa and can be set up to work with Google Assistant as well.
In addition to being voice-controlled, it also includes a built-in humidity sensor that does the decision-making for you.
The food is heated evenly to the perfect temperature and the 1100 watts of cooking power and 1.3 cubic feet capacity allow you to heat or cook a lot of food at once.
2. Amazon Basics Voice-Controlled Microwave
This voice-controlled microwave by Amazon Basics integrates seamlessly with Alexa.
It lets you give audible instructions for cooking, reheating, and a variety of other related tasks.
All you have to do is press the Ask Alexa button and say, for instance, “5 minutes” to set a timer for the said duration.
With about 700 watts of power and a 0.7 cubic feet capacity, it is compact and super easy to adjust.
Also, instead of a push button, it comes with a door handle and has a safety lock to prevent accidental operations, which is an incredibly useful feature, particularly for the visually impaired.
3. Panasonic NN-SV79MS Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
This smart countertop microwave oven is from Panasonic, the #1 brand in countertop microwave ovens in North America.
It’s a great choice for individuals with limited vision.
It works with Alexa and has over 100 voice commands, such as “reheat leftovers” or “melt 4oz of butter”.
In addition to that, it comes with a Genius Sensor that auto-adjusts the power and time and removes any guesswork.
This microwave is super easy to set up and can also be controlled from your phone using the Alexa app.
It is powered by 1200 watts and uses Inverter technology to evenly cook and heat your food from the edges to the center at any power level.
4. Sharp ZSMC1449FS Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
This microwave is a 1.4 cubic feet, 1000-watt talking microwave that integrates with the Amazon Alexa app or an Echo device and allows you to enjoy hands-free cooking using over 70 Alexa voice commands.
Some commands to try out include “Alexa, reheat leftovers”, “Alexa, defrost meat”, and “Alexa, soften ice cream”, which upon hearing, it will start working with a set time and power level.
It includes Precise Cook Sensor Technology with 6 sensor presets that automatically adjust the power and cooking time, along with a melt/soften feature for butter, cheese, chocolate, and ice cream.
5. GE Smart Countertop Microwave Oven
This Smart Countertop Microwave Oven by GE connects over Wi-Fi and works with both Alexa and Google Home.
A relatively inexpensive model, it is perfect for people with an impaired vision since it does most of the work on its own.
You can control it through your phone and operate it completely hands-free. In addition to that, it comes with another useful feature, which is the Scan-To-Cook Technology that scans the barcodes of the products you wish to cook.
It enables the microwave to set the appropriate cooking time and power level for the food items and is a particularly useful feature for people who have difficulty reading small print.
With a fairly small capacity of 0.9 cubic feet, this model is powered at 900 watts and is ideal for office break rooms or camping.
