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Best microwave popcorn maker: microwave bowl picks for 2026

Microwave popcorn makers are evaluated by bowl size, whether a lid is vented or solid, oil requirement, BPA-free status and price.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks


The short answer

Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper at $15 is the best microwave popcorn maker for most home use: it uses a BPA-free plastic bowl with a vented lid that pops corn kernels in the microwave with no oil and no butter required, producing about 10 cups per batch and storing in a kitchen drawer.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Microwave popcorn makers are evaluated by batch size, oil requirement, material safety (BPA-free), venting design, ease of cleanup and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best budget microwave popcorn bowl
Sistema Sistema Microwave Popcorn Maker

Sistema Microwave Popcorn Maker

Brand: Sistema

Best for

Home cooks who want the lowest-price microwave popcorn bowl for occasional use, where Sistema provides a BPA-free microwave-safe bowl with a vented lid for popping corn without oil at the lowest price point.

Skip if

A larger batch size is needed. Sistema at $12 pops approximately 8 cups per batch. For 10 cups per batch, Nordic Ware at $15 provides a larger bowl for $3 more.

Sistema uses a BPA-free microwave-safe plastic bowl with a vented clip-on lid. Add kernels, microwave for 2 to 2.5 minutes, stop when popping slows. Dishwasher-safe. New Zealand design brand.

Sistema is a New Zealand kitchen storage brand.

At $12, Sistema is the best value budget microwave popcorn bowl in this guide.

What buyers say

Home cooks who want the lowest-price microwave popcorn bowl for occasional use say Sistema Microwave Popcorn Maker does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where a larger batch size is needed say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Sistema Microwave Popcorn Maker
Capacity8 cups popped
MaterialBPA-free plastic
Oil requiredNo
Dishwasher-safeYes
Price$12

Specs from Sistema microwave popcorn maker bowl BPA free vented lid dishwasher safe kitchen compact Amazon search

02
Best microwave popcorn bowl for most kitchens
Nordic Ware Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper

Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper

Brand: Nordic Ware

Best for

Home cooks who want a slightly larger microwave popcorn bowl that pops a bigger batch than the budget option, where Nordic Ware provides a 10-cup-capacity bowl with a vented lid for two to three servings per batch without oil.

Skip if

A silicone material bowl is preferred over hard plastic. Nordic Ware at $15 uses BPA-free hard plastic. For a silicone option, Lekue at $25 uses food-safe silicone at $10 more.

Nordic Ware provides a 10-cup BPA-free microwave-safe bowl with a vented lid. Add kernels, microwave 2 to 3 minutes. Stop when popping slows to 2 seconds between pops. No oil required. Rinse or dishwasher clean.

Nordic Ware is a US kitchen brand based in Minneapolis.

At $15, Nordic Ware is the best value mid-size microwave popcorn bowl in this guide.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of home cooks who want a slightly larger microwave popcorn bowl that pops a bigger batch than the budget option report Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when a silicone material bowl is preferred over hard plastic.

Specifications

Specifications for Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper
Capacity10 cups popped
MaterialBPA-free plastic
Oil requiredNo
VentLid vent holes
Price$15

Specs from Nordic Ware microwave popcorn popper bowl 10 cup BPA free vented silicone lid kitchen Amazon search

03
Best silicone microwave popcorn maker
Lekue Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper

Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper

Brand: Lekue

Best for

Home cooks who want a food-grade silicone microwave popcorn maker without hard plastic, where Lekue uses platinum silicone (BPA and BPS free) for a flexible collapsible bowl that stores flat in a drawer.

Skip if

Budget is under $20. Lekue at $25 is the premium silicone option. For the same no-oil microwave popcorn function at lower cost, Nordic Ware at $15 provides a BPA-free plastic bowl for $10 less.

Lekue uses platinum food-grade silicone for a completely flexible bowl that collapses flat for drawer storage. Microwave 1/4 cup of kernels for 2 to 3 minutes. Can also be used with a small amount of oil for richer flavor.

Lekue is a Spanish kitchen design brand.

At $25, Lekue is the best value silicone microwave popcorn bowl in this guide.

What buyers say

Buyers say Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is home cooks who want a food-grade silicone microwave popcorn maker without hard plastic, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when budget is under $20.

Specifications

Specifications for Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper
MaterialPlatinum silicone (BPA, BPS free)
Capacity9 cups
StorageCollapsible flat
Oil requiredNo (optional)
Price$25

Specs from Lekue microwave popcorn popper silicone bowl collapsible lid kitchen BPA free Spanish design Amazon search

04
Best premium microwave popcorn maker
Anyday Anyday Microwave Cookware Popcorn Bowl

Anyday Microwave Cookware Popcorn Bowl

Brand: Anyday

Best for

Home cooks who want a microwave-safe glass bowl for popcorn that can also serve as a general microwave cooking vessel, where Anyday uses a glass bowl with a vented lid designed for microwave cooking including popcorn.

Skip if

A simple cheap popcorn bowl is all that is needed. Anyday glass at $28 is a premium multi-use vessel. For a simpler lower-cost option just for popcorn, Nordic Ware at $15 provides the dedicated popcorn bowl function for $13 less.

Anyday uses glass with a vented lid for microwave cooking. Popping corn is one use among many: the glass bowl works for steaming vegetables, reheating soups and other microwave cooking tasks. Dishwasher-safe.

Anyday is a US cookware brand specializing in microwave glassware.

At $28, Anyday is the best value premium glass microwave popcorn and cooking vessel in this guide.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when a simple cheap popcorn bowl is all that is needed, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, Anyday Microwave Cookware Popcorn Bowl gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For home cooks who want a microwave-safe glass bowl for popcorn that can also serve as a general microwave cooking vessel, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for Anyday Microwave Cookware Popcorn Bowl
MaterialGlass with vented lid
Multi-useYes (general microwave cooking)
Dishwasher-safeYes
DesignPremium countertop glass
Price$28

Specs from Anyday microwave cookware glass bowl popcorn lid vent premium dishwasher safe kitchen countertop Amazon search

Microwave popcorn maker comparison

Product Material Capacity Price
Sistema BPA-free plastic 8 cups $12
Nordic Ware BPA-free plastic 10 cups $15
Lekue Platinum silicone 9 cups $25
Anyday Glass Multi-use $28

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Sistema Sistema Microwave Popcorn Maker
Sistema Microwave Popcorn Maker
Nordic Ware Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper
Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper
Lekue Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper
Lekue Microwave Popcorn Popper
Anyday Anyday Microwave Cookware Popcorn Bowl
Anyday Microwave Cookware Popcorn Bowl
Our verdictBest budget microwave popcorn bowlBest microwave popcorn bowl for most kitchensBest silicone microwave popcorn makerBest premium microwave popcorn maker
Capacity8 cups popped10 cups popped9 cupsNot listed
MaterialBPA-free plasticBPA-free plasticPlatinum silicone (BPA, BPS free)Glass with vented lid
Oil requiredNoNoNo (optional)Not listed
Dishwasher-safeYesNot listedNot listedYes
Price$12$15$25$28
VentNot listedLid vent holesNot listedNot listed
StorageNot listedNot listedCollapsible flatNot listed
Multi-useNot listedNot listedNot listedYes (general microwave cooking)
DesignNot listedNot listedNot listedPremium countertop glass
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

Are microwave popcorn makers healthier than microwave bags?

A microwave popcorn maker with plain kernels is generally considered a healthier option than commercial microwave popcorn bags. Commercial microwave popcorn bags contain pre-added oil, salt, artificial butter flavoring and sometimes preservatives. Some bags use paper treated with perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for heat resistance, which has been a topic of health concern. A microwave popcorn bowl with plain kernels contains no added fat, salt or flavorings: the finished popcorn is plain air-popped corn with the same nutritional profile as stovetop or air-popper corn. You control all seasonings you add after popping. The bowl is also reusable, producing no paper waste per batch.

How long does it take to make microwave popcorn in a bowl?

A microwave popcorn bowl with 1/4 cup of kernels takes 2 to 3 minutes in most 1000-watt microwave ovens. Lower wattage microwaves (600 to 800 watts) take 3 to 3.5 minutes. The key indicator is sound, not time: stop the microwave when popping slows to 2 seconds between pops. Running longer after the slowing threshold burns the remaining unpopped kernels. Microwave ovens vary significantly in power output, so the first batch in a new microwave may need adjusting. A burned batch is caused by running too long. An under-popped batch means more time is needed or more kernels were added than the bowl can handle in one run.

Can I add butter before microwaving popcorn in a bowl?

Adding butter directly to the kernels before microwaving will burn the butter. Butter burns at approximately 250 to 300 F and microwave popcorn reaches temperatures above 400 F during popping. Do not add butter before microwaving. For buttered microwave popcorn, pop the kernels first, then drizzle melted butter over the finished popcorn in the bowl. To melt butter: microwave 1 tablespoon of butter in a separate microwave-safe dish for 20 to 30 seconds. Coconut oil is more heat-stable than butter and can be added before popping (1 teaspoon per 1/4 cup of kernels): it does not burn in the microwave at typical popping temperatures and adds a slight richness to the flavor.