Sharp SMC2266KS Is a 1200W Inverter Microwave for $269 That Fits Two Dinner Plates

What it is

The Sharp SMC2266KS is a 2.2 cubic foot countertop microwave with 1200 watts of output power, inverter cooking technology, a 16.5-inch removable Carousel turntable, and sensor cook modes. It is 24 inches wide, which matches standard cabinet-bay trim kits and lets it slot in as a semi-built-in unit if the optional Sharp RK94S30F trim kit is purchased. Price is $269.99 on Best Buy and within $10 of that on Amazon.

What's interesting

Inverter microwaves deliver continuous power at lower settings instead of cycling full power on and off. RTINGS confirmed the practical benefit in their defrost test: the SMC2266KS thawed a frozen 1 lb chicken breast without overcooking the edges, which is the failure mode every cycling microwave has on defrost mode. For actual cooking of delicate foods (eggs, fish, chocolate), inverter power modulation is the feature that matters.

At 2.2 cubic feet, this is one of the largest countertop microwaves sold. The internal cavity fits a 9 by 13 casserole dish, which a standard 1.1 cubic foot microwave cannot accommodate. The 16.5-inch turntable is removable, which means flat dishes can sit directly on the floor of the cavity when a round spin would not help.

Sensor Cook is the feature Best Buy reviewers called out most. The humidity sensor detects when food is done and shuts off automatically. New Cookware tested the popcorn, baked-potato, and fresh-vegetable presets and found none overcooked.

ADA compliance is a quiet differentiator. The control panel meets ADA reach and readability standards, which matters for rental buildings and aging-in-place kitchens.

What's missing or unverified

Inverter technology does not mean silent operation. The SMC2266KS is no quieter than a comparable cycling microwave at full power. No independent lab has published a dB measurement.

Sharp does not ship a convection mode. For anyone who wants a combination microwave-convection oven, the SMC2266KS is the wrong product. The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS (convection model) or GE JES2251SJSS sit one tier above with convection at roughly $80 more.

The sensor cook preset library is modest: popcorn, baked potato, frozen vegetables, pizza, beverages, and a dinner-plate reheat. There is no Asian-cuisine preset library as found on LG and Panasonic competitors.

At 43 lbs, it is not a unit to move between kitchens frequently. Wall-shelf installation requires a rated shelf.

Who it's for

Households cooking for three or more people who regularly reheat casseroles or defrost proteins. Anyone upgrading from a decade-old 1000W or lower microwave who wants the inverter-defrost experience. Buyers who want a countertop microwave that looks like a built-in and have the 24-inch counter clearance to accommodate it.

Not for: small apartments (this is a big box), buyers who need convection, or anyone who wants quiet operation near a bedroom or open-plan living area. The Panasonic NN-SN966S is a smaller 2.2 cu ft inverter alternative at similar price, and the Toshiba convection combos are the tier up.

Setup and daily use

Unboxing is simple: remove packaging, place on a ventilated counter with the recommended 3 inches of clearance on each side and 1 inch at the top, plug into a standard 15A outlet. The turntable is not pre-installed. Lifting the microwave out of the box requires two people given the 43 lb weight.

The control panel layout keeps the most-used keys (start, add 30 seconds, sensor cook, defrost) on the right side in a flat numeric keypad. Best Buy customer reviews have been positive on the control responsiveness but noted the short beeps can be inaudible from a noisy kitchen. There is no beep-silence option.

Verdict

The SMC2266KS is the rare kitchen appliance that does one thing well and does not pretend to do more. Inverter power at 1200W, a large cavity, and sensor cooking that actually works make it a competent replacement for any aging counter microwave. There is no convection, no smart-home integration, and no Wi-Fi app, which are all features a buyer at this price can reasonably skip. At $269, it is priced against Panasonic and LG inverter models with similar specs, and Sharp's track record on microwave reliability makes it the safe pick.