Sharp R-308K 1100 Watts Microwave Oven

Pros: Small size, powerful, self cleaning, inexpensive.
Cons: Keypad is a little too small.

It’s hard to imagine a time without microwave ovens; just think what this world would be like if they’d never been invented – no microwave popcorn, meals that needed to be reheated on the stove, ice cold cups of coffee and having to wait ...

Pros: adjustable power levels, cooking features for various types of foods
Cons: too small for a full-size casserole dish, flimsy door latches

This microwave came to our home to replace the most basic, bare-bones (from my husband's bachelor days) microwave you can imagine--your options were cook or defrost, and that was about it. The timer was a dial that went in one minute increments, so when ...

Pros: 1100W heating power, heats fast and evenly, excellent safety record, reliable, Minute Plus
Cons: Smallish keys that look alike

This high-quality Sharp microwave oven, with 1 c.f. of total capacity and about 0.8 c.f. of usable capacity (according to Consumer Reports), is a great performer. It heats food quickly and for the most part evenly. The turntable turns automatically and ...

Pros: Turntable still turns, "Start" button still works (for now).
Cons: Would prefer a microwave with use of the "3", "6", "9" and "minute plus" buttons.

We bought this microwave on Dec. 30, 2005 and it worked well until mid-January of 2007. At that time, the front control panel would only intermittently recognize pushing the "minute plus" button. Soon thereafter, the control panel stopped working for the ...

Pros: Fits well on the counter, has a carousel and popcorn button.
Cons: Hard to program for reheating/defrosting, etc. Stop working after 8 months of moderate use.

I bought this microwave in March 2006 replacing a 10 year Sharp that I loved. The only reason I replaced the microwave was because it was showing wear on the interior and was afraid that it would not be safe to use. This microwave is difficult to use. My last Sharp was a one to two touch programming system that was very simple. This is the complete opposite. The instructions for programming are difficult to master. We had to leave the manual on the counter for months before we knew how to reheat anything. After 8 months it does not work. I programmed it to melt butter and pressed start. The cycle ended and the butter was still cold. I tried again and the entire machine starting making a horrible sound. I thought that the carousel was off, so I tried again. My butter never melted and now I have an oversized clock on my counter. It is such a disappointment after having a great Sharp microwave for 10 years without any trouble.

Pros: A fast and even cooking microwave.Versatile with many different programs for different foods and uses.
Cons: Keypad is somewhat complicated. Many functions require multiple presses of the same keys to operate.

My 13 year old GE microwave was showing its age. The turntable had stopped turning, and there was ground-in dirt in the corners and crevices that was impossible to remove despite my best efforts.

At a beach house I rented years ago, there was a small Sharp microwave in the kitchen. So I decided to try Sharp again.

This review is for the R-307NW microwave oven. Except for its finish (white) it appears to be identical to the R-308K.

The 1.0 cu ft capacity is roomy,and 1100 watts of power makes this Sharp a much more powerful and even cooker than my previous GE. Its much more versatile with multiple power and defrost levels, with built-in programs for many common foods and uses. The reheat dinner plate program will come in especially handy. No more guessing as to what the appropriate setting should be.

Overall, I am very satisfied with this oven for the price I paid. I will have to read the manual to learn how to use all the different functions, among them melting,softening,and warming options.

Pros: It cooks and the unit looks nice.
Cons: Defrost and reheating are not user friendly. Noisy and door cheaply made.

Bought this two weeks ago to replace a wonderful Panasonic that suddenly quit. My family uses the microwave frequently and we are very disappointed in the choice we made when buying this Sharp model. The door is so cheaply made when it opens and closes it sounds like a ping pong ball hitting a table. The carousel rattles when it turns if a plate is not on the carousel exactly in the middle. The whole unit is rather noisy when it runs. Microwave will not defrost over 3.0 lbs. When defrosting it will only run for a few minutes(it does ding to let you know) then you must again push start. Defrosting is an aggravation and you must stay close by to push start frequently. We are considering trying to return this microwave.

Pros: The Minute Plus key which you can't find on other microwaves.
Cons: One of the number keys stopped working. It was making a funny noise.

The zero stopped working after a month and it started making a funny nose after two months. The number keys didn't have borders around them so you couldn't tell if you were pressing them. We bought this product because our 3 year old Samsung had paint peeling off of it. The number keys don't have a raised surface so they are hard to press. Now if I want 4 minutes I have to use 3:59 or 4:11. It is very inconvenient and it sounds like it is going to die.

Pros: worked great up until it died
Cons: dead after 5 months.

I enjoyed this microwave up until 2 days ago when it just stopped working. It makes an odd sound now and doesn't heat anymore. light comes on and timer counts down, just no heating. And after only 5 months of use. Stay away from this one.

Pros: Automatic turntable.
Cons: Short life of light bulb.

After only 18 months the light bulb burned out. Service centers want $62 - $130 to replace the light bulb on a $70 microwave. Go figure.

Pros: nice color
Cons: TOO SLOW

I had a Sharp 700w which heated 14 ounces of water in 1.52 minutes. At work, the GE Sensor 1100 watt heats 14 oz water in 1 minute. So, I bought the Sharp R-308 and it heats the water in 2 minutes [TOO SLOW]! I kindly wrote the company which told me not to use the WARMING option. I kindly wrote back and told them I was always using full power. They never replied again. I used to soften a half gallon ice cream in 11 seconds on the old 700w oven, but this new one takes 20 seconds ON FULL POWER. Sharp is DULL indeed.