[poleguy]

Buttons on a microwave are like features on a car (or in a software program). Great for comparative marketing, but do you really need all those features? Do they make it better?

I bought this microwave, currently $74.97 and even my six year old could use it. I'm not blind, but I can't imagine why anybody needs all those buttons. I bought this because it saves me a couple seconds every time I use it. It is a better, simpler design, cheaper, and appeals to my favorite design principle: "what can we remove to make this better?" The only downside is that the electronics and mechanical parts are not built to last. But that's generally true of the expensive microwaves too, and they have more things that will break rendering the whole thing useless. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGTNY8O/

[jibe]

Great for comparative marketing, but do you really need all those features? Do they make it better?

Depends what you value. Sounds like you are optimizing for speed of input, so a couple dials are going to be the best option. I like digital for the precise input. I throw a slice of cheese in for 8 seconds because I know that’s how long it takes to get it from cold to to room temperature. It’s a little harder to pick exact, short times on a dial. It is more of a trade off than one type of control is inherently better.

[vel0city]

I actually really enjoy the sensor cooking on my microwave. Single press reheat button, defrost by weight works really well, specific food cook modes are spot on (potatoes, popcorn, frozen veggies, chicken). Like, would you not want to just press a button once and have a, evenly cooked chicken breast? Or just put some frozen veggies in a bowl, press a single button, and they're nice and steamy every time?