Lower levels can be used for thawing, melting and keeping foods warm. Microwaves may have five or more stages of cooking power. Some have a full circle wave distribution that distributes waves more evenly. A programmable microwave will let you do several steps with one setting. For example, with a programmable microwave you might set the microwave to thaw a casserole slowly, cook it quickly and keep it warm while you are waiting for other foods to cook.
Some microwaves have one-button controls for items such as beverage reheat or popcorn.
Determine how you now use a microwave, if you have one, and what features you really need. A moisture sensor is useful for accurately cooking some foods and helps eliminate guesswork. When the food is heated enough that it steams, the microwave's sensor can determine how much longer it should cook based on how long it took to reach the steam stage. The sensor measures the food's moisture levels. A turntable allows dishes to rotate for even cooking.