6 Best Microwave Popcorn Brands, According to Taste Testing
Not all popcorns pop the same.
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As a dietitian, I consider popcorn a go-to snack. It’s crunchy, satisfying, easy, and actually very nutritious. Because it’s a high-volume snack, you can eat a lot for relatively few calories. Plus, it’s 100% whole-grain, a good source of fiber, and packed with beneficial antioxidants. But how you prepare your popcorn matters: Air-popped varieties are naturally nutritious, while those with lots of butter, oil, salt, or flavored toppings can quickly change the nutrition.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Smash Kitchen Organic Sea Salt Popcorn
- Best organic: 365 by Whole Foods Market No Oil or Salt Added
- Best classic: Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Light Simply Salted
- Best movie theater butter: Black Jewell Touch of Butter
To find the best microwave popcorn, registered dietitians in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab evaluated popular brands based on nutrition facts, ingredient quality, taste, texture, and crunch. We prioritized options with less sodium, moderate fat, plenty of fiber, and great flavor. Ahead are our top picks for your next snack break.
This microwave popcorn from Smash Kitchen not only excelled in taste tests, but it also surprised our dietitians with its simple ingredient list. Made with just popcorn, palm oil, and a touch of sea salt, it delivers a buttery-like flavor without any natural or artificial flavors.
Most importantly, testers noted its crispy, crunchy texture and substantial popped kernels. “It’s got the perfect amount of flavor, and I just love how it’s crispy but also really melts in your mouth,” one tester said. “The flavor is exactly what I want, without being overpowering,” another commented. And our dietitians like that at 35 milligrams of sodium per popped cup, it’s a moderate amount that naturally enhances the flavor without going overboard.
Popcorn in its purest form, this 365 by Whole Foods Market pick contains only popcorn kernels (nothing else). This certified organic choice is a great blank canvas to enjoy on its own or season with a little real butter and a touch of salt, with you controlling the amount at home.
In our tests, the big and fluffy kernels stood out for their crisp texture and consistent taste. We also appreciated how much one bag popped, offering a generous portion. “It’s light and airy, and easy to eat,” one staffer said.
But if plain isn’t your thing, we also tried the Light Buttery and Buttery flavors. The Light option has a very slight buttery taste with a touch of salt, but if you want more of that indulgent flavor, we recommend Buttery. Keep in mind, the Buttery flavor has 30 additional calories, 3.5 grams of fat, and 2.5 grams of saturated fat. Our testers agreed, “This is reminiscent of movie theater popcorn; it tastes like the real thing!”
Known for revolutionizing popcorn, Orville Redenbacher’s has a nice “old-timey” popcorn taste according to our testers. This variety has a simple ingredient list of popcorn kernels, palm oil, and salt. The bag also holds up well in the microwave, with no residual grease leaking onto the outside.
Testers noted that this choice’s flavor was the “longest lasting of all picks,” with a nice mouthfeel. One commented, “This brand’s bright white kernels are distinctive in color compared to others,” while another noted the popcorn was “mildly salty with a nice light flavor.”
Newman’s Own pairs great taste with giving back: 100% of its profits go to charity. We spotlighted this variety because it’s less heavily seasoned than some of the brand’s other options but still tastes great.
Testers loved the slight buttery taste and crunch. The bag is also sturdy, opened more easily than the other brands we tested, and felt non-greasy to the touch. A tester commented that the popcorn “has a slight crunch and nice, light taste.” One also felt it was “perfectly seasoned with an airy texture.”
Though it may look burnt when popped, that’s natural for heritage black corn. The kernels are smaller and brighter than those of other varieties, with a satisfying crunch and, testers said, a “nice movie theater, buttery taste.” Black Jewell grows its popcorn on local family farms and packages it in unbleached, chemical-free bags.
With minimal ingredients, including non-GMO verified popcorn, this was one of our top picks for taste, crunch, and overall quality. One tester commented, “The crunch in this choice was my favorite.” This company also offers other flavors, including natural, kettle, sea salt, no salt, and no oil.
Skinnygirl popcorn comes in a smaller bag, which makes it a great choice for people who don’t plan to eat a whole bag of microwave popcorn in one sitting. The mini bags offer crunchy popcorn with a refreshing hint of lime and a generous sprinkle of salt, which our testers liked for its “distinctive flavor profile” and smaller size, which they felt was just the right amount for one.
A tester commented that they loved the “crispy and refreshing lime taste,” which seemed to be a hit across the board. But note that this option has a bit more sodium per serving than the others, though it still has a simple ingredient list.
How we test the best microwave popcorn
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, our registered dietitians test a variety of food and snack products year-round. To find the best microwave popcorn, we evaluated popular brands by reviewing ingredients and nutrition facts. We prioritized short ingredient lists, under 50 milligrams of sodium, and under 2 grams of fat per 1-cup popped serving.
We popped three bags of each brand to assess performance and consistency. We counted unpopped and burnt kernels, then had staffers and consumer taste testers sample the popcorn and evaluate its flavor, aroma, crunch, texture, and mouthfeel. We considered these factors, along with nutritional value, to decide which brands were worth recommending.
What to look for in microwave popcorn
When shopping for microwave popcorn, look beyond flavor and compare ingredients, nutrition facts, and overall quality. Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing a bag.
- Ingredients: Look for a simple ingredient list with just popcorn, oil, and salt.
- Sodium: Go for options with less than 50 milligrams of sodium per 1 cup of popped popcorn. Keep in mind that you may eat several cups in one sitting, so sodium can add up quickly.
- Fat: Compare total and saturated fat per 1 cup of popped popcorn. The amount can vary depending on the oil used and whether the popcorn contains added butter or flavorings.
- Bag size: Check how much popcorn is in the bag and how many servings it contains, especially if you plan to share it.
What’s the perfect amount of time to microwave popcorn?
Most microwave popcorn takes about two to four minutes to pop, but cooking times vary by microwave wattage and brand. In our testing, some higher-powered microwaves popped a bag perfectly in as little as 90 seconds. Follow the package instructions, and listen for the popping to slow to about one to two seconds between pops before stopping the microwave. Don’t rely on the timer alone, since popcorn can burn quickly once the popping slows.
Can you reheat unpopped popcorn kernels?
You can try reheating unpopped kernels, but not all of them will pop. Transfer them to a microwave-safe popcorn maker designed for loose kernels, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also try a microwave-safe paper bag. But avoid reheating the original microwave popcorn bag, which is designed for single use.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT, is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition & Fitness Lab, where she oversees nutrition and fitness content, product testing, and evaluation. A registered dietitian, she provides evidence-based guidance on nutrition and healthy living.
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