Kitchen · PRODUCT REVIEW

Sharp
R-426LS Countertop Microwave

1.4-cu.-ft. stainless-steel model with sensor cooking and a supported trim kit. A closer look at the benefits, the limitations, and the alternatives.

Buyer Shortlists editorial·Updated
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work. This review uses linked manufacturer documentation. We have not tested this product hands-on.
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THE SHORT ANSWER

Our take

The Sharp R-426LS is the stainless-steel version of a 1.4-cu.-ft. home-use Carousel microwave. Its manual specifies 1,100 W IEC microwave output and a 14 1/8-inch turntable, and documents sensor cooking plus a separate RK-40S24 built-in kit for this exact model suffix. The historical listing's 1.6-cu.-ft. and 1,200-W claims do not match the model manual and should not guide a comparison. This oven has a real countertop use case and a documented cabinet-installation option, but measure the unit and opening carefully because the manual and exact-model seller page differ slightly on outside depth.

Consider it for

A mid-to-large household microwave with sensor programs and a documented optional built-in installation path.

Look elsewhere if

Skip it if you need a small footprint, a 1.6-cu.-ft. cavity, 1,200 W output, or current exact-ASIN proof for the historical Amazon record.

Pros & cons

What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.

What works in its favor

  • Sharp's manual confirms 1.4 cu. ft., 1,100 W IEC output, and a 14 1/8-inch turntable for the R-426L family.
  • The exact R-426LS suffix has documented sensor cooking and a named Sharp RK-40S24 built-in kit.
  • The manual gives both counter clearances and kit-specific installation guidance, so the two placement routes can be compared.

What to weigh up

  • The historical title reports 1.6 cu. ft. and 1,200 W, conflicting with the exact model manual's 1.4 cu. ft. and 1,100 W.
  • The manual and exact-model product page differ by 1/8 inch on exterior depth; confirm actual revision measurements before fitting it.
  • Built-in installation requires the exact RK-40S24 kit and its opening instructions; a generic cabinet opening is not evidence of fit.

The key details

Published product specifications
Model coveredR-426LS
Capacity1.4 cu. ft.
Microwave output1,100 W IEC microwave output; manual lists 1,600 W input at 120 V / 60 Hz
Cooking approachSensor Cook, Sensor Reheat and Sensor Popcorn settings; four defrost options; Keep Warm Plus
Installation optionsCountertop placement with 2-in. ventilation clearance, or optional Sharp RK-40S24 built-in kit for R-426LS
Finish and turntableStainless-steel S variant; 14 1/8-in. turntable; exterior depth differs slightly between sources

Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 4, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.

What the features mean for you

Keep the exact stainless suffix and corrected identity

Sharp's R-426L operation manual says the model is followed by a letter indicating color and specifies S as stainless steel. AJ Madison's exact R426LS entry independently names a stainless-steel countertop oven and lists the manufacturer SKU R-426LS. This identifies the model in the frozen row without relying on its old title's rounded capacity or output claims. Those title claims say 1.6 cu. ft. and 1,200 W, while the exact manual specifies 1.4 cu. ft. and 1,100 W; the manual values are the ones carried into this profile. The product remains distinct from the silver Sharp R-315JS and smaller R-220KW. Historical ASIN B0001BPORW is not verified for a current R-426LS Amazon page, so its affiliate destination is an exact-model search rather than a direct listing link.

A 1.4-cu.-ft. cavity with a large documented turntable

The manual lists 1.4 cubic feet and a turntable system with a 14 1/8-inch diameter. The exact-model page also gives those figures and describes this as a countertop microwave. A wide rotating plate can help users compare cookware fit, but it does not mean every rectangular dish, casserole handle, or tall container will clear the oven walls as it turns. Sharp's manual says the calculated internal capacity uses maximum width, depth, and height and that the actual food-holding capacity is less. Measure the dishes you use and consider their shape as well as the turntable size. The 1.4-cu.-ft. cavity is materially larger than the 1.2-cu.-ft. R-315JS, but remains below many extra-large 2-cu.-ft. class models.

Sensor programs have an explicit operating description

This model's sensor feature is documented in the Sharp manual rather than inferred from a seller's word like “automatic.” Sharp explains that its semiconductor sensor detects vapor emitted by food and adjusts cooking time and power for various foods and quantities. The manual has Sensor Cook and Sensor Reheat instructions, while the exact R426LS record lists nine sensor cook settings and a sensor popcorn function. It also identifies four defrost options. These are confirmed program types, not guarantees that every food or quantity will finish exactly as a buyer expects; the manual gives limits and preparation instructions for the listed choices. A buyer who wants automatic adjustment has a documented difference here from R-315JS, whose exact-model specification record says sensor cooking is absent.

The RK-40S24 kit creates a documented built-in route

Sharp's manual says R-426LS can be built into a cabinet or wall using its stainless-steel Built-In Kit RK-40S24. It describes the kit as including ducts, finish trim strips, installation instructions, and power-supply location guidance. The same section warns against placing the oven near or above a heat source. For countertop placement, Sharp calls for at least two inches of airflow space at the sides, top, and rear. Those are two documented installation choices with different requirements: the kit is a separate accessory and must be used with the exact model and instructions, while a counter position needs clearance around the oven. The manual's outside depth is 17 3/8 inches; AJ Madison's exact-model record shows 17 1/2 inches. Keep the exact depth unresolved until the model revision and opening are checked.

Do not confuse 1,100 W output with electrical input

Sharp labels 1,100 W as microwave output under the IEC test procedure and separately lists 1,600 W AC power required, at single-phase 120 V and 60 Hz, with a 13.5-amp figure. Use 1,100 W to compare stated cooking output with other models; it is not the wall-power input value. The electrical line is the relevant specification for a circuit discussion, but a household should still follow the rating plate and local installation requirements. A larger wattage claim in the old source title does not override the maker's exact model manual. These are published electrical and output ratings, not a measured estimate of cooking time or a claim of observed performance.

Home-use classification and practical fit checks

Sharp describes the R-426L as a Home Use Carousel Microwave Oven in its manual, which supports a household classification rather than manufacturer-declared commercial-duty equipment. The household fit profile is therefore based on cavity size, output, sensor programs, turntable, and the optional exact-model kit. The stainless-steel S suffix identifies the exterior variant; the control panel sits behind the oven door according to the model-specific product description. Before buying, confirm that a listing carries R-426LS rather than another R-426 code, verify whether the RK-40S24 kit is included or separately sourced, and resolve the 1/8-inch depth discrepancy against the unit label or current instructions. Those checks preserve the real model distinctions without inventing current stock or a direct link from the historic ASIN.

What else to compare

Sharp R-315JS is a smaller 1.2-cu.-ft. silver model with 1,200 W output but no sensor cooking or trim kit listed. Frigidaire Professional FPMO227NUF has a larger 2.2-cu.-ft. cavity, sensor cooking, and a model-specific 30-inch kit. Galanz GLCMKZ11GNR10 remains countertop-only in the reviewed evidence, with 1.1 cu. ft. and a 12.4-inch turntable. R-426LS balances a mid-size cavity with sensor controls and its exact RK-40S24 path.

Explore this category →

Before you buy

Is this the stainless R-426LS, and what do the old title numbers mean?

Sharp says suffix S means stainless steel. The model manual gives 1.4 cu. ft. and 1,100 W output; the historical 1.6-cu.-ft./1,200-W title is not used.

Does this exact model support sensor cooking?

Yes. The manual explains its vapor-detecting sensor and the exact R-426LS specification page lists sensor cooking and sensor cook settings.

Can it be installed in a cabinet?

Sharp documents the RK-40S24 built-in kit specifically for R-426LS. Follow that kit's opening and clearance instructions; the counter route also needs ventilation space.

Where can I check the current price?

Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.

Sources & review basis

We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.

Read our research and update process →

The decision

Choose R-426LS when the corrected 1.4-cu.-ft./1,100-W specifications, sensor menus, stainless finish, and model-specific RK-40S24 installation option meet your needs. Verify the exact suffix and resolve exterior measurements before ordering; the historical title and ASIN do not prove current variant identity.

Is it the right fit?

Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.

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