10 Best Microwave Popcorns of 2024 (Chef-Reviewed)

Pros:

• Butter flavor like at the movie theater
  
• Made with non-GMO corn
• Has a low calorie count per serving

Cons:

• Has more than two grams of fat after popping
  
• Some people say it makes a mess

Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter Flavor microwave popcorn brings the rich, buttery taste of theater popcorn to your home. Each serving of this snack contains 0 grams of trans fat and is made with 100% whole grain, non-GMO corn. The popcorn is free from high fructose corn syrup and artificial preservatives, ensuring a natural and wholesome snacking experience. With 3.5 servings per bag, the calorie count per serving is 130 when unpopped, and 30 calories per cup when popped. The ingredients include whole grain popcorn, palm oil, salt, natural flavors, annatto, and paprika, with milk as an allergen.

This popcorn is available in various package sizes, including options for individual snack bags. The preparation instructions emphasize monitoring the popping process to avoid burning, as microwave performance can vary. Pop Secret's buttery popcorn is ideal for movie nights, TV watching, or any casual snacking occasion, providing a warm and aromatic treat in minutes.

Pros:

• Small kernels that are light and easy to eat
  
• Has non-GMO kernels
• Doesn't have hulls after popping

Cons:

• Uses artificial sweeteners, which can impact the taste

This is a slightly sweet kettle corn. The kernels don't have hulls, so they're soft and tasty after popping. They're also smaller than most varieties.

Some reviewers didn't like how the popcorn used an artificial sweetener rather than natural flavors. On the other hand, various reviews loved how it had both a salty and sweet taste. They also loved the lack of hulls to get stuck in their teeth. 

Pros:

• The lime complements the salt flavor
• Comes in mini bags to help with portion control
• Uses non-GMO popcorn

Cons:

• Contains 400 milligrams of salt before popping
  

This option comes in 60 mini-bags for people to easily control their portions while they eat. It has a distinct salty taste amplified by the lime flavor.

Some reviewers said the lime flavor was too fake-tasting. However, many reviewers said the bag's size was the perfect amount whenever they wanted to eat a snack. They also appreciated how the lime flavor complemented the salt. 

Pros:

• Has minimal hulls in it
• Only three ingredients
• Uses non-GMO kernels
• Contains less than 150 calories

Cons:

• Add your own butter or additional flavors

This popcorn focuses on a natural approach by sticking with palm oil and sea salt. Even though the kernels are black, they actually pop into white popcorn. It's a good option if you prefer adding your own flavors, or like the simple taste of the corn itself.

A couple of reviewers didn't appreciate how the kernels took a while to pop, so some of them would open the bag to find tons of kernels. Nevertheless, more than a few reviewers appreciated how smaller hulls wouldn't get stuck in their teeth. They also loved how it tasted fresh.

Pros:

• Contains non-GMO kernels
• Finds a good balance between sweet and salty flavors
• Big bags for sharing, or solo popcorn addicts
  

Cons:

• Some reviewers dislike the taste of the sweetener

This kettle corn balances salty and sweet, but keeps the calories lower by using sucralose. Each bag pops to about eight cups, making them perfect for family movie night!

A few reviewers didn't like the taste of the artificial sweetener added to the kettle corn. On the bright side, multiple reviewers appreciated the salty taste mingled with the sweet. They also loved how the kettle corn tasted fresh.

Pros:

• A sweet flavor for a popcorn treat
• Has under 200 milligrams of sodium
• Comes with marshmallow topping
• Uses non-GMO kernels

Cons:

• Have to pour the marshmallow onto the popcorn

This one comes with marshmallow packets, so you can add a sweet flavor to the salty popcorn. The taste is just like Rice Krispies Treats but made with popcorn! You can add a little topping, or the whole amount, to control the sweetness.

But a few reviewers didn't like how they had to pour the marshmallow packet on the popcorn. On the bright side, many more said the combination was the right amount of sweetness. They also felt the salty flavor of the popcorn was a great complement to the marshmallow.

Pros:

• Over 40 bags of popcorn
• Includes real, natural butter
  

Cons:

• May have quite a few unpopped kernels after microwaving
• Over 300 milligrams of sodium
  

This popcorn is a movie theater butter flavor that's comes from natural flavors and real butter. It also comes with 44 bags of popcorn, so it's great for those with large households or popcorn addictions! Note that to order it from the Costco site, you have to be a member or pay a surcharge.

Some reviewers said the bags had too many unpopped kernels in them after they microwaved the popcorn. Despite that point, loads of reviewers loved the balance between the natural butter and salt flavors.

Pros:

• Available in three flavors: sea salt, butter or kettle corn
  
• Has non-GMO popcorn
• All varieties use natural ingredients
• Kettle corn is flavored with natural monkfruit, not sucralose like other brands
  

Cons:

• Some say their pre-popped popcorn is better
  

This popcorn is available in sea salt, butter, and lightly sweet kettle corn flavors. It sticks with natural flavors and ingredients for those who don't want to eat anything artificial.

A couple of reviewers said the popcorn tastes different compared to how it tastes in their pre-popped bags. Despite that point, various reviewers noticed the popcorn had a good balance of salt on it. They also appreciated how the popcorn kept things simple with three natural ingredients.

Pros:

• Has a unique spicy kick from real bhut jolokia peppers
  
• Includes salt to maintain the traditional popcorn flavor
• Balances heat without going overboard
• Offers a low calorie count

Cons:

• The hot pepper steam during cooking can make you cough
  

This popcorn takes a different approach since it has ghost pepper on it to give it some extra spice. The spiciness is 500,000 on the Scoville Scale, so that means it's more spicy than a habanero pepper. 

Some reviewers said the spicy steam produced from the bag was like tear gas! Nevertheless, loads of reviewers said it was a good level of heat for people who enjoy spicy food. They also noted the spice added to the flavor and made it taste great.

Pros:

• Six ounces of popcorn per packet
• Offers a unique island flavor
• Not just popcorn, but a full snack mix
  
• Includes a buttery topping

Cons:

• Has over 200 calories per serving
• Contains some allergens that other popcorns usually don't, like wheat
  

This popcorn comes with "mochi crunch," which are sembei rice crackers, and nori seaweed you sprinkle on. The combination makes it a satisfying snack mix with a unique flavor that's great for parties.

A couple of reviewers felt it was overrated, and that you could make your own. Despite that point, multiple reviewers appreciated how they could add the mochi crunch and nori into the popcorn if they wanted to. They also enjoyed the buttery flavor added to the popcorn.