These Microwave Popcorn Brands Have the Best Flavor, Taste and Crunch Factor

We updated this article in October 2022 to ensure all picks were in stock and accurately priced. We also added more information about each featured product based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.

Popcorn might just be the perfect snack. It's salty, sometimes sweet, crunchy, satisfying, easy to prepare and relatively inexpensive. Also, federal dietary guidelines recommend that Americans eat three to five servings of grains per day and at least half of those should be whole grains. That's good news for popcorn lovers, because it's 100% whole grain. Additionally, it's a favorite among dietitians and other health professionals because it is low in calories and a good source of fiber. (Though the caloric content can increase depending on the amount of butter, salt, artificial flavorings and oil involved in the preparation.)

"Air-popped and lightly seasoned popcorn is a delicious low-calorie but high-volume snack, meaning you can eat a large portion for few calories," says Deputy Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. "Popcorn itself is 100% whole grain and packed with fiber and beneficial antioxidants called polyphenols. Not only is the snack satiating and tasty, but it also offers great texture in each bite."

To find the best poppable popcorn, registered dietitians in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab tested multiple top-selling microwave popcorn brands by analyzing not only nutrition facts and ingredient lists but also taste, texture, crunch factor and more. We favored organic or non-GMO options, and we looked for minimal ingredients, less than 350 mg of sodium per serving, less than 6 grams of fat and more than 3 grams of fiber. Here are our top choices that you should consider the next time you are out popping — er, shopping.

Our top picks:

Below our top picks, you'll find more information on how the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab evaluates healthy snacks.