7 Best Microwave Popcorn Brands, According to Taste Testing
Not all popcorns pop the same.
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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.
This pick was the crowd favorite among our testers for its big and fluffy kernels, consistent taste and crispy texture. It is also certified organic and non-GMO. We tested the Light Buttery and Buttery flavors. The Light choice has a very slight taste with a touch of salt, but if you’re looking for more of that indulgent movie theater popcorn flavor, we recommend the Buttery option. Keep in mind the Buttery flavor has an additional 30 calories, 3.5 g of fat and 2.5 g sat fat. Our testers agreed, "This is reminiscent of movie theater popcorn; it tastes like the real thing!"
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| Ingredients | Organic popcorn, organic expeller pressed palm oil, salt, organic natural flavor |
| Nutritional info (Buttery) | 150 calories, 6 g fat, 2.5 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 160 mg cholesterol, 20 g cholesterol, 160 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 3 g protein |
| Nutritional info (Light Buttery) | 130 calories, 2.5 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 3 g protein |
Known for revolutionizing popcorn, Orville Redenbacher's has a nice “old-timey” popcorn taste according to our testers. The bag also holds up well in the microwave with no residual grease leaking through to the outside. Testers noted that the flavor of this choice was the “longest lasting of all picks” with a nice mouth feel. Testers also commented, "this brand's bright white kernels are distinctive in color compared to others," while other testers noted the popcorn was "mildly salty with a nice light flavor."
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| Ingredients | Whole grain popping corn, palm oil, sea salt, mixed tocopherols (vitamin E for freshness) |
| Nutrition info (4.5 cups popped) | 130 calories, 5 g fat, 2 sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 3 g protein |
Newman's Own Organics Touch of Butter
Newman's Own delivers a great taste and charitable contributions within the same purchase, 100% of its profits are donated to charity. Of the several different options offered by Newman’s Own, we chose to review the certified organic, non-GMO popcorn. Testers loved the slight butter taste and crunch factor. The bag is also sturdy, opened the easiest amongst the brands we tested and was non-greasy to the touch. Testers commented the popcorn, "has a slight crunch and nice, light taste." They also felt it was "perfectly seasoned with an airy texture."
| Ingredients | Organic popcorn, organic palm oil, sea salt, natural flavor |
| Nutrition info (3.5 cups popped) | 130 Calories, 2 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 g cholesterol, 240 g sodium, 25 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 4 g protein |
Jolly Time, the self-appointed "official snack of happiness," is the oldest popcorn company in the United States, founded in 1914. It was a top choice with our testers. This familiar, long-lived brand contains non-GMO kernels and no artificial, flavors, colors or dyes. Testers noted that the kernels were "big and fluffy" and had a "subtle crunch and taste with a slight chew."
| Ingredients | 100% whole grain, non-GMO popcorn, palm oil, sea salt, natural flavors, rosemary extract to preserve freshness |
| Nutrition info (per 1 cup popped) | 20 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 0 g cholesterol, 45 mg sodium, 5 g carbs, <1 g fiber, 0 g sugar, <1 g protein |
This pick is unique to the other choices because it contains only two wholesome ingredients, popcorn and sea salt. It is USDA-certified organic and certified non-GMO and has one of the lowest fat and sodium contents of all picks we reviewed. The bags are made of composted paper and ingredients are transparent from "farm-to-bag." While some testers exclaimed it tasted "slightly dry likely due to the low-fat content" others found it "light and refreshing." One tester commented, "It tastes just like air-popped popcorn but better!" The popcorn is available in other flavor varieties including parmesan and rosemary, butter and sea salt and Vermont maple kettle corn.
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| Ingredients | Organic non-GMO popcorn kernels, sea salt |
| Nutrition info (per 3 cups popped) | 170 calories, 1 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 17 g carbs, 3 grams fiber, 0 grams sugar, 3 grams protein |
While this choice may appear burnt after popping, it is actually the heritage black corn that gives it this appearance. The kernels are much smaller and brighter than other choices but they have a big crunch and a "nice movie theater, buttery taste," according to our testers. All of Black Jewell's popcorn is grown by local family farms, and the bags are unbleached and chemical-free. With minimal ingredients, including non-GMO verified popcorn, this was one of our top picks for taste, crunch and overall quality. Testers commented, "The crunch in this choice was my favorite," while another exclaimed, "I loved the crunch, although the bag was slightly buttery." This company also offers other flavors including; natural, kettle, sea salt, no salt and no oil.
| Ingredients | Non-GMO popcorn, palm oil, sea salt, natural butter flavor and beta carotene (natural color) |
| Nutrition info (per 3 cups popped serving) | 140 calories, 5 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 160 mg sodium, 21 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 3 g protein |
Skinnygirl comes in a smaller bag which makes it a good choice for individuals who don't plan to eat a whole bag of microwave popcorn in one sitting. With a hint of lime and a brush of salt, our testers liked this pick because of its "distinctive flavor profile" and smaller bag size. Testers commented that they loved the "crispy and refreshing lime taste." Take note, this option contains more sodium per serving than others.
| Ingredients | Whole grain popcorn, palm oil, sea salt, natural flavor, mixed tocopherols (vitamin E for freshness) |
| Nutrition info (per 1 bag, about 6 cups popped) | 160 calories, 6 g fat, 2.5 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 400 mg sodium, 28 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 3 g fiber |
How we selected the best microwave popcorn
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we are continuously testing all types of foods, food products and nutrition-related services from healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services. Since popcorn is best enjoyed in a communal setting, we choose to test the product in a context that is similar to the way popcorn is typically enjoyed. We rounded up a group of hard-core popcorn lovers and Good Housekeeping Institute experts in a group setting and taste-tested each brand.
Our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more. Our registered dietitians evaluated the most visible microwave popcorn brands focusing on ingredient lists, sodium content, fiber and fat counts. We also took into account texture, taste and overall quality when testing.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As a registered dietitian, Amy Fischer has worked with thousands of patients to improve their health through whole foods and a nutritious diet. Amy believes that food is to be enjoyed whatever your diet goals may be and that ideally, the focus should be on improving overall health, eating and living better.
Stefani Sassos handles all of GH's nutrition content, product testing and evaluation as Deputy Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition Lab. She stays up to date on the latest research to provide evidence-based reporting on all things diet and nutrition and also runs large-scale tests and analyses for products ranging from protein bars to supplements for GH's annual Healthy Snack Awards. Stefani has extensive knowledge of food labeling and nutrition requirements on food products, rigorously evaluating hundreds of claims for products that apply for the Good Housekeeping Seal.
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