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Good Housekeeping’s Nutrition Lab evaluated six microwave popcorn picks using ingredient and nutrition reviews, popping tests and taste assessments. Its recommendations span plain, buttery, heritage-corn and lime-flavored options; the source does not provide a ranked list or a test date.
Good Housekeeping has named six microwave popcorn picks after testing taste, texture, popping performance and nutrition, giving shoppers options ranging from plain organic kernels to buttery and lime-flavored varieties. The publication says its Nutrition Lab popped three bags of each brand and had staffers and consumer testers assess the results.
The recommended products are Smash Kitchen, 365 by Whole Foods Market, Orville Redenbacher’s, Newman’s Own, Black Jewell and Skinnygirl. The source describes them as picks rather than a numbered ranking, and it does not report comparative scores or name a single overall winner.
Smash Kitchen stood out for its crisp texture and simple ingredient list: popcorn, palm oil and sea salt. Good Housekeeping says dietitians noted 35 milligrams of sodium per popped cup. The 365 option is plain certified-organic popcorn kernels, while its flavored varieties offer alternatives: the report describes Light Buttery as mildly flavored and says the Buttery version has 30 more calories, 3.5 grams more fat and 2.5 grams more saturated fat. Those comparisons apply to the Buttery option as described in the source.
The other picks offer different features. Testers described Orville Redenbacher’s as lightly flavored, with a lasting taste and a microwave bag that did not leave grease on the outside. Newman’s Own was praised for a light buttery taste and crunchy texture; the report says 100% of the company’s profits go to charity. Black Jewell’s small, bright heritage black-corn kernels have a satisfying crunch, while Skinnygirl’s smaller lime-flavored bags were liked for their portion size and distinctive taste. The report notes that Skinnygirl has more sodium per serving than the other picks, but does not give the amount.
How the Six Picks Differ
The recommendations give shoppers a comparison based on more than flavor: ingredients, sodium, fat, bag size and popping consistency also informed the evaluation. That makes the list relevant to people choosing between a plain product they can season themselves, a more buttery taste, or a smaller flavored bag.
The report’s nutrition benchmarks can help readers interpret the picks, but they are not a guarantee that every serving fits every diet. Good Housekeeping says it prioritized products with under 50 milligrams of sodium and under 2 grams of fat per one-cup popped serving. Sodium and fat can add up across multiple cups, and the source highlights Skinnygirl as higher in sodium per serving than the other selections.
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How Good Housekeeping Tested
Good Housekeeping says its registered dietitians reviewed ingredients and nutrition facts, favoring short ingredient lists and products below its stated sodium and fat thresholds. The lab also evaluated how each product performed in the microwave rather than relying on tasting alone.
For each brand, the team popped three bags, counted unpopped and burnt kernels, and assessed consistency. Staffers and consumer taste testers then considered flavor, aroma, crunch, texture and mouthfeel. The report says those factors, together with nutritional value, informed its recommendations. It does not provide the full testing dataset or the exact products and flavors tested for every brand.
“It’s got the perfect amount of flavor, and I just love how it’s crispy but also really melts in your mouth.”
— Good Housekeeping taste tester, describing Smash Kitchen
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Details the Report Leaves Open
The source material does not state when the testing took place, provide an overall score, or explain how each product ranked against the others. It also does not include the complete nutrition panel for every pick or specify the sodium figure for Skinnygirl, so readers cannot use this report alone to make exact side-by-side nutrition comparisons.
The report’s testing covered selected brands and products; it does not establish that these are the only good microwave popcorn choices. Individual results may also depend on the microwave and cooking time. The supplied material ends before giving a specific recommended popping time, so readers should follow the instructions on their package and monitor the bag while it pops.
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What Shoppers Can Check
No further testing or update is announced in the source. Shoppers can compare the serving size, sodium, total and saturated fat, and ingredient list on the package, especially if they eat more than one cup. Bag sizes and the number of servings can vary, so checking the label helps when choosing a portion.
For microwave preparation, follow the product’s package directions because cooking times vary by microwave and brand. Stop when popping slows rather than relying on a fixed time, and use care when opening the hot bag to avoid steam burns. Good Housekeeping’s report supplies no single cooking time that applies to all six picks.
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Key Questions
Which microwave popcorn brands did Good Housekeeping recommend?
The six picks are Smash Kitchen, 365 by Whole Foods Market, Orville Redenbacher’s, Newman’s Own, Black Jewell and Skinnygirl. The source presents them as recommendations, not a numbered ranking.
How did the publication test the popcorn?
Good Housekeeping says it popped three bags of each brand, counted unpopped and burnt kernels, and had staffers and consumer testers evaluate flavor, aroma, crunch, texture and mouthfeel. Its Nutrition Lab also reviewed ingredients and nutrition facts.
Which pick is plain popcorn?
The 365 by Whole Foods Market product highlighted in the report contains only popcorn kernels and is certified organic. The report says this lets shoppers add their own seasoning.
What nutrition measures did the test prioritize?
The report says its team prioritized products with under 50 milligrams of sodium and under 2 grams of fat per one-cup popped serving, alongside short ingredient lists. These are testing criteria, not a claim that every serving is suitable for every person.
Does the report name an overall winner?
No. The source names six recommended picks but does not give a ranked order, comparative scores or one overall winner.
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