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Good Housekeeping’s Nutrition Lab evaluated six microwave popcorn brands by reviewing nutrition and ingredients, popping three bags of each and conducting taste tests. Smash Kitchen, 365 by Whole Foods Market, Orville Redenbacher’s, Newman’s Own, Black Jewell and Skinnygirl stood out for different flavors, textures or serving sizes.
Good Housekeeping has named six microwave popcorn brands that performed well in its taste testing, with picks ranging from Smash Kitchen’s buttery-like flavor to Skinnygirl’s lime-seasoned mini bags. The recommendations draw on tests of flavor, texture, popping consistency and nutrition, giving shoppers options with different ingredients and portion sizes.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab reviewed popular products’ ingredient lists and nutrition facts, prioritizing options with short ingredient lists, less than 50 milligrams of sodium and less than 2 grams of fat per one-cup popped serving. Testers popped three bags of each brand, counted unpopped and burnt kernels, and evaluated aroma, crunch, texture, mouthfeel and flavor.
Smash Kitchen was praised for crisp, substantial kernels and a buttery-like taste despite having only popcorn, palm oil and sea salt, according to the report. Its dietitians noted 35 milligrams of sodium per popped cup. The 365 by Whole Foods Market plain popcorn contains only organic popcorn kernels; testers liked its fluffy texture and generous yield. Orville Redenbacher’s was described as mildly salty, with a lasting flavor and a bag that did not leave grease on the outside.
The other picks offer distinct trade-offs. Newman’s Own was noted for light seasoning, crunch and a sturdy, easy-to-open bag; the report says all company profits go to charity. Black Jewell’s heritage black corn has smaller kernels and may look burnt after popping, which the report says is natural for the variety. Skinnygirl comes in smaller bags with lime and salt, a portion size testers appreciated, but it has more sodium per serving than the other picks, according to Good Housekeeping.
How the Picks Differ for Shoppers
The list is useful because the six recommendations do not point to one universal choice: they reflect different priorities, including simple ingredients, buttery flavor, portion size and texture. The test also gives shoppers a basis for comparing products beyond packaging or brand familiarity, though individual taste preferences may differ from the panel’s.
Nutrition numbers need to be read alongside portion size. Good Housekeeping recommends checking sodium and fat per serving, while noting that sodium can add up if someone eats several cups. Skinnygirl’s mini bags may suit people who want a smaller portion, while plain 365 popcorn lets consumers add their own seasoning. Those distinctions matter more than treating the rankings as a single health or taste verdict.
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How Good Housekeeping Tested Popcorn
The report says the Nutrition Lab assesses food and snack products throughout the year. For this comparison, researchers considered ingredient and nutrition information alongside repeat microwave performance. Three bags per brand were popped to check consistency and count unpopped or burnt kernels, followed by staff and consumer tastings.
The source identifies six recommended products but does not give a complete numerical ranking or publish scores for every test category. Its shopping guidance is to compare ingredients, sodium, total and saturated fat, and the amount of popcorn in each bag. The test’s stated nutrition targets—under 50 milligrams of sodium and under 2 grams of fat per popped cup—were priorities used in evaluating products, not a guarantee that every serving or flavor meets every target.
““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 on Smash Kitchen
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What the Taste Test Does Not Show
The source does not provide the test date, full product scores, brand-by-brand nutrition table or a detailed account of how tasters’ preferences were combined into final recommendations. It also does not specify a single overall winner in the supplied material. Results represent the products tested and the panel’s assessments; the report does not establish that every flavor or package version from each brand performs the same way.
The supplied source text cuts off during its advice on microwave cooking time, so it does not establish a precise recommended cook time. Microwave power and bag instructions are not detailed in the material provided.
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What Shoppers Can Compare
Readers can use the recommendations as a starting point and compare the nutrition label, ingredients and serving count on the specific package they are buying. Flavor options may differ within a brand: Good Housekeeping says 365’s buttery variety has 30 more calories, 3.5 grams more fat and 2.5 grams more saturated fat than its light buttery option.
For cooking, follow the directions on the bag and monitor popping rather than relying on a universal time; the source says most microwave popcorn takes about two to four minutes but provides no further detail in the supplied text. Good Housekeeping’s report does not announce additional testing or a follow-up date.
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Key Questions
Which microwave popcorn brands did Good Housekeeping recommend?
The six picks were Smash Kitchen, 365 by Whole Foods Market, Orville Redenbacher’s, Newman’s Own, Black Jewell and Skinnygirl. The report describes different strengths for each rather than giving a complete numerical ranking in the supplied material.
How did the taste test work?
The Nutrition Lab reviewed ingredients and nutrition facts, popped three bags per brand, counted unpopped and burnt kernels, and asked staff and consumer tasters to assess flavor, aroma, crunch, texture and mouthfeel.
Which pick has the simplest ingredients?
The report says 365 by Whole Foods Market’s plain organic popcorn contains only popcorn kernels. Smash Kitchen was also described as having a short list: popcorn, palm oil and sea salt.
Which option comes in a smaller portion?
Skinnygirl was singled out for its mini bags. Testers liked the smaller size and lime flavor, though the report says it has more sodium per serving than the other picks.
What nutrition details should shoppers check?
Good Housekeeping advises comparing sodium, total and saturated fat, ingredients and bag serving size. Its testing priorities included less than 50 milligrams of sodium and less than 2 grams of fat per cup of popped popcorn; the report notes that sodium can accumulate across multiple cups.
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