Frigidaire microwaves are often selected for practical value, which makes a strict repair threshold especially useful. With an expected life around 10 years per Consumer Reports' summary, it's typically worth repairing only when the unit is younger and the fault is a simple, isolated component like a door interlock switch, a turntable drive, or an external control issue, and the total estimate stays under the threshold.
Replacement is usually the safer option if heating performance is gone, the unit sparks/arcs, or it repeatedly trips breakers-issues often tied to magnetron/high-voltage circuits that are expensive and safety-sensitive to service. Also assess physical condition: interior rust, damaged coating, or a warped door seal can justify replacement even if the microwave still runs.
The replacement price benchmark reflects a mainstream countertop microwave listing at a major retailer; built-in or over-the-range installs can raise total replacement cost.