Are over-the-range microwaves worth it over a countertop model?

Specialist subreddits we read are sharply split. OTR units save counter space and add ventilation for the cooktop, but the consensus across r/Appliances threads is that OTR models tend to fail faster than countertop units, with door handles and touch panels being common failure points. If venting outside is a priority, an OTR or a dedicated hood is the right call; otherwise a countertop inverter often outlasts it.