The 6 Best 700-Watt Microwaves for Small Kitchens and Dorms, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: A straightforward 0.7 cu ft, 700-watt microwave from a name that has made small appliances for decades.

Priced in the $50 to $100 bracket, the BLACK+DECKER pairs a 0.7 cu ft cavity with 700 watts of output on the counter. It is the baseline against which the rest of this list is measured: standard capacity, standard wattage, and a conventional layout.

It takes first place because it does the three jobs a compact microwave exists for, reheating, defrosting and popcorn, without asking the user to learn anything. Against the Chefman and COMFEE' models, it gives up the eco mode and the child lock, but it keeps the build and brand reliability that matter over years of daily use. Seven hundred watts means slightly longer cook times, which is the real tradeoff to understand before you buy.

Buy it if you want a dependable, no-surprise microwave for a dorm, office or small kitchen. Skip it if you need a safety lock or a quiet mode.

Capacity

0.7 cu ft

Power

700 W

Type

Countertop

Price bucket

$50 to $100

Our verdict: 700 watts with auto cook settings and defrost, aimed at people who want fewer button presses.

Farberware gives you a 0.7 cu ft cavity at 700 watts, along with auto cook settings and a defrost function. It sits in the $50 to $100 bucket, level with the rest of the list.

It ranks second because auto cook presets remove the guesswork that 700-watt ovens create. Instead of converting a 1000-watt box time yourself, you can use a preset for common foods like popcorn or a beverage. It trails the BLACK+DECKER only on brand heritage, since both are close on features. The compact power also means long-haul tasks such as a big casserole take extra time.

Buy it if you hate doing the wattage math. Skip it if you like manual control over every power level.

Capacity

0.7 cu ft

Power

700 W

Presets

Auto cook settings

Defrost

Yes

Our verdict: Ten power levels plus eco mode, kid lockout and a silent option, all in a 700-watt body.

Chefman packs ten power levels into a 0.7 cu ft, 700-watt body, plus eco mode, a keypad lock for kids and a button that silences the beeps. It comes in black and costs $50 to $100.

It takes third place because the feature list is the most complete here, but features alone do not win. The ten power levels matter for gentler tasks such as melting butter or softening chocolate, while the child lock and mute button suit homes with kids or shared sleeping spaces. It sits behind the Farberware because it lacks a stated auto cook set and behind the BLACK+DECKER on brand track record.

Choose it for a home with kids or a quiet space. Pass if you want the brand with the longest history.

Capacity

0.7 cu ft

Power

700 W, 10 levels

Modes

Eco mode

Safety

Child lock, mute button

Our verdict: A familiar 0.7 cu ft, 700-watt unit with an eco mode to trim standby power.

This COMFEE' offers a 0.7 cu ft cavity, 700 watts and an eco mode. It is in the $50 to $100 bracket, the same as every other model in this ranking.

It ranks fourth because it matches the BLACK+DECKER on core specs and adds eco mode, but offers no stated child lock or extra power levels. Eco mode turns off the display when idle, which saves a small amount of standby power. The savings are modest, so treat it as a minor perk rather than a reason to buy.

Buy it for a bedroom or office where the glowing display bothers you. Skip it if you want a safety lock.

Capacity

0.7 cu ft

Power

700 W

Mode

ECO Mode

Price bucket

$50 to $100

Our verdict: The same 700-watt platform in Pearl White, for kitchens where black would stand out.

Finished in Pearl White, this COMFEE' keeps the 0.7 cu ft cavity, 700 watts and eco mode of its sibling. It sits in the $50 to $100 bracket, so the choice between this and the other COMFEE' is mostly about color.

It ranks fifth because it adds nothing beyond the other COMFEE' except the white finish. For a white or light kitchen that matters, since a black box on the counter is hard to hide. White finishes also show smudges less than black glass, though stains from splatter are more visible inside the cavity.

Buy it if you want the microwave to blend into a light kitchen. Skip it if finish does not matter and you want more features.

Capacity

0.7 cu ft

Power

700 W

Finish

Pearl White

Mode

ECO Mode

Our verdict: A compact Chefman with ten power levels, two defrost settings, a child lock and a mute button.

The Chefman Compact keeps the same 700-watt, 0.7 cu ft build and adds ten power levels, two defrost settings, a child safety lock and a mute button. It is positioned as the lowest-cost model in this comparison within the $50 to $100 bracket.

It ranks sixth because it overlaps heavily with the larger Chefman, but without a stated eco mode. Two defrost settings are a genuine advantage: one can be used for meat, and a gentler one for bread or delicate items. The ranking reflects a newer brand in the microwave category and fewer cues about long-term durability.

Buy it if you want the most features per dollar. Skip it if you want a name with a long track record.

Capacity

0.7 cu ft

Power

700 W, 10 levels

Defrost

2 settings

Safety

Child lock, mute