The 7 Best Compact Countertop Microwaves for Tight Kitchens, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: The best mix of cavity size and power: 0.9 cu. ft. and 900W without crossing into full-size territory.

The Toshiba is a 0.9 cubic foot countertop model rated at 900 watts. That sits one step above the 0.7 cubic foot, 700 watt class that dominates compact microwaves, and it is the only unit here that pairs the larger cavity with the stronger magnetron under $100.

It wins because the usual compromise on small microwaves is speed. At 900 watts, label instructions written for 1000 watt ovens need only a small time bump, while the 700 watt models below need about a third more. The extra cavity room also lets a standard dinner plate turn without catching the walls. It ranks above the LG only because the LG is pricier and its main advantage, inverter heating, matters less for reheating than for defrosting.

Buy it if you want one compact microwave that does everything and you have a little extra counter space. Skip it if you are fitting a shelf or cabinet cutout, because 0.9 cu. ft. is the largest cavity in the group.

Capacity

0.9 cu. ft.

Power

900W

Type

Countertop

Price tier

$50 to $100

Our verdict: Inverter power delivery heats leftovers more evenly than a standard on-off magnetron.

This LG is a 0.9 cubic foot countertop microwave with Smart Inverter technology and the NeoChef label. The listed outside size is 18.75 by 14 by 10.69 inches, which is a manageable depth for a standard counter.

Inverter technology is the reason it ranks second. A conventional microwave reaches lower power settings by cycling the magnetron on and off, so a 30 percent defrost is really bursts of full power with gaps. An inverter holds a steady lower output, which is kinder to bread, fish, sauces and anything with a delicate edge. The tradeoff is cost: it sits in the $100 to $200 bracket, so you are paying for gentler heating rather than raw speed, and the Toshiba still wins on value.

Choose it if you reheat leftovers daily, defrost meat often, or melt chocolate and butter. Skip it if you mainly boil water and warm drinks, where an inverter earns very little.

Capacity

0.9 cu. ft.

Technology

Smart Inverter

Size

18.75 x 14 x 10.69 in

Price tier

$100 to $200

Our verdict: Ten power levels, a mute button, eco mode and a child lock in a 0.7 cu. ft. body.

The Chefman is a 0.7 cubic foot, 700 watt microwave that offers ten power levels alongside eco mode, a mute key and child lockout. For a microwave this size, that is the most thoughtful control layout in the group.

It places third because it fixes the small annoyances. Ten power levels let you simmer or soften rather than choose between full blast and a rough low setting, the mute button silences the beep for night cooking, and eco mode trims standby power. Against the Toshiba it is a clear step down in raw output, since 700 watts means longer cook times, and against the LG it has no inverter.

It suits apartments, bedrooms and shared kitchens where a late-night beep or a curious child is the real concern. Skip it if speed matters more than control.

Capacity

0.7 cu. ft.

Power

700W, 10 levels

Extras

Eco mode, mute button

Safety

Child lock

Our verdict: A 0.7 cu. ft., 700W workhorse with eco mode at a mid-pack price.

The COMFEE' is a 0.7 cubic foot, 700 watt countertop microwave that adds an ECO mode to the standard preset layout. It is a middle-of-the-road unit in specs and price.

It ranks fourth because it does what a small microwave should without standing out. Compared with the Chefman, it lacks the stated power level count and mute function. Compared with the BLACK+DECKER below, the eco mode is its edge, since the display and standby draw can be reduced when the oven is idle, which adds up over a year in a kitchen where it sits unused most of the day.

Buy it if you want an unfussy, widely available 700 watt microwave and care about idle power use. Skip it if you want inverter heating or a full-size cavity, neither of which it offers.

Capacity

0.7 cu. ft.

Power

700W

Extra

ECO mode

Price tier

$50 to $100

Our verdict: A no-frills 0.7 cu. ft., 700W microwave from a name people already trust.

The BLACK+DECKER is a 0.7 cubic foot, 700 watt countertop microwave. The listing gives little beyond capacity and wattage, which tells you it is a basic appliance with presets and a timer rather than a feature showcase.

It lands fifth because a brand name is not a spec. Next to the COMFEE' it has no stated eco mode, and next to the Chefman it lists no extra controls. What it offers is predictability: a 700 watt cabinet with a familiar footprint, and a manufacturer with a long history in small kitchen appliances, which counts when you need a replacement or a warranty claim.

It works for a dorm, office kitchenette or guest room where the oven is used for coffee, soup and leftovers. Skip it if you want child lock, mute or inverter heating.

Capacity

0.7 cu. ft.

Power

700W

Type

Countertop

Price tier

$50 to $100

Our verdict: Auto cook, defrost and child lock make this a quietly practical 700W choice.

The Farberware is a 0.7 cubic foot microwave with 700 watts, auto cook settings, a defrost function, an easy-clean interior and a child safety lock, in a black finish.

It ranks sixth because the preset features help beginners but the platform is basic. Auto cook buttons take the guesswork out of popcorn, potatoes and beverages, and a defrost function saves manual power math. The cons are the same as every 700 watt unit: slower cooking, and no power level count in the listing, so you cannot judge how fine the manual control is. It also sits behind the Chefman on child safety and noise control.

Buy it for a first apartment or a household member who prefers a button to a recipe. Skip it if you want to tune power levels yourself.

Capacity

0.7 cu. ft.

Power

700W

Presets

Auto cook, defrost

Safety

Child lock

Our verdict: The smallest cavity here, with mechanical dials and a pull handle that skip the touchpad.

The Commercial Chef is a 0.6 cubic foot, 700 watt microwave with mechanical dial controls, six power levels and a pull handle door. It has the smallest cavity in this ranking.

It finishes last on features but earns a niche. Dials do not fail the way touch membranes do, and they are easier for anyone who dislikes digital menus. The 0.6 cu. ft. cavity is also tighter than the 0.7 class, so wider plates and casserole dishes may not turn freely. Six power levels are enough for basic defrost and reheating.

It is the right choice for a very small kitchen, a workshop or an older household that wants dials. Skip it if you need a clock display, presets or an interior that fits larger dishes.

Capacity

0.6 cu. ft.

Power

700W, 6 levels

Controls

Mechanical dials

Door

Pull handle