To determine the best compact microwaves for your needs, you’ll need to consider the size and style, wattage, heating method, and control panel for the microwave you want. Compact microwaves usually have no more than one cubic foot of internal capacity. And along the same lines, the external dimensions tend to be no more than 20 inches wide. Remember that you want a microwave that’s at least 700 watts to ensure food cooks quickly and evenly. Depending on your budget, you’ll want to consider which heating method is most appropriate for you — but we recommend inverter and convection options for power microwave users. And finally, consider the types of cooking features that are most important to you, as well as the control panel interface.
After looking at thousands of reviews across a variety of price points and microwave configurations, we nominated the Toshiba ML2-EM09PA(BS) Compact Microwave Oven as our Top Pick and the best compact microwave. Keep reading to learn more about our selection criteria and review our recommendations for the best microwaves on the market.
Top 5 Small Microwaves
#1 Toshiba ML2-EM09PA(BS) Compact Microwave Oven
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: The best small microwave with 900 watts of power, 0.9 cubic feet of internal space, and an intuitive eco mode to help minimize power consumption in standby mode.
- One-touch start buttons for quick cooking
- Smart eco mode to reduce standby power consumption
- 900 watts of power
- Lights can flicker during operation
When you need a compact microwave oven for your small kitchen, that doesn’t mean that you’re ready to sacrifice functionality. We think that this Toshiba model is one of the best small microwaves because it helps to save space while still providing intuitive features that can appeal to a wide array of users. In terms of essential specs, you’ll get 900 watts of cooking power and an interior capacity of 0.9 cubic feet, which puts this microwave in the median range for a compact option. The external dimensions are 19.2 inches wide, 15.9 inches deep, and 11.5 inches tall, with a 10-inch glass turntable diameter.
We noted complaints about the interior light flickering during operation after roughly a year of routine use in our review research. Still, we liked that this model offers an eco-power-saving mode that reduces consumption by as much as 50% when the microwave is on standby. You’ll also get six preset auto-cook buttons for options like reheating a dinner plate or making popcorn. Also, the first six buttons on the keypad are pre-programmed one-touch quick start buttons that automatically cook food from one to six minutes. You’ll also get a 30-second quick start option, 10 power settings, a kitchen timer, a button to silence indicator noises, and a memory function. We think it’s one of the best microwaves for dorms on our list.
Note: Toshiba sells a slightly less compact (1.2 CF vs 0.9 CF) microwave (Toshiba EM131A5C-BS) for about $40 less.
Related: If you like this microwave, you might be interested in finding the best quiet microwave.
#2 Panasonic Compact Microwave Oven NN-SD372S
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: The best inverter microwave with a compact 0.8-cubic foot capacity that includes nine auto-cook options, sensor technology, and an array of intuitive cooking features.
- Comes with 9 auto-cook options
- 950 watts and 0.8 cu. ft. interior capacity
- 900 watts of power
- Some people may not like the control panel interface
Compact doesn’t have to mean basic, and Panasonic proves why this is true. Their NN-SD372S stainless steel microwave is a space-saving solution that’s powerful enough to do far more than reheat last night’s dinner or make popcorn. We think it’s the best inverter microwave because you’ll get 0.8-cubic feet of internal capacity and 950 watts of cooking power. The inverter ensures more even heat distribution. The external dimensions measure 19.2 inches wide, 14.81 inches deep, and 11 inches tall, and there’s an 11.2-inch diameter glass turntable.
See also: The best retro microwave.
Not everyone will love the control panel on this Panasonic microwave as it relies on push buttons and a dial as opposed to a traditional smooth keypad. But you still get the digital timer display. You’ll appreciate the nine included auto-cook presets, 10 power levels, and other smart features such as Keep Warm, Turbo Defrost, a kitchen timer, and a Quick Minute option for fast reheating, like what you experience through air fryers. Note, this model also comes with a child safety lock feature, making it a great option for families with small children so the kids can’t get hurt thanks to the child lock. If you’re looking for the best speed cooking microwaves, it’s a good choice.
#3 SIMOE Retro Countertop Compact Microwave
Award: BEST AESTHETICS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A vintage-inspired countertop microwave oven that’s perfect for simple reheating or quick-cooking settings with 700 watts of power and a straightforward control panel.
- Durable and sturdy door handle
- 700 watts and 0.7 cu. ft. of interior space
- Easy to use rotary dial and push-buttons
- Limited functionality may not appeal to all users
There are microwaves for power users who want a power setting, and then there are microwaves for people who only need to reheat food like leftover baking potatoes or make popcorn. Knowing which category best describes you can help you to narrow down your choices within a focused selection that makes sense for your needs. This SIMOE vintage compact microwave oven is truly designed for someone who doesn’t rely on a microwave for most cooking needs but wants something that serves as a complement to their kitchen decor. You’ll get 700 watts of power and an interior capacity of 0.7 cubic feet — which is ideal for a compact microwave.
The exterior dimensions measure 18 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 10 inches tall, and you’ll get a 9.5-inch glass turntable. We think that within the audience demographic that just wants a simple microwave that works with the push of a button, this could appeal to a wide array of customers, including senior citizens and college students. This is primarily due to the simple layout of the control panel, which relies on a rotary dial and three easy-to-use buttons. But you’ll still get a large LCD timer display alongside that simple button interface. In terms of functionality, you’ll get eight auto-cook options, a two-way defrost feature, and five power levels. This vintage-inspired microwave has a chrome finish pull handle and is available in three colors. Great for popping the best microwave popcorn. We recommend investing in a toaster oven microwave combo if you’d like to pop popcorn while toasting some snacks for a movie night.
#4 Farberware 0.7 cu. Ft. Compact Microwave
Award: BEST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A compact microwave oven with 0.7 cubic feet of interior capacity, that’s available in two colors and plenty of auto-cook presets and features to make college life easier.
- Available in 2 colors
- 6 one-touch express cooking buttons
- 700 watts and 0.7 cu. ft. internal capacity
- Lacks an option to turn off audio alerts
Even though most college dorms offer a communal kitchen area, who wants to trek down to the first floor late at night to reheat pizza or make popcorn? Even though a great microwave for college dorms can make life easier when you live in a dorm, you also have to be mindful of the size since most college dorm rooms aren’t spacious. We’re including this pick from Farberware because it’s a great compact option that should fit in most dorm rooms with no issue. You’ll get 700 watts of power and an interior capacity of 0.7 cubic feet. The external dimensions measure 17.75 inches wide, 12.91 inches deep, and 10.1 inches tall.
This model also comes with a rotating glass turntable that measures 10.6 inches in diameter. The Farberware microwave comes with six one-touch express cooking buttons to automatically set the cooking timer to between one and six minutes. You’ll also get six auto-cook functions for items like popcorn or beverage reheating. This model comes with 10 power levels. And while a college student might not care, you also get a child safety lock to prevent unsupervised use.
#5 RCA 0.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Microwave Oven
Award: BEST FOR ALL AGES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A convenient compact microwave with 0.7 cubic feet of internal capacity and an easy-to-use control panel that will work for all experience levels, even kids.
- 10 power levels and auto defrost settings
- 700 watts and 0.7 cu. ft. internal capacity
- Simple control panel interface
- Small turntable diameter of only 9.5 inches
Finding a microwave that’s compatible with all age ranges can be a tough feat. But we believe that the RCA microwave oven is a great solution for people of all ages who just need a simple microwave and don’t want to fight with complex control panels that waste your time while trying to figure out which push button to press. This model offers 700 watts of power and 0.7 cubic feet of internal capacity. It’s also a compact option with external dimensions measuring 17 inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 9 inches tall.
However, this model has one of the smallest glass turntables we’ve ever seen at just 9.5 inches in diameter, which would be suitable for small food or drinks like a cup of coffee. Turntable concerns aside, the RCA microwave comes with a great preset menu that includes six auto-preset cooking options, six express-touch cooking buttons, 10 power levels, as well as defrost and quick-cooking buttons. If you’d like something you can install up high and out of the way, our best built-in microwave buying guide has several good options worth considering.
How We Decided
Compact microwaves are an essential appliance for anyone who’s living or working in a tight space where larger models wouldn’t make sense. To create our guide for the best compact microwaves, we prioritized the following key features — size and style, wattage, heating method, and the control panel.
Officially, a compact microwave should have less than one cubic foot of internal capacity. You’ll note that the majority of our selections have an internal capacity that ranges between 0.7 to 0.9 cubic feet. While we did include one model that was more than one cubic foot, this was strategic. Even though some people think they want a compact microwave, the reality is that their cooking style — especially if they rely on their microwaves as oven replacements — dictates that they need a larger solution.
All of our recommendations were countertop microwaves, but there were a few that could be upgraded to built-in configurations. Keep in mind that for built-in microwaves, you usually have to purchase a trim kit separately. We also made note of the wattage for each microwave we recommended, ensuring a minimum of 700 watts. In terms of the heating method, you’ll note that the majority of our selections are simple intermittent pulse models. However, we did include a few inverter options, which will guarantee more even cooking and a reduction in hot or cold spots.
And finally, we focused on the control panel. We don’t believe that a compact microwave has to be limited in functionality. So, we included several options with robust cooking features ranging from grilling elements to a variety of auto-cook presets and other intuitive cooking features. Likewise, all of our models include an LED display.
Best Compact Microwaves Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Size and Style
If you’re shopping for a great GE microwave that’s compact (AKA a great mini microwave), the assumption is that you’re trying to save space wherever you plan on positioning this appliance.- So, you’re going to be focused on solid countertop models or small countertop microwaves, as over-the-range microwaves tend to be larger.
- With that said, it’s a good idea to start shopping for the best small microwave of 2024. That way, you can find the best compact microwave that suits your needs and budget while not taking up much space on the kitchen counter.
- When you’re searching for the right size microwave, look for options with a cubic foot or less interior space, as this size range is considered compact.
- Another ideal search term to use is the “best small countertop microwave of one cubic foot.” This should result in a list of the finest compact microwaves for 2024.
- Wattage
Regardless of whether you’re a power microwave user or not, the wattage will matter. In short, ensure you double-check those small microwave reviews for wattage before you buy anything.- Wattage references how quickly microwaves can cook foods. The higher the wattage level, the shorter your cooking time will be.
- If you are looking for the top-rated smallest microwave with a higher wattage level, then the best choice is usually going to be those that offer 1,000 or more watts.
- But keep in mind that higher wattage ratings usually come with a higher price tag in case you’re looking for affordable microwaves. Even some of the best small microwave ovens will be a little pricier if the wattage is high.
- As you shop for a great compact countertop microwave, you’ll want to look for at least a 700-watt rating level, as lower ratings may cook more slowly and evenly. Be sure to compare devices, like the Whirlpool 31017Hz vs 53521Hz microwaves, as you check out the watts.
- Heating Method
The heating method refers to how efficiently your microwave moves air and heats food. It’s important to keep this in mind when looking for the best compact microwave oven since smaller models won’t have the same heating power as larger ones.- If you’re focused on accuracy and speed, convection and inverter microwaves are the best options, but they’re also more expensive.
- Budget-friendly microwaves (AKA: small powerful microwaves) tend to rely on intermittent pulsing, but this can lead to hot and cold spots due to uneven cooking.
- If you’re after a versatile appliance, combination models are available, like the best air fryer toaster oven capable of heating and dehydration.
- Control Panel
Compact microwaves (even as small as 0.7 cu. ft. microwaves) don’t have to be basic in terms of functionality.- Depending on your budget, finding a good microwave for small spaces can perform as well as many larger, more expensive high-end microwaves.
- The best small space microwave should fit nicely in whatever kitchen or pantry you may have, while also providing the functionality and features of a full-size model to perform the cooking process properly.
- These features can include power levels, defrost modes, and even sensor cook or auto-cook presets. The features you select will depend on what options are most important to you in the performance of these kitchen appliances.
- In summary, keep these tips in mind as you browse through the best rated small microwaves we’ve reviewed on our site.
