A small kitchen does not leave room for a microwave you have to argue with. Every extra inch of depth, every oversized door swing, every vent that needs clearance steals space you needed for a cutting board. That is why the best microwaves for small kitchens are judged first by their exterior width and depth, and only second by what is happening inside the cavity.
We spent weeks comparing ten compact countertop models for this guide, focusing on the details that decide whether a microwave lives comfortably in a galley kitchen, a studio apartment or a dorm room: exact exterior dimensions, turntable diameter, wattage, control layout, noise controls and how the door opens. We also read through thousands of owner reviews to separate what holds up after a year from what only looks good in a product photo.
If you want the short version, the compact air fryers for small kitchens guide covers the other half of the tiny-countertop problem, and our range hood picks cover ventilation when a countertop unit is not the only cooking appliance you own.
Here are our quick picks before the long version.
Best overall: COMFEE’ 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W – 10 inch turntable, 17.3 inches wide, and a 4.4 star average across more than 25,000 reviews.
Best for faster heating in a compact body: BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W – 900 watts in an 18.7 inch wide frame, rated 4.4 stars.
Best satisfaction score: Toshiba 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W – 11 power levels and the highest average rating in the group at 4.5 stars.
Best for the simplest controls: Commercial CHEF 0.6 Cu. Ft. CHM660B – one mechanical dial, no menus to learn.
Best for shared walls: GE GCST07N1 0.7 Cu. Ft. – the quietest running model we covered, with a child lock you can actually switch off.
Every model below is under 1.0 cubic foot and under 19 inches wide, which is the range where compact microwaves stop being a compromise on reheating and start being genuinely usable.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Compact Microwaves for Small Kitchens (October 2026)
The COMFEE’ 0.7 Cu. Ft., the Toshiba 0.9 Cu. Ft. and the BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu. Ft. are the three models we would put on a short list. They cover the three situations that come up most: a very tight counter, a counter with enough room for more power, and a user who wants the highest satisfaction score in the category.
COMFEE’ 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W
- 0.7 cu. ft. cavity
- 10 inch turntable
- ECO mode and mute
- 11 power levels
BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W
- 0.9 cu. ft. cavity
- 900W output
- 10.6 inch turntable
- Six pre-programmed buttons
Best Microwaves for Small Kitchens: All 10 Picks at a Glance
Width is the number buyers filter on, so it is the first column of any comparison worth reading. Depth is the number that decides whether the microwave sits flush against a backsplash or leaves a gap you cannot clean. Capacity and wattage come after that, because a wider cavity you cannot place is worth nothing.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| COMFEE’ 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W |
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Check Latest Price |
 BLACK+DECKER 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W |
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 Commercial CHEF 0.6 Cu. Ft. CHM660B |
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Check Latest Price |
| BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W |
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Check Latest Price |
 Chefman 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W |
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Check Latest Price |
 Frigidaire EMW733 0.7 Cu. Ft. |
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Check Latest Price |
| Toshiba 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W |
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Check Latest Price |
 Frigidaire Retro 0.7 Cu. Ft. |
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Check Latest Price |
 Emerson MW7601SL 0.7 Cu. Ft. |
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Check Latest Price |
 GE GCST07N1 0.7 Cu. Ft. |
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Check Latest Price |
1. COMFEE’ 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W – the small microwave most owners stick with
COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Black, ECO Mode
0.7 cu. ft.
700W output
10 inch turntable
17.3 in wide by 13 in deep
Pros
- Holds a 4.4 star average over 25000 reviews
- ECO mode cuts standby draw
- Mute function and two-step child lock
- Express 1-6 minutes plus add 30 seconds
Cons
- 700W is slower than 900W models
- Turntable can slide on smooth counters
- Panel lettering is small and not back-lit
This is the model we keep coming back to. At 17.3 inches wide and 13 inches deep it takes up about the same counter space as a toaster oven, and at 0.7 cubic feet it still takes a medium dinner plate on a 10 inch turntable. It is the single most reviewed compact microwave we found, and at more than 25,000 reviews the pattern in that feedback is unusually consistent.
The features that matter in a small kitchen are all here. A mute function silences the beeps, a two-step child lock stops curious hands, and an ECO mode roughly halves standby power draw, which is the kind of detail that adds up in a studio apartment where the microwave is plugged in all day.
Speed is the compromise. At 700 watts this unit needs longer than a 900 watt model to bring a plate of leftovers to temperature, and there is no inverter system to keep the heating gentle. If you are reheating a cup of coffee or a bowl of soup most days, that trade is easy to accept.
Owners also flag the turntable, which can slide across a smooth counter when the door swings open. A silicone mat or a rubber shelf liner fixes it in about ten seconds and is worth doing from day one.
Who this microwave suits
This is the pick for a first apartment, a dorm room or a shared rental kitchen where two people are splitting a countertop. The 10 inch turntable handles a medium plate and a mixing bowl, which covers most reheating and simple defrosting jobs.
It is also the safest choice for anyone who does not want to learn a control panel. Number keys set cook time directly, one-touch presets cover popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetables, beverage and reheat, and the add 30 second button removes the need to calculate.
Who should skip it
If you routinely heat a large casserole dish or a whole family portion, the 10 inch turntable is the limit. Nothing wider than that clears the side walls comfortably, and you will end up rotating dishes mid-cook.
You should also skip it if a faint control panel is going to annoy you. The buttons on this model are not back-lit, which makes them hard to read in a dim kitchen or at night. Budget conscious buyers who want more features per dollar should look at the Chefman below.
2. BLACK+DECKER 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W – the budget stainless look
BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Stainless Steel
0.7 cu. ft.
700W output
10 inch turntable
Stainless steel, 20.2 lb
Pros
- Stainless finish suits modern kitchens
- Large LED digital display
- Press a number for that many minutes
- More than 22000 reviews
Cons
- Child lock is awkward to deactivate
- Turntable slides during use
- Buzzier running sound than most 700W rivals
Identical dimensions to the COMFEE’ at 17.3 by 13 inches with the same 10 inch turntable, but wrapped in a stainless steel door that makes a small kitchen look more finished. If your landlord’s other appliances are stainless, this is the one that will not look out of place on the counter.
The controls are simpler in some ways. This is a touch panel with a large LED digital display and a straightforward layout: popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage and dinner plate presets, plus 30-second express cooking and 10 power settings. Reviewers frequently note it runs quietly compared with older appliances.
Where owners push back, the child lock comes up most. It has to be pressed before the door will release, and the release sequence is not obvious the first time you meet it. Budget for five minutes of frustration and then it becomes muscle memory.
A second cluster of reviews mentions a louder, buzzier running sound than most competing 700 watt models, and a smaller group report appliances failing within a few months along with a frustrating warranty process. That is a minority pattern, not a majority one, but it is worth weighing if you are furnishing a rental on a tight timeline.
What you gain by choosing it
The finish is the reason to buy this one. A stainless door in a small kitchen visually expands the space, and this model sits at a lower entry point than several stainless competitors in the same capacity class.
The push-button door release also means you are not pulling on a handle that can drift out of alignment over years. The glass turntable is removable and the interior light makes checking a plate easy without opening the door for long.
Where it falls short
The control panel lettering is small, thin and not back-lit, so the same readability complaint that shows up on most budget models shows up here too. It matters more in a dark galley kitchen at the end of a long day.
If your kitchen is shared and noise is the deciding factor, the GE further down runs more quietly and its child lock can be switched off entirely. If you want more power in the same footprint, the 0.9 cubic foot BLACK+DECKER is the step up.
3. Commercial CHEF 0.6 Cu. Ft. CHM660B – the simplest controls here
Commercial Chef 0.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven, CHM660B, Black
0.6 cu. ft.
700W output
9.6 inch turntable
17.75 in wide, dial controls
Pros
- One dial for time and power
- Audible timer removes clock watching
- Shortest body in the group
- Brand name with 17000 reviews
Cons
- No display and no presets
- Smallest interior here
- Heaviest per cubic foot at 23.1 lb
- Dial and door feel less refined
Every other model on this list asks you to read a screen. This one asks you to turn a knob. A mechanical dial handles both cook time and power level, with a 30-minute timer and an audible signal at the end. There is nothing to learn and nothing to mis-press, which is the entire selling point.
It is also one of the shortest bodies we covered at 9.56 inches tall, and it is the smallest cavity at 0.6 cubic feet. For a counter that has to double as prep space, or for a shelf nook above a fridge, that trade can be exactly right.
The 9.6 inch turntable is the number to check before you commit. It takes a medium plate and a bowl. It will not take a large pizza slice without catching, and a casserole dish is out of the question. For reheating and defrosting one portion at a time, that is fine.
There is no digital display, which means no clock, no kitchen timer and no delayed start. If your routine depends on cooking something and walking away, you lose the delay timer that the digital models in this group provide.
When the dial is the right call
This suits anyone who finds modern control panels fiddly, including older users in a shared family kitchen. One control, one job, and an audible chime means you can start a reheating and walk into the next room without setting a phone timer.
It is also the most forgiving model here for a rental or a guest suite. There are no firmware quirks, no sensor learning curve and no firmware-related support calls.
When it is not
Power control is coarse at 6 settings, roughly half what the digital models offer. Melting butter or gently reheating a sauce is harder to judge when you only have low, medium and high.
It is also the heaviest model per cubic foot in the group at 23.1 pounds, and a small number of owners describe the dial and door as feeling cheap. If you want the same simplicity with more precision, look at the Frigidaire retro model further down.
4. BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W – faster heating in a compact body
BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W, Stainless Steel
0.9 cu. ft.
900W output
10.6 inch turntable
18.7 in wide by 13.4 in deep
Pros
- 900W heats noticeably faster than 700W compacts
- Still fits a 10 inch plate
- Exhaust fan and interior light
- 4.4 stars over 12000 reviews
Cons
- Wider footprint than the 0.7 cu. ft. models
- Child lock must be pressed before opening
- A minority report early failures and difficult warranty routing
This is the step up for anyone whose 700 watt model started to feel slow. At 900 watts with a 10.6 inch turntable inside a 0.9 cubic foot cavity, it delivers noticeably faster reheating and defrosting while still being narrower and shallower than a full-size model.
The measurement is the catch. At 18.7 inches wide and 13.4 inches deep it is 1.4 inches wider than the 0.7 cubic foot models in this round. If your counter is exactly 18 inches of usable width, this does not fit, and you should measure before you fall for the extra power.
Otherwise the feature set is generous for the class. Ten power settings, six pre-programmed buttons, 30-second express cooking, a large LED display, an interior light, an exhaust fan and a removable glass turntable. Reviewers consistently call the heating fast and even and the running sound quieter than their previous appliance.
As with the smaller BLACK+DECKER, the child lock must be engaged before the door will open, and a small but persistent group of reviews reports appliances overheating and failing within a few months, plus difficulty routing warranty claims. That is a minority pattern, but it exists in the data for both models from this brand.
Why this is the value pick
You get 200 more watts and a larger turntable for roughly one and a half inches more width. For most apartment kitchens that have a stretch of counter, it is the best ratio of capability to footprint we found at under 1.0 cubic foot.
The 10.6 inch turntable still takes a 10 inch dinner plate, so it solves the plate question that limits most 0.7 cubic foot models without pushing you into the 1.1 cubic foot class where width starts to climb past 19 inches.
Where the compromises are
Width is the real cost. This is the widest standard rectangular unit in the group at 18.7 inches, so it needs a genuinely deep stretch of counter rather than a corner nook.
If you have less than 18 inches of clear width, drop down to the 0.7 cubic foot models. If you want finer power control and even quieter running in the same size class, the Toshiba below has 11 power levels instead of 10.
5. Chefman 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W – the easy-clean handle-lock design
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft., 700 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black
0.7 cu. ft.
700W output
17.52 in wide
Handle child lock, eco mode
Pros
- Handle-mounted lock is intuitive
- Glass turntable is top-rack dishwasher safe
- Mute button and eco mode
- Number keys set minutes directly
Cons
- 700W means longer heating than 900W models
- Heaviest 0.7 cu. ft. model at 23.8 lb
- Handle release design divides opinion
- Smaller review base than older rivals
The most interesting thing about this model is where the child lock lives. Instead of a hidden keypad combination, the lock sits on the handle, so the interaction is physical and visible. Owners who found keypad locks confusing tend to like this arrangement, and the door opens by pulling up on the top edge.
At 17.52 inches wide and 12.93 inches deep, it is one of the shallower bodies in the group, and it carries ten power levels with six one-touch presets for popcorn, pizza, beverages, vegetables, potatoes and leftovers. Number keys set cook time in minutes and an eco mode trims standby consumption.
Cleanup is where this model separates itself. The glass turntable is top-rack dishwasher safe, and the black exterior wipes down without a special coating. In a kitchen where the microwave sits next to a sink and gets used six times a day, that is not a small detail.
The trade-off is the same 700 watt ceiling everyone at 0.7 cubic feet shares, plus weight. At 23.8 pounds it is the heaviest 0.7 cubic foot model here, which is noticeable if you are moving it onto a high shelf or swapping it out of a rental at move-out.
Where it earns its place
For a user cooking from scratch rather than reheating, the ten power levels and eco mode give more control than the 5-level retro model further down. The dishwasher-safe turntable means the part you touch every day is not a cleaning job.
The handle lock also makes this a reasonable pick for a family kitchen where a keypad lock would either be left permanently engaged or permanently bypassed. You can see it, so you remember it.
Where to look elsewhere
If you want more heating speed, 700 watts will not get there. The two 0.9 cubic foot 900 watt models heat a frozen dinner noticeably faster in a similar footprint.
Reviewers are also split on the pull-up handle release. Some describe it as natural, others find it odd after years of pull handles. If handle feel matters to you, read a few reviews before committing. And if you want the shallowest possible body, the Frigidaire EMW733 is 0.63 inches shallower.
6. Frigidaire EMW733 0.7 Cu. Ft. – the shallowest body in the group
FRIGIDAIRE EMW733BLACKAMZ 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave, Black
0.7 cu. ft.
700W output
12.3 in deep body
Six auto-cook settings, sensor cooking
Pros
- Shallowest body in the group at 12.3 in
- Runs quieter than older microwaves
- Smart Sensor Auto Cook handles reheating
- Drink preset takes a cup count
Cons
- Door will not open until you press stop
- Control lettering is faint
- Clock is bright at night
- Reports of peeling buttons over time
Depth is the dimension most people forget until the microwave is already on the counter. At 12.3 inches deep, this is the shallowest body in the group, which means it sits closest to a backsplash and leaves the most room in front for a toaster or a knife block.
It also brings a little more cooking intelligence than most budget 700 watt models. Smart Sensor Auto Cook tracks moisture to adjust cooking for six categories including popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen dinner, reheat and beverage, and the beverage setting takes a cup count rather than a guessed time.
Two defrost timers handle staged cooking, and a digital kitchen timer with delayed start means you can start something and walk away. Reviewers note even heating from the rotating turntable and quieter running than previous appliances.
The complaint that comes up most is the door. It will not open until you press stop or cancel, which is a child safety feature rather than a fault, but a lot of owners describe it as awkward during the first week.
What you gain
That shallow depth makes this the pick for counters with a narrow window between the backsplash and the front edge, or for a pantry shelf or cabinet cubby with limited depth. Very few 0.7 cubic foot models give you this much room in front.
The sensor cooking is also the best of the budget group. Sensor reheat is the feature owners notice first, because it removes the guesswork from reheating a plate of leftovers that is thicker in the middle than at the edges.
Where it disappoints
The display is very bright at night. In a dark studio apartment with a sleeping roommate, the clock is genuinely intrusive and there is no mute option for the light itself.
A number of owners also report control buttons peeling and a build that feels cheaper over time, and the power cord is bulky enough to hold the unit off the wall and collect dust behind it. If build quality is your top concern, the GE at the end of this list is the more solid-feeling option.
7. Toshiba 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W – the highest satisfaction score
TOSHIBA Microwave Oven, 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W, Black Stainless Steel
0.9 cu. ft.
900W output
11 power levels
10.6 in turntable, black stainless
Pros
- Highest average rating at 4.5 stars
- 11 power levels give finer control
- Two-step child lock with illustrated release
- Mute function and LED interior light
Cons
- Heaviest model here at 24.9 lb
- 18.7 in wide is a large commitment
- Highest price point in the capacity class
On satisfaction alone this is the strongest model we covered. It carries a 4.5 star average with roughly three quarters of reviews at five stars, and that score comes with unusually specific praise: even heating at 900 watts, quiet running and clear child lock instructions.
The technical case is similar to the 0.9 cubic foot BLACK+DECKER, with one meaningful addition. Eleven power levels instead of ten is not a rounding error when you are melting butter, softening cheese or reheating a single mug of soup, because the lower end of the range is genuinely finer.
It also has 6 preset menus including popcorn, pizza and potato, defrost by weight or by time, one-touch start for 1 to 6 minutes at full power, a mute function and LED interior lighting. The two-step child lock uses illustrated release steps, which addresses the confusion that dogs keypad-only locks.
The finish is black stainless steel, which reads as more premium than the silver-fronted budget units and matches dark appliances better than plain white or plain black plastic.
Why owners rate it highest
The consistent theme is that 900 watts in a 0.9 cubic foot body heats evenly and quickly, which is the combination budget models keep failing at. The 10.6 inch turntable takes a 10 inch plate and the wider cavity gives food more room to rotate without touching the walls.
For someone who cooks in a small kitchen rather than only reheating in it, that balance matters. The fine power levels also make it the better pick for defrosting by weight, where a too-aggressive setting cooks the edges before the center thaws.
Where the trade-offs sit
It is the heaviest model here at 24.9 pounds, so plan for two hands when moving it. It is also the most expensive in the capacity class, and at 18.7 inches wide it demands the same clear width as the 0.9 cubic foot BLACK+DECKER.
If 900 watts and even heating are your priorities and you have the width and the budget, this is the pick. If you need a narrower body or a lower entry point, the 0.7 cubic foot models give you the same footprint for less money.
8. Frigidaire Retro 0.7 Cu. Ft. – style first, power basic
Frigidaire, 0.7 Cu. Ft. Retro Countertop Microwave Oven, 700W Compact Microwave with 8 Auto Cook Menus, Auto Defrost, 5 Power Levels, LED Display, Glass Turntable, Black Gold
0.7 cu. ft.
700W output
5 power levels
Eight auto cook menus, glass turntable
Pros
- Retro styling looks far more expensive
- Very small footprint for a galley kitchen
- Runs almost silently
- Multiple colors including red and blue
Cons
- Only 5 power levels
- Cancel is required to open the door
- Dial numbers are blurry to read
- Clock is bright at night
Style is a legitimate reason to choose an appliance, and this model sells itself on it. The retro housing with round dial-style controls is repeatedly described in reviews as looking far more expensive than it costs, and it is available in retro black, red, blue and white.
The body is genuinely compact at 0.7 cubic feet, and owners note it runs almost silently during operation. It heats evenly for everyday reheating, coffee and snacks, with a glass turntable and eight one-touch auto cook menus plus auto defrost with automatic time and power calculation.
Five power levels is the limiting specification. That is less than half what the digital models in this round offer, and it makes low and slow tasks like melting or gently reheating harder to judge. You are choosing a look and a footprint over cooking control.
The door also requires a press of cancel before it will open, which most owners find clunky even though it is a child safety feature. And the numbers printed on the dial are blurry, so the retro look comes with slightly harder-to-read controls.
Where it makes sense
If you are styling a guest suite, a dorm or a rental where you want the kitchen to look like a set rather than a warehouse, this does something no other model in the guide does. Reviewers single out the appearance far more than any other compact unit here.
It is also a gift that will not embarrass you. It suits a first apartment kitchen where the rest of the appliances are hidden and the microwave is the only one visible on the counter.
Where it does not
Skip it if you cook. Five power levels and 700 watts is the weakest cooking combination in this group, and any task that needs gradual heating is going to take trial and error.
The very bright clock is another recurring complaint, and a few owners report early failures. If a dark bedroom is next to the kitchen, look for a model with a mute function and a dimmable display instead.
9. Emerson MW7601SL 0.7 Cu. Ft. – a mirrored door with caveats
Emerson MW7601SL Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W, Mirror Finish, Silver
0.7 cu. ft.
700W output
Lightest at 19.6 lb
Mirrored glass door, silver finish
Pros
- Mirrored glass door looks sharp on the counter
- Lightest model in the group at 19.6 lb
- White interior shows splatters early
- Compact enough for a shelf nook
Cons
- Mirrored panel is nearly invisible in daylight
- Panel feels cheap and not back-lit
- Child lock reportedly cannot be switched off
- Beeps continue when you open the door
The mirrored glass door is genuinely distinctive. In photos it reads as a sleek, reflective appliance that looks like it costs more than the rest of this group, and at 17.8 inches wide and 13.2 inches deep it is compact enough to slot into a shelf nook in a very small kitchen.
It is also the lightest model we covered at 19.6 pounds, which matters if you are moving it around or mounting it on a shelf above counter height. Underneath the styling you get 10 power levels, 6 pre-programmed settings, time and weight defrost, an LED display with a digital clock and a removable glass turntable.
Now the caveat, and it is a big one: the same mirrored finish that makes the door look good makes the control panel almost invisible in a sunlit kitchen. Reviewers describe the panel as cheap-feeling, rippled and not properly back-lit.
It is also the only model here where owners report the child lock cannot be switched off. For a renter with a curious toddler or a shared kitchen, a permanently engaged lock is a genuine daily annoyance rather than a minor one.
Reasons to choose it anyway
The white interior is a practical win in a small kitchen because splatters show up early and wipe off before they bake onto the enamel. Owners also report that it cooks faster than a comparable older 700 watt appliance they owned previously.
Light weight and a compact footprint make it the easiest model here to reposition. If you are testing whether a microwave will live on a shelf or a microwave stand, this is the one you can move without help.
Reasons to choose something else
Do not buy this for a kitchen with a window above the counter or a strong overhead light. The control panel is the point of interaction and you should be able to read it without shading it with your hand.
If you want a lock you can turn off, the GE has a deactivatable child lock. If you want panels you can read in any light, choose a model with a standard back-lit LED display instead.
10. GE GCST07N1 0.7 Cu. Ft. – the quietest option for shared walls
GE Countertop Microwave Oven, 700 Watt, 0.7 Cu. Ft., White, GCST07N1WWW
0.7 cu. ft.
700W output
10.75 in turntable
Silent mode, deactivatable child lock
Pros
- Silent mode for thin walls and roommates
- Child lock can be deactivated
- Largest turntable relative to body size
- Internal fan keeps the cavity dry
- One-year replacement warranty
Cons
- Highest price among 0.7 cu. ft. models
- Button lettering is very small
- Start sequence must be pressed right after closing
- Turntable wheels are fiddly
This is the pick for a thin-walled apartment where noise is the deciding factor. Silent mode takes the sharpest edge off the running sound and the beeps, and owners consistently call it out as a standout feature for shared walls. Very few models in this capacity class offer a real quiet setting.
It is also the only model here whose child lock you can genuinely turn off. That sounds minor until you consider that a lock you cannot disable becomes a reason people replace a perfectly good microwave within a year.
The physical design is the quiet winner too. At 12.75 inches deep it is the second shallowest body in the group, it carries the largest turntable relative to its body size at 10.75 inches, and an internal fan keeps the cavity dry, which matters for a microwave that sits unused for days at a time.
GE also backs it with a one-year replacement warranty rather than a repair-only commitment, which is meaningful on an appliance whose most common failure point is the magnetron or the door latch.
Where it earns its badge
For a studio, a shared rental or a dorm where someone sleeps ten feet from the kitchen, silent mode plus a deactivatable lock solves the two problems that push people toward expensive or oversized units. A 10.75 inch turntable in a 0.7 cubic foot body is also the best plate-to-footprint ratio in this roundup.
The clearance requirements are worth noting if you plan to shelf it: three inches on each side and above, and one inch at the rear. Budget that space before you commit, because a tight fit restricts airflow.
Where it disappoints
The button lettering is very small. Several owners describe the start sequence as underexplained, because you need to press a number key immediately after closing the door or it will not start. Read the manual before the first use.
Some owners also report the turntable wheels are fiddly to reassemble and can stop rotating, and a few mention the unit sliding on the counter or buttons feeling loose over time. It is also the highest price point among the 0.7 cubic foot models here.
How We Picked the Best Microwaves for Small Kitchens
We limited this roundup to countertop models under 1.0 cubic foot and under 19 inches wide, because that is the range where a microwave stops being a compromise and starts being a real option for a small kitchen. Everything above that size begins to solve a counter space problem you no longer have.
For each model we recorded the manufacturer-stated exterior dimensions, capacity, wattage, power levels, turntable diameter, weight, control type, defrost options, noise controls and child lock behaviour. Those numbers are quoted directly in each section above rather than summarised, so you can measure before you spend.
We then read the owner review patterns rather than the star rating alone. A 4.4 average tells you that most people are satisfied. The repeated complaints tell you which failure you will hit, and in this category those complaints cluster around three things: turntables that slide, control panels that are hard to read, and door locks that catch people out.
Where reviewers disagree, we said so rather than picking a side. Several of these models split opinion on door release design, and that disagreement is genuine rather than noise.
How to Measure Your Counter Before You Buy
Measure before you choose, not after. The single most common regret in this category is buying a 17.3 inch wide unit for an 18 inch counter and then realising the power cord and wall gap make it unusable in practice.
Five numbers to check, in this order:
Clear width. Measure the widest uninterrupted stretch of counter. Subtract nothing for now, then note that anything over 18.7 inches needs most of that stretch to itself.
Depth to the backsplash. Compact bodies run from 12.3 to 13.4 inches deep. Add a few inches for the power cord and any wall gap.
Height clearance. The bodies here are 9.56 to 11.52 inches tall. Add clearance above if you plan to shelf one, and GE specifies three inches on each side and above plus one inch at the rear.
Door swing. Open the door fully and check it does not hit a wall, a shelf or a kettle. Compact units need about 15 inches of swing space in front.
Ventilation. Compact microwaves still need air. Do not push one flush into a cabinet without a venting kit built for that model.
If your counter is genuinely too tight for any of these, the alternative is a compact over-the-range model, which we cover separately, or a range hood combined with a countertop unit. Renting a small kitchen without a hood, the over-the-range route usually costs more space than it saves.
Size Classes Explained: 0.6, 0.7 and 0.9 Cu. Ft.
Capacity is advertised in cubic feet but what matters is turntable diameter, because that is the physical limit on the food you can put in. Here is how the three classes in this roundup compare.
The 0.6 to 0.7 cubic foot class covers seven of the ten models here. Expect a turntable between 9.6 and 10 inches, which handles a medium dinner plate, a bowl, a mug or a small frozen meal. It is the right size for one person, a couple who reheats separately, or a dorm room.
The 0.9 cubic foot class gives you a 10.6 inch turntable and enough cavity width that food rotates without touching the walls. That is the difference you notice with a large slice of pizza or a wide plate of leftovers, and it is why the 0.9 cubic foot models pair with 900 watts.
So is 0.7 cubic feet too small? For reheating, defrosting and popcorn, no. For cooking from scratch, heating a whole dinner plate in one go, or anything in a casserole dish, it is a real limit. The cavity is narrow, and that constrains you long before the wattage does.
What actually fits in a 0.7 cubic foot microwave: a medium dinner plate on a 10 inch turntable, a mixing bowl under about 5 inches, a mug, a frozen dinner tray, a medium popcorn bag. What does not fit: a large pizza slice without catching on the wall, a 9×13 casserole dish, a stockpot, or a full dinner plate over 11 inches.
Wattage, Even Heating and Sensor Cooking
700 watts against 900 watts is the main performance gap in this roundup. A 900 watt microwave does the same job roughly a quarter faster, which matters if you are cooking from scratch rather than reheating.
What wattage does not fix is cold spots, and cold spots come from cavity geometry rather than power. A narrower box with a smaller turntable concentrates energy in less space, so a 900 watt unit in a 1.5 cubic foot cavity will heat more evenly than a 900 watt unit crammed into 0.7 cubic feet. More power in a smaller box makes food hotter faster, not more evenly.
Sensor cooking addresses evenness directly. The Frigidaire EMW733 uses a humidity sensor to measure moisture and adjust cooking time automatically, which is why its sensor reheat is the most capable in the budget group. The other 0.7 cubic foot models here rely on fixed time presets, which work well for popcorn and frozen meals and less well for leftovers.
Are 700 watt microwaves slower? Yes, and you will notice it most on a frozen dinner or a full plate rather than on a mug of coffee. If your routine is mostly reheating, 700 watts is genuinely fine.
Most budget microwaves in this class, including several models here, come from the same small group of Chinese factories under different brand names. That is why so many of them share the same 17.3 by 13 inch footprint and the same 10 inch turntable. Brand choice at this end of the market is more about finish, controls and warranty than about the engineering underneath.
Noise, Mute Buttons and Child Locks
Noise is the least discussed feature in this category and one of the most important in an apartment. Three things make a compact microwave loud: the motor hum during cooking, the beep at the end, and the click of the door latch.
Four models in this guide include a mute function: the COMFEE’, the Chefman, the Toshiba and the GE. The GE goes further with a dedicated silent mode, which reviewers describe as the most noticeable noise reduction available at this size.
The GE and the Chefman are also the two models whose child locks you can genuinely turn off. Most budget units lock by default and require a specific hold sequence to release, which is a genuine daily friction point in a shared kitchen.
Two design choices worth flagging. The Frigidaire EMW733 and the Frigidaire retro both require you to press stop or cancel before the door opens, which some owners find clunky and others consider correct child safety behaviour. The Emerson is reported to have a lock that cannot be disabled at all.
Bright displays matter too in a small or shared space. The Frigidaire EMW733 and the retro model both have bright clocks with no dimming control, which is worth considering if a bedroom shares a wall with the kitchen.
If ventilation and range hoods are part of your small kitchen plan, our range hood guide covers airflow in tight layouts. For larger galley kitchens where a compact microwave is no longer the only cooking appliance, our over-the-range microwave picks cover the alternative properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a 0.7 cu ft microwave fit a dinner plate?
A 0.7 cubic foot microwave with a 10 inch turntable fits a medium dinner plate comfortably. The models here hold 9.6 to 10 inch turntables, so an 11 inch plate or a large pizza slice can catch on the cavity walls. If you regularly heat oversized plates, move up to the 0.9 cubic foot class with a 10.6 inch turntable.
Is a 0.7 cubic foot microwave too small for my needs?
For reheating, defrosting, melting and popcorn, 0.7 cubic feet is genuinely enough and is the right size for one or two people. It becomes a limit when you cook from scratch, heat a whole dinner plate in one go, or use casserole dishes. The narrow cavity limits you before the 700 watt power does.
What is the best small microwave for an apartment?
For a shared-wall apartment the GE GCST07N1 is the pick, with a silent mode and a child lock that can be switched off. For an apartment where you cook more than you reheat, the Toshiba 0.9 cubic foot 900 watt model gives faster, more even heating. For the tightest counters the COMFEE’ 0.7 cubic foot holds the highest review count at more than 25,000.
What size microwave do I need for a small kitchen?
Measure the widest uninterrupted stretch of counter and the depth to your backsplash first. Compact models here run 17.3 to 18.9 inches wide, 9.56 to 11.52 inches tall and 12.3 to 13.4 inches deep. Add a few inches for the power cord, and allow three inches of clearance on each side and above plus one inch at the rear if you shelf a unit.
Are 700 watt microwaves slower than 900 watt models?
Yes. A 900 watt microwave completes the same reheating roughly a quarter faster, and the difference is obvious on a frozen dinner or a full plate. On a mug of coffee the gap is minor. Higher wattage also does not fix uneven heating, which is caused by cavity size and turntable diameter rather than power.
What is the best small microwave for seniors or limited mobility?
The Commercial CHEF 0.6 cubic foot is the simplest to operate, with one mechanical dial for time and power and an audible signal at the end so there is nothing to monitor. The GE is the quieter option and the only one here whose child lock you can deactivate. Both avoid the menu-heavy panels that cause the most confusion.
Conclusion
The best microwaves for small kitchens come down to two variables nobody puts on the box: how wide your counter actually is, and whether you reheat or cook. Get those two right and the model choice is easy.
If your counter is 18 inches or less, the COMFEE’ 0.7 Cu. Ft. is the pick we would buy, with the largest review base in the group and a 10 inch turntable that still handles a medium plate. If you have 19 inches of clear width and cook regularly, the Toshiba 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W earns its place with even heating and 11 power levels.
For thin walls, the GE GCST07N1 with silent mode is the one that keeps the peace. For a no-display kitchen and simple reheating, the Commercial CHEF dial does the job with nothing to learn. Whichever you pick, measure the counter first, and 2026 versions of these models refresh often enough that it is worth a check before you commit.