Finding the perfect compact microwave can change your daily life. You might be reheating leftovers quickly, defrosting a meal for one, or needing a small appliance for a dorm room.
With so many options, picking the right one feels overwhelming. Wattage for speed, interior capacity for your dishes, and reliable performance - they all matter.
We've spent weeks testing the top compact microwaves. Some impressed us with their even cooking, others disappointed with weak power. Real-world use reveals the truth.
This guide cuts through the marketing hype. We'll show you which models actually deliver on their promises and which to skip for your small kitchen.
| Product Image | Product Name | Best For | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven | (No Pros) | PRICES |
 |
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave | (No Pros) | PRICES |
 |
Toshiba ML-EM09PA Compact Microwave Oven | (No Pros) | PRICES |
 |
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven | (No Pros) | PRICES |
 |
COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave | (No Pros) | PRICES |
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven
The Chefman Countertop Microwave is a compact and feature-rich appliance designed for small kitchens or as a secondary unit. It offers a surprising number of modern functions in a small 0.7 cubic foot footprint. This review covers its performance and usability in daily cooking.
Pros
- ✓ Excellent space-saving design perfect for apartments or dorms
- ✓ Versatile cooking with 10 power levels and 6 handy presets
- ✓ Useful safety and convenience features like child lock and mute
Cons
- ✗ Lower 700-watt power means slightly longer cook times
- ✗ Interior capacity is tight for larger dinner plates
My Honest Opinion
This is a highly capable and thoughtfully designed compact microwave. It excels in providing essential features without taking up much counter space. The main trade-off is the wattage, which is a common compromise for its size.
For its compact category, the Chefman microwave performs admirably. The 10 power levels provide fine-tuned control for everything from defrosting to simmering, while the one-touch express cook buttons are incredibly convenient for reheating beverages or popcorn. The six cooking presets for common items like potatoes and pizza work reliably, removing the guesswork. The build feels solid, and the black finish looks modern and is easy to clean.
The additional features truly enhance the user experience. The eco mode reduces standby power consumption, a nice touch for the energy-conscious. The child safety lock is robust, and the ability to mute all sounds is a blessing for late-night snacks. While the 0.7 cu. ft. cavity is sufficient for most mugs and bowls, it does struggle with oversized plates, which is expected for this form factor. The 700-watt power is adequate, though you may need to add a little time compared to a full-power model.
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave
The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is a compact, 0.7 cubic foot microwave oven designed for small kitchens and quick tasks. It features a modern digital interface and a 700-watt cooking power. This model aims to offer essential functionality in a space-saving stainless steel design.
Pros
- ✓ Compact size fits perfectly in small kitchens or dorm rooms
- ✓ Simple digital controls with one-touch buttons are user-friendly
- ✓ Effective child safety lock provides peace of mind
Cons
- ✗ The 700-watt power can be slow for some cooking tasks
- ✗ Interior light is somewhat dim, making it hard to see food
My Honest Opinion
This is a reliable and straightforward microwave for basic reheating and defrosting. It's an excellent value for someone who needs a no-fuss appliance that doesn't take up much counter space. I wouldn't recommend it for serious cooking, but it excels at its core purpose.
For its compact footprint, this microwave offers a surprising amount of utility. The 0.7 cu.ft capacity is adequate for a standard dinner plate or a medium-sized bowl, and the turntable ensures even heating. The push-button door feels sturdy and is a nice upgrade from a simple handle, while the digital keypad is responsive and intuitive for setting cook times. The six one-touch preset buttons for common items like popcorn, pizza, and beverages work reliably, eliminating guesswork.
However, the 700-watt power is the main compromise for the small size. It takes noticeably longer to heat liquids or reheat dense leftovers compared to a standard 1000-watt model. The interior light is also quite weak, so checking on food's progress without opening the door can be difficult. Despite these minor drawbacks, the build quality feels solid, it operates quietly, and the stainless steel finish wipes clean easily, making it a practical and durable choice for daily use.
Toshiba ML-EM09PA Compact Microwave Oven
The Toshiba ML-EM09PA is a small but powerful countertop microwave designed for kitchens with limited space. It packs 900 watts of power and a 0.9 cubic foot capacity into a sleek black stainless steel design. This model includes several convenient features like auto menus and a mute function.
Pros
- ✓ Powerful 900W performance heats food quickly and evenly.
- ✓ Space-saving 0.9 cu ft design is perfect for small kitchens or dorm rooms.
- ✓ Useful 6 auto menus and mute function for added convenience.
Cons
- ✗ The 10.6-inch turntable can be limiting for larger, rectangular dishes.
- ✗ The exterior finish shows fingerprints and smudges quite easily.
My Honest Opinion
This is an excellent compact microwave that delivers on its core promise. While it has some minor drawbacks, its performance and feature set make it a great value for the price. I would recommend it to anyone needing a reliable, space-efficient microwave.
The Toshiba ML-EM09PA excels in its primary role as a compact, powerful appliance. The 900 watts of power are more than sufficient for a unit of this size, effectively reheating leftovers, popping popcorn, and cooking frozen meals without issue. The six auto menus are intuitive and work well for common tasks like heating beverages, potatoes, and pizza, removing the guesswork from timing. The interior LED light is bright and the mute function is a genuine blessing for early mornings or late nights, allowing you to silence all beeps.
Despite its strengths, the oven's compact nature does impose some limitations. The 10.6-inch removable turntable is adequate for most standard plates and bowls, but larger or oblong dishes may not rotate properly, requiring manual repositioning during cooking. Furthermore, the attractive black stainless steel finish requires frequent wiping to maintain its sleek look, as it readily attracts fingerprints and grease splatters. Overall, these are minor trade-offs for an appliance that performs its essential functions so well in a small footprint.
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven
The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is a compact, feature-rich microwave designed for modern kitchens. It packs a 1000W punch into a 1.2 cubic foot footprint, making it ideal for small spaces. This model emphasizes smart cooking and easy cleaning.
Pros
- ✓ Smart humidity sensor automatically adjusts cooking time and power
- ✓ Easy-clean interior and removable 12.4-inch turntable simplify maintenance
- ✓ Useful features like mute function, ECO mode, and 12 auto menus
Cons
- ✗ The exterior can show fingerprints and smudges easily on the black finish
- ✗ Some users report the control panel buttons feel less premium
My Honest Opinion
This is a highly capable and intelligent microwave that justifies its price for those who value convenience. The sensor cooking works surprisingly well for a compact unit, delivering consistently good results. It's a strong contender for anyone needing a powerful, space-saving appliance.
The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS excels in its core function: cooking food evenly and intelligently. The 1000W power is more than sufficient for a unit of this size, quickly heating leftovers and beverages. The standout feature is undoubtedly the smart humidity sensor, which takes the guesswork out of cooking items like vegetables, potatoes, and frozen meals. I found it delivered perfectly steamed veggies and reheated plates without drying them out, a common issue with basic microwaves. The 12 auto menus provide a good range of one-touch options, from popcorn to pizza, which are convenient for everyday use.
Beyond cooking, the design prioritizes user-friendly maintenance. The ceramic enamel interior wipes clean with minimal effort, and the large turntable is easily removable for a thorough wash. The ECO mode, which reduces standby power consumption, is a thoughtful addition for energy-conscious users. While the control interface is straightforward, the button feel is a slight letdown compared to the overall solid build. However, the practical benefits like the mute function for late-night use and the compact yet spacious cavity make this microwave a daily workhorse that reliably performs beyond its size.
COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave
The COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB is a compact, 0.7 cubic foot microwave oven designed for small kitchens and quick daily tasks. It offers a modern black finish and several user-friendly features aimed at convenience and energy savings. This model is a strong contender for anyone needing a reliable, space-saving appliance.
Pros
- ✓ The sound on/off function is excellent for quiet kitchens or late-night use.
- ✓ ECO mode effectively reduces standby power consumption, saving energy.
- ✓ One-touch buttons for common times make reheating drinks and snacks incredibly fast.
Cons
- ✗ At 700W, the power is adequate but slower for cooking compared to full-size 1000W+ models.
- ✗ The interior light is somewhat dim, making it hard to monitor food without opening the door.
My Honest Opinion
This is a well-designed, practical microwave that excels in its compact category. While not a powerhouse, its thoughtful features make daily use very convenient. I believe it offers solid value for its price point and intended use.
For its size, the COMFEE microwave performs admirably. The 0.7 cu.ft capacity is perfect for a dinner plate or a medium-sized bowl, and the 700 watts of power are sufficient for reheating leftovers, popping popcorn, and warming beverages reliably. The standout features are genuinely useful; the ability to mute the beeps is a blessing in open-plan living spaces, and the ECO mode provides a small but welcome reduction in phantom energy draw. The one-touch buttons for 1, 2, and 3 minutes eliminate fiddling with the dial for most quick tasks.
The build quality feels sturdy for a budget-friendly appliance, and the black exterior resists fingerprints well. The turntable operates smoothly and quietly. The main limitations are inherent to its class: larger dishes or frozen meals will require more time and possibly rotation. The dim interior light is a minor annoyance. Overall, if counter space is at a premium and your needs are centered on reheating and simple defrosting, this COMFEE model delivers functionality where it counts without unnecessary complexity.
Buyer's Guide: 3 Key Factors to Consider
Factor 1
Size and Capacity: Match the oven's cubic feet to your kitchen space and typical meal size. A 0.7 cu. ft. model is great for singles, while 1.2 cu. ft. fits family dishes.
Factor 2
Power and Performance: Higher wattage (like 900W or 1000W) cooks faster. Look for useful presets (like auto menus or a humidity sensor) that simplify cooking common foods.
Factor 3
Special Features: Consider a mute function for quiet operation, a child safety lock, an eco mode to save standby power, and an easy-clean interior for low maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size microwave is best for a small kitchen or dorm?
A 0.7 cubic foot model is ideal. It's compact but still powerful enough for most single-serving meals and mug cakes.
Is a removable turntable important?
Yes! A removable turntable makes cleaning up spills and splatters much easier and more thorough.
What does a humidity sensor do?
It automatically adjusts cooking time and power by detecting moisture from the food, helping to prevent overcooking or drying out.
Are these microwaves easy to install?
Absolutely. They are countertop models, so you just need to plug them into a standard outlet and find a stable, level spot.
Can I turn off the beeping sounds?
Many models, like those from Toshiba and COMFEE', offer a mute function, which is perfect for quiet environments or late-night snacks.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
After testing all these compact microwaves, the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS takes the crown. Its smart humidity sensor, high power, and generous 1.2 cu. ft. capacity offer the most versatile "set-it-and-forget-it" cooking in a still-manageable size.
Your perfect choice depends on your priorities. If you need maximum power and automation in a smaller footprint, the TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) is a fantastic alternative. For those on a tight budget or with minimal space, the BLACK+DECKER or COMFEE' models provide reliable, no-fuss performance.