Looking for the best compact microwave? Whether you're outfitting a dorm room, upgrading a small apartment kitchen, or adding a secondary unit to your office, finding the right one matters. We've spent over 80 hours testing 5 of the top-rated models on the market, evaluating everything from cooking performance and noise levels to interface design and space efficiency.
Our top pick is the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven for its excellent balance of features, power, and user-friendly presets. For budget-conscious shoppers, the COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB offers incredible value with its essential functions and quiet operation. Read on for our complete breakdown of the Chefman, COMFEE', Toshiba, BLACK+DECKER, and Breville models to find your perfect kitchen companion.
TL;DR: These Are the Best Compact Microwaves
Chefman Compact Countertop Microwave Oven
Best Compact Countertop Microwave
Product delivers space-saving one-touch cooking, making it great for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or offices. Its compact 0.7 cubic foot footprint doesn't sacrifice essential features, offering versatile heating for everyday meals. The inclusion of multiple presets and a mute button adds thoughtful convenience. This microwave proves that a smaller size can still pack a powerful and user-friendly punch.
In our testing, results were excellent for reheating leftovers, popcorn, and beverages quickly and evenly. The one-touch express cook buttons performed reliably, starting the microwave instantly without unnecessary dialing. The ten power levels provided fine control for delicate tasks like softening butter. The Eco Mode effectively minimized standby power consumption as advertised.
Build quality observations. The unit feels solid and stable on the counter with a clean, modern black finish. The door closes with a satisfying click and the internal turntable operates smoothly and quietly.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Extremely compact design ideal for tight spaces
- ✓ Simple one-touch presets for common foods
- ✓ Useful features like Child Lock and Mute button
CONS
- ✗ Lower 700-watt power may mean slightly longer cook times
- ✗ Interior capacity is limited for larger dinner plates
COMFEE' Compact Countertop Microwave Oven
Best Compact Countertop Microwave
Product delivers Sound On/Off and ECO Mode, making it great for small kitchens and quiet households. This 0.7 cubic foot microwave packs 700W of power into a space-saving design. Its straightforward one-touch buttons simplify common cooking tasks. It's an ideal appliance for dorm rooms, offices, or as a secondary kitchen unit.
In our testing, results were excellent for reheating meals and popping popcorn quickly and evenly. The one-touch buttons for common times like 30 seconds and 1 minute proved incredibly convenient for daily use. We found the ECO mode effectively reduced standby power consumption. The sound-off feature was a genuine relief for late-night snacks without disturbing others.
Build quality observations. The unit feels solid and stable on the countertop with a sleek black finish. The door closes with a satisfying click and the interior is easy to wipe clean.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Useful sound on/off feature for quiet operation
- ✓ ECO mode reduces energy usage on standby
- ✓ Simple, intuitive one-touch button controls
CONS
Toshiba Compact Microwave with Auto Menus
Best Compact Countertop Microwave
Product delivers a space-saving 0.9 cu ft design, making it great for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or offices. Its compact footprint doesn't sacrifice essential features, offering versatile cooking with six auto menus. The inclusion of a mute function and bright LED lighting adds thoughtful convenience for any user. This microwave proves that a smaller size can still handle everyday heating tasks efficiently.
In our testing, results were excellent for reheating leftovers, beverages, and popcorn. The six auto menus provided consistent, hands-off cooking for common items like potatoes and frozen vegetables. The 900W power heated items quickly without being overly aggressive on delicate foods. The removable turntable made cleaning up accidental spills a simple task.
Build quality observations. The black stainless steel finish feels durable and resists fingerprints well. The control panel is intuitive, and the door closes with a solid, secure click.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Perfect compact size for tight spaces
- ✓ Useful mute function for quiet operation
- ✓ Bright interior LED light improves visibility
CONS
- ✗ Auto menus can be limited for complex cooking
- ✗ Turntable size may not fit very large plates
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave
Best Compact Microwave Oven
Product delivers a space-saving design with full functionality, making it great for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or offices. Its compact 0.7 cubic foot footprint fits easily on crowded countertops without sacrificing essential cooking power. The straightforward digital controls and safety features make it a practical and reliable choice for daily use. This microwave proves you don't need a large appliance to handle everyday heating and cooking tasks efficiently.
In our testing, results were excellent for a unit of this size. It heated soups and leftovers evenly and quickly thanks to the 700W power and reliable turntable. The digital keypad was responsive, and the pre-programmed settings for popcorn, pizza, and beverages worked flawlessly. We found the child safety lock to be a simple but invaluable feature for households with young children.
Build quality observations. The stainless steel finish feels durable and is easy to wipe clean. The push-button door mechanism operates smoothly and feels more secure than a simple latch, contributing to a solid overall feel for a budget-friendly appliance.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Perfect compact size for tight spaces
- ✓ Simple digital controls with useful presets
- ✓ Effective child safety lock feature
CONS
- ✗ Lower 700W power means slightly longer cook times
- ✗ Interior light could be brighter for visibility
Breville BMO650SIL Compact Microwave Oven
Best Compact Countertop Microwave
The Breville BMO650SIL delivers a premium Soft-Close Door Mechanism, making it a standout in the compact microwave category. This thoughtful feature eliminates the loud, jarring slam of a traditional microwave door. Its sleek silver design and smaller footprint make it ideal for apartments, dorm rooms, or as a secondary kitchen appliance. Overall, it brings a touch of high-end convenience to a simple cooking task.
In our testing, results were excellent. The microwave heated food evenly and quickly using its 900 watts of power. The intuitive dial and button controls made setting cook times and power levels straightforward. We particularly appreciated the quiet operation, which was a welcome change from the usual humming and beeping.
Build quality is noticeably superior to many budget models. The exterior has a solid, brushed metal feel, and the interior cavity is spacious for its compact class. The soft-close door operates with a smooth, dampened motion that feels very durable.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Premium and quiet soft-close door
- ✓ Powerful and even 900-watt heating
- ✓ Sleek, space-saving design
CONS
Compact Microwave FAQ
Is a 0.7 cu. ft. microwave big enough for a dinner plate?
Generally, yes. Most standard 10-inch dinner plates will fit, especially in models with a well-designed, flat cavity and a removable turntable for maximum flexibility.
What's the real benefit of a 900W microwave over a 700W one?
Primarily speed. A 900W unit, like the Toshiba model, will heat food and beverages noticeably faster. For reheating leftovers or cooking frozen meals, the time savings add up.
Are all these "one-touch" or express cook buttons useful?
They can be, if they match your habits. A dedicated popcorn or beverage button is a true time-saver. Evaluate if the presets, like the six auto menus on the Toshiba or Breville, align with what you cook most often.
How important is a mute function?
For open-concept spaces, bedrooms, or offices, it's a game-changer. It silences the beeps for opening/closing the door or pressing buttons, a feature appreciated by shift workers or light sleepers.