Best Small Microwaves of 2026: 10 Compared
A small microwave is one of those purchases where the spec sheet rarely tells the whole story. Across the ten countertop models gathered here, Spend wisely and you get exactly what fits your counter, not a feature list you will never touch.
Picking a small microwave usually comes down to three things: how much counter you can spare, how much power you actually need, and which conveniences are worth paying. The ten models in this guide range, and they cluster around the 0.7 to 1.2 cubic foot footprint that suits apartments, dorms, offices, and tight kitchens. Wattage runs from 700W up to 1000W, so reheat-and-go shoppers and people who cook fuller meals both have a fit. To rank them, we pulled each product's current Amazon Power levels, cooking presets, defrost options, child locks, and mute buttons all factored in, weighed against The result is an order where a higher placement means a stronger overall buy, not simply the longest feature list or the lowest sticker.
The short version: Our top pick is the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., which pairs 1000 watts with 10 power levels, 6 cooking presets, and a child safety lock for the most rounded package here. For the best value, the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft. keeps the same control layout in a smaller 700W body for the lowest
- Best overall is the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., with 1000W, 10 power levels, and 6 presets.
- Best value is the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft., the lowest
- Premium pick is the Toshiba ML-EM09PA, the most expensive of the ten.
- Ten models were compared, 7 to 1.2 cubic feet.
- Every model in this guide includes a child safety lock.
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1000W with 10 power levels
- 6 one-touch cooking presets
- Eco Mode
- Child safety lock with Lock Mode
- Mute button
- Lowest price
- 700W with 10 power levels
- 6 cooking presets
- Child safety lock on the handle
- Audio Button to silence beeps
- 1000W output, 1600W input
- Smart humidity sensor adjusts time and power
- Largest capacity here at 1.2 Cu Ft
- 12 auto menus
- ECO Mode and mute function
Full Comparison — All 10 Microwaves
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Editor's Choice |
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Best Value |
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Premium Pick |
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How They Compare
Top picks — strengths at a glance
Brands compared
All 10, Reviewed
The Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. earns its spot with a well-rounded mix of 1000 watts, 10 power levels, and six one-touch presets. It is the only Chefman here that combines the larger 1.1 cubic foot capacity with full 1000W output. The child lock and Eco Mode round out a package that suits the widest range of buyers.
- 1000W with 10 power levels
- 6 one-touch cooking presets
- Eco Mode
- Child safety lock with Lock Mode
- Heaviest of the lineup at about 30.91 lb
, the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft. is the cheapest model here and our value pick at number two. It carries the familiar Chefman control set, six presets, 10 power levels, and a handle-mounted child lock, into a compact 700W frame. For reheating and quick cooking in a tight space, it covers the essentials without overspending.
- Lowest price
- 700W with 10 power levels
- 6 cooking presets
- Child safety lock on the handle
- 700W is on the lower end for heavier cooking
- 0.7 cubic feet limits dish size
The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft brings the largest capacity in this guide and a smart humidity sensor that adjusts cooking time and power automatically. It pairs 1000 watts of output with 12 auto menus and a removable 12.4-inch turntable. The extras explain the higher
- 1000W output, 1600W input
- Smart humidity sensor adjusts time and power
- Largest capacity here at 1.2 Cu Ft
- 12 auto menus
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
- Heaviest in the group at about 34.6 lb
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
The Chefman Compact Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft. lands fourth, offering a stainless steel finish and a streamlined three-preset layout. It keeps the 700W output, 10 power levels, child lock, and mute button, and adds two defrost settings for frozen food. A clean choice when you want Chefman simplicity in the smallest size.
- 700W with 10 power levels
- 3 one-touch presets
- 2 defrost settings
- Child safety lock on the handle
- Only three presets versus six on other Chefman models
- 0.7 cubic feet limits larger dishes
and ranked fifth, the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.9 Cu. Ft. sits between the brand's 0.7 and 1.1 models with 900 watts of output. It keeps the six-preset layout, 10 power levels, Eco Mode, and the handle child lock with Lock Mode. A sensible step up if 700W feels light but you do not need the full 1000W flagship.
- 900W with 10 power levels
- 6 cooking presets
- Eco Mode
- Child safety lock with Lock Mode
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
The Black+decker EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven comes in sixth and keeps things straightforward with 700 watts, 10 power settings, and six pre-programmed buttons. A push-button door release and a large LED display make day-to-day use easy, and at 17.3 by 13.0 by 10.2 inches it slots into tight spots. It is a familiar-brand basic done cleanly.
- 700W with 10 power settings
- Pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, potato, pizza and more
- Large LED digital display
- Push-button door release
- 0.7 cubic feet limits dish size
The Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven focuses on the basics done well: 700 watts, ten power levels with multi-stage cooking, auto cook settings, and defrost. A clear LED display with kitchen timer and clock keeps things readable. Its spec sheet is shorter than the leaders, but it covers the essentials for a tight kitchen.
- 700W with ten power levels
- Multi-stage cooking
- Auto cook settings and defrost
- Clear LED display with timer and clock
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
The Toshiba ML-EM09PA in stainless steel is the most expensive model here and ranks eighth. It offers 900 watts of output, a two-step child lock, six auto menus, LED lighting, and a 10.6-inch removable turntable. Defrost works by weight or time.
- Two-step child lock
- 900W output, 1400W input
- 6 preset menus
- 11 power levels with clock and kitchen timer
- Most expensive pick
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
and ranked ninth, the Comfee' EM720CPL-PM Countertop Microwave Oven stands out for its pearl white finish and energy focus. It includes a two-step child lock, a sound on/off button, one-touch express cooking, two defrost settings, and an ECO mode the brand says cuts standby power by 50%. It costs more than several higher-ranked picks, so weigh the look and eco features against price.
- Two-step child lock
- Sound on/off mute function
- One-touch express cooking with +30 seconds
- Two defrost settings, by weight or time
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
The Toshiba ML-EM09PA in black stainless steel, well under its silver sibling. The hardware is the same story: 900 watts, a two-step child lock, six auto menus, LED lighting, and a 10.6-inch removable turntable, with defrost by weight or time. If you prefer the black finish and want Toshiba without the top-tier
- Two-step child lock
- 900W output, 1400W input
- 6 preset menus
- 11 power levels with clock and kitchen timer
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
- No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
8 Things to Consider Before Buying Microwaves
Start with the space you have and the food you cook most, since those two choices rule out half the field before From there, line up the specs buyers actually reference for small microwaves, power, presets, defrost, and safety, and judge them against the asking The ranking already balances those trade-offs, so a higher pick scored better for the money.
Our Final Verdict
For most kitchens the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. is the pick to beat, combining 1000 watts, 10 power levels, six presets, Eco Mode, and a child lock in one tidy package. If you want to spend less, the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft. carries the same control philosophy into a smaller 700W body for the lowest Shoppers chasing the premium end can look at the Toshiba ML-EM09PA, which adds a two-step child lock and LED lighting, though it lands lower in our ranking and costs the most. Honestly, the value gap is real: the two cheaper Chefman models cover what most people need without the premium outlay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best small microwave?
The Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. is our top pick of the ten small microwaves compared here. It offers 1000 watts, 10 power levels, six cooking presets, Eco Mode, and a child safety lock. For a cheaper option, the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft. is the best value.
How much does a small microwave cost?
In this guide, small microwaves range for the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft. up to for the Toshiba ML-EM09PA. Most fall in, with several quality options.
How small are these microwaves?
Capacities run from 0.7 cubic feet on models like the Chefman 0.7 and Black+decker EM720CB7 up to 1.2 cubic feet on the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS. The Black+decker EM720CB7 lists outer dimensions of 17.3 by 13.0 by 10.2 inches, giving a sense of how compact a 0.7 cubic foot unit is.
How much power do I need in a small microwave?
Output power in this lineup ranges from 700W on the budget models to 1000W on the Chefman 1.1 Cu. Ft. and Toshiba EM131A5C-BS. Higher wattage heats faster, but most of these also include 10 power levels so you can lower the intensity for gentler tasks.
Do these microwaves have a child safety lock?
Yes. All ten models in this guide include a child safety lock. Chefman builds the lock into the door handle with an added Lock Mode, while the Toshiba ML-EM09PA and Comfee' EM720CPL-PM use a two-step child lock function.
Are the more expensive small microwaves worth it?
Not always. The Chefman 1.1 Cu. Ft. outranks both the Toshiba ML-EM09PA and the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS in our comparison. Spend more only if features like the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS humidity sensor or larger 1.2 cubic foot capacity matter to you.
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