Microwaves are something that has become a necessity for us. We are far beyond the point where we can remove or obligate these from our lives. And when one is living on his own, these microwaves become a necessity, especially in this fast life.
This is where the compact, and best small microwaves come in, and your dilemma to find the best small microwave for yourself.
Here we have the list for you where we have covered the best small microwaves 2023.
So scroll down and treat your counter with the best small microwave that fits your budget and need.
| Image | Product | Volumetric Size (Cubic Feet) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave Oven | 0.9 | Check Price |
 |
Samsung MG14H3020CM Grill Microwave Oven | 14.2 | Check Price |
 |
Panasonic NN-SD372S Countertop Microwave | 0.8 | Check Price |
 |
Oster OGH6901 Digital Microwave Oven | 0.7 | Check Price |
 |
Sunbeam SGC7702 Digital Microwave Oven | 0.7 | Check Price |
Best Small Microwaves 2022
1. Toshiba Small Microwave
For a company that was founded in 1939, Toshiba has managed to keep itself quite up to date. We all know how good Toshiba is when it comes to any of their product’s quality, working, or even after-sales. And therefore, just because of their absolute awesomeness, Toshiba has made it to the top with our best small microwaves.
Pros
- Black stainless steel gives aesthetics
- One-Touch Start
- An LED inside the unit to help you cook
- Power saving mode
- 6 different operational features
Cons
- Size might seem a bit smaller than the usual ones
2. Samsung Grill Microwave
Just like Toshiba, Samsung is another giant in the electronics industry. But most of us know Samsung for their smartphones; well, things are not much different here either because we will be discussing their ‘smart’ microwave oven.
This model by Samsung has one of the best looks that we have ever seen in a microwave oven. It features a glossy-mirror look on the outside and has a ceramic enamel on the inside.
Pros
- Glossy Exterior
- Ceramic Interior
- Easy to clean
- Smart detection mode
- Large size
- Power saving mode
Cons
- Costlier than usual models
3. Panasonic Compact Microwave
For the brands that are always among the top picks by the customers, Panasonic is not a new name. Rather, it is a name that brings along trust and the best value for money.
This model of Panasonic’s compact microwave is a testament to why it is the customer’s choice. It has an industrial design with a stainless steel body that not only gives it the looks but also the sturdiness it needs in domestic households. There are buttons and knobs instead of touch-sensitive screens which also proves its toughness.
Pros
- Industrial design
- Sturdy look
- Inverter technology
- Free cookbook
Cons
- 0.8 cubic feet is relatively small
4. Oster Small Microwave
Unlike other microwaves that are made up of steel, this one is made from aluminum, which makes it significantly lighter than its counterparts. The design it has is a brushed stainless design that gives it the elegant and modern look you need in your kitchen.
The volumetric capacity of this model is 0.9 cubic feet, which makes it equally good for almost all households. On the inside, it has a two-stage cooking system which helps in cooking food at two different temperatures.
Pros
- Stainless Brush design
- Light in weight
- Two staged cooking system
- Sensor to tell you if the food is cooked
- 0.9 cubic feet size is perfect
Cons
- Size can be a bit smaller for larger pots
- Aluminum can be easily damaged
5. Sunbeam Tiny Microwave
This model of compact microwave by Sunbeam has a power rating of 700 watts and a volumetric capacity of 0.7 cubic feet. Since we are all so into judging things by what they look, this microwave oven not only looks elegant but also has that sturdiness and durability you want or rather need in a microwave oven.
It has a stainless steel body with a compact design and an LED display. Below the LED, there is this panel with buttons that gives you access to almost all of the features. It has 10 levels of power which you can use as per your own need and desire for the perfect cook.
Along with the manual cooking, it also features 6 different settings for auto cooking your meal.
Pros
- Small size means you can put it anywhere
- Digital timer and clock helps you keep a track
- Easy and changeable settings
- Removal turntable makes it easy to clean
Cons
- 700 watt is not as powerful to cook in lesser time
- 0.7 cubic feet is lesser than usual needs and might not be useful for heavy working and operation
6. Oster Compact Microwave
There are times when you just need something to fulfill the basic necessity of your life and are really not looking for any other luxuries. This is the time when you go for basic stock options, just like this one. This college dorm-sized compact microwave oven by Oster is the microwave oven that you will need in such conditions.
This model comes with an operational rating of 700 wattages with the capacity to hold 0.7 cubic feet in volume. This version weighs around 26 pounds and has a solid build which makes it perfect for use if you are a messy person.
It comes with 10 power level settings which you can adjust just as per you wish or need to use them to get the perfect results when you cook. Apart from this, it also has 6 cooking options which will certainly save you enough time and money while you are working or are broke.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Changeable power settings
- 6 cooking functions
- Features a built-in clock and a timer
Cons
- Size is not good enough for larger meals
- 700 wattage power rating is not that powerful
- Quite heavy for a small or even a medium-sized microwave
7. Hamilton Microwave Oven
This certainly is the model that is bound to catch your eye. It has that brilliant red color, which guarantees the fact that it will make you stop and look. Moreover, It has a volumetric capacity of 1.1 cubic feet which gives it the cute but useful size which you can certainly use for cooking and reheating the leftovers.
It features an operational rating of 1000 watts, which also makes it stand out based on its performance and not just looks. This model is made to stand out after all. It has these 10 basic power ratings which the user can change as per his desires and needs. Furthermore, it also has 6 set buttons which are usually used in every household.
For the other features, it has a panel where there is an LED at the top and a series of buttons below it, which are for the aforementioned uses.
Pros
- 1.1 cubic feet is a relatively impressive size
- 1000 watts is a preferred power rating for cooking foods
- It has 10 variable power ratings
- It has 6 pre-set buttons for auto cooking
- Falls well within the desired price range
Cons
- Red color might not go with all your settings
- Does not has those extra features
8. Commercial Chef Microwave
This microwave oven by Commercial Chef really is a compact one. It has a volumetric measurement of 0.6 cubic foot which makes it the smallest microwave we have here on our list and quite cute as well.
Its body is made of stainless steel, which gives it the look of a princess and the build and the sturdiness of a knight. It has manual mechanical dials and knobs which also makes it tougher than the models that feature the touch screen displays and LED screens. It has a durable structure that can be used and is certainly made to last longer.
Now it might seem like a very basic microwave oven, but to much surprise, this model offers the options and features that allow one to defrost based on the weight or time.
Apart from all of these exotic features, there is one more thing that is good enough on its own to keep you on your toes. And this is the price of this microwave oven. The price of this model, when compared with the other models in the list and the other ones in the market along with the provided features, is nothing but a bang for your buck.
Pros
- Extremely sturdy
- Best for the price
- Can fit almost anywhere
- Options for defrosting
Cons
- 0.6 cubic feet is quite a small size
- Lacks several value-added features
9. Panasonic Small Microwave
Panasonic is among the names that bring you a sense of trust and quality whenever one hears it. And this model, the NN-SD372SS by Panasonic, is an absolute steal. It has a volumetric size of 0.8 cubic feet and works at a power rating of 950 watts. However, there is another version of this model but we wouldn’t call it to be compact since the size of that model is 1.2 cubic feet.
For the control panel, it has an LED screen at the top, which is followed by buttons and a manual dial knob. While the buttons are for different settings and operational powers for cooking, the purpose of the dial knob is to allow you to set the timer.
Pros
- 950 Watts is more powerful than several of the models in the list
- Option to child lock the device makes it much safer
- Comes in two different sizes
- LED screen and timer
Cons
- Much costlier than the other models
- 0.8 cubic feet is quite small for the regular domestic usage
10. Danby Microwave
Danby is a brand that almost everyone who has lived in the tristate area knows a bit too much about and is certainly satisfied with the quality of their products as well.
This model by Danby is their Designer microwave oven. This model has several options for one to choose from in terms of color and size. It has the volumetric sizes of 0.7, 0.9, 1.1 and 1.4 cubic feet along with the options for black, white, and stainless steel colors. However, all these models have an operational power rating of 700 watts.
Pros
- 6 cooking options
- Different size options
- Options for different colors
- 10 variable power ratings
- Falls quite within the price range
Cons
- 700 watts is quite less powerful for good cooking and will increase the time
If there is something you still need to know more about small microwave ovens, then you can also check out our FAQs.
Buyer’s Guide – Small Microwaves
Just got enrolled in a college, or got a studio apartment or a tiny kitchen? Need a small microwave but don’t know what to look for when buying a microwave? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our guide for buying the best small microwave for you. There are three categories of small microwaves; countertop, built-in & over the range.
Types of Small Microwaves
Countertop is by far the most flexible & common microwave, the variations in their sizes allow them to be easily used in a dormitory or a small office. Built-ins are usually wall-mounted thus helping make the most out of a small space but require some manual work and drilling holes into your walls which everybody might not be comfortable with.
Lastly; over-the-range microwaves, they are not so different than built-in microwaves, it’s just that they’re mounted above a cooking range and have a light underneath them to provide illumination for cooking.
Volumetric Sizes
There are two elements to pay close attention to when spending that hard-earned cash on a compact microwave. First one is size taken in cubic feet, it is easy to get confused dealing with cubic feet so here is a simple trick; multiply the microwave’s interior length by width by height (all measurements must be taken in inches), then divide this total by 1,728 and voila you have your answer in cubic feet. The other factor is power usually measured in wattage.
I know you’ve been told often enough that size doesn’t matter, but it does at-least when measuring microwaves. A small microwave is any that is under 1 cubic foot. The smaller the microwave, the fewer features it will have like defrost or potato baking buttons.
It’s not just the inside, but the outside matters too, your microwave should not hang off the edge of your countertop or you’ll face heating issues. The key here is to properly measure the housing space for your microwave and then shop for the most suitable candidate.
Power Ratings
The second factor is power, usually measured in wattage. YES! It’s not just the size, but power matters too. The higher the wattage of your microwave, the more effectively it will cook, and the more electricity it will consume.
Small microwaves usually have a power rating of somewhere between 500 watts – 900 watts, but the sweet spot is 700 watts, easy on the pocket yet cooks well mostly without needing a second round in the microwave.
Additional Features
Other than this, there are small bells and whistles like interior LED lighting and convection cooking or aesthetics. Still, when in-market shopping for a new unit, the critical points for a small microwave for at least 2021 is SIZE and POWER.
Now you’re completely prepared to buy the best small microwave for yourself while remaining on a budget, get out there and get yourself the microwave that suits you best for those late-night pop-corn cravings.
If you have made up your mind, then you can also check out our reviews on the 10 best small microwaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Small microwave ovens being a complex piece of technology raises questions in people’s mind and even if you have the best small microwave with yourself, you will still have some queries for its operation. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the best small microwaves that you have for yourself.
⭐ Will eating microwaved foods have any effect on human health?
No, microwaves do not have any effect on human health either in the short term or long term. Cooking food in a microwave does not affect them in any way other than heating them.(1)
⭐ What intensity levels of radiation does a small microwave oven produce?
The microwave radiation produced by a small microwave depends on the power rating of the unit, typically between 500 watts to 900 watts. When the oven is under use/ being operated on the maximum available power setting, the entire rated power is delivered to objects in the oven.
This power is ample to rapidly heat objects placed inside an oven. At lower settings, the power delivered is less.
⭐ Is it safe to heat up food in metal bowls or have metal utensils lying around inside the microwave?
No, absolutely not. Any metal object, such as a fork, when placed in an operating microwave oven, can lead to arcing. That is because both the item is metal, and the sides of the microwave oven are metal.
The fork will deflect the energy to the metal of the walls, which can cause significant damage to the microwave wall or might even start a fire.
⭐ What should I do if a fire erupts inside my microwave oven?
First of all, unplug the microwave and do not open the oven door, as the sudden rush of oxygen will do nothing but spread the fire outside. Remove any flammable material from microwaves vicinity while keeping a safe distance from the oven.
Don’t be a hero, call the fire department as things can take the turn for worst at any moment.
⭐ Can microwave ovens leak radiation?
Microwave ovens do leak radiation but in a very minimal amount, which is not harmful to any person. Microwave ovens have a standard set by international communities, and thus must be maintained up to the code to allow them to be sold in the public market.
⭐ What are some standard safety precautions for microwave ovens?
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and safety precautions.
- Do not insert any object through the cooling vents of a microwave oven.
- Repairs should always be done by an authorized service person, do not attempt to fix your microwave yourself if you are not qualified for it.
- Never by-pass any safety mechanism put in place.
- Do not operate your microwave empty or with a metal object inside.
- Use microwave-ready containers to heat food in.
⭐ How long do small microwave ovens last?
The best small microwave ovens last a mighty long time, but eventually, their performance degrades. If used properly, microwave ovens easily last 10 years, but it doesn’t mean that you should replace them after 10 years if it works keep using it.
You can also consult our list of the 10 best small microwaves that you can check out for reviews.
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Best Brands of Microwave
Microwaves have been around for quite a while now. Hence, it’s only natural that the market has accommodated so many different manufacturers, each having something unique and exceptional to offer.
Due to this saturation, choosing the best model for yourself can get a little daunting. However, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t a hierarchy. In this segment, we’ll go over the best brands that you should consider if you’re planning to get a microwave for yourself!
Many factors went into the overall consideration when compiling this list. Factors such as customer experience, innovation, modernity, history, etc. have been considered heavily. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Panasonic Microwave
The Japanese multinational is of the most reputable microwave manufacturers in the industry right now.
Arguably one of the oldest companies in the kitchen appliance industry, Panasonic has a reputation for producing the freshest and the most technologically sophisticated models on the market. As of yet, the best-sellers in 2021 have all been credited to this brand.
The best thing about their microwaves is that along with their functionality, they also meet a certain standard when it comes to aesthetics. Along with making it easier to decide, this also means that the microwave will most certainly complement the surrounding it is in.
On top of all of this, Panasonic microwaves also feature an inverter-based technology that allows for a seamless stream of cooking power even at lower settings. This makes sure that the original texture, flavor, and essence of the food is retained throughout the heating process so that you don’t have to settle for anything less than the best.
Toshiba Microwave
Found in 1875, Toshiba is one of the most recognized names in the world. One of their specialty, as you might have guessed, are household appliances, which include the microwaves.
The best thing about their models is the technical sophistication all packed within a minimalist frame that looks good and complements the background wherever it is.
Toshiba microwaves feature the bulk of the modern innovations that have taken the market by storm, such as inverter heating, pre-programmed sensors, auto-menus, and interior LED lighting.[7]
These microwaves are available on a global network and don’t really have a niche audience. Anyone and everyone can access them, especially since they’re that too much on the price range and easier on the wallet.
Plus, thanks to the multitude of outlets present, Toshiba also has excellent customer service that can help immensely if your model starts acting up!
Whirlpool Microwave
Whirlpool international is an American Corporation that focuses on home-based appliances and has garnered quite a reputation for itself in the past 109 years.
Based on reviews, features and general customer feedback, Whirlpool produces a few of the best microwaves currently available in 2021.
The best thing about them is that they offer a lot of variety, and are great for people who want to stay loyal to a brand but still want to explore a multitude of options.
With microwaves for counter-top, over the range, and low profile applications, Whirlpool offers good variety and ensures that all of their customers are left satiated with what they get.
One interesting feature that their microwaves offer, which is a customer favorite, is the sensor cooking. With this feature, you don’t have to adjust the settings – let the microwave decide itself as to what the optimal settings are to precisely heat up the food placed in it!
hOmeLabs Microwave
hOmeLabs is a pretty good brand to consider if you’re looking for an over-the-counter microwave.
With features such as memory, chick lock, quick touch program, and six functioning modes, hOmeLabs produces a good array of microwaves that are suitable for all types of applications.
The good thing about them is that they know exactly what type of audience they’re targeting, which is why the bulk of their models are of the same type. On the flip side, this means hOmeLabs doesn’t have as much versatility as other models.
Overall, you should give hOmeLabs a shot if you like the features that they offer.
Breville Microwave
Breville is an Australian brand found in 1932. Focusing primarily on small household appliances, this company has come a long way and now has expanded globally, offering the best!
Their microwaves combine the best and latest features currently available in the market. However, they are a little lacking when it comes to aesthetics. Overall, it’s fair to say that you’ll need to be selective with the design and makes sure that it complements the kitchen.
As far as features and innovations are concerned, Breville is reputed for its power smoothing invertor, one-touch functionality, Smart reheat, and child lock systems.
Working in conjunction, this ensures that you get the best microwave experience there is on the market.
Samsung Microwave
Last but not the least, we have Samsung. Founded in 1938 in South Korea, Samsung eventually expanded towards the west and established itself as a household name.
Known mostly for their electronic gadgets, Samsung also has a wide array of products related to household appliances. What’s best is that all these products can actually work together in harmony since Samsung allows for a smart sync feature.
This will allow you to assume command from your phone or your tablet, and make use of all the features with a mere touch.
Samsung’s microwaves have all the latest features that have been mentioned above. However, their best defining thing which deserves a highlight is aesthetics.
With a smart black stainless steel frame, Samsung has reinvented the complete microwave aesthetic. Not only do they complement the overall vibe of the kitchen. These microwaves are suitable for both professional and household use.
Now that we’ve gone over the best brands out there, it’ll make it awfully easier on settling for a model for yourself.
Conclusion
This is our list of the best microwaves of the small size that we could find for your dorms and countertops. If you already own a model of any of the brands above and have feedback, or have any other type of general recommendation, do let us know in the comment section below! Happy Shopping!
