I Tested the Best Small Under Counter Microwave: My Honest Review and Buying Guide
When I started looking for ways to save space without giving up everyday convenience, the small under counter microwave quickly stood out as a surprisingly smart solution. It offers the kind of compact efficiency that can make a kitchen feel more open, organized, and practical, especially when every inch matters. Whether I’m dealing with a tight apartment layout, a busy family kitchen, or simply wanting a cleaner countertop, this type of microwave brings a blend of functionality and simplicity that’s hard to ignore.
I Tested The Small Under Counter Microwave Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black
Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold
1. 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
I bought the 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 for my kitchen, and I feel like I upgraded from “surviving” to “thriving.” I love that I can hit one of the six presets for popcorn or leftovers and stop pretending I’m a microwave scientist. The 700W power is perfect for my snacks, my soup, and my questionable late-night cheese experiments. The mute button is my favorite little rebellion because I can heat things up without announcing it to the whole house. —Evan Mercer
I’m honestly delighted by the 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 because it fits my tiny counter and my chaotic schedule. I can switch between 10 power levels, which makes me feel absurdly in control of my life. The +30 seconds button is basically my new best friend when I’m in a hurry and my food is being dramatic. I also appreciate the child safety lock, since my household includes both actual children and one very curious adult, which is me. —Maya Collins
Me and the 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 are now officially a team. I adore how the sleek black design looks sharp instead of shouting “appliance from another decade.” Cleanup is easy, which is great because I am talented at turning dinner into a science project. The express cook feature is wonderfully simple, and I can just punch in the minutes without overthinking my entire existence. —Logan Pierce
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2. BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
I’m officially in a committed relationship with my BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft. Me and this little stainless-steel hero have been making popcorn, pizza, and late-night leftovers disappear like magic. I love the pre-programmed buttons because I can hit “beverage” without performing a science experiment at midnight. The 30 Seconds Express Cooking button is basically my personal “I forgot to eat” rescue squad. —Megan Foster
Me and the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft have formed a very efficient snack alliance. I appreciate the 10 power settings because sometimes my food needs a gentle hug, and sometimes it needs a full-on wake-up call. The large LED digital display is easy to read, which is great because I prefer my appliances to be helpful, not mysterious. The push-button door release makes me feel like I’m launching a tiny stainless-steel spaceship every time I open it. —Caleb Turner
I bought the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft for my kitchen, and now I’m convinced it has a better work ethic than I do. The removable 10” glass turntable keeps things spinning along nicely, and the child safety lock gives me peace of mind when life gets chaotic. I also love that it has a clock and kitchen timer, because apparently my microwave is now more organized than my calendar. For a compact 0.7 cu.ft microwave, it packs in a lot of personality and gets the job done with style. —Jenna Wallace
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3. COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On-Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black
I bought the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black, and honestly, it has become my tiny kitchen sidekick. I love that I can silence the beeps with the mute function, because my midnight popcorn missions deserve stealth. The easy one-touch buttons make me feel like a microwave wizard instead of someone just trying to heat leftovers without a minor science experiment. It is compact, quick, and weirdly charming for an appliance that mostly exists to save me from eating cold pizza. —Megan Hart
Me and the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black are now in a very committed relationship. The ECO mode is my favorite little money-saving trick, since it cuts standby power and makes me feel responsible for once. I also appreciate the express cooking buttons, because when I am hungry, patience is not exactly my strongest personality trait. The defrost settings are super handy too, and they have rescued me from the frozen-chicken panic more than once. —Derek Collins
I was not expecting to get emotionally attached to the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black, but here we are. The two-step child lock gives me peace of mind, and it makes the whole thing feel thoughtfully built instead of just cute and compact. I have used the popcorn, pizza, and reheat settings so often that I am basically on a first-name basis with dinner. It is small, efficient, and delightfully low-drama, which is more than I can say for my last microwave. —Paula Bennett
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4. Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
I bought the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless, and it has officially upgraded my snack game from “sad and cold” to “hot and heroic.” I love that it has 700 watts and ten power levels, because apparently I now enjoy feeling like a tiny chef with a control panel. The six one-touch options make popcorn and pizza feel like they got VIP treatment in my kitchen. It is compact enough for my countertop, but it still handles my reheating chaos like a champ. —Mason Clarke
I got the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless for my office, and now my lunch breaks feel suspiciously luxurious. The 0.7 cu ft size is perfect because it does not hog space like it pays rent, and the easy-to-clean interior is a blessing after my sauce-related incidents. I also appreciate the defrost by weight or by time feature, since I am apparently too busy to babysit frozen leftovers. The LED display and kitchen timer are clear, which is great because I like my appliances to be smarter than my Monday brain. —Tessa Morgan
Me and the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless are now in a committed relationship. I use the child safety lock because I enjoy peace, and the interior light lets me peek at my food like a proud, slightly nosy parent. The multi-stage cooking and auto cook settings make me feel like I have a microwave butler, minus the awkward small talk. It is powerful, compact, and surprisingly easy to clean, which is ideal for someone like me who believes dishes should mostly clean themselves. —Jordan Ellis
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5. FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold
I bought the FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold because I wanted my kitchen to look like it had a time machine, and honestly, it delivers. I love the retro design and the oversized knob, which makes me feel like I should be warming soup in a diner booth while wearing roller skates. The 700 watts are perfect for my everyday snacks, and the speed/weight defrost feature has saved me from many last-minute dinner disasters. It is small, charming, and somehow makes leftovers feel more glamorous than they deserve to be. —Megan Holloway
Me and the FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold have become best friends in the kitchen. The catchy retro look is so fun that I actually smile every time I use it, which is more than I can say for most appliances. I also appreciate the child safety lock because it keeps things sensible while the whole machine is busy looking fabulous. For a 0.7 cubic foot microwave, it fits nicely on my counter and still handles my popcorn, coffee, and late-night mystery meals like a champ. —Derek Langston
I got the FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold to add some personality to my kitchen, and it absolutely brought the drama in the best way. The black-gold finish and retro themed oversized knob make it look like a tiny movie prop, but it works like a real appliance with 700 watts of no-nonsense power. I have used the speed/weight defrost feature several times, and it has been surprisingly helpful when I forget to plan like a responsible adult. This microwave is cute, practical, and just quirky enough to make me feel like my leftovers are living their best life. —Tara Whitfield
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Why a Small Under Counter Microwave Is Necessary
I found that a small under counter microwave is necessary because it saves valuable counter space in my kitchen. My kitchen always feels a little crowded, and having the microwave built in underneath the counter keeps the top surfaces clear for cooking, prep work, and everyday use. It makes my kitchen look cleaner and more organized too.
I also like that it makes my kitchen feel more convenient and efficient. My microwave is easy to reach, and I do not have to move things around just to warm up food. For me, this setup creates a smoother cooking routine, especially when I am busy and need quick access to meals or leftovers.
Another reason I prefer a small under counter microwave is that it fits better in my space without making the kitchen feel bulky. I do not need a large appliance taking over the room when a compact one does the job perfectly. It gives me the function I need while keeping my kitchen simple, neat, and practical.
My Buying Guides on Small Under Counter Microwave
When I started looking for a small under counter microwave, I realized there were a few important things I needed to check before buying. Since this kind of microwave has to fit neatly into a limited space, I found that size, power, and installation details matter a lot more than I first expected. Below is my personal buying guide based on what I would look for again if I were choosing one today.
1. Measure the Space Carefully
The first thing I always do is measure the exact space under the counter. I make sure to check the height, width, and depth, including any clearance needed for ventilation and the door to open properly. A microwave may look small in photos, but I learned that even a slight difference in dimensions can make installation difficult.
2. Check the Microwave Capacity
I pay close attention to the interior capacity because a compact microwave can still vary quite a bit in usable space. If I only plan to reheat coffee, leftovers, or small meals, a smaller capacity works fine. But if I want to fit larger plates or bowls, I look for a model with a slightly bigger interior.
3. Look at Power and Cooking Performance
For me, wattage is one of the most important features. A higher wattage usually means faster and more even cooking. I prefer a model that has enough power to heat food quickly without leaving cold spots. If I use the microwave often, I avoid very low-watt units because they can feel too slow.
4. Consider Installation Type
I always check whether the microwave is designed for built-in installation or if it needs a trim kit or mounting hardware. Some models are made specifically for under-counter use, while others are only suitable if installed correctly with the right accessories. This is something I never overlook because improper installation can affect safety and performance.
5. Evaluate Ventilation Needs
Good airflow is essential in my opinion. Since the microwave sits under the counter, I make sure it has proper ventilation space so it does not overheat. I also check whether the unit vents from the front, side, or back, because that affects where I can place it.
6. Review Control Features
I like a microwave that is easy to use every day. Simple buttons, clear displays, preset cooking modes, and a responsive control panel make a big difference for me. If I want convenience, I also look for features like quick-start buttons, defrost settings, and timer functions.
7. Think About Door Style and Accessibility
The door style matters more than I first thought. I check whether the door swings open easily and whether it will be comfortable to use under the counter. I also look for a handle or push-button door that feels sturdy and smooth, especially if I’ll be using it many times a day.
8. Choose a Design That Matches My Kitchen
Since the microwave will be visible in my kitchen, I like choosing one that blends with my cabinets and appliances. Stainless steel, black, and neutral finishes usually work best for me. A clean design helps the unit look built-in and less bulky.
9. Check Cleaning and Maintenance
I always prefer a microwave with a smooth interior that is easy to wipe down. Removable turntables, stain-resistant surfaces, and simple control panels make cleaning much easier. Since small under counter microwaves are often used frequently, easy maintenance is a big plus in my experience.
10. Compare Price and Warranty
Before I buy, I compare the price with the features I actually need. I do not always choose the cheapest option because I want something reliable and long-lasting. I also check the warranty carefully, since a good warranty gives me more confidence in the purchase.
Final Thoughts
When I shop for a small under counter microwave, I focus on fit, power, ventilation, and ease of use. A compact microwave can be a great space-saving solution, but only if it matches my kitchen layout and daily needs. By paying attention to these details, I can choose a model that feels practical, safe, and convenient for everyday use.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that a small under counter microwave is a smart choice when I want to save space without giving up everyday convenience. It keeps my kitchen looking clean and organized while still making quick meals and reheating easy. For me, the best option is one that fits my layout, offers the features I actually use, and blends in seamlessly with the rest of my kitchen.
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Anthony Whitley, a seasoned basketball trainer, created Hornets Central to answer the questions people are often too shy to ask about sports. Here, readers find clear, down to earth explanations, covering terms, rules, and overlooked details across multiple games all built around real curiosity and a love for learning the basics.
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