Best Small Microwave (7 Compact Countertop Picks for Tiny Kitchens)

A small microwave saves counter space only if your dinner plate still fits inside. On many compact models, a large dinner plate will not turn.

The fix is simple. Pick by the outside size your counter can spare and the turntable size your plates need, then look at wattage. Below are seven compact countertop microwaves, from a 17-inch-wide 0.7 cubic foot box to a roomy inverter model.

If you are still deciding where the microwave should live, start with our guide on where to put a microwave in a small kitchen. A microwave mounted above the stove is a different job, with venting fans and mounting rules, and our over-the-range microwave guide covers it.

The short version: For most small kitchens, get the LG NeoChef MSER0990S. It packs a 12-inch turntable and inverter power into a body under 19 inches wide. The rule that matters most: measure your largest plate and make sure the turntable is wider than it.

Our Picks at a Glance

• Best overall: LG NeoChef MSER0990SJump to review ↓
• Best budget: BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7Jump to review ↓
• Quietest: Breville Compact Wave Soft CloseJump to review ↓
• Best microwave air fryer combo: Toshiba ML2-EC10SA(BS)Jump to review ↓
• Best for full-size plates: Panasonic NN-SN66KBJump to review ↓
• Best retro style: Galanz Retro 0.9 Cu FtJump to review ↓
• Best for dorms: Danby DBMW0720BBBJump to review ↓

Small Microwaves Compared

Model	Capacity	Power	Exterior (W x D x H, inches)	Standout feature
LG NeoChef MSER0990S	0.9 cu ft	1,000 W	18.75 x 14 x 10.7	Inverter and 12-inch turntable
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7	0.7 cu ft	700 W	17.3 x 13 x 10.2	Small footprint, low price
Breville Compact Wave Soft Close	0.9 cu ft	900 W	19.1 x 16.4 x 11.5	Soft-close door and mute
Toshiba ML2-EC10SA(BS)	1.0 cu ft	1,000 W	20.6 x 18 x 11.8	Air fry, convection and broil
Panasonic NN-SN66KB	1.2 cu ft	1,200 W	20.7 x 15.8 x 12.3	Inverter, biggest cavity
Galanz Retro 0.9	0.9 cu ft	900 W	19 x 14.9 x 10.8	Four retro colors, pull handle
Danby DBMW0720BBB	0.7 cu ft	700 W	17.3 x 13.1 x 10.2	59-inch power cord

Each of these seven solves a different small-kitchen problem.

1. LG NeoChef MSER0990S: Best Overall

The LG gets the most out of every inch. Its body is under 19 inches wide, yet the turntable is a full 12 inches across. Many 0.9 cubic foot models ship with a 10.6-inch turntable, so this one fits bigger plates in the same counter space.

The bigger reason it wins is the Smart Inverter, which keeps power steady at low settings. Defrosted chicken thaws without cooking at the edges, and leftovers warm through without rubbery spots.

Sensor cooking reads the steam coming off the food and adjusts the time, for everything from rice to frozen meals. If you reheat a lot of takeout, our guide on how to reheat pizza explains when the microwave is fine and when the skillet is better.

Who should buy it: Couples, solo cooks who batch-cook, and anyone who wants better defrosting without a bigger box. It pairs well with a habit of freezing single portions, since the inverter thaws them evenly.

2. BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7: Best Budget

This is the classic small microwave, and it has stayed popular for years for a reason. It is about two inches narrower than most 0.9 cubic foot models. On a short counter, those two inches can be the difference between a usable prep space and none.

Seven hundred watts is the trade-off, so frozen meals need a bit more time than the box says. For coffee, soup, popcorn and leftovers, the gap is small. Express buttons start 1 to 6 minutes at full power with one press.

The memory function lets you set up to three stages in a row, such as defrost and then cook. A push-button door is easy to open with one hand while you hold a plate in the other.

Who should buy it: Solo cooks who mostly reheat, and anyone fitting a microwave into a corner or onto a small cart. Our list of ways to make more counter space in a small kitchen has ideas for freeing up the spot.

3. Breville Compact Wave Soft Close: Quietest

In a studio, the microwave is often a few feet from the bed. The Breville is built for that. Its door closes softly instead of slamming, and the soft-close door is about 80 percent quieter than a standard one. A mute button turns off the beeps, so a midnight bowl of noodles does not wake anyone.

One-touch buttons cover reheat, defrost, popcorn and beverage. The Reheat setting uses lower power, so food warms without drying out at the edges.

The gray front blends into most kitchens, which matters when the microwave sits in view of the living area. Our ideas for a studio apartment kitchen cover how to keep appliances from taking over a one-room space.

Who should buy it: People in studios, shared flats, or homes with babies or light sleepers. It is also a good choice if you want a compact microwave that looks like a premium appliance.

4. Toshiba ML2-EC10SA(BS): Best Microwave Air Fryer Combo

This is the pick that replaces another appliance. It microwaves like a normal unit, then switches to a fan and heating element for air frying, baking and broiling. In a kitchen with one short counter, that can mean one box instead of a microwave plus an air fryer.

Convection blows hot air around the food to brown and crisp it, and air fry mode is a faster, hotter version. Ten air fry presets cover fries, wings and nuggets. For crispy leftovers, see our guide on how to reheat chicken wings.

The position-memory turntable stops where it started. That keeps mug handles and dish edges facing you when the door opens, which is handy with hot food.

Who should buy it: Renters with no oven, people who cook without a full stove, and anyone deciding between an air fryer and a toaster oven. Our guide to cooking without a stove shows how far a combo like this can take you.

5. Panasonic NN-SN66KB: Best for Full-Size Plates

Panasonic calls this a compact model, though it sits just above the usual small range. It is here because some small kitchens have the width but need the inside space. Large casserole dishes are a common problem in tiny microwaves, and this cavity is close to 14 inches wide and deep.

Panasonic was one of the first brands to sell inverter microwaves, and this one has it. Power stays steady at lower settings, so softening butter or thawing ground beef goes more evenly. The Genius Sensor reads steam and sets the time for 15 auto programs.

At 1,200 watts, it is also the fastest microwave here.

Who should buy it: Small households that meal prep in big dishes, and anyone who keeps finding their plates too wide for compact models. Our easy meal prep ideas for one person work well with a microwave this size.

6. Galanz Retro 0.9 Cu Ft: Best Retro Style

In a small kitchen, every appliance is on display. The Galanz Retro leans into that with rounded edges, a chrome pull handle and four bold colors. The red model is linked here, and the other colors come as separate listings.

It is not only about looks. Seven auto cook menus and ten auto reheat settings cover everything from rice and corn on the cob to chili and pizza.

A colorful appliance works best when the rest of the room is calm. Our guide to small kitchen colors explains how to use one bright piece without making a tiny room feel busy.

Who should buy it: Renters who cannot change cabinets or paint, and anyone who wants a bit of personality on the counter. It fits right in with other renter-friendly kitchen upgrades.

7. Danby DBMW0720BBB: Best for Dorms

Danby has made compact appliances for small rooms for decades. The detail that sets this one apart is its 59-inch power cord, far longer than most. In a dorm, the outlet is rarely where the microwave needs to sit, and extension cords for heating appliances are a fire risk many housing rules ban.

The rest is simple. Six auto cook buttons cover popcorn, pizza, potatoes and more, and a control lock stops anyone from starting it by accident.

It weighs about 21 pounds, light enough to carry up stairs on move-in day. If your room also has a mini fridge, our guide on how to defrost a mini fridge will come in handy by midterms.

Who should buy it: Students, office kitchens, and anyone setting up a room with outlets in odd places. Check your housing rules for wattage limits first. Some colleges cap microwave wattage, and a 700-watt model is the safest bet.

How to Choose a Small Microwave

What Size Is a Small Microwave?

Capacity is the inside volume. It does not tell you how much counter the microwave takes, so use this table of typical outside sizes.

Capacity	Typical width	Typical depth	Typical turntable	Good for
0.5 to 0.7 cu ft	About 17 to 18 inches	About 13 to 14 inches	About 10 inches	One person, reheating, dorms
0.8 to 0.9 cu ft	About 18.5 to 19 inches	About 14 to 16.5 inches	10.6 to 12 inches	One or two people, most apartments
1.0 to 1.2 cu ft	About 20 to 21 inches	About 16 to 18 inches	12 inches or more	Two to four people, big dishes

Depth matters too. Standard counters are about 24 inches deep, so a deep microwave can crowd your cutting board. Our countertop organization ideas for a small kitchen show how to plan around it.

Measure the Turntable, Not Just the Box

Measure your largest dinner plate edge to edge. The turntable should be wider than the plate, or the plate will catch on the walls as it turns.

Many dinner plates are 10.5 to 11 inches across. That is more than a 10-inch turntable can handle. If your plates are big, choose a model with a 10.6-inch or 12-inch turntable, or use smaller plates. Our guide to what ceramic dinnerware is explains what your plates are made of.

Measure your tallest container too. A large mug or a deep storage tub can be taller than a compact cavity, which is often only 8 to 9 inches high inside. Flat, stackable airtight food storage containers solve this and save fridge space as well.

How Many Watts Does a Small Microwave Need?

Watts are cooking power, and most small microwaves run 700 to 1,000 watts. Package directions are often written for higher-power ovens. At 700 watts, plan to add time, stir halfway and let food stand a minute before eating. At 900 to 1,000 watts, most labels work as printed.

A tool like the Sistema Microwave Food Steamer turns any of these picks into a quick vegetable or rice cooker. A Nordic Ware microwave egg poacher handles breakfast, and our guide on how to use egg poachers covers the basics.

Microwaves run for minutes, not hours, so they are a cheap way to heat a small amount of food. Our list of the most energy-efficient small kitchen appliances compares them with ovens and kettles.

Inverter vs Standard: Does It Matter in a Small Microwave?

A standard microwave only has one real power level, which is full power. When you pick 50 percent, it runs at full power half the time and switches off the rest. That on-and-off pattern is why defrosted meat can cook at the edges and stay frozen in the middle.

An inverter microwave lowers the power itself and keeps it steady. The result is more even defrosting and gentler reheating. In this list, the LG and Panasonic have inverters.

If you mostly heat coffee and leftovers, a standard model is fine. If you thaw meat often or cook from frozen, an inverter is worth having.

Is a Microwave Air Fryer Combo Worth It?

A combo makes sense when it replaces something. If you have no oven, or you were about to buy an air fryer, one combo can do both jobs on one patch of counter.

If you already own a good air fryer, a plain microwave is smaller, cheaper and simpler. Compare the space first. A compact air fryer under $100 plus a 0.7 cubic foot microwave can take less room than one large combo. Our small ovens and toaster ovens for small kitchens guide covers the third option.

Combos also collect grease on the walls and fan cover, so wipe them after crispy cooks, the same way you would clean an air fryer basket.

Compact Microwave vs Normal Size

A normal countertop microwave is usually 1.2 to 2.2 cubic feet and 21 to 24 inches wide. A compact one gives up some inside space to save 3 to 7 inches of counter width.

	Compact (0.7 to 0.9 cu ft)	Normal (1.2 to 2.2 cu ft)
Counter width	About 17 to 19 inches	About 21 to 24 inches
Large dinner plate	Only with a 10.6-inch or larger turntable	Usually fits
9 x 13 dish	Rarely fits	Often fits
Typical power	700 to 1,000 watts	1,000 to 1,250 watts
Best for	One or two people, small counters	Families, big batch cooking

In a small kitchen, the compact class usually wins, because most people heat one plate or bowl at a time. For more ways to win back room, see our small kitchen layout ideas.

Clearance, Venting and Where a Small Microwave Can Go

Countertop microwaves pull in cool air and push warm air out through vents, usually at the back, sides or top. Block those vents and the microwave runs hot, which shortens its life and can become a fire risk.

• Never inside a closed cabinet. A countertop model is not designed for it. Built-in setups need a model sold with a trim kit.
• Leave the gaps the manual lists. Each maker gives side, back and top clearance numbers. Follow those over any general rule.
• Give combos extra room. In air fry and convection modes, the outside gets hot. Keep them away from walls, curtains and low upper cabinets.
• Keep the top clear. Do not stack bread, paper towels or other appliances on top.
• Plug straight into the wall. Skip extension cords and power strips for a microwave.

An open shelf can work if it meets the clearance numbers. A sturdy rolling cart is another good spot in a galley kitchen where the counter is narrow. If you want a shelf above a counter microwave, the PUSDON Expandable Microwave Oven Rack stands over it without drilling. Set it high enough to leave the vent gap clear.

If your kitchen is a single run of cabinets, our one-wall kitchen ideas show where a microwave fits without blocking prep space.

Noise: Beeps, Doors and Fans

Small kitchens are often part of the living room, so noise matters. The end beep is the loudest part for most people, and a mute button fixes it. A soft-close door like the Breville’s stops the slam. The fan hum is similar across most models.

Small Microwaves for Dorms, Renters and RVs

Dorms often have strict appliance rules. Many limit microwave wattage or size, and some only allow a microwave built into a combined fridge unit. Read your housing list before you buy. A 700-watt model like the Danby or BLACK+DECKER usually fits the tightest limits.

Renters have more freedom but less space. A countertop microwave needs no installation, so it moves with you to the next place. Pick one that fits on a cart or a small shelf in case the next kitchen is even smaller. Our guide to storing small appliances in a small kitchen covers how to keep the counter clear around it.

In an RV, check your power supply first, since a generator or inverter may not handle a 1,000-watt microwave.

What a Small Microwave Does Best

A small microwave shines with batch cooking. Cook once, portion into containers, and reheat during the week. That rhythm cuts waste, as our guide on how to cook for one without wasting food explains. It also helps to know how long leftovers last so your reheated meals stay safe.

For a complete compact setup, see our roundup of the best small kitchen appliances for cooking for one. It shows which appliances pair well with a small microwave and which ones you can skip.

Which Small Microwave Should You Buy?

• You want one that does it all in a small footprint: LG NeoChef MSER0990S.
• You want the lowest price and the smallest box: BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7.
• You live in a studio or share walls: Breville Compact Wave Soft Close.
• You have no oven or want to skip a separate air fryer: Toshiba ML2-EC10SA(BS).
• Your plates are big or you cook for a few people: Panasonic NN-SN66KB.
• You want the microwave to look good on the counter: Galanz Retro 0.9.
• You are moving into a dorm: Danby DBMW0720BBB.

Before you click buy, do two things. Measure the counter spot, including the clearance gaps. Then measure your biggest plate. If both numbers fit, you have the right microwave.

Related Guides

• Where to Put the Microwave in a Small Kitchen
• 7 Best Over-the-Range Microwaves
• Best Compact Energy Star Appliances for Small Kitchens
• How to Stock a Small Kitchen for Solo Cooking
• Small Kitchen Gadgets Worth Buying When You Cook for One
• How to Reduce Kitchen Energy Use in a Small Apartment
• Can You Bake in an Air Fryer?

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is considered a small microwave?

Most brands call anything from about 0.5 to 1.1 cubic feet small or compact. In real terms, a 0.7 cubic foot model is roughly 17 inches wide and 13 inches deep, and a 0.9 cubic foot model is closer to 19 inches wide. Anything at 1.2 cubic feet or more is usually 20 inches wide or larger, which is a full-size footprint on a short counter.

Is a 0.7 cu ft microwave big enough?

For one or two people, usually yes. A 0.7 cubic foot microwave handles mugs, bowls, popcorn, frozen meals and leftovers without trouble. The limit is plate size. Most 0.7 models have a turntable around 10 inches across, so a large 11-inch dinner plate may not spin freely. Measure your biggest plate before you buy, and step up to 0.9 cubic feet if it is over 10 inches.

How many watts should a small microwave have?

Small microwaves usually run between 700 and 1,000 watts. At 700 watts, food takes noticeably longer than package directions written for higher-power ovens, so you add time and stir more. At 900 to 1,000 watts, cook times are close to what most labels expect. If your building or dorm sets a wattage limit, check it before you choose.

Is a microwave air fryer combo worth it in a small kitchen?

It can be, if it replaces another appliance. A combo like the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA(BS) can microwave, air fry, bake with convection and broil, so it can stand in for a separate air fryer or toaster oven. The trade-off is size. Combos are wider and deeper than plain compact microwaves, and the outside gets hotter in air fry mode, so they need more open space around them.

Can you put a small microwave inside a cabinet?

Not inside a closed cabinet. A countertop microwave pulls in air and pushes heat out through vents, and a closed box traps that heat. An open shelf or cubby can work if it leaves the gaps the manual asks for on the sides, back and top. If you want a microwave built into cabinetry, buy a model sold with a matching trim kit or a microwave drawer.