One of the main rooms for congregating around the home or office is the kitchen. It’s a gathering space for conversation, communication and, above all, cooking. And sometimes, your kitchen could do with an upgrade.
Don’t feel like replacing the massive, 20-year-old microwave model that currently sits on your countertop? Consider this: not only is your outdated oven model taking up valuable space, but it could also be giving off a ton of unnecessary radiation and wasting far more energy than you may be budgeting for. Make the right move. Downsize your cooker and opt for a mini version to make all of your meals––conserve considerable electricity, eliminate hazards and give your kitchen a complementary compact model that can actually bring some serious style to your space.
While no two microwaves are alike when it comes to fast cooking––take it down a notch. Go miniature without sacrificing quality, value, style or substance. Your electric bill just might thank you.
Obviously, the choice is yours––but we’ve taken the time to assemble a list of the best miniature microwave oven options on the market today. But before we dive into our top ten, here are some further benefits to incorporating a compact cooker to the countertop of your home, dorm or office kitchen.
Making the most of your miniature microwave
We all know that one of the most satisfying benefits of microwave cooking is the convenience involved, especially when cooking for one. But, there are also plenty of other reasons to invest in a quality microwave for your home or office.
- Cooking food in a microwave oven presents less risk of burns. While they provide heat to the product, the internal chamber remains a mostly neutral temperature, even directly after operation. Also, microwave ovens heat food containers, but not to the same severity of traditional ovens.
- Using a microwave oven to prepare food eliminates the likely formation of carcinogenic tars and char, compared with oven baking, barbecuing or stovetop frying, due to the overall lower cooking temperatures.
- Cooking with direct heat (i.e. oven broiler or BBQ grill) can heat the surface of foods while leaving internal temperatures cold. The waves in microwaves penetrate beneath surface level thus, when combined with the efficacy of a rotating turntable, food is cooked more evenly.
- Since food spends less time in a microwave, compared to ovens, many different types of food retain more of their nutrients, which would otherwise be evaporated by prolonged exposure to heat.
- Microwave ovens use less energy than conventional ovens and stovetops, especially when users are only reheating small portions of food.
- Microwaves also function well on their own, even when unattended…something that cannot be said for conventional ovens. Just about every modern microwave features a built-in, automatic shut-off feature once food preparation is complete.
- And clean-up is a breeze––oftentimes with just a sponge and basic household cleaner.
- Microwave ovens are completely versatile for use with cookers of all ages. Unlike ovens, they produce no flame, so even children can confidently operate it.
- Also, since microwaves are self-contained, cooking devices never reach extreme temperatures, they do not produce steam or smoke.
- Microwave ovens do not require preheating––cooking starts as soon as you push the power button––making them much more efficient compared to traditional electric ovens.
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The 10 Best Mini Microwaves
Commercial Chef Countertop Small Microwave Oven
Product Highlights
An Amazon Choice! Commercial Chef countertop microwaves are some of the most popular and highly rated electronics available. What makes this model stand out is its low price, high value, and its incredibly compact design. Ideal for small workspaces, this microwave features mechanical dials with 6 automatic cooking power levels––including defrost. There is a 30-minute timer, automatic shut-off function, and a removable 9.5” glass turntable for easy clean-up of messy spills (dishwasher safe).
Best of all, the Commercial Chef microwave does not consume electricity when not in use, nor is there a distracting hum, making it ideal for placing in quiet areas like dorm rooms and office spaces.
Product dimensions: 17.75 inches x 12.5 inches x 10.25 inches
Product weight: 23 lbs
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 700 watts
Whirlpool Silver Countertop Microwave Oven
Product Highlights
With its unique shape and space-saving functionality, the Whirlpool Silver Countertop Microwave Oven is a must-have for mini-owners. One of the most distinctive shapes on the market, this highly-rated model is unbelievably compact (0.5 cubic feet), yet still manages to fit an entire 11” dinner plate atop its internal glass turntable.
It has a solid control lock (great for households or offices with small kids) plus 10 variable power levels that cooks and reheats multiple types of foods in 30 or 60-second intervals. The sleek design fits snugly into most corners, or it can stand out on its own as a miniature countertop centerpiece.
Product dimensions: 13.75 inches x 15.38 inches x 14.13 inches
Product capacity: 0.5 cubic feet
Product weight: 25 lbs
Wattage: 750 watts
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave
Product Highlights
A name you know and trust, Black + Decker are pioneers when it comes to household tools and appliances. So, it’s no surprise that one of the most popular and highly rated miniature microwave ovens on the market would be the Black + Decker EM925AB9 Stainless Steel Microwave. Beautifully designed in a sleek finish, this compact model fits many different types of contemporary décor, proving it a versatile option for your office space.
With 0.7 cubic feet of space, and 700 watts of cooking power, you can truly do it all––from microwave popcorn to pizza, thawing frozen meats or cooking casseroles from scratch. Keep track of progress with the large format LED digital display panel and clean things down by removing the 10” dishwasher-safe glass turntable. And because it’s Black + Decker, it also comes complete with a solid warranty.
Product dimensions: 17.3 inches x 13 inches x 10.2 inches
Product capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
Product weight: 22.5 lbs
Voltage: 110 volts
Wattage: 700 watts
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SD372S Stainless Steel
Product Highlights
Compact design isn’t the only feature of this popular, high-power miniature microwave model. Panasonic––a name you know you can trust when it comes to appliances––uses patented inverter technology to create a seamless and consistent stream of cooking power, while its advanced turbo defrost function means less waiting for frozen foods to thaw.
Smart cooking is the focus here with automatic, built-in genius sensors that adjust power and times based on certain types of foods. In addition, pre-set menu items function, quick timer, delay start, and child safety locks all come standard on Panasonic microwaves.
Product dimensions: 11 inches x 19 inches x 14 inches
Product capacity: 0.8 cubic feet
Product weight: 22.5 lbs
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 950 watts
WINIA WOR07R3ZEL Retro Microwave
Product Highlights
There are microwaves, and then there are microwaves that look like this. WINIA’s unique retro series of compact countertop ovens gives some serious vintage charm to your small space (0.7 cubic feet, to be exact) with all of the elements of a modern microwave. Featuring 5 distinct power levels, plus 5 auto-cook options ideal for reheating and defrosting, this miniature model is a real conversation starter––and, it’s available in a rainbow of colors options, including mint (pictured), matte cream, rocket red, and city blue.
All models come complete with an exclusive Concave Reflex System (C.R.S) that cooks food faster and more evenly than traditional microwave ovens. Also, a foolproof child safety lock means no accidents!
Best of all, WINIA’s Zero On energy-saving function lets you leave a smaller footprint on the environment––and on your countertop.
Product dimensions: 17.6 inches x 12.7 inches x 10.6 inches
Product capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
Product weight: 23.7 lbs
Wattage: 700 watts
Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave Oven
Product Highlights
With its sleek, black stainless-steel finish, this dynamic (and powerfully compact) microwave model is an elevated addition to any countertop. Featuring 0.9 cubic feet of internal space, and a solid 900 watts of cooking power, it’s perfect for defrosting frozen meats, while the 10 cooking power levels––plus express cook buttons––and rotating turntable ensure even heat distribution every time.
The Toshiba is also equipped with an LED cavity light that can be dimmed with the handy, energy-saving ECO mode. Plus, a mute button, a built-in kitchen timer, and easy-to-grip door handle all contribute to the overall user experience.
Product dimensions: 19.2 inches x 15.9 inches x 11.5 inches
Product capacity: 0.9 cubic feet
Product weight: 27.3 lbs
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 900 watts
COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM Countertop Microwave Oven
Product Highlights
A solid, compact microwave oven from COMFEE’, the big selling point of this popular model are the thoughtful features that are unique from many similar ovens at this price point. Built-in safety features like child locks are great, but even more interesting is the option to mute all beeps and alarms––a rarity in the microwave market. Hit the [sound on/off] button for the most quiet, considerate cooking experience (perfect for dorms or households and offices with sleeping babies).
But more importantly, this 700-watt microwave offers convenient one-touch cooking within 0.7 cubic feet, 11 power levels, and a removable glass turntable for easy clean-up. And, to conserve energy, just switch on ECO mode to lower the powerful LED digital display.
Product dimensions: 17.3 inches x 13 inches x 10.2 inches
Product capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
Product weight: 20.3 lbs
Wattage: 700 watts
Galanz GLCMKA07BKR-07 Microwave Oven
Product Highlights
- Another premium miniature microwave oven with character to spare, the range of colorful vintage models from Galanz are a testament to the popularity of mixing vintage aesthetics with modern capabilities and power. Available in retro red, bebop blue, surfer blue and vinyl black, these compact countertop options may be small, but they pack a powerful cooking punch with 700 watts and 6 unique cooking levels. A removable, rotating internal glass turntable means even cooking all around while the sleek exterior shell mixes harmoniously with the modern LED digital display.
Product dimensions: 17.8 inches x 13.8 inches x 10.3 inches
Product capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
Product weight: 24.1 lbs
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 700 watts
Impecca CM0674K 700-Watts Counter top Microwave Oven
Product Highlights
Simply impeccable––that’s the motto of the Impecca brand. And, based on multiple five-star product reviews, we’re inclined to agree. This compact microwave takes up a minimal amount of counter space (while still providing 0.6 cubic feet of cooking capacity). Meanwhile, the six different power levels make cooking, reheating and/or defrosting various types of food a breeze.
The manual mechanical dial controls are incredibly easy to use (great for basic operation and a solid alternative for seniors and those who don’t like digital readouts). Best of all, a 30-minute max timer ensures that every cooking experience is a safe one––operators cannot accidentally enter a longer cooking time.
Product dimensions: 19.5 inches x 14 inches x 11.5 inches
Product capacity: 0.6 cubic feet
Product weight: 25 lbs
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 700 watts
Magic Chef 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W Oven
Product Highlights
Proving that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for budget, this high-value Magic Chef microwave is a top-rated model for those who aren’t looking for too many bells and whistles. Simply put, it’s a basic, compact microwave that does the job.
Quickly and easily prepare snacks or large meals with 0.7 cubic feet of cooking space––that won’t clutter your counter. Equipped with a solid 700 watts of heating power and 10 individual power cook levels, as well as 8 one-touch instant cook programs to alleviate guessing, this option is ideal for busy families, students and employees looking to heat food quickly and seamlessly.
Product dimensions: 14.9 inches x 19.2 inches x 11.4 inches
Product capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
Product weight: 24.3 lbs
Wattage: 700 watts
