Comparison: 20 Litres Best Microwave Oven (Updated | May 13th)

When you are hunting for the 20 litres best microwave oven, the Total Chef Retro in black is a serious contender for those who care about aesthetics as much as utility. What really stands out in real life is that gorgeous vintage silhouette; it’s not just a boxy appliance but a piece of decor with chrome accents that makes a cramped studio apartment feel like a curated space. It manages to cram 8 pre-set cooking modes into a tiny footprint, making it surprisingly versatile for its size.

I would recommend this specifically for students in dorms or anyone living the RV life where every inch of counter space is precious. It’s built for the basics—heating up your morning coffee, popping popcorn, or defrosting a single chicken breast. It’s the ultimate “space-saver” that doesn’t look cheap.

However, the trade-off is the 700W power output. In a world of 1000W+ machines, this one takes its time. You’ll likely find yourself adding an extra minute or two to the instructions on your frozen dinner box. It’s a classic case of form over raw speed, so if you’re always in a frantic rush, the slower heating might test your patience.

The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS is a powerhouse that feels much more expensive than it is, largely thanks to that Smart Humidity Sensor. While basic microwaves just blast heat, this one actually monitors the steam coming off your food to adjust the time. It’s a game-changer for reheating leftovers without turning them into rubbery leather. The 1000W power ensures you aren’t waiting around, and the 1.2 Cu Ft capacity is the “Goldilocks” size—big enough for a family dinner plate but not so huge it dominates the kitchen.

This is the ideal pick for a busy family or a serious home cook who needs a reliable secondary tool. If you hate the constant beeping of appliances, the Mute Function (accessed by holding down the 8 key) is a feature you’ll end up using every single day. It’s rare to find such a quiet, intelligent machine at this price point.

The downside? It is significantly larger than the 20L models. If you have a tiny apartment kitchen with narrow counters, this 20-inch wide unit might feel like it’s eating all your prep space. It’s a heavy-duty machine that requires a heavy-duty footprint.

If the standard black or white appliances make your kitchen feel like a hospital wing, this Total Chef Retro in vibrant blue is a breath of fresh air. It’s functionally identical to its siblings, but that eye-catching blue finish is what makes it stand out. It’s a 20L / 0.7 Cu Ft unit that looks like it stepped out of a 1950s diner, yet it features a modern LED display and easy-to-use dial controls that feel sturdy rather than flimsy.

This is the perfect gift for a college student or someone setting up their first “tiny home.” It handles the essentials like rice, pasta, and potatoes with dedicated buttons, so you don’t have to guess the timing. Because it’s so light and compact, it’s also incredibly easy to move around or tuck into a pantry shelf when not in use.

The honest trade-off here is the interior height. While it has a removable glass turntable, the compact 20L capacity means you can’t fit tall mugs or oversized dinner plates inside. You’ll need to stick to standard-sized dishes, as anything with a bit of height will likely clink against the ceiling of the unit as it rotates.

The Total Chef Retro in red is arguably the boldest version of this 700W compact microwave. In a real-world kitchen, that “vibrant red” acts as a focal point, drawing the eye away from more utilitarian clutter. It’s a smart way to add personality to an office lunchroom or a cottage kitchen where you want a bit of “pop.” Beyond the looks, the Weight/Time Defrost feature is surprisingly accurate for such a small machine, preventing that annoying “cooked on the edges, frozen in the middle” result.

I’d suggest this for anyone who primarily uses a microwave for reheating small portions or snacks. It’s the “best 20 litres” option for those who prioritize a space-saving design without sacrificing the convenience of 8 pre-set modes. It’s simple, tactile, and does exactly what it says on the tin.

One thing to watch out for is the chrome-style accents. While they look sharp, they are prone to showing fingerprints and smudges more than a matte finish would. You’ll find yourself wiping down the handle and buttons frequently if you want to keep that “showroom” vintage shine looking its best.

The TOSHIBA ML2-EC10SA(BS) isn’t just a microwave; it’s a Swiss Army knife for your counter. What makes it stand out is the 8-in-1 functionality, specifically the Air Fry and Convection modes. Being able to roast a whole chicken or air fry wings in the same machine you use to heat up coffee is a massive win for efficiency. The Position Memory Turntable is a small but brilliant touch—it returns your mug handle to the exact spot you put it in, so you aren’t reaching into the back for a hot handle.

This is the ultimate buy for someone living in a studio or a small apartment without a full-sized oven. It essentially replaces three different appliances. If you’re a fan of “one-pot” style cooking but for appliances, this 1.0 Cu.ft unit is your best friend.

The trade-off is the complexity. Because it does so much, the control panel is a bit more intimidating than a standard microwave. There is a learning curve to the two-step child lock and the various combination modes. If you just want to press a “30-second” button and walk away, this might feel like overkill.

When you need raw power and massive volume, the GE Countertop Microwave at 2.0 Cubic Ft. is the heavy hitter of the group. What makes this stand out is the 1,200-watt capacity; it heats food significantly faster than almost anything else in its class. The Sensor Cooking Controls are a highlight here, taking the guesswork out of things like baked potatoes or frozen veggies by automatically adjusting the power level mid-cycle.

This is built for a large household or a busy office where the microwave is constantly in use. If you’re often defrosting large family-sized portions of meat or heating up giant casserole dishes, the Weight and Time Defrost and the massive interior turntable are essential. It’s a “kitchen essential” in the truest sense.

The obvious downside is the sheer size. This is not a “compact” unit by any stretch of the imagination. It will take up a significant chunk of your countertop, and it’s quite heavy. You really need to measure your space before committing to this beast, as it’s designed for capacity over portability.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) is a middle-ground hero. At 0.9 Cu Ft and 900W, it sits perfectly between the tiny retro models and the massive family units. What stands out is the Black Stainless Steel finish, which looks incredibly modern and resists smudges much better than traditional chrome. It also features that coveted Mute Function, making it a “silent” worker for late-night snacks when you don’t want to wake the whole house.

This is the best use case for an apartment dweller who wants a “real” microwave that doesn’t feel like a toy but also doesn’t have a massive kitchen. The 10.6-inch turntable is large enough for most standard dinner plates, making it much more practical for daily meals than the 20L sub-compacts.

The trade-off here is the Two-Step Child Lock. While it’s a great safety feature, some users find it a bit tedious to navigate every time they want to open the door or start a cycle. It adds an extra layer of effort to a process that is usually one-touch, which can be a minor annoyance for those without kids.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) stands out for its 1.6 Cu.ft capacity and the 1200W high power, making it a top-tier performer for those who hate waiting. The Smart Sensor technology is the star here; it’s incredibly reliable for reheating pizza or vegetables without creating those weird cold spots. I also love the Position Memory Turntable, which ensures your dish ends up exactly where it started—no more reaching into the dark back corner for a hot bowl.

This is the best choice for a family that does a lot of “from scratch” microwave cooking or needs to fit 13-inch pizzas. It’s a high-capacity machine that feels very sturdy and well-engineered. The Sound On/Off feature is a nice bonus for keeping the kitchen peaceful during early mornings.

However, the footprint is the major trade-off. It’s a large unit that requires plenty of clearance for venting. If you are looking for the “20 litres best microwave oven,” this is definitely not it—this is a large-scale appliance that demands its own dedicated spot on the counter or a very sturdy shelf.