Comparison: Best 700 Watt Countertop Microwave (Updated | Jul 27th)

The Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel model is a classic choice for someone who wants their small appliances to look a bit more upscale. While many 700-watt units feel like plastic toys, the stainless steel finish here gives it a professional edge that blends into modern kitchens without hogging the entire counter. It manages to feel substantial despite its compact 0.7 cubic foot footprint, making it a reliable workhorse for reheating coffee or heating up a quick frozen meal.

I’d recommend this specifically for studio apartments or office breakrooms where aesthetic matters just as much as function. The ten power levels and multi-stage cooking options mean you aren’t just stuck with “on” or “off”; you actually have some control over how your food is treated. It’s perfect for the person who needs a dependable daily driver that doesn’t look cheap.

The trade-off is that 700 watts is the baseline for power. If you are used to a full-sized 1100-watt oven, you’ll need to adjust your expectations and likely add a minute or two to most microwave instructions. It’s built for space-saving efficiency, not for record-breaking speed.

What really sets the Chefman 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave apart from the pack is the inclusion of a Mute Button. It sounds like a small detail, but in a quiet house or a shared dorm, being able to silence those piercing end-of-cycle beeps is a total game-changer. It also features a handy Memory Function, allowing you to save your most-used settings so you don’t have to punch in the same numbers every single morning for your oatmeal.

This is the ideal pick for night owls, parents with sleeping babies, or college students living in cramped quarters. The Eco Mode is another nice touch for the energy-conscious, reducing standby power when the machine isn’t in use. It’s a smart, thoughtful little appliance that prioritizes the user experience over just raw heat.

However, the black-on-black design can be a bit of a double-edged sword. While it looks sleek, the control panel can be difficult to read in low-light conditions. If your kitchen isn’t well-lit, you might find yourself squinting or hunting for the right button until you’ve memorized the layout.

The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is a no-nonsense appliance that focuses on ease of access. The standout feature here is the push-button door release. In a world of pull-handles that sometimes cause the whole microwave to slide forward on the counter, a simple button press keeps the unit stable. It’s a sturdy, well-balanced machine that feels like it can handle the repetitive “open-and-shut” of a busy household.

This is a great fit for seniors or families with younger kids because the interface is incredibly intuitive. The 30-second express cooking button is prominent and easy to hit, and the 10-inch glass turntable is actually quite generous for a microwave of this size, fitting most standard dinner plates without catching on the sides.

On the downside, the 1050W rated input power is quite high relative to its 700W output. This means it’s drawing a fair amount of electricity for a compact unit. It’s not the most energy-efficient option in the 0.7 cubic foot category, but for many, the reliability of the BLACK+DECKER brand name makes that a secondary concern.

The TOSHIBA MM-EM07PA(BK) punches above its weight class thanks to the ChefDefrost feature. Most small microwaves tend to “cook” the edges of meat while the middle stays frozen during defrosting, but TOSHIBA has optimized the pulse of the 700 watts to be much gentler. It’s surprisingly sophisticated for a “small” microwave, offering 11 power levels instead of the standard ten, giving you that extra bit of precision.

This is the best choice for a home cook who actually uses their microwave for food prep rather than just reheating leftovers. If you frequently forget to take the chicken out of the freezer, this unit will save your dinner. The Mute Mode (activated by holding the “8” key) and Eco Mode make it a very modern, polite addition to a kitchen.

One thing to keep in mind is the exterior dimensions. It’s slightly shallower than some competitors, which is great for narrow counters, but the internal height is somewhat limited. You might struggle to fit taller coffee mugs or stacked steaming containers inside, so measure your favorite dishes before committing.

The Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. in Black is the quintessential “hidden” appliance. Because it’s finished in a deep black, it tends to disappear into the shadows of a countertop, which is exactly what you want if you hate the look of cluttered surfaces. It shares the same 700-watt guts as its stainless sibling, offering multi-stage cooking that allows you to defrost and then immediately start the cook cycle without having to come back and press more buttons.

I’d recommend this for rental properties or guest suites. It’s affordable, looks clean, and the child safety lock provides peace of mind if you have rotating guests with little ones. It’s a “set it and forget it” kind of machine that does exactly what it says on the box without any unnecessary fluff.

The main drawback is the plastic housing on the exterior. While it’s durable enough for light use, it doesn’t have the same premium feel or dent-resistance as the stainless steel version. It’s prone to showing fingerprints and smudges, so you’ll want to keep a microfiber cloth handy if you’re a stickler for a clean-looking kitchen.

The GE Compact 0.7 Cubic Ft. in White is a breath of fresh air for those tired of the “modern” black and silver look. Its all-white design is crisp and classic, making it feel much more integrated into traditional or farmhouse-style kitchens. What really makes it stand out is the Instant On express controls; GE has mastered the logic of one-touch starts, making it incredibly fast to get things moving when you’re in a rush.

This is the perfect dorm room or apartment essential. It’s built with a two-step child lock, which is a bit more robust than the standard “hold for three seconds” locks found elsewhere. If you’re looking for a GE-quality appliance that won’t break the bank but will survive years of daily use, this is a solid bet.

The trade-off here is the sound level. This unit is a bit louder than some of the “silent mode” competitors. You’ll definitely know when it’s running, and the end-of-cycle alarm is persistent. If you’re looking for a stealthy, quiet microwave, the lack of a mute function might be a dealbreaker for you.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is a powerhouse of features for such a budget-friendly price point. It really stands out for its Energy Saving Eco Mode, which claims to cut standby power consumption by 50%. In an era where “vampire power” adds up, having a microwave that essentially naps when not in use is a great perk. It also includes the highly coveted Sound On/Off feature, allowing for total silence.

I would suggest this for value-conscious shoppers who want all the “luxury” features (like mute and eco modes) without paying a premium. It’s a fantastic secondary microwave—maybe for a basement bar or a home office—where you want functionality but don’t want to spend a fortune.

One honest downside is the lightweight construction. Because it doesn’t weigh much, the unit can sometimes slide slightly on a smooth countertop when you push the button to open the door. You might need to put a small rubber mat underneath it or just get used to holding the top of the unit when you pop the latch.

This GE Countertop Microwave in black offers a very sleek stainless steel and black glass hybrid look that feels significantly more expensive than it is. The Instant On controls are the star of the show here; being able to just hit “2” and have it immediately start for two minutes is a convenience you miss the second you use a microwave without it. It’s a very responsive machine with a high-quality keypad.

This is best for professionals or busy couples who need a reliable, fast-acting microwave for the “basics.” It’s a great fit for a compact kitchen where you still want the prestige of a GE appliance but only have about 17 inches of counter width to spare. The 39-inch power cord is also slightly longer than average, giving you more flexibility on where to plug it in.

The trade-off is the two-step child lock. While it’s a great safety feature, it can be a bit annoying for adults who aren’t used to it. It adds an extra layer of interaction that some might find cumbersome if they are just trying to heat up a quick snack without thinking about safety protocols.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM in Pearl White is easily the most stylish of the bunch. The “Pearl” finish has a slight sheen that looks much more sophisticated than a standard matte white. Like its black counterpart, it features the Mute Function and Eco Mode, but it also has a very clear, bright digital display that is easy to read from across the room. It’s a cheerful-looking appliance that brightens up a space.

This is the “best-buy” for first-time homeowners or students who want their space to look curated. The one-touch express cooking for 1-6 minutes is incredibly handy for the common stuff like popcorn or reheating a coffee. It’s a feature-rich machine that covers all the bases for a very reasonable price.

One thing to watch out for is the turntable size. At 10 inches, it fits most plates, but if you have oversized square dinnerware, it might struggle to rotate freely. You’ll want to stick to standard round plates to ensure the 700 watts of power can distribute heat evenly without the dish getting stuck against the interior walls.

The Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. in White is the definition of a dependable, old-school microwave experience. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; it just provides 700 watts of consistent power in a clean, white chassis. The Easy Clean interior is the standout feature here—the coating inside seems specifically designed to allow splatters to be wiped away with just a damp cloth, which is a lifesaver for those of us who forget to use a microwave cover.

This is the perfect choice for rental units or a “first microwave” for a child moving into their first apartment. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s very easy to maintain. The multi-stage cooking is a nice bonus at this price point, allowing you to program a defrost cycle followed by a cook cycle in one go.

The honest downside is that the design is very basic. It looks a bit dated compared to some of the sleek glass-fronted models from TOSHIBA or Chefman. If you are looking for a statement piece for your kitchen, this isn’t it. This is a practical tool designed for utility, not for winning any design awards.