Comparison: Best 800 Watt Microwave (Updated | May 13th)

If you are hunting for the ultimate high-tech kitchen assistant that fits in a medium-sized footprint, the GE Profile PCHK11S1WBB is a total standout. What really catches my eye here is the Scan-to-Cook technology. In a world where we all rely on frozen meals more than we’d like to admit, being able to scan a barcode and let the 800W motor automatically figure out the timing is a massive convenience win. It even has Wi-Fi Connect, which feels like a luxury in the 800-watt category, allowing you to check on your food via your phone.

I’d recommend this for tech-savvy homeowners or anyone doing a kitchen remodel who wants a seamless look. Since it is built-in capable and can be mounted under a cabinet, it’s the best choice for clearing up cluttered countertops. It offers that high-end GE Profile aesthetic without needing a massive 2.0 cubic foot cavity.

The honest trade-off here is the price and the “hidden” costs. While the microwave itself is feature-rich, if you actually want to use that built-in or under-cabinet functionality, you have to buy the trim kits or mounting hardware separately. If you just leave it on the counter, you’re paying a premium for mounting engineering you aren’t using.

The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS is the heavyweight champion in this lineup, even though it technically exceeds the 800W baseline with a punchy 1000 watts of output. What makes it a real-life winner is the Smart Humidity Sensor. Instead of just guessing how long a plate of leftovers needs, the sensor detects steam to prevent that dreaded “rubbery” texture. It is a workhorse with a generous 1.2 Cu Ft capacity and a large 12.4-inch turntable that can actually fit a full-sized dinner plate or a medium casserole dish.

This is the perfect “family” microwave. If you have kids or a busy household where the microwave is used multiple times a day for everything from defrosting meat to reheating pizza, the TOSHIBA is built for that volume. The Mute Function is also a godsend for early risers who don’t want to wake the whole house with loud beeps.

However, the downside is its physical footprint. It’s significantly larger than the 0.7 or 0.9 cubic foot models. If you have a tiny apartment kitchen or limited counter depth, this Black Stainless Steel beast might feel a bit intrusive. It’s a performance-first machine, not a space-saver.

The Nostalgia Retro (Red) is all about making a bold personality statement. In a sea of boring stainless steel boxes, this vibrant red unit with its chrome door handle and vintage dial looks like it belongs in a 1950s diner. In real life, it’s surprisingly functional for its size, offering 800 Watts of power which is the “sweet spot” for most microwaveable snacks and frozen sides without being too slow.

I think this is the ideal choice for a college dorm, a basement man-cave, or a home office. It’s 0.9 Cu. Ft., so it’s compact enough to tuck away but still has enough “oomph” to handle a bag of popcorn or a potato. The 12 pre-programmed settings make it very beginner-friendly for someone who doesn’t want to fiddle with power levels manually.

The trade-off is the control interface. Because it uses a program dial rather than a full number pad, it takes an extra second or two to “scroll” to your desired time. If you are used to just punching in “3-0-Start,” the dial system might feel a little clunky until you get the hang of the Express Cooking shortcuts.

This Aqua Nostalgia Retro microwave is functionally identical to its red sibling, but the color makes it a completely different vibe for your interior design. The 800-Watt output is reliable, and the LED Digital Display is bright and easy to read even from across the room. What stands out most is how it transforms the kitchen into a curated space; it’s as much a piece of decor as it is an appliance.

I would suggest this specific model for someone who loves the “Grandmillennial” or beach-cottage aesthetic. It’s small enough to fit on a tiny kitchen cart, making it great for studio apartments or tiny homes where every item needs to be both useful and beautiful. The Child Lock feature is a nice safety touch if you have little ones running around.

One thing to keep in mind is that 800 watts is noticeably slower than the 1000W-1200W models you find in most modern kitchens. You’ll likely find yourself adding an extra 30 to 60 seconds to the instructions on most frozen food boxes. It’s a minor patience tax for such a stylish Aqua machine.

The Ivory Nostalgia Retro offers a more sophisticated, understated take on the vintage look. While the red and aqua versions scream for attention, this Ivory finish feels more like a classic heirloom. Under the hood, it’s a solid 800-watt performer with a 0.9 cu ft interior. The chrome accents really pop against the cream-colored body, giving it a very high-end feel for the price point.

This is the best “middle ground” for someone who wants the retro charm without the neon colors. It fits perfectly in a farmhouse-style kitchen or a cozy breakroom. The Easy Clean Interior is a huge plus here—spills wipe up quickly, which is essential since the ivory exterior makes you want to keep the whole area looking pristine.

The main drawback is that the 0.9 Cu. Ft. interior is a bit tight for larger dinner plates or oversized bowls. If you frequently cook large batches of food, you might find the Nostalgia line a bit restrictive. It’s definitely designed for light reheating and single-serving meals rather than heavy-duty cooking.

When you need raw power and massive capacity, the GE 2.0 Cubic Ft. Microwave is the undisputed “big brother” of the group. With a staggering 1200 watts, it cooks significantly faster than the 800W models. What makes it stand out in a busy kitchen is the Sensor Cooking. It takes the guesswork out of everything from baked potatoes to reheating a dinner plate by monitoring the steam levels and adjusting the time automatically.

This is the go-to for a large family or a shared apartment where people are constantly heating up big containers of food. If you have the counter space, the Stainless Steel finish gives it a professional look that matches other high-end appliances. It also features a Two-Step Child Lock, which is a great safety upgrade for households with curious toddlers.

The obvious trade-off is the sheer size. At 2.0 cubic feet, this thing is a footprint hog. It is not “dorm friendly” and will dominate a small countertop. Additionally, 1200 watts is powerful enough that it can easily overcook delicate foods if you aren’t paying attention to the Power Levels.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) is a masterclass in space efficiency. It packs 900 watts—just a bit more than the 800W standard—into a very compact 0.9 Cu Ft frame. The Black Stainless Steel finish is a real-life standout because it resists fingerprints much better than traditional shiny stainless steel, keeping your kitchen looking cleaner for longer.

This is the “goldilocks” microwave for apartment dwellers or office breakrooms. It’s powerful enough that you don’t feel like you’re waiting forever for your coffee to heat up, but small enough to leave plenty of room for your cutting board. The Mute Function and Eco Mode show that TOSHIBA really thought about the user experience in small living quarters.

The trade-off is the 10.6-inch turntable. While it’s fine for standard plates, it won’t accommodate large rectangular glass baking dishes or oversized popcorn bowls. You are sacrificing interior real estate for that sleek, compact exterior, so measure your favorite plates before committing.

The Emerson MWRG0901W is a fascinating hybrid that stands out because of its 1,000W Grill Function. While the microwave side runs at a standard 800W, the built-in grill allows you to actually brown and crisp your food. This solves the age-old microwave problem of “soggy pizza” or “rubbery toast.” It’s a rare feature to find in a compact 0.9 Cu. Ft. unit, especially one with such a charming Retro White design.

I’d recommend this for someone who lives in a studio or a “micro-apartment” without a full oven. Being able to get a grilled texture on a sandwich or a casserole topping using just one countertop appliance is a game-changer for limited kitchens. It’s also great for people who value that nostalgic aesthetic but want modern cooking versatility.

The honest downside is that the 800W cooking power is on the lower side for the microwave function. If you are just using it for standard reheating, it will be slower than a 1000W unit. You really have to use the Grill Mode to make the most of this machine; otherwise, you’re just paying for a feature you aren’t utilizing.

The Chefman 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave is the definition of “small but mighty.” At only 700 Watts, it’s the least powerful on this list, but it stands out because of its incredibly smart layout. It features One-Touch Express Cook and a Memory Function, which is rare for such a budget-friendly, compact unit. You can actually program your most-used settings so you don’t have to think about it in the morning.

This is the ultimate “dorm room” or “camper” microwave. If you are extremely tight on space or need an appliance that won’t trip a lower-amperage circuit breaker, the Chefman is your best bet. The Mute Button is also a fantastic addition for late-night snacking when you don’t want the “beep-beep-beep” to alert everyone in the building.

The trade-off is definitely the speed. With 700W, you are at the bottom of the power scale. Defrosting a thick chicken breast or boiling a large bowl of water will take significantly longer than it would in a standard 800W or 1000W oven. It’s built for convenience and size, not for rapid-fire cooking.

The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is a no-nonsense, reliable appliance from a brand everyone knows. What makes it stand out in real life is its simplicity and the Push-Button Door. While many modern microwaves use a pull-handle that can cause the whole unit to slide forward on a slick counter, the push-button release keeps the Stainless Steel unit firmly in place. It’s a classic 700W machine that does exactly what it says on the box.

This is the perfect choice for a senior living facility, a small office, or as a secondary microwave just for beverages. It’s 0.7 Cu. Ft., making it one of the smallest footprints available. The 30 Seconds Express Cooking is a staple feature that makes it very intuitive to use for people who don’t want to learn a complicated menu system.

The main trade-off is the interior light and visibility. The 700W power level means it’s a bit slower, and because the unit is so compact, the 10” turntable won’t fit a standard large dinner plate comfortably. You’ll mostly be limited to smaller bowls, mugs, and frozen snack boxes. It’s a “basics-only” machine that prioritizes reliability over raw power.