Comparison: Best .7 Microwave (Updated | May 14th)

If you have ever lived with someone who wakes up at the crack of dawn or stays up late for a midnight snack, you know that the “beep-beep-beep” of a microwave is basically a house-wide alarm clock. That is exactly why the Chefman Countertop Microwave stands out to me. It features a dedicated Mute Button, which is a total game-changer for shared living spaces. Beyond the silence, it’s a punchy little 700W machine that includes a Memory Function, letting you program your specific “perfect reheat” settings so you don’t have to punch in the same numbers every single day.

I’d recommend this for parents with sleeping toddlers or college students in cramped dorms where every decibel counts. It’s compact, sleek in black, and handles the basics like popcorn and leftovers without a fuss. The Eco Mode is also a nice touch for those trying to shave a few cents off the electric bill by dimming the display when it’s not in use.

The trade-off here is the 0.7 Cu. Ft. size. While it’s great for saving counter space, you are going to struggle with large dinner plates or those oversized microwave popcorn bags that need room to expand and rotate. If you’re trying to cook a full family meal, this isn’t the workhorse you’re looking for; it’s strictly for quick, individual tasks.

There is something to be said for a brand that just feels familiar in the kitchen, and the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 leans into that reliability. What really caught my eye here is the Push-Button Door. While many modern units use a pull-handle that can cause the whole light microwave to slide forward on your counter, the push-button mechanism keeps the unit stable. It’s a 700W unit with a Stainless Steel finish that looks a bit more premium than the standard plastic models often found at this price point.

This is a solid pick for an office breakroom or a studio apartment. It’s built for the person who wants “express” everything—it has 30-second express cooking and pre-programmed buttons for the staples like frozen veggies and pizza. It’s essentially a “set it and forget it” appliance for the busy professional who just needs their lunch hot now.

The honest downside is the interior lighting. It’s a bit dim, making it hard to see if your cheese is perfectly melted or about to explode through the dark front glass. Also, 700 watts is the baseline for power, so you’ll often find yourself adding an extra minute to the suggested cooking times on frozen meal boxes compared to the heavy-duty 1100W ovens at the grocery store.

The Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel microwave is a classic example of “small but mighty.” What makes it stand out in a crowded market is its multi-stage cooking capability. This is a feature you don’t always see in budget-friendly compacts; it allows you to program the microwave to defrost at one power level and then immediately switch to cooking at another. It takes the guesswork out of preparing a frozen chicken breast or a block of ground beef.

I think this is the best fit for someone who actually “cooks” in their microwave rather than just reheating coffee. If you’re a fan of defrosting by weight to ensure even results, this Farberware model handles that precision quite well. The stainless steel exterior also gives it a professional look that fits into a modern kitchen aesthetic without requiring a massive footprint.

However, keep in mind that the Stainless Steel finish is a bit of a fingerprint magnet. You’ll find yourself wiping down the door frequently if you hate seeing smudges every time the light hits it. Also, while it is “easy clean,” the interior is quite snug, so if something spatters, you’ll be maneuvering your hand into some tight corners to get it spotless again.

The TOSHIBA MM-EM07PA(BK) really leans into technology to solve age-old microwave problems. The standout feature here is the ChefDefrost system. Most small microwaves tend to “cook” the edges of meat while the center stays frozen, but this unit claims to be 40% faster and more even. It also offers 11 power levels instead of the standard ten, giving you just a tiny bit more granularity when you’re trying to soften butter without turning it into a yellow puddle.

This is the ideal choice for a “tech-forward” small household or a dorm inhabitant who appreciates the Sound On/Off and Eco Mode. It feels a bit more refined in its operation than its competitors. If you’re someone who hates the bright glow of a digital clock at night, the Eco Mode that turns off the display will be your favorite feature.

The trade-off is the internal height. Because the 9.6-inch glass turntable and the heating elements take up space, taller items like a large travel mug or a high-sided soup bowl might be a tight squeeze. You’ll want to measure your favorite tall mugs before assuming they’ll fit comfortably inside this compact frame.

This version of the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. microwave comes in a sleek, all-black finish that disappears into the shadows of a countertop, which I actually find quite appealing for small kitchens. Like its stainless sibling, it stands out for its One-Touch simplicity. Having six dedicated buttons for things like Potatoes and Popcorn that actually work according to the weight/volume is a huge plus for anyone who doesn’t want to think too hard during their lunch break.

This is the “no-nonsense” choice. It’s perfect for a senior living facility or a guest suite where you want an appliance that is intuitive and easy to read. The LED display is bright and clear, and the Child Safety Lock is easy to engage if you have grandkids running around who like to push buttons.

The downside is that it lacks a “mute” function, which some of its competitors now offer. If the loud end-of-cycle beeping is a dealbreaker for you, this might feel a bit old-school. It’s a reliable, basic machine, but it lacks the “stealth mode” that some modern users have grown to love in smaller appliances.

When you see the GE badge, you expect a certain level of build quality, and this 0.7 Cubic Ft. Compact Microwave delivers a very “solid” feel. What makes it stand out is the Two-Step Child Lock. While most microwaves have a lock, GE has designed this one to be particularly robust to meet newer safety standards. It’s a white unit with black glass, giving it a very clean, “medical-grade” look that looks great in a bright, airy kitchen or a white-walled dorm room.

This is the perfect microwave for a first-time apartment dweller or a student. It’s built by a brand with a massive service network, which offers some peace of mind. The Instant On express controls are snappy and responsive, making it great for someone who is always in a rush and just wants to hit “1” for a minute of heat.

The trade-off is the 700-watt capacity combined with a slightly higher price point just for the brand name. You are paying a bit of a premium for the GE logo and the sleek white aesthetic, whereas other brands might offer more features (like a mute button) for a lower price. It’s a “quality over bells and bottoms” trade-off.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is essentially the Swiss Army knife of small microwaves. It stands out because it packs every “luxury” small-microwave feature into one black box: Sound On/Off, Eco Mode, and Two Defrost Settings. The Mute function is particularly well-implemented here, and the 10-inch turntable is actually quite large for a 0.7 cu. ft. model, which helps with more even heating of wider plates.

I would recommend this to anyone living in a studio apartment where the kitchen is five feet from the bed. Being able to turn off the sound and use Eco Mode to save power makes it a very “polite” appliance. It’s also great for the budget-conscious shopper who wants the most features for the least amount of money.

The honest downside is the lightweight build. Because it’s so light, if you don’t have it on a non-slip mat, the whole unit might slide a little when you pull the handle to open the door. It doesn’t feel quite as “heavy-duty” as a GE or Farberware, so you’ll want to be a bit more gentle with the door latch over time.

The FRIGIDAIRE EMW733BLACKAMZ stands out for its Multi-Stage Cooking and its very intuitive Digital Panel. While many microwaves feel cluttered, the layout on this Frigidaire is very logical. It also offers a Delay Start feature, which is surprisingly rare in this size category. This allows you to prep something, set it in the microwave, and have it start cooking a few minutes later—handy if you’re timing a meal perfectly.

This is a great choice for someone who values a brand name with a long history in refrigeration and cooking. It feels like a “real” kitchen appliance rather than a cheap countertop afterthought. The Black finish is deep and consistent, making it a good fit for kitchens with dark cabinetry or other black appliances.

The trade-off here is the Express Cooking setup. While it has one-touch buttons, they aren’t always as “instant” as other brands. Some users find the interface requires an extra button press or two compared to the “just hit 1” simplicity of a Chefman or GE. It’s a minor annoyance, but if you’re used to true one-touch start, there’s a slight learning curve here.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM in Pearl White is the aesthetic twin to the black version, but that white finish really makes a difference in a small, dark kitchen—it brightens up the space. Just like its sibling, it stands out for the Sound On/Off capability and the Energy Saving Eco Mode. It’s quite rare to find a microwave that prioritizes “peace and quiet” as much as this COMFEE’ model does.

This is the best use case for someone who wants their appliances to blend into a white tiled backsplash or a light-colored dorm desk. It’s also a top pick for the environmentally conscious, as the Eco Mode claims to minimize standby power by 50%. It’s a smart, modern little machine that doesn’t feel like a relic from the 90s.

The downside, as with many 700W units, is the heating speed. If you are coming from a full-sized 1200W microwave, you are going to feel like this takes forever to boil water or heat up a bowl of soup. It requires patience; you’ll often be adding 50% more time to whatever the package instructions say. It’s the price you pay for the compact “mini” footprint.

The COMMERCIAL CHEF 0.7 Cu Ft microwave brings a bit of a “utilitarian” vibe to the kitchen. What makes it stand out is its Stainless Steel front paired with a Push Button door release. It feels a bit more “industrial” and rugged than the sleeker, more plastic-heavy designs. It also features Programmable Multi-Stage Cooking, which is excellent for those who need to defrost and then cook without manually restarting the machine mid-way.

This is a fantastic pick for a small office, a workshop, or a “man cave.” It’s built to be a workhorse for heating up heavy snacks like pasta or bacon. The 10 power levels give you enough control to handle delicate tasks, but the overall design says “I’m here to work.” The 99-minute timer is also longer than some other compact models, which usually cap out at 30 or 60 minutes.

The trade-off is that it’s a bit louder during operation than the “Mute-capable” models like Toshiba or Comfee. The fan has a noticeable hum, and the end-of-cycle beep is insistent. If you’re looking for a “whisper-quiet” experience, this isn’t it—this is a microwave that wants you to know it’s finished with your lunch.