Comparison: Best 700 Watt Microwave Oven (Updated | May 7th)

The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is a solid choice if you want a reliable brand name without a complicated learning curve. What really stands out in a busy kitchen is the push-button door release. It sounds like a small detail, but when you are juggling a heavy plate, being able to just pop the door open with a firm press rather than yanking a handle is a huge convenience. The stainless steel finish also gives it a more premium look than the standard plastic-heavy models in this price bracket.

I would recommend this for a student or a single professional who needs a 0.7 Cu.ft footprint that doesn’t feel like a toy. It’s perfect for the “express” lifestyle because of the 30 Seconds Express Cooking button, which I think is the most used feature on any microwave. It fits a standard 10-inch glass turntable, so it handles dinner plates better than some ultra-compact rivals.

The trade-off here is the 700W power rating. While it’s efficient, it isn’t a powerhouse. If you are used to a high-end 1100W unit, you’ll find yourself adding an extra minute or two to your frozen meals. It’s a marathon runner, not a sprinter, so patience is required for thicker leftovers.

The TOSHIBA MM-EM07PA(BK) is surprisingly sophisticated for such a small appliance. The standout feature for me is the Mute Mode. Most cheap microwaves scream at you with five piercing beeps when they finish, but with this one, you just hold down the “8” key to silence it. It’s a lifesaver for early risers who don’t want to wake the whole house just to heat up a cup of coffee.

This is the best option for someone living in a studio apartment or a shared dorm where noise and space are the biggest constraints. The ChefDefrost feature is also a genuine step up from basic timers; it does a much better job of thawing meat without accidentally “cooking” the edges, which is a common frustration with 700W units. It’s a smart, thoughtful little machine.

The downside is the interior lighting. It’s a bit dim, and the dark front glass makes it hard to see your food as it rotates. If you’re the type of person who likes to watch your cheese melt to ensure it doesn’t bubble over, you might find yourself squinting or opening the door frequently to check progress.

The Chefman Countertop Microwave feels like it was designed by someone who actually cooks. The Memory Function is the real winner here; if you have a specific time and power setting for your morning oatmeal or a specific brand of popcorn, you can program it into the panel for one-touch access. It takes the guesswork out of daily routines. It also includes a Mute Button, which is becoming a must-have feature for anyone who hates unnecessary electronic noise.

I’d suggest this for the “power user” in a small space—someone who wants 10 power levels and the ability to customize their cooking rather than just hitting “Start” and hoping for the best. It’s a great fit for a small office breakroom where different people have different heating needs.

However, the door handle design is a bit of a trade-off compared to push-button models. Because the microwave is so lightweight, pulling the handle can sometimes cause the whole unit to slide forward on a smooth countertop. You might find yourself needing to hold the top of the microwave with one hand while opening it with the other to keep it in place.

The Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. in Stainless Steel brings a touch of classic kitchen aesthetics to the compact microwave category. What makes it stand out is its multi-stage cooking capability. You can actually program it to defrost for a certain amount of time and then immediately switch to a specific power level to cook, all in one sequence. That’s a high-end feature found in much larger ovens, packed here into a 700W frame.

This is the ideal choice for someone who cares about their kitchen’s “look.” The stainless steel exterior feels more durable and professional than plain black or white plastic. It’s a great match for a modern apartment or a small office where the appliance is out in the open and needs to look sharp.

The honest trade-off is the control panel visibility. The buttons are a bit small, and the text can be hard to read in low-light conditions. If you don’t have great overhead lighting in your kitchen, you might find yourself leaning in close to make sure you’re hitting “Potato” instead of “Pizza.”

This Farberware model in Black is the utilitarian sibling of the stainless version, and it’s all about blending in and getting the job done. It stands out for its Defrost by Weight accuracy. While many small microwaves just blast food with heat, this one handles frozen proteins quite gently, making it a reliable tool for someone who frequently forgets to take the chicken out of the freezer until the last minute.

I’d recommend this for a rental property, a guest house, or a dorm. It’s simple, it’s 700 Watts, and it doesn’t have a steep learning curve. The easy-clean interior is a big plus here; the surfaces are slick enough that splatters don’t seem to bake on as stubbornly as they do in other models.

The downside is the acoustic feedback. Unlike some of the newer “mute-capable” models, this one is a talker. The beeps are loud and persistent. If you’re trying to be stealthy with a midnight snack, this isn’t the machine for you—everyone in the vicinity will know exactly when your pizza rolls are ready.

The GE Countertop Microwave in White is a refreshing departure from the sea of black and silver appliances. It stands out because of GE’s reputation for build quality; even though it’s a compact 0.7 Cubic Ft. unit, the door hinge and buttons feel “clicky” and substantial, not flimsy. The Instant On express controls are incredibly snappy, making it one of the fastest units to get moving when you’re in a rush.

This is the perfect “kitchen essential” for a bright, airy apartment or a dorm room where you want a clean, minimalist look. It’s also great for families with curious toddlers because of the Two-Step Child Lock. It’s a bit more involved than a standard lock, adding a genuine layer of safety that many competitors lack.

One thing to watch out for is that white finishes can show stains and yellowing over time if not maintained. You’ll want to be diligent about wiping down the exterior, especially near the door handle, to keep that “sleek” look from looking dingy after a few months of heavy use.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is a budget-friendly powerhouse that punches above its weight class in terms of features. What makes it stand out is the Energy Saving Eco Mode. In an era where everything is plugged in and drawing “vampire” power, being able to dim the display and cut standby power by 50% is a nice touch for the eco-conscious or those just looking to shave a few cents off the electric bill.

This is the best “bang for your buck” for a college student or someone moving into their first apartment. It has the Sound On/Off feature, which is rare at this price point, and the One-Touch Express buttons for 1-6 minutes make it incredibly user-friendly for the “heat and eat” crowd.

The trade-off is the overall footprint. While it is compact, the 700W output means it takes longer to heat than larger units, and the interior space is tight. You won’t be fitting any oversized square dinner plates or large mixing bowls in here; it’s strictly for standard-sized dishes and mugs.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM in Pearl White offers a slightly softer aesthetic than your average appliance. Its standout feature is the Mute Function combined with the Two-Step Child Lock. It’s rare to find a microwave that prioritizes both silence and safety so effectively. It’s a very “polite” machine that doesn’t demand attention with loud noises but stays secure when it needs to.

I would recommend this specifically for parents of young children or for use in a nursery/nanny suite. If you need to warm up a bottle or a snack in the middle of the night, being able to mute the beeps while knowing the child lock is active provides immense peace of mind. It’s a specialized tool for a quiet, safe home environment.

The downside is the 700W power. It’s definitely on the slower side for boiling water or cooking raw veggies. You’ll find that “One-Touch” popcorn buttons might need an extra 15-20 seconds depending on the brand of popcorn, as the default settings are a bit conservative to prevent burning.

The GE Countertop Microwave in Black and Stainless is the most “grown-up” looking 700-watt oven on the list. It stands out because of the Instant On controls. Unlike some microwaves where you have to press “Time Cook,” then the numbers, then “Start,” this GE allows you to just hit “1” and it immediately starts for one minute. It’s all about reducing the number of touches to get to the finish line.

This is the best choice for a professional office or a high-end studio where space is at a premium but you don’t want the appliance to look like a cheap afterthought. The stainless steel accents give it a rugged, durable feel that suggests it can handle being used multiple times a day by different people.

The trade-off is the Two-Step Child Lock. While it’s a great safety feature, it can be a bit of a hurdle if you aren’t expecting it. If you’re in a rush and forget how to bypass the lock, it can be slightly frustrating until you get the rhythm down. It’s a safety-first machine, which isn’t always a speed-first machine.

The Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. in Red is a total “statement” piece. In a world of greyscale appliances, this 700-Watt unit stands out purely on personality. Beyond the color, the 6 One-Touch Auto-Cook Programs are surprisingly well-calibrated. The “Potato” setting, in particular, seems to handle a medium russet quite well without leaving the middle hard, which is a common fail point for small microwaves.

Who should buy this? Anyone who wants to inject some life into a drab dorm room, a retro-themed kitchen, or even an RV. It’s compact enough to fit on a small shelf but vibrant enough to be the focal point of the room. It’s for the shopper who wants their kitchen essentials to have a bit of flair.

The honest trade-off here is the finish. The red coating is bold, but it can show fingerprints and oily smudges more easily than a matte black or brushed stainless finish. You’ll want to keep a microfiber cloth nearby if you’re a perfectionist who hates seeing “touch marks” around the handle and keypad.