Comparison: Best Small 800W Microwave (Updated | May 14th)

The GE Profile PCHK11S1WBB is a surprisingly high-tech contender for anyone hunting for a small 800W unit that doesn’t feel like a budget afterthought. What really makes it stand out in a crowded kitchen is the Scan-to-Cook technology and Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s rare to find a compact microwave that lets you manage timers from your phone or scan a frozen burrito barcode to automatically set the perfect power level. With a 1.1 cu. ft. capacity, it’s slightly roomier than the smallest “cube” models, but it still maintains a footprint that won’t devour your entire counter.

I’d recommend this specifically for tech-savvy apartment dwellers or professionals who want a built-in look without the massive price tag of a full-sized wall oven. Since it’s built-in capable and offers an under-cabinet mounting kit, it’s the ultimate space-saver for tiny kitchens. The big trade-off here is the 800W power; while the sensor cooking helps with precision, you have to accept that it will cook slower than the 1100W beasts you might be used to. It’s about finesse and smart features rather than raw speed.

If you are tired of the sterile, industrial look of modern appliances, the Nostalgia Retro in Aqua is an absolute breath of fresh air. It stands out immediately because of its vintage 1950s aesthetic, featuring a sleek chrome door handle and a rounded design that looks more like a classic diner piece than a kitchen tool. Despite the old-school vibes, the 800-watt power and 0.9 cu. ft. size provide a solid balance for reheating leftovers or making a quick bowl of oatmeal without taking up much room.

This is the perfect choice for a college dorm, a themed basement bar, or a small apartment where the appliance needs to be a part of the decor. It’s simple to use with a turn-and-push program dial that feels more tactile than a standard membrane keypad. However, the honest downside is that the retro dial interface can be a bit polarizing. If you are used to just hitting “3-0-Start,” navigating the 12 pre-programmed settings with a knob might feel slightly less efficient than a traditional number pad.

The Nostalgia Retro microwave in Red is a bold statement piece. While it shares the same 800-watt internals as its siblings, the vibrant red finish combined with the chrome accents makes it the focal point of any countertop. It’s compact at 0.9 cu. ft., which is the “Goldilocks” size for small kitchens—large enough to fit a standard dinner plate but small enough to leave room for your coffee maker. The LED display is bright and easy to read, ensuring you aren’t squinting at the clock in the middle of the night.

I think this is best suited for someone who wants to inject some personality into a bland kitchen or a studio workspace. It’s reliable for basic tasks and offers 12 presets that cover the usual suspects like popcorn and pizza. The trade-off to consider is the interior height; because of its compact, rounded retro frame, you might find that taller mugs or oversized bowls are a tight fit. It’s a stylish, functional machine, but you are definitely trading some internal clearance for that iconic vintage silhouette.

For those who love the vintage look but want something a bit more understated than bright red or aqua, the Nostalgia Retro in Ivory is a classy alternative. It brings that same 800-watt performance and 0.9 cu. ft. capacity to the table but in a creamy finish that blends better with traditional or farmhouse kitchen styles. The chrome accents still pop, but the overall vibe is much more sophisticated. It’s a great example of how a small appliance can be functional without looking like a plastic box.

This model is ideal for someone living in a smaller home or a tiny house where every item needs to look intentional. It’s particularly good for those who value simple controls; the push-button dial system is intuitive once you get the hang of it. The main downside is the cooking speed. At 800 watts, it’s a “slow and steady” machine. If you’re following instructions on a frozen meal box designed for 1100-watt ovens, you’ll consistently need to add an extra minute or two to get things truly hot.

The Chefman 0.7 Cu. Ft. microwave is the definition of a space-saver. What makes it stand out in real life is the inclusion of a Mute Button—a feature that is shockingly hard to find on budget-friendly units. Being able to silence the end-of-cycle beeps is a game changer for anyone living in a shared space or for those early-morning coffee reheats when you don’t want to wake the whole house. It’s a straightforward, black-on-black unit that fits into the tightest corners of a studio or a cluttered office breakroom.

This is the go-to for a student in a cramped dorm or an office worker who just needs to heat up lunch. With 700 watts of power, it’s definitely on the lower end of the energy scale, which is the primary trade-off. It’s not meant for heavy-duty cooking; it’s meant for the basics. You’ll find that it takes a bit longer to boil water or heat a heavy plate of leftovers compared to its larger rivals, but for the price and the compact footprint, it’s a very fair compromise.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) stands out because it manages to feel like a premium appliance despite its small 0.9 cu. ft. size. The Black Stainless Steel finish gives it a modern, high-end look that resists fingerprints better than standard plastic or shiny metal. Unlike many other small microwaves that feel flimsy, this one has a 900W output, giving it a bit more “oomph” than the 700W or 800W models. This extra power means your frozen meals actually cook in the time the box suggests.

I’d recommend this for someone living in an apartment who wants a reliable, everyday workhorse that doesn’t look cheap. The Mute Function is a massive plus here as well, and the Two-Step Child Lock is a thoughtful safety addition for families with curious toddlers. The only real downside is the dark interior combined with the black stainless exterior; it can be a little hard to see your food spinning inside through the door glass unless your kitchen is very well-lit.

The Emerson MWRG0901W is a bit of a unicorn in the small microwave world. While it has a standard 800W cooking power and a charming retro white design, it stands out because of its 1,000W Grill Function. Most small microwaves just steam and soggy-up your food, but this one actually lets you brown or crisp the top of a casserole or a slice of pizza. It’s a hybrid approach that adds a lot of versatility to a 0.9 cu. ft. footprint, making it feel like more than just a reheating box.

This is the perfect choice for a single person or a couple who doesn’t want to turn on the big oven for small snacks but still wants a bit of crunch. It’s great for studio apartments where a toaster oven might not fit alongside a microwave. The trade-off is that the grill feature requires some trial and error; it’s not a replacement for a full-sized broiler. You’ll need to keep an eye on things to ensure they don’t go from “crispy” to “burnt” since the heating element is quite close to the food in such a compact chamber.

The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is the quintessential “no-nonsense” microwave. What makes it stand out is its dead-simple interface and the classic push-button door. In a world of fancy handles and complicated dials, sometimes you just want a button you can smack with your elbow when your hands are full. At 0.7 cu. ft. and 700 watts, it is one of the smallest and most lightweight units on the list, making it incredibly easy to move or tuck away in a pantry when not in use.

This is best for someone who only uses a microwave for the basics: popcorn, a cup of tea, or warming up a plate of food. It’s an excellent choice for a guest suite or a senior living space where simplicity is the top priority. The honest trade-off here is the power level. 700 watts is the bare minimum for modern microwaving; you will definitely notice that it takes significantly longer to heat dense foods like potatoes or thick soups. If you’re a power-user who cooks entire meals in the microwave, this might test your patience.

The Chefman 0.9 Cu. Ft. model is the “big brother” to their ultra-compact version, and that extra bit of space makes a huge difference. What stands out here is the 900W power rating packed into a still-very-manageable frame. It hits that sweet spot where it’s powerful enough to cook evenly without being a giant eyesore on the counter. Like the smaller version, it features the Mute Option and a Memory Function, which allows you to save your most-used settings—a great touch for people who have a very specific morning routine.

This is a solid pick for a small family or a busy professional who needs a bit more speed than a 700W unit can provide. It’s versatile enough to handle a full dinner plate with ease. The downside is the Eco Mode and display behavior; some users find the way it shuts off the clock to save power a bit annoying if they rely on their microwave as the primary kitchen timepiece. You can toggle it, but it’s an extra step in the setup that feels a bit unnecessary for some.

The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS is the heavyweight of this group, leaning more toward “medium” than “small,” but it’s the gold standard for performance. It stands out because of its Smart Humidity Sensor. Instead of just guessing a time, the microwave actually detects the steam coming off your food and adjusts the power level accordingly. This means no more “lava on the outside, ice on the inside” leftovers. With 1000W of power and 1.2 cu. ft. of space, it’s a serious culinary tool.

This is the best choice for someone who actually cooks in their microwave rather than just reheating. If you have the counter space for its 20.6-inch width, the performance jump is massive. However, the trade-off is exactly that: the size. If you are specifically looking for a “small” 800W microwave to fit in a tiny nook or a cabinet, this 1000W beast might be too large and too powerful for your needs. It’s a top-tier machine, but it definitely stretches the definition of “compact.”