Comparison: Cheap And Best Microwave Oven (Updated | May 12th)

If you are living in a cramped studio or trying to outfit a dorm room, the Chefman 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave is a serious contender for your counter space. What really catches my eye here is the Mute Button. We have all been there—sneaking a midnight snack and cringing as the microwave shrieks to let the whole house know your pizza is ready. This model lets you silence those alerts entirely, which is a massive quality-of-life upgrade for night owls or parents with sleeping kids.

I would recommend this specifically for someone who just needs the basics done quickly. With 700 Watts and six presets, it handles popcorn and leftovers without a fuss. The Memory Function is a smart touch too, allowing you to save your most-used settings so you aren’t constantly punching in the same numbers every morning for your coffee.

The trade-off is definitely the power level. At 700 watts, it sits on the lower end of the spectrum, meaning it is going to take a bit longer to heat through a dense frozen meal compared to a full-sized unit. If you are used to a high-powered oven, you will need to adjust your expectations and likely add an extra minute or two to your usual cook times.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) strikes a really nice balance between being compact and actually having enough “oomph” to cook food evenly. While many small microwaves feel flimsy, this one feels more substantial with its Black Stainless Steel finish. The standout feature for me is the 900 Watts of power packed into a 0.9 cubic foot frame. It is significantly faster than the entry-level 700W models, making it much more practical for actual meal prep rather than just reheating beverages.

This is the perfect choice for an apartment dweller who cooks frequently but has limited counter real estate. It fits a 10.6-inch turntable, which is large enough for most standard dinner plates. I also appreciate the Two-Step Child Lock; it is a thoughtful safety addition that goes a step beyond the standard keypad lock seen on cheaper rivals.

However, the interface requires a bit of a learning curve. For instance, to activate the Mute Mode, you have to long-press the “8” button. It isn’t immediately intuitive, and if you lose the manual, you might find yourself frustrated trying to remember which shortcut controls which secondary feature. It is a minor hurdle, but one worth noting for those who prefer labeled buttons.

There is something to be said for the reliability of a name like Farberware, and their 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave is a classic example of “simple and effective.” It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it delivers consistent results. In a real-world kitchen, its small footprint is its biggest selling point. It tucks away into corners where larger units simply wouldn’t fit, making it a hero for office breakrooms or tiny kitchenettes.

I think this is best suited for the “reheat and go” crowd—students, office workers, or people who primarily use a microwave for popcorn, potatoes, and pizza. The one-touch buttons are responsive, and the Defrost by Weight feature is surprisingly accurate for a budget-friendly model, helping you avoid those annoying frozen centers in your meat.

The downside here is the interior space. Because it is only 0.7 cubic feet, you are going to struggle with oversized dinner plates or large rectangular Tupperware. You really have to be mindful of your dishware sizes; if you try to cram a large plate in there, it might hit the sides and prevent the turntable from rotating, leading to unevenly heated food.

The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS is the heavyweight in this lineup, and it stands out because of its Smart Humidity Sensor. Most cheap microwaves just blast heat for a set time, but this one actually monitors the steam coming off your food to adjust the power level. It takes the guesswork out of reheating a plate of pasta or a bowl of veggies, preventing that “rubberized” texture that happens when food gets overcooked.

If you have a family or a larger kitchen, this is the one to get. With 1000 Watts and a 1.2 Cu. Ft. capacity, it can handle full-sized casseroles and large dinner plates with ease. It is a workhorse that feels more like a primary cooking appliance than just a secondary heater. The Easy Clean Interior is also a huge plus, as it resists the greasy buildup that usually plagues white plastic interiors.

The obvious trade-off is the physical size. This is not a “tuck it in the corner” type of machine. It has a footprint of over 20 inches wide, so it will eat up a significant amount of your counter space. If you are working with a tiny galley kitchen, this might feel a bit overwhelming and bulky for the environment.

This unbranded 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave is the quintessential budget-friendly option. What makes it stand out is its no-nonsense approach to utility. It provides all the essential features—10 power levels, multi-stage cooking, and a Child Lock—without the price premium of a major brand name. It is designed to be a utilitarian tool that gets the job done without any unnecessary fluff.

I would recommend this for a first-time renter or a college student on a strict budget. It is the kind of appliance you buy when you just need something that works for your morning oatmeal or late-night ramen. The LED display is bright and easy to read, and the 9.6-inch glass turntable is standard for this size class, ensuring your food gets at least some rotation for even heating.

The honest truth, though, is that the build quality might feel a bit “lightweight” compared to more expensive models. The door mechanism and buttons might not have that satisfying, heavy click you get with premium brands. It is a functional piece of equipment, but you are definitely trading off that high-end tactile feel for a much lower price point.

The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is a stylish little unit that brings a bit of “kitchen chic” to the budget category with its Stainless Steel accents. One thing that really stands out in daily use is the Push-Button Door. While many microwaves require a firm tug on a handle—which can cause a light microwave to slide across the counter—this push-button release keeps the unit stable and makes one-handed operation much easier.

This model is a great fit for someone who values brand reputation and aesthetics but has very little space. It is only about 17 inches wide, making it one of the most compact 700W units available. The 30 Seconds Express Cooking is a feature I find myself using constantly; it is the fastest way to add a quick burst of heat without navigating menus.

One thing to watch out for is that 700 watts can feel a bit underpowered if you are trying to defrost large items or cook raw vegetables. It is perfectly fine for a dinner plate or a cup of soup, but if you are a “power user” who cooks entire meals in the microwave, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more speed and intensity.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is a clever little machine that punches above its weight class in terms of features. What really 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 cut the standby power by 50% is a nice touch for the environmentally conscious or those just looking to shave a few cents off the electric bill.

This is a fantastic choice for a bedroom, a home office, or a nursery. Because it has a Sound On/Off function, you can use it in total silence. If you are warming up a heat pack or a quick snack in the middle of the night, you won’t have to worry about that piercing “beep-beep-beep” echoing through the house. It is all about stealth and efficiency.

The trade-off is the 0.7 cu. ft. interior. While it is great for saving space, it is quite tight. You might find that your larger square plates or tall mugs don’t fit comfortably. It is definitely a “personal” microwave rather than a “family” microwave, so keep your dishware sizes in mind before you commit to this compact footprint.

Stepping up slightly in the Chefman line, this 0.9 Cu. Ft. model offers a significant boost in performance with 900 Watts of power. What stands out to me is how it maintains the user-friendly features of its smaller sibling—like the Mute Button and Eco Mode—but adds enough internal volume to be much more versatile. That extra 200 watts of power makes a noticeable difference in how quickly water boils or how evenly a frozen burrito heats up.

I would suggest this for a small family or a couple who needs a reliable everyday microwave but doesn’t want a giant appliance hogging the entire counter. It is that “Goldilocks” size—not too small to be frustrating, but not so big that it is a burden. The Memory Function remains a highlight, letting you save your specific settings for things like “perfect oatmeal.”

The downside is that it still uses a handle-pull door rather than a push-button. Since the unit is relatively light, you might find yourself having to hold the top of the microwave with one hand while pulling the handle with the other to keep it from sliding forward. It is a minor physical annoyance, but something you’ll notice in a busy kitchen.

The Farberware 1.2 Cu. Ft. microwave is a powerhouse that brings 1000 Watts and Smart Sensor technology to your kitchen. What makes it stand out in real life is its ability to act as a genuine cooking tool rather than just a reheater. The sensors are excellent at detecting when food is done, which means you can walk away and trust that your “potato” preset won’t turn your dinner into a shriveled rock.

This is the ideal upgrade for someone who is tired of the limitations of small, weak microwaves. If you frequently cook frozen family-sized meals or use your microwave for multi-stage cooking, the extra capacity and power are game-changers. The Stainless Steel finish also gives it a more premium, modern look that fits well in a renovated kitchen.

However, the trade-off is that it is quite loud. Between the cooling fan and the hum of the 1000W magnetron, you are definitely going to hear this thing running from the next room. If you are looking for a whisper-quiet appliance for a studio apartment, the sheer power of this Farberware model comes with a decibel level to match.

The BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 is a large-capacity 1.1 Cu. Ft. microwave that feels like a professional piece of equipment. What makes it stand out is the 12.4-inch turntable. This is one of the largest platters you’ll find in this price range, meaning it can easily accommodate large circular platters or even a small pizza. The Push-Button Door is also a huge win here, providing easy access without moving the unit around.

I’d recommend this for a busy household where the microwave is used multiple times a day for various tasks. With 1000 Watts and 10 power settings, it’s versatile enough for everything from melting butter on low to boiling water in seconds. The Black and Stainless Steel design is also quite sharp and tends to resist fingerprints better than all-stainless models.

The main trade-off is the sheer footprint of the device. At over 20 inches long and 16 inches deep, it requires a lot of “landing space” on your counter. It also draws 1600W of input power, so if you live in an older home with sensitive circuit breakers, you might find that running this alongside a toaster or a coffee maker is a recipe for a tripped fuse.