Choosing the best small microwave may sound easy and simple, but there are multiple factors to consider when making the right decision.
Compact microwaves are well suited for small kitchens, nooks in the office, apartment, and college dorm. Typically, small microwaves tend to have lower wattage, which can present challenges with uneven heat and longer cook, reheat, and defrost times.
Therefore, only relying on wattage and cubic feet interior is not the most accurate features to only look for. In this guide, we will explore several important factors to look for as you shop and evaluate the small microwave appliances on the market. Perfect for making small desserts, like this Microwave Mug Cake!
Best Pick
Best Pick: Small Compact Microwave
Known for being compact in size and affordability, Toshiba microwave is fantastic when it comes to various features including mute setting, two defrost options, and one-touch express control to manage cooking time from 1 to 6 minutes. It has 1100 watts power for cooking with 1.2 cubic foot capacity interior for enough space to nuke any food you desire.
Budget Pick
Budget Pick: Small Compact Microwave
The smaller capacity with upgrade options between 0.9 to 1.4 cubic feet to select from. It is great for tiny apartments and small rooms. The digital clock makes it easy to read and program time, and the 10 inch glass turntable makes reheating or cooking even easier.
Quick Comparison: Top 8 Best Small Microwave
Avoid limiting the size of the microwave when determining the best microwave to purchase. The wattage, cubic feet, auto-presets, and turbo defrost settings are quite useful elements to consider.
Here are the best small microwaves with unique settings and design options:
Best Small Microwave
Compact microwaves that make it easy to cook, reheat, and defrost all your favorite dishes. Depending on the personal cooking preference, select the best small sized microwave that suits your needs.
This Toshiba countertop microwave oven works as microwave, air fryer, broiler, and convection oven that can handle crispy, toasts, with temperatures up to 425 degree Fahrenheit.
The Turbo Defrost feature quick thaws any frozen food and does not cook while using this feature.
Pros:4-in-one appliance
Genius Sensor Cook
1.2 cubic feet capacity
Silent mode
Built-in safety lock
Cons:Heavyweight unit
Pricey
The GE smart microwave is connected through Wi-Fi network and works using voice recognition with Google Assistant or Alexa. Simply scan your mobile phone to be able to read the barcodes from prepackaged foods to start cooking automatically.
Pros:900 watts
Defrost by time or weight
0.9 cubic feet
Lockable buttons
Scan to cook technology
Cons:Does not include convection setting
Most compact microwave ovens tend to have lower wattages, but not this Panasonic microwave oven. It has built-in inverter technology to provide even heat and powerful defrost setting to thaw frozen food quickly.
Pros:1.2 cubic foot capacity
1200 watts
15 sensor reheat options
Capable of 3 popcorn bag sizes
Cons:Interior require cleaning regularly to prevent from rusting
Stylish design with chrome handle that has easy to use touchpad controls with LCD display. With 1000 watts and 1 cubic foot interior, this microwave can manage to cook different serving size using a 2 stage cooking operation.
Pros:25 pre-programmed settings
10 power levels
2 defrost functions
12 inch glass turntable
Manual and recipes included
Cons:No mute setting
Cook your food to achieve crispy and beautifully doneness with this Samsung countertop oven in minutes. It is built to last, and the interior is made with ceramic enamel to resist scratch and easy to clean.
Offers powerful cooking with 1000 watts to boil, reheat, and defrost variety of foods with ease.
Pros:37 cooking presses
Glass touch control panel
Child safety lock
1.1 cubic feet capacity
Cons:No manual book included
Are you Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn fan? This Sharp microwave will become your favorite popcorn maker.
The LED light and display makes it easy to read light and the 11.2 inch carousel turntable is perfect for a full-size dinner plate. With a touch of button, the express cook can run for up to 6 minutes.
Pros:1.1 cubic feet
Auto defrost for quick and accurate defrosting
Fits 1.16oz or 3.3 oz popcorn bag size
Easy to set up
Works with Alexa app
Cons:Unable to turn off sounds
No built-in with trim kit
Things to Know Before Buying the Microwave for Dorm
Small size does not necessarily combine affordability and optimum performance. Furthermore, all compact microwaves do not provide the same functioning.
The type, power, settings, and additional features, affect the difference among the microwave brands.
- Type: The microwaves come in different types including countertop, over-the-range, under cabinet, built-in, and convection. These features determines the layout and offers various cooking ability.
- Power: Generally, small microwave power ranges between 500 to 1,200 watts. The higher power cooks faster and has higher price points. For small microwaves, consider 700 to 1100 watts for best performance.
- Settings: Most microwaves comes with auto-presets for popular foods. The most important settings you would like to keep in small microwaves are 30 seconds, auto-defrost, and cooking presets such as popcorn, pizza, and beverage.
- Additional features: These additional features are not necessary, but it is good to have to make cooking safe and easy. They include smart technology, child safety lock, grill feature, and ECO mode to reduce power usage.
Best Small Microwaves: Conclusion
For small spaces, a compact microwave oven is ideal. However, it is not easy to find small microwave that are powerful and contain all features.
When looking for an ideal small microwave, consider features like auto or programmable defrost, removable turntable for easy cleaning, child lock, digital clock and express cooking presets.
And for fast even heating, ensure the microwave offer ample cooking power ranging from 700 to 1100 watts to be efficient.
Hope these considerable factors and list of best small microwaves help you make a smart choice for your next appliance purchase.