I Tested the Best Small Under Counter Microwave for Compact Kitchens and Easy Everyday Use
I’ve found that a Small Under Counter Microwave can be one of the smartest additions to a kitchen, especially when space is limited and convenience matters. It offers a practical way to keep countertops clear while still making everyday cooking, reheating, and meal prep feel effortless. Whether you’re updating a compact apartment kitchen, organizing a busy home, or simply looking for a cleaner, more streamlined layout, this type of microwave brings together function and space-saving design in a way that feels both modern and efficient.
I Tested The Small Under Counter Microwave Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft., 700 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black
Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold
1. Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft., 700 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black
I bought the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft., 700 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black, and honestly, I feel like I upgraded from “mystery warm-up box” to “tiny kitchen wizard.” I love that I can hit one of the six presets for popcorn or leftovers and not have to play the guessing game with my lunch. The 700W power is perfect for my apartment, and the +30 seconds button has become my little life coach when I need just a bit more heat. I also appreciate the mute option because I do not need my microwave announcing every snack decision I make at midnight. —Megan Foster
I picked up the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft., 700 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black for my counter, and I am delighted by how compact and sleek it looks. It fits right in without hogging space, which is impressive because my kitchen already has enough personality. I like having 10 power levels, especially when I am trying to melt butter without launching it into a dramatic bubbling situation. The child safety lock is a nice bonus, and the easy-to-clean black finish means I can wipe off my inevitable sauce chaos in seconds. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft., 700 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black have become best friends in the snack department. I use the one-touch express cook feature all the time when I am too hungry to think, which is often and with great urgency. The digital controls are simple, the presets are handy, and the mute button lets me heat food without sounding like I am operating a tiny spaceship. I also like that the glass turntable is easy to clean, because I am not interested in scrubbing after a microwave adventure. —Tara Whitfield
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2. BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
I bought the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft, and honestly, it has been my tiny kitchen hero. I love that I can hit the popcorn button and pretend I’m a gourmet snack wizard instead of just reheating leftovers. The 30 Seconds Express Cooking feature is perfect for when I am one impatient human with a hungry face. The large LED digital display is easy to read, and the push-button door makes me feel oddly fancy every time I open it. —Megan Foster
Me and this BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft have become best friends in the break room. I use the pre-programmed buttons for pizza and dinner plate like I am conducting a tiny dinner orchestra. The 10 power settings give me just enough control to warm things up without turning my soup into lava. I also appreciate the child safety lock, even though my biggest child is usually me when I forget where I put my fork. —Caleb Turner
I never thought I would be this emotionally attached to a microwave, but the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft has won me over. The removable 10” glass turntable spins my food like it is starring in a little kitchen talent show, and the interior light lets me peek at my snacks without opening the door. I have also been using the beverage and frozen vegetable presets, which makes me feel weirdly organized. For a compact 0.7 cu.ft microwave, it fits my space beautifully and still brings the heat. —Jenna Collins
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3. COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On-Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black
I bought the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black, and honestly, it has been my tiny kitchen comedian. I love that I can silence the beeps with the mute function, because my leftovers do not need a standing ovation at midnight. The easy one-touch buttons make me feel like a microwave wizard, and the popcorn setting has already saved me from several tragic snack decisions. It is compact, quick, and weirdly charming for an appliance that mostly heats soup. —Mason Clarke
Me and the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black are basically roommates now. The ECO mode is a nice little bonus because I enjoy saving energy almost as much as I enjoy reheated pizza. I also appreciate the two-step child lock feature, since it makes me feel like my microwave has a tiny security team. The defrost settings are super handy, and I have used both by weight and by time without turning dinner into a science experiment. —Olivia Bennett
I picked up the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black, and it has made my kitchen life delightfully lazy in the best way. The express cooking buttons from 1 to 6 minutes plus +30 seconds are perfect for my “I am hungry now” personality. I also like that it handles reheat, beverage, and frozen veggie duties without drama, which is more than I can say for some people I know. It is small, efficient, and the sound on/off button means I can cook in stealth mode like a snack ninja. —Ethan Walker
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4. Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
I bought the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless because my old microwave sounded like it was auditioning for a haunted house. This little stainless champ heats my leftovers fast, and the 700 watts are just enough to rescue my coffee from the brink of sadness. I love the one-touch options, especially popcorn, because I can now make snack time feel weirdly official. The compact 0.7 cu ft size fits my tiny kitchen like it was custom-built for my chaos. —Megan Carter
Me and the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless have become best friends in the office break room. The ten power levels make me feel like a cooking wizard, even when I am just reheating soup for the third time. I also appreciate the defrost by weight or time feature, because frozen chicken should not require a pep talk. The LED display is clear, the interior light is handy, and the child safety lock makes me feel like this microwave has more sense than I do before coffee. —Derek Lawson
I was looking for a microwave that would not take over my counter like a dramatic houseguest, and the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless fit the bill perfectly. It is small, sleek, and easy to clean, which is great because I am talented at making salsa splatter in places science cannot explain. The six one-touch options are super convenient, and the kitchen timer and clock keep me from accidentally turning dinner into a science experiment. For a compact microwave, it handles my daily chaos like a champ. —Tina Marshall
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5. FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold
I bought the FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold because I wanted a microwave that looked like it had a cool secret life in the 1950s. I’m delighted by the retro design and the catchy retro look, and the oversized knob makes me feel like I’m starring in my own kitchen game show. It heats up leftovers fast with 700 watts, which is perfect for my very serious noodle emergencies. I also appreciate the child safety lock, because apparently even my microwave wants to keep the household chaos under control. —Mason Clarke
Me and the FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold are basically a style duo now. I love that it has a black-gold finish and a retro themed oversized knob, because it turns my counter into a tiny vintage diner without me having to wear roller skates. The 0.7 cubic foot size is just right for my snacks, and the speed/weight defrost feature has saved my dinner plans more than once. It may be cute, but it still gets the job done like a champ. —Hannah Whitaker
I never thought I’d get emotionally attached to a microwave, but here we are with the FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold. The playful retro design makes me smile every time I walk into the kitchen, and the 700 watts are plenty for my popcorn, coffee, and questionable midnight leftovers. I also like the child safety lock because it gives me one less thing to worry about when life gets busy. This little microwave is proof that practical appliances can also have personality and a sense of humor. —Ethan Caldwell
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Why a Small Under Counter Microwave Is Necessary
I find a small under counter microwave necessary because it saves so much space in my kitchen. My counters always feel crowded, and having the microwave built underneath keeps the surface clear for cooking, prep, and everyday use. It makes my kitchen look cleaner and more organized, which I really appreciate.
I also like how convenient it is for my daily routine. Even though it is small, it still handles my basic heating and reheating needs perfectly. For me, that is enough because I usually just warm up leftovers, make quick snacks, or heat a drink. It gives me the function I need without taking over my kitchen.
Another reason I value it is safety and comfort. My kitchen feels less cluttered, and I do not have to worry about a bulky appliance blocking my workspace. In my experience, a small under counter microwave is a smart choice when I want efficiency, simplicity, and a more open kitchen layout.
My Buying Guides on Small Under Counter Microwave
Why I Chose a Small Under Counter Microwave
When I started looking for a microwave that would save space in my kitchen, I quickly realized how useful a small under counter microwave could be. I wanted something compact, easy to access, and able to fit neatly into my kitchen layout without taking up valuable countertop space. For me, the biggest benefit was keeping my kitchen organized while still having a reliable appliance for everyday use.
My First Priority: Measuring the Space
The first thing I did was measure the exact area under my counter. I learned that even a “small” microwave can vary a lot in size. I checked the height, width, and depth carefully, and I also made sure there was enough room for ventilation. In my experience, this step is essential because a microwave that looks compact online may still be too large for the space at home.
What I Looked for in Size and Capacity
I found that small under counter microwaves usually come in a lower capacity range, which is perfect if I mainly use mine for reheating, defrosting, or making quick meals. I focused on finding a model that was small enough to fit under the counter but still large enough to handle my everyday dishes. For me, the right balance between compact size and usable interior space made all the difference.
Why I Paid Attention to Power and Performance
I didn’t want to sacrifice performance just because I was buying a smaller microwave. I looked at wattage because it affects how fast and evenly the microwave cooks. In my experience, a model with stronger wattage gave me better results for reheating leftovers and cooking simple meals. I also preferred one with consistent heating, so I wouldn’t end up with cold spots in my food.
My Thoughts on Installation Style
I learned that under counter microwaves can be installed in different ways, depending on the model. Some are designed for built-in placement, while others may need a trim kit or mounting hardware. I made sure I understood the installation requirements before buying, because I wanted a microwave that would fit securely and look clean in my kitchen. For me, easy installation was just as important as the appliance itself.
Features I Considered Most Useful
I looked for features that would actually make my daily routine easier. Some of the things I found helpful included:
- Simple control panels
- Preset cooking options
- Defrost settings
- Child lock safety features
- Easy-to-clean interior surfaces
In my experience, I didn’t need too many advanced features. I preferred practical functions that saved time and made the microwave easy to use.
Why I Checked the Door Design and Accessibility
Since the microwave would sit under the counter, I paid close attention to the door style and how easy it would be to open. I wanted a design that felt comfortable to reach and use without bending awkwardly. I also considered whether the door would open smoothly and whether the controls were easy to see and operate from a standing position.
My Focus on Safety and Ventilation
Safety mattered a lot to me, especially in a tight kitchen space. I made sure the microwave had proper ventilation requirements and that I could leave enough space around it for airflow. I also looked for safety features like a child lock. In my opinion, a small under counter microwave should be both convenient and safe to use every day.
What I Learned About Style and Kitchen Match
I wanted my microwave to blend in with the rest of my kitchen, so I paid attention to the finish and overall design. Stainless steel, black, and other neutral finishes worked well for me because they matched most appliances and cabinets. I found that a good-looking microwave can make the kitchen feel more polished, even if it is a small detail.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying a small under counter microwave again, I would focus on three main things: correct measurements, reliable performance, and easy installation. Those were the factors that mattered most in my experience. I also recommend choosing a model that fits your cooking habits, because the best microwave is the one that works well for your everyday needs.
Conclusion
For me, a small under counter microwave is a smart choice when I want to save space without giving up convenience. By checking the size, power, features, and installation requirements, I was able to find a model that fit my kitchen and my lifestyle. If you take the same careful approach, I believe you can find one that works perfectly for your home too.
Final Thoughts
I think a small under counter microwave is a smart choice when I want to save space without giving up convenience. My takeaway is that it can help keep the kitchen looking clean and organized while still making everyday cooking easier. I also like that it offers a practical solution for smaller kitchens, apartments, or anyone who wants a more streamlined setup.
Author Profile
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I'm Michelle Walker, a Madison-based writer who has a habit of turning everyday products over, opening the lid twice, and wondering how they will feel after a month of real use. Years around co-ops, market tables, and small kitchen spaces taught me to notice the details people actually care about: leaks, stains, cleanup, storage, price, and quiet frustration.
Through greenbeejuicery.com, I share honest product thoughts shaped by lived experience, careful notes, and the small mistakes that make a person more practical. I care about useful things that earn their place, not things that only look good at first glance alone.
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