Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.9 Best 17 Inch Wide Microwave Ovens | Myth: Bigger Means Better

Check Price on Amazon

The LG NeoChef is the rare 17-inch-wide microwave that delivers inverter-level cooking consistency in a footprint that fits under most standard cabinets. Its 1000W Smart Inverter doesn’t just cycle on and off — it maintains a continuous stream of power, which means your leftover pasta reheats without a ring of rubbery edges. The 0.9 cu. ft. cavity and 12-inch turntable are enough for a large dinner plate or a medium casserole dish.

The EasyClean interior is a practical upgrade: the glass base is non-stick-ish, so splatters wipe away with a damp cloth rather than requiring a scrubbing session. The glass touch control panel feels modern and resists the peeling issue that plagues cheaper membrane keypads. Users report the turntable is exceptionally stable, with six contact rollers instead of the typical three, reducing wobble during operation.

Auto Cook presets cover seven food types including bacon, oatmeal, and frozen entrees, and the mute function lets you silence the end-of-cycle beep — a quality-of-life feature that matters when the microwave sits near the living room. The only trade-off is that the button panel can feel slightly laggy on the first press, but after you learn the rhythm, it becomes second nature.

Check Price on Amazon

Toshiba’s ML4-EM12PA balances a generous 1.2 cu. ft. interior with a 20.6-inch width that still squeezes into a 17-inch-wide slot when accounting for cabinet overhang. The 1000W output is paired with a built-in sensor that measures steam and humidity to automatically adjust cooking time, so you don’t have to guess the interval for a bowl of soup or a plate of leftovers. The 13 preset menus cover everything from popcorn to roast chicken.

The black stainless steel finish resists fingerprints better than bare stainless, and the 12.4-inch turntable accommodates oval platters and large dinner plates. A dedicated mute button silences the beep instantly, and the memory function lets you save your most-used custom settings — a rare feature at this price tier. Users also appreciate the 30-second quick-start button for instant reheating.

The main frustration reported by owners is the door release button: it sits flush and requires firm pressure, which can be uncomfortable for users with hand pain. Also, entering a manual time like 1:45 requires sequential button presses rather than typing digits directly. Despite these quirks, the combination of sensor cooking, mute function, and large interior makes it a strong mid-range contender.

Check Price on Amazon

Panasonic’s NN-SN686S is a benchmark in the narrow microwave category — it packs 1200W of inverter power into a 1.2 cu. ft. cavity that sits just 20.3 inches wide, comfortably fitting a 17-inch-wide opening with a few inches of breathing room. The inverter technology delivers fine-grained control across ten power levels, so you can defrost a pound of ground beef in minutes without cooking the edges, then switch to low power for gentle reheating.

The Genius Sensor automatically adjusts time and power based on the food’s steam output, which works well for dishes like casseroles and steamed vegetables. The compact exterior (the shell is thinner than average) leaves more space for the interior, meaning a 13.4-inch turntable fits inside despite the modest countertop footprint. The Keep Warm function is genuinely useful for holding gravy or rice at serving temperature without drying it out.

Where the NN-SN686S stumbles is the interface: the 30-second start button requires a second press to begin cooking, and the sensor settings can underwhelm on dense frozen meals, sometimes leaving them barely warm. The text on the control panel is faint, especially in low light. But if you prioritize defrost quality and consistent reheating over flashy features, this Panasonic remains a reliable workhorse that many users report lasting 7–10 years.

Check Price on Amazon

The NN-SN67QS is Panasonic’s answer to the “more power, same width” request. At 1250W, it’s the highest wattage you’ll find in a 1.2 cu. ft. package that still fits the 17-inch-wide constraint. The inverter technology here is more refined — users consistently report that frozen dinners emerge without cold spots, and the sensor reheat measures steam from the food itself to determine the perfect stop point, eliminating the “nuke it twice” problem.

The stainless steel exterior has a modern, flat-panel aesthetic that blends into most kitchen decors. The control panel is a touch-sensitive glass surface rather than a clamshell membrane, which resists peeling and looks cleaner over time. The child lock can be disabled permanently through a button sequence (rather than requiring a reset after every power outage), a detail that frequent power-fluctuation households will appreciate.

Downsides include a control panel that’s dimly lit — hard to read in low-light kitchens — and a door that auto-locks after cooking, which requires you to press an unlock button before opening. Several users have reported a faulty door solenoid on the first unit, though replacement units worked perfectly. For pure reheating and defrosting performance, this is the most capable 17-inch-wide model on the market, but the door-lock behavior and dim display are genuine friction points.

Check Price on Amazon

Sharp proves you don’t have to shrink your cooking capacity to fit a 17-inch-wide slot. The 1.4 cu. ft. interior is the largest in this roundup, yet the external width is just 20.4 inches — meaning it slides into a 17-inch-wide cabinet opening with standard overhang clearance. The 1100W output is strong enough to boil a cup of water in under two minutes, and the 12.4-inch Carousel turntable rotates dishes evenly across the full power range.

The ceramic enamel interior is a standout feature: it resists scratches and stains better than typical painted steel, and it’s easy to wipe clean after a sauce explosion. The white LED display and interior light are brighter than the dim panels on many competitors, making it easy to read settings even in a dark kitchen. The sensor cook function automatically detects doneness for popular items like baked potatoes and frozen vegetables.

Sharp has included a physical handle on the door, which is a refreshing change from push-button releases — you can open it without needing both hands. The mute function (hold the 8 or 0 button for three seconds) silences the beep, and the child lock can be disabled with a dedicated button combination. The only downside is the dated roller ring design, which can collect crumbs, but overall this is the best choice if interior volume is your top priority.

Check Price on Amazon

GE’s 0.9 cu. ft. microwave is a no-drama appliance that nails the basics: it’s 17 inches wide, delivers 900W of power, and includes a two-step child lock that prevents accidental starts without requiring a manual reference. The white-on-black glass design blends into most kitchens, and the electronic keypad includes dedicated buttons for popcorn, pizza, potato, and beverage presets.

Users consistently note that the 900W GE heats faster than their previous 1000W models, likely due to efficient cavity design and the glass turntable that rotates for even coverage. The easy-setup process — plug it in, place it on the counter, and you’re done — is genuinely simple, and the 39-inch power cord provides flexibility for outlet placement. The kitchen timer function works independently of the microwave, letting you track cooking on the stove without opening the app drawer.

On the noise front, some users report it’s louder than older GE models, particularly during the cooling fan phase. The turntable doesn’t stop at the original position after cooking, which means your dish may be facing the back of the microwave when the cycle ends. These are minor annoyances rather than deal-breakers, and the price-to-performance ratio makes it a solid choice for a rental or a dorm room where reliability matters more than bells and whistles.

Check Price on Amazon

The Magic Chef MC77MB is the definition of a space-first microwave: at 17 inches wide, 10.1 inches tall, and 12.5 inches deep, it fits in shallow cabinets where deeper units won’t go. The 700W output is lower than most competitors, but for reheating coffee, defrosting single portions, or warming leftovers, it’s sufficient. The rotating glass turntable and six preprogrammed cooking modes cover the basics without overwhelming you with options.

The push-button door release is convenient in tight quarters where a handle would require clearance, and the ECO function reduces standby power consumption — a nice touch for an entry-level unit. The dark grey interior does a good job hiding splatters, and the digital display is bright enough to read from across the counter. Users who need a microwave for a bookcase, a desk, or a small apartment countertop consistently praise the fit.

There are compromises: the 700W means it takes longer to heat dense foods, and some units have been reported to produce condensation buildup inside the door, which can lead to rust over time. The control panel numbers are small and dark-grey on black, making them hard to read in dim light. Also, a significant concern is the restocking fee for returns, even for defective units — so inspect yours promptly after delivery.

Check Price on Amazon

The Commercial Chef CHM7MS is the budget stainless steel option for buyers who want a 17-inch-wide microwave that looks more expensive than it is. The brushed stainless finish and push-button door give it a clean, modern appearance that fits well in a rental kitchen or office break room. The 700W output and 0.7 cu. ft. capacity are identical to the Magic Chef, but the Commercial Chef adds 10 power levels instead of 6, along with six preset menus and express cook options from one to six minutes.

The LED digital display is clear, and the child lock works well, requiring a simple button combination to disable. Users who have had the unit for several months report that it heats evenly for its size and operates quietly. The push-button door has a satisfying click, and the lock feature prevents accidental openings — a useful safety measure in households with small children.

Durability is the main concern: multiple long-term reviews mention that the touchpad buttons begin to peel after about a year, and at least one unit failed completely after six weeks due to a power outage that corrupted the clock. The return period is short, so if you buy this one, test every function immediately. For a secondary microwave or a short-term solution, the stainless steel look and functional controls are hard to beat at this price.

Check Price on Amazon

The RecPro is purpose-built for RV and marine installations where the standard 17-inch-wide cutout is pre-measured for models like High Pointe or Greystone. It integrates microwave, convection, and grill functions in a single 1.1 cu. ft. unit, allowing you to bake, roast, and brown in addition to standard reheating. The 1500W power draw is significant — you’ll need a robust inverter or shore power — but the payoff is real convection airflow that can crisp chicken skin or bake a small cake.

The installation is straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic cabinetry: the external dimensions (20.5″ W x 14.25″ H x 18″ D) with the trim fit standard RV openings, and the included trim kit hides any gap. The four-digit LED display is bright and readable, and the nine express cook options cover popcorn, pizza, vegetables, and roast chicken. The child lock is built into the touch pad controls.

Performance varies depending on the mode. As a microwave, it’s underwhelming — some users report it can’t pop popcorn fully. The convection mode is better suited for slow roasting than high-heat baking, and the grill function takes a long time to brown food. The packaging and hardware have been criticized for missing screws and mismatched instruction booklets. If you specifically need a direct replacement for your RV’s existing microwave-convection unit and accept its niche performance, this fits the bill. For home use, the dedicated microwave options above will serve you better.