Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.7 Best 800 Watt Microwave | Why 900W Defeats 700W Every Time

Check Price on Amazon

The Nostalgia Pink delivers a genuine 800 watts in a 0.9-cubic-foot cavity that fits a standard 11-inch dinner plate without scuffing the walls. The rotating glass carousel measures a full 10.6 inches, which gives frozen entrees enough arc to reduce the cold-center problem common in smaller 0.7-cubic-foot microwaves. Twelve pre-programmed settings cover popcorn, potato, pizza, beverage, and frozen vegetable, and the express-cook button launches a minute at full power with one tap.

The retro design uses a combination button-and-dial interface — press the knob to select a preset, then rotate to set time. Owners report the heating is consistent for the power class, though frozen dinners may need an extra 10 to 20 seconds compared to a 1,000-watt unit. The interior light illuminates only during operation, and the three-beep completion alert is noticeable but not jarring. The child lock engages via a button combination and stays engaged through power cycles, which some families prefer for safety.

The plug orientation requires about 2.5 inches of clearance from the wall outlet, so measure your counter depth before installation. The dial interface takes a short learning curve — users who prefer dedicated number pads may find the rotary set slower for precise times like 1:30. Overall, this microwave balances 800-watt performance with a cavity size that actually fits real plates, making it a top contender for apartment kitchens.

Check Price on Amazon

The Nostalgia Aqua shares the same internal specs as the Pink version — 800 watts, 0.9 cubic feet, a 10.6-inch turntable, and 12 pre-programmed settings — but swaps the shell for a glossy blue-green retro finish that pairs well with white or vintage-style kitchens. The LED display is bright enough to read across the room, and the chrome handle and accent trim give the unit a mid-century diner feel.

Real-world performance mirrors the Pink model: even heating on most dishes, a simple one-minute express button, and a dial-based control scheme. Owners who have used the unit for several months report reliable heating without significant hot spots. The three-beep end alert and the interior-light-on-during-operation quirk are consistent across the Nostalgia line. The child lock toggles via a button sequence and does not reset after a power outage, which is a safety positive for homes with young children.

The primary distinction is aesthetic — this is the better pick if your kitchen leans toward pastels, white tiles, or retro diner themes. The footprint measures 20.5 inches wide by 16.5 inches deep, so verify your countertop depth before buying. The same dial learning curve applies: setting 45 seconds requires turning the knob rather than tapping 4-5-Start, which some users find slower for frequent short bursts.

Check Price on Amazon

The Emerson Retro Microwave separates itself from the pack by adding a 1,000-watt quartz grill element alongside the 800-watt microwave function. This dual-mode lets you brown pizza cheese, crisp the top of a casserole, or toast bread — tasks a standard microwave cannot handle. The 0.9-cubic-foot cavity is identical in capacity to the Nostalgia models, but the interior includes a wire grill rack that sits above the turntable for grill-mode cooking.

The control panel uses a combination of labeled buttons for eight auto menus (popcorn, potato, pizza, beverage, frozen vegetable, dinner plate, meat, and reheat) plus a rotary dial for time and weight defrost. The child lock is controlled via button press and remains engaged after power loss. The black retro shell with chromed accents and a pull-handle door earns positive reviews for fitting retro and industrial decor alike. Owners note the unit runs quietly compared to older microwaves, and the 800-watt microwave mode heats evenly for standard reheating.

The trade-off is added complexity: to use the grill function, you must select the correct mode, place food on the rack, and monitor it to avoid burning. The manual indicates you cannot run microwave and grill simultaneously — they alternate. This makes the unit less intuitive for someone who just wants to press a single button for leftovers. The 1,000-watt grill also consumes more power, so verify your circuit can handle the combined load if other appliances are running on the same 15-amp line.

Check Price on Amazon

The TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA is a 900-watt unit, placing it slightly above the 800-watt sweet spot, but it earns a spot in this guide because its 0.9-cubic-foot cavity and 10.6-inch turntable mirror the footprint of the best 800-watt countertop models. The extra 100 watts translate to noticeably faster reheating — a frozen dinner that requires 4:30 on an 800-watt unit finishes about 30 seconds earlier here.

The standout feature is the mute function, which silences the end-of-cycle beep and button tones — a rarity in this price tier. The 11 power levels offer fine granularity, especially useful for defrosting ground meat or heating milk without scalding. The child lock uses a two-step sequence and does not reset after a power cut. The interior is stainless steel with an LED cavity light that stays on when the door opens, making it easier to see spills. Owners consistently report even heating with no cold spots, and the door latch feels solid.

The microwave measures 18.7 inches wide, which is about an inch narrower than the Emerson but an inch wider than the 0.7-cubic-foot models. The control panel uses tactile touch buttons rather than a dial, so setting 1:30 takes three taps instead of a twist. A minor complaint from some users is that the unit is not as quiet as expected — the magnetron hum and cooling fan are audible, though not disruptive.

Check Price on Amazon

At 700 watts and 0.7 cubic feet, the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 sits at the entry point of this guide. It is the smallest and least powerful unit reviewed, but it compensates with a simple push-button door release, a clear LED display, and ten power settings that include a 30-second express cook button. The 10-inch glass turntable is removable for cleaning, and the child safety lock is standard.

Owners confirm the unit heats consistently for its size, though frozen meals take about 20 to 30 percent longer than on an 800-watt model due to the lower power density. The push-button door is a convenience differentiator — you do not have to pull a handle, which helps if your hands are full. The exterior dimensions (17.3 x 13.0 x 10.2 inches) are compact enough to fit under most upper cabinets without clearance issues.

The trade-off is capacity: the 0.7-cubic-foot cavity cannot fit a full 11-inch dinner plate comfortably. Large bowls or rectangular casserole dishes may not rotate fully, leading to uneven heating. The 700-watt output also means defrosting dense items like a pound of ground beef takes patience — expect 8 to 10 minutes on a low power level. For a single person reheating leftovers or making popcorn, this unit performs adequately, but families should size up.

Check Price on Amazon

The 0.9-cubic-foot BLACK+DECKER delivers 900 watts in a slightly larger frame than the 700-watt sibling. The 10.6-inch turntable and push-button door release are carried over, but the extra 200 watts cut cook times noticeably — a frozen entree that needs 5 minutes on the 700-watt model finishes in about 3:45 here. The stainless steel exterior fits modern kitchens, and the six pre-programmed buttons cover popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and dinner plate.

Customers highlight the even heating as a step up from smaller units. The ten power settings provide flexibility for defrosting and sensitive tasks like warming baby bottles. The child lock stays engaged after a power interruption, which is consistent across the BLACK+DECKER line. The push-button door is reliable, though some users note it requires a firm press — a soft touch may not release the latch.

The main drawback is noise. Several owners describe the fan and magnetron hum as loud enough to be distracting in an open-concept kitchen. The control panel uses tactile buttons rather than a dial, which makes setting exact times straightforward, but the buttons lack backlighting, so operating in dim light requires memorizing the layout. For buyers who want the same brand as the compact model but need more cavity space and faster heating, this unit fills the gap cleanly.

Check Price on Amazon

The Farberware 0.7-cubic-foot microwave delivers 700 watts in a compact stainless steel shell designed for small kitchens and office break rooms. It offers ten power levels and six one-touch presets for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and dinner plate. Defrost can be set by weight or by time. The LED display includes a clock and kitchen timer, and the child safety lock is standard.

Owner feedback consistently notes the unit looks clean on the counter and heats food evenly for its size. The 700-watt output means reheating takes slightly longer than the 800-watt competition — a bowl of soup at full power usually needs 3 to 4 minutes versus 2:30 on a higher-wattage model. The interior light is bright enough to see the turntable, and the removable glass tray is easy to wipe clean. Some users report the door lock beep is loud, and the five-beep completion chime annoys those in open offices.

The biggest limitation is cavity size. The 0.7-cubic-foot interior cannot hold a standard 11-inch plate without the edges hitting the walls during rotation. Rectangular dishes must be oriented carefully to avoid jamming the turntable. For a single person reheating a mug of coffee, a small bowl of leftovers, or a frozen burrito, the Farberware is adequate. For anyone regularly heating full plates or casserole dishes, the 0.9-cubic-foot options above are a better fit.