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 Small Microwave | Skip the Cold Spots

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Sharp built this 0.9 cubic foot model around a 10.6-inch Carousel turntable that actually spins standard dinner plates without scraping the walls. At 900 watts, it strikes the rare balance between fast reheating and a footprint that fits tight corners — external dimensions are 14.7 inches deep and 19 inches wide. The white LED display and gray interior are updated touches that make the cavity feel larger than the spec sheet suggests.

Even heating is where this unit shines. Customer reports consistently note that popcorn, leftovers, and defrosted meat come out without cold spots, a direct benefit of the larger turntable and 900W magnetron. The child lock can be permanently disabled if you don’t need it, and the mute function kills the beeps entirely. The interior LED light is dimmer than older models, but most buyers consider that a minor tradeoff for the quiet operation and even cooking.

The door does clang shut more abruptly than pricier units, and the display stays bright enough to light up a dark kitchen (fixable with a blue film layer). Still, for a compact microwave that handles full plates and defrosts evenly, Sharp delivers the most complete package in this category.

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Toshiba’s ML-EM09PA(SS) packs 900 watts into a 0.9 cubic foot stainless steel body that measures 18.7 x 14.7 x 10.7 inches, making it one of the shallower 900W models available. The standout here is ChefDefrost, which adjusts power levels automatically based on the weight you enter, defrosting up to 40% faster than standard time-based routines while preserving texture. The 10.6-inch glass turntable is removable and dishwasher-safe.

Controls are intuitive — number keys default to minutes, and the +30 seconds button adds time without resetting power levels. The child lock is a simple two-step process that doesn’t require digging through the manual. You can disable the beep entirely via the sound button, and the ECO mode cuts standby power consumption by roughly half. The interior is stainless steel, which wipes clean more easily than enameled steel cavities found on cheaper units.

Some reviewers note that the display only shows time, not the remaining power level or SWR, which RF enthusiasts track but average users won’t miss. The unit is quiet during operation, and the door latch opens and closes without the loud slam typical of the Sharp competitor. For anyone who defrosts frozen meat regularly, this is the most capable small microwave on the list.

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GE’s 0.9 cubic foot countertop model delivers 900 watts with seven auto-cooking programs covering beverages, pizza, popcorn, and reheat. The exterior measures 19 x 14.5 x 11.5 inches, giving it a slightly taller profile than the Sharp or Toshiba but still fitting most standard cabinet gaps. The stainless steel and black glass front keeps the design clean, and the glass turntable rotates evenly during cooking.

The two-step child lock is mandatory and can be deactivated if not needed. A separate kitchen timer independent of the microwave function is a welcome detail for those who track multiple cooking tasks. The mute option silences end-of-cycle alarms, and the display can be shut off completely for light-sensitive sleepers. The interior stainless steel cavity resists staining and cleans up quickly.

The main drawbacks are the turntable, which does not stop at the original position upon opening, and the control logic that requires pressing Cancel twice before opening the door on some firmware versions. A few reviewers also report the unit is noisier than their previous GE model. For buyers who prioritize a major brand with wide service availability, this GE is a solid, if slightly imperfect, choice.

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Toshiba’s 0.7 cubic foot MM-EM07PA(BK) is the smallest and most power-efficient entry from the brand, drawing 1020W input for 700W output. The external dimensions — 17.1 x 12.2 x 9.5 inches — are the slimmest of any model on this list, making it a strong candidate for campervans, cramped shelves, or dorm desks. Despite the small cavity, it includes the ChefDefrost system and six auto menus.

The sound-off button is a top feature here: holding it for three seconds disables all beeps, which matters in shared living spaces. The ECO mode reduces standby draw, and the child lock is the standard two-step sequence. Reviewers consistently praise the intuitive controls — pressing a number key starts cooking for that many minutes, and pressing Start adds 30 seconds without complicating the process.

The tradeoff is the 9.6-inch turntable, which limits you to smaller bowls and plates. Full dinner dishes or large casserole bowls will not fit. The lower wattage also extends cook times by roughly 30% compared to 900W models. For buyers who prioritize a tiny footprint and a quiet, beep-free experience, and only reheat small portions, this Toshiba is the best 0.7 cu ft microwave available.

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Chefman’s 0.7 cubic foot microwave wraps 700W of power in a stainless steel exterior that resists fingerprints and matches most modern kitchen decors. The external dimensions are 12.93 x 17.52 x 9.53 inches, giving it a very shallow depth that fits on narrow butcher-block shelves or under low cabinets. The interior is also stainless steel, which handles grease splatters better than painted or enameled cavities.

The control panel offers three popular presets — popcorn, beverages, and leftovers — plus ten power levels and a +30 seconds express button. The child lock engages via the door handle (pull up on the top edge to release), which is mechanically simpler than the electronic button codes on most competitors. The mute option silences the beep, and the glass turntable is top-rack dishwasher safe.

Some buyers note that the handle mechanism takes a few tries to master, and the unit is slightly noisier than the Toshiba or Sharp counterparts. The 700W power also means longer cook times for larger portions. For buyers who value a sleek, low-profile stainless look and a simple mechanical child lock, Chefman delivers solid value in a tiny package.

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COMFEE’ delivers a solid 0.7 cubic foot, 700W microwave with two features that set it apart at this tier: a dedicated ECO mode that cuts standby power consumption by roughly 50%, and a mute function that silences all beeps after a three-second press. The exterior is black with a clean button interface, and the unit measures a standard compact size that fits most tight spaces.

The control panel includes one-touch express cooking for 1 to 6 minutes, plus a +30 seconds button. Auto-cook menus cover popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen veggies, beverage, and reheat. Two defrost modes — by weight and by time — give flexibility for frozen meat. The child lock is the now-standard two-step sequence, and the interior is enameled steel rather than stainless, which still wipes clean but may show wear sooner.

Reviewers highlight that this unit heats evenly for its class, with few complaints about cold spots. The main downsides are the small turntable (9.6 inches) and the slightly slower cook times inherent to 700W. The clock programming requires reading the manual, and the automatic door lock must be disabled via a specific button sequence. For budget-conscious buyers who plan to use a small microwave daily and want to save on standby power, the COMFEE’ is a strong, reliable choice.

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Black+Decker’s 0.7 cubic foot model is the most compact microwave in the lineup, with a handleless front that saves two inches of depth compared to traditional designs. It runs on 700W and fits in spaces where no other microwave can — campervan galley shelves, RV cupboards, and narrow dorm cubicles. The interior dimensions are 14.2 x 12 x 8.1 inches with a 10-inch turntable, which is slightly larger than the typical 9.6-inch plate in this class.

The control panel includes six one-touch cooking programs (popcorn, potato, pizza, others), 10 power levels, and a memory function that stores your most-used settings. The LED display is bright and includes a kitchen timer and clock. The child lock adds security in households with young children, and the interior LED light gives a clear view of your food while cooking.

Several buyers note that the rubber feet lack grip, causing the unit to slide when you open the door. The glass turntable can also shift off its axis during heavy loads. Power is low enough that boiling water takes 2.5 minutes and baking a potato takes about six. For buyers who need the absolute smallest footprint and trust the Black+Decker brand for reliability, this unit fits, but it sacrifices convenience features found on the Toshiba and Sharp models.