A countertop microwave is judged on three numbers: interior capacity, wattage and exterior size. Capacity decides which plates fit, wattage affects speed, and the footprint decides whether it fits your counter or cabinet.
The six microwaves below span 0.7 to 1.6 cubic feet and 700 to 1,250 watts. Sizes and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these microwaves ourselves. Where a listing disagrees with itself, we say so.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Larger interiors take bigger plates and dishes |
| Wattage | Higher output usually heats faster |
| Exterior size | Measure width, depth and height, including door swing |
| Controls and presets | Knobs, touch pads, sensor menus and a mute option differ |
Specs at a Glance
| Microwave | Size (D x W x H) | Capacity and power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefman 0.7 | 12.93 x 17.52 x 9.53 in | 0.7 cu ft; 700 W | 10 power levels; 6 presets; mute button |
| BLACK+DECKER 0.9 | 13.4 x 18.7 x 10.68 in | 0.9 cu ft; 900 W | 10 levels; 10.6 in turntable; interior light |
| COMFEE’ Retro | 14.3 x 17.3 x 10.2 in | 0.7 cu ft; 700 W | Knob control; 11 power levels; 6 presets |
| TOSHIBA 1.2 sensor | 14.8 x 20.6 x 11.8 in | 1.2 cu ft in title; 1,000 W | 13 sensor menus; mute; 20 L in the spec table |
| GE 1.6 | 18.7 x 21.3 x 12.36 in | 1.6 cu ft; 1,150 W | Sensor cooking; touch controls; defrost |
| TOSHIBA 1.6 inverter | 19.2 x 21.8 x 13 in (table) | 1.6 cu ft; 1,250 W | Inverter; humidity sensor; 13.6 in turntable |
The 6 Best Countertop Microwaves
1. Chefman 0.7 Cu Ft Microwave
A 700 watt compact microwave, 17.52 inches wide and 9.53 inches tall, with 10 power levels, six one-touch presets, a mute button and a lock feature.
Suits: a small counter or dorm. Strengths: a low profile and a mute option. Weaknesses: 700 watts and a small interior. Skip it if you heat large plates.
View Chefman 0.7 cu ft 700W countertop microwave on Amazon
2. BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft Microwave
A 900 watt microwave, 18.7 inches wide, with 10 power levels, preset buttons for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage and dinner plate, a removable 10.6 inch glass turntable, an LED display and an interior light. The listing says the door frame is stainless steel and the enclosure black.
Suits: a mid-size daily microwave. Strengths: six preset buttons and an interior light. Weaknesses: the finish is part stainless, part black. Skip it if you want all stainless.
View BLACK+DECKER 0.9 cu ft 900W countertop microwave on Amazon
3. COMFEE’ Retro Microwave
A pink retro-style 0.7 cubic foot, 700 watt microwave, 17.3 by 14.3 by 10.2 inches, with a knob control, 11 power levels, six preset menus and an LED display.
Suits: a retro kitchen look. Strengths: a knob and a style choice. Weaknesses: a plastic body and 700 watts. Skip it if you want stainless.
View COMFEE retro 0.7 cu ft 700W microwave pink on Amazon
4. TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu Ft Microwave With Smart Sensor
A 1,000 watt stainless steel model, 20.6 by 14.8 by 11.8 inches, with 13 sensor preset menus, 10 power levels, mute mode and defrost by weight or time. The title says 1.2 cubic feet, but the spec table says 20 liters, which is closer to 0.7 cubic feet.
Suits: a sensor-cooking microwave. Strengths: 13 presets and 1,000 watts. Weaknesses: an unclear capacity. Skip it if the exact interior size matters.
View TOSHIBA 1.2 cu ft 1000W smart sensor microwave on Amazon
5. GE 1.6 Cu Ft Microwave
A 1,150 watt, 1.6 cubic foot stainless steel microwave with sensor cooking controls, touch pads and presets for beverage, defrost, pizza, popcorn and reheat. Width is listed as 21.3 or 21.75 inches and depth as 18.7 or 17.75, depending on the section.
Suits: a large family microwave. Strengths: 1,150 watts and sensor cooking. Weaknesses: the listing gives two sets of dimensions. Skip it if you have a tight cabinet.
View GE 1.6 cu ft 1150W countertop microwave on Amazon
6. TOSHIBA 1.6 Cu Ft Inverter Microwave
A 1,250 watt output model with inverter technology, a humidity sensor, an ECO and mute function, six smart sensor menus and a 13.6 inch glass turntable. The table says 19.2 by 21.8 by 13 inches, while the text says 21.8 by 17.8 by 12.9. The table also lists convection heating, which the text does not mention.
Suits: a big interior with inverter control. Strengths: the top wattage of the six. Weaknesses: conflicting size and heating data. Skip it if you need confirmed dimensions.
View TOSHIBA 1.6 cu ft inverter microwave 1250W on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Leave the clearance the manual states around the vents.
- Wipe the interior after use.
- Use dishes the maker approves for microwave use.
- Center the turntable on its ring.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing by capacity without measuring the cabinet or counter.
- Trusting one number when a listing contradicts itself.
- Forgetting that a larger turntable needs larger dishes.
- Ignoring depth and door swing.
Countertop Microwave FAQ
How much power do I need?
Small models here run 700 watts and large ones 1,150 to 1,250, and more watts heat faster.
Which has sensor cooking?
Both TOSHIBA models and the GE list sensor or smart sensor menus.
The Short Version
For a small counter, the Chefman. For a mid-size daily model, the BLACK+DECKER. For a retro look, the COMFEE’. For a sensor menu, the TOSHIBA 1.2. For a large GE, the 1.6. For inverter control, the TOSHIBA 1.6.
