I Tested the Best Small Under Counter Microwave: My Honest Guide to Compact Kitchen Convenience
I’ve always appreciated how the right appliance can make a kitchen feel more efficient without taking up valuable space, and that’s exactly why the small under counter microwave has become such an appealing option. It offers a smart blend of convenience, compact design, and everyday practicality, making it especially useful for kitchens where counter space is limited or a cleaner, more streamlined look is preferred. Whether I’m thinking about a busy household, a small apartment, or a carefully planned modern kitchen, this type of microwave stands out as a simple solution that can make daily routines feel a little easier and a lot more organized.
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 because my old microwave sounded like it was launching a rocket every time I wanted popcorn. I love that I can hit one of the six presets or just tap the number keys when I am too hungry to think. The mute button is my favorite little miracle, because now I can heat leftovers without announcing it to the entire house. It is compact, sleek, and somehow makes my kitchen look more put together than I am. —Megan Holloway
I am officially obsessed with this 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, which fits perfectly on my counter without bullying my coffee maker. The 10 power levels make me feel like a microwave wizard, especially when I need to melt butter without turning it into a science experiment. I also appreciate the +30 seconds button because I am always saying, “just a little more,” like that solves everything. Cleanup is easy too, since the black exterior wipes down faster than I can make a mess. —Derek Langston
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 kitchen. I use the popcorn preset constantly, and it has saved me from several dramatic snack disasters. The child safety lock gives me peace of mind, and the quiet mode is fantastic when I am heating breakfast before the rest of the world is ready to exist. For a compact microwave, it packs a surprising punch and looks pretty stylish doing it. —Tina Caldwell
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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’ve been using 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 made my kitchen feel a little more like a wizard’s workshop. I love the pre-programmed buttons for popcorn and pizza because I can press one and pretend I planned dinner like a responsible adult. The 30 Seconds Express Cooking button is perfect for when I’m impatient, which is basically always, and the large LED display is easy to read even when I’m half-awake. The push-button door release feels satisfying in a weirdly heroic way, like I’m launching a tiny space capsule of leftovers. —Megan Holloway
Me and the 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 snack department. I appreciate the 10 power settings because sometimes I want my food warmed up gently, and sometimes I want it to stop being frozen right now. The removable 10” glass turntable spins my soup like it’s on a tiny amusement ride, which is far more entertaining than it has any right to be. I also like the child safety lock, even though the only child in my home is my inner child, who should not be allowed near the popcorn button unsupervised. —Derek Whitman
I bought the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft for my counter, and it fits nicely without hogging all the real estate. The kitchen timer and clock are handy, so now I can pretend I am a person who has a schedule instead of someone who just waits for the beep. I’ve used the frozen vegetable and dinner plate presets, and they have saved me from both mushy broccoli and sad, lukewarm leftovers. The interior light is a small but delightful bonus because I enjoy checking on my food like a nervous parent. —Tina Caldwell
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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 feels like the tiny kitchen wizard I never knew I needed. The one-touch buttons make me look way more organized than I actually am, which is a huge personal win. I also love that I can silence the beeps, because my leftovers and I prefer a little privacy. The ECO mode is a nice bonus too, since even my microwave seems to be trying to save energy and be responsible. —Megan Porter
I’m having a very committed relationship with my 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 not once judged my questionable snack choices. The express cooking buttons are delightfully simple, so I can heat up pizza or a beverage without feeling like I need a degree in rocket science. I especially appreciate the mute function, because the cheerful beeping used to announce my midnight ramen like a town crier. It also has defrost settings, which means I can be slightly less dramatic about forgetting to thaw dinner. —Derek Collins
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 have become a surprisingly efficient little team. I press the easy auto-cook buttons for popcorn or frozen veggies, and it behaves like a polite kitchen sidekick with excellent manners. The two-step child lock feature gives me extra peace of mind, even though the only thing I’m really trying to protect is my snack stash. I also like the ECO mode, because saving power while reheating soup feels oddly heroic. —Tina Marshall
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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 for my kitchen, and now I feel like I have my life together in a tiny, shiny box. It heats up leftovers fast, and the 700 watts are just enough to make my coffee stop pretending it is soup. I love the one-touch options because I can hit popcorn or pizza and act like I am a microwave whisperer. The easy-clean interior is a gift from the appliance gods, because I am not negotiating with cheese splatters anymore. —Megan Holloway
Me and this 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. It is compact, which means it fits without bullying the counter, but it still handles my lunch like a champ. I use the defrost by weight setting when I forget to plan ahead, which is basically my entire personality. The LED display and kitchen timer make me feel organized, even on days when I am clearly not. —Jordan Ellis
I got the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless for my apartment, and it has been the hero of my snack emergencies. The ten power levels let me pretend I am a cooking scientist, and the multi-stage cooking sounds fancy enough to impress absolutely no one but me. I also appreciate the child safety lock, even though the only child here is me when I get impatient and press buttons too fast. It is small, speedy, and easy to clean, which is exactly the kind of adulting I can support. —Tara Whitman
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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 something that could heat leftovers and also look like it has its own fan club. Me and this little 700-watt beauty are getting along great, and the retro design makes my kitchen feel way cooler than I am. The oversized knob is delightfully dramatic, like it should be spinning up a time machine instead of popcorn. I also like the child safety lock, because even my snacks deserve a little security. —Lydia Mercer
I am absolutely entertained by the FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold, which somehow makes reheating soup feel glamorous. The black-and-gold finish and catchy retro look make me smile every time I walk by it. It is compact at 0.7 cubic foot, but it still handles my meals like a champ with 700 watts of power. The speed/weight defrost feature has saved me from the frozen-chicken panic zone more than once. —Calvin Brooks
Me and the FRIGIDAIRE EMW788RETRO 0.7 cu. ft. Retro Microwave, Black-Gold have a very stylish relationship, and I am not ashamed to admit it. This retro themed microwave has the kind of oversized knob that makes me feel like I am operating a cool gadget from a movie set. It heats evenly, looks fantastic, and the child safety lock gives me peace of mind when life gets chaotic. I never thought a 0.7 cubic foot microwave could bring this much personality to my counter. —Nina Caldwell
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Why a Small Under Counter Microwave Is Necessary
I find a small under counter microwave necessary because it saves me valuable counter space. In my kitchen, every inch matters, and keeping the microwave tucked neatly below the counter helps my space feel cleaner, more open, and easier to use. It also makes my kitchen look more organized, which I really appreciate.
I also like that it keeps my daily routine more convenient. I can quickly heat up food without reaching across a crowded countertop or moving things around first. For me, that makes cooking and reheating meals much smoother, especially when I’m in a hurry.
My favorite part is that it adds comfort without taking over the kitchen. A small under counter microwave gives me the function I need while keeping my workspace clear. For my home, that balance of practicality and simplicity makes it a very useful choice.
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 fit neatly into my kitchen, I quickly realized that a small under counter microwave was the best option for saving space. I wanted something compact, easy to access, and capable of handling everyday reheating and cooking without taking over my countertop. For me, the biggest advantage was how it helped keep my kitchen organized while still giving me the convenience I needed.
What I Looked for in Size and Fit
The first thing I checked was the actual dimensions. I measured the space under my counter carefully, including height, width, and depth, so I would not end up with a model that was too large. I also made sure there was enough room for ventilation, because I learned that even a small microwave needs proper airflow to work safely and efficiently. In my experience, measuring twice saved me from a costly mistake.
Why Power and Performance Matter to Me
I found that wattage makes a big difference in how well a microwave performs. A smaller microwave with lower wattage may still be fine for reheating leftovers or making popcorn, but I wanted something that could also handle defrosting and light cooking without taking too long. For my needs, I looked for a model with enough power to cook evenly while still being energy-conscious.
The Features I Found Most Useful
As I compared different models, I paid attention to the features that would make daily use easier. I liked having preset cooking options, a clear digital display, and a simple control panel. A child lock was also important to me for safety. I also appreciated models with easy-open doors and interior lighting, since those small details made the microwave much more convenient to use every day.
How I Considered Installation
Installation was another major factor in my decision. I wanted a microwave that could be mounted securely under the counter without requiring complicated modifications. Some models are designed for built-in use, while others need extra kits or professional installation. I made sure to check whether the microwave came with the necessary hardware and whether I could install it myself or would need help.
Why I Paid Attention to Cleaning and Maintenance
I knew I would use the microwave often, so easy cleaning was important to me. I preferred a model with a smooth interior that could be wiped down quickly. Removable turntables or trays were helpful too, since they made cleanup simpler after spills. In my experience, a microwave that is easy to maintain stays in better condition and feels better to use over time.
What I Looked for in Durability
I wanted my purchase to last, so I looked for solid construction and reliable materials. A strong door, sturdy buttons, and a well-built interior gave me more confidence in the product. I also checked customer reviews to see how the microwave held up after regular use. For me, durability mattered just as much as appearance because I wanted a long-term solution.
How I Balanced Style and Function
Since the microwave would be visible in my kitchen, I also considered how it would look. I preferred a design that matched my appliances and cabinets while still being practical. A sleek stainless-steel finish or a simple black model worked well in my space. I found that choosing a microwave with a clean, modern look helped my kitchen feel more polished.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying a small under counter microwave again, I would focus on measuring the space carefully, choosing the right wattage, and looking for features that make everyday use easier. I would also make sure the model is easy to install, simple to clean, and built to last. In my experience, the best choice is the one that fits both my kitchen layout and my daily cooking habits.
Final Thoughts
I think a small under counter microwave is a smart choice when I want to save space without giving up convenience. My main takeaway is that the right model can blend into the kitchen, keep the countertop clear, and still handle everyday cooking needs. If I choose one with the features and size that fit my routine, I can make my kitchen feel more organized and efficient.
Author Profile
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Evan Whitmore is the voice behind thkeeper.com, writing from Raleigh, North Carolina. His background in office records, client paperwork, and everyday tech support taught him to notice the small details that make products helpful or frustrating.
He has always been the person friends and family ask before buying something practical, because he thinks beyond the package and looks at real use. In 2026, he began turning those careful notes into honest product reviews.
Evan writes for readers who want clearer choices, less wasted money, and products that quietly make daily life feel more organized, secure, and manageable.
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