A small (compact) microwave is a cost-effective choice for any small space, including small kitchens, small apartments, dorms, camping, caravans, offices, vacation homes, and more.
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A mini microwave quickly heats your meal or beverage while saving a lot more space and electricity than the average microwave oven.
We’ve spent 22 hours of research to find how to choose the best mini microwaves (o.5 – 0.9 Cu Ft) – for the money – in 2022.
👉 Don’t forget to check out the 10 most practical microwave accessories!
Top Pick
The Panasonic 0.8 Cu. Ft. microwave is a small yet mighty classic microwave. Here’s why it’s our top pick:
- The only 0.8 Cu. Ft. microwave with 950W power
- Inverter technology delivers consistent, evenly cooked food, and speeds up defrosting
- The automatic Genius Sensor adjusts power and cooking time automatically
- Established, well-known brand
The runner-up is the smaller Comfee 0.7 Cu. Ft. Mini Microwave, with 11 power levels, 6 programs, eco-mode, and a sound-off option – for a lower price, and perfect for dorms.
Contents
- How to Pick the Best Small Microwave
- What Are the Best Mini Microwaves of 2022?
- 1. Best Value – Toshiba 0.9 Cu. Ft. Small Microwave
- 2. Smallest Microwave – Whirlpool 0.5 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave
- 3. Best Overall – Panasonic 0.8 Cu. Ft. Small Microwave
- 4. Alexa Enabled – AmazonBasics Voice-Controlled Microwave
- 5. Best for Dorm – Comfee 0.7 Cu. Ft. Mini Microwave
- 6. Small Yet Versatile – BLACK+DECKER Mini Microwave
- 7. Best Retro – Daewoo Countertop Microwave
- 8. Cutest – Galanz Retro Microwave
- Mini Microwaves FAQ
How to Pick the Best Small Microwave
1. Size – Size does matter when it comes to mini microwaves. Make sure you measure the space available for the microwave and its dimensions – before you buy. Add 1-2 inches to the space you have for clearance.
What Size is a Small Microwave?
A small microwave typically has around 0.5 to o.9 cubic feet of interior space. Width is usually 15-19 inches, and height ranges from 10-11 inches. Depth is measured with the door closed, and you have to make sure you have enough space for the door to fully open.
2. Capacity – small microwaves’ capacity ranges from 0.5 Cu. Ft. to 0.9 Cu. Ft. The larger the capacity, the more power (in watts).
The amount of food you can cook is determined by both the capacity and the turntable size and design.
3. Power – Power is measured in watts. The more watts, the faster your food will cook. Small microwaves’ power range from 700W to 950W.
4. Pre-set cooking options – most mini microwaves come with pre-set programs to help you determine how much heating time you need for various foods and beverages.
👉 In a Hurry?
See our short comparison table, or jump to our full small microwave reviews below.
| Mini Microwave | Bottom Line | Capacity/Power/Size | Bottom Line/Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Toshiba Small Microwave | Best Value | 0.9 Cu. Ft. 900W | ✅ Check Price on Amazon |
Whirlpool Compact Microwave | Smallest Microwave | 0.5 Cu. Ft. 750W | ✅ $188 at abt Electronics Or $183 at Appliances Connection |
Panasonic Mini Microwave | 🥇Best Overall | 0.8 Cu. Ft. 950W | ✅ Check Price on Amazon |
Amazon Smart Microwave Voice Controlled | Best "Smart" Microwave | 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W | ✅ Check price on Amazon |
Comfee Compact Microwave | Best for Dorm | 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W | ✅ Check price on Amazon |
BLACK+DECKER Mini Microwave | Small yet Versatile | 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W | ✅ Check Price on Amazon |
Galantz Retro Microwave | Cutest Mini Microwave | 0.7 Cu. Ft. 700W | ✅ Best Price on Amazon |
How Much do Small Microwaves Cost?
A mini microwave (countertop) costs $65 to $180 on average, depending on the brand, features, type, and wattage.
The main factors influencing the price are the brand (reliability, warranty, etc.) and the features included. The size does not affect the price significantly.
For example, the well-known Whirlpool sells the smallest microwave on the market (0.5 Cu. Ft) for about $180, while the less-known Commercial Chef brand sells their popular 0.6 Cu. Ft microwave for only about $60 on Amazon.
Power levels and pre-programming options also influence the cost of small microwaves.
For example, The Toshiba 0.9 Cu. Ft has 10 power levels and 6 auto-programs and costs about $105, while The Panasonic 0.9 Cu. Ft microwave has 9 preset programs and includes inverter technology – costing about $135.
How Much Does a Mini Microwave Weigh?
What Are the Best Mini Microwaves of 2022?
The 7 cost-effective compact microwaves below range from 0.5 Cu. Ft to 0.9 Cu. Ft. in capacity, making them perfect for tiny homes, small kitchens, dorms, mobile homes, vacation homes, offices, and more.
1. Best Value – Toshiba 0.9 Cu. Ft. Small Microwave
- Dimensions: 19.2″ (W) x 15.9″ (D) x 11″ (H)
- Weight: 27.3 pounds
- Power: 900W
The compact size of the Toshiba mini microwave is ideal for small apartments, vacation homes, dorms, and offices – yet has enough space for the average dishes.
The 6 auto menus are pre-programmed to cook 6 types of food (popcorn/pizza/potatoes and more), and it has 10 power levels to choose from.
This mighty little microwave has a 10. 6 inches glass turntable inside and can run for 6 minutes straight at full power, has LED lighting inside the cavity, and an easy-to-use control panel.
We highly recommend the Toshiba compact microwave and agree with the high ratings it has on Amazon.
✅ Price – $135 on Walmart, best price on Amazon
2. Smallest Microwave – Whirlpool 0.5 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave
- Dimensions: 13.75 (H) x 15.38 (W) x 14.13 (D) inches
- Weight: 32.6 pounds
- Power: 750W
However:
With only 0.5 Cu. Ft. capacity, it still accommodates a standard dinner plate (cavity size is 11.5″).
You can quickly set this small microwave to cook for 30 seconds at 100% power with the “Add 30” option or choose from 1-10 power levels.
The important control lock feature helps you avoid unintended use or other changes to your cooking settings by disabling the control panel with the touch of a button.
The Whirlpool microwave cooks fast (1-2 minutes to evenly cook a frozen meal), and easily fits corners to save maximum space.
It’s small but mighty, everything you need from a space-saving microwave.
✅ Price – $188 at abt Electronics, $183 at Appliances Connection
👉 For a car – you’ll need a travel oven for the car
3. Best Overall – Panasonic 0.8 Cu. Ft. Small Microwave
- Turntable size: 11.25 inches
- Dimensions: 14.8 (D) x 19.2 (W) x 11 (H) inches
- Weight: 20.9 pounds
- Power: 950 W
The automatic Genius sensor instantly adjusts the power and cooking based on different foods (but also has 9 preset menu items to choose from), and the Keep Warm button maintains the heat until you are ready to eat (without overcooking!)
This Panasonic high-power microwave (with inverter technology) delivers consistent, evenly cooked food (simmer without overcooking), and the advanced inverter turbo speeds up defrosting time.
Other pros are the quick minute timer, delay start, and the child safety lock.
The only con is the display light seems a bit dim and disappears in sunlight.
✅ Price – check the latest price on Amazon
👉 Larger Option
The Panasonic larger mini microwave (0.9 Cu. Ft.), has 7 preset cooking settings, and 3 power levels for popcorn popping. See this small black microwave below:
It doesn’t have the automatic genius sensor, and the turntable is smaller, but it costs much less.
✅ Price – check today’s price on Amazon.
4. Alexa Enabled – AmazonBasics Voice-Controlled Microwave
- Dimensions: 17.3″(W). x 10.1″ (H). x 14.1″ (D).
- Weight: 21.9 pounds
- Power: 700W
The Amazon Basics small microwave has a unique feature no other microwaves on this list have.
After connecting it to the app, simply say “Alexa, microwave popcorn”, or “Alexa, reheat one cup of coffee” – and the microwave will set the right power level and time to get the job done.
The second option is to press the Alexa button on the keypad and just say the type of food you want to cook (“frozen vegetables”), or the cooking time (“2 minutes”).
Otherwise, you can use the buttons just like with every normal microwave.
👉 If you are a popcorn fan, Amazon offers a 10% discount on popcorn orders (choose from the popcorn brands on the app), and Alexa will know when to reorder for you when you run low.
The 10″ turntable size is a bit smaller than average for compact microwaves, but users say it fits a standard dinner plate.
It also has 10 power levels, a kitchen timer, and a child lock.
✅ Price – best price on Amazon
5. Best for Dorm – Comfee 0.7 Cu. Ft. Mini Microwave
- Dimensions: 19.2’’ (W) * 15.9″ (D) * 11.5’’ (H)
- Weight: 20.3 pounds
- Power: 700W
With the easy one-touch button, sound on/off, eco mode, 11 power levels, and 6 auto cooking functions, this 0.7 Cu. Ft. stainless steel microwave is perfect for small spaces.
It is small, but the turntable plate size (10 inches) is big enough for standard plates, which makes it perfect for student dorms.
Of course, it is a 700W microwave so the food takes a bit longer to cook/heat, but the price, space-saving, and quality – make it a great buy.
✅ Price – check today’s price on Amazon
6. Small Yet Versatile – BLACK+DECKER Mini Microwave
- Dimensions – 17.3” x 13.0” x 10.2”
- Weight – 22 lbs.
- Power – 700W
For a 700W microwave, the BLACK+DECKER 0.7 Cu. Ft. microwave sure comes with a variety of cooking options – at the press of a button, including popcorn and pizza.
The 6 pre-programs are designed to save you time, and it has 10 power settings, an express heating option, and a removable 10-inch glass turntable – making this microwave super easy to use. Solid construction for a lower price – we love it.
We love that it’s quiet and compact, and dinner plates fit in just fine.
The only cons we found are the loud beeping sound that can not be turned off (even after you open the door), and the whole microwave tends to move when pushing the button lever to open it. It may need stickers under the legs to make it fully stationary.
✅ Price – $111 on Walmart, lower price on Amazon
7. Best Retro – Daewoo Countertop Microwave
- Dimensions: 12.7 (D) x 17.6 (W) x 10.6 (H) inches
- Weight – 23.4 pounds
- Power – 700W
The Daewoo super cute small microwave comes in 3 colors – including mint green and red, and a retro design that upgrades any countertop.
It has 4 auto-cooking options, two-way defrosting, zero standby function, 5 power levels (up to 700W), and a recessed turntable (10 inches) to free up space for large dishes.
✅ Price – check the price on Amazon
8. Cutest – Galanz Retro Microwave
- Dimensions: 17.9″ x 13.8″ x 10.3″
- Weight: 23 lbs.
- Power: 700W
The Galanz Retro vintage-style microwave goes all the way retro with its turn-and-push dial, a sleek chrome door handle (easier to open), aqua colors (but also black and red if you’d like), and a round LED display light that looks gorgeous in any kitchen.
However:
The turntable size is less-than-average for small microwaves (9.63 inches) and a standard dinner plate may not fit in. There is no option to turn off the beeping sound.
✅ Price – $101 on Walmart, lower price on Amazon
Mini Microwaves FAQ
What is the Smallest Size Countertop Microwave?
The Smallest Microwave on the Market is the Whirlpool 0.5 Cu. Ft. microwave, taking up just 213.1 square inches of counter space. It has a unique rounded back so that it will fit nicely in corners too.
Is a 700-watt Microwave Powerful Enough?
When it comes to microwaves, wattage equals power. A 700W power is decent enough when it comes to small-mini microwaves. It will cook/heat food a bit slower than the average-size 1000W microwave (but saves space and electricity costs).
How Much Does a Mini Microwave Cost?
Prices for small microwaves range from as low as $40 to as high as $300, depending on the heating technology, power (in watts), extra features, and more.
Where Can I Find Microwave Accessories?
We’ve covered the 10 best and most practical microwave accessories, including microwave plate covers, rice steamers, pasta cookers, bacon/fries crispers or grillers, egg poachers, potato bags, and even mac and cheese cookers. All of them can help you make the best of your microwave.
The KM Team
