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If you have a smaller kitchen area, limited counter space, or want something that can easily travel in an RV, it might be a great time to start looking into compact microwaves.
The beauty of these machines is that even though they are small in size, they do not lose much of their cooking power or wattage and take up much less space.
Below are some great compact microwaves of 2024 options that will fill any large microwave void and still make it easy to cook everything from popcorn or pizza, defrost frozen vegetables and reheat coffee. These microwaves also cook food expeditiously and have express cooking options, child-locks, eco-friendly cooking options, and, for the Alexa lovers, can even be instructed to cook with a simple voice command.
Detailing the Leading Compact Microwave in 2024
Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave Oven — Best Overall
This fully-featured, compact microwave is the ideal size for any small kitchen area such as an apartment, dorm, or office break room. It comes with a pre-programmed sensor menu for the optimum heating of popular foods like pizza, potatoes, vegetables, and more. And, an easy-to-clean interior coating is scratch and stain-resistant and requires only a few wipes with a damp cloth.
Pros
- This microwave has the option to mute the buzzer sound
Cons
- This microwave does not come with a reminder beep
COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven — Runner Up
This countertop microwave has a streamlined, all-black stainless steel finish that takes up minimal space. Easy, one-touch buttons allow for cooking six of the most popular microwaved foods while a large LED digital display has a clock function and will also display a kitchen timer and any cooking time remaining. Other convenient features include defrost, cook or reheat, one-touch express cooking, and a 30-second timer.
Pros
- You can defrost items by weight or by time
Cons
- This microwave may take longer to cook some things
Farberware FMO11AHTPLB Microwave Oven — Honorable Mention
This white and platinum compact microwave easily match many styles of decor with its sleek design and two-tone finish. It features 10 power levels and a unique memory function that stores and recalls your preferred cooking settings. Additionally, an intuitive digital interface allows for easy operation and six pre-programmed cooking functions allow for convenience when cooking the most popular microwaveable foods.
Pros
- This microwave comes with a locking feature for safety
Cons
- There may be a slight humming sound when cooking
Kenmore 70929 Compact Countertop Microwave — Contender
This easy-to-use, compact microwave comes with 10 power settings, six one-touch auto cook preset cooking programs and two defrost button options for quick defrosting. This microwave is also unique as it has a special design interior with diamond shapes to efficiently concentrate energy, leaving you with perfectly heated food.
Pros
- This microwave comes in four easy-to-match color options
Cons
- This microwave has a button open vs. a handle opening
AmazonBasics Small Microwave — Also Consider
For a more tech-savvy option, this voice-controlled counter-top microwave works with the Amazon Echo device to defrost, make popcorn, cook, and reheat. This microwave comes with 10 power levels, a kitchen timer, and quick-cook presets which means there is no need to guess cook times or heat levels. Simply ask Alexa to reheat anything and she will start with the appropriate power and time settings.
Pros
- When you are running low on popcorn, you can automatically order more with their replenishment technology
Cons
- An Echo device is not included
Finding Your Next Compact Microwave: A Buyer’s Guide
Microwaves are one of the most revolutionary inventions of the last 100 years. They allow you to warm up any food you want in a few minutes. They can handle everything from leftover coffee to refrigerated pizza. You can even use them to prepare meals like frozen pizza and cup noodles. The best part about these, however, is that you do not need a very large one for most things. Unless you have to warm up large portions of food on a regular basis, a compact microwave is a perfect option.
Why Should I Buy a Compact Microwave Over a Regular One?
There are two main reasons to consider compact microwaves over regular-sized ones.
Size
Compact microwaves take up significantly less space than full-sized ones. The size of the microwave might not look like a major issue if you have plenty of counter space in your kitchen. But, if you live in a dense city like New York, then you know the value of every square inch, and anything that can save some space is always welcome.
The small size is also perfect for places like dorm rooms. Besides, most of the things an average person uses their microwave for can fit inside a cereal bowl, making the large ones unnecessary.
One thing that makes compact microwaves an actual viable alternative to regular microwaves is their feature set. Most quality compact microwaves have all the functionality you'll ever need and more. Plus, they tend to have a very comparable heating power despite their smaller size.
Cost
Compact microwaves are cheaper than regular microwaves by a noticeable margin. So, if you're a struggling college student or someone who just moved to an expensive city, compact microwaves are the only right option. Sure, you can find regular-sized microwaves that are cheaper than most compact microwaves, but these cheap options are not good and will most likely fail within the first year of operation.
Buying a Compact Microwave
Compact microwaves are great, but they are not created equal. Some are clearly better than others and are suitable for certain types of individuals only. These are the factors you have to consider to find the best one.
Operation quality
Operation quality refers to the reliability and consistency of a compact microwave's heating. Just because the microwave is small doesn't mean that it shouldn't heat food evenly. The last thing you want is your meal to stay frozen on the inside while having a scorching hot exterior. So, the first factor you have to focus on is the quality of a compact microwave's operation.
Construction quality
The next important attribute to take into account is the overall construction quality of the microwave. Ideally, you want a compact microwave that is made entirely from sheet metal with tempered glass. These metal ones are fairly sturdy and damage-resistant. But, this does not mean that compact microwaves made from plastic are flimsy. The issue is that there are many different types of plastic, some durable, while others are extremely weak.
The most effective way to find out about the real–world construction quality of a compact microwave is to look at customer reviews, especially the negative ones. They will give you a clear insight into how the microwave is when you first get it and how it holds up over time.
Functionality
Practically speaking, all a microwave needs is a dial to set the timer, and it is ready to heat up basic food items. But, most modern microwaves have additional features like special heating modes for certain types of foods, defrosting capabilities, and the option to pre-heat. Compact microwaves with all of these features tend to cost more than the very basic options, so keep that in mind when shopping.
Power usage
A lot of people assume that just because a microwave is small, it will consume less energy. This is completely untrue as the power consumption of a microwave is dependent more on its efficiency than its size. A lot of cheap, low-end compact microwaves suck up a lot of power. The money you save when opting for these cheap microwaves will be siphoned away from you in the electricity bills within the first few months. So, make sure to check the peak power draw of the compact microwave you're buying and try to get the ones with high-efficiency ratings.
Price
Compact microwaves come in a wide variety of price options. This price depends on a lot of factors such as the size, power efficiency, features set, construction quality, and much more. So, just buying the most expensive option is not a good idea.
The ideal price for a compact microwave is between the $50 and $150 range, though you will find the best value deals around the $100 mark. Anything above or below this sweet spot is generally not worth your hard-earned money. There are a few exceptions, of course, like the Kenmore 70929, as it costs just below $267. This specific option is still a great deal, thanks to its industry-leading quality, reliable performance, and an extensive list of modern features.
Are Compact Microwaves Good for Camping?
Yes, and no. Some compact microwaves are specifically designed to be used on the go, in caravan vans, and on camping trips. They are often reinforced on the outside and have a protective layer against dust and moisture. These outdoor-ready compact microwaves will work fantastically on a camping trip. Domestic compact microwaves, on the other hand, are a completely different story. They will work in the wild, but likely not for long.
