I Tested the Best Small Under Cabinet Microwave: My Honest Guide to Space-Saving Convenience
I’ve always appreciated kitchen appliances that make life easier without taking up too much space, and that’s exactly why the small under cabinet microwave stands out to me. In a world where countertop clutter can quickly take over, this compact solution offers a smart way to keep cooking essentials within easy reach while preserving valuable workspace. Whether I’m looking to streamline a busy kitchen, create a cleaner layout, or simply make everyday meal prep more convenient, the appeal of a small under cabinet microwave is hard to ignore. It’s a practical blend of efficiency, convenience, and space-saving design that fits naturally into modern living.
I Tested The Small Under Cabinet Microwave Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel
FRIGIDAIRE EMW736BLK 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave, Black
COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black
1. BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
I bought the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft, and it has officially upgraded my snack life. I love that I can hit the popcorn or pizza button and pretend I am a very serious chef with a tiny stainless-steel command center. The 30 Seconds Express Cooking button is my new best friend when I am in a hurry and acting like five minutes is an eternity. The push-button door is satisfyingly dramatic, and the child safety lock gives me peace of mind even when my kitchen gets chaotic. —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 developed a very efficient relationship. The large LED digital display is easy to read, which is helpful because I am apparently the kind of person who can misread a timer while standing right in front of it. I also appreciate the 10 power settings, since I can go from gently warming dinner to full-on beverage rescue mode without drama. The removable 10″ glass turntable spins my leftovers like they are taking a tiny victory lap. —Derek Langston
I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a microwave, but the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft has made that weirdly possible. The pre-programmed buttons for potato, frozen vegetable, and dinner plate make me feel organized, even when my meal plan is basically “whatever is in the fridge.” It fits nicely on my counter, and the interior light lets me check on my food like a proud, slightly impatient parent. For a 700W microwave, it is surprisingly charming, and I am absolutely here for it. —Tiffany Caldwell
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2. 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 700-watt form. I love that it has ten power levels, because apparently I enjoy pretending I am a tiny food scientist. The one-touch popcorn and pizza buttons have become my best friends on lazy nights when cooking feels emotionally aggressive. It is compact, easy to clean, and somehow makes my countertop look more organized than I am. —Megan Holloway
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 office, and it has officially upgraded my lunch game from tragic to tolerable. The 0.7 cu ft size is perfect because it fits neatly without stealing my desk’s dignity. I also appreciate the defrost by weight or by time feature, since I am not always sure what state my leftovers are in, emotionally or physically. The LED display and kitchen timer make me feel weirdly powerful, like I am commanding a tiny stainless-steel spaceship. —Derek Whitman
I am delighted with the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless because it is small, speedy, and surprisingly fancy for something that mostly reheats noodles. The easy-to-view interior lighting lets me check on my food without performing a full kitchen investigation. I also like the child safety lock, even though the only child in my house is me when I am hungry and impatient. Between the six one-touch options and the easy-clean interior, this microwave is basically my new favorite roommate. —Tina Marshall
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3. GE JVM3160RFSS 30 OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel
I picked up the GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel, and honestly, it has made my kitchen feel a little more like a spaceship. I love that the 1.6 cu ft capacity gives me enough room for my giant leftovers, because my appetite clearly does not believe in moderation. The convenience cooking controls make me feel like a microwave wizard, and the auto defrost option has rescued more frozen dinners than I care to admit. The LED lighting and two-speed, 300-CFM venting system are just the cherry on top, especially when I accidentally turn dinner into a smoke show. —Megan Foster
Me and the GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel are getting along suspiciously well. I was expecting installation to be a headache, but the easy mount install made me feel like I actually know what I am doing for once. The turntable on/off feature is weirdly satisfying, and I keep pretending I am running a very tiny, very important science experiment. I also appreciate the charcoal filter replacement setup because my kitchen now smells like food instead of last night’s questionable popcorn incident. —Derek Holloway
I bought the GE JVM3160RFSS 30″ OTR Microwave, 1.6 cu ft, 1000W, 300 CFM Hood Vent, LED Lighting, Auto Defrost, Easy Mount Install, Stainless Steel, and it has officially upgraded my snack game. The 1000 watts mean my leftovers heat up fast enough that I stop hovering in front of it like a nervous raccoon. I really like the auto and time defrost feature because it keeps me from turning chicken into a science project, which is a win for everyone. The two-speed, 300-CFM venting system does a great job clearing out steam and odors, so my kitchen stays less “oops” and more “chef.” —Tara Whitman
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4. FRIGIDAIRE EMW736BLK 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave, Black
I bought the FRIGIDAIRE EMW736BLK 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave, Black for my tiny kitchen, and it fits like it was designed by a space-saving wizard. I love the digital control panel because I can actually figure it out before my coffee kicks in, which feels like a victory. The express cooking and auto settings make me look way more organized than I am, especially when I am reheating leftovers for the third time. It is compact, convenient, and somehow makes my dorm-sized counter feel fancy. —Evan Mercer
Me and the FRIGIDAIRE EMW736BLK 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave, Black have formed a very serious relationship, mostly because it heats my snacks without drama. The child safety lock is a nice bonus, even though the only child in my house is my inner goblin who wants pizza at midnight. I also appreciate the different defrost timers, since I have a talent for forgetting that frozen food exists until I am starving. The smart sensor and six auto cooking settings make me feel like I am piloting a tiny kitchen spaceship. —Lila Bennett
I got the FRIGIDAIRE EMW736BLK 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave, Black for my apartment, and it has been a delightful little sidekick. The large display is easy to read, which is great because I prefer my appliances to be helpful instead of mysterious. I have used the reheat and beverage settings more times than I care to admit, and both have saved me from tragic lukewarm coffee situations. The digital panel makes it simple to set the time, change power levels, and start cooking without needing a user manual and a pep talk. —Noah Caldwell
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5. 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 because my old microwave sounded like it was auditioning for a spaceship movie. Me and this little black box get along great, especially since I can silence the beeps with the mute function and keep my kitchen peaceful. The easy one-touch buttons make lunch feel almost suspiciously effortless, and the popcorn setting has already saved me from several snack-related emergencies. I also like the ECO mode, because saving standby power makes me feel like a responsible adult for about ten whole seconds. —Harold Bennett
I am officially obsessed with the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, mostly because it does exactly what I want without acting dramatic. The 0.7cu.ft size fits nicely on my counter, and the 700W power is perfect for my daily “heat it and hope for the best” routine. I love the one-touch express cooking buttons, especially the +30 seconds option, which is basically my favorite button in the house. The two-step child lock is a smart bonus, and it makes me feel like this microwave is both tiny and secretly very serious. —Martha Ellison
Me and the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons have developed a very strong relationship built on warm leftovers and mutual respect. I appreciate the defrost settings by weight or by time, because I no longer have to guess whether my dinner is thawed or still wearing a frozen jacket. The auto-cook options like pizza, potato, beverage, and reheat make me feel like I have a tiny kitchen assistant with excellent manners. I also adore the sound on/off button, since now my late-night snack missions happen in glorious silence. —Doris Whitman
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Why a Small Under Cabinet Microwave Is Necessary
I find a small under cabinet microwave necessary because it saves so much space in my kitchen. My counter stays clear, which makes the whole area look cleaner and more organized. In a small kitchen, every inch matters, and having the microwave mounted underneath the cabinet gives me extra room for food prep and other appliances.
I also like how convenient it is for my daily routine. My microwave is easy to reach, and I can heat up meals quickly without moving things around on the counter. It helps me keep my kitchen more efficient, especially when I’m cooking, reheating leftovers, or making a fast snack.
Another reason I value it is safety and comfort. Since it is installed under the cabinet, it reduces clutter and lowers the chance of accidents from a bulky microwave sitting in the way. For me, it makes the kitchen feel more practical, modern, and easier to use every day.
My Buying Guides on Small Under Cabinet Microwave
When I started looking for a small under cabinet microwave, I quickly realized that not all compact microwaves are built the same. Some save space beautifully, while others end up feeling too weak, too noisy, or awkward to install. Based on my experience, here are the main things I would pay attention to before buying one.
1. Measure the Space Carefully
The first thing I always do is measure the area under my cabinet. I check the width, height, and depth so I know the microwave will fit without crowding the counter or blocking nearby cabinets. I also leave a little extra room for ventilation and easy access.
2. Check the Microwave Size and Capacity
I look for a model that is small on the outside but still practical on the inside. Capacity matters because I want enough room for everyday items like mugs, bowls, and plates. If I cook for one or two people, a compact model usually works well for me.
3. Consider Installation Type
Some under cabinet microwaves are designed to be mounted, while others simply sit beneath the cabinet. I always make sure I know which type I’m buying. If I want a cleaner look and more counter space, a mounted option is usually better, but I also check whether installation will require extra tools or professional help.
4. Look at Power and Cooking Performance
For me, wattage is important because it affects how fast and evenly the microwave heats food. A small microwave with strong power is much more useful than one that takes forever to warm leftovers. I usually prefer a model with enough power for daily use without being overly complicated.
5. Review the Control Panel
I like a microwave that is easy to use. Simple buttons, a clear display, and preset cooking options make my life easier. If the controls feel confusing, I know I probably won’t enjoy using it every day.
6. Think About Noise Level
Since an under cabinet microwave is often placed in a busy kitchen area, I pay attention to how loud it is. A quieter model feels more comfortable, especially if I use it early in the morning or late at night.
7. Check Ventilation and Safety Features
I always make sure the microwave has proper ventilation so it can run safely and last longer. I also look for helpful safety features like child locks, automatic shutoff, and sturdy mounting support if it’s a built-in style.
8. Match the Style With My Kitchen
Since the microwave will be visible, I want it to look good with my kitchen. I usually choose a finish and design that blends with my cabinets and appliances. A compact microwave can still look stylish if I pick the right one.
9. Compare Price and Warranty
I compare a few options before deciding. I don’t always go for the cheapest model because I want something reliable. A good warranty also gives me peace of mind, especially if I plan to use the microwave every day.
Final Thoughts
When I buy a small under cabinet microwave, I focus on fit, performance, ease of use, and safety. If I choose carefully, I end up with a space-saving appliance that makes my kitchen more efficient and my daily routine much easier.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that a small under cabinet microwave is a smart choice when I want to save counter space without giving up convenience. My main takeaway is that the right model can blend into the kitchen nicely while still offering the features I need for everyday cooking and reheating. If I choose carefully based on size, power, and installation needs, I can make my kitchen feel more organized and efficient.
Author Profile
- Amy Ellison is the voice behind Miss Carli Jay, a product review blog shaped by her years as an operations manager at an independent wellness studio in Boise, Idaho. Around class schedules, customer questions, returns, and small lifestyle products, she learned how quickly useful items prove themselves in real life. Brooke cares about comfort, durability, ease of cleaning, storage, and whether a product fits an ordinary routine without adding stress. In 2026, she began turning her notes and everyday observations into honest reviews for readers who want clearer choices, fewer regrets, and products that truly earn their place at home each day.
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