Best Microwave For An Office In 2024

When it comes to choosing the best microwave for an office break room, there are some crucial buying considerations that need to be front and center of your thinking:

• Size & capacity – The microwave needs to fit the available counter space, of course, but also provide enough internal capacity to keep everyone well-fed!
• Power – 1,000 Watts is about the sweet spot for an office microwave, although with very low usage you’ll get away with around 700 Watts.
• Presets – These are helpful for getting common jobs done quickly, from reheating leftovers to cooking specific food.
• Ease to use – The easier the microwave is to use, the quicker your employees can get on with their lunch – however comfortable they are with kitchen appliances.
• Easy to clean – No one wants a mucky microwave in their office kitchen, so an appliance that wipes down easily is always a good idea.
• Noise – Less problematic in a dedicated kitchen space, but if it’s an open plan area then you’ll want a microwave that doesn’t annoy those who are working
• Energy efficiency – Something we all have to think about these days. Most modern microwaves have a power-saving mode, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for this.

You’ll find a more detailed buying guide towards the end of this article, but those are the main features to watch out for.

I researched dozens of microwaves for this article. If you just need a quick link to get started, here are my top recommendations:

• BEST OVERALL: Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven
• BEST HIGH-END: Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN966S
• BEST BUDGET: Black & Decker EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven

(Heads up! If you click on a product link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I never recommend a product I wouldn’t use in my own kitchen, and this helps keep the site running. Thank you.)

In the rest of this article I’ll go into greater detail about these three microwaves, as well as a couple others you might like to know about.

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Toshiba EM131A5C-BS – BEST OVERALL

Large Digital Display and Easy-to-Use Control Panel

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS features a large digital display and an intuitive control panel, making it effortless to set cooking times, power levels, and access various functions. 

In an office kitchen, where different employees may use the microwave, this user-friendly interface ensures that everyone can operate it with ease.

1100 Watts of Cooking Power

With 1100 watts of cooking power, this microwave can quickly cook or reheat food, saving time for busy office employees. 

The higher wattage allows for more efficient cooking, making it an ideal choice for fast-paced environments like an office kitchen.

One-Touch Express Cooking

The one-touch express cooking feature enables quick and easy cooking of popular food items, like popcorn, pizza, or beverages. 

This is especially handy in an office kitchen where employees want a hassle-free option to heat common snacks and drinks.

Smart Sensor Cooking

The smart sensor cooking feature detects steam and humidity levels during cooking and automatically adjusts the cooking time and power level. This results in precisely cooked meals without the need for manual adjustments. 

This feature is beneficial in an office setting where employees may have varying levels of cooking experience.

Pre-programmed Menus

The microwave comes with pre-programmed menus for various common dishes, ensuring consistent and optimal cooking results. 

This is particularly useful in an office kitchen where individuals may not have the time or expertise to determine the appropriate settings for different meals.

Energy-Saving Eco Mode

The Eco Mode helps conserve energy by turning off the display when the microwave is not in use. 

In an office environment, where energy efficiency is crucial, this feature can contribute to reducing overall power consumption.

Easy-to-Clean Interior with LED Lighting

The microwave’s interior is designed to be easy to clean, helping to maintain a clean and hygienic office kitchen. Additionally, the LED lighting illuminates the interior, making it easier to monitor the cooking progress without opening the door.

Compact Size with a Large Turntable

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS has a compact footprint, making it suitable for smaller office kitchens with limited counter space. Despite its size, it still offers a large turntable, providing ample room to heat or cook larger dishes.

Stainless Steel Exterior

The microwave’s stainless steel exterior not only adds a sleek and modern touch to the office kitchen, but also makes it more durable and easy to clean.

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Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN966S – BEST HIGH END

Inverter Technology for Even Cooking

Panasonic’s Inverter Technology ensures that food is cooked evenly and thoroughly, avoiding overcooking or undercooking. 

This feature results in consistently delicious meals and is especially advantageous in an office kitchen where employees rely on their microwave for quality meals during busy workdays.

Large Capacity

With a spacious interior, the NN-SN966S can accommodate larger dishes and multiple servings at once. 

This is particularly useful in an office setting where there might be shared meals, or when employees need to heat larger portions of food.

1250 Watts High Power

The microwave’s high power output allows for rapid cooking and reheating, significantly reducing waiting times for meals.

In an office kitchen, where time is often limited, this high power can be a game-changer in terms of efficiency.

Smart Cooking Settings

The NN-SN966S comes with built-in smart cooking settings for various food items like popcorn, vegetables, and more. These settings take the guesswork out of cooking, ensuring excellent results regardless of the user’s culinary expertise. 

Sensor Cooking with Inverter Technology

The microwave’s sensor cooking feature uses inverter technology to detect the steam released during cooking. It then automatically adjusts the cooking time and power level accordingly. 

This results in precise and hands-free cooking, making it easier for anyone in the office to use the microwave effectively.

Keep Warm Feature

The Keep Warm feature keeps food at a ready-to-serve temperature without overcooking it. 

This is particularly useful in an office setting where employees may have staggered lunch breaks, allowing them to enjoy warm meals whenever they’re ready to eat.

Easy-to-Clean Interior

The microwave’s interior is designed to be easy to clean, helping to maintain a hygienic office kitchen. This is important in shared spaces where cleanliness and sanitation are priorities.

Sleek Stainless Steel Design

The stainless steel design of the NN-SN966S gives it a modern and professional appearance, which can enhance the overall aesthetics of the office kitchen.

Compact Footprint

Despite its large capacity, the microwave maintains a relatively compact footprint. This is advantageous in an office kitchen, where space optimization is vital for maintaining an organized and efficient workspace.

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Black & Decker EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven – BEST BUDGET

Efficient Cooking and Heating

This microwave oven offers efficient cooking and heating capabilities, which means you can quickly prepare or reheat meals, snacks, and beverages. 

This feature is particularly valuable in an office kitchen where employees often have limited time for lunch breaks and need to heat their food swiftly.

Digital Control Panel

The digital control panel provides a user-friendly interface to set cooking times and power levels accurately. 

This makes it easy for anyone in the office to operate the microwave efficiently, reducing the risk of overcooking or undercooking their meals.

Pre-programmed Settings

The Black & Decker EM720CB7 comes with pre-programmed settings for common food items like popcorn, potatoes, beverages, and more. These settings help ensure consistent and reliable results, even for those who may not be familiar with microwave cooking. 

In an office setting, where people have varying cooking experience, this feature can be extremely handy for producing consistently good outcomes – and keeping the microwave clean too!

Compact Design

With its compact size, this microwave oven won’t take up much valuable counter space in the office kitchen. This is essential for maintaining an organized and efficient workspace, especially in areas where every inch of counter space matters.

700 Watts of Cooking Power

The microwave’s 700 watts of cooking power allow for quick and efficient cooking. While not the most powerful microwave on the market, it strikes a good balance between speed and energy consumption, making it suitable for an office environment where energy efficiency is often a consideration.

Power Levels

The ability to choose from 10 different power levels gives you greater control over how your food is cooked. It allows for more precise adjustments to match the specific needs of different dishes, giving your employees better results.

Defrost Function

The defrost function is ideal for an office kitchen where employees might store frozen meals or ingredients. It allows for quick and even defrosting, saving time and ensuring that frozen items can be ready for cooking or consumption in no time.

Easy to Clean Interior

The microwave’s interior is designed for easy cleaning, which is a practical advantage in a shared office kitchen. This feature helps maintain a hygienic workspace and makes it convenient for everyone to clean up after themselves.

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Farberware Countertop Microwave with 1000 Watts

1000 Watts High Power

With 1000 watts of cooking power, this microwave can quickly and efficiently cook or reheat food. In an office kitchen where employees have limited time for breaks, the higher wattage ensures that meals can be prepared swiftly.

Compact Size and Space-Saving Design

The Farberware Countertop Microwave comes in a compact size, making it ideal for smaller office kitchens or areas with limited counter space. Its space-saving design allows it to fit neatly on countertops without cluttering the workspace.

Six One-Touch Cooking Functions

The microwave features six convenient one-touch cooking functions for popular food items such as popcorn, potatoes, pizza, and beverages. This simplifies the cooking process for employees, even those with limited cooking experience.

Multi-Stage Cooking

The multi-stage cooking feature allows users to program multiple cooking stages and times at once. This is particularly useful for preparing more complex meals, where different cooking settings and durations are required.

Express Cooking and Memory Function

The express cooking function provides a quick and straightforward way to start cooking with just one touch, saving time and effort. Additionally, the memory function allows users to save and recall their favorite cooking settings, adding convenience to the cooking process.

LED Display with Clock and Timer

The LED display includes a clock and timer, helping employees keep track of cooking times. The clock also serves as a convenient timekeeping feature for the office break room.

Easy-to-Clean Interior

The microwave’s interior is designed to be easy to clean, allowing for quick maintenance and a tidy and hygienic office kitchen.

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COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven

Compact Size and Space-Saving Design

The Comfee’ EM720CPL-PMB features a compact size, making it perfect for small office kitchens or areas with limited counter space. Its space-saving design allows it to fit seamlessly on countertops, leaving more room for other kitchen essentials.

700 Watts of Cooking Power

With 700 watts of cooking power, this microwave can efficiently cook or reheat food, striking a good balance between performance and energy efficiency. In an office kitchen, where energy consumption may be a consideration, this wattage level can be practical.

Easy-to-Read Control Panel

The microwave’s control panel is designed to be user-friendly, with easy-to-read labels and buttons. This simplifies the cooking process for employees and ensures that anyone in the office can use it without confusion.

Express Cooking and One-Touch Buttons

The express cooking function allows for quick cooking with just one touch, making it convenient for employees on tight schedules. Additionally, the one-touch buttons for popular food items like popcorn and beverages provide effortless and consistent results.

Compact Turntable

The microwave’s compact turntable ensures even cooking and accommodates smaller dishes efficiently. Although not suitable for large dishes, it is practical for most office kitchen needs.

Energy-Saving Eco Mode

The Eco Mode helps conserve energy by turning off the display when the microwave is not in use. This feature is beneficial in an office setting where energy efficiency is essential for cost savings and sustainability.

Easy-to-Clean Interior

The microwave’s interior is designed for easy cleaning, allowing for quick maintenance and promoting a hygienic office kitchen.

Stylish Design with Black Stainless Steel Finish

The Comfee’ EM720CPL-PMB boasts a stylish design with a black stainless steel finish, adding a modern and sophisticated touch to the office kitchen’s aesthetic.

Affordable Price Point

This microwave offers a budget-friendly option for offices looking for a reliable and functional microwave without breaking the bank.

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Buying Guide

Let’s go a little deeper into the kinds of features you should be looking for when you’re buying a microwave for your office break room.

Size and Capacity

A microwave that fits well within your office kitchen space and has a sufficient capacity to accommodate your cooking needs is important. Consider the dimensions of the microwave to ensure it fits on your countertop or in a designated area. Additionally, assess the capacity in terms of liters or cubic feet to ensure it can handle the amount of food your employee’s typically cook or reheat.

Power and Cooking Performance

Look for a microwave with adequate power, typically measured in watts. Higher wattage generally results in faster cooking times and more efficient heating. Consider the power output that suits your requirements for quick meal preparation in the office kitchen.

Cooking Modes and Presets

Microwaves with versatile cooking modes and presets offer convenience and flexibility. Look for features such as defrost, popcorn, beverage, or sensor cooking options. These presets can simplify the cooking process by automatically adjusting the time and power settings for specific foods or tasks.

Control Panel and Ease of Use

A user-friendly control panel with intuitive buttons or a digital interface can make operating the microwave easier. Look for clear labeling, easy-to-understand functions, and quick access to frequently used features. This is especially important in an office kitchen where multiple people may be using the microwave.

Interior Lighting and Viewing Window

A well-lit microwave interior allows you to monitor the cooking progress without opening the door. Look for a microwave with a bright interior light and a clear viewing window to easily check on your food while it’s cooking.

Safety Features

Safety is crucial in any kitchen environment, including an office kitchen. Look for microwaves with features such as overheating protection, and automatic shut-off to prevent accidents and ensure peace of mind.

Easy Cleaning and Maintenance

Choose a microwave with a smooth interior surface that’s easy to clean. Removable turntable trays and dishwasher-safe accessories can also make maintenance more convenient. Stainless steel exteriors or fingerprint-resistant finishes can help keep the microwave looking clean and presentable in a busy office setting.

Noise Level

Consider the noise level of the microwave, especially if your office kitchen is close to workspaces or meeting areas. Look for models with quieter operation to minimize disruptions and maintain a peaceful office environment.

Energy Efficiency

Opting for an energy-efficient microwave can help reduce power consumption and lower operating costs in the long run. Look for models with energy-saving features such as inverter technology or standby mode.

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Conclusion

It’s very hard to find a single office microwave that ticks every box, but I think the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS offers the best value for money. 

The 1100 Watts of power ensures everyone gets their food in good time, it’s extremely simple to use, and the sensor cooking reduces the risk of anyone making a mess.

Head over to Amazon to read more about this microwave, and browse other options for your office kitchen!