The Smallest Countertop Microwave In 2024

Out of all the options I researched for this buying guide, the Comfee EM720CPL-PMB proved to be the smallest countertop microwave you can buy right now.

That’s not the only consideration when it comes to microwave cooking, of course. Assuming you can fit any number of microwaves into your limited kitchen space, you’ll also need to consider things like:

• Power: The higher the power rating of your microwave, the more quickly and efficiently it will heat your food.
• Internal Capacity: How much food you’ll be able to heat at any one time.
• Presets: Settings you can access at the touch of a button, and handle the most common microwaving tasks.

The Comfee came out on top in terms of pure size, but does it do enough when it comes to the bigger picture?

At 1050 Watts, it’s surprisingly powerful compared to larger microwaves. It’s also easy to use, comes with half a dozen solid presets, and also includes an eco mode that will help shave a little off those household bills.

• Dimensions: 17.3 x 13.0 x 10.2 Inches (W x D x H)

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That said, I strongly recommend you consider the Panasonic NN-SD372S as well. It’s slightly larger, but comes with some really useful heating technology that makes your microwaved food much better.

• Dimensions: 19.3 x 14 x 11 Inches (W x D x H)

For the rest of this buying guide, I’m going to go into more detail about the Comfee, but also highlight a few other options that you might like to consider as well.

In each case I’ve listed the measurements of the appliance so you can check whether it will fit. Assuming the size isn’t a problem, you might just want to consider some of the other options before settling on the Comfee.

Finally I’ll wrap things up with a general buying guide. This will help you pick the smallest countertop microwave that still provides all the features you need in your own kitchen.

Small Microwave Reviews

Let’s take a closer look at both the Comfee and its competitors.

Comfee EM720CPL-PMB  – Best For Small Size

Despite being a very small appliance, the Comfee microwave packs in quite a few features to make kitchen life easier. It’s also got an unusually high 1050 Watt power rating for a microwave of this size, which makes cooking fast and efficient.

With a single button press you can access half a dozen presets covering tasks like heating potatoes, popcorn, vegetables, defrosting food or reheating drinks. 

If you want a little more control over the cooking, you can easily add an extra 30 seconds to the job at hand too.

As well as being a very affordable appliance in its own right, the Comfee also features an eco mode which saves up to 50% standby energy when it’s not in use. Handy for the home bills, and good for the environment too.

It’s pretty easy to use as well, thanks to a very clear digital display, and simple controls that make finding the right settings a cinch.

Overall I think the Comfee strikes an excellent balance between size, features and power performance.

• Dimensions: 17.3 x 13.0 x 10.2 Inches (W x D x H)
• Internal Capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
• Power: 1050 Watts

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS – Best For Power

The Toshiba packs more punch than the Comfee, although that does come at the expense of a larger footprint – check the dimensions in the list below before buying.

There’s not a lot of difference between its 1100 Watt power rating and the Comfee’s 1050, but it does have some extra tech that makes it very appealing.

Crucially, the presets make use of sensor technology to add a bespoke level of cooking to whatever food you place inside. That means more evenly heated food, without any of those bothersome hot or cold spots!

It features ten distinct power settings as well, which makes it easier to dial in to just the right amount of oomph for the dish you’re working with.

The interior’s a little larger at 1.2 cubic feet, and it has a wider turntable for bigger plates and dishes. That’ll be particularly useful if you’re cooking for a family household.

I personally really like the overall look and feel of the Toshiba, but that will very much come down to your own preference.

• Dimensions: 20.51 x 17.14 x 12.83 Inches (W x D x H)
• Internal Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet
• Power: 1100 Watts

Panasonic NN-SD372S – Best Value For Money

Panasonic’s NN-SD372S has proved itself a winner elsewhere on Viva Flavor. It comes highly recommend to anyone looking for a small microwave that’s nevertheless got enough under the hood to keep a whole family happy.

Its 950 Watt power rating makes it the weakest so far, but that’s not a huge amount beneath the 1000 Watts I typically recommend for a home microwave.

Where it really shines is through its inverter technology. This delivers a constant stream of energy which ensures absolutely even cooking – not hot spots here.

It also includes Panasonic’s Genius Sensor, which automatically adjusts the power and cooking time based on the food inside. It’s also got the standard collection of presets, covering the most common cooking tasks.

Taking power and features into account, I favor it over the Toshiba. It’s also typically available at a lower cost too, but without really sacrificing much in the way of power.

It may not be the smallest microwave in the list, but I consider the Panasonic NN-SD372S to be a top personal pick if you can make space for it!

• Dimensions: 19.3 x 14 x 11 Inches (W x D x H)
• Internal Capacity: 0.8 Cubic Feet
• Power: 950 Watts

Black & Decker EM720CB7 – Best For Clear Display

The Black & Decker only just hits my personal threshold of 700 Watts of power for a microwave, but it certainly has its fans and is worth considering.

It’s got the standard six presets for microwaving things like popcorn, pizza and hot drinks, as well as ten power settings. 

These give a good balance of common tasks, but you’ll have to judge that power rating against cooking time quite carefully.

It’s got a large LED digital display which might be useful if you’re buying this for someone with impaired vision, but this really is a microwave-for-one. Keep that in mind if you’ve got more than one mouth to feed at home!

All things considered – at this budget – it’s hard to recommend the Black & Decker over the Comfee – and even though they’re basically the same size. The latter’s power alone makes it a much more useful appliance in my opinion.

• Dimensions: 17.3 x 13.0 x 10.2 Inches
• Internal Capacity: 0.7 Cubic Feet
• Power: 700 Watts

Galanz Retro Microwave Oven – Best For Retro

The Galanz Retro Microwave Oven is a fun choice for those of you who like the sound of the Comfee, but want something with a more distinct look.

Like the Black & Decker it’s got a fairly low power rating of 700 Watts, which means it struggles with tougher jobs.

It’s a fairly simple appliance too, featuring just half a dozen power levels, and very little in the way of hands-off cooking features.

This one’s all about the looks really! I personally love the look of the Galanz, but I need my own microwave – however small – to do a little more heavy-lifting in my own kitchen.

I would only buy this one if looks were really important to you, and you were doing very simple tasks like reheating plates of food.

• Dimensions: 17.9 x 13.8 x 10.3 Inches
• Internal Capacity: 0.7 Cubic Feet
• Power: 700 Watts

Buying Guide

When you’re shopping around for a small countertop microwave, make sure you’re keeping these topics in mind. That’ll help make sure you buy the right appliance for your own circumstances.

Size

I recommend buying the best microwave that will fit in the space you have, rather than going for the smallest microwave altogether. 

If you’ve got the room for more features and power, that’s an investment that usually pays off.

You’ll want a turntable size of around 10 inches to fit a typical dinner plate of leftovers. The internal size is obviously limited by the external chassis, but anything north of 0.70 cubic feet is the minimum I’d look for.

Power

Most microwaves under a 700 Watt power rating can be quite painful to use. They take forever to heat up even the smallest plates of food, and require a lot of checking and stirring if you want to avoid hot and cold spots.

1000 Watts is the sweet spot for most home microwaves. Anything above that usually means faster, more efficient cooking – you’re gaining a lot of convenience, in other words.

Presets

Before you shop around for your next microwave, think carefully about the most common tasks you want it to perform.

A great selection of presets makes kitchen life much easier all round, but you will pay a premium for this more advanced technology.

On this subject, any kind of sensor technology is always helpful. This will adjust the preset to take into account the size and weight of the food you’re cooking, and tweak things to perfection.

Brand

All of the brands I’ve highlighted in this buying guide come highly recommended.

For any kitchen appliance I always recommend investing in a brand that’s built itself a loyal army of followers.

Cheaper isn’t always a good thing, and you may well find yourself replacing some of the more leftfield brands way before you’re ready to upgrade.

Conclusion

In terms of pure size, the Comfee EM720CPL-PMB is clearly the smallest countertop microwave you can buy from a reputable brand. 

Before you go for that though, it’s well worth checking out some of the alternatives I’ve covered in this guide – assuming they fit on your countertop of course!

• Best Value For Money: Panasonic NN-SD372S (19.3 x 14 x 11 Inches (W x D x H))
• Best Retro: Galanz Retro Microwave Oven (17.9 x 13.8 x 10.3 Inches)
• Best For Power: Toshiba EM131A5C-BS (20.51 x 17.14 x 12.83 Inches)

You can use the links above to read plenty of user reviews for each microwave.

Alternatively, just head over to Amazon to browse through the entire selection of microwaves there!