7 Best Compact Microwaves for Small Kitchens in 2026
Seven 0.9 cu ft, 900W compact microwaves for small kitchens compared on dimensions, turntable size, presets and price, so you can match one to your counter.
New to Amazon Prime?
Get fast, free shipping on every pick in this guide, plus Prime Video and exclusive deals.
Try Prime Free
At a Glance
In a small kitchen, a microwave competes with the kettle, the toaster and your only prep surface. The 0.7 cubic foot models save inches but run at 700W, which stretches every ready meal, while the 1.1 cubic foot boxes take over the counter. The middle size, 0.9 cubic feet at 900W, is where most compact kitchens find the best balance.
All seven picks sit in that middle tier. We compared them on listed output watts, the dimensions and turntable diameters the listings give, the preset menus, and extras like mute, memory and a dishwasher-safe or removable turntable. The spread in price is small, around $35 from cheapest to dearest, so the details below decide which unit earns its footprint.
6 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Compact Microwaves for Small Kitchen
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Why 0.9 cu ft is a sweet spot
Cubic feet is the interior volume, and 0.9 sits between the 0.7 unit that fits a shelf and the 1.1 unit that dominates a counter. It usually pairs with 900W, which is closer to what package directions assume. Compare listed capacity and output watts together, not capacity alone.
Counter depth and door swing
Depth matters as much as width in a narrow kitchen, because the door swings open and needs space to clear the wall. Many 0.9 units run about 13 inches deep, as the Toshiba and BLACK+DECKER do. Measure from the wall to the counter edge, and add room for the door and cord.
Turntable diameter
A 10.6 inch turntable, as listed for Toshiba, Sharp and Smad, handles a standard dinner plate, while smaller ones may not. If the listing leaves it out, check the manual. This avoids buying a unit where a plate cannot spin.
Input draw on a shared circuit
A 900W microwave pulls more from the wall, around 1300W for Toshiba, and a kitchen circuit shared with a kettle or toaster can trip. Running two heating appliances at once is the common cause. Find the rated input on the label and avoid starting both together.
Preset menus that match your food
Presets are timed shortcuts, so they only help if they cover what you cook. Farberware's eight menus include fresh vegetables, meat and bread, while others stop at six frozen-food basics. Read the preset list against your habits.
Cleaning and removable parts
In a small kitchen the microwave is used daily, so splatter builds up. A removable glass turntable, as on Sharp and Toshiba, can be washed in the sink. Look for easy-clean interior language and a removable plate.
7 Best Compact Microwaves for Small Kitchens in 2026
TOSHIBA 0.9 Cu Ft Black Stainless Microwave
About this pick
Toshiba lists 900W output and 1300W input in an 18.7 by 13.3 by 10.7 inch body with a 10.6 inch glass turntable. It has 6 preset menus, 11 power levels, defrost by weight or time, a mute function, memory function and a two-step child lock.
It has the fullest listing here: exact dimensions, both wattage figures and mute. Compared with Sharp just below, it costs about $2 less, and adds mute and memory features that the Sharp listing does not mention.
Best for a small kitchen where you want strong power and a shelf-friendly size. The caveat is the 1300W input draw, which is worth checking if you share a circuit with a kettle.
Best for: Small kitchens that want full specs
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Full dimensions and watts listed
- +Mute and memory functions
- +Eleven power levels
- +Two-step child lock
Cons
- −1300W input draw
- −Only six presets
Sharp SMC0962KS 0.9 Cu Ft Microwave
About this pick
Sharp's SMC0962KS lists 0.9 cu ft, 900W, a removable 10.6 inch carousel turntable, 10 power levels with 2-stage cooking, a +30 seconds key, auto cook, weight and time defrost and Express Cook for up to 6 minutes. The listing also mentions LED interior lighting and a white LED display.
Compared with Toshiba above, it lists no mute or memory, but has the carousel and two-stage cooking. It is the most expensive pick by a small margin.
Best for someone who trusts the Sharp name and wants straightforward controls. The caveat is no dimensions in the listing.
Best for: Buyers who prefer Sharp
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Two-stage cooking
- +LED interior lighting
- +Express Cook up to 6 minutes
- +Removable turntable
Cons
- −No dimensions listed
- −No mute listed
BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft Black Microwave
About this pick
BLACK+DECKER lists 900W, 10 power levels, six one-touch presets, express cooking shortcuts and a child safety lock activated by holding Cancel for 5 seconds. It measures 18.6 by 13.6 by 10.7 inches and has a fingerprint-resistant black finish.
Versus Toshiba, the size is almost identical, but there is no mute listed and it costs about $10 less. Compared with Farberware below, it gives dimensions where Farberware gives none.
Best for a shelf measurement check. The caveat is that no mute, memory or turntable diameter is listed.
Best for: Tight shelves needing exact sizes
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Dimensions clearly listed
- +Fingerprint resistant finish
- +Express cooking shortcuts
- +Child lock by holding Cancel
Cons
- −No mute listed
- −Turntable size not stated
Farberware 0.9 Cu Ft Black Microwave
About this pick
Farberware's black 0.9 cu ft microwave lists 900W, ten power levels, time and weight defrost and eight auto-cook menus: popcorn, pizza, potato, frozen vegetables, fresh vegetables, beverages, meat and bread. It also has express cook and a +30 sec button.
That is the most menus in the group, two more than BLACK+DECKER above, at about $5 more. Compared with the white version below, the only difference in the listing is color and about $10 in price.
Best for cooks who like one-touch shortcuts for fresh food as well as frozen. The caveat is that there are no dimensions, turntable size or mute listed.
Best for: One-touch cooking variety
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Eight one-touch menus
- +Menus for fresh vegetables and bread
- +Time and weight defrost
- +Express cook button
Cons
- −No dimensions listed
- −No mute listed
Farberware 0.9 Cu Ft White Microwave
About this pick
The white Farberware has the same listing as the black one: 0.9 cu ft, 900W, ten power levels, eight auto-cook settings, time and weight defrost, express cook and a +30 sec button.
It costs about $10 less than the black version, which makes it the better value of the pair if color does not matter. Against the Frigidaire white below, it offers eight auto menus instead of six, at about $5 more.
Best for a light kitchen palette. The caveat is the same thin documentation as the black Farberware.
Best for: White or light kitchens
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Lower price than black version
- +Eight auto menus
- +Ten power levels
- +White finish suits small kitchens
Cons
- −No dimensions listed
- −No mute listed
Frigidaire 0.9 Cu Ft White Microwave
About this pick
Frigidaire's white 0.9 cu ft model lists 900W, 10 power levels, an auto-defrost by weight, six one-touch functions, an interior light, a child lock and a soft-touch control panel with clock and timer. It has a curved handle.
It is the second cheapest pick, roughly $20 under Toshiba. Compared with Smad below, it costs about $15 more and offers a well-known brand.
Best for a low-cost branded white unit. The caveat is that mute, dimensions and turntable size are not listed.
Best for: Budget branded white unit
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Low price for a known brand
- +Interior light and child lock
- +Auto defrost by weight
- +Soft-touch digital panel
Cons
- −No dimensions listed
- −No mute listed
Smad 0.9 Cu Ft 900W Microwave
About this pick
Smad lists 0.9 cu ft, 900W, ten power levels with multi-stage cooking, six presets, a memory function, LED lighting and a 10.6 inch glass turntable with an easy-clean interior.
It is the cheapest in the guide, about $35 under Sharp, and still lists a memory function and a documented turntable. Compared with Frigidaire above, you give up the brand name but keep the specs.
Best for a tight budget. The caveat is that the brand is less established and no dimensions or mute are listed.
Best for: Tight budgets
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Lowest price in this guide
- +Memory function listed
- +Turntable size listed
- +Multi-stage cooking
Cons
- −Lesser known brand
- −No dimensions listed
How We Evaluated These Compact Microwaves for Small Kitchens
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Capacity and power match
All seven were required to list 0.9 cu ft and 900W, then compared on the details around that.
Footprint transparency
Listings that publish exact width, depth and height earned more credit for small kitchens.
Controls
Presets, power levels, mute, memory and child lock designs were compared.
Cleaning
Removable turntables and easy-clean interior claims were noted.
Price spread
With only about $35 between picks, we judged whether the extra dollars bought documented features.
How to Choose the Right Compact Microwaves for Small Kitchens
By Counter Constraint
| Your situation | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Need exact numbers before buying | BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft Black Microwave |
| Need exact numbers plus mute | TOSHIBA 0.9 Cu Ft Black Stainless Microwave |
| Light-colored kitchen | Farberware 0.9 Cu Ft White Microwave |
| Budget is the main limit | Smad 0.9 Cu Ft 900W Microwave |
By Budget
| Price range | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Under $65 | Smad 0.9 Cu Ft 900W Microwave |
| $65 to $80 | Frigidaire 0.9 Cu Ft White Microwave |
| $80 to $90 | BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft Black Microwave |
| $90 to $95 | TOSHIBA 0.9 Cu Ft Black Stainless Microwave |
| Around $97 | Sharp SMC0962KS 0.9 Cu Ft Microwave |
Few Presets vs Many Presets
Six presets
Simple menus for frozen basics and beverages. Picks: TOSHIBA, BLACK+DECKER, Frigidaire and Smad.
Eight presets
Adds fresh vegetables, meat and bread shortcuts. Picks: Farberware 0.9 Cu Ft Black Microwave and Farberware 0.9 Cu Ft White Microwave.
Most small-kitchen cooks will be fine with six presets plus the express button.
Finish and Style
| Your preference | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Fingerprint resistant black | BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft Black Microwave |
| Black stainless | TOSHIBA 0.9 Cu Ft Black Stainless Microwave |
| Stainless look, Sharp brand | Sharp SMC0962KS 0.9 Cu Ft Microwave |
| Bright white | Frigidaire 0.9 Cu Ft White Microwave |
For Apartment Renters Specifically
Look for
Listed dimensions, a mute function for thin walls, and a power draw that will not trip a shared circuit.
In this comparison
TOSHIBA 0.9 Cu Ft Black Stainless Microwave lists size, mute and both wattage figures in one place.
When to Spend More
Spend more if
You want mute and full specs. TOSHIBA 0.9 Cu Ft Black Stainless Microwave and Sharp SMC0962KS 0.9 Cu Ft Microwave are the two with the most documented controls.
Save if
You just need 900W. Smad 0.9 Cu Ft 900W Microwave and Frigidaire 0.9 Cu Ft White Microwave offer the same size for far less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 0.9 cu ft big enough for a dinner plate?
Usually yes, if the turntable is about 10.6 inches, which is what the Sharp SMC0962KS, TOSHIBA and Smad list. A full-size dinner plate can clip the walls or stall rotation, so measure your plate first. If a listing omits the turntable diameter, assume a smaller one and check before buying.
Can I put a compact microwave on a shelf above the stove?
Only if the manual explicitly allows it and there is clearance for heat and steam. A countertop model is not built to sit over a cooktop, and blocked vents can overheat it. For tight kitchens, a countertop spot near an outlet with open space on top is the safer choice.
Is 900W worth it over 700W?
For frozen meals and soup, yes, since 900W gets closer to package cook times and heats more evenly. For drinks and simple leftovers, 700W is fine. Every pick here, from the Frigidaire 0.9 Cu Ft White Microwave to the BLACK+DECKER, is 900W, so the choice comes down to controls and size.
Does the black Farberware differ from the white?
Per the listings, both Farberware 0.9 cu ft models share 900W and 8 auto-cook menus, so only color and price differ. Choose by which finish matches your counter and whichever is cheaper that day.
How do I stop the microwave tripping my breaker?
Avoid running a kettle, toaster or space heater on the same circuit while the microwave is on, and plug it straight into a wall outlet instead of a power strip. A 900W unit draws a lot at startup, so shared circuits in older apartments are the usual cause.
How much space should I leave around it?
Follow the manual's clearance for the top, back and sides, since pushing the unit flat against a wall traps heat. Measure against the listed footprint, such as the BLACK+DECKER at 18.6 x 13.6 x 10.7 inches, plus room for the door to open.
Bottom Line
best overall: TOSHIBA 0.9 Cu Ft Black Stainless Microwave - best overall pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
Browse on Amazon
All Prime-eligible options with current pricing.
Shop on Amazon →