5 Best Quiet Microwaves in 2026
Five countertop microwaves compared on what actually makes them quieter: soft close doors, mute buttons and sound-off settings, plus power and size.
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At a Glance
A microwave makes noise in three separate ways, and most shoppers only think about one. There is the door slam, the beeping when the cycle ends, and the low hum of the magnetron and cooling fan while it runs. Product pages that call a unit quiet usually mean only one of those, so it pays to know which.
None of the five models below publish a measured decibel figure, so we sorted them by the specific quiet features each listing documents: a soft close door, a mute function, or neither. That makes this a spec-based comparison, not a noise test, and it means a silent kitchen still depends on how you use the unit. Read the notes to see which type of quiet each pick delivers.
6 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Quiet Microwave
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Three kinds of microwave noise
Microwaves make door noise, end-of-cycle beeps and a running hum from the fan and magnetron. A mute button fixes only the beeps, and a soft close door fixes only the slam, so a unit marketed as quiet may address just one. Read which feature the listing actually names, because that tells you which sound you will still hear.
Soft close door mechanics
A soft close door uses a damped hinge so the door glides shut instead of snapping, which matters for night-time kitchens next to bedrooms. Only the Breville in this guide documents it. Look for the words soft close or damped door, not just quiet in the title.
Mute function wording
Mute may be called Audio, Sound on/off or Mute, and sometimes needs a held button press. It stops the end-of-cycle beeps but not the motor hum. Find the exact wording in the bullets, since a listing that says only low noise does not guarantee beeps can be turned off.
Why no decibel number matters
Decibel figures let you compare units objectively, but none of these five publish one. Without it, claims like 50 percent quieter are the maker's own comparison and are not independent. Treat unnamed noise claims cautiously, and look at independent buyer notes on fan hum before deciding.
Power versus run time
A 1000W unit finishes in less time than a 700W one, which shortens the hum you hear. Lower wattage models typically need noticeably longer for the same dish. Check the output watts line, and favor higher output if you want less total noise time.
Counter fit and placement
Where the microwave sits changes how loud it feels. Placing it on a thin shelf shared with a bed headboard wall carries hum. Measure the listed dimensions, like Toshiba's 20.6 inch width, and keep clearance around vents as the manual states.
5 Best Quiet Microwaves in 2026
Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave
About this pick
Breville's compact model is the only one here that tackles door noise directly. The listing says the soft close door is 80 percent quieter than a standard slam and that the unit is 50 percent quieter in operation, with a 25 liter capacity, child lock and shortcut buttons for reheat, defrost, popcorn and beverage.
That quiet claim is the headline, and no other pick states anything comparable. Compared with the Toshiba just below, it costs about $100 more, and the listing gives no wattage number, so you cannot compare cooking power directly.
Best for a light sleeper or open-plan studio where the door bang is as irritating as the beeps. The caveat is price, the highest here by a wide margin, and the quiet figures come from the maker, not an independent test.
Best for: Light sleepers and studios
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Soft close door stops slams
- +Maker claims quieter operation
- +One-touch reheat and defrost
- +Child lock included
Cons
- −Most expensive pick here
- −Wattage not listed
TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu Ft Stainless Microwave
About this pick
Toshiba's stainless 1.2 cu ft model lists 1000W output, 1600W input, a 12.4 inch turntable, a humidity sensor, 12 auto menus, ECO mode and a mute function. External size is 20.6 by 14.6 by 11.8 inches.
It is the best all-round performer in the group, since mute silences the beeps and the sensor cuts down on the stop-and-check cycle that makes noise. It costs roughly $60 more than the Chefman 1.1 models below but adds a sensor and a larger turntable.
Best for a household that cooks and wants beeps off. The caveat is size, the widest body here, and the listing does not describe door or fan noise.
Best for: Cooks who want beeps off
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Mute function listed
- +Humidity sensor adjusts cooking
- +Large 12.4 inch turntable
- +ECO mode for standby
Cons
- −Widest body in this guide
- −No door noise claim
Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave with Presets
About this pick
Chefman's 1.1 cu ft, 1000W microwave has 6 presets, 10 power levels, a memory function for favorite settings, ECO mode, a handle child lock with a panel lock option and an Audio button that silences beeps.
It gives you 1000W and mute for about $90, which is far less than Toshiba. Compared with the simpler Chefman below, it adds six presets, ECO mode and memory.
Best if you want mute and strong power without paying for a sensor. The caveat is that the unit has no soft close or noise rating beyond the mute option.
Best for: Budget buyers who want power and mute
Check price on AmazonPros
- +1000W with mute under $95
- +Memory saves favorite settings
- +ECO mode listed
- +Panel lock option
Cons
- −No sensor cooking
- −No door or fan noise data
Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave Basic
About this pick
This stainless Chefman is a 1.1 cu ft, 1000W unit with 10 power levels, 3 one-touch presets (popcorn, beverages, leftovers), a +30 second button, time and weight defrost, a Sound button that mutes beeps and a pull-up handle child lock.
It costs about the same as the Chefman with presets above, so the choice comes down to preset count: three here versus six and extras above. The BLACK+DECKER below is similar in price but does not list mute.
Best for a minimal, no-clutter keypad. The caveat is that the control panel offers only three presets and no memory function.
Best for: Simple controls with mute
Check price on AmazonPros
- +1000W output with mute
- +Time or weight defrost
- +Stainless steel finish
- +Handle child lock
Cons
- −Only three presets
- −No ECO mode listed
BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft 900W Microwave
About this pick
BLACK+DECKER's 0.9 cu ft model has 900W, 10 power levels, six auto-cook buttons, a 30 second express key, a child lock, interior light and a removable 10.6 inch glass turntable in an 18.7 by 13.4 by 10.7 inch body.
The listing mentions no mute or soft close, so it is the one pick in the guide with no documented quiet feature. Against the Chefman units, it is less powerful at 900W and lacks mute, though its capacity is slightly smaller.
Best if a smaller footprint matters more than silence. The caveat is that the beeps cannot be silenced per the listing.
Best for: Small counters where silence is secondary
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Compact, narrower body
- +Push-button door release
- +Six auto-cook buttons
- +Child lock included
Cons
- −No mute listed
- −No quiet features documented
How We Evaluated These Quiet Microwaves
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Documented quiet features
We counted only features the listing names: soft close door, mute function or sound-off settings, since no model publishes decibels.
Cooking power
Output watts were compared because faster cooking reduces total running noise.
Controls and presets
Preset counts, memory function and defrost options were weighed for everyday ease.
Size and fit
Listed dimensions and capacity were checked against typical counters.
Value
Price was compared against the quiet and cooking features each model actually documents.
How to Choose the Right Quiet Microwaves
By Type of Noise
| What bothers you | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Door slamming at night | Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave |
| End-of-cycle beeping | TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu Ft Stainless Microwave |
| Beeps, on a tight budget | Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave Basic |
| Beeps, plus memory presets | Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave with Presets |
By Budget
| Price range | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| About $89 to $90 | Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave with Presets |
| About $90 | BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft 900W Microwave |
| $150 | TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu Ft Stainless Microwave |
| $250 | Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave |
Soft Close Door vs Mute Button
Soft close door
A damped hinge removes the slam but does nothing about beeping. The only listed example is Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave.
Mute button
Turns off beeps but not door noise. Listed on TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu Ft Stainless Microwave and both Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft models.
Most buyers should default to a mute model, and step up to the soft close door only if slamming is the real irritation.
Size and Power
| Your concern | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Smaller footprint | BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft 900W Microwave |
| Largest turntable | TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu Ft Stainless Microwave |
| Strong 1000W on a budget | Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave Basic |
For Studio Apartments Specifically
Look for
A soft close door or mute button, and a modest footprint, since the microwave sits within earshot of your bed.
In this comparison
Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave is the most thorough on door noise, and Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave with Presets pairs mute with 1000W.
When to Spend More
Spend more if
Door noise or sensor cooking matters. Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave and TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu Ft Stainless Microwave address those.
Save if
Only beeping bothers you. Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave Basic and Chefman 1.1 Cu Ft 1000W Microwave with Presets silence beeps for around $90.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any microwave be truly silent?
No. Mute removes beeps, but the fan and magnetron still make a running hum. A soft close door only helps with the door.
How do I mute a microwave?
Look for a Sound, Audio or Mute button. On the Chefman units it is labeled that way, while some models need a button held for a few seconds.
Is the Breville worth three times the price of a Chefman?
Only if door noise bothers you. The Chefman models give you mute and 1000W for far less, but have no soft close door.
Why is no decibel rating listed?
Many makers skip it. Without a number you cannot compare units, so rely on documented features and independent buyer feedback.
Does higher wattage mean a quieter microwave?
Not directly, but it shortens cook time, so the unit runs for less time overall.
Where should I place a microwave to hear it less?
Put it on a solid counter away from bedroom walls and keep vent clearance. Avoid shelves that vibrate.
Bottom Line
best overall: Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave - best quietest design pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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