7 Best Simple Microwave Ovens of 2025

The GE Countertop Microwave delivers a rare blend of power and practicality in a compact form, making it a standout for small kitchens and busy households. With 950 watts of cooking power and a 1.1 cu. ft. interior, it handles everything from reheating leftovers to cooking frozen meals with impressive consistency. The six auto-cook presets and weight-based defrost eliminate guesswork, while the two-step child lock adds peace of mind—perfect for homes with curious kids.

In real-world use, this microwave shines brightest when multitasking—whether you’re defrosting chicken breasts or crisping up a frozen burrito, the glass turntable ensures even heating, and the 39-inch power cord offers surprising placement flexibility. It’s quiet, responsive, and the digital controls are intuitive, though the lack of an eco mode or sound toggle feels like a missed opportunity. On dense or large items, you may need to rotate food manually, as the wattage, while strong, isn’t quite top-tier.

Compared to budget models like the COMFEE’ or Farberware, the GE model offers more power and a larger cavity, making it a smarter long-term investment for families or those who cook daily. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of high-end models like the TOSHIBA, but it strikes a sweet balance between performance and simplicity—ideal for dorms, apartments, or secondary kitchens where reliability trumps advanced features. It brings mid-tier muscle without mid-tier complexity, outperforming smaller 700W units in both speed and capacity.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is a budget-savvy powerhouse that punches above its weight with thoughtful features rarely seen at this price. Its 700 watts of power and 0.7 cu. ft. interior may seem modest, but the one-touch express cooking and mute function make it a stealth favorite for dorm rooms or offices where discretion matters. The real gem? ECO Mode, which slashes standby power by 50%—a rare win for energy-conscious users.

In practice, this microwave excels at quick reheat tasks and simple meals like popcorn or instant noodles. The 10-inch turntable ensures even cooking, and the bright digital display is easy to read, even in low light. However, it struggles with larger dishes or dense foods—expect longer cook times or uneven results when heating full plates. The defrost-by-weight function works decently, but manual monitoring is often needed. It’s best suited for light, single-serving use rather than family-sized demands.

When stacked against the Farberware or BLACK+DECKER models, the COMFEE’ stands out with its silent operation and ECO Mode—features that elevate it beyond basic functionality. It’s not as powerful as the GE or Chefman, but for students or office workers who need quiet, efficient, and energy-smart performance, it’s a no-brainer. It delivers essential features without clutter, making it the most thoughtfully designed budget microwave in the lineup.

The Chefman 900W microwave is a compact dynamo that packs serious cooking versatility into a space-saving design—perfect for those who want high power without the bulk. With 900 watts, a 0.9 cu. ft. cavity, and 10 power levels, it offers precision control that rivals pricier models, letting you gently melt butter or blast through frozen meals with equal ease. The one-touch presets and 30-second boost make daily use effortless, while the mute button and ECO Mode add modern convenience.

Real-world testing reveals it heats food faster and more evenly than most 700W competitors, thanks to its robust wattage and 10-inch glass turntable. The memory function is a game-changer for routine tasks—set your go-to reheat time and go. It handles medium-sized plates well, though oversized dishes can rub against the walls. The interior is a breeze to clean, and the child lock is responsive, though the door release feels slightly flimsy compared to premium builds.

Against the GE and TOSHIBA models, the Chefman trades some capacity for better power density and smarter features in a smaller footprint. It doesn’t match the TOSHIBA’s sensor cooking or the GE’s size, but for apartments, RVs, or minimalist kitchens, it’s the ideal fusion of power and simplicity. It outguns lower-wattage rivals while keeping controls intuitive, making it the best choice for users who want maximum performance without complexity.

The Farberware 0.7 cu. ft. microwave is a no-frills workhorse built for reliability and ease of use, making it a top pick for office break rooms or secondary kitchens. With 700 watts of power and six one-touch presets, it handles coffee, popcorn, and frozen meals with effortless simplicity. The multi-stage cooking and defrost-by-weight options add surprising flexibility, while the LED display and interior light ensure clarity and convenience during use.

In daily operation, it performs consistently for light-duty tasks, reheating single servings quickly and evenly. The stainless finish resists fingerprints, and the interior wipes clean with minimal effort—a big plus in shared environments. However, it lacks advanced features like sound mute or ECO Mode, and the turntable can feel cramped for larger mugs or plates. It’s not ideal for full meals or dense foods, where higher wattage models pull ahead.

Compared to the COMFEE’ and BLACK+DECKER, the Farberware offers nearly identical specs but with a slightly sturdier build and brighter display. It doesn’t innovate, but it delivers exactly what it promises—simple, dependable heating without distractions. For workplaces or guest rooms where durability and ease of use trump extras, it’s a quietly excellent choice. It matches basic models in function but edges ahead in finish and usability, making it the most office-ready microwave here.

The Galanz Retro Microwave isn’t just an appliance—it’s a statement piece that blends vintage charm with solid functionality. Its 700-watt output and 0.7 cu. ft. capacity keep it in line with compact models, but the pull-handle design and Bebop Blue finish make it a standout in modern or retro kitchens. The 6 power levels and defrost-by-weight ensure practicality isn’t sacrificed for style, while the 360° rotating turntable promotes even heating—no cold spots in your leftovers.

In real use, it performs reliably for snacks, beverages, and small meals, though it lags slightly on larger dishes due to its size and wattage. The LED display is crisp, and the interior light makes monitoring easy, but the buttons can feel stiff, and the beep at cycle end is loud—a downside in quiet spaces. It’s easy to clean and the child lock works well, but it lacks modern touches like mute or ECO Mode.

Against the Chefman or GE, the Galanz trades power for aesthetic appeal and unique design. It doesn’t match the Chefman’s 900W punch or the TOSHIBA’s smart features, but for users who value kitchen cohesion and visual flair, it’s unmatched. It delivers basic performance with bold personality, making it the best choice for style-driven buyers who still want dependable, no-hassle cooking. It sacrifices some tech for charm, but does so with confidence.

The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is the epitome of straightforward design—a microwave that gets the job done without fuss, making it ideal for users who want zero learning curve and maximum reliability. With 700 watts, 10 power settings, and six pre-programmed buttons, it covers all the basics: popcorn, pizza, veggies, and reheating. The push-button door release is smooth and intuitive, a small but meaningful upgrade over twist handles, and the removable 10-inch turntable simplifies cleaning.

In everyday use, it performs solidly for light to moderate tasks, heating coffee or frozen dinners evenly and quickly. The large LED display is easy to read, and the child safety lock adds peace of mind. However, it lacks advanced features like ECO Mode or sound muting, and the controls can feel dated compared to touch-sensitive panels. It’s not the fastest or quietest, but it’s dependable and consistent—perfect for users who hate complicated menus.

Stacked against the COMFEE’ or Farberware, it offers nearly identical performance but with a more user-friendly door mechanism and cleaner aesthetic. It doesn’t have the COMFEE’’s mute function or the Chefman’s power, but for minimalists or older adults who value simplicity, it’s a refreshingly honest appliance. It prioritizes usability over innovation, delivering a clean, no-surprises experience that’s easier to use than most in its class.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) is the undisputed champion of performance and intelligence, earning its title as the best overall microwave with 1200 watts of power and a spacious 1.6 cu. ft. cavity—big enough to fit a 13-inch pizza. Its Smart Sensor technology automatically adjusts cooking time and power based on humidity, ensuring perfectly reheated meals without guesswork. The position-memory turntable resets to the same spot every time, making it safer and easier to remove hot dishes.

In real-world testing, it cooks faster, smarter, and more evenly than any other model here. Whether you’re defrosting meat, baking potatoes, or reheating lasagna, the sensor menus deliver restaurant-quality results with zero effort. The black stainless-steel finish resists smudges, and the interior is easy to wipe down. The sound-off function is a quiet luxury, and the multi-stage cooking lets you program complex sequences—though the control panel’s protective film must be removed first, a minor but notable setup step.

Compared to the GE or Chefman, the TOSHIBA offers double the capacity and 300+ more watts, along with smart features the others lack. It’s bulkier and pricier, but for families or serious cooks, it’s worth every inch and watt. It outperforms all rivals in speed, intelligence, and versatility, making it the most complete package available. It delivers premium performance with intuitive design, setting a new benchmark for what a microwave can be.