7 Best Small 1000 Watt Microwaves of 2025

This Toshiba EM131A5C-SS isn’t just another 1000-watt microwave—it’s a precision cooking companion that brings smart sensor technology and 1.2 cu ft capacity into a sleek, easy-to-clean design. What sets it apart is its Smart Humidity Sensor, which actively monitors steam levels during cooking to automatically adjust time and power—eliminating guesswork for everything from reheating leftovers to steaming vegetables. With 12 auto menus and 10 power levels, it delivers consistent results while solving the all-too-common pain point of unevenly heated meals.

In real-world use, this microwave handles a variety of tasks with impressive reliability. The 12.4-inch removable turntable ensures even heat distribution, and we found it effortlessly reheated dense foods like lasagna without cold spots. During testing, the sensor reheat function outperformed manual settings by stopping precisely when optimal humidity was reached, preventing rubbery textures. While the exterior dimensions are standard for its class, the interior depth allows full-sized dinner plates to fit comfortably. However, the control panel, though intuitive, lacks backlighting, making it slightly harder to read in low-light kitchens.

When compared to other 1000-watt models like the Farberware 1.1 cu ft, the Toshiba stands out with its larger capacity and advanced sensor cooking, positioning it as the best overall pick for those who value performance over minimalism. It’s ideal for small families or busy individuals who want restaurant-quality reheating without constant monitoring. While it shares core features with its black counterpart (EM131A5C-BS), this silver model offers the same smart sensor smarts and ECO mode efficiency at a more accessible price point, making it a smarter value without sacrificing intelligence.

The BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 punches well above its weight class, delivering 1000 watts of reliable power in a compact 1.1 cu ft chassis—making it a standout for budget-conscious buyers who refuse to compromise on performance. Its push-button door release is a rare convenience in this price range, offering smooth, one-handed operation that feels premium. Add to that 30-second express cooking and six pre-programmed menus, and you’ve got a microwave built for speed and simplicity—perfect for dorm rooms, offices, or minimalist kitchens where every second counts.

During hands-on testing, the microwave excelled at everyday tasks: reheating coffee, popping popcorn, and defrosting chicken breasts were all handled efficiently. The removable 12.4” glass turntable ensures even cooking, and the child safety lock adds peace of mind for homes with young kids. We appreciated the large LED display, which is bright and easy to read, though the stainless steel door frame shows fingerprints easily. While it doesn’t have smart sensors or multi-stage programming, it delivers consistent results across power levels and holds its own against pricier rivals in raw heating performance.

Compared to the Chefman RJ55-SS, this model trades eco mode and mute functionality for a more tactile, responsive interface and faster access to common functions. It’s the best value pick for users who want no-frills reliability with key modern touches—like digital precision and safety features—without paying for extras they won’t use. For those upgrading from an older, underpowered microwave, this BLACK+DECKER delivers a noticeable leap in speed and usability, offering the sweet spot between affordability and essential features.

Don’t let its cheerful red retro shell fool you—the Frigidaire EMW1132-RED is a no-nonsense powerhouse that packs 1000 watts of cooking performance into an ultra-affordable, space-saving design. It’s built for users who want maximum wattage without minimum features, stripping away extras like auto-cook menus and ECO mode to deliver pure, unfiltered functionality. The electronic touchpad is responsive, and the 10 power levels give you full control over how your food heats—making it surprisingly versatile despite its bare-bones profile.

In real-world use, this microwave performs admirably for basic reheating, defrosting, and beverage warming. It handled frozen burritos and oatmeal bowls evenly, thanks to the standard glass turntable that rotates reliably. While it lacks preset buttons, the straightforward interface means fewer malfunctions and easier cleaning—ideal for college students or secondary kitchens. However, the absence of express cooking or memory functions means you’ll manually enter times more often, which can become tedious. It’s also slightly noisier than competitors during operation, a trade-off for its efficient magnetron design.

When stacked against the Farberware 1.1 cu ft, this Frigidaire model wins on price but loses on convenience features. It’s the best budget-friendly option for those who prioritize raw wattage and brand reliability over automation. Perfect for renters or first-time appliance buyers, it proves you don’t need bells and whistles to get hot food fast. While it doesn’t match the Toshiba’s sensor intelligence, it offers the same core 1000-watt performance at a noticeably lower entry point, making it a smart entry-level choice.

The Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Microwave strikes a near-perfect balance between affordability, functionality, and family-friendly design, earning its spot as the best mid-range 1000-watt option. It delivers consistent 1000-watt power through a clean LED digital interface, with one-touch auto cook settings that take the guesswork out of reheating pizza or cooking frozen veggies. The memory function is a small but meaningful touch—saving your go-to settings so you’re not re-entering times daily—ideal for households with recurring meal routines.

In testing, the microwave heated food evenly across multiple cycles, with the weight and time defrost options proving particularly useful for meal prep. The easy-clean interior resists splatter buildup, and the child safety lock engages reliably with a simple button hold. While the 1.1 cu ft cavity fits most dinner plates, it’s slightly shallower than the Toshiba’s 1.2 cu ft model, limiting taller dishes. The digital panel is intuitive, but lacks advanced features like multi-stage cooking or mute mode, placing it firmly in the practical, not premium, category.

Compared to the Chefman RJ55-SS, the Farberware offers similar core functionality but misses out on eco mode and quieter operation. It’s best suited for small families or couples who want dependable daily performance without cluttered controls. If you’re upgrading from an older 700–800W model, this Farberware delivers a noticeable boost in speed and convenience, offering more smarts than the Frigidaire RED while staying more affordable than sensor-equipped Toshibas.

The Chefman RJ55-SS is a feature-packed 1000-watt microwave that shines brightest for eco-conscious users and apartment dwellers who value quiet, energy-efficient operation. Its ECO mode shuts off the display when idle, reducing phantom power draw—a rare and welcome feature in this category—while the mute function silences beeps and alarms, making midnight snacks or early breakfasts disruption-free. With 6 auto menus, 10 power levels, and multi-phase cooking, it supports complex sequences like defrost-then-cook, giving it near-convection-level flexibility in a compact form.

During real-world testing, we appreciated the +30-second quick start for rapid reheating and the memory function, which saved frequently used programs for instant recall. The stainless steel finish resists smudges better than most, and the removable turntable made cleanup effortless. It handled standard tasks like popcorn and beverages with precision, though the fan noise was slightly louder during extended cycles. While the 1.1 cu ft capacity is standard, the lack of a larger interior limits bulky containers—this is a microwave built for efficiency, not volume.

Compared to the BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11, the Chefman offers more sophistication with eco and mute modes, but at a higher cost and without the push-button door. It’s ideal for students, professionals, or eco-minded users in apartments or dorms who want smart features without a smart price tag. While it doesn’t have the Toshiba’s humidity sensing, it delivers a more customizable and considerate cooking experience than most budget models, making it the best choice for those who cook quietly and sustainably.

The Nostalgia Retro Microwave proves that style and substance can coexist—even in the budget microwave world. With its vintage-inspired white finish and rounded edges, it brings mid-century charm to modern kitchens while still delivering 1000 watts of robust cooking power. Beyond aesthetics, it offers 8 auto-cook programs—more than most in its class—including dedicated settings for pizza, popcorn, and beverages—making it surprisingly capable for everyday use. The rotating glass carousel ensures even heating, and the reheat and defrost-by-weight functions add practical value beneath the retro veneer.

In performance tests, the microwave reheated leftovers evenly and responded quickly to touchpad inputs. The express cooking feature allowed rapid startup, though we noticed slight delays in sensor response compared to the Toshiba’s smart system. The interior is easy to wipe down, but the lack of ECO or mute modes means it’s less suited for quiet spaces. While it handles standard dishes well, the 1.1 cu ft cavity doesn’t accommodate oversized containers, and the turntable noise is a bit more pronounced than in sleeker models.

When compared to the Frigidaire RED, this Nostalgia model offers more automation and a more durable build, though at a slightly higher cost. It’s the best pick for users who want personality in their appliances without sacrificing core functionality. Ideal for kitchen makeovers, rentals, or gift-giving, it combines retro flair with modern convenience—though those needing advanced features like multi-stage cooking or energy savings should look to the Chefman or Toshiba instead.

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is the gold standard for smart sensor cooking, transforming the microwave from a reheating tool into a precision kitchen assistant. Its Smart Humidity Sensor continuously monitors moisture output during cooking, automatically adjusting time and power to prevent overcooking—a game-changer for delicate tasks like steaming fish or reheating pasta without drying it out. With a spacious 1.2 cu ft cavity and 12 auto menus, including sensor reheat and veggie steam, it’s engineered for users who demand consistent, hands-off results in a sleek black finish that resists fingerprints.

In real-world testing, the sensor mode outperformed manual settings across multiple food types, especially in reheating dense meals like casseroles. The 12.4-inch turntable rotates smoothly, and the mute function (activated by holding button ‘8’) is a thoughtful touch for late-night use. The ECO mode reduces energy consumption when idle, appealing to environmentally conscious buyers. However, the control panel lacks backlighting, and the higher price reflects its premium positioning—making it less accessible for budget shoppers despite its undeniable performance edge.

Compared directly to the silver EM131A5C-SS, this black model offers identical smart features and capacity but at a steeper cost, making it harder to justify unless aesthetics are a priority. It’s best suited for cooks who hate dry leftovers and want automation without upgrading to a convection oven. While the Chefman offers mute and eco modes, only Toshiba delivers true sensor intelligence, giving it a unique advantage for those who value precision over price.