Contemporary apartment kitchen with a wood counter and illuminated shelving
Room inspiration; products pictured are not the recommended models. Photo: Max Vakhtbovych / Pexels · Photo license

A compact microwave can return valuable preparation space to a small kitchen, but only if the dishes you use still fit. The two models here occupy similar small countertop footprints. Our recommendations focus on body size and documented controls; heating evenness, noise, and reliability would require testing beyond a specification comparison.

The quick decision

Our picks, by the space you have

Start with the Midea for the slightly smaller listed body. Consider the COMFEE’ for its documented sound controls and 10-inch turntable, then compare the current seller offer and exact version.

These are editorial selections from the models compared, based on manufacturer documentation. We have not hands-on tested them or measured performance, reliability, or noise. Confirm the exact model, installation instructions, seller, availability, and returns before purchase. “Best” refers to the use cases within this shortlist, rather than a market-wide ranking. Research checked October 18, 2026.

Compare the models at a glance

Product dimensions exclude operating clearances. Dimensions are in inches; W = width, D = depth, H = height, L = length. Unlabeled brand dimensions are kept in their published order.

The best small microwaves for limited counter space: dimensions and key tradeoffs
ModelSizeFormatBest fitCurrent offer
Midea MMC07S2AWW17.03 W × 12.79 D × 10.19 H in0.7 cu. ft.; 700 W cooking outputthe smaller body in this pairSearch Amazon
COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB17.3 W × 13 D × 10.2 H in0.7 cu. ft.; 10-inch turntableclearly documented sound controlsCheck Amazon

Retailer links open a new tab. Search links are labeled “Search Amazon”; match the full model number. Check current price, availability, seller, and returns on the retailer page.

The shortlist

Why these small products make the list

01

Best for the smaller body in this pair

Midea MMC07S2AWW

17.03 W × 12.79 D × 10.19 H in · 0.7 cu. ft.; 700 W cooking output

A straightforward option when a short, shallow microwave body matters more than a large cavity. It suits reheating a mug, bowl, or small plate, assuming your own dishes fit inside and rotate freely.

The compromise

A small cavity can rule out wide plates and tall containers. Cooking output is different from electrical input, and a 700 W microwave may require adjusting directions written for a higher-output model.

02

Best for clearly documented sound controls

COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB

17.3 W × 13 D × 10.2 H in · 0.7 cu. ft.; 10-inch turntable

The sound on/off control is a useful reason to consider this compact model in a shared room. Its body is close in size to the Midea, so the choice can turn on controls, exact dish fit, and the current offer.

The compromise

Turning off beeps does not silence the fan or cooking mechanism. The small turntable still limits dishes, and this freestanding countertop appliance needs its specified ventilation space.

01

Measure the dishes you reheat most

Measure the widest plate including handles or a lid, then consider whether it can rotate without touching the cavity walls. A turntable diameter is useful, but the cavity height and door opening matter too. Small rectangular meal-prep containers can be awkward even when a round plate seems fine. Do this check before choosing the microwave by cabinet width alone.

02

Distinguish cooking power from electrical input

Cooking output helps explain how a microwave compares with the wattage assumed by packaged-food instructions. Electrical input is a separate specification used in planning power supply. Do not substitute one for the other. Follow the exact unit's rating label and manual for electrical requirements, and use appropriate cooking directions rather than assuming the highest power setting makes every microwave equivalent.

03

Leave the space the manual asks for

A small body is only one part of the countertop installation. Add specified clearances around air vents and room to open the door and lift out a hot container. A shelf that closely surrounds the cabinet may be unsuitable for a countertop-only model. If a tight alcove is your only option, confirm that the manufacturer permits that arrangement before ordering.

04

Choose controls that fit your household

A clear timer and familiar start controls can matter more than extra food presets. In a shared room, the option to disable beeps may help, although fan and operating sounds remain. Check accessibility and the actual button labels if someone has difficulty reading a small display. Compare the exact finish and model suffix because controls and features can vary between versions.

Before you choose

Common questions

Can a 0.7 cu. ft. microwave hold a dinner plate?

Some plates fit and others do not. Check the plate diameter, cavity dimensions, turntable, and clearance for rotation.

Can I put a countertop microwave inside a cupboard?

Only if that exact model's installation instructions permit the arrangement. Cabinet fit alone does not establish safe ventilation.

Sources and how we chose

We compared the exact models below using their brand specifications and setup information. Recommendations reflect our interpretation of those documents for small-space use. They do not represent hands-on testing, customer ratings, or a measured performance ranking.

We omit live prices because offers change. No star ratings or review scores have been assigned. Read our full methodology.

Make the shortlist fit your room.

Measure the usable space, then add doors, drawers, hoses, and ventilation from the exact manual.

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