7 Best Medium Sized Microwave Ovens of 2026

Don’t let its petite frame fool you—this compact powerhouse delivers surprising performance for small kitchens and tight budgets. With 700 watts of cooking power and a 0.7 cu ft cavity, the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM punches above its weight in efficiency, making it ideal for dorm rooms, RVs, or bachelors who need fast, simple meals without clutter. Its one-touch express cooking and smart auto-cook presets (like popcorn, pizza, and reheat) eliminate guesswork, while the ECO mode slashes standby power by 50%, appealing to eco-conscious users tired of energy-sucking appliances.

In real-world testing, it reheats coffee and frozen burritos evenly, though larger dishes or family-sized meals quickly expose its size limits. The +30 seconds button is a small but brilliant touch for quick top-ups, and the mute function—activated by holding the sound button—silences beeps in seconds, perfect for late-night snacking without waking the household. However, it struggles with dense foods like thick chicken breasts, where lower wattage leads to uneven heating. The turntable is functional but not removable, making cleaning slightly more tedious than premium models.

Compared to the Farberware 1.1 cu ft model, this COMFEE’ unit trades space and power for unbeatable affordability and minimalist design. It’s best suited for singles or light users who prioritize value and simplicity over advanced features. While it lacks sensor cooking or convection modes, it outshines other budget options with thoughtful touches like ECO mode and child lock—making it a smart entry-level pick that balances cost, convenience, and core functionality better than most in its class.

Step into seamless cooking with the versatile Farberware 1.2 cu ft microwave, a standout for those who want full-featured performance without overspending. Boasting 1000 watts of power and a spacious 1.2 cubic foot interior, it handles everything from steaming veggies to reheating leftovers with impressive consistency. The six one-touch presets—including popcorn, pizza, and potato—combine with ten power levels and multi-stage cooking, giving users precise control that rivals more expensive models. For families or frequent cooks, this balance of size, power, and simplicity makes it a daily-driver essential.

Real-world use confirms its reliability: it crisps pizza edges slightly, reheats soups evenly, and defrosts chicken breasts by weight with minimal hot spots. The easy-clean interior resists splatters, and the LED display with kitchen timer adds practicality for multitaskers. Interior lighting lets you monitor food without opening the door, reducing heat loss. That said, it lacks smart sensor technology, so you’ll still need to manually adjust times for delicate tasks—something the Toshiba EM131A5C-SS handles automatically.

When stacked against the COMFEE’ and Chefman models, this Farberware unit offers a sweet spot between size and affordability, outperforming smaller 0.7–0.9 cu ft units in capacity and cooking speed. It’s not as feature-rich as high-end sensor or convection models, but for users who want dependable, no-fuss performance in a mid-size footprint, it’s hard to beat. It delivers greater value than premium models when you don’t need air frying or smart cooking—just solid, consistent results.

Meet the precision chef of microwaves: the Toshiba EM131A5C-SS, where smart sensor cooking transforms reheating from a gamble into a science. With 1000 watts of power and a 1.2 cu ft cavity, it matches the Farberware in size but leaps ahead with its Smart Humidity Sensor, which detects steam and automatically adjusts cooking time—ensuring lasagna doesn’t dry out or oatmeal doesn’t boil over. The 12.4-inch removable turntable glides smoothly, and 10 power levels let you fine-tune from gentle defrost to rapid boil, making this a kitchen ally for detail-oriented cooks.

In testing, the sensor reheat function excelled, reviving yesterday’s pizza with a crisp base and melty cheese—no sogginess. The six auto menus (including veggie, beverage, and sensor reheat) are intuitive, and the mute function silences beeps instantly, a perk for noise-sensitive households. The ECO mode reduces standby power, and the interior resists stains well. However, the control panel lacks backlighting, making it harder to read in dim kitchens, and the sensor occasionally underestimates dense foods, requiring a quick +30 second boost.

Compared to the Farberware 1.2 cu ft model, this Toshiba justifies its higher cost with smarter automation and superior consistency. While both offer 1000W and similar size, the sensor cooking elevates it for frequent users who hate overcooked leftovers. It’s ideal for professionals, parents, or anyone who values set-and-forget convenience over manual tweaks. It outsmarts rivals in precision while maintaining a mid-size footprint—making it the top pick for those who want intelligent cooking without upgrading to convection.

Packed with pro-style features in a sleek black shell, the Chefman 0.9 cu ft microwave is a budget-savvy performer that doesn’t skimp on smarts. Delivering 900 watts of power and a mid-size 0.9 cu ft cavity, it bridges the gap between compact and full-size models—perfect for couples or small families wanting more space than a dorm unit but less bulk than a 1.2 cu ft. Its 10 power levels and six one-touch presets (popcorn, veggies, pizza) make cooking intuitive, while the memory function lets you save favorite settings—ideal for daily oatmeal or coffee reheats.

During use, it heated meals quickly and evenly, with minimal cold spots thanks to consistent turntable rotation. The +30 seconds button and mute option add modern convenience, and the cETL-approved safety features offer peace of mind. The black finish hides fingerprints and wipes clean easily, and the dishwasher-safe turntable simplifies cleanup. Still, its wattage trails the 1000W+ models, so thick foods take longer, and the absence of sensor cooking means you’re guessing on defrost times.

Against the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM, this Chefman model offers more space and power at a minimal price bump, making it a smarter mid-range budget buy. It’s not as advanced as the Toshiba sensor microwaves, but for users who want greater capacity than compact units without paying premium prices, it hits the mark. It delivers richer features than entry-level models while maintaining a slim footprint—ideal for renters or minimalist kitchens that demand style, substance, and savings.

Designed for households that cook big and cook often, the Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) is a family-sized powerhouse that combines 1200 watts of output with a spacious 1.6 cu ft interior—large enough to fit a 13-inch pizza or casserole dish. Its 13.6-inch position memory turntable returns to the same starting point after each use, making it safer and easier to remove hot dishes without fumbling. With sensor menus for pizza, veggies, and potatoes, this microwave takes the guesswork out of reheating, while multi-stage cooking lets you defrost, season, and crisp in one seamless cycle.

In real-world use, it handled family leftovers with ease, reheating a full plate of pasta and chicken evenly in under three minutes. The auto-defrost function adjusted accurately for weight, and the one-touch popcorn button delivered theater-style results. The black stainless finish resists smudges and looks premium on any countertop. However, its size demands serious kitchen real estate, and the lack of convection or air fry modes means it can’t replace an oven for crisping—unlike the GE GCST10A1WSS.

Compared to the Farberware 1.2 cu ft, this Toshiba offers significantly more capacity and power, making it ideal for families of four or more. It’s pricier than mid-size models but justifies the cost with larger meals, smarter sensors, and thoughtful design. For users who regularly cook for multiple people and need reliable, hands-off reheating, it’s the best in class. It outperforms smaller models in volume and consistency while offering smarter automation than basic microwaves—a true upgrade for busy homes.

The Farberware 1.1 cu ft microwave is the Goldilocks of value: not too big, not too small, but just right for those who want quality performance at a fair price. With 1000 watts of power and a 1.1 cubic foot cavity, it fits neatly on most countertops while delivering enough space for dinner plates and medium-sized dishes. Its six one-touch presets and ten power levels offer flexibility, while multi-stage cooking allows complex sequences—like defrosting meat and then cooking it at high power. The add 30-seconds button and express 1–6 minute controls make daily use fast and fluid.

In practice, it reheats meals evenly and handles frozen dinners without issue. The LED display is bright and legible, and the child safety lock works reliably. The interior light makes monitoring easy, and the easy-clean coating resists splatter buildup. That said, like its 1.2 cu ft sibling, it lacks sensor cooking, so you’re manually adjusting times rather than letting the microwave decide. It also runs slightly louder than competitors, with a noticeable hum during operation.

Stacked against the 1.2 cu ft Farberware, this model trades a bit of space for a lower price and tighter footprint, making it better for smaller kitchens. Compared to the Chefman 0.9 cu ft, it offers more power and capacity with similar features. It’s the best value for mid-size needs, balancing performance, size, and cost without sacrificing core functionality. For users who want trusted brand reliability without overpaying, it delivers more bang for the buck than most.

Step into the future of countertop cooking with the GE GCST10A1WSS, a multi-functional marvel that does far more than microwave—it air fries, convection bakes, and broils with confidence. With 1050 watts of power and a 1.0 cu ft cavity, it’s compact enough for small kitchens but mighty enough to replace a toaster oven. The built-in air fry mode delivers crispy fries and golden chicken wings with little to no oil, while convection technology circulates hot air for even browning—something no standard microwave can match. The included crisper pan and elevated rack maximize crunch, making it a game-changer for health-conscious cooks.

In testing, it air-fried frozen tater tots to crispy perfection in 18 minutes and broiled salmon with a caramelized top in under 10. The preset controls for fries and nuggets simplify cooking, and the glass turntable ensures even heating during microwave cycles. However, the combo modes require learning curves—timing and rack placement matter more than in a standard microwave. It’s also pricier and more complex than basic models, which may deter users seeking simplicity.

Compared to the Toshiba EM131A5C-SS, this GE unit sacrifices sensor cooking for far greater versatility. While the Toshiba excels at reheating, the GE transforms cooking possibilities in one appliance. It’s ideal for singles, couples, or small families who want oven-like results without firing up the range. For those who crave crispy, broiled, or air-fried meals, it offers unmatched functionality in a compact design—making it the ultimate all-in-one upgrade for modern kitchens.