7 Best White Microwave Ovens of 2026

This workhorse of a microwave delivers reliable performance in a sleek, modern package—perfect for households that demand consistency without fuss. With 1000 watts of cooking power and a spacious 1.1 cu. ft. interior, it handles everything from steaming leftovers to reheating family-sized meals with impressive evenness, thanks to its 12.4” removable carousel turntable. The inclusion of sensor cook technology and 10 power levels means you’re not just blasting food blindly—this model adapts to moisture levels for smarter reheating, solving the all-too-common problem of rubbery pizza or soggy vegetables.

In real-world testing, the Auto Cook presets shine for busy mornings or rushed lunches, effortlessly preparing popcorn, beverages, and frozen entrées with one touch. The bright white LED display and interior lighting make monitoring food effortless, while the +30 seconds shortcut is a small but game-changing feature when you need just a few extra moments of heat. However, the lack of sensor cooking—a feature found on pricier models—means it can’t auto-adjust for delicate tasks like reheating sauces, which may result in overcooking if you’re not attentive.

Compared to the Farberware 1.3 cu. ft. model, this SHARP trades some capacity and smart features for a more affordable entry point and cleaner interface. It’s ideal for small families or individuals who want consistent cooking power and modern aesthetics without paying a premium. While it doesn’t have the largest footprint or most advanced sensors, it strikes a smart balance between performance, usability, and value—making it a standout in the mid-tier microwave market.

Step into a kitchen time machine with the Nostalgia Retro Microwave, where vintage charm meets modern convenience in a bold, eye-catching design. Boasting 1000 watts of power and a 1.1 cu. ft. interior, it delivers solid performance for reheating, defrosting, and cooking—perfect for those who want a statement piece that still pulls its weight. The rotating glass carousel ensures even heating, while the 8 auto-cook programs—including settings for popcorn, pizza, and frozen veggies—make meal prep feel effortless, especially for microwave-first cooks.

During testing, the Express Cooking function proved a lifesaver for quick meals, letting users start with a single press for up to 6 minutes. The defrost-by-weight option handled a pound of ground beef accurately, though denser items like chicken breasts required manual intervention. While the retro dials and chrome accents are undeniably charming, they can feel a bit stiff to turn, and the lack of sensor cooking means you’re still guessing on delicate reheats. Still, for a dorm room, office, or retro-themed kitchen, it’s a fun, functional fit.

When stacked against the COMFEE retro model, this Nostalgia unit offers more power (1000W vs 700W) and a larger capacity, making it the better pick for those who cook regularly but crave vintage vibes. It’s not the most high-tech microwave on the market, but for fans of mid-century aesthetics who don’t want to sacrifice core functionality, it’s a delightful blend of form and function—offering more cooking muscle than budget retro models without breaking the bank.

The GE 1.7 cu. ft. microwave is a space-savvy powerhouse, packing 1100 watts of cooking energy into a surprisingly compact frame—making it a top contender for kitchens where every inch counts. Its sensor cooking controls are a game-changer, automatically adjusting time and power based on humidity levels, so you get perfectly reheated lasagna without drying out the edges. The glass turntable ensures even heat distribution, while the two-step child lock adds peace of mind in homes with curious little ones.

Real-world use reveals this microwave thrives in multi-tasking environments—whether you’re defrosting chicken by weight, cooking frozen dinners, or using the instant-on express cooking for a fast cup of tea. The 7 auto-cook settings cover basics like potatoes and popcorn, though it lacks the variety of Farberware’s six one-touch options. One limitation? The interior lighting is dimmer than competitors, making it harder to monitor food in low-light kitchens. Still, for apartments, dorms, or secondary kitchens, it delivers large-capacity performance without dominating the counter.

Against the SHARP 1.4 cu. ft. model, the GE offers more interior space and superior sensor tech, but with slightly less intuitive controls. It’s the go-to for users who prioritize cooking intelligence and capacity over flashy design. While it doesn’t have the broadest auto-menu selection, its smart defrost and sensor cook features give it an edge in precision—making it a high-value pick for those who want apartment-friendly size with full-sized results.

Meet the gold standard in countertop microwaves—the SHARP 1.4 cu. ft. model blends power, precision, and polish into a single, seamless experience. With 1100 watts of output and a generous 1.4 cu. ft. cavity, it effortlessly handles everything from mug cakes to casserole dishes, making it ideal for small families or serious meal preppers. The sensor cook function is exceptionally responsive, detecting steam to prevent overcooking, while the 10 power levels and 2-stage cooking allow for complex routines—like defrosting then reheating with one setup.

In daily use, the Melt/Soften function is a quiet hero, perfectly softening butter or chocolate without melting edges—a common pain point with cheaper models. The +30 seconds button and Express Cook make quick tasks faster, and the bright LED interior lighting ensures you never miss a splash or spill. The removable 12.4” turntable is a cleaning dream, though the unit’s depth may challenge tighter countertops. It’s not the smallest, but the cooking consistency more than justifies the footprint.

Compared to the GE 1.7 cu. ft., this SHARP offers slightly less capacity but superior build quality and intuitive controls. It outshines the Farberware in sensor accuracy and finish quality, making it the best overall choice for those who want reliability, smart features, and family-sized performance in one elegant white chassis. It’s the most complete package in the lineup—balancing power, intelligence, and usability better than any other model.

The Farberware 1.3 cu. ft. microwave hits the sweet spot between size and smarts, offering 1100 watts of power in a footprint that fits neatly on cramped counters or office desks. Its smart sensor auto-cook settings take the guesswork out of reheating, adjusting power and time based on steam—so your burrito stays moist, not molten. With six one-touch presets including popcorn, pizza, and potato, it’s built for speed, while defrost-by-weight ensures frozen meals thaw evenly, not partially.

In practice, the LED display is crisp and easy to read, and the interior light provides excellent visibility—no squinting to check your soup. The easy-clean coating lives up to its name, resisting stains and wiping down with a damp cloth. However, the turntable doesn’t remove as easily as on SHARP models, making deep cleaning a slight hassle. And while the 1.3 cu. ft. size is ideal for small households, it can’t accommodate larger dinner plates or deep dishes like the GE 1.7 cu. ft.

Stacked against the SHARP 1.4 cu. ft., the Farberware sacrifices some capacity and build refinement but delivers excellent value with strong sensor performance and a compact profile. It’s the best mid-size pick for singles, couples, or office kitchens that want smart features without oversizing. While it lacks the premium fit and finish of higher-end models, it offers more cooking intelligence than budget units—making it a smart, space-conscious upgrade for everyday users.

The COMFEE CMO-C20M1WH is a retro-inspired compact hero, packing 11 power levels and multi-stage cooking into a surprisingly capable 0.7 cu. ft. frame. With 700 watts of power, it’s not built for large meals, but for dorm rooms, offices, or tiny kitchens, it delivers nimble performance with personality. The turntable reset function ensures smooth rotation after cleaning, while the memory function recalls your last setting—a small but brilliant touch for repeat users.

In real-life testing, the one-touch express cooking (1–6 minutes) made coffee and oatmeal prep lightning-fast, and the defrost-by-weight function handled small frozen items reliably. However, the lower wattage means longer cook times—reheating a bowl of chili took nearly 3 minutes, where 1000W models finish in 2. The 10-inch turntable helps with even heating, but the small cavity limits plate size, ruling out dinner plates or wide bowls. Still, for light cooking tasks, it’s impressively intuitive.

Compared to the Nostalgia retro model, this COMFEE offers more power levels and memory recall, but less wattage and capacity. It’s the best compact retro choice for users who want vintage flair with modern convenience in a minimalist form. While it can’t match full-sized power, its speed, simplicity, and retro charm make it a top budget retro pick—especially for students or singles who value style and efficiency in a tiny package.

The COMFEE EM720CPL-PM is the quiet achiever of budget microwaves—delivering essential features with thoughtful extras in a no-frills 0.7 cu. ft. shell. With 700 watts of power, it’s designed for light use, but the ECO mode slashes standby power by 50%, making it a green choice for eco-conscious buyers. The mute function is a standout—hold the sound button for 3 seconds and enjoy a beep-free kitchen, perfect for late-night snacks without waking the house.

During testing, the one-touch buttons for popcorn, pizza, and reheat responded quickly, though the lower wattage meant longer cook times and occasional uneven heating. The +30 seconds shortcut is handy, but the small interior limits what you can fit—ideal for mugs and small bowls, not family meals. There’s no sensor cooking, so precision relies on user input. Still, for a college dorm, RV, or secondary kitchen, it’s a reliable, silent, and energy-smart companion.

Against the COMFEE retro model, this unit trades vintage looks for eco efficiency and noise control—making it the best budget-friendly pick for those who prioritize quiet, green operation over style. It doesn’t offer the power or capacity of larger models, but for minimalist needs, it delivers core functionality with environmental and acoustic perks—proving that affordable doesn’t mean basic when smart features are thoughtfully included.