Microwaves
Best Small Stainless Steel Microwave (2026): 5 Picks Compared
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For a small stainless steel microwave, the Frigidaire leads this list: its 0.7 cu ft cavity adds sensor cooking, 6 auto settings, and a control lock. The TOSHIBA and Smad follow at 0.9 cu ft and 900 watts, while the Commercial Chef and GE give 700 watts in 0.7 cu ft.
Starting out? See the main guide: Best Countertop Microwave
Top picks at a glance
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Best OverallFrigidaire Countertop Microwave9.8 View on Amazon -
Runner-UpTOSHIBA Microwave Oven9.8 View on Amazon -
Most FunctionsCommercial Chef 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave9.7 View on Amazon -
Also GreatGE Countertop Microwave9.7 View on Amazon -
9.2 View on Amazon
Compare the specs
Ranked on capacity, wattage, sensor cooking, auto-cook presets from each listing, plus how many buyers have rated it. A dash (—) means we could not confirm that figure from the listing.
| Pick | Capacity | Wattage | Sensor cooking | Auto-cook presets | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Frigidaire Countertop Microwave | 0.7 cu ft | — | Yes | 6 functions | — | 1-year |
| 2. TOSHIBA Microwave Oven | 0.9 cu ft | 900 W | — | 6 functions | 24.9 lb | 1-year |
| 3. Commercial Chef 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave | 0.7 cu ft | 700 W | — | 10 functions | 22.6 lb | 1-year |
| 4. GE Countertop Microwave | 0.7 cu ft | 700 W | — | 4 functions | 21 lb | 1-year |
| 5. Smad Countertop Microwave Oven 0.9 Cu. Ft | 0.9 cu ft | 900 W | — | 6 functions | 25 lb | 1-year |
Frigidaire Countertop Microwave
It pairs a 0.7 cu ft stainless interior with sensor cooking, 6 auto settings, and 10 power levels.
- Capacity: 0.7 cu ft
- Sensor cooking
- Auto-cook presets: 6 functions
- 1-year warranty stated
Good for
- Buyers who want sensor cooking with 6 auto settings
- Buyers who want a 0.7 cu ft microwave
Skip it if
- You want more than 6 auto settings
- You want a cavity larger than 0.7 cu ft
It has a digital control panel with express cooking, power level changes, delayed start, and stop and cancel functions. Two defrost timers warm food in stages, and the sensor adjusts power and time across 6 auto settings for popcorn, baked potato, pizza, frozen food, reheat, and beverages. It has a control lock and a large display, and it carries a 1-year warranty.
TOSHIBA Microwave Oven
It adds 900 watts, a 0.9 cu ft cavity, 6 preset menus, 11 power levels, and a mute function.
- Capacity: 0.9 cu ft
- Wattage: 900 W
- Auto-cook presets: 6 functions
- 1-year warranty stated
Good for
- Buyers who want 900 watts and 11 power levels
- Buyers who want a mute function
Skip it if
- You want a microwave under 24.9 lb
- You want more than 11 power levels
It runs at 900 watts with 11 power levels, a clock, and a kitchen timer. Six preset menus cover popcorn, pizza, and potato, and defrost works by weight or by time. One-touch start runs 1 to 6 minutes at full power, and the 10.6-inch glass turntable sits inside. It has a control lock, LED lighting, and a 1-year warranty.
Commercial Chef 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave
It packs 700 watts, 10 power levels, 6 preset menus, and a 10-inch turntable into a 0.7 cu ft body.
- Capacity: 0.7 cu ft
- Wattage: 700 W
- Auto-cook presets: 10 functions, the most here
- 1-year warranty stated
Good for
- Buyers who want 10 power levels and 6 preset menus
- Buyers who want a push button door
Skip it if
- You want more than 10 power levels
- You want a cavity larger than 0.7 cu ft
It runs at 700 watts with 10 power levels and 6 preset menus, plus defrost and express cook options. The LED control panel heats food for up to 99 minutes with a timer signal at the end. It has a push button door, a control lock, a kitchen clock, and multi-stage cooking, and it carries a 1-year warranty.
GE Countertop Microwave
It offers 700 watts, 0.7 cu ft, 4 convenience cook settings, and one-touch controls in a compact size.
- Capacity: 0.7 cu ft
- Wattage: 700 W
- Auto-cook presets: 4 functions
- 1-year warranty stated
Good for
- Buyers who want one-touch controls and 4 cook settings
- Buyers who want a compact microwave for dorms
Skip it if
- You want a microwave under 21 lb
- You want more than 4 cook settings
It runs at 700 watts with 0.7 cu ft, one-touch express cooking, and 4 convenience cook settings. Manual and auto defrost modes adjust time and power to thaw food evenly. It measures 17.31 inches wide by 12.75 inches deep by 10.19 inches high, has a control lock, and carries a 1-year warranty.
Smad Countertop Microwave Oven 0.9 Cu. Ft
It pairs 900 watts with a 0.9 cu ft cavity, 6 presets, 10 power levels, and a 10.6-inch turntable.
- Capacity: 0.9 cu ft
- Wattage: 900 W
- Auto-cook presets: 6 functions
- 1-year warranty stated
Good for
- Buyers who want 900 watts and a 10.6-inch turntable
- Buyers who want an easy-to-clean interior
Skip it if
- You want a microwave under 25 lb
- You want more than 10 power levels
It runs at 900 watts with 10 power levels and 6 one-touch presets for popcorn, potato, and pizza. Defrost works by weight or by time, and multi-stage cooking runs in stages. The 10.6-inch glass turntable and LED interior lighting help monitor food, and the interior is easy to clean. It has a control lock and a 1-year warranty.
How to choose
Match Capacity And Wattage
Capacity and wattage set what a small microwave holds and how much power it cooks with. The Frigidaire, Commercial Chef, and GE models hold 0.7 cu ft, while the TOSHIBA and Smad models hold 0.9 cu ft. For power, the Commercial Chef and GE run at 700 watts, and the TOSHIBA and Smad run at 900 watts. Pick the size that fits your counter and the power that fits your cooking.
Use Presets And Power Levels
Preset menus cook common foods at set power and time, while power levels let you set the strength yourself. The Frigidaire has 6 auto settings with sensor cooking, the TOSHIBA has 6 preset menus, and the Commercial Chef has 6 preset menus with 10 power levels. The GE has 4 convenience cook settings, and the Smad has 6 presets with 10 power levels. Defrost by weight or by time on the TOSHIBA and Smad helps thaw frozen food.
Plan Counter Space And Clearance
A small microwave still needs room around it for air flow. The GE lists 3 inches of clearance on each side and above, 1 inch at the rear, with the bottom fully unobstructed. Measure your counter width and depth against the model dimensions: the GE measures 17.31 inches wide by 12.75 inches deep, and the TOSHIBA measures 18.7 inches wide by 13.3 inches deep. Leave the vents clear and the door free to open.
FAQ
What size microwave fits a small kitchen?
Look at capacity and outside dimensions. The Frigidaire, Commercial Chef, and GE models hold 0.7 cu ft, and the TOSHIBA and Smad models hold 0.9 cu ft. The GE measures 17.31 inches wide by 12.75 inches deep, so measure your counter before ordering.
How many power levels do these microwaves have?
The Frigidaire, Commercial Chef, GE, and Smad models have 10 power levels, and the TOSHIBA has 11. Power levels set cooking strength, while presets set power and time for common foods. Pick the range that fits how you cook.
Do these microwaves have a control lock?
Yes, each model here has one. The Frigidaire, TOSHIBA, Commercial Chef, GE, and Smad models each list a control lock. The TOSHIBA uses a two-step lock, and the GE lock can be disabled when not needed.
What is sensor cooking on a microwave?
It adjusts power and time during cooking. The Frigidaire sensor adjusts power and time across its 6 auto settings for foods like popcorn, baked potato, pizza, frozen food, reheat, and beverages. The TOSHIBA, Commercial Chef, GE, and Smad models offer presets and power levels for the same foods.
