A microwave can occupy only a slim patch of counter space yet differ widely in usable capacity, cooking power, and control design. That makes the best midsize Microwaves less obvious than their compact footprint suggests.
This roundup brings together ten models across several formats and finishes. The comparison ahead separates everyday convenience from the details that shape fit, performance, and kitchen noise, so keep reading before choosing your next countertop workhorse.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize interior capacity and turntable dimensions if you regularly heat full-size plates, bowls, or meal containers.
- Choose at least 900 watts for faster, more even everyday heating, especially with larger portions.
- Check the microwave’s outside dimensions, including door clearance, before assigning it a permanent counter position.
- Look for preset programs and one-touch controls if several people will use the appliance.
- Consider child locks, mute settings, and finish when convenience, household safety, or kitchen appearance matters.
| Balanced Countertop Pick |  |
GE Countertop Microwave 1.1 Cu. Ft. | Compact 1.1-cubic-foot size | 950-watt cooking power | Child-lock technology | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Dark Finish Favorite |  |
Toshiba Countertop Microwave 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Generous countertop capacity | 1,000-watt output | Black exterior finish | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Stainless Steel Workhorse |  |
Toshiba Countertop Microwave 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Roomy 1.2-cubic-foot capacity | Strong 1,000-watt output | Stainless steel finish | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Small Space Specialist |  |
BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave 0.7 Cu. Ft. | Compact 0.7-cubic-foot size | Stainless steel exterior | Suitable for tight counters | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Quiet Dorm Companion |  |
Chefman Compact Microwave 0.7 Cu. Ft. | Ten adjustable power levels | Mute button included | Child safety lock | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Practical Stainless Upgrade |  |
BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave 1.1 Cu. Ft. | Spacious 1.1-cubic-foot interior | 1,000-watt cooking power | Stainless steel finish | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Mid-Size Dark Option |  |
Toshiba Microwave 0.9 Cu. Ft. | Middle-ground capacity | 900-watt cooking power | Black stainless steel finish | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Feature-Rich Family Pick |  |
Chefman Countertop Microwave 1.1 Cu. Ft. | Roomy 1.1-cubic-foot capacity | Ten power levels | One-touch express cooking | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Flexible Mid-Size Choice |  |
Chefman Countertop Microwave 0.9 Cu. Ft. | Flexible mid-size capacity | Ten adjustable power levels | Quiet operation option | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Streamlined Stainless Basic |  |
Chefman Compact Microwave 0.7 Cu. Ft. | Compact countertop footprint | Stainless steel finish | Suitable for small spaces | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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GE Countertop Microwave 1.1 Cu. Ft.
Choose this GE model for a compact kitchen, dorm room, or apartment where you want useful capacity without giving up too much counter space. Its 950-watt output, 1.1-cubic-foot interior, and six automatic cooking settings cover everyday reheating and meal preparation with little fuss.
The child-lock feature adds a practical layer of family-friendly safety, especially in busy kitchens. The main limitation is that the listing does not provide detailed information about the cooking presets, dimensions, or interior layout, so you may need to confirm fit before buying.
- Brand:GE
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:1.1 cubic feet
- Wattage:950 watts
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Presets:6 cooking settings
- Additional Feature:Child-lock technology
- Additional Feature:Countertop design
- Additional Feature:Apartment-friendly format
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Toshiba Countertop Microwave 1.2 Cu. Ft.
A 1.2-cubic-foot capacity gives this Toshiba a little more room for plates, bowls, and standard reheating tasks. The 1,000-watt rating also points to a practical fit for kitchens that need straightforward countertop cooking power.
Its black finish suits modern appliances and can help create a consistent look with darker kitchen hardware. The limitation is sparse listing information, with no stated presets, safety functions, controls, or dimensions to help you judge its exact fit.
- Brand:Toshiba
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:1.2 cubic feet
- Wattage:1,000 watts
- Finish:Black
- Additional Feature:Countertop configuration
- Additional Feature:1.2-cubic-foot interior
- Additional Feature:1,000-watt power rating
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Toshiba Countertop Microwave 1.2 Cu. Ft.
For a kitchen that favors stainless steel appliances, this Toshiba combines a roomy 1.2-cubic-foot capacity with 1,000 watts of cooking power. That combination makes sense for routine reheating, defrosting, and preparing larger portions than the smallest compact models can manage.
The stainless finish offers a traditional appliance appearance, while the capacity keeps the microwave useful beyond occasional snack duty. Still, the available listing does not identify preset programs, child safety features, noise controls, or exterior dimensions.
- Brand:Toshiba
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:1.2 cubic feet
- Wattage:1,000 watts
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Countertop design
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel exterior
- Additional Feature:1,000-watt cooking power
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BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave 0.7 Cu. Ft.
This BLACK+DECKER model fits the small-kitchen category, with a 0.7-cubic-foot capacity that suits dorm rooms, offices, and apartments with limited counter depth. Its stainless steel finish adds a familiar appliance look, while the 700-watt rating handles basic reheating and defrosting.
The compact footprint is its clearest advantage, especially where every inch matters. The tradeoff is lower capacity and power than the larger models in this roundup, and the listing does not specify presets or safety functions.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:0.7 cubic feet
- Wattage:700 watts
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Countertop configuration
- Additional Feature:Compact kitchen format
- Additional Feature:700-watt power rating
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Chefman Compact Microwave 0.7 Cu. Ft.
Chefman packs useful controls into this 0.7-cubic-foot compact microwave, making it a logical choice for dorms, offices, and smaller apartments. You get 10 power levels, six cooking presets, one-touch express cooking, and a mute button, so everyday operation can stay quick and quiet.
Eco mode and the child safety lock add practical touches without making the unit sound overcomplicated. Its honest limitation is the 700-watt output and smaller interior, which may mean slower cooking and less room for wide plates or larger containers.
- Brand:Chefman
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:0.7 cubic feet
- Wattage:700 watts
- Finish:Black
- Presets:6 cooking presets
- Additional Feature:One-touch express cook
- Additional Feature:Eco mode
- Additional Feature:Mute button
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BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave 1.1 Cu. Ft.
Step up to this BLACK+DECKER model if you want more interior space than a compact 0.7-cubic-foot microwave provides. Its 1.1-cubic-foot capacity and 1,000-watt rating create a sensible middle ground for family kitchens, apartments, and regular meal reheating.
The stainless steel finish keeps the appearance easy to coordinate with other appliances. Since the listing does not include preset details, control options, dimensions, or safety features, you will need more information before deciding if its functions match your routine.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:1.1 cubic feet
- Wattage:1,000 watts
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Countertop design
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel exterior
- Additional Feature:1,000-watt output
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Toshiba Microwave 0.9 Cu. Ft.
This Toshiba sits between ultra-compact and full midsize models, offering 0.9 cubic feet of interior space with 900 watts of power. That balance fits kitchens that need more room than a 0.7-cubic-foot unit but do not have space for a larger 1.1- or 1.2-cubic-foot appliance.
The black stainless steel finish gives the microwave a darker, more modern appearance than standard silver metal. The available information does not list presets, safety functions, controls, or measurements, so its feature set remains less defined than several alternatives here.
- Brand:Toshiba
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:0.9 cubic feet
- Wattage:900 watts
- Finish:Black stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Countertop configuration
- Additional Feature:Mid-size interior
- Additional Feature:Dark stainless finish
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Chefman Countertop Microwave 1.1 Cu. Ft.
With a 1.1-cubic-foot interior and 1,000 watts, this Chefman is well suited to households that want useful capacity plus a broad set of everyday controls. Ten power levels, six presets, and one-touch express cooking give you more flexibility than a basic microwave with only timed operation.
The mute button, eco mode, and child safety lock add convenience for shared kitchens and family spaces. The primary drawback is that the listing does not provide exterior dimensions or turntable details, which matter when counter space is tight.
- Brand:Chefman
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:1.1 cubic feet
- Wattage:1,000 watts
- Finish:Black
- Presets:6 cooking presets
- Additional Feature:Eco mode
- Additional Feature:Child safety lock
- Additional Feature:Mute button
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Chefman Countertop Microwave 0.9 Cu. Ft.
For a middle-size footprint, this Chefman pairs 0.9 cubic feet with 900 watts, giving you a practical compromise between counter space and cooking capacity. The ten power levels are useful for adjusting heat across tasks, while six presets and express cooking keep common routines simple.
Eco mode and the mute button make the feature list especially appealing for offices, apartments, and shared spaces. The limitation is its smaller interior and lower wattage compared with Chefman’s 1.1-cubic-foot version, and dimensions are not included in the listing.
- Brand:Chefman
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:0.9 cubic feet
- Wattage:900 watts
- Finish:Black
- Presets:6 cooking presets
- Additional Feature:One-touch express cook
- Additional Feature:Eco mode
- Additional Feature:Child safety lock
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Chefman Compact Microwave 0.7 Cu. Ft.
This Chefman keeps the format simple with a 0.7-cubic-foot capacity and 700 watts of power, making it suitable for small counters, dorm rooms, and light office use. Its stainless finish gives the compact design a classic appliance appearance without taking up the space of a larger microwave.
The smaller size is convenient for basic reheating and snacks, but it also sets a clear ceiling on dish size and cooking speed. The listing does not identify presets, power-level controls, safety features, or sound settings, so the model is best considered for straightforward use.
- Brand:Chefman
- Product Type:Countertop microwave
- Capacity:0.7 cubic feet
- Wattage:700 watts
- Finish:Stainless steel
- Additional Feature:Compact countertop design
- Additional Feature:700-watt power rating
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel exterior
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Is Considered A Midsize Microwave?
A midsize countertop microwave usually has 0.9 to 1.2 cubic feet of interior capacity and measures about 18 to 22 inches wide. Exact exterior dimensions vary, so use the listed measurements rather than relying on the category label. For most homes, this size offers a useful middle ground: enough room for a standard dinner plate without demanding the counter space of a large family-size model.
Is 1,000 Watts Enough For Everyday Cooking?
Yes, 1,000 watts is suitable for reheating meals, cooking vegetables, making baked potatoes, defrosting food, and preparing many packaged dishes. It provides a practical balance of speed and control for typical kitchen tasks. If a recipe lists a different wattage, adjust the cooking time as needed. A lower-wattage microwave may need more time, while a higher-wattage model can finish sooner.
Can A Midsize Microwave Fit A 12-Inch Plate?
Many can, but check the turntable diameter before buying. A 12-inch plate may fit on a turntable listed at 12 inches, though the plate shape and interior walls can still affect clearance. For reliable room, choose a model with a 12.5-inch or larger turntable, especially if you use wide dinnerware or large reheating containers.
Are Sensor Cooking Programs Worth Paying More For?
Sensor programs are useful if you often reheat leftovers or cook foods with changing moisture levels. Sensor reheat can reduce cold spots, while sensor cooking helps prevent common problems such as dried edges and overheated centers. They are not essential if you mainly use fixed cooking times, but a microwave with adjustable power levels remains worthwhile even without advanced sensors.
What Safety Features Should A Midsize Microwave Have?
Look for a child safety lock, a grounded power cord, clear ventilation requirements, and a door that closes firmly without sticking. The microwave should sit on a stable, level surface with the required clearance around its vents. Use only microwave-safe cookware, and avoid metal unless the manufacturer specifically identifies an approved accessory. Do not run the microwave empty, and keep the interior clean so food buildup does not interfere with normal operation.
