Steam fogs the cabinet glass as you slide a hot bowl onto the counter, then reach below for the next dish. An under-counter microwave keeps that traffic moving while preserving worktop space, but the right format depends on your kitchen and daily cooking habits.
This roundup of the best under counter Microwaves compares drawers, built-in units, countertop models, and over-the-range designs. Keep reading to sort capacity, power, and fit before choosing.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize installation type and cabinet clearances first, because drawers, built-in, countertop, and over-the-range microwaves require different spaces.
- Compare capacity with your cookware, since interior cubic feet matter less than whether your largest dish fits comfortably.
- Check wattage for faster heating, but remember sensor programs and turntable design also affect everyday results.
- Measure width, depth, and height before ordering, including drawer clearance and ventilation space.
- Match the finish and controls to your kitchen, then confirm electrical requirements and trim-kit compatibility for built-in placement.
| Flexible Countertop Pick |  |
Toshiba Countertop Microwave, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | 1000W cooking power | Practical 1.2-cu.-ft. size | Simple countertop placement | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Sensor Drawer Specialist |  |
Sharp Built-In Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Built-in drawer configuration | Sensor cook technology | Accessible touch controls | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Compact Range Companion |  |
Midea Over-Range Microwave, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Saves countertop space | 1000W cooking power | Stainless steel exterior | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Family Size Workhorse |  |
GE Over-Range Microwave, 1.6 Cu. Ft. | Larger 1.6-cu.-ft. capacity | Standard 30-inch format | 1000W cooking power | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Roomiest Range Mount |  |
Midea Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Roomy 1.7-cu.-ft. interior | 1000W cooking power | Frees countertop space | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| RV-Focused Fit |  |
RecPro RV Microwave, 1.0 Cu. Ft. | RV-oriented design | Included trim kit | Compact 1.0-cu.-ft. capacity | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Spacious Overhead Option |  |
BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Spacious 1.7-cu.-ft. capacity | Over-range installation | Keeps counters clear | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Trimmed Cabinet Integration |  |
Summit Built-In Microwave, 24-Inch | 24-inch built-in format | Included trim kit | Stainless steel finish | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Premium Drawer Layout |  |
Sharp Built-In Drawer, 24-Inch | Convenient microwave drawer | 24-inch built-in format | Under-counter placement | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Streamlined Drawer Choice |  |
Haven Coll Built-In Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Built-in drawer design | Stainless steel finish | Under-counter placement | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
-
Toshiba Countertop Microwave, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
The Toshiba suits kitchens that need a compact countertop microwave without committing to permanent cabinetry work. Its 1.2-cubic-foot capacity and 1000-watt output provide a practical middle ground for reheating meals, warming drinks, and handling everyday dishes.
Its black finish works well with darker appliances, while the countertop format keeps installation simple. The limitation is clear: it is not an under-counter or built-in model, so it will occupy valuable work surface and may not suit a streamlined cabinet layout.
- Brand:Toshiba
- Style:Countertop
- Capacity:1.2 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1000W
- Material:Black finish
- Installation:Countertop
- Additional Feature:Black exterior
- Additional Feature:1000W cooking power
- Additional Feature:1.2-cu.-ft. interior
-
Sharp Built-In Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
Choose this Sharp if you want a true under-counter drawer design with a built-in appearance. The touch control panel keeps operation accessible, while sensor cooking can adjust cooking performance based on the food rather than relying only on manual time settings.
The stainless steel finish fits many modern kitchen plans, and the 1.2-cubic-foot capacity works for standard plates and bowls. Its main limitation is installation complexity, since the built-in drawer format calls for suitable cabinetry, electrical planning, and careful fitment.
- Brand:Sharp
- Style:Built-in drawer
- Capacity:1.2 cu. ft.
- Material:Stainless steel
- Installation:Under-counter
- Additional Feature:Sensor cooking
- Additional Feature:Touch control panel
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel finish
-
Midea Over-Range Microwave, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
This Midea is aimed at kitchens that prefer over-the-range placement instead of using counter or cabinet space. Its 1.2-cubic-foot capacity keeps the footprint relatively compact, while 1000 watts provide suitable power for routine reheating and cooking tasks.
The stainless steel finish pairs naturally with many range hoods and cooking appliances. Still, it is not a conventional under-counter microwave, and installation above a range requires proper mounting, ventilation planning, and enough clearance.
- Brand:Midea
- Style:Over-the-range
- Capacity:1.2 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1000W
- Material:Stainless steel
- Installation:Over the range
- Additional Feature:1000W cooking power
- Additional Feature:Range-mounted format
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel finish
-
GE Over-Range Microwave, 1.6 Cu. Ft.
With a 1.6-cubic-foot interior, this GE gives you more room than the smaller models in this group, making it a practical choice for family meals, larger plates, and wider cookware. Its 1000-watt output supports everyday reheating and cooking without requiring a countertop footprint.
The 30-inch format is suited to standard over-the-range kitchen layouts, and the stainless steel finish has a familiar appliance look. The tradeoff is that the larger installation format needs accurate cabinet and range alignment, so it is not a quick under-counter swap.
- Brand:GE
- Style:Over-the-range
- Capacity:1.6 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1000W
- Material:Stainless steel
- Installation:Over the range
- Additional Feature:30-inch format
- Additional Feature:1000W cooking power
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel finish
-
Midea Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
The larger 1.7-cubic-foot capacity makes this Midea a strong match for households that regularly heat wide plates, family-size portions, or several items in succession. Its 1000-watt power handles standard microwave work, while the over-the-range design preserves counter space.
Stainless steel gives the unit a coordinated look beside many ranges and hoods. However, the larger interior does not make it an under-counter model, and overhead installation can be demanding if the kitchen lacks the required support or clearance.
- Brand:Midea
- Style:Over-the-range
- Capacity:1.7 cu. ft.
- Wattage:1000W
- Material:Stainless steel
- Installation:Over the range
- Additional Feature:1000W cooking power
- Additional Feature:Over-range placement
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel finish
-
RecPro RV Microwave, 1.0 Cu. Ft.
RecPro targets compact installations where every inch matters, particularly RV kitchens and other small cooking areas. The included trim kit helps create a more finished built-in appearance, while the 1.0-cubic-foot capacity keeps the appliance suited to limited cabinetry.
Its stainless steel finish supports a coordinated compact-kitchen setup, but the smaller interior will restrict oversized dishes and larger cookware. It is also a specialized RV-oriented option, so cabinet dimensions, power requirements, and trim-kit fit should receive close attention before installation.
- Brand:RecPro
- Style:RV microwave
- Capacity:1.0 cu. ft.
- Material:Stainless steel
- Installation:Trim-kit installation
- Additional Feature:Included trim kit
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel finish
- Additional Feature:Compact interior
-
BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
This BLACK+DECKER model gives you a generous 1.7-cubic-foot interior, useful for family kitchens that need room for larger plates and serving bowls. Its over-the-range design keeps the worktop clear, making it a practical alternative to a countertop microwave.
The format is best suited to a coordinated range installation rather than an under-counter cabinet. Since the listed information does not specify wattage or added cooking functions, you should confirm those details and the required installation dimensions before making a final selection.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Style:Over-the-range
- Capacity:1.7 cu. ft.
- Installation:Over the range
- Additional Feature:Spacious cooking cavity
- Additional Feature:Range-mounted format
- Additional Feature:Countertop-saving placement
-
Summit Built-In Microwave, 24-Inch
Summit is designed for a 24-inch built-in opening, making it a sensible fit for compact kitchens that need a finished cabinet installation. The included trim kit helps frame the microwave cleanly, while the stainless steel exterior supports a coordinated appliance layout.
This approach preserves counter space and creates a more integrated appearance than a freestanding unit. The limitation is that built-in installation depends on exact cabinet dimensions, electrical access, and careful trim alignment, so it requires more planning than countertop placement.
- Brand:Summit
- Style:Built-in
- Material:Stainless steel
- Installation:Built-in with trim kit
- Additional Feature:24-inch design
- Additional Feature:Included trim kit
- Additional Feature:Cabinet-integrated placement
-
Sharp Built-In Drawer, 24-Inch
The Sharp SMD2470ASY is built for kitchens that want a 24-inch microwave drawer positioned below the counter. Its drawer configuration makes loading easier from a lower height and keeps the cooking appliance out of the main work area.
The 1.2-cubic-foot capacity suits everyday dishes without demanding a larger cabinet opening. As with most drawer models, the honest drawback is installation: cabinet preparation, electrical placement, and precise clearances matter far more than they do with a countertop unit.
- Brand:Sharp
- Style:Built-in drawer
- Capacity:1.2 cu. ft.
- Installation:Under-counter
- Additional Feature:24-inch width
- Additional Feature:Drawer-style access
- Additional Feature:Built-in cabinet placement
-
Haven Coll Built-In Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
This Haven Coll model fits shoppers seeking a built-in microwave drawer with a 1.2-cubic-foot interior and stainless steel finish. Its under-counter format keeps the upper cooking area open, which can make a compact kitchen feel less crowded.
The drawer layout also provides straightforward access for loading dishes below the worktop. Because the available listing details do not identify specific controls or cooking programs, confirm those functions, along with cabinet cutout dimensions, before installation.
- Brand:Haven Coll
- Style:Built-in drawer
- Capacity:1.2 cu. ft.
- Material:Stainless steel
- Installation:Under-counter
- Additional Feature:Drawer-style opening
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel exterior
- Additional Feature:Built-in cabinet format
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Any Countertop Microwave Go Under A Counter?
No. Use a countertop model under a counter only when the manufacturer specifically approves that placement and provides clear ventilation instructions. Many countertop microwaves need open space around their vents, so enclosing one can create a heat buildup and safety problem. Choose a model designed for built-in or under-counter installation instead. Its airflow path, mounting method, and cabinet clearances are designed for that setting.
Are Microwave Drawers Worth The Extra Cost?
A microwave drawer can be worthwhile if you want easier access, a cleaner cabinet layout, or a unit that opens without a side-swing door. It is especially practical beneath an island or counter where a traditional door could interfere with nearby cabinets. The higher price usually reflects the drawer mechanism, installation hardware, and specialized design. Measure carefully, because drawer models often have strict opening dimensions and may require professional installation.
What Size Microwave Fits Under A Counter?
There is no universal under-counter size. Many models are about 24 to 30 inches wide, but the required opening height, depth, and ventilation space vary by brand and installation type. Measure the cabinet opening in several places, then compare those measurements with the manufacturer’s cutout dimensions, not just the product dimensions. Also verify clearance for the door, drawer, handle, and nearby appliances.
Do Under-Counter Microwaves Need A Dedicated Circuit?
Some do, and the installation manual provides the final answer. Many units use a standard 120-volt connection, but the circuit amperage and outlet location can differ, particularly in a kitchen with several high-power appliances. Ask a qualified electrician to review the circuit before installation if the instructions call for a dedicated line or if the existing outlet is difficult to access. Avoid extension cords and power strips, which are generally unsuitable for permanent appliance installation.
How Do You Clean A Microwave Installed Below The Counter?
Wipe spills promptly with a soft cloth and mild dish soap, paying attention to the drawer track, door seal, keypad, and interior ceiling. A microwave-safe bowl of water heated for several minutes can loosen dried food, after which the softened residue wipes away more easily. Keep liquids away from vents and electrical controls, and do not use abrasive cleaners on stainless steel or touch panels. For drawer models, remove crumbs from the track regularly so the drawer closes fully and the safety interlock can engage properly.
