A common mistake is treating every compact microwave as an undercounter model. Countertop and over-the-range units can look similar in a listing, but their installation requirements, clearances, and ventilation needs are different.
This comparison sorts the best undercounter Microwaves from nearby alternatives, so the category lines stay clear and useful. Keep reading for the practical details that separate a true drawer-style fit from a microwave that simply happens to be compact.
Key Takeaways
- Choose a microwave drawer for true undercounter installation, and confirm the required cabinet opening before purchase.
- Compare capacity in cubic feet with your dish sizes, since interior width often matters more than the headline capacity.
- Prioritize power of 1,000 watts or higher for faster reheating and more even everyday cooking.
- Check the listed installation type, because countertop and over-the-range models generally need different mounting, clearance, and ventilation arrangements.
- Match the finish and controls to your kitchen, while confirming that the door, display, and touch panel suit the available space.
| Best Overall Drawer |  |
GASLAND Microwave Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Undercounter-friendly drawer design | One-touch auto open | 1,000-watt cooking power | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Spacious Range Partner |  |
GE Over-Range Microwave, 1.6 Cu. Ft. | Generous cooking capacity | Stainless steel finish | Over-range installation | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Family Size Pick |  |
BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Large 1.7-cu.-ft. cavity | 1,000-watt output | Space-saving overhead format | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Flexible Countertop Choice |  |
TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Simple countertop placement | Practical 1.2-cu.-ft. size | 1,000-watt cooking power | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| High-Capacity Overhead |  |
Midea Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Roomy cooking chamber | Stainless steel exterior | Over-range space savings | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Programmable Drawer Control |  |
KoolMore Microwave Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Ten cooking power levels | Memory and timer functions | Flat-bottom drawer design | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Sensor Cooking Specialist |  |
Sharp Microwave Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Purpose-built undercounter design | Sensor cook technology | Touch control panel | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Stainless Countertop |  |
TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave, 1.2 Cu. Ft. | Stainless steel finish | Practical countertop design | 1,000-watt output | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Black Overhead Workhorse |  |
BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft. | Large interior capacity | 1,000-watt power | Space-saving overhead placement | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Compact Cooking Helper |  |
TOSHIBA Microwave, 0.9 Cu. Ft. | Compact 0.9-cu.-ft. size | Black stainless steel finish | 900-watt cooking power | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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GASLAND Microwave Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
The GASLAND is the strongest fit for an undercounter layout, pairing a 24-inch drawer design with a one-touch auto-open door. Its 1.2-cubic-foot interior and 1,000-watt output suit everyday reheating, defrosting, and smaller cooking tasks.
You will need compatible cabinetry and enough clearance for the drawer to open fully. The 1.2-cubic-foot capacity is practical, but it offers less room than many over-the-range models.
- Brand:GASLAND
- Type:Microwave Drawer
- Capacity:1.2 Cu. Ft.
- Power:1,000W
- Installation:Undercounter
- Additional Feature:One-touch auto open
- Additional Feature:24-inch width
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GE Over-Range Microwave, 1.6 Cu. Ft.
Choose the GE if you need a larger 1.6-cubic-foot cavity above the range, where the over-the-range format can help conserve counter space. Its 1,000-watt power provides a familiar level of everyday cooking performance for reheating and basic meal preparation.
This is not an undercounter microwave, so it suits a kitchen with an existing range hood opening rather than lower cabinetry. The stainless steel finish is practical, although the larger installation format requires more planning than a countertop unit.
- Brand:GE
- Type:Over-the-Range Microwave
- Capacity:1.6 Cu. Ft.
- Power:1,000W
- Finish:Stainless Steel
- Installation:Over-the-Range
- Additional Feature:30-inch width
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BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
The BLACK+DECKER gives you one of the roomier interiors in this roundup, with 1.7 cubic feet for larger dishes, serving bowls, and family-size portions. Its 1,000-watt output makes it a sensible match for routine reheating and cooking above a range.
The over-the-range design saves countertop space, but it does not provide the undercounter installation this roundup primarily targets. You will also need the appropriate overhead mounting location and ventilation setup.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Type:Over-the-Range Microwave
- Capacity:1.7 Cu. Ft.
- Power:1,000W
- Finish:Black
- Installation:Over-the-Range
- Additional Feature:30-inch over-range format
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TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
For a straightforward setup, the TOSHIBA countertop model keeps installation simple while providing a 1.2-cubic-foot interior and 1,000 watts of power. It fits everyday tasks such as warming leftovers, defrosting ingredients, and preparing smaller dishes.
Its countertop format is flexible, but it does not create the built-in appearance or cabinet integration of a microwave drawer. You will also need to reserve adequate counter space around the unit for safe operation.
- Brand:TOSHIBA
- Type:Countertop Microwave
- Capacity:1.2 Cu. Ft.
- Power:1,000W
- Finish:Black
- Installation:Countertop
- Additional Feature:Black exterior
-
Midea Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
The Midea is suited to kitchens that prioritize a large 1.7-cubic-foot capacity above the cooking surface. With 1,000 watts, it has the core power level needed for routine reheating, defrosting, and microwave cooking.
Its stainless steel finish works well with many appliance packages, while the over-the-range configuration frees the counter below. Still, it is not an undercounter model, and installation depends on having the right upper-cabinet and range area.
- Brand:Midea
- Type:Over-the-Range Microwave
- Capacity:1.7 Cu. Ft.
- Power:1,000W
- Finish:Stainless Steel
- Installation:Over-the-Range
- Additional Feature:Over-range mounting format
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KoolMore Microwave Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
The KoolMore targets built-in kitchen layouts with a 24-inch microwave drawer and a flat-bottom design suited to wall-mounted installation. Its 10 custom cooking levels, memory function, and timer give you more control than a basic microwave with only preset operation.
A 1.2-cubic-foot cavity handles standard plates and bowls, but it may feel tight for oversized cookware. Installation also requires careful cabinet planning, because a drawer needs unobstructed front clearance rather than a simple countertop footprint.
- Brand:KoolMore
- Type:Microwave Drawer
- Capacity:1.2 Cu. Ft.
- Power:1,000W
- Finish:Stainless Steel
- Installation:Wall-Mounted
- Additional Feature:10 custom cooking levels
- Additional Feature:Memory function
- Additional Feature:Timer function
-
Sharp Microwave Drawer, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
The Sharp is built specifically for an undercounter arrangement, combining a 24-inch microwave drawer with sensor cook technology. Sensor cooking can help adjust heating based on food moisture, while the touch control panel keeps the front clean and easy to organize.
Its 1.2-cubic-foot capacity is well suited to everyday dishes, though it leaves less room for large casserole pans. The built-in drawer format also demands accurate cabinet dimensions and professional-quality installation planning.
- Brand:Sharp
- Type:Built-In Microwave Drawer
- Capacity:1.2 Cu. Ft.
- Finish:Stainless Steel
- Installation:Undercounter
- Additional Feature:Sensor cooking
- Additional Feature:Touch controls
- Additional Feature:24-inch width
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TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave, 1.2 Cu. Ft.
This stainless steel TOSHIBA offers a 1.2-cubic-foot cooking area and 1,000 watts of power, making it a balanced choice for common kitchen tasks. The countertop format lets you place it without committing to cabinet alterations or overhead mounting.
The tradeoff is straightforward: countertop convenience comes at the expense of built-in integration. It also occupies valuable work-surface space, which can matter in compact kitchens where every inch has a job.
- Brand:TOSHIBA
- Type:Countertop Microwave
- Capacity:1.2 Cu. Ft.
- Power:1,000W
- Finish:Stainless Steel
- Installation:Countertop
- Additional Feature:Stainless steel exterior
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BLACK+DECKER Over-Range Microwave, 1.7 Cu. Ft.
With 1.7 cubic feet of capacity, this BLACK+DECKER model gives you generous room for family-size dishes while keeping the microwave above the range. Its 1,000-watt rating covers the everyday jobs most households expect from an over-range unit.
The overhead format can preserve counter space, but it is not suitable for an undercounter cabinet opening. The title does not specify a finish, so verify the exact exterior color before coordinating it with other appliances.
- Brand:BLACK+DECKER
- Type:Over-the-Range Microwave
- Capacity:1.7 Cu. Ft.
- Power:1,000W
- Installation:Over-the-Range
- Additional Feature:30-inch over-range format
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TOSHIBA Microwave, 0.9 Cu. Ft.
The compact TOSHIBA is a sensible fit for kitchens, offices, or apartments that need a smaller footprint, with 0.9 cubic feet of capacity and 900 watts of power. Its black stainless steel finish adds a more polished look than a basic black exterior.
That smaller cavity works best for mugs, plates, and modest portions, not large cookware. As a countertop microwave, it also needs dedicated work-surface space and does not provide an undercounter installation.
- Brand:TOSHIBA
- Type:Countertop Microwave
- Capacity:0.9 Cu. Ft.
- Power:900W
- Finish:Black Stainless Steel
- Installation:Countertop
- Additional Feature:Compact countertop format
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Any Microwave Be Installed Under A Counter?
No. A countertop microwave generally needs open airflow and is not automatically approved for enclosed installation. Choose a model listed for built-in or undercounter use, and follow its required clearances. Check the installation manual for ventilation, electrical, and support requirements before cutting cabinetry. If the product requires a trim kit, use the matching kit rather than improvising with decorative panels.
Are Microwave Drawers Better Than Built-In Models?
Microwave drawers can offer easier access, a cleaner front profile, and convenient top-down loading for heavy dishes. They also avoid the side-swing clearance required by many hinged-door models. Built-in microwaves may cost less and offer more familiar controls, but they need adequate door clearance and can be awkward to reach when installed low. The better choice depends on cabinet layout, budget, and how you use the microwave most often.
What Size Undercounter Microwave Should I Buy?
Match the appliance to both the cabinet cutout and the dishes you use regularly. Around 1.0 to 1.2 cubic feet works for many kitchens, while larger families may prefer more interior width or a rectangular cooking area. Measure your largest microwave-safe plate, casserole dish, or travel mug, then check the published interior dimensions. Exterior measurements alone can be misleading because insulation, motors, and ventilation hardware reduce usable space.
Does An Undercounter Microwave Need Its Own Circuit?
Electrical requirements vary, so review the installation guide before purchase. Many units require a grounded 120-volt outlet, while some higher-powered models may call for a dedicated circuit. Avoid using an extension cord or power strip unless the manufacturer specifically permits it. A licensed electrician can confirm circuit capacity and outlet placement, especially during a kitchen remodel.
How Much Does Installation Usually Cost?
A straightforward replacement may cost about $150 to $400, while new electrical work, cabinet changes, ducting, or a custom trim installation can push the total above $1,000. Microwave drawers often cost more to install because they require precise support and cutout dimensions. Request an installation estimate before ordering. Confirm whether the quote includes trim kits, disposal of the old appliance, cabinet modifications, and electrical changes, since those extras rarely appear in the appliance’s advertised price.
