Breville Compact WaveBest overall- Capacity
- 25L (compact)
- Door
- Soft close, 80% quieter
- Safety
- Child lock, mute button
- Menus
- Reheat, defrost, popcorn, beverage, food menu
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonThe Best Microwaves
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The microwave is the appliance you touch most days and think about least, until the popcorn burns or the leftovers come out frozen in the middle. A good one is simple: it heats evenly, fits your counter and doesn't make you read a manual.
Our top pick is the Breville Compact Wave Soft Close, a quiet, easy-to-use model that expert testers rated highest. If you want something cheaper that still cooks well, the Toshiba 0.9 cu. ft. is the one to get. The rest cover bigger families, sensor cooking and tight budgets.
The rundown
1 Breville Compact Wave | 2 Toshiba 0.9 cu. ft. | 3 Toshiba Smart Sensor 1.2 | 4 Toshiba Smart Sensor 2.2 | 5 Chefman 0.7 cu. ft. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best budget | Best with sensor cooking | Best for big families | Cheapest compact pick |
| Capacity | 25L (compact) | 0.9 cu. ft. | 1.2 cu. ft. | 2.2 cu. ft. | 0.7 cu. ft. |
| Power | Not listed | 900W | 1000W | 1200W | 700W |
| Turntable | Not listed | 10.6 inch | 12.4 inch | 16.5 inch | Not listed |
| Size (WxDxH) | Not listed | 18.7 x 13.3 x 10.7 in | 20.6 x 14.6 x 11.8 in | 24.4 x 18.2 x 13.6 in | Not listed |
| Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
Breville Compact WaveBest overall
Toshiba 0.9 cu. ft.Best budget- Capacity
- 0.9 cu. ft.
- Power
- 900W
- Turntable
- 10.6 inch
- Size (WxDxH)
- 18.7 x 13.3 x 10.7 in
Toshiba Smart Sensor 1.2Best with sensor cooking- Capacity
- 1.2 cu. ft.
- Power
- 1000W
- Turntable
- 12.4 inch
- Size (WxDxH)
- 20.6 x 14.6 x 11.8 in
Toshiba Smart Sensor 2.2Best for big families- Capacity
- 2.2 cu. ft.
- Power
- 1200W
- Turntable
- 16.5 inch
- Size (WxDxH)
- 24.4 x 18.2 x 13.6 in
Chefman 0.7 cu. ft.Cheapest compact pick- Capacity
- 0.7 cu. ft.
- Power
- 700W
- Power levels
- 10
- Presets
- 6 one-touch
1Best overall
Breville Compact Wave
A quiet, simple microwave with great cooking results, for anyone who wants a nicer everyday model.
- Capacity
- 25L (compact)
- Door
- Soft close, 80% quieter
- Safety
- Child lock, mute button
- Menus
- Reheat, defrost, popcorn, beverage, food menu
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonPrices and availability on Amazon change often.
Why we picked the Breville Compact Wave Soft Close
The Breville Compact Wave Soft Close is the microwave we'd pick for most kitchens, thanks to great results and an easy, quiet design.
What we like
Reviewers report excellent cooking and reheating, and the one-touch controls keep things simple. The soft-close door is 80% quieter, there's a mute button, and the brushed finish resists fingerprints. Menus cover reheat, defrost, popcorn and beverage, and a child lock is built in. Owners on r/Cooking report that the Breville is a simple unit that performs well for its purpose.
Worth knowing
The price is the catch, since it costs a lot more than similar-sized microwaves. At 25L it's also a compact model, so larger households may want more room.
If it's not for you, the Toshiba 0.9 cu. ft. 900W is the best budget pick, while the Toshiba 2.2 cu. ft. 1200W Smart Sensor suits big families who need the room.
2Best budget
Toshiba 0.9 cu. ft.
- Capacity
- 0.9 cu. ft.
- Power
- 900W
- Turntable
- 10.6 inch
- Size (WxDxH)
- 18.7 x 13.3 x 10.7 in
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Consistent, quick results
- Compact size fits apartments
- 6 auto menus and 11 power levels
- Two-step child lock and mute
Cons
- Fewer extras than premium models
- Small 10.6 inch turntable
Read our full take
Why we like it
This Toshiba has fewer bells and whistles than our winner, but it heats food quickly and evenly, and that's what most people want. At about 0.9 cubic feet it sits in the size range experts call plenty for everyday cooking.
It has useful basics: six preset menus, eleven power levels, a mute function and a two-step child lock. It suits dorms, apartments and small kitchens.
3Best with sensor cooking
Toshiba Smart Sensor 1.2
A mid-size model with a humidity sensor that adjusts time and power for you.
- Capacity
- 1.2 cu. ft.
- Power
- 1000W
- Turntable
- 12.4 inch
- Size (WxDxH)
- 20.6 x 14.6 x 11.8 in
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Humidity sensor adjusts cooking automatically
- 1000W power and a 12.4 inch turntable
- ECO mode and mute function
- Easy-clean interior
Cons
- Takes up more counter space
- Costs more than basic 900W models
Read our full take
Why we like it
Expert buying guides call a sensor invaluable, because the microwave measures steam and stops when the food is done, so you guess less. This Toshiba has one, plus 1000 watts and a roomy 12.4 inch turntable.
It's a good step up if you reheat plates and cook veggies or potatoes often. Check the 20.6 inch width against your counter first.
4Best for big families
Toshiba Smart Sensor 2.2
A large microwave that fits a 16 inch pizza or a whole chicken.
- Capacity
- 2.2 cu. ft.
- Power
- 1200W
- Turntable
- 16.5 inch
- Size (WxDxH)
- 24.4 x 18.2 x 13.6 in
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Fits a 16 inch pizza or a whole chicken
- Smart humidity sensor
- Auto defrost for meat, poultry and fish
- ECO mode and child lock
Cons
- Very wide, needs lots of counter space
- Higher wattage may need shorter cook times
Read our full take
Why we like it
If you cook for a crowd or heat big dishes, the extra room here matters. The 16.5 inch turntable takes large platters, and the defrost programs cover meat, poultry and fish.
Measure your counter first. At over two feet wide it's the biggest microwave in this guide, and with higher power you may need to cut cook times below package directions.
5Cheapest compact pick
Chefman 0.7 cu. ft.
A small, low-cost microwave for a dorm, office or tight corner.
- Capacity
- 0.7 cu. ft.
- Power
- 700W
- Power levels
- 10
- Presets
- 6 one-touch
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Lowest price in this guide
- 6 presets and +30 seconds button
- Mute button and child safety lock
- Compact black design
Cons
- Lower 700W power cooks slower
- Small interior limits dish size
Read our full take
Why we like it
This is the one for a dorm room, office kitchen or spare space. It covers the basics, with six presets, ten power levels and a +30 seconds button, in a small black body.
With 700 watts it will take longer than the others, and big plates may not fit. For simple reheating and popcorn it does the job.
FAQ
What should you look for in a microwave?
- Size: about 0.9 to 1.0 cubic feet is enough for most households, but check the outside dimensions against your counter.
- Sensor: it measures steam and stops cooking when food is done.
- Simple controls: you shouldn't need the manual.
- Power: a 100 watt difference matters little. With higher wattage, cook for less time than package directions.
Who should skip a countertop model?
If your counter is tight, an over-the-range microwave frees up space, but it costs more, may need an electrician to install, and won't vent like a range hood.
Which microwave brand is the most reliable?
We don't have failure-rate data to name one brand. Expert testers favored the Breville and, for value, the Toshiba. Pick a model with simple controls and a good warranty.
What are the best microwaves?
Reviewers rate the Breville Compact Wave Soft Close and the Toshiba 0.9 cu. ft. highly. Both are in our picks.
Is a microwave air fryer combo worth it?
Our research doesn't cover combo units. Some countertop microwaves have a convection mode that bakes or roasts, but check reviews for a specific model before paying extra.
What size microwave do I need?
About 0.9 to 1.0 cubic feet is adequate unless you routinely cook large amounts. Listed capacity is often overstated, so check the outside dimensions as well.
Is a microwave worth buying, and is it good for health?
For reheating, defrosting and quick cooking, yes. We don't give health advice; ask a doctor if you have a specific concern.
Why trust BullseyeBuy
How we made this guide
- 2 expert reviews read
- 10 microwaves compared
- 10 listings checked
This shortlist is built from ten countertop microwaves that are in stock right now. We compared size, wattage, controls and safety features on each listing, and weighed them against what expert buying guides say matters most: usable space, simple controls and a sensor.
Our expert team tests products when it is needed and researches online and in interviews. Every guide is fact-checked and edited by a real person.
The BullseyeBuy editorial team · Updated Oct 23, 2026
Checking our work: 6 sources
How we pickEditorial standardsAffiliate disclosureReport a mistake
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