7 Best 700 Watt Microwave | Small Microwave Without Sacrifices

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The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM hits the sweet spot for a 700 watt microwave thanks to its mute function, which lets you silence the end-of-cycle beeps — a small feature that makes a huge difference in a dorm room or open-plan kitchen. Its two-step child lock complies with the latest UL safety standard, requiring two buttons pressed simultaneously rather than a single hidden key, so accidental activation is virtually eliminated.

Inside, the stainless steel cavity resists odor absorption and stains noticeably better than the painted steel found on some competitors at the same price. The ECO mode cuts standby power draw by about 50 percent, which is meaningful if the microwave stays plugged in 24/7. Preset buttons cover popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and reheat, and the defrost-by-weight and defrost-by-time modes give you flexibility depending on what you’re working with.

One-touch express cooking from 1 to 6 minutes plus the +30 seconds button make daily reheating frictionless. The mechanical turntable is glass, not hard plastic, and rotates smoothly without the scraping sound that cheaper rollers produce. For a mid-range 700 watt microwave that combines quiet operation, a clean stainless steel interior, and genuinely useful presets, this is the most well-rounded pick.

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Farberware’s 700 watt model stands apart with its full 10 power levels and multi-stage cooking capability, meaning you can program it to defrost on low power for several minutes then automatically switch to a higher power level for the finishing cook — all in a single cycle. That kind of programmability is rare at this wattage tier and matters most when you’re reheating dense leftovers like lasagna or frozen casseroles that benefit from a gentle start.

The touch control panel with a clear LED display shows the kitchen clock, timer, and remaining cook time. Six one-touch presets are mapped specifically for 700 watt output: popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and reheat. The defrost options let you choose by weight (enter the weight in pounds) or by time (set a duration), so you can work around whatever the package label says.

Measuring 17.3 inches wide and just over 10 inches tall, it fits neatly under upper cabinets without crowding. The child safety lock engages with a press-and-hold sequence on the touch panel, and the interior light lets you monitor food without breaking the cycle. Farberware has a long track record with countertop appliances, and this model’s stainless steel exterior resists fingerprints better than gloss white finishes.

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GE brings its brand reliability to the 700 watt compact segment with a white-and-black glass design that blends into any kitchen aesthetic. The two-step child lock meets the updated safety requirement, deactivating only when you press and hold the Stop and Start buttons together — a standard that all new models must meet, but GE implements cleanly without adding extra layers of confusing menu prompts.

Instant On express cooking lets you start at full power by pressing a numbered pad (1 through 6 minutes), while the +30 button adds time mid-cycle without stopping the turntable. Six auto cooking settings cover the basics, and the manual defrost function gives you control over both time and power level. The glass turntable is the rotating type — it spins continuously, not intermittently, which helps even out heating for bowl-shaped containers.

Interior lighting is clear enough to see through the door without opening, and the 39-inch power cord provides flexibility if your outlet is positioned awkwardly behind the counter. GE has a massive service network, so replacement parts (turntable, roller ring, fuse) are easier to source than for smaller brands. For a secondary microwave or a first unit for a young adult heading to college, the GE badge carries peace of mind that goes beyond the spec sheet.

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The Whirlpool WMCS3018RW distinguishes itself with a dedicated Steam Clean cycle — place a bowl of water inside, press the button, and the microwave generates steam that loosens baked-on splatters before you wipe them away. For a 700 watt compact unit that often ends up in shared or rental kitchens, this feature saves scrubbing time on the interior walls and ceiling.

The four Express Buttons give you quick access to common cooking times without scrolling through menus. Auto functions cover reheat, defrost, and keep warm — the keep warm setting runs at low power for up to 30 minutes, which is practical if you’re cooking in stages and need to hold a plate at serving temperature. The dishwasher-safe turntable plate removes easily and can go right into the dishwasher rack alongside dinner plates.

It’s worth noting that the interior cavity is lined with plastic. The Steam Clean cycle compensates somewhat by helping lift grease before it bakes on, but if you cook messy foods daily, a stainless steel cavity is still more forgiving over the long term. The white exterior is classic Whirlpool and matches other kitchen appliances from the same brand without being aggressively glossy.

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The Commercial Chef CHM7MS offers 10 power levels and 6 preset menus in a stainless steel body that feels denser than its price suggests. The push-button door release is a tactile improvement over the pull-handle mechanism found on cheaper 700 watt microwaves — it stays latched securely and opens with a clean click rather than a plastic-rubbing-against-plastic feel.

Preset menus include popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and reheat, plus separate time defrost and weight defrost modes. The express cook function (1-6 minutes) works as expected, and the digital LED display is large enough to read from across the kitchen counter. The 10-inch glass turntable is slightly smaller than the cavity itself, which is typical for this form factor, but it rotates evenly without catching on the edges.

At roughly 21 pounds, it’s heavier than some competitors — that mass actually helps damp vibration during operation, keeping the unit planted on the counter. The child lock engages with a three-second press of the Stop button, and the interior glass base is easy to wipe down. If you want a straightforward 700 watt microwave that doesn’t skimp on power level granularity and has a satisfying door action, this is a solid mid-range pick.

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Galanz’s retro microwave in Bebop Blue is the only unit in this roundup with a chrome pull-handle door and a curved retro silhouette that stands out on any countertop. But the vintage looks don’t come at the cost of build quality: the interior is lined with stainless steel, not painted metal, so it resists scratches and odors just as well as more expensive models. The 6 power levels cover all standard cooking needs, and the defrost function works by time or weight through the same simple button interface.

The LED display is easy to read even in low light, and the three-beep cycle completion signal is audible without being jarring. The child safety lock prevents unsupervised operation by requiring a specific button combination. A 360-degree rotating glass turntable ensures that food on the edges gets as much exposure as items in the center — a common weak point on microwaves with smaller turntables.

The pull-handle door is actually easier to open with one hand when you’re holding a hot bowl than a push-button mechanism, though the chrome finish shows fingerprints more readily than matte surfaces. If your kitchen leans toward mid-century or retro styling, this microwave delivers on aesthetics while still providing the same stainless steel durability you’d expect from a far more expensive unit.

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The Emerson MWR7020W brings 8 auto-cook menus to the budget tier — more presets than many mid-range 700 watt microwaves — and wraps them in a retro white body with a clean button interface. Presets cover popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, reheat, and more, making this a solid entry-level choice for a student or a minimalist kitchen that doesn’t need multi-stage programming.

The 5 power levels cover low, medium-low, medium, medium-high, and high, which is enough range for standard defrosting, gentle reheating, and full-power cooking. The LED display shows cooking time clearly, and the child safety lock activates with a press-and-hold of the Stop button. The glass turntable rotates on a three-roller ring that is easy to remove for cleaning.

This unit lacks some quality-of-life features found on pricier models — there is no mute button, no ECO mode, and the interior is painted steel rather than stainless steel. But for the price, the generous preset count and the reliable button controls make it a functional entry into the 700 watt category. If your budget is tight and you just need a microwave that consistently handles popcorn, leftovers, and frozen meals, the Emerson gets the job done without unnecessary complication.