6 Best Microwave under $150 (November 2026)

Shopping for a microwave under 150 dollars is mostly a matter of two numbers: cubic feet and watts. A 0.7 cubic foot, 700 watt model is the compact tier that fits a dorm shelf or a crowded counter. A 1.1 to 1.2 cubic foot, 1000 watt model is the family tier that can fit a dinner plate and heat leftovers evenly. Almost everything else on the spec sheet, from preset buttons to eco modes, is a convenience layer on top of those two choices, and the wrong size is the mistake buyers regret most.

This guide is for people replacing a tired microwave, furnishing a first apartment, or adding a second unit to an office kitchen. It reads each listing as written, notes where a title is cut off, and explains which features save effort and which are decoration. Measure your counter and your biggest plate before you commit. If you are comparing models in 2026, the sub-150 tier has largely standardized on child locks and mute buttons, so the interesting differences are capacity, power, and turntable size.

BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Stainless Steel | Digital Controls, Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 10 Power Levels, Removable Turntable

Chosen because it specifies 0.7 Cu.Ft and 700W.

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TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu.Ft, 1000W, Black | 12.4" Removable Turntable, Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus, Mute Function, ECO Mode, Easy Clean Interior

Chosen because it specifies 1.2 Cu.Ft and 1000W.

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Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.9 Cu. Ft., 900 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button - Black

Chosen because it specifies 900 Watts with 10 Power Levels and 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook.

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Farberware Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 cu.ft.1000 Watts, Stainless steel | 10 Power Levels With Multi-Stage Cooking,6 Preset Options,Defrost By Weight Or Time,LED Display,Express Cooking

Chosen because it specifies Stainless steel and 10 Power Levels With Multi-Stage Cooking.

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TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu.Ft, 1000W, Stainless Steel | Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus, Mute Function, ECO Mode, Easy Clean Interior

Chosen because it specifies 1.2 Cu.Ft and 1000W.

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Quick Picks

How to Choose

Capacity and turntable size

Capacity in cubic feet sets what fits. At 0.7, a standard dinner plate can be tight, so test your biggest dish. At 1.1 to 1.2, there is room for a casserole dish, a tall mug, or a larger plate. The turntable diameter matters more than the headline capacity for everyday use, since a 12-inch or larger plate allows food to rotate evenly without bumping into the walls. Also check the outside dimensions, because a microwave needs breathing room around it, and a model that barely fits the shelf will run hot and loud.

Wattage and what it means

Wattage drives heating speed. A 700 watt unit takes noticeably longer than a 1000 watt unit for the same task, which means you will often add time for frozen meals. Package directions are written for 1000 watt ovens, so owners of lower-wattage units usually add a minute or two and stir halfway through to avoid cold spots. If you mostly reheat coffee and cook popcorn, 700 watts is fine. If you cook frozen entrees, steam vegetables, or cook potatoes, aim for 1000.

Controls and presets

Ten power levels and a handful of auto presets cover most needs. Look for a defrost-by-weight function if you thaw meat, a child lock if kids are around, and a mute option for late-night use. A humidity sensor, as listed on some Toshiba models, adjusts cooking time automatically for foods that release steam, which cuts guesswork.

Where budget models cut corners

Expect basic interiors, a simple door latch, and a loud beep. Ignore wattage numbers that look too high for the size, and check that the stated capacity matches the real cavity. Compact models rarely include convection, grilling, or air-frying features, so avoid paying for combination claims unless the product title spells them out. Door latches and the glass plate are the parts most likely to disappoint over time, so handle them gently.

The 6 Best Options

Chefman 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave

The compact Chefman packs 700 watts, 10 power levels, six cooking presets with one-touch express cook, a child safety lock, and a mute function (the title is cut off after that). One-touch express cook is aimed at quick tasks like popcorn and beverages. It suits a studio apartment, a guest room, or a dorm.

• Strength: one-touch express cook and six presets reduce button pressing.
• Strength: a child safety lock and mute function are useful in shared spaces and at night.
• Trade-off: 700 watts and 0.7 cubic feet limit plate size and make frozen dinners slower.

Skip it if you cook for more than one or two people or need to fit a large dinner plate. Measure the widest dish you reheat before ordering, because a 0.7 cubic foot cavity is where most returns for size begin.

BLACK+DECKER 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave, 700W, Stainless Steel

Digital controls, a push-button door, and a child safety lock make this stainless model a familiar, no-surprises compact. The title lists 10 power levels and one more feature that is cut off, so confirm the rest on the listing. It targets small households that want something simple and easy to understand, with controls that need no manual.

• Strength: the stainless finish suits kitchens with other metal appliances and wipes down easily.
• Strength: push-button door opening is easy for anyone with limited grip, and it avoids a pull handle that catches on cabinets.
• Trade-off: it shares the same compact capacity and 700 watt limit as other small models, so frozen dinners take longer.

Skip it if you reheat large portions often or want a humidity sensor. Households that put a premium on speed will be happier with a 1000 watt model, even at a larger footprint.

TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave, 1000W, Black

This is the largest and most feature-rich option in the group. The listing mentions 1.2 cubic feet, 1000 watts, a 12.4-inch removable turntable, a smart humidity sensor, 12 auto menus, mute, and eco mode. The sensor and auto menus mean fewer decisions for frozen entrees, rice, and vegetables.

• Strength: a 12.4-inch turntable fits full dinner plates and larger dishes without crowding the walls.
• Strength: the humidity sensor and 12 auto menus automate common reheating jobs, which helps anyone who dislikes guessing times.
• Trade-off: the larger cabinet needs more counter space and a stable outlet, and it is overkill for tea and snacks.

Skip it if your counter is narrow or you only heat drinks and snacks. The same model is also listed in stainless steel, so pick the finish that matches your kitchen after confirming the details.

Chefman 0.9 Cu. Ft. Microwave, 900 Watts

The middle size in the Chefman family, this unit offers 900 watts, 10 power levels, six presets with one-touch express cook, an eco mode, and a child safety lock. It is for shoppers who find 0.7 cubic feet too tight but do not want a full-size footprint. Eco mode is aimed at lowering standby power draw.

• Strength: 900 watts speeds up frozen meals compared with the 700 watt versions.
• Strength: eco mode and child lock are both listed.
• Trade-off: it sits between sizes, so it may fit neither the smallest counter nor the largest plate comfortably.

Skip it if you want the highest wattage or a sensor-based cooking system. Shoppers who regularly reheat full plates should test their dinnerware against the stated 0.9 cubic foot size, since it is only modestly larger than the compact tier.

Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Microwave, 1000 Watts, Stainless Steel

Farberware lists 1.1 cubic feet, 1000 watts, 10 power levels with multi-stage cooking, six presets, and defrost by weight (the title is cut off, so confirm the extras). Multi-stage cooking allows a defrost step followed by a cook step in one sequence. The stainless finish gives it an upscale look.

• Strength: multi-stage cooking handles defrost-then-cook without extra button presses.
• Strength: 1000 watts and 1.1 cubic feet suit family reheating.
• Trade-off: the title does not mention a humidity sensor, so cooking times remain manual.

Skip it if you want automatic sensor cooking or a very compact body. Multi-stage cooking is a quiet convenience for batch cooks, but it only pays off if you will take the time to learn the sequence once and then reuse it.

COMFEE’ 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave, 700W, Black

Aimed at dorms, apartments, and offices, this black unit lists 700 watts, ECO mode, a sound on/off option, one-touch buttons, and a child safety lock. The one-touch buttons simplify the most common jobs. The sound switch is practical for shared spaces and late snacks, such as a break room or a dorm hallway kitchen.

• Strength: sound on/off keeps the kitchen quiet during late-night use, so no one wakes up to a beeping oven.
• Strength: ECO mode and one-touch buttons suit minimal use and make the controls obvious to guests.
• Trade-off: 700 watts and 0.7 cubic feet limit larger meals, and the cavity fits only modest plates.

Skip it if you cook full meals in the microwave on a daily basis. People who rely on it as a main cooking tool will want the extra power and the room of a bigger model.

Which One Fits Your Situation

You live in a dorm or studio

The COMFEE’ 0.7 cubic foot unit, with its sound on/off control and compact size, fits shared spaces and limited counters. The mute option is the quiet winner when roommates sleep at different hours, and the compact body slides onto a mini-fridge top without drama.

You cook for a family

The TOSHIBA 1.2 cubic foot model is the natural fit, thanks to the larger turntable, 1000 watts, and humidity sensor. In a busy household where several people reheat dinner at different times, automatic menus save arguments about how long a plate should run.

You like stainless steel

Choose the Farberware 1.1 cubic foot or the BLACK+DECKER 0.7 cubic foot, depending on how much space you have. The Farberware also lists defrost by weight and multi-stage cooking, which suit people who thaw meat and then cook it in one sequence.

You want a middle ground

The Chefman 0.9 cubic foot is the compromise, with 900 watts and a moderate footprint.

Common Mistakes

• Not measuring the counter or the largest plate before buying.
• Assuming all microwaves with the same capacity heat equally; wattage matters.
• Placing the unit without space for ventilation on the sides and top.
• Using metal containers or foil that can spark inside the cavity.
• Paying for a long list of presets when you only use the timer and a couple of buttons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 700 watts enough?

It is enough for reheating drinks and snacks, and it can handle frozen meals if you add time. A 900 or 1000 watt model is quicker and more even for larger portions.

What does a humidity sensor do?

It detects steam released by the food and adjusts cooking time. It helps with vegetables, rice, and frozen meals where manual time is a guess. The trade-off is that you must trust the sensor, so keep the interior and the door seal clean, because steam and splatter can interfere.

Can I put a microwave in a cabinet?

Only if the manufacturer says it is designed for it. Countertop models need airflow around the vents, so follow the clearance guidelines in the manual.

Is a bigger microwave always better?

No. A bigger cavity takes more counter space and can heat small portions less efficiently. Choose the size that matches your plates and your counter. A household of one or two that only reheats leftovers rarely benefits from the biggest cavity, while a family that cooks frozen entrees every night usually does.