The Best Low Wattage Microwaves To Buy
Are you in Australia? Check out our list of low watt microwaves in Australia.
Are you in the UK? Check out our list of low watt microwaves in the UK.
Are you in Canada? Check out our list of low watt microwaves in Canada.
AT A GLANCE
For many people, their microwave is like a member of the family. Put simply, they can’t live without it!
Microwaves can take the stresses out of life, especially for those with little time on their hands to prepare complicated, time-consuming meals every evening.
In such cases, someone might find themselves switching on their microwave several times a day. Depending on the model, that could add up to a lot of wattage used, and a hefty electricity bill at the end of the month.
How many watts does a microwave use?
The range for most small microwaves is 700 – 900 watts, while larger, more popular models can go as high as 1800 watts. A microwave that’s under 800W is considered low wattage.
All 7 of the microwaves on our list are at the lowest end of the wattage range, with all of them coming in at 700W or below. Meaning whichever model you choose, you can rest assured that it’s one of the lowest watt microwaves currently on the market.
You should also note that, with the exception of one model, each of the microwaves on this list are ovens as well, giving you even more options for food preparation.
7 Best 600 – 700 Watt Microwaves
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven
$89.99
WATTAGE: 700W
CAPACITY: 0.7 cubic feet
SIZE: 17.3 x 13 x 10.2 inches
WEIGHT: 22.5 lbs
The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven is perfect for anyone who wants an easy to use, small microwave capable of dealing with all their cooking needs.
This microwave has 6 auto-cook pre-programmed buttons to get you started on all your favorite recipes. Settings for potatoes, pizza and more.
The 10 power settings give you more options for cooking different foods, even allowing you the option of choosing between defrost and cook modes.
The 30 seconds express cooking function is great for cooking your food quickly. It can also be used to simply reheat leftovers.
The LED digital display makes it easy to follow the clock and kitchen timer at a glance, while the interior light illuminates your food so you can see how well it's cooking without having to open the door.
The glass turntable has a push-button release for easy access when placing or removing food; and the microwave will beep 4 times once food is ready.
The EM720CB7 also features a child safety lock as an added measure of security.
Pro: Large dinner plates fit just fine, despite the appliance's small size.
Con: Ventilation isn't very good, so condensation might become a problem if you don't wipe the interior often.
Commercial Chef CHM660B 600 Watt Microwave Oven
$73.97
WATTATGE: 600W
CAPACITY: 0.6 cubic feet
SIZE: 17.75 x 12.5 x 10.25 inches
WEIGHT: 23.10 lbs
***The lowest watt microwave on our list.***
The Commercial Chef CHM660B Microwave Oven is the perfect solution for just about any kitchen. It's small - fits snugly on your counter - and easy to clean, requiring little maintenance to keep it looking fresh.
In terms of features, there are 6 power levels ranging from high, mid-range to low, allowing you to reheat, defrost, and even melt things like chocolate or butter without burning them.
If defrosting, you can choose to defrost by speed or weight, depending on your needs.
The pull handle together with the easy-to-use dials are perfect for senior citizens and those with impaired vision.
The glass turntable is dishwasher safe for an easy clean up after use.
Finally, there's no standby power light consuming energy when the microwave is not in use.
At an impressive, almost impossible 600 watts, the Commercial Chef CHM660B Microwave Oven gets extra points for doing its job well while being super energy-efficient.
Pro: Quiet; intuitive design – not complicated.
Con: The timer will continue going unless you switch the knob off, meaning you could unwittingly end up leaving the microwave running with nothing in it. Also, due to the lower wattage, it isn't as powerful as some of the others on the list. Also, some people have complained that it uses more than the stated watts.
Galanz GLCMKA07GNR-07 Retro Microwave Oven
$89.99
WATTAGE: 700W
CAPACITY: 0.7 cubic feet
SIZE: 17.81 x 13.75 x 10.31 inches
WEIGHT: 23.1 lbs
The Galanz GLCMKA07GNR-07 Retro Microwave Oven has everything you need and want in a microwave. It's very retro, with pull handle to boot!
It has 6 variable power levels, so you can cook your food perfectly, according to your preferences.
There's an easy-to-read LED display with kitchen timer and clock, which allows you to set and forget your food. The interior light illuminates your food while it cooks, so you can see the progress without opening the door.
You can also take advantage of the defrost function that lets you defrost by weight or time. The glass turntable rotates 360 degrees so food can be cooked evenly.
And if that wasn't enough, the Galanz GLCMKA07GNR-07 even has a child lock mechanism to keep kids from fiddling with your appliance.
This neat little microwave is a space-saver that won't take up much space on your counter, making it perfect for small apartments or even RVs.
Pro: The timer goes up to 95 minutes, which means you can go away and leave your food cooking without having to hurry back and reset the timer. Plus, the pull handle makes this so much easier to open than the usual push button found on modern microwaves.
Con: The dial can be difficult to use to set the desired time. And the start button is on the dial, so you might accidentally press it when you don't mean to.
COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven
$70.00
WATTAGE: 700W
CAPACITY: 0.7 cubic feet
SIZE: 17.3 x 13 x 10.2 inches
WEIGHT: 20.3 lbs
The stainless steel COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven is a compact, sleek appliance packed with a number of awesome features.
The 11 power levels let you tailor the power output to specific dishes, meaning your meals are prepared to perfection every time. And if you're still not sure how to cook your favorite dishes, the microwave also includes cooking presets for a variety of foods, including pizza and frozen vegetables.
With the mute function, you can prepare meals without worrying about waking up others in your household; and the clock and timer let you monitor and track food preparation for added convenience.
There's a one-touch express cooking function for 30 second or 1-6 minute reheats and warm ups. The COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB also features two defrost settings – choose to defrost by weight or time, making this appliance perfect for all types of food!
The interior light lets you see inside while this microwave is in operation, and the illuminated digital display together with the easy to follow control panel make operating this microwave a breeze.
Wanna save power? The energy saving eco mode minimizes the energy output by 50%. The child safety lock ensures that curious children cannot access this appliance if they get into your kitchen unsupervised.
Finally, the 10" glass turntable is removable for easy cleaning after use, while also providing even distribution of heat when in operation.
Pro: The silent mode means you can cook in peace. It's small and compact, yet can still fit a regular-sized dinner plate.
Con: Takes longer to warm up food than some of the other models on the list, and might not heat everything evenly.
Farberware Classic FMO07ABTBKA Microwave Oven
$69.99
WATTAGE: 700W
CAPACITY: 0.7 cubic feet
SIZE: 17.75 x 12.91 x 10.1 inches
WEIGHT: 21.4 lbs
The Farberware Classic FMO07ABTBKA Microwave Oven is a quality, competitively-priced option, perfect for apartments and dorm rooms.
This microwave has 10 power levels to accommodate any need, from cooking pizza to baking a cake. Choose the Express Cooking Function if you're looking for faster results: there's no need to be patient!
Need to defrost? That's no problem either, the microwave oven also has a weight-based and time-based defrosting function.
The Farberware FMO07ABTBKA's easy digital controls and one-touch cooking functions make it a breeze to prepare great, quick meals.
Can't get enough of your favorite food? The microwave also has a memory function to store and automatically recall your favorite cooking options. With the touch of a button you can simply set the appliance to cook or reheat in 30-second increments, for added convenience.
With an LED display with clock and timer, the FMO07ABTBKA makes cooking simple. And the multi-stage cooking function will let you set different stages in the cooking process, allowing for the automatic changing of power levels.
Finally, there's a child safety lock to prevent any accidents inside the kitchen.
Pro: Heats food quickly and fits snugly in smaller spaces.
Con: It's so light that it might move when you open the door. Also, it's noisier than some other models on our list.
Commercial Chef CHM770SS Countertop Microwave
$87.39
WATTAGE: 700W
CAPACITY: 0.7 cubic feet
SIZE: 12.38 x 17.81 x 10.31 inches
WEIGHT: 23.1 lbs
The Commercial Chef CHM770SS Countertop Microwave is small, but powerful enough to cook all of your favorite meals.
Included are 10 power levels and 6 quick cook settings for your convenience.
The 9.5 inch tempered glass dish fits on this turntable nicely, while the LED display offers a clear view of the digital clock and kitchen timer.
There are 10 cooking power levels give you greater freedom in how your food is prepared, and the 6 cooking presets for popcorn, baked potatoes, pizza, beverages, reheat and frozen dinner take the hassle out of finding the right settings every time.
This microwave is compact enough to easily fit most surfaces without taking up too much space; and with the child safety lock, you can rest assured that your little ones won't be able to disrupt your cooking.
If you're living somewhere with limited kitchen space, the Commercial Chef CHM770SS Countertop Microwave might be just the thing you're looking for.
Pro: Easy to clean and great reheat feature.
Con: It might slide around when you open the door, so you need both hands when doing so. Also, it might be a little confusing to operate at first glance.
Nostalgia RMO7AQ Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
WATTAGE: 700W
CAPACITY: 0.7 cubic feet
SIZE: 17.5 x 13.5 x 10.25 inches
WEIGHT: 23.2 lbs
The Nostalgia RMO7AQ Retro Countertop Microwave Oven has a variety of features to suit every need.
Whether you need to heat something quickly or require longer cooking times, this appliance has 12 pre-programmed settings for popular food, taking the guesswork out of microwaving.
The delay timer function means you can set the cooking time before you leave home, while the multi-stage cooking feature allows you to set different power levels throughout the cooking process.
The express cooking feature provides the option to heat smaller portions faster without overcooking, while the 5 power levels ensure complete cooking control to suit your personal tastes.
The Nostalgia RMO7AQ is also equipped with a simple dial that helps you easily navigate cooking settings; and the bright LED display makes it easy to see the digital clock at all hours.
To ensure heat is evenly distributed throughout your food, the rotating glass carousel's got you covered.
Pro: Small but powerful. Fits regular-sized dinner plates just fine, and pops popcorn to perfection.
Con: Might seem complicated to use when you first get started, and it heats things so quickly that you could end up burning your food if you don't keep an eye on it. The interface uses pictures, not words.
Is a 700-watt microwave good? Is it powerful enough?
Now that’s a question that will be answered differently by everyone, depending on who you’re asking. On the one hand, 700 watts of power is more than enough for most people to get their meals cooking quickly and efficiently.
On the other hand – some people, particularly those with larger families and more specific needs, find it difficult to function with anything less than 1200W.
You should be prepared for longer cooking times when using low wattage microwaves, as the wattage determines how powerful an appliance is, and thus how long it will take to heat your food.
Each one of the microwaves on our list are powerful enough to meet your everyday cooking needs. For more complex dishes, a more powerful model might be better, if not a regular oven.
Will a 700 watt microwave pop popcorn?
Absolutely! In fact, many of the microwaves we included in our list have settings just for popcorn. Neat, huh?
