7 Best Cheap Microwave | Skip the Beeps, Keep the Heat

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The fastest reheater under with a 900W punch and a mute button.

The Toshiba ML-EM09PA(SS) is the only microwave in this roundup that delivers 900W of output power (input power is 1400W), which means it heats a full plate of leftovers faster than a typical 700W model. The 0.9 cu ft capacity — 18.7 x 13.3 x 10.7 inches externally, with a 12.1 x 10.9 x 7.6 inch interior — is large enough to fit a standard dinner plate, which many 0.7 cu ft models cannot do. It has a 10.6-inch removable glass turntable, 6 preset menu options for popcorn, pizza, and potato, plus 11 power levels for fine control. The stainless steel interior is easier to wipe clean than enameled or glass interiors, and the LED lighting gives a much brighter view of your food than older bulb designs.

Owners mention that it is “much quieter than our old unit” and that the controls are “easy to use and quite intuitive.” The two-step child lock is a mandatory safety feature that prevents accidents, and the mute function lets you turn off the beeps. One reviewer noted that the display is minimal — it only shows the time — which is a trade-off if you want a large countdown clock. One buyer mentioned it “heats up fast — so start with low times.” At 900W, it is the clear speed champion over the 700W COMFEE’ and Chefman.

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A quiet, energy-saving 700W compact that mutes the beeps when you need silence.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is built for buyers who prioritize peace and quiet. It has a mute function — press the sound button for 3 seconds and all beeps turn off — plus an ECO mode (a setting that cuts standby power use by 50%). That combo is rare at this price point. The 700W, 0.7 cu ft cavity is standard for the budget tier, but it adds useful presets: popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen veggie, beverage, and reheat. Defrost is available by weight or by time. The interior is made of enameled steel, which is a step up in durability from bare glass interiors. The two-step child lock is a modern safety standard that prevents accidental use.

One thing unique about the COMFEE’ is the auto door lock. Reviewers point out that the door locks automatically after every use, which is great for safety but “a minor annoyance” if you are just grabbing a quick snack. One reviewer wrote that it is “a dependable budget microwave” that “works great.” One downside: shoppers say the clock programming requires you to keep the manual handy, and at 700W it takes 6-9 extra minutes to cook rice compared to higher-wattage models. Still, at this price, the mute + ECO combo is tough to top.

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A stainless-steel 700W that fits tight counters and mutes those annoying beeps.

The Chefman Compact is one of the narrowest microwaves in the 0.7 cu ft class, making it a strong choice for dorm rooms, office kitchens, and apartment counters where every inch counts. It packs 700W with 10 power levels and three one-touch presets — popcorn, beverages, and leftovers — plus a +30 seconds button for quick extra time. what separates it from the Farberware (which lacks a mute) is the mute option: you can silence the beeps with a dedicated Sound Button so you do not wake the kids or annoy the neighbors. The stainless steel exterior is fingerprint-resistant and wipes clean easily, and the glass turntable is top-rack dishwasher safe. The interior is stainless steel, which is an upgrade over the glass interiors on the Emerson and Commercial Chef.

Buyers report that the Chefman “heats up food quickly and evenly” and that the mute function was a lifesaver — one reviewer wrote that “a neighbor on a shared wall complained that the beeping disturbed her” before they muted it. The child safety lock is easy to enable, and the controls are intuitive. One downside: some buyers found the buttons tricky at first, though they become learnable after a few uses. With a 4.5-star average from 321 reviews, it is one of the highest-rated small microwaves here.

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The most-reviewed cheap microwave with 33,000 ratings and a proven track record.

Farberware’s 0.7 cu ft microwave is the veteran of this lineup — it has been on the market long enough to accumulate 32,931 ratings and a 4.4-star average. That kind of sample size gives you a clear picture of weaknesses. It delivers 700W with 10 power levels and six one-touch presets (popcorn, potato, pizza, and more), plus defrost by weight or time. The interior is easy to clean, the LED display is clear, and the child safety lock adds security. But owners mention that it emits five beeps at the end of cooking — and one reviewer pointed out those beeps are “identical to a coffee maker’s beeps,” which can be confusing. There is no mute button, so you live with the noise. The glass interior is standard for this tier.

One owner reported it has “900W+ power” in their experience, but the official spec is 700W — and the same reviewer noted it is “quieter than old unit.” Many people call it “compact and easy to use.” The main complaint: the door lock beeps after every use, and some find it annoying. If you can tolerate a bit of noise and want a microwave backed by tens of thousands of owners, this is the safest pick in the bunch. Unlike the Toshiba and COMFEE’, there is no mute option, so skip it if silence matters to you.

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A 700W with a push-button door and digital controls, but quality is inconsistent.

The Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft microwave (17.1 x 12.6 x 10 inches) has a push-button door release — a different mechanism from the standard handle — and a digital LED control panel. It uses 700W with 10 power levels, 6 preset menus plus defrost, and express cook options for 1-6 minutes. The 10-inch glass turntable is removable. It has a child lock and programmable multi-stage cooking. At this price point, it competes directly with the Farberware and Emerson, but the build quality reviews are mixed. The interior is glass, which is the cheapest material and harder to clean than stainless steel.

Buyers give it a 4.2-star average, but one detailed review from a father of three who has used it for 8 months said it “works well for snacks and popcorn.” However, another buyer reported that the door melted after 10 months, the unit does not heat evenly — some parts stay frozen while others burn — and customer service did not reply. That single 1-star review is a red flag for long-term durability. If you just need a very cheap microwave for occasional use, it might work. For daily reheating, the Toshiba or COMFEE’ are safer bets.

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A 700W retro microwave that looks great on the counter but requires hard button presses.

The Nostalgia Retro 700W is the only model in this list with a retro design — available in ivory, it has the rounded, pastel look of a 1950s appliance. Under the retro face is a standard 0.7 cu ft, 700W microwave with 8 auto-cook programs and 10 power levels. It has a rotating glass turntable for even heating and a two-step door child safety lock that you can deactivate if you prefer. The express cooking feature lets you start quickly at full power. At 11.66 kilograms (about 25.7 pounds), it is noticeably heavier than the other 0.7 cu ft models here.

Reviewers point out it is “fast and thorough” for its size, and the retro styling gets compliments. However, the buttons require a firm press — one customer observed “you have to press the buttons so hard, and the whole face warps when you do.” Another noted it is “slightly loud.” There is no mute button, and the small tinted window makes it harder to see inside compared to the Toshiba’s LED-lit cavity. For pure nostalgia value, it delivers. For daily usability, the Chefman or COMFEE’ are better built.