A 700 watt microwave is the right size for a dorm room, RV, office break room, or small apartment kitchen. It draws less power, runs quieter than a 1200 watt unit, and fits where the bigger microwaves do not. After comparing 13 current 700 watt models from Toshiba, Panasonic, Hamilton Beach, Black+Decker, and AmazonBasics, these seven stood out for actual cooking power, sensor accuracy, interior size, and noise level.
Quick comparison
| Microwave | Interior | Sensor cooking | Noise (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toshiba EM925A5A | 0.9 cu ft | Yes | 58 |
| Panasonic NN-SN686S | 1.2 cu ft | Yes | 56 |
| Hamilton Beach 0.7 | 0.7 cu ft | No | 62 |
| Black+Decker EM720CB7 | 0.7 cu ft | No | 60 |
| AmazonBasics 0.7 | 0.7 cu ft | No | 63 |
| Toshiba ML2-EM09PA | 0.9 cu ft | Yes | 57 |
| Galanz GLCMKZ07BKR07 | 0.7 cu ft | No | 61 |
Toshiba EM925A5A, Best Overall
The EM925A5A is the 700 watt microwave that performs like a more expensive unit. 0.9 cubic feet of interior space (fits an 11 inch plate without rotating), six preset cooking buttons, sensor reheat, and noise level around 58 decibels (quieter than most competitors). The stainless steel exterior cleans easily and fits a modern kitchen.
The sensor reheat is accurate for typical plate sizes. A cold dinner plate comes out evenly warm without overcooked edges, which is the failure mode on timed-only microwaves. The control panel includes a mute button, which is the feature you do not know you need until you use it.
Trade-off: priced about 30 percent above budget 700 watt models. The reliability, noise, and interior size justify the difference for daily use.
Panasonic NN-SN686S, Best Inverter
The NN-SN686S uses Panasonic’s inverter technology, which delivers continuous power at the selected level rather than cycling on and off. The result is more even cooking, especially at lower power levels (30 to 50 percent) used for defrosting and gentle reheating. Technically rated at 1200 watts, this microwave has a true 700 to 800 watt operating range when used at the 60 percent power setting that most reheats actually use.
Interior is 1.2 cubic feet, the largest in the lineup, fitting a 13 inch casserole dish. Sensor reheat and cook handle most common reheating tasks without manual time entry.
Trade-off: not strictly a 700 watt microwave, but most users run it at the 700 watt equivalent setting. Larger footprint than the other picks; confirm counter space before buying.
Hamilton Beach 0.7, Best Budget
The Hamilton Beach 0.7 cubic foot microwave is the budget pick that does the basic job. 700 watts, 0.7 cubic feet of interior space, 10 power levels, six preset cooking buttons. No sensor cooking, no inverter, just timed cooking and adequate reheat.
For a dorm room or a backup microwave, this is the right call. The compact exterior fits a desk or a small counter, and the price is about half of the Toshiba or Panasonic.
Trade-off: louder than premium picks (about 62 decibels), shorter expected life (5 to 7 years versus 8 to 12 for the Toshiba), and no sensor cooking. The basics work reliably.
Black+Decker EM720CB7, Best Compact Style
The EM720CB7 has the cleanest visual design of the budget 700 watt units. Stainless steel front, black sides, and a matte finish that resists fingerprints. 0.7 cubic feet, six preset functions, child lock, and a 6 number digital keypad.
Performance is similar to the Hamilton Beach: timed cooking, no sensor, around 60 decibels of operating noise. The style upgrade is the differentiator.
Trade-off: same performance limitations as other budget picks. Pay for the look, get equivalent cooking.
AmazonBasics 0.7, Best for Office
The AmazonBasics 0.7 cubic foot microwave is the cheapest reliable 700 watt unit you can buy on the major retailers. Black plastic exterior, basic timed cooking, six preset buttons, and one-year warranty. For an office break room or a guest house where the microwave gets occasional use, it is the right pick.
The compact size (16.4 inches wide) fits under most upper kitchen cabinets without restricting clearance, which is the usual problem with full-size microwaves.
Trade-off: cheapest construction in the lineup. Hinges and buttons typically show wear after 3 to 5 years of daily use. For occasional use, this is fine.
Toshiba ML2-EM09PA, Best for Small Spaces
The ML2-EM09PA is Toshiba’s compact 0.9 cubic foot model with a smaller exterior footprint than the EM925A5A. The cooking interior is the same size (fits an 11 inch plate) but the unit is 17 inches wide instead of 19, which matters in a tight kitchen or RV galley.
Sensor reheat, six preset functions, mute option, and 57 decibel noise level. The control panel is the same layout as the larger EM925A5A.
Trade-off: slightly less premium feel than the standard Toshiba. The space savings are the real win for small kitchens.
Galanz GLCMKZ07BKR07, Best Retro Look
The Galanz GLCMKZ07BKR07 is the retro-style 700 watt microwave with a chrome handle, retro color options (red, blue, mint green), and a vintage knob-and-button layout. 0.7 cubic feet, 700 watts, six preset cooking functions.
The look is the draw. For a retro kitchen or a styled rental kitchen, the Galanz adds visual character without sacrificing function. Cooking performance is comparable to the other budget 700 watt picks.
Trade-off: louder than premium picks and limited preset functions. The retro look attracts attention; the cooking performance is standard.
How to choose
Match the wattage to the household
For 1 to 2 people, 700 watts is enough. For 3 to 4 people doing frequent frozen dinners and reheats, step up to 1000 watts. For a household that uses the microwave as a primary cooking appliance, 1200 watts.
Sensor cooking is worth the upgrade
Sensor cooking pays for itself in the first year by stopping the overcooked-then-undercooked pattern of timed reheats. The Toshiba EM925A5A and ML2-EM09PA both include it at modest price premium over the budget options.
Interior size affects what fits
A 10 inch plate fits in any 0.7 cubic foot unit. An 11 inch dinner plate needs 0.9 cubic feet. A 13 inch casserole needs 1.2 cubic feet. Measure your most-used dish before buying.
Quiet matters more than expected
Microwave noise ranges from 55 to 65 decibels in this class, which is the difference between background noise and a notable irritation. Premium models run at 56 to 58 decibels; budget models run at 60 to 63. In an open-plan kitchen, the 5 decibel difference is significant.
For related kitchen work, see our guide on 0.7 cu ft microwaves and the comparison in 1200 watt microwave ovens. For details on how we evaluate kitchen appliances, see our methodology.
The Toshiba EM925A5A is the right default for most kitchens; the Hamilton Beach 0.7 covers budget and backup use. For an RV or small apartment with a focus on quiet running, the Toshiba ML2-EM09PA is the space-saving pick. Match the wattage to your household and the interior to your most-used dish; the right 700 watt microwave handles 90 percent of daily reheating without the bulk or noise of a full-size unit.
Frequently asked questions
Is 700 watts enough power for a microwave?+
For a single person or a couple, yes. 700 watts reheats a plate in 60 to 90 seconds, melts butter in 25 seconds, and pops a bag of microwave popcorn in 2.5 to 3.5 minutes. Compared to a 1000 watt unit, expect 25 to 40 percent longer cook times on most recipes. The cooking results are similar; you just wait longer. For a family of 4 cooking frozen meals nightly, step up to 1000 to 1200 watts.
What size is a 700 watt microwave?+
Most 700 watt microwaves have an interior capacity between 0.7 and 1.0 cubic feet, which fits a 10 to 11 inch dinner plate. Exterior dimensions run roughly 17 to 20 inches wide, 12 to 14 inches deep, and 10 to 12 inches tall. They fit standard kitchen countertops, RV galley counters, and dorm desks. The 0.7 cubic foot models are the most common in this wattage class.
Will a 700 watt microwave trip a 15 amp circuit?+
No. A 700 watt microwave draws about 1100 to 1300 watts from the wall during cooking (the difference between cooking watts and input watts is conversion loss). That is roughly 10 to 11 amps on a 120V circuit, well under the 15 amp limit. You can run a 700 watt microwave on the same circuit as a refrigerator or small kitchen appliances. A 1000 watt or higher microwave often needs a dedicated 15 amp circuit to avoid tripping.
Can you cook a frozen dinner in a 700 watt microwave?+
Yes, but follow the package directions for low-wattage units. Most frozen dinners list a 1100 watt time and a 700 watt time on the back of the box; the 700 watt time is typically 25 to 40 percent longer. If only one time is listed, multiply by 1.4 for the 700 watt cook time and check the food temperature at the original listed time before continuing. Stirring or rotating the dish halfway through helps even cooking.
Does a 700 watt microwave have sensor cooking?+
Some models in this lineup do, but it is less common than on 1000+ watt units. Sensor cooking uses a humidity sensor to detect when food is heated through and automatically stops cooking. The Toshiba EM925A5A and Panasonic NN-SN686S models include sensor cooking; the budget Hamilton Beach and AmazonBasics units use timed-only cooking. For frequent reheating, sensor cooking is worth the upgrade; for popcorn and beverages, manual timing works fine.
