A 1.1 cubic foot microwave is the size most people quietly settle into. It swallows a dinner plate, holds a small casserole dish, and still leaves room beside the toaster. The trouble is that two units with the same cavity number can behave nothing alike. One reheats a bowl of soup evenly while another leaves a cold ring in the middle, and the cheap ones telegraph it with a turntable that drags or a door that needs a second slam. We focused on the stuff you live with daily. Does the keypad respond on the first press, or do you stab at it twice. Is the beep loud enough to hear from the next room but not so shrill it wakes the house. How much of that stated wattage actually reaches your food. Counter footprint matters too, because the external box is always bigger than the cavity suggests, and a few inches decides whether it clears your upper cabinets.
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button - Black
The Toshiba EM131A5C-SS edges into 1.2 cubic feet with a 12.4 inch removable turntable and even sensor cooking, giving you slightly more room without a bigger counter footprint.
- EXTRA-QUICK COOKING: Choose from six popular presets for microwave ovens, including popcorn, pizza, beverages, veggies, potatoes, or leftovers. Or just press the number keys to quickly set the cook time for that number of minutes.
- LOW TO HIGH POWER: This 1000W digital microwave packs big power into a compact appliance! Choose from 10 power levels, from a low setting to melt butter to maximum power for rapid cooking in moments.
- DIGITAL CONTROLS: It’s easy to set up everything from microwave popcorn to warming up leftovers in this mini microwave. Customize your time and power level or add a bit of extra time with the +30 seconds button.
- MEMORY FUNCTION: Program frequently used countertop microwaves functions into the control panel for one-touch microwave food. All your daily favorites are easy to set up and start microwaving.
Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven - 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock - Stainless
The Chefman 1.1 Cu. Ft. delivers a full 1000W and 10 power levels with a clean push button door, covering the everyday reheating most kitchens need.
- CONVENIENT MICROWAVE: Prepare quick and easy meals in a snap with our powerful microwave. It packs 1000 of output power and features a range of settings for press-and-go speed.
- POWERFUL SETTINGS: This microwave has ten power levels with multi-stage cooking. You can fully customize your cooking with six one-touch options, including popcorn, potato, and pizza. Defrost by weight or by time settings to make quick work of any task.
- PERFECT SIZE: Measuring 1.1 cu ft, this microwave is the ideal small-space solution that offers full-sized cooking in a compact space. It features an easy-to-clean interior and exterior and is perfect for the home or office.
- ALL YOU NEED: This microwave has a clear LED display with a kitchen timer and clock that lets you easily keep track of time. Easy-to-view interior lighting lets you keep an eye on your dish, and a child safety lock adds additional security.
BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 1000W, 1.1cu.ft, Black & Stainless Steel, 1.1 Cu.ft
The Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. matches the 1000W output with solid auto cook presets, a dependable second choice if the Chefman is out of stock.
- Pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage and dinner plate.Frequency : 60 Hz
- 1000 Watts Output with 10 power settings, clock and kitchen timer, 30 seconds express cooking, Input power: 1600W
- Large LED digital display, easy-to-read control panel, child safety lock, interior light, removable 12.4” glass turntable
- Push-button door release for easy access
TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft with 12.4" Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior, 1000W, Silver
The BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 keeps it simple with a push button door and turntable, the right pick when you want basic, reliable reheating and nothing extra.
- Microwave output power 1000 watts, input power 1600 watts. External dimensions 20.6 x 16.0 x 11.8 inches (WxDxH); internal dimensions 13.1 x 12.4 x 8.3 inches (WxDxH); includes 12.4-inch glass turntable.
- Smart Sensor Technology for Optimal Cooking: Automatically adjusts cooking time and power based on food humidity, ensuring perfectly cooked meals every time. Say goodbye to overcooked or undercooked dishes.
- 6 Preset Menus: This countertop microwave features 6 preset menu options for popular foods like pizza, veggle, sensor reheat and more.
- 10 Unique Power Levels with clock and kitchen timer: Tailor your cooking power levels for greater culinary flexibility, making it an essential kitchen tool. Perfect for everything from deodorization to boiling liquids.
Farberware 1.3 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven - 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock - Stainless
The Farberware 1.3 Cu. Ft. trades up to a roomier cavity at the same 1000W, ideal if you regularly heat larger dishes and have the counter space.
- CONVENIENT MICROWAVE: Prepare quick and easy meals in a snap with our powerful microwave. It packs 1000 of output power and features a range of settings for press-and-go speed.
- POWERFUL SETTINGS: This microwave has ten power levels with multi-stage cooking. You can fully customize your cooking with six one-touch options, including popcorn, potato, and pizza. Defrost by weight or by time settings to make quick work of any task.
- PERFECT SIZE: Measuring 1.3 cu ft, this microwave is the ideal small-space solution that offers full-sized cooking in a compact space. It features an easy-to-clean interior and exterior and is perfect for the home or office.
- ALL YOU NEED: This microwave has a clear LED display with a kitchen timer and clock that lets you easily keep track of time. Easy-to-view interior lighting lets you keep an eye on your dish, and a child safety lock adds additional security.
Key buying factors
A 1000W rating heats noticeably faster than 700W, but verify it against reheat tests. Some budget units list peak draw, not cooking output, so a bowl of soup takes 30 to 40 seconds longer than the label implies.
Cavity volume hides the real size. Measure your counter depth and the gap under any upper cabinet, since most 1.1 cubic foot boxes run around 20 inches wide and need rear clearance for venting.
A 12 inch plus turntable spins a full dinner plate without it catching the door. Smaller plates force you to rotate food by hand halfway through, which defeats the point.
Push button doors and tactile keypads age better than flush membrane panels. Look for a dedicated 30 second add button and an express start, the two controls you actually use most days.
Smooth painted cavities wipe clean faster than textured ones. Removable glass turntables and roller rings that lift straight out save you from scrubbing baked on splatter in a tight corner.
Types explained
Physical door release and a full number pad with preset cook keys.
Best for: Households that want fast manual control and a door that opens with a thumb, not a latch you fight.Humidity sensors that adjust time automatically for common foods like potatoes and popcorn.
Best for: People who reheat varied portions and would rather not guess at seconds.Steady lower power output instead of pulsing on and off for defrost and simmer.
Best for: Anyone who defrosts meat or melts chocolate and hates rubbery, partly cooked edges.Care & usage tips
Steam a cup of water for a minute, then wipe the cavity. Loosened splatter comes off without abrasive pads that scratch the interior coating.
Crumbs and grease on the door perimeter break the seal over time. A damp cloth around the gasket weekly keeps the latch closing flush and the microwaves contained.
Pull out the glass plate and the roller ring monthly. Trapped debris under the ring makes the turntable grind and wobble, which throws off even heating.
A 1000W cavity that reheats a plate evenly in two minutes beats a higher wattage unit with a cold center, so cooking uniformity matters more than the wattage on the box.
Stir or rotate dense foods like chili at the halfway beep even on sensor mode, because no countertop microwave fully eliminates the cool center on thick portions.
Frequently asked questions
Will a 1.1 cu ft microwave fit a standard dinner plate?+
Yes. Most 1.1 cubic foot cavities use a turntable around 12 inches, which clears a full size dinner plate as it rotates. Oversized platters may catch the door, so check the turntable diameter against your largest dish.
Is 1000 watts enough for daily use?+
For reheating, popcorn, and defrosting, 1000W is the sweet spot and noticeably faster than 700W units. You will rarely need more unless you cook frozen meals frequently.
How much counter space do I need?+
Plan for roughly 20 inches of width and a few inches of rear clearance for venting. The external box is always larger than the cavity number suggests, so measure under your cabinets too.
Do these have child lock?+
Most digital models in this size include a control lock you hold to activate. It disables the keypad so curious kids cannot start an empty cavity, which can damage the unit.