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If you have a teen who’s about to fly the coop to college, there’s a long list of things you don’t want to forget, including a mini fridge and/or microwave. Note: Check on the college website to see what is allowed in the dorm. Some schools have specific appliances they allow students to rent and other do not allow microwaves or other small kitchen appliances. Some dorms limit you to a 700W or 900W microwave so make sure to look before you begin to shop.
We compiled a list of dorm or college apartment microwaves. These are countertop microwaves that are compact enough to tuck into a small space without sacrificing efficiency or features. To compile our list we researched popular, trusted brands and checked out specs like dimensions and price and narrowed it down to five of the best.
Do you have the (free) Grown and Flown Off-to-College Checklist? It Includes important financial, health and wellness, and legal things to check off your list before your teen leaves home. Download it here.
Our Top Microwave Picks
- Best Overall: Toshiba Small Microwave Oven – $99.99 at Amazon
- Best Smart Microwave: GE Smart Countertop Microwave -$179.99 at Amazon
- Best Small Footprint: SHARP Countertop Microwave Oven-$119.99 at Amazon
- Most Stylish: Comfee Retro Microwave – $108.14 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Countertop Microwave Oven-$249.95 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Dorm Microwaves
1. Best Overall: Toshiba Small Microwave Oven
The Toshiba Small Microwave Oven is one of Amazon’s top choices because it’s a compact powerhouse that checks all the boxes. It boasts 700 watts of power and a lengthy list of features, like easy defrosting by weight and time, six auto menus, and 11 power levels for cooking. There are also buttons for express cooking and a convenient memory function so you can reheat your cup of coffee to a perfect temperature every time.
Meanwhile, the LED digital display is bright and easy to read even at night without being too bothersome to sleeping roommates. The Toshiba Countertop Microwave has a 4.-star rating on Amazon.
The Specs
- Dimensions: 17.1 x 12.2 x 9.5 inches
- Capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
- Power: 700 watts
- Turntable Size: 9.6 inches
- Weight: 27.3 pounds
2. Best Smart Microwave: GE Countertop Microwave
If you’ve got a tech fan headed to college, this is the smart microwave for them! The GE Countertop Microwave is WiFi-friendly and even voice control compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
As if that wasn’t enough to make it the coolest microwave on the dorm floor, another jaw-dropping feature is its scan-to-cook technology. Using the accompanying app, it scans the barcode on a package, and the microwave oven will automatically cook it to the recommended settings. This machine is so smart that it will even alert your absent-minded student if they push start before they’ve placed their food inside.
CNN editors named the GE Smart Countertop Microwave the best compact microwave they tested. Additionally, it has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon.
The Specs
- Dimensions: 14.5D x 19W x 11.5H inches
- Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet
- Power: 900 watts
- Turntable Size: 10.5 inches
- Weight: 27.8 pounds
3. Best Microwave Air Fryer Combo: Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
If your college student is a foodie, the Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven is a great pick. It is the Swiss army knife of microwaves, thanks to the eight different cooking settings bundled into one space-efficient appliance. The list includes air fryer, grill, convection, broil, bake, toast, and pro defrost. Not to mention its “combi” cook setting, which combines some of the cooking options.
Beyond the versatility of this model, it also boasts a “sensor cook” feature that uses a smart sensor to gauge the humidity and automatically adjust the power level and cooking time. This means that your teen’s food will never be under or overcooked.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 20D x 20.5W x 12.8H inches
- Capacity: 1 cubic foot
- Power: 1000 watts
- Turntable Size: 12.4 inches
- Weight: 40.8 pounds
4. Most Stylish: Comfee Retro Microwave
If you have a fashionista headed to college or someone who appreciates good design, this model by Comfee is different from all the rest. Its cute retro design is available in gorgeous hues of apricot, green, and red — or neutral white and black if that’s the preference to match their dorm room decor.
With its 0.7 cubic-foot capacity and 700 watts of power, this microwave is perfect for heating up quick meals, snacks, and beverages. The best thing about it is the mute function, which allows them to operate the microwave in silence, perfect for late-night snacking without disturbing their roommates.
The Comfee Retro Microwave has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 15.5D x 19W x 11.5H inches
- Capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
- Power: 900 watts
- Turntable Size: 10.6 inches
- Weight: 26.8 pounds
5. Best Splurge: Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Countertop Microwave Oven
While on the pricier side, this model is an incredible buy because of how versatile it is. It’s not just a microwave — it has all the capabilities of an air fryer, toaster oven, and convection oven. It comes with a 10.6-inch air fry kit, silicone cooking mats to contain splatters, and a non-stick turntable for baking, roasting, and toasting.
The ToastWave has sensor cook and reheat modes in addition to popcorn and defrost, while the oven side can bake, broil, toast, and air fry. Plus, it’s something they’ll want to keep long after their first year in the dorms.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 17.3D x 19.1W x 11.5H inches
- Capacity: .9 cubic feet
- Power: 900 watts
- Turntable Size: Not stated
- Weight: 29.8 pounds
Other Dorm Microwaves to Consider
Galanz Retro Countertop Microwave
The Galanz is a beauty thanks to the retro look that’s available in an array of colors, along with its cool-looking knobs and buttons. The enamel exterior also conceals fingerprints, which keeps it looking nice and clean. That said, the vintage design might not be a fit for every dorm room style-wise.
The Galanz Retro Countertop Microwave is available at Amazon for $139.99.
Farberware Countertop Microwave
The metallic color (especially the red) is really pretty! You can also get it in stainless steel, black stainless steel, and white, so it can grow with your student as their decor changes. It has ten power levels with multi-stage cooking, so you can fully customize your cooking. However, the buzzer on it is super loud according to many, many reviewers, which can be problematic in shared rooms.
The Farberware Countertop Microwave is available at Amazon for $129.99
Why You Can Trust Us
For this roundup, we relied on previous recommendations for microwaves from the parents in Grown & Flown Parents and researched trusted review publications. We scrolled through hundreds of reviews to narrow down the best dorm microwaves specifically for college living, performance, and overall value.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Dorm Microwave
Can You Have a Microwave in a Dorm?
It’s always best to check the specific rules and regulations of their dorm or university housing before you make a purchase. It’s worth noting that some schools may have restrictions on the size or wattage of microwaves allowed in dorm rooms for safety reasons.
What to Consider Before Buying a Dorm or Apartment Microwave
When in the market for a microwave, it’s essential to weigh various factors to ensure you select a model that aligns with your teen’s preference — and will fit easily in a space as small as a dorm room. Here are some features I suggest keeping in mind:
Size: A dorm room fills up pretty quickly. Before deciding on the right microwave, consider how much space it’ll take up. All of the microwaves on this list are small enough to not be in the way but big enough to function as an appliance that can heat up full meals.
Capacity: Microwaves are measured in cubic feet. For a dorm room, you’ll most likely want to opt for a compact model like the ones shown here. All of the microwaves on this list are one cubic foot or less.
Power: Microwave wattage determines how quickly the appliance can cook or heat food. Higher wattage generally means faster cooking times. Compact microwaves typically range from 600 to 1,000 watts of power.
Cooking modes: Look for microwaves with essential cooking features such as preset programs for common foods (popcorn, pizza, etc.), and defrosting options.
Features: Fancier countertop microwaves come with a long list of features, like smart connectivity, customizable presets, voice control, smart sensors, and child safety locks. It’s up to you and your teen to choose the best model for their dorm based on how they want to use it and what you want to spend.
What Size Should a Microwave for a Dorm Room Be?
Unless your student wants to put their microwave on a built-in shelf that will have unchangeable size constraints, a microwave that is .9 cubic feet or less should fit fine on any desk, microwave, or shelf easily.
Remember that both the interior and exterior size of a small countertop microwave can vary. The interior generally falls within the range of 0.5 to 1.0 cubic feet. The exterior typically measures around 12 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide, and 13 to 15 inches deep. Make sure to double-check these dimensions before you buy.
How Do You Clean a Microwave?
Cleaning a microwave is a simple task that, when done regularly, helps maintain its appearance and performance for the long haul.
To clean the interior of a microwave, fill a microwave-safe bowl or container with equal parts water and white vinegar. Heat it for 3 to 5 minutes until it starts to boil. The steam will loosen any grime, so you can wipe it away with a cloth.
To prevent future buildup, avoid letting food particles dry out inside the microwave. Wipe up spills as soon as they occur. Aim to do a deep cleaning once a month or as needed.
What Can You Cook in a Microwave?
A microwave can do much more than just reheat leftovers or pop popcorn. You can actually cook lots of dishes! Once you choose the best dorm microwave, they can start thinking about what they can prepare. A few ideas include:
- Steamed vegetables
- Rice, grains, and pasta in sauce
- Reheat or heat soups and stews
- Scrambled or poached eggs
- Baked potatoes
- Potatoes: Bake or steam potatoes for a quick side dish.
- Instant foods like macaroni and cheese
- Frozen meals
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
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