5 Best Space-Saving Microwaves For Apartment Kitchens That Maximize Every Inch
Tiny kitchen? These microwaves save counter space.
That precious strip of countertop between your sink and your stove is some of the most valuable real estate in your apartment. The last thing you want is a bulky, oversized microwave devouring every inch of it. After years of designing and living in compact spaces, I’ve seen how one wrong appliance can completely disrupt the flow of a small kitchen.
Choosing a microwave for an apartment isn’t just about finding one that fits; it’s a strategic decision that impacts your daily workflow and the overall feel of your home. The right compact microwave doesn’t just heat your food—it gives you back your workspace, reduces clutter, and makes your kitchen a more efficient, enjoyable place to be. It’s about making a smart investment in your space.
We’re going to look at models that solve specific small-kitchen problems, from reclaiming dead corners to getting appliances off the counter entirely. This isn’t about the absolute smallest or cheapest options. It’s about the smartest designs that help you maximize every single inch of your kitchen.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Find Your Perfect Compact Apartment Microwave
Living in a small space forces you to be intentional with every choice. A microwave is a perfect example. You can’t just grab the one on sale; you need a unit that works with your layout, not against it.
The challenge is balancing a small footprint with the power and capacity you actually need. Many people assume "compact" means weak, slow, and unable to fit a standard dinner plate. That’s an outdated idea. Modern compact microwaves are engineered specifically for this dilemma, offering powerful features in thoughtfully designed packages.
This guide focuses on microwaves that do more than just exist in a small space—they enhance it. Whether through a unique shape, a multi-function design, or the ability to get off the counter completely, these models are problem-solvers. They represent the core principle of small living: making smart, efficient choices to improve your daily life.
GE PEM31SFSS: Your Under-Cabinet Space Saver
Enjoy versatile cooking with the GE 4-in-1 Microwave, featuring air fry, convection, and broil modes. Its compact design and preset controls simplify operation, while the child lock adds safety.
The most effective way to save counter space is to not use it at all. The GE PEM31SFSS is designed with this principle in mind, offering the ability to be mounted directly under a cabinet. This is a total game-changer, instantly freeing up a significant chunk of your prep area.
With a height of just over 12 inches, it has a deliberately low profile that tucks neatly into the space above your counter. Despite its slim design, it still offers a respectable 1.1 cubic feet of interior space, which is more than enough for most daily tasks. For a seamless look, an optional trim kit allows it to be installed into a cabinet, creating a high-end, built-in appearance without the custom-kitchen price tag.
The tradeoff here is installation. Unlike a standard countertop model, this requires some planning and a few tools to mount securely. It’s a more permanent solution, ideal for those who own their apartment or have a landlord’s permission for minor modifications. But for the space you gain, it’s an investment that pays dividends every single day.
Whirlpool WMC20005YB: Reclaim Your Corner Space
Effortlessly prepare meals with this 700-watt, 0.7 cu ft Farberware microwave. Enjoy convenient one-touch cooking for popcorn, potatoes, and pizza, plus multi-stage cooking and defrost options. Its compact size and easy-clean interior make it ideal for any kitchen or office.
Every small kitchen has one: the awkward, dead corner where nothing quite fits. The Whirlpool WMC20005YB is one of the few appliances specifically engineered to turn that wasted space into a functional part of your kitchen. Its unique rounded back allows it to nestle perfectly into a corner.
This design is a masterclass in spatial efficiency. By occupying a typically unused area, it frees up the prime, linear countertop space you need for chopping, mixing, and plating. At 0.5 cubic feet, it’s unapologetically small, but it’s designed for the person who primarily needs to reheat a plate of leftovers, a mug of coffee, or a bag of popcorn.
You have to be realistic about its capacity. This microwave will not fit your large casserole dish. It is a specialist, not a generalist. If you view it as a tool for reclaiming a dead zone for simple, high-frequency tasks, its design is brilliant. It’s the perfect choice for a single person or a couple in a truly tiny apartment.
Galanz Retro: Big Style for Your Small Kitchen
Enjoy effortless cooking with this retro Galanz microwave. Featuring auto cook/reheat, defrost, and quick start functions, it simplifies meal prep. The easy-clean glass turntable ensures even cooking and hassle-free cleanup.
Small-space living should never mean sacrificing personality. The Galanz Retro series proves that a necessary appliance can also be a key design element. In a compact kitchen where every item is visible, choosing a microwave with style can elevate the entire look of the room.
These microwaves combine a fun, vintage aesthetic with the simple, essential functions you need. Typically offered in a 0.7 cubic foot size, they are compact enough for most apartment counters. The controls are often simple knobs and dials, which can be a welcome relief from overly complicated digital panels, adding to the clean, uncluttered feel of a small space.
Choosing a Galanz Retro is a conscious decision to prioritize form alongside function. While it performs its core duties perfectly well, its main advantage is its visual impact. It turns a utilitarian box into a conversation piece, proving that practical solutions for small kitchens can and should be beautiful.
Panasonic NN-SD372S: Powerful, Compact Cooking
Enjoy fast, even cooking with 900 watts of power in this compact 0.9 cu. ft. Panasonic microwave. Its smart design maximizes interior capacity while minimizing countertop space, featuring 7 auto-cook menus and a convenient Keep Warm function.
A common complaint about small microwaves is their lackluster performance. The Panasonic NN-SD372S directly addresses this by packing its proprietary Inverter technology into a compact, 0.8-cubic-foot frame. This isn’t just a reheating machine; it’s a serious cooking tool.
Inverter technology delivers a continuous, steady stream of power at all temperature settings, unlike traditional microwaves that just cycle their full power on and off. In practical terms, this means no more rubbery chicken or frozen-in-the-middle soup. Food is cooked gently and evenly, which is crucial when you rely on your microwave for more than just popcorn.
This model strikes an ideal balance for the apartment dweller who loves to cook but is short on space. With 950 watts of power, it performs like a much larger unit, defrosting and cooking food efficiently without taking over your countertop. It’s the choice for someone who refuses to compromise on cooking quality just because their kitchen is small.
Breville Combi Wave: Your 3-in-1 Counter Hero
This Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 combines an air fryer, convection oven, and microwave for versatile cooking. Element iQ system ensures precise heating, while the power smoothing inverter delivers even results when reheating or defrosting.
The ultimate space-saving strategy isn’t just finding smaller appliances; it’s finding one appliance that does the job of three. The Breville Combi Wave is exactly that: a high-quality microwave, convection oven, and air fryer combined into a single, elegant unit. This is the definition of working smarter, not harder, in a small kitchen.
Think about the counter space required for a microwave, a toaster oven, and an air fryer. The Combi Wave replaces all of them. This single device allows you to bake a pizza, air fry vegetables, and reheat leftovers, dramatically expanding your cooking capabilities without sacrificing your entire prep area. It fundamentally changes the equation of what’s possible in a tiny kitchen.
Let’s be clear: this is a premium option with a larger footprint and a higher price tag than any other microwave on this list. However, its value isn’t just in its performance, but in its consolidation. When you factor in the cost and space of purchasing three separate, quality appliances, the Combi Wave often emerges as the most efficient and logical choice for the serious home cook living in a small space.
How to Choose Your Ideal Small Kitchen Microwave
The "best" microwave doesn’t exist. The only thing that matters is finding the right microwave for your kitchen, your habits, and your priorities. The decision starts with a tape measure and an honest assessment of your needs.
Measure with confidence using the CRAFTSMAN 25-ft tape measure, featuring a 13-ft reach for solo projects and easy-read fractions for quick accuracy. Its compact, rubber-overmolded design ensures a comfortable, secure grip and impact resistance.
Before you even start browsing, figure out what you’re working with. Don’t just guess; measure the exact height, width, and depth of the space you have available. Then, think critically about how you actually use a microwave. Are you a "reheat and defrost" person, or do you try to cook entire meals? The answer will guide your choice between a simple, compact unit and a more powerful, feature-rich model.
Use these points as your checklist to narrow down the options:
- Placement Strategy: Is your goal to clear the counter (under-cabinet), use a dead zone (corner), or consolidate appliances (multi-function)?
- Capacity vs. Footprint: Do you need to fit large dishes, or is a standard dinner plate sufficient? Be realistic about the size you truly need.
- Power (Wattage): For simple reheating, 700 watts is fine. For more even and faster cooking, look for 900 watts or more.
- Features: Do you need advanced functions like sensor cooking, or are simple dials and a timer enough?
Maximize Your Countertop With the Right Choice
In a small apartment kitchen, a microwave is never just a microwave. It’s a piece of a larger spatial puzzle, and the choice you make has a ripple effect on the entire room’s functionality. The right appliance can make a cramped kitchen feel surprisingly open and efficient.
We’ve seen several distinct strategies for achieving this. You can go vertical with an under-cabinet model like the GE to reclaim counter space entirely. You can target inefficient layouts with a corner-specific design like the Whirlpool. Or you can consolidate your arsenal with a multi-function hero like the Breville, eliminating appliance clutter at its source.
Ultimately, thriving in a small space is about making deliberate, intelligent choices. Selecting a microwave isn’t a mundane purchase; it’s an opportunity to actively design a better, more functional kitchen. By choosing a model that solves a specific spatial problem, you’re not just buying an appliance—you’re investing in a more enjoyable daily life.
Your kitchen’s limitations don’t have to define your experience. By choosing a microwave that is thoughtfully designed for compact living, you can transform a point of frustration into a source of efficiency. Whether you prioritize power, placement, or multi-functionality, the right appliance is out there, ready to help you make the most of every last inch.
