How Small Can a Microwave Be?
Find out how compact a microwave can get before it stops being useful.
If you're outfitting a tiny apartment, an RV, an office, or a dorm, you might wonder just how small a microwave can go. The honest answer is that the smallest practical countertop microwaves bottom out around 0.7 cubic feet, and going smaller than that means giving up the ability to fit a normal plate. Here's what those limits really look like.
The Practical Lower Limit
Among mainstream countertop microwaves, 0.7 cubic feet of interior capacity is about as small as it gets while still being genuinely useful. At that size, the cavity fits a standard dinner plate and most bowls, which is the real test of everyday usefulness. Smaller specialty units exist, but they often can't accommodate a full plate, which limits them to mugs, single snacks, or travel use.
What Fits Inside a 0.7 Cubic Foot Microwave
A 0.7 cubic foot microwave comfortably handles single-serving cooking: a plate of leftovers, a bowl of soup, a frozen meal, popcorn, or a couple of mugs. What it won't fit is large casserole dishes, oversized dinner plates, or tall containers. The turntable on these units is typically around 10 inches, so check that your everyday dishes spin freely. For one or two people heating individual portions, it's more than enough.
External Size vs. Internal Capacity
Cubic feet describes the cooking cavity, not the appliance's footprint, and the two don't always track neatly. A 0.7 cubic foot microwave still needs space for the magnetron, controls, and ventilation, so the exterior is noticeably larger than the cavity. Compact models such as the Toshiba MM-EM07PA(BK) and HADEN 75152 keep their outside dimensions tight, but you should always measure the listed width, depth, and height against your space rather than assuming small capacity means a small box.
Wattage Tradeoffs of Going Small
Smaller microwaves usually pair their reduced capacity with lower wattage, often around 700 watts. That's fine for reheating and basic cooking, but it does mean longer cook times than a 1,000-watt full-size unit. The upside is lower power draw, which is handy in RVs, offices, and dorms where circuits are limited. The Frigidaire EMW788BLUARGENT, for example, is a 0.7 cubic foot, 700-watt unit that balances small size with sensible power use.
Where Tiny Microwaves Make Sense
A sub-compact microwave is the right call when space is the dominant constraint: a studio apartment, a breakroom, a tiny home, or a college dorm. In those settings, the smaller footprint and modest power needs outweigh the slower cooking and limited capacity. If you cook for a family or regularly heat large dishes, though, you'll quickly outgrow it and should look at a 1.1 cubic foot or larger model instead.
How to Choose the Smallest Size That Still Works
Start with the largest dish you actually use, then make sure it fits inside the cavity and on the turntable. If a normal dinner plate fits, 0.7 cubic feet will serve you well. Then confirm the exterior dimensions fit your counter with ventilation clearance, and check that the wattage suits your patience for reheating. Choosing the smallest microwave that still fits your real dishes gets you maximum space savings without daily frustration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest microwave size you can buy?
Most practical countertop microwaves bottom out around 0.7 cubic feet. Smaller specialty units exist but often can't fit a standard dinner plate, limiting their use.
Will a dinner plate fit in a 0.7 cubic foot microwave?
Yes, a standard dinner plate fits in most 0.7 cubic foot microwaves. Very oversized plates may not spin freely, so check the turntable diameter to be sure.
Are small microwaves less powerful?
Usually. Compact microwaves often run around 700 watts versus 1,000 or more in full-size units, so they cook a little slower but draw less power.
Is a small microwave good for an RV or office?
Yes. The compact footprint and lower power draw of a 0.7 cubic foot unit suit RVs, offices, and dorms where space and circuit capacity are limited.