The Frigidaire EMW987RED is a 0.9 cu ft, 900 W retro-styled microwave in a Retro Red finish with dial controls, priced at $97.76 and backed by 109 reviews at 4.2 stars. It is a solid choice when design matters as much as function.
Buyers outfitting a retro, diner-style, or colorful kitchen who want a microwave that matches the aesthetic rather than blending into the background. The dial controls fit naturally in a vintage-style setup and avoid the digital-keypad look.
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Anyone who needs more than 5 power levels for precise cooking or who wants a digital timer display for exact programming. Buyers who need a large interior for family-size portions should also look at larger-capacity units.
Capacity 0.9 cu ft
Heating Electric
Wattage 900 W
Power levels 5
Installation Countertop
Width 18.9 in
Priced 64% below the category median ($271.99 across 81 tracked models)
Wattage of 900 W - lower than 71% of the 84 models we track
Power levels of 5 - lower than 77% of the 84 models we track
Our scorecard
4.1/5overall
Owner rating4.2/5
4.2 average across 109 owner ratings
Value for money4.6/5
$109 per cubic foot, below the category median
Popularity1.9/5
109 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
Storage space2.4/5
0.9 cu ft, compact for this category
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other kitchen ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, range hoods and microwaves we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The EMW987RED's Retro Red color and dial controls are what distinguish it from the functionally similar EMW953RED (which runs the same 900 W, 0.9 cu ft setup but in red with a touch pad). Where the 953 uses a touch pad interface, the 987 uses dial controls, which physically suits a retro appliance aesthetic more naturally and avoids touchscreen concerns around durability or accidental input.
At 900 W with a 0.9 cu ft cavity across 13.27 x 18.9 x 11.52 inches, this is a mid-compact unit capable of handling standard bowls, mugs, and plates that fit within an 18.9-inch-wide interior. Five power levels is the area where the spec sheet shows its limits. For a microwave at $97.76, five levels is a narrower range than the 10 levels available on competing budget units. The difference matters most for defrosting and gentle warming tasks.
At 4.2 stars from 109 reviews, the unit is positively received without the deep validation of the Frigidaire models with thousands of reviews. Buyers who prioritize color coordination and retro style over maximum feature count are this unit's core audience, and that audience appears satisfied.
Pros
Retro Red finish with dial controls is rare among countertop microwaves
900 W is a practical output level for 0.9 cu ft of interior space
18.9-inch width is narrow enough for most countertop placements
4.2 stars from 109 reviews shows consistent buyer satisfaction
Dial controls have no touchscreen durability concerns
Cons
Only 5 power levels versus 10 on competing units at similar prices
No turntable dimension listed in available specs
At $97.76 you can find 900 W units with 10 power levels for slightly less
Not listed as smart-home compatible
Specifications
Capacity
0.9 cu ft
Heating
Electric
Wattage
900 W
Power levels
5
Installation
Countertop
Width
18.9 in
Controls
Dial
Color
Retro Red
Dimensions
13.27 X 18.9 X 11.52 In
Weight
32.2 lb
Voltage
120 Volts
Smart
Not Smart Home Compatible
Performance notes
At 900 W with 0.9 cu ft of interior space, this microwave handles single-portion reheating, beverage warming, and basic defrosting competently. The five power levels cover full power down to low simmer with fewer intermediate steps than a 10-level unit. Dial controls make time and power selection tactile and intuitive, and they eliminate the dead-zone problem some buyers encounter on membrane touchpads. The 18.9-inch width and 32.2 lb weight are appropriate for a permanent countertop spot in a smaller kitchen.
What buyers say
Four point two stars from 109 buyers is a genuine positive signal, though the review count is modest for a Frigidaire product. The absence of price-driven dissatisfaction suggests buyers are self-selecting appropriately: they are buying a retro-styled appliance and rating it on its ability to deliver both style and functional microwave performance, not comparing it to feature-rich competitors. The pattern indicates satisfaction from buyers who prioritized design.
How does the EMW987RED differ from the Frigidaire EMW953RED?
Both are 0.9 cu ft, 900 W Frigidaire microwaves in a red color, but they differ in controls and power levels. The EMW953RED uses a touch pad and offers 10 power levels with a 9-inch turntable and far more buyer reviews. The EMW987RED uses dial controls and only 5 power levels. The 987 suits buyers who prefer dial operation and a pure retro look; the 953 offers more control precision.
Is the Retro Red color a true vintage red or more of an orange-red?
The product is listed as Retro Red by Frigidaire. The exact shade is best confirmed by viewing product images directly. Frigidaire's retro color line typically leans toward a classic 1950s-style red, but monitor color rendering varies. If color accuracy is critical, check the product listing images against your kitchen finishes before purchasing.
What does only 5 power levels mean practically?
With 5 power levels you get full, 75%, 50%, 25%, and low (or similar graduated steps). You lose the intermediate precision that 10-level units offer, such as setting to 30%, 40%, or 60%. For everyday tasks like reheating coffee, warming soup, and reheating leftovers, 5 levels is workable. For defrosting proteins or melting ingredients gently, fewer levels means less control.
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