Best 700 Watt Microwave for an RV and small kitchen

Are you looking for a small microwave for an RV or a small kitchen? A 700-watt microwave could suit your needs.

Lower-power microwaves are an excellent choice for recreational vehicles, wood cabins, and places where you might rely on a power generator. At the same time, 700 watts of power is enough for cooking a microwavable meal, defrosting foods, making hot beverages, or reheating leftovers.

If you’re now wondering which is the best 700 watt microwave on the market, know that I did the research for you. From all, five models have made it to our list. Check them out below.

Why a 700-watt microwave?

Finding the perfect microwave goes beyond wattage and power. If you don’t mind waiting for an extra minute or two to cook your meals, a 700-watt microwave could provide the perfect compromise between microwave cooking power and low energy consumption.

Like anything else, low-watt microwave ovens come with pros and cons. Let’s have a look at their main advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

• Low-watt microwaves are perfect for smaller homes or RVs. They have low energy consumption and are suitable to use with a power generator.
• A compact design compared to higher-wattage microwaves makes them suitable for kitchens with little counter space.
• An excellent choice for cooking basic meals and reheating leftovers.
• Cheaper and easier to come by than higher-wattage microwaves.
• An abundance of models and technologies makes it easy to find the perfect microwave oven for you.

Disadvantages

• Slower cooking
• Smaller capacity; these microwave ovens may not suit larger families

What can you cook in a 700-watt microwave?

If you’re not quite sure what 700 watts mean in a microwave, knowing what you can and can’t use the unit for may come in handy.

As a general rule, a 700w microwave is perfect for cooking basic meals, including frozen pizza, baked potatoes, pop popcorn, and making hot beverages. You can also use it to thaw frozen foods or reheat the leftovers.

However, if you’re looking for more elaborate cooking, such as baking or roasting, you should focus on a more powerful microwave.

Difference between 700 watts, 900 watts, and 1000-watt microwaves

In microwaves, wattage equals power. The more power the unit has, the higher temperatures it can reach.

This is important to determine cooking speed but also to figure out what foods you can cook in a specific appliance.

In general, a microwave outputting 700 watts of power creates the cooking conditions you’d find in a convection oven cooking at 350°F. The cooking speed is obviously faster, but a low-power microwave will unlikely broil meats and cheese.

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At 900 watts, you can expect a cooking efficiency comparable to 525°F. This temperature is high enough for baking and cooking most meals. Lastly, 1000-watt microwaves provide the cooking performance of a 575°F oven.

This power allows you to cook everything you’d cook in a 900-watt oven, but faster. One thousand-watt microwave are also more efficient when it comes to popping corn kernels.

Comparing the various microwave oven powers, a 700-watt microwave will generally pop around 75% of its kernels in a popcorn bag. A 900-watt microwave would pop about 80%, while you can expect about 90% of kernels to pop when using a 1000-watt microwave at max power.

What is the best wattage for a microwave?

There is no right or wrong wattage for a microwave, and the best wattage depends on your situation. What do you need the microwave for?

If it’s cooking simple meals, frozen vegetables, pizzas, and other microwave-ready foods, a 700-watt microwave will suffice. This power is also enough for thawing meat, melting butter, softening chocolate, or making hot beverages.

Do you want to ditch the convection oven for an inverter microwave oven that can cook anything under the sun? Opt for a higher power – preferably 1000 watts or more.

What microwave features and specs should I look for in a 700-watt microwave?

Picking a microwave, even a low-wattage one, requires careful consideration. Here are a few features to check out before buying.

Cooking Power

When looking for a 700w microwave, you might believe that all units were created equal. However, different models can have different cooking efficiency.

One of the most important things to check is the number of power levels. The more levels the unit has, the easier it is to use without burning or ruining your food.

Space

The interior space is another important thing to consider. If you mostly cook meals for one or two, a small-capacity microwave could suit your needs without taking up too much counter space.

A microwave with a 12-inch turntable is generally big enough to accommodate larger trays or bowls. If you want to cook for more people, get a microwave with a 15-inch turntable.

Design

What kind of interior design do you have? Is it traditional, rustic, modern, or vintage? Finding a microwave that matches your kitchen’s interior is always a good idea.

You should also consider the installation. Pick from the countertop or built-in units. Some 700-watt microwaves are also suitable to install over the range.

Another thing to check is the ease of use. Most microwave ovens have a digital control panel, but you can still find models with analog controls if you prefer to have dials and knobs.

Cooking Time

Alongside adjustable power levels, you should always check the cooking time. All microwaves have adjustable time settings, but not all models allow for 1-second increments.

In fact, older style models feature 10-second increments that don’t allow for a precise timer setting. This means that you’ll have to keep an eye on the food to make sure it doesn’t get overcooked or burned.

Turntable

In addition to the turntable size, as explained above, you should also make sure the turntable is removable and easy to clean.

A recessed turntable is generally more balanced, but it wears out faster. You should also check whether you can turn off the turntable. A turn-off function would allow you to cook food in rectangular trays that wouldn’t fit a spinning turntable.

Other Features

Besides everything above, there are other desirable features you should look after, such as:

• Pre-programmed cooking settings
• One-touch start button
• Child lock
• Inverter technology
• Convection cooking
• Mute button
• Self-cleaning technology

Best 700-Watt Microwave

1. COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven

Are you looking for the best 0.7 cu. ft. microwave? Look no further. The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB is an excellent choice for young adults living alone or in couples. It has a compact size and comes at a price that won’t break the bank.

Despite its small dimensions, this microwave oven features 11 power levels and six pre-programmed cooking settings. You can use it to make popcorn, cook vegetables, bake potatoes, and reheat a full dinner plate.

Design-wise, the unit features clean lines that fit perfectly into a modern home. The oven comes in multiple color options.

Why I love it

One-touch express cooking

With this microwave oven, you can leave the guesswork out of the game. The express cooking function allows you to select a time between one and six minutes. A quick 30-second button also allows for easy adjustments.

Mute button

Don’t you hate it when the microwave beeps or dings each time it ends a cooking cycle? Whether you don’t want to disturb your roommates or wake your child, you’ll love this unit’s mute button.

ECO mode

All microwaves draw energy on standby, but this one allows you to reduce standby energy consumption by 50% in ECO mode.

What could be better

Heating performance

The microwave struggles to heat food evenly. For the best results, you should pause the cycle mid-time and stir the food to prevent hotspots.

Build quality

Some of the oven’s plastic components feel cheap. However, this flaw is easy to forgive, considering the attractive price tag.

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2. Black+Decker EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven

Black+Decker EM720CB7 is another excellent choice if you’re looking for a small microwave oven. While it only has ten power levels, it comes with the same number – six – of pre-programmed cooking functions as the COMFEE’.

This 700-watt microwave has a stainless steel finish that suits traditional and modern homes alike.

Other highlights include a 10-inch turntable (this countertop microwave oven is perfect for singles and small families). If the 0.7 cubic feet capacity is too small for you, know that the oven also comes in a larger, 0.9 cu. ft. variant.

Why I love it

Stylish design

Finding the perfect microwave oven is often challenging, but the Black+Decker knows how to impress. Its sleek lines and stylish finish work well in all kitchens.

Auto defrost

The weight defrost function calculates the time and power automatically, based on the selected weight. An easy way to thaw your food without cooking it. Otherwise, you can use the time defrost function.

Memory function

You can save a preferred cooking setting to memory for easy future use. In this way, you don’t have to worry about forgetting the perfect cooking parameters once you’ve found them.

What could be better

Interior design

This microwave has a 10-inch turntable, but it might not fit a 10-inch ball or taller tray. The interior walls are not perfectly straight, so you’ll have to use a smaller diameter container.

Power

It is not as powerful as other microwaves in this range. Reheating a plate of vegetables, for example, could require up to five minutes.

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3. COSTWAY 23853BK-CYPE Retro Countertop Microwave Oven

If you love appliances with a retro vibe, you’ll love the COSTWAY 23853BK-CYPE too. This countertop microwave oven has a vintage design, including a rounded handle and no-frills control panel.

Five power levels make it perfect for anything, from keeping your food warm to cooking. Despite the fewer power settings compared to other units, the oven stands out thanks to the eight pre-programmed cooking settings.

The unit is very easy to operate, thanks to the intuitive control panel. It might cost more than other microwaves, but it’s truly worth your attention.

Why I love it

Even heating

Finding a low-power microwave that heats evenly is hard, but this model delivers. You won’t have to worry about hot spots or stirring the food mid-cooking.

Customizable cooking settings

All pre-programmed cooking settings are customizable. Whether you have to add more time or adjust the power, you can bring convenience and efficiency into your life.

Child lock function

Perfect for households with kids, the child lock function gives you peace of mind that young hands won’t operate the unit without supervision.

What could be better

Display colors

The combination of bright green and red colors on display can be annoying at night, especially if you live in a small studio apartment.

Customer service

The brand’s aftersales support isn’t the friendliest or the most effective.

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4. Nostalgia RMO7AQ Retro Countertop Microwave Oven

Another retro microwave that’s made it to our list, the Nostalgia RMO7AQ impresses with 12 auto cooking settings and five power levels.

The control panel is simpler and more intuitive compared to COSTWAY. Capacity-wise, both units offer 0.7 cubic feet and a removable turntable.

Why I love it

Color options

The beauty of vintage-style appliances is that they come in a variety of pastel and retro colors. The Nostalgia microwave oven comes in four colors, and you can easily match it with your interior.

Display design

Selecting the right cooking option is made easy with the convenient icons on the large display. The selected function lights up, so you can never make a mistake.

Versatile installation

While this microwave oven has a countertop design, the compact size makes it easy to place it on a kitchen cabinet shelf or even on a shelf above the range.

What could be better

Durability

The oven isn’t the most durable out there, but it’s worth the money.

Burning hazard

This microwave isn’t suitable for large families or heavy use, and you should know that its exterior gets scorching hot if you heat several plates one after the other.

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5. Mainstays 700W Output Microwave Oven

Another 0.7 cu. ft. microwave oven you should consider comes from Mainstays. The specs and functions are similar to the other ovens on this list. You’ll get ten power settings and six pre-programmed cooking functions.

Available in a selection of colors, the unit presents a compact design and is a great choice for RVs and dorms.

Cheap compared to all other options on this list, it is a great choice for students, young professionals, and homeowners on a budget.

Why I love it

Easy operation

The one-touch functions make operation a cinch. I also like the auto-defrost option and the 30-second one-touch start.

Easy to clean

The unit has a streamlined interior with no unnecessary edges or crevices that could gather the food. The removable turntable and carousel allow for effortless cleaning.

Design

This microwave has a modern design with vintage vibes. It comes in a selection of bold colors and fits all kitchen styles.

What could be better

Heating

Like most budget microwaves in this size range, the oven doesn’t heat evenly and could create hot spots in your food.

Noise level

This unit is loud, and the beeping can easily become annoying if you use it frequently.

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Best 700 Watt Microwave Comparison Table

	COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PMB	Black+Decker EM720CB7	COSTWAY 23853BK-CYPE	Nostalgia RMO7AQ	Mainstays 700W
Capacity	0.7 cu. ft.	0.7 cu. ft.	0.7 cu. ft.	0.7 cu. ft.	0.7 cu. ft.
Max power	700 watts	700 watts	700 watts	700 watts	700 watts
Power levels	11	10	5	5	10
Cooking programs	6	6	8	12	6
Price	$$	$$$$	$$$$$	$$$	$

700-Watt Microwave Maintenance Tips

Wondering how to maintain your 700-watt microwave? Here are a few useful tips:

• Don’t let spills or splashes dry inside the oven’s cabinet. Clean all messes after you’ve finished cooking.
• Clear the turntable of crumbs or food scraps to prevent the unit from catching fire the next time you’re cooking.
• Deep-clean your oven at least once a month, or more frequently if you use it daily.

700 Watt Microwave Related Questions

Final Thoughts

A 700w microwave oven is perfect for smaller homes, RVs, or offices. When picking the right unit for you, don’t forget to check its functionality, versatility, and cleaning ease. I hope this guide has helped you find the best microwave oven for you.