Imagine your kitchen. Is there a microwave sitting on your counter, taking up precious space? Many of us face this exact problem. We want the convenience of a microwave, but we don’t have a lot of room. That’s where the small over-the-range microwave comes in. It’s a clever solution that frees up your countertops.
But finding the perfect one can feel like a puzzle. There are so many brands and features to consider! You want something that fits your space, heats your food well, and looks good too. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices and technical jargon. What size do you need? What power level is best? These are the questions that can make choosing a real headache.
This post is here to help! We’ll break down everything you need to know about small over-the-range microwaves. You’ll learn what to look for, common mistakes to avoid, and how to pick the one that’s just right for your kitchen and your cooking needs. Get ready to find a microwave that works for you and gives you back your counter space!
Our Top 5 Small Over The Range Microwave Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Small Over The Range Microwave Detailed Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 Over The Range Microwave Oven with One Touch
Rating: 9.4/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 Over The Range Microwave Oven. This spacious 1.9 cubic foot microwave packs a powerful 1000 watts, making meal prep a breeze. Its sleek design fits perfectly over your stove, offering convenience and style.
What We Like:
- It has 10 power settings for precise cooking.
- You get pre-programmed auto menus for popcorn, potatoes, pizza, and more.
- The 400 CFM venting fan system keeps your kitchen air fresh.
- Bright LED cooktop lighting illuminates your stovetop.
- The turntable can be turned on or off, fitting larger dishes.
- A 30-second express cook button is super handy.
- It includes a child lock for safety.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 1.9 cu.ft. capacity might be too large for some smaller kitchens.
This BLACK+DECKER microwave offers great features for busy households. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-rich over-the-range microwave.
2. GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle with 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
Rating: 9.5/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven. This sleek stainless steel microwave is a powerhouse for your daily cooking needs. It offers ample space with its 1.6 cubic feet capacity, letting you heat up meals or cook snacks with ease. Plus, the bundle comes with a 2-year extended protection plan and a charcoal filter, ensuring you’re covered for longer and your air stays fresh.
What We Like:
- Generous 1.6 cu. ft. capacity handles family-sized meals and larger dishes.
- Convenience cooking controls make reheating and cooking simple.
- Comes with a 2-year extended protection plan for peace of mind.
- Includes a charcoal filter replacement for better air quality.
- The stainless steel finish looks great in any kitchen.
- It’s from GE USA, a trusted brand.
What Could Be Improved:
- The provided dimensions (13″D x 16″W x 9″H) seem small for a typical over-the-range microwave; double-check your installation space.
This GE microwave bundle offers a great combination of capacity, convenience, and long-term protection. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and stylish addition to their kitchen.
3. Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
The Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven, with its 1.2 cu. ft. capacity and 1000W of power, is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. This sleek stainless steel appliance not only looks modern but also packs a punch when it comes to cooking and reheating. Its over-the-range design is a real space-saver, freeing up valuable counter space. Plus, with features like auto reheat and multi-stage cooking, meal prep becomes a breeze.
What We Like:
- Space-Saving Design: The compact 1.2 cu. ft. size is perfect for mounting over your range, giving you more room in your kitchen.
- Powerful Cooking: 1000W of power heats and cooks food quickly and evenly.
- Smart Cooking: Intelligent sensor technology automatically adjusts cooking times for different foods, making sure everything is cooked just right.
- Easy Cooking Options: It has simple settings for popular items like popcorn, potatoes, and even scrambled eggs.
- Convenient Melt/Soften: The quick melt and soften feature makes preparing ingredients like butter or chocolate super easy.
- Targeted Defrosting: You can defrost food efficiently by weight or time, or use the handy auto defrost option.
- Built-in Stovetop Light: An integrated light helps you see better when cooking on your stovetop.
- Effective Ventilation: The powerful vent fan clears smoke and smells, keeping your kitchen fresh.
- Adjustable Settings: You can change alert volumes and use the child safety lock for peace of mind.
- Modern LED Display: The bright LED display looks great and shows all the important cooking information clearly.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the 1.2 cu. ft. size is great for saving space, larger families might find it a bit small for cooking big meals.
- Some users might prefer more advanced customizable cooking programs beyond the preset options.
Overall, this Farberware microwave offers a great blend of power, smart features, and a space-saving design. It’s a solid choice for kitchens looking for efficiency and style.
4. Midea MMO12S3ASTZ Over the Range Oven
Rating: 8.7/10
The Midea MMO12S3ASTZ Over the Range Oven is a sleek, stainless steel microwave that fits right above your stove. Its slim design means you get more room in your kitchen cabinets. This microwave is packed with smart features to make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
What We Like:
- Slim for more space: The slim body gives you more room for your cabinets, which is great for smaller kitchens.
- Voice control & Smarthome compatible: You can control it with your voice and use the SmartHome APP for more cooking options.
- Notifying and remotely control: The microwave tells you when your food is ready and you can control it from anywhere.
- Sensor Cook & Sensor Reheat: Smart steam sensing technology cooks your food perfectly without you having to guess the time or power.
- Auto cook menu: Easily make delicious meals with just the touch of a button.
- 1000W Heating Power: It heats your food quickly and evenly.
- 400CMF Vent Fan: The powerful vent fan keeps your kitchen air clean and fresh while you cook.
What Could Be Improved:
- App connectivity: While it’s smart, sometimes the app connection can be a little tricky to set up.
- Learning curve: With so many smart features, it might take a little time to learn how to use them all.
This Midea microwave offers a great blend of space-saving design and modern convenience. It’s a smart choice for anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen experience.
5. COSMO COS-2413ORM1SS Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent Fan
Rating: 9.2/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the COSMO COS-2413ORM1SS Over the Range Microwave Oven. This stylish 24-inch microwave in black and stainless steel offers a generous 1.34 cubic feet of cooking space and a powerful 1000 watts of cooking power. It’s designed to make your cooking easier and your kitchen air cleaner.
What We Like:
- 1000 watts of power lets you cook food quickly and evenly.
- 10 different power levels give you precise control over your cooking.
- The 1.34 cu. ft. capacity fits larger dishes and meals.
- The integrated vent fan removes smoke, smells, and moisture from your kitchen, keeping the air fresh.
- Convenient touch presets help you easily melt, soften, defrost, and pop popcorn.
- Sensor Reheat and Cook Mode automatically stops cooking when your food is ready, preventing overcooking.
- It’s RV friendly, making it a great option for mobile living.
What Could Be Improved:
- The exterior dimensions are 23.8″ wide, which might be a tight fit for some standard cabinet openings.
- While it has many presets, some users might prefer more customizable cooking options.
This COSMO microwave is a solid choice for busy kitchens. It offers a good balance of power, convenience, and helpful features.
Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Small Over-the-Range Microwave
Why Choose a Small Over-the-Range Microwave?
Small over-the-range microwaves are great for saving counter space. They fit right above your stove. This means more room for cooking and prepping food. They also often have a built-in vent and light for your stovetop. This makes them a handy two-in-one appliance for smaller kitchens.
Key Features to Look For
1. Size and Capacity
Even though they are “small,” sizes can still vary. Measure the space above your stove carefully. You need to know the width, height, and depth. Most small models are around 24 inches wide. The capacity is measured in cubic feet. For a single person or small family, 1.0 to 1.5 cubic feet is usually enough. If you plan to cook larger dishes, look for something a bit bigger.
2. Wattage
Wattage tells you how powerful the microwave is. More wattage means faster cooking. Most small microwaves have between 700 and 1000 watts. For everyday tasks like reheating leftovers or making popcorn, 700-800 watts is fine. If you want to cook meals faster, aim for 900 watts or more.
3. Venting Options
Over-the-range microwaves usually have a fan to vent smoke and smells from your stove. Check if the vent is recirculating (it filters air and sends it back into the kitchen) or external (it vents air outside). External venting is better for removing odors and steam. Also, see how strong the fan is. Higher CFM (cubic feet per minute) means it can move more air.
4. Cooking Presets and Features
Many microwaves come with helpful presets for things like popcorn, baked potatoes, or defrosting. Some have sensor cooking, which adjusts cooking time based on the food’s steam. Look for features you will actually use. A turntable is standard and helps food cook evenly. Some models have interior lights that turn on when the door is open or the fan is running.
Important Materials
Most small over-the-range microwaves have an exterior made of stainless steel or painted metal. Stainless steel looks sleek and is durable. Painted metal can be less expensive. The interior is usually made of a ceramic enamel or painted metal. Ceramic enamel is easy to clean and resists scratches better than painted metal.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What Makes a Microwave Better?
- Stronger Build: A microwave that feels solid and well-built will last longer.
- Quiet Operation: A noisy fan or turntable can be annoying. Read reviews to see what others say about noise levels.
- Easy Controls: Buttons that are easy to press and understand make using the microwave a breeze.
- Good Lighting: A bright interior light helps you see what’s cooking. A good stovetop light is also a big plus.
- Effective Venting: A powerful fan that really clears the air makes a big difference in your kitchen.
What Can Make a Microwave Less Good?
- Flimsy Construction: If the microwave feels light and cheaply made, it might not hold up well over time.
- Weak Fan: A fan that doesn’t move much air won’t clear smoke or smells effectively.
- Difficult Controls: Confusing buttons or a hard-to-clean control panel can be frustrating.
- Uneven Cooking: If food doesn’t cook evenly, it’s a sign of a less powerful or poorly designed unit.
User Experience and Use Cases
Small over-the-range microwaves are perfect for apartments, dorm rooms, or any kitchen where space is tight. They are great for quick meals, reheating leftovers, and making snacks. The built-in ventilation is a huge benefit for cooks who want to keep their kitchen smelling fresh. If you are a busy student or a couple, a small microwave can meet all your needs without taking up valuable counter space. For families, it might be best as a secondary microwave if you do a lot of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Small Over-the-Range Microwaves
Q: What is the average size of a small over-the-range microwave?
A: Most small over-the-range microwaves are about 24 inches wide. They are designed to fit standard cabinet spaces above a stove.
Q: How much wattage do I need for a small microwave?
A: For most everyday tasks like reheating, 700-800 watts is sufficient. If you want faster cooking, look for models with 900 watts or more.
Q: What does CFM mean for a microwave vent?
A: CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. It measures how much air the fan can move. A higher CFM means the fan is stronger and will clear the air more effectively.
Q: Is stainless steel a good material for a microwave?
A: Yes, stainless steel is a popular choice because it looks nice and is durable. It is also resistant to rust and stains.
Q: What is sensor cooking?
A: Sensor cooking uses sensors to detect steam from food. It then automatically adjusts the cooking time and power level for perfect results.
Q: Are small over-the-range microwaves hard to install?
A: Installation can be a bit tricky because they need to be securely mounted above the stove. Many people hire a professional to install them to ensure safety and proper fit.
Q: How do I clean the inside of my microwave?
A: You can usually clean the inside with a damp cloth and mild soap. For tough stains, you can heat a bowl of water with lemon juice inside for a few minutes, then wipe it clean.
Q: What are the benefits of a recirculating vent versus an external vent?
A: An external vent sends air and odors outside, which is more effective at clearing the air. A recirculating vent filters the air and sends it back into the kitchen, which is less effective but easier to set up.
Q: Can I fit a large dinner plate in a small over-the-range microwave?
A: Most small microwaves have a turntable that can accommodate standard dinner plates. However, very large or unusually shaped plates might not fit easily.
Q: How long do small over-the-range microwaves typically last?
A: With proper care and use, most microwaves can last between 7 to 10 years. Quality of the unit and how often it is used will affect its lifespan.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Scott Fischer, the voice behind SliceItRight. My passion for food started in my grandmother’s kitchen, where I learned the art of slicing, dicing, and creating delicious meals. Over the years, I’ve explored everything from the perfect kitchen gadgets to mastering culinary techniques, and I’m here to share all of it with you. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home chef, my goal is to make cooking easier, more enjoyable, and a lot more fun. So, let’s slice it right and cook up something amazing together!