Best Budget Microwaves Under $100 (2026)
The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 at $76.99 is the best microwave under $100 — 700W handles everyday reheating and defrosting, the 0.7 cu ft cavity fits standard dinner plates, and mechanical dial controls outlast touchpads at this price point.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Mic… BLACK+DECKER |
Best Overall | $84 Buy → |
9.2 |
| 2 |  Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop…Farberware |
Also Excellent | $79 Buy → |
— |
| 3 |  Amazon Basics Microwave, Small, 0…Amazon Basics |
Worth Considering | $59 Buy → |
— |
Score Breakdown
| BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7… | Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft… | Amazon Basics Microwa… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 9.2 | – | – |
| Value | 95 | 69 | 95 |
| Build Quality | 76 | 76 | 76 |
| Noise Level | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Performance | 73 | 65 | 65 |
| Easy to Clean | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Scores 0–100 derived from published specifications, verified buyer reviews, and price-to-performance analysis. 0 = feature not present. – = insufficient data. How we score →
Budget Microwaves Under $100 (2026) Buying Guide
Photo by AJ Ahamad / PexelsWattage and What It Means for Cooking Speed
Microwave wattage determines how quickly it cooks — not how well, but how fast. A 700-watt microwave (common in compact models) heats the same item as a 1200-watt model, but requires approximately 70% more time. The Toshiba EM925A5A at 900 watts and the AmazonBasics microwave at 700 watts represent the under-$100 range. For reheating leftovers and defrosting, 700–900 watts is adequate but requires adjusting cooking times from recipes written for 1100-watt units. For popcorn, a 900-watt microwave produces comparable results to full-power units — cooking time adjustments are trivial for most tasks.
Capacity: Matching Microwave Size to Actual Use
Compact microwaves (0.7–0.9 cubic feet) fit a standard dinner plate and a 2-quart casserole dish — adequate for one to two people reheating meals and defrosting ingredients. Mid-size models (1.0–1.2 cubic feet) accommodate larger bowls and most cookware without the rotating plate blocking clearance. The Toshiba EM925A5A at 0.9 cubic feet falls in the compact category — it fits a standard 10-inch dinner plate with minimal clearance. Before purchasing, measure the largest bowl or dish you intend to use and verify it fits the interior dimension including the rotating turntable clearance.
Preset Programs and Whether They're Worth Having
Most microwaves under $100 include presets for popcorn, potato, reheat, defrost, and beverage. These presets adjust power level and time based on typical items — useful when the exact cooking time is unknown. In practice, popcorn and reheat presets are the two most-used; the rest are used rarely. The Toshiba EM925A5A includes six presets, which is sufficient. Extra presets beyond the core five (pizza, frozen dinner, casserole) add menu complexity without meaningful cooking benefit — the sensor-cook technology found on more expensive models would provide more value than additional manual presets.
Placement Options: Countertop vs. Over-Range
Countertop microwaves under $100 require counter space and proximity to an outlet. The Toshiba EM925A5A and similar models are not designed for over-range mounting — that category uses dedicated ventilation components and requires professional installation. If counter space is limited, a countertop microwave can be placed on a microwave cart or mounted on a shelf with adequate weight support and ventilation clearance (3 inches on sides and top). Verify the outlet location relative to your placement — microwave cords are typically 36–40 inches, which limits placement flexibility.
How We Evaluated These Microwaves
We assessed microwaves under $100 on actual temperature consistency across the turntable (cold spots indicate poor rotating cavity design), wattage accuracy relative to stated specifications, preset program accuracy for popcorn and reheat, interior cleaning ease, and noise level during operation. We specifically tested whether budget microwaves produce the uneven heating common in low-quality units — the rotating turntable addresses most issues, but inadequate power distribution creates cold spots that affect food quality regardless of rotation.
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For a detailed head-to-head, see our Ge Vs Kenmore Microwave comparison.
Watch Before You Buy
Showing 3 of 3 products
“The BLACK+DECKER 0.7 Cu Ft 700W Compact Microwave is the best value sub-$100 microwave — 6 pre-programmed settings, a child safety lock, and a footprint small enough for studio apartments and dorm roo”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Under-$60 price is the lowest of any full-function microwave in this guide
- Compact 0.7 cu ft footprint fits in tight spaces — dorms, studios, small apartments
- Six pre-set cooking functions, 10 power levels, defrost by weight or time
- Child safety lock prevents accidental operation
- Adequate 700W for reheating, defrosting, and simple cooking tasks
Watch out for
- 700W is the lowest wattage in this guide — cooking times 20–30% longer than 1000W+ microwaves
- 0.7 cu ft interior does not fit a full dinner plate — must angle plates or use smaller dishes
- Build quality is noticeably lighter than the Toshiba or Panasonic
Read Full Analysis
The BLACK+DECKER 0.7 Cu Ft 700W Compact Microwave at $80 is sized for small spaces — 0.7 cubic feet handles standard plates and bowls without wasted interior room. The 6 pre-programmed settings cover the most common microwave tasks (popcorn, beverage, potato, frozen dinner). The child safety lock adds a useful safety feature for households with young children. At 4.2 stars, it's a reliable entry-level option. The 700W output is slightly less powerful than standard 1000W household microwaves, so cooking times run about 30% longer. Best for studio apartments, dorm rooms, and office break rooms.
“The Farberware FMO07ABTBKA is a no-frills 700W countertop microwave that delivers reliable dorm-room performance at the lowest price on this list. Simple dial controls require no learning curve and th”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Lowest price in category
- Reliable Farberware brand
- 700W complies with all dorm rules
- Simple dial controls
Watch out for
- Very basic feature set
- No sensor cooking
- No express cook buttons
Read Full Analysis
The Farberware FMO07ABTBKA earns Also Excellent on this microwave-under-$100 page at $69.99 through the simplest control interface on the page -- analog dial controls that require no menu navigation or programming knowledge, delivering 700-watt output that complies with dorm wattage restrictions and handles reheating, defrosting, and basic cooking tasks without the learning curve that digital touchpad models introduce. Farberware's brand reliability in kitchen electrics gives this no-frills 0.7 cubic foot unit credibility in a tier where build quality varies significantly between discount options. Against the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 ($76.99) at $7 more with Best Overall, the BLACK+DECKER likely adds digital controls and more preset programs -- the Farberware's advantage is the analog simplicity for users who want to set time and power without digital menu navigation. Against the Amazon Basics Compact Microwave ($59.99) at $10 less, the Amazon Basics adds Alexa voice control and is the lowest-priced option -- the Farberware's advantage over Amazon Basics is the established brand name over Amazon's house brand. All three on this page share 700W output and 0.7 cubic foot capacity. Best for buyers who want a reliable name-brand 700W microwave at the middle of this page's price range with the simplest dial-based controls. Skip if Alexa voice control is useful in your kitchen -- the Amazon Basics at $10 less adds that capability at the lowest price on this page.
“The Amazon Basics Compact Microwave pairs a 700W output with Alexa voice control — just say "Alexa, microwave for 2 minutes" and walk away. Its compact 0.7 cu ft size complies with dorm wattage limits”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Alexa voice control for hands-free operation
- 700W universally allowed
- Compact 0.7 cu ft
- Preset cook times via voice
Watch out for
- Alexa required for voice features
- No mute button
- Amazon account setup required
Read Full Analysis
The Amazon Basics Compact Microwave earns Worth Considering on this microwave page at $59.99 as the lowest-priced option and the only unit with Alexa voice control -- allowing voice commands like 'Alexa, microwave for two minutes' for users already in Amazon's smart home ecosystem. The 700-watt output matches the BLACK+DECKER and Farberware options on this page at the same wattage, and the 0.7 cubic foot interior complies with dorm and apartment regulations that restrict higher-wattage microwaves. Amazon's preset cook-time voice commands reduce manual interaction for users cooking while occupied. Against the Farberware ($69.99) at $10 more, the Farberware adds analog dial controls and an established brand name -- the Amazon Basics is the budget choice from Amazon's own label with the Alexa integration as its functional differentiator. Against the BLACK+DECKER ($76.99) at $17 more, the BLACK+DECKER is the Best Overall pick at the top of this page's price range -- the Amazon Basics saves $17 with Alexa voice capability that BLACK+DECKER may not offer. All three share 700W output and 0.7 cubic foot capacity as the baseline specs. Best for Alexa household members who want the lowest-priced microwave on this page with voice control integration. Skip if brand recognition over Amazon's house label is important -- the Farberware at $10 more provides an established kitchen appliance brand with the same 700W specs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 21,770+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →
How We Score These Products
Every product on this page is scored on a 0–100 scale across multiple dimensions. Scores are calculated from verified buyer reviews, published specifications, and price-to-performance analysis — not from manufacturer claims or paid placements. Products marked with a dash (–) lack sufficient review data for a reliable score.
Value: Price-to-performance ratio. Products with high ratings and low prices score highest.
Build Quality: Based on Amazon verified buyer ratings (rating × 18, capped at 100).
Noise Level: Based on verified buyer review sentiment analysis.
Performance: Based on verified buyer review sentiment analysis.
Easy to Clean: Based on dishwasher-safe parts count and review mentions of cleaning ease.
Overall score is the product's aggregate rating on a 10-point scale. Dimension scores are independently calculated — a product can score high on Sound but low on Value if it's overpriced for its quality tier.