Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
You have measured the slot, and a full-size microwave still juts past the edge of your counter. The fix is a compact 0.7 cubic foot oven with a body around 11 inches deep — that is the front-to-back number that decides whether it sits flush. Here is the short answer: the LDAILY 0.7 Cu.ft Retro is the best all-around pick, the Frigidaire EMW736BLK wins on budget, and the COMFEE’ Retro is the one for a quiet shared kitchen. Every pick below is a countertop microwave built for apartment kitchens, dorm desks, office break rooms, and tight pantry shelves. One heads-up before you scroll: this list uses flexible matching for that about-11-inch depth. It accepts roughly 10 to 12 inches deep and rejects anything deeper than about 13 inches, so not every pick matches the exact number you typed. The nearest same-type size and wattage does the same job.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind KitchPrep. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Three numbers decide whether a compact oven earns its counter space: depth (the front-to-back size), wattage (the heating power), and turntable diameter (the width of the spinning glass plate). A shallow body only helps if your dinner plate still spins inside it. And 700 watts only works if the cavity is big enough to hold your leftovers. Below is a shortlist of the best 11 inch deep microwave, with each pick’s trade-off spelled out so you measure once and buy once.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 11 Inch Deep Microwave
A microwave can look tiny in a product photo and still hang over the front lip of your counter. That is why buying a shallow one is really a measuring job. Get the footprint right and a 700-watt compact handles reheating coffee, defrosting chicken, and popping corn. Get it wrong and the door will not clear your counter edge.
Measure depth first, width second, height third
Depth — the front-to-back distance — is the number that traps most buyers. It decides whether the oven sits flush or sticks out into the room. Run a tape measure along the usable depth of your slot before you compare any specs. Width and height matter too, but depth is the one that usually rules out an otherwise perfect oven.
Decide whether 700 watts is enough for you
Almost every compact in this size class is rated 700 watts, which is plenty for reheating a plate of leftovers or thawing meat. Cooking from raw is where the gap shows: a 700-watt oven runs noticeably slower than a big 1000-watt kitchen unit, so a baked potato takes longer. Mostly warming and defrosting? 700 watts is fine. Full meals in the microwave? Expect longer times.
Check what fits on the turntable
The turntable is the rotating glass plate that keeps food heating evenly. Its diameter, plus the cavity around it, decides what you can actually cook. Most compact ovens here have small turntables, so a standard dinner plate usually fits while a large casserole dish may not. Reheating family-size portions regularly means sizing up; single plates and mugs mean a compact turntable is all you need.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Capacity | Wattage | Control Type | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDAILY 0.7 Cu.ft Retro Small Microwave Oven★ Best Overall | Small kitchens and dorm counters | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts | Button, Knob | Amazon |
| Frigidaire EMW736BLK 0.7 Cu. Ft. MicrowaveBudget Champion | Budget-friendly everyday reheating | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts | Touch | Amazon |
| Frigidaire 0.7 Cu. Ft. Retro Countertop Microwave Oven | A retro look on a small counter | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts | Touch | Amazon |
| TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft | Shallow shelves and quiet operation | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts | Touch | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. LDAILY 0.7 Cu.ft Retro Small Microwave Oven
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 100+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The retro two-tone oven that slides onto the tightest counter and still fits a full dinner plate.
Depth is what earns this one the top spot. The LDAILY measures 11 inches deep by 18 inches wide by 10 inches high, so it drops into narrow counters and shallow cabinets that reject a full-size unit. Those are the exact dimensions a shallow-microwave buyer is hunting for, and it hits them without feeling cramped inside.
The LDAILY pairs a 700-watt heating element (700 watts is the entry-level power for compact ovens) with five power settings that run from 20P to 100P — dial down to 20P for a gentle defrost, push to 100P for a fast reheat. A 360-degree glass turntable with a removable tray keeps food rotating so it heats evenly, and the mechanical panel stays tactile: 6 function buttons plus a knob you twist from 1 to 60 minutes. What buyers rave about most is the look — the black-and-gold retro finish is the standout. Reviewers call out fast, even heating and a quiet, capable little box. There is also a child safety lock and a soft-lit viewing window, so you can watch your food without opening the door.
The honest limit is power. With 700 watts and 5 power levels, the Frigidaire EMW736BLK offers 10 levels against these 5, so the LDAILY is simpler to use but gives you fewer gradations to fine-tune. Reviewers also keep mentioning one quirk: you tap pause to release the door even after the cycle ends, which some find clunky. Heating is described as slightly mild versus beefier ovens. One buyer sums it up: “It is attractive and I do like the smaller size.”
What buyers cheer about
- 11-inch depth slides into tight counters that reject full-size ovens
- 0.7 cu. ft. cavity still fits a full-size dinner plate
- Retro black-and-gold finish is the most-loved thing about it
- Child safety lock and soft-lit viewing window
Where it holds back
- 700W heats gently compared with higher-wattage ovens
- Door needs a pause tap to open, which some find clunky
- Five power levels is fewer than the ten on the Frigidaire EMW736BLK
Reach for this if: you want a shallow, good-looking 0.7 cu. ft. oven for a small kitchen, dorm, or office break room and value simplicity over fine control.
Look elsewhere if: you cook full meals in the microwave and want maximum power, in which case a higher-wattage unit serves you better.
2. Frigidaire EMW736BLK 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave
The budget short-depth oven with 10 power levels and a self-locking door that releases on its own.
Ten power levels in a 0.7 cubic foot, 700-watt body is what separates this Budget Champion from the rest of the list — double the 5 levels of the LDAILY. It drops into dorm rooms, apartment kitchens, and workplace counters without hogging the depth. The digital touch panel covers express cooking, adjustable power, delayed start, a kitchen timer, and a stop/cancel button, plus six auto cooking settings for popcorn, baked potato, pizza, frozen food, reheat, and beverage — so dinner is often one button, not a guessing game.
A self-locking door that releases on its own is the standout win here. No pause-button tap dance like the LDAILY needs. Buyers report years of steady use with no drop in heating performance. One notes it fits large Pyrex bowls and full dinner plates while staying quiet. Reviewers also call it easy and safe for elderly users. That finer power control pays off most on delicate defrosting, where 10 gradations beat 5.
Where it wins: fitting a full dinner plate into a shallow-footprint oven while giving you ten power levels and reliable defrost control, so everyday reheating is smooth and predictable.
What to measure twice: touch buttons run small and some find them a touch fussy, and one reviewer noted the door sticking after twelve days — a rare note against otherwise happy long-term ownership.
Great choice when: you want a budget-priced, durable, short-depth oven with a self-locking door and don’t need cosmetic frills.
Give it a pass if: you prefer large, easy-to-read touch buttons rather than small ones that reward careful pressing.
3. Frigidaire 0.7 Cu. Ft. Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
The quiet retro looker that fits a small counter and warms one-plate meals without any fuss.
Nearly silent operation is the reason this Frigidaire earns a slot — buyers describe it that way, and it matters when your microwave shares a wall with a bedroom. It is a 0.7 cubic foot, 700-watt oven with a retro-inspired black-and-gold body, a bright LED display and clock, and five selectable power levels. Popcorn, pizza, beverages, frozen dinners and more are covered by eight one-touch auto cook menus. Auto defrost handles the frozen stuff, and express cooking gives you a single-touch quick heat.
Buyers also praise how it fits small spaces and how cool it looks on a little counter. The stainless interior wipes clean, and the glass turntable promotes even heating. Against the two Frigidaire models side by side, the EMW736BLK above is the budget, no-nonsense sibling with six auto settings, while this retro version adds eight auto menus and swaps the plain look for charm. Anyone decorating a small space will find it the more fun of the two.
The retro appeal: a black-and-gold body, bright LED display, and near-silent operation make this an easy yes for small apartments and dorms where looks count as much as function.
Room to know about: the interior is limited — owners mention it handles reheating single plates and mugs rather than large portions, so plan around that.
Best for: small-apartment and dorm setups that want a quiet, good-looking retro oven and mostly reheat single servings.
Think twice if: you regularly cook big batch portions, since the compact cavity keeps it to everyday plate-warming rather than meal cooking.
4. TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft
The shallow-shelf specialist that slips into a tight cupboard and keeps quiet while it works.
A shelf with almost no depth is the problem this oven was built to solve. It runs 700 watts output with 1020 watts input and measures 12.2 inches deep by 17.1 inches wide by 9.5 inches high, with a 9.6-inch glass turntable. That shallow body is what earns it a spot on this list for buyers who need the only size that fits a shallow shelf.
The control list runs deeper than most tiny ovens. There are 11 unique power levels, which is more fine-tuning than the 5 on the LDAILY, plus six auto menus for popcorn, pizza, potato and more. A ChefDefrost feature handles frozen food, and owners describe it heating food very fast — faster than they expected from a small unit — and staying quiet even while running. The extras are thoughtful too: a fully disableable beep, a display you can toggle off, and a One Touch Start with buttons for 1 to 6 minutes of full-power cooking. That last one is ideal for anyone who wants a fast, no-fuss reheat.
Why it stands out: a genuinely shallow 12.2-inch depth plus 11 power levels and 1020W input means it disappears onto a tight shelf yet still gives you precise control.
The catch to expect: the door opens awkwardly and the time light is very bright, so if either would bother you day to day, weigh that against the otherwise smooth operation.
Ideal for: anyone cramming an oven into a shallow shelf and who wants quiet running and quick, controllable heating.
Not the fit if: a bright display or an awkward door swing is a dealbreaker for your setup.
5. COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu.Ft, White
The pack-anywhere white 0.7-cu-ft oven with 11 power levels and a pantry-shelf footprint.
Exact dimensions that slot into a precise gap are what buyers keep praising here. It is a 0.7 cubic foot, 700-watt oven with a compact white body and a 10-inch glass turntable, and owners describe squeezing it into tight pantry spaces and under-cabinet spots. The 10-inch plate is what keeps soups and leftovers from sloshing over the edge. Coffee, tea, water, and popcorn come out reliably, and 11 power levels give you room to fine-tune — the same count as the TOSHIBA, and more than double the LDAILY’s 5.
The safety and speed features carry the rest: a two-step child lock, one-touch express cooking from 1 to 6 minutes with a +30 seconds button, and two defrost settings — by weight or by time. Auto-cook presets cover popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage, and reheat. One buyer reports it still heating evenly after years of steady use.
The trade-off buyers mention most is noise: some find the hum loud for its size. The door operation and turntable track draw mixed feedback, with occasional complaints about the tray slipping. It still heats well regardless, and the compact fit is why people keep it.
Points that earn it a spot
- Accurate dimensions that slide into exact pantry or under-cabinet gaps
- 11 power levels plus two defrost settings for flexible everyday cooking
- Two-step child lock and one-touch express cooking from 1 to 6 minutes
Points worth weighing
- Hum can be loud for a microwave this size
- Turntable track draws mixed feedback, with occasional tray slipping
Pick it when: you need a reliable white compact oven to fit a precise gap and want plenty of power levels for daily reheating.
skip it if: quiet operation sits high on your wish list, since the hum is louder than some tiny ovens.
