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.
If your microwave has to slide into a cabinet, a pantry shelf, or the gap beside the fridge, the depth matters more than anything else on the box. Get that one measurement wrong and the unit either overhangs the edge or will not close the door. Everything below fits a shallow footprint of roughly 11 to 13 inches deep, and a few land closer to 12 inches than others — so before you buy, measure the opening, not the model number.
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.
Small kitchens need a microwave that heats a dinner plate without eating the whole counter, and that is exactly what these compact picks deliver. The picks below are sorted so the strongest all-rounder sits first, and the widest value sits near the top of this list of 12 inch deep microwave choices.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 12 Inch Deep Microwave
If your counter is shallow, you only need to check three numbers before you buy: depth, wattage (how much cooking power it puts out), and capacity (how much food fits inside). The fourth thing is a habit — knowing what you actually reheat on a normal weeknight.
Measure The Depth First, Everything Else Second
Depth is the front-to-back measurement of the unit — the distance from the front panel to the back wall. A microwave listed around 12 inches deep will usually sit flush or slightly proud on a standard counter. If the door needs to swing open against a cabinet, add a couple of inches of breathing room in front. Nothing else on this page matters if the box does not fit the gap you have.
Wattage Sets Your Waiting Time
Wattage is the cooking power rating. A 700W unit heats a plate of leftovers noticeably slower than a 900W or 1000W unit. If you mostly warm coffee and reheat a single serving, 700W is fine. If you regularly heat a full dinner plate or a frozen entrée, more wattage cuts the standing-around time. Smaller wattage also tends to draw less power, which matters in older kitchens.
Capacity Tells You What Fits On The Turntable
Capacity is measured in cubic feet, and it is the interior space, not the footprint. A 0.7 cubic foot model generally holds a standard dinner plate and a mug or two. A 0.9 cubic foot model gives you more room and a larger turntable, which is helpful for a 10-inch pizza or a casserole dish. Bigger capacity usually means a slightly deeper or wider cabinet, so check both before you commit.
The Features You Will Actually Touch
A child lock stops small hands from starting the unit — it is a two-step button press on most of these, and it can be turned off when you do not need it. A mute mode silences the end-of-cook beeps, which matters in an open-plan kitchen or a dorm. A memory function saves your go-to setting so you do not re-enter it every night. Defrost by weight or by time is the one preset most people use weekly.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Exterior Depth | Wattage | Capacity | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu Ft, 900W★ Best Overall | Best all-round shallow pick | 13.2″ | 900W | 0.9 cu ft | Amazon |
| LG NeoChef 0.9 cu. ft., 1000WSmart Inverter Pick | Highest power in a compact shell | 14″ | 1000W | 0.9 cu ft | Amazon |
| TOSHIBA 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W, Black StainlessBest for Black Stainless | Matching black stainless kitchens | 13.3″ | 900W | 0.9 cu ft | Amazon |
| TOSHIBA 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Black | Motorhomes and shallow shelves | 12.2″ | 700W | 0.7 cu ft | Amazon |
| BLACK+DECKER 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Black | Apartment and office desks | 12.3″ | 700W | 0.7 cu ft | Amazon |
| Chefman Compact, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W | Quiet-operating dorm pick | 12.93″ | 700W | 0.7 cu ft | Amazon |
| COMFEE’ 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, White | Budget pantry fit | 12″ | 700W | 0.7 cu ft | Amazon |
| GE 0.7 Cu. Ft., 700W, White | Deepest countertop footprint here | 12.74″ | 700W | 0.7 cu ft | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven 0.9 Cu Ft, 900W, Stainless Steel
Our pick — 4.5★ from 700+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
A 13.2-inch box that still swallows a full dinner plate and heats it hot in one press
Buy this one if you want the biggest usable interior that still fits a shallow counter slot. Its 0.9 cubic foot capacity beats the 0.7 cubic foot TOSHIBA 700W on this page by a good margin, so you can fit a full dinner plate. The 900W output runs 200W hotter than that same TOSHIBA, so a frozen entrée comes out hot without a second lap. The removable turntable takes a 10-inch pizza, which is more than most shallow microwaves manage.
What wins people over here is the build quality — it earns more quality praise than any other part of the design, and the general read is that it feels better made than the price tier suggests. Owners single out the compact footprint for small kitchens and dorm rooms, and the fit is praised for landing exactly where the tape measure said it would. On the sound side, one neat trick is built in: you can mute the end-of-cook beep by holding the “8” button for a few seconds, which is a small thing that makes a big difference at midnight. Buyers report this in plain terms — “Mute sound by holding “8” for seconds. 900W, reasonably priced, heats frozen entrees/leftovers well.”
The honest catch is the door: you have to push it shut yourself, since there is no open/close button on the panel. A few owners found the child lock fiddly to switch off, though the instructions walk you through it. The control pad is all touch, so there are no physical dials to grip. Set against that, the 6 one-touch menus (popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetables, beverages, dinner plate) mean dinner is usually a single button away.
What Earns It The Top Spot
- 0.9 cu ft interior holds a 10-inch pizza on the turntable
- 900W output heats frozen meals fast, with 10 adjustable power levels
- 13.2″ depth keeps it genuinely shallow for the capacity on offer
- 6 auto menus plus memory function and child lock
The Trade-Off You Should Know
- No open/close button — the door must be pushed shut by hand
- Child lock takes a two-step press to disable
- Interior is plastic, not stainless, on the inside liner
Best matched to: anyone who wants the most interior room per inch of counter and reheats full plates rather than single servings.
Think twice if: you want a push-button door release or a metal interior liner.
2. LG NeoChef Countertop Microwave, 0.9 cu. ft., 1000W, Stainless Steel
The most cooking power you can buy in a compact shell, with the smoothest heat curve
Pick this one if you want your meal hot faster. At 1000W it outpowers every other microwave on this page, including the two 900W units ranked around it, so leftovers reach eating temperature in less time. The Smart Inverter (a system that holds a steady low power instead of pulsing the magnetron on and off) is why it heats evenly rather than in hot-and-cold patches — you notice it most when defrosting meat or softening butter. There are 10 adjustable power levels and 7 Auto Cook food types, from bacon to oatmeal to frozen entrée.
The fit story is a mixed picture worth reading carefully. The stated footprint is 18.75 x 14 x 10.69 inches, so it is the deepest cabinet here by a clear margin — shelve it beside the 12.2-inch TOSHIBA 700W and the difference is visible. What you get for that extra depth is the 0.9 cubic foot interior and a 12-inch turntable, which takes larger dishes than most shallow units and still clears most small counters. Owners regularly describe it as big enough for dinner plates without swallowing the whole worktop.
Two real complaints show up. A few owners found the start button oddly stiff to press, so if you have limited hand strength, that is worth noting. And the manual is pretty thin — the numbered cook features are not well explained, so expect some trial and error at the start. The EasyClean interior wipes down easily and the Auto and Rapid Defrost modes handle frozen food well. A small number of units arrive with faults, which is worth knowing when the box lands.
Where it pulls ahead: 1000W plus inverter control gives the most even, fastest heating of the group — a clear step up from the 900W BLACK+DECKER above for anyone who cooks from frozen regularly.
The quiet limitation: at 14 inches deep it will not slide into the same gap as the compact 12-inch picks, and the sparse manual and stiff start button are real friction points.
Reach for this if: heating speed and evenness matter more than a tight footprint, and you have the extra cabinet depth to spare.
Look elsewhere if: your shelf is genuinely shallow or you want a simple, self-explanatory control panel.
3. TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W, Black Stainless Steel
The one that disappears into a black stainless kitchen and still heats like the big units
This is the model for anyone whose other appliances already wear black stainless steel. The finish is the differentiator, and the footprint is close to its sibling: 13.3 inches deep against the BLACK+DECKER 0.9 cu ft, 900W at 13.2 inches, so the pair are near-identical on the counter. Internally the 0.9 cubic foot capacity and a 10.6-inch glass turntable mean a casserole or a large dinner plate sits flat, and you get 11 power levels against the BLACK+DECKER’s 10 — a small edge in fine control.
Owners talk most about the quality of the build, and the recurring praise is that the thing feels solid for what it costs. The heating performance stands out in a way that surprises people: it warms food as fast as larger, higher-wattage ovens they have owned. Almost everyone mentions the size in the same breath — it fits genuinely tight counter space and never feels like it is hogging the worktop. The mute mode, memory function, and defrost by weight or by time round out the everyday features most people use.
Where it slips is the interface. The button lettering is small and can be hard to read in low light, and the interior light is dim, so late-night reheating is a squint. It runs 900W, which is lower than the 1000W-plus commercial units some owners came from. There is also a mild hum at full power that settles down once the cook finishes. Those are small gripes on a broadly well-liked pick.
The all-round read: a 0.9 cubic foot, 900W, 13.3-inch-deep box with a black stainless finish — the best fit if style continuity with your other appliances matters as much as the spec sheet.
Pick it for: a shallow counter that needs to look intentional, with matching black stainless appliances on the same run.
Pass on it if: you want bright, easily read button labels for a low-light kitchen.
4. TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Black
The shallowest box here, built for motorhome cupboards and dorm shelves
At 12.2 inches deep, this is the pick for anyone whose clearance is measured, not guessed. That is the closest front-to-back measurement to a genuine 12-inch microwave on this entire page, and it is why it lands so high. The 0.7 cubic foot interior holds a dinner plate, three mugs, or a 1.5-quart casserole, and the 9.6-inch glass turntable does the work of moving food through the field. Owners confirm it fits dinner plates and mugs and report one happily living in a motorhome cupboard.
Buyers praise the size most, and the features back it up. That matters because the output is only 700W — owners mention it still heats food quickly despite the low wattage, and the ChefDefrost feature (a program that thaws frozen food while keeping the texture intact) handles frozen meat well. One owner reports — “700W but heats food very fast, faster than a Sharp 1000W commercial unit.” The buttons are easy to use, the beep can be switched off completely, and the child lock can be disengaged if no small children are around.
The trade-offs are soft but worth naming. The door opens in a way a few owners find awkward, and the time display is genuinely bright enough that some buyers cover it at night. The door lock draws the most owner mentions of any part of the design, and some find it fiddly. At 700W, if you regularly reheat an entire dinner plate rather than one serving, expect a longer cook than a 900W unit would give you.
The takeaway: the smallest real footprint here, with a capacity that still handles everyday plates and a price point that makes it an easy entry pick for a dorm or a camper.
Worth knowing: at 12.2 inches deep it is the tightest fit, but it will not outpace a 900W or 1000W unit on a full plate.
Best fit for: a shelf or cupboard where 12 inches of depth is a hard ceiling and speed on a single serving is enough.
skip it if: you routinely heat multiple plates back-to-back and want the shortest possible cook time.
5. Chefman Compact Countertop Microwave, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Stainless
A stainless-front compact that keeps the beeps down when the house is asleep
If the sound of the end-of-cook beep at 6am is the thing you cannot stand, this is your pick. There is a dedicated Sound Button that silences every beep, which is exactly what the name implies, and it is the standout feature on an otherwise straightforward 0.7 cubic foot, 700W unit. The dimensions come in at 12.93 inches deep, so it is a touch deeper than the tightest picks here but still works on a shallow counter.
The performance is the part owners talk about most, and the reviews back it up. It heats leftovers, popcorn, and coffee quickly and evenly, without the cold center or scorched edges that plague weaker compacts. There are three one-touch presets — popcorn, beverages, and leftovers — plus 10 power levels from a low melt-butter setting right up to full power. The child safety lock on the handle is a helpful extra: you pull upwards on the top edge of the handle to open the door, which stops it swinging open accidentally.
The honest catch is the noise level: it runs noticeably loud while cooking. The stainless steel looks sharp on the counter, but the unit runs noticeably loud when it is working, and that is the one point owners split on. There is also a 30-second +30 button for adding time, which gets used more than you would think. On the size front, this is a genuine compact — it fits dorm rooms and tiny kitchens, but a full-sized casserole or a 10-inch pizza is not going to happen.
The core value: a silent running compact with 10 power levels and a mute button — perfect for a bedroom-adjacent kitchen or a night-owl’s dorm.
The one thing to accept: the 700W motor is on the slow side for a full plate, and the noise while it runs is the recurring owner note.
Right choice for: a small household that wants quiet operation and a stainless front, without needing a full-power oven.
Wrong choice if: you need to heat large dishes or you find appliance hum genuinely distracting.
6. COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, White
A 12-inch footprint that fits a pantry shelf, and a white finish that blends in
For a shallow cabinet, a pantry shelf, or a spot under a wall unit, this is the one to measure for. The external footprint is 12 inches deep, the tightest in the group, and the interior is 0.7 cubic feet — you get a 10-inch glass turntable that takes a dinner plate but not a family-sized dish. Customers note fitting it perfectly on a small pantry shelf, with the measurements landing exactly where the listing said.
What buyers praise most is the functionality. It heats well, the controls are simple, and it does the daily jobs — tea in about 1 minute 20 seconds, coffee in 20 to 30 seconds, and a working popcorn preset — without fuss. The child lock is a two-step process designed to keep small hands off the buttons, and owners like it. The interior light is a genuine plus in a kitchen with poor overhead lighting. There is a one-year limited warranty and the box includes the oven plus a manual.
The recurring gripe is the noise and the press-to-open door. The unit runs loud for its size, and you have to press the door button every time rather than just pulling it open — a small daily friction. The timer also beeps only once, which makes it easy to miss if you are across the room. On the interior, the small size is the point, but it does mean a casserole or a large pizza will not fit.
Owners Praise
- 12″ external depth — the shallowest footprint on the page
- 11 power levels for fine control on melting and defrosting
- Two-step child lock plus interior light
- Fits under a cabinet without crowding the worktop
Owners Note
- Runs noticeably loud for a compact unit
- Door must be pressed open every time
- Timer beeps once only — easy to miss
Best for: anyone whose depth budget is 12 inches or less and who wants a simple, quiet-looking white unit for basic reheating.
Not for: households that regularly heat large dishes or need silent operation.
7. BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Black
A black, fingerprint-resistant box for an office breakroom or an apartment counter
For a shared kitchen where the surface gets touched by everyone, this is the sensible pick. The exterior is finished in a matte black that resists fingerprints, so it stays looking clean where a glossy unit would show every mark. The footprint is 17.1 x 12.3 x 9.5 inches, with the 12.3-inch depth keeping it genuinely compact. Inside, 0.7 cubic feet holds a standard dinner plate, and the turntable handles even reheating — you get 6 preset menus covering popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetables, beverages, and dinner plate reheat, plus 10 cooking power levels.
The performance is the most-mentioned strength, and reviewers point out it heats food quickly and stays quiet while doing it. The express cooking shortcut buttons mean a quick reheat is one press away, which is exactly the point in a breakroom. The 700W output is on the modest side, but the practical read is that it works as well as larger models for everyday reheating. The multi-stage cooking function is a nice extra — you can program it to run defrost and then reheat in sequence, which suits frozen dinners without you having to babysit the panel.
It takes a little getting used to, and a few buyers found it less convenient than a simple push-open door, though it can be disabled if you do not need it. The window visibility is also fair-to-poor in the typical way for a black compact. Those are small points on a pick that owners otherwise call reliable and good value.
Why it earns a place: 6 one-touch menus, multi-stage defrost-to-reheat cooking, and a fingerprint-resistant black finish that survives a shared kitchen.
The one thing to check: the door lock takes adjustment, and the 700W output will feel slow if you reheat full plates in a rush.
Reach for it if: you want a tidy, low-maintenance black compact for an office, rental, or small apartment.
Look past it if: speed on large portions is the priority or you dislike an interlock-style door.
8. GE Countertop Microwave Oven, 700 Watt, 0.7 Cu. Ft., White, GCST07N1WWW
A familiar white compact with straightforward controls and a shallow footprint
This is the entry-level pick for anyone who wants a plain, well-known name in a white finish. The body measures 17.31 x 12.74 inches wide and deep, so it slides onto a shallow counter without crowding. Inside, 0.7 cubic feet with a 10-inch glass turntable holds a standard dinner plate, and the 700W output is enough for everyday reheating and defrosting. One-touch express cooking and 4 convenience settings keep the routine simple, and the manual and auto defrost modes adjust time and power to thaw frozen food without overcooking the edges.
Owners talk most about the quiet operation. The recurring line is that it is remarkably quiet for a countertop microwave, and the controls are intuitive enough that most people need no setup time. It has a child lock that can be disabled easily when the household does not need it, and the compact footprint is a real strength for dorms, apartments, and offices. Where owners want more is on the reliability side. The one owner with a serious fault reported the door failing to open without a utensil and the turntable losing its place, though this is a single case and the vast majority of shoppers say no trouble.
The smaller cautions are practical: small button lettering and a stiff door release on some units. The button lettering is quite small, which is a problem in a dim kitchen, and the door release can feel stiff on some units. The 700W output will not match a 900W or 1000W model on a full plate. Those are fair points to weigh against the low price and the trusted brand name.
Straight read: quiet, easy controls, a shallow 12.74-inch footprint, and 700W of cooking power — a solid budget compact if you value simplicity over speed.
The real caveat: the 700W output shows on large portions, the button labels are small, and one reported unit had a door fault.
Best for: a renter, student, or small office wanting a quiet, no-fuss white compact at an entry price.
Consider another pick if: you need to reheat large plates fast or you want clearly readable button labels.
Understanding the Specs
Depth and Clearance
Depth is the single most important number if your microwave has to fit a tight shelf. The exterior dimension — front panel to rear cabinet — decides whether it clears the gap. Every pick here sits in roughly the 12-to-14-inch range, so a standard shallower counter or pantry shelf is a genuine option. Leave room for the door to swing, and keep the vents clear; many makers recommend a few inches of clearance at the sides and top and an inch or so behind for airflow.
Wattage and Cook Time
Wattage is the cooking power rating and it drives the wait time. A 700W model is fine for coffee, single servings, and defrosting. A 900W unit cuts the reheat time noticeably. A 1000W unit, like the LG on this list, heats fastest and most evenly, helped by inverter control that holds a steady power instead of pulsing it. Higher wattage usually means a slightly larger cabinet, so trade it off against the depth you have available.
Capacity and Turntable
Capacity in cubic feet tells you the interior volume, and the turntable diameter tells you the biggest dish that will spin. A 0.7 cubic foot model usually fits a standard dinner plate and a mug. A 0.9 cubic foot unit often fits a 10-inch pizza or a casserole, and the LG’s 12-inch turntable is the largest here. Measure your most-used dish before you buy, and remember the turntable needs to rotate freely without hitting the walls.
Child Lock, Mute, and Memory
A child lock is a two-step button press that stops accidental starts, and on nearly every model here it can be switched off when not needed. A mute mode silences the end-of-cook beeps, which is a genuine quality-of-life feature in an open-plan home or a dorm. A memory function saves your usual setting so you do not re-enter it each night. None of these add much to the price, and they are the ones you will actually touch every day.
FAQ
Will a 12 inch deep microwave fit in a standard kitchen cabinet?
Is 700W enough to reheat a full dinner plate?
What does the child lock actually do on these microwaves?
Can I turn off the beeping sound on a compact microwave?
How much clearance does a countertop microwave need at the sides and back?
Is a 0.9 cubic foot microwave too big for a small kitchen?
What is the difference between size and capacity on a microwave?
Do I need a turntable or a rotating plate in my microwave?
Can I use a compact microwave in a dorm room or motorhome?
Which is better, a higher wattage or a larger capacity microwave?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most kitchens, the 12 inch deep microwave to start with is the BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven 0.9 Cu Ft, 900W, because it delivers the biggest interior and the strongest build for a shallow footprint. If you want the fastest, most even heating and have the depth to spare, grab the LG NeoChef 1000W. And for a motorhome cupboard or a dorm shelf where 12 inches is a hard limit, the TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W is the one to reach for. Measure your gap, pick the wattage that fits your plate, and let the beeps fall where they may.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, KitchPrep earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.
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