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 counter is shallow and a full-size microwave hangs over the edge, the fix is a unit built close to 14 inches deep. This guide covers six countertop microwaves that each land in the roughly 13 to 15 inch depth range, including a couple of picks that are near matches rather than exact ones. So you know upfront: this list uses flexible, human-like matching for that depth target, which means not every pick is the exact number you searched. The nearest same-type size and wattage does the same job on your counter, and every pick here is a real countertop microwave rather than a bulky over-the-range unit. What actually matters is depth plus internal capacity, since the front-to-back measurement decides whether it clears your cabinet line while cubic feet decide whether your dinner plate spins freely inside.
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.
Depth is the spec that decides whether a microwave actually fits your counter, so every pick below was screened against that measurement first. If you have a shallow counter, a 14 inch deep microwave is usually the difference between a unit that tucks under the upper cabinets and one that crowds your prep space.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 14 Inch Deep Microwave
A countertop microwave only helps you if it physically fits. The depth number is the one that decides whether the door clears your upper cabinets, whether the unit sits flush against the wall outlet, and whether you still have room to set down a cutting board. Everything else — wattage, capacity, presets — is a preference. Fit is a requirement.
Measure depth first, before wattage
Pull a tape measure from the back wall to the front edge of your counter, then subtract the clearance your cabinets need at the top. That number is your hard ceiling. A unit measuring about 13 to 15 inches front-to-back generally tucks under standard upper cabinets without the door fouling the trim.
Width matters too, but less than you think. Most compact units run around 17 to 19 inches wide, which fits under a standard 24-inch cabinet run with room to spare. If you have a narrow slice of counter between a stove and a fridge, check both numbers.
Match wattage to what you actually cook
Wattage is the heating strength of the magnetron — the part that actually generates the microwaves. A 700-watt unit takes noticeably longer to heat a cold plate than a 1000-watt unit, but it also draws less power from your circuit. In a dorm or a converted garage outlet, that lower draw can be the difference between a working microwave and a tripped breaker.
Higher wattage shortens cook times but not by as much as the spec sheet suggests. A lower-wattage compact can still warm a cup of coffee in under a minute, and several owners of the 700-watt models below say the heating speed surprised them.
Capacity versus footprint
Capacity in cubic feet tells you the internal volume, and it is what decides whether your everyday plate fits. A 0.7 cubic foot interior holds a single dinner plate and a mug, while a 0.9 or 1.2 cubic foot interior takes a casserole dish or several containers at once.
The turntable diameter is the practical limit inside that volume — the glass plate that rotates your food for even heating. If your plates are 10 inches across, a 9.6-inch turntable will still spin them if you center them, but a 12.4-inch turntable handles them without a second thought.
The features that actually earn their keep
Sensor cooking is the feature worth paying attention to. A humidity sensor (a small element that detects the moisture rising off your food) lets the microwave adjust its own cook time. That is the best defense against a cold center and scorched edges in the same dish.
Beyond that, a child lock keeps small hands from starting the unit, a mute option silences the end-of-cycle beep, and express buttons let you start heating without dialing in a time. None are essential, but all reduce daily friction.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Capacity | Wattage | Turntable / Turntable Size | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu.Ft, 1000W★ Best Overall | Big capacity in a 14.6-inch-deep footprint | 1.2 cubic feet | 1000 watts | 12.4-inch glass turntable | Amazon |
| Kenmore 0.9 Cu Ft, 900WPremium Pick | Stainless styling for a compact counter | 0.9 cubic feet | 900 watts | — | Amazon |
| BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W | Apartments and offices needing a touch more room | 0.9 cubic feet | 900 watts | — | Amazon |
| BLACK+DECKER 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W | Tight corners on a modest budget | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts | 10-inch glass turntable | Amazon |
| Chefman 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W | Stainless compact for dorm rooms and tiny kitchens | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts | — | Amazon |
| TOSHIBA 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W | Shallow shelves where depth is the whole problem | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts | 9.6-inch glass turntable | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu.Ft, 1000W, Black
Our pick — over 4★ from 32,500+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
Full-size cooking room inside a body that stops at 14.6 inches deep
You get the most interior space here without giving up a shallow counter. At 1.2 cubic feet it holds the most of anything on this list, and it still measures just 14.6 inches front to back. Compare that with the 0.7 cubic foot Toshiba further down this list: 1.2 cubic feet against 0.7 cubic feet is 71% more usable space. The turntable grows from 9.6 inches to 12.4 inches, which is 29% more spinning room for a full dinner plate or a lasagna dish.
The sensor is what wins people over. A humidity sensor watches the moisture coming off your food and shuts the cook cycle at the right moment, so leftovers reheat without you guessing a time. There are also 10 power levels, 6 preset menus covering pizza and vegetables, and a defrost that works by either weight or time. Output power is 1000 watts from a 1600-watt input draw, and the black stainless finish hides fingerprints far better than gloss black.
The catch is long-term reliability: this model has been sold for years, and the review pages show units that run well for years and then eventually fail. This model has clearly been sold for years, and the pattern in the review pages is a unit that hums along well and then eventually gives out. One owner got five to six years before a humming noise after the cook cycle signaled failure, then reordered the same model. Noise is the other split point: some units run super quiet, others buzz loudly enough to notice from the next room. One more thing worth knowing is that this machine is big enough that the door swing needs real clearance in front of it. If your counter is hemmed in on both sides, the compacts below will suit you better.
Where it pulls ahead
- 1.2 cubic feet of capacity in a body only 14.6 inches deep — the best space-to-depth ratio here
- 12.4-inch turntable spins a full-size dinner plate without you centering it
- Humidity sensor takes the guesswork out of reheating
- 10 power levels plus 6 preset menus and weight- or time-based defrost
- 1000 watts of output power heats plates quickly
Worth weighing first
- Longevity is the recurring theme in the reviews — several units eventually fail after years of service
- Noise varies unit to unit, from very quiet to noticeably buzzy
- Bigger body means the door needs swing clearance in front
Buy it when: you cook real meals and want a full-size interior without a full-size footprint.
Think twice when: your counter is walled in on both sides and you cannot spare door-swing room.
2. Kenmore KMCMWP09S2-09 Countertop Microwave, 900 Watt, 0.9 Cu Ft, Stainless Steel
Stainless looks and a 13.56-inch depth that reads as furniture, not clutter
Kenmore built this for the counter you actually look at every day. The depth lands at 13.56 inches, which is the shallowest front-to-back measurement of any pick here and the main reason it slides under a tight cabinet run. Capacity is 0.9 cubic feet with a 900-watt output, so it sits squarely between the roomy Toshiba and the tiny 0.7 cubic foot compacts.
What makes it easy to live with is the control layout. There are 6 preset menus covering popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen dinner, beverage and reheat, plus one-touch start buttons for 30 seconds and for 1 through 6 minutes. Defrost works by either time or weight. Nothing here needs a manual open, which matters if you share a kitchen with people who will not read one.
Quality is the trait owners talk about most, and it shows in the stainless finish that many buyers pair with the rest of the Kenmore line. Durability is mixed: the door latch is the weak point, with review pages showing repeated latch failures around the six-month mark, and the child lock can be fiddly to switch off at first. Its 0.9 cubic feet also lands on the smaller side of the 0.9-cubic-foot class for some buyers. If you want the toughest latch on the list, look at the BLACK+DECKER 0.9 cubic foot pick below instead.
Best for: anyone who wants a compact microwave that looks deliberate on the counter and heats with a simple, sensible panel.
One thing to know: the door latch on this model is the part to treat gently — it is a known weak spot, and the child lock takes a little learning.
Pick this one if stainless styling on a shallow counter matters as much to you as cooking performance.
Move along if you need the door to survive years of hard slamming — the latch here runs thin.
3. BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W, Child Safety, Black
The 900-watt sleeper that heats fast, stays quiet, and wipes clean
Here is the pick that surprises people on pure cooking performance. The 900-watt output and 0.9 cubic feet of capacity put it level with the Kenmore for heating strength, but the price sits closer to the budget tier, which is where its value story lives. If you are downsizing from a 700-watt compact, this is the step up that shortens your cook times without forcing you into a deep, bulky box.
The fingerprint-resistant black finish is a genuinely practical touch in a rental or a busy office kitchen. Its 13.2-inch depth keeps it off the front edge of a shallow counter. Controls cover 6 one-touch presets — popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetables, beverages and dinner plate reheat — plus express cooking and 10 power levels. The child lock activates by holding cancel for five seconds, which is a two-handed enough sequence that curious toddlers will not stumble into it.
Owners consistently report fast reheating, quiet operation, and a build that feels sturdier than its 0.9-cubic-foot size suggests. The recurring gripe is the window — visibility through the door glass is poor, so you cannot watch your food closely. The door lock also adds a little learning curve. Neither is a reason to walk away, but if you rely on watching a dish bubble through the glass, that is a real annoyance.
Land on this if you want near-flagship heating speed for apartments, dorms, offices and any small kitchen with a shallow counter.
Look elsewhere if you like to monitor your food through the door window — that glass stays frustratingly opaque.
4. BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Stainless Steel
The thrifty stainless that disappears into a corner and still fits a plate
This is the least expensive-feeling decision on the list, and that is precisely its appeal. At 0.7 cubic feet with a 700-watt output, it is built for the counter where a full-size unit would overflow — dorms, break rooms, tiny kitchens, and anyone replacing a dead appliance on a tight timeline. The 13-inch depth keeps it tucked against the wall, and the removable 10-inch glass turntable still sits a standard dinner plate.
Feature-wise it punches above its class. There are 6 pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage and dinner plate, plus 10 power settings, a 30-second express cook, a large LED display, a child safety lock and an interior light. It is UL approved with a one-year limited warranty, and push-button door release keeps the front clean. Owners describe setup as dead simple — clear instructions, easy to press buttons, and a body light enough to slide into place without help.
Two things to plan around. First, the interior is tight once a plate is in it, so a large casserole is not happening. Second, 700 watts cooks noticeably slower, and the drop from a 1200-watt unit roughly doubles cook times, which is normal for this wattage and worth budgeting a little extra patience for. Its 17.3-inch width and 13-inch depth also mean it needs three inches of breathing room behind it for the vents.
Who it fits: a second or third microwave for a dorm, office or guest kitchen, where size and simplicity matter most.
The trade-off: the interior is genuinely tight, and 700 watts means slower reheats than the higher-wattage picks above.
Choose it if you want a dependable, no-frills compact that costs little and takes up almost no counter.
skip it if you regularly reheat multiple plates at once — the interior fills fast.
5. Chefman Compact Countertop Microwave, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Stainless
A stainless compact that quiets down on command and holds a dinner plate
You want this shape if you live in a dorm, a studio, or a kitchen where every inch counts. The depth comes in at 12.93 inches, just a hair deeper than the 0.7 cubic foot Toshiba’s 12.2 inches. That slender front-to-back measurement is what makes it easy to wedge onto a narrow counter or a shelf. The 0.7 cubic feet of capacity is compact but still swallows a standard dinner plate.
what separates it is the mute button. Silence the end-of-cycle beep and you can heat a late snack without waking anyone in the next room. Beyond that you get three one-touch presets for popcorn, beverages and leftovers, a +30 seconds button for quick top-ups, 10 power levels, time and weight defrost, a digital timer, and a child safety lock built onto the handle that pulls upward to open. The stainless finish reads far nicer than its price suggests.
It earns its place on reheating: a plate of leftovers comes out evenly hot, with no scorched edges or cold centers. The one variable to expect is noise: some units run quiet, others come across as noticeably loud, and that inconsistency runs in both directions across the reviews. A few owners also find the 700-watt heating takes a touch longer, which is just the physics of a lower-wattage magnetron.
What shines
- 12.93-inch depth slides into the narrowest counters on this list
- Mute option silences the beep for shared spaces
- Heats evenly, no scorched edges or cold centers
- Child safety lock on the handle plus a +30 seconds shortcut
- Stainless look for a compact footprint
Before you buy
- Noise varies unit to unit — some run quiet, some run loud
- 700 watts means longer cook times than the 900 and 1000-watt picks
- Tight interior once a dinner plate is inside
Reach for this if you are squeezed into a dorm or studio and need silence plus a slim footprint.
Move on if you want a whisper-quiet machine every time — the noise here is a gamble.
6. TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Black
The shallowest 0.7-cubic-foot pick, priced as the entry to the whole list
Buyers who need a microwave for a shallow shelf — a motorhome cupboard, a dorm desk, a narrow rental counter — land here because the depth is minimal and the price is the lowest on this list. It measures 12.2 inches deep, 17.1 inches wide and 9.5 inches tall, so it is the closest to a true compact box of anything reviewed. That is meaningfully slimmer than the Chefman at 12.93 inches deep, so if depth is your absolute constraint, this is the smaller of the two.
Inside, the 0.7 cubic feet of capacity and 9.6-inch glass turntable handle a dinner plate and a mug, but not much beyond that. The ChefDefrost setting thaws frozen meat and fish up to 40% faster than a standard defrost cycle, according to Toshiba. You get 6 auto menus for popcorn, pizza, potato and more, 11 power levels, one-touch start for 1 to 6 minutes of full-power cooking, a child lock, eco mode, a clock and a kitchen timer.
What owners keep coming back to is size and function. It fits a dinner plate, three mugs, a 1.5-quart casserole or a pie plate — just not all at once. Owners say the 700 watts reheat a plate of leftovers faster than the 1000-watt commercial Sharp unit they used before. The recurring complaint is the door, which some find awkward to open, and the door lock can frustrate if there are no small children to justify it — though it can be switched off. The interior light is also bright enough to be distracting in a dark kitchen.
Who should grab it: renters, RV owners and dorm dwellers who need the smallest practical box at the lowest entry point.
The honest caveat: the interior only holds one plate at a time, and the door and its child lock take some getting used to.
Buy it for the tightest depth on a shallow shelf where nothing larger will fit.
Hold off if you cook for more than one person at a time — this interior caps out fast.
Understanding the Specs
Wattage (output power)
Wattage is the heating strength of the magnetron, the tube that generates the microwaves. Higher output means shorter cook times. A 1000-watt unit like the top Toshiba heats a plate in less of a wait than a 700-watt compact such as the BLACK+DECKER or Chefman. Lower wattage also draws less power from the wall, which can matter on an older or busy circuit. The trade-off is simply patience — a lower-wattage unit still reaches the same temperature, it just takes longer to get there.
Capacity and turntable size
Capacity, measured in cubic feet, describes the internal volume, and it decides what your microwave can hold at once. A 0.7 cubic foot interior fits a single dinner plate, while a 0.9 or 1.2 cubic foot interior accommodates a casserole or several containers. The turntable — the round glass plate that spins your food for even heating — is the practical ceiling inside that volume. Common diameters run from 9.6 inches on compact models up to 12.4 inches on the roomier Toshiba, which is what a full-size dinner plate needs.
Depth and countertop fit
Depth is the front-to-back measurement, and it is the number that decides how much of your counter survives. A unit in the roughly 13 to 15 inch range generally tucks under standard upper cabinets without the door fouling the trim. Before buying, measure from the wall to the front lip of your counter and subtract the swing clearance the door needs to open. A depth that fits the space but leaves the door unable to fully open is still a poor fit.
Sensor cooking and presets
Sensor cooking uses a humidity sensor that detects the moisture rising off your food and ends the cook cycle at the right point, which prevents a cold center alongside scorched edges. Preset menus take that a step further — a single button for popcorn, pizza, potato, beverages and reheat. Neither feature changes how powerful the unit is, but both cut down on guesswork, which is the difference between reheating instinctively and reheating by stopwatch.
FAQ
How deep is a typical compact countertop microwave?
Will a 14 inch deep microwave fit under standard upper cabinets?
Is 700 watts enough for a microwave?
What size plate fits in a 0.7 cubic foot microwave?
Do these microwaves have a child safety lock?
How much counter space does a compact microwave need?
Is sensor cooking better than preset buttons?
How long does a compact countertop microwave usually last?
Can a 700 watt microwave trip a kitchen circuit?
Do these microwaves come with a warranty?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most kitchens, the 14 inch deep microwave winner is the TOSHIBA 1.2 Cu.Ft, 1000W because it crams full-size capacity and a 12.4-inch turntable into a body just 14.6 inches deep, backed by a humidity sensor that takes the guesswork out of reheating. If you want the shallowest stainless compact for a tight counter, the Kenmore 0.9 Cu Ft at 13.56 inches deep looks the part. And for the tightest shelf of all, the TOSHIBA 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W squeezes a dinner-plate-ready interior into a 12.2-inch depth at the lowest entry point on this list. Match your counter measurement first, then let the cooking capacity of the roomiest model that clears it make the call.
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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