Are you trying to find the best microwave for a college dorm room? If so, look no further because we have compiled a list of the best options for you. Keep reading to find out which one is ideal…
Quick Summary
You may also want to check out our Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combo picks.
Best College Dorm Room Microwaves Reviews
Small Panasonic Microwave
Your college dorm will feel much more elegant with this Panasonic microwave, so it is a great choice if you want to spice up your room. Also, it is great for small dorms because it does not take up much space.
The microwave comes in both black and white, so it will fit your dorm no matter which style you choose. It will look great with both modern and traditional dorm rooms.
This Panasonic microwave comes with ten heat settings and five auto-setting buttons, which will ensure you cook your food at the ideal temperature. If cooking is not one of your greatest assets, this microwave may be an excellent choice for you.
You will be able to set the perfect temperature for your oatmeal, pizza, pasta, popcorn, soup, or frozen vegetables with just one press, so you don’t have to worry about monitoring your food during the busy exam season.
It is also great for multitasking, which is something every busy student would appreciate. The door can easily be pushed and closed even if your hands are full or if you are preoccupied with studying.
It can prepare any food with its 1200 Watts so your college days will be filled with delicious meals. The food you decide to prepare will be ready in no time and evenly cooked.
Pros
- It comes with different heat settings
- Small and compact, ideal for small kitchens
- It comes in two elegant colors
- Easy to clean
Cons
- According to a small portion of users, this microwave tends to overcook food, while the others didn’t experience similar problems.
Compact Microwave by COMFEE
This compact microwave by COMFEE’ will not take up much space in your dorm but will provide you with all the necessary features. It comes in both black and white, so you will be able to match it with any furniture in your dorm.
The dimensions of 17.3” x 13” x 10.2” will allow you to place it in any kitchen without much effort. That is why it is ideal for dorms that often lack storage space.
This microwave will make it easy for you because it has the option for ‘one-touch cooking.’ You will be able to prepare one of the six most common food choices by simply pressing one button.
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You will be able to see your food without opening the door because of its LED light. This will allow an even more straightforward food preparation process.
This microwave is also very easy to clean because of its removable glass turntable. You will not have to spend much time cleaning up so you can focus on your studies instead.
In addition, this microwave comes with a silent option, so you will not have any distractions while studying. Simply pressing the sound off/on a button will do the job and make it much easier for you.
Pros
- Compact design
- Mute button
- LED light
- One-touch start option
Cons
- Some users reported that its 0.7 cubic feet are not appropriate for their usage.
- According to some users, certain food should be heated more than once to achieve optimal results.
Smart Microwave by Amazon
If you would like an even easier microwave use, this Amazon one may be excellent. It is a smart device that can be connected to your Amazon Echo to make microwaving an extremely easy task. Simply say something like ‘Alexa, reheat my coffee,’ and it will automatically select the appropriate temperature settings for you.
The dimensions of this microwave are 17.3 in. x 10.1 in. x 14.1 in, so it is perfectly sized for small places, such as college dorms. It will help you with daily food preparation without sacrificing a lot of space.
You can choose from 10 power levels to make any food with the help of this microwave. You will also get a separate button specifically designed for making popcorn. This will ensure you always get delicious and well-prepared food.
This Amazon microwave also comes with a turntable to protect both your food and your microwave.
Pros
- Easy to use with Amazon Echo
- Compact
- Inexpensive
- Different power levels
Cons
- Some users have reported that the motor can be a bit loud sometimes
- You need to own an Amazon Echo device for it to work properly
1200-Watt Microwave by Panasonic
This compact Panasonic microwave will look perfect in your dorm because of its dimensions. The dimensions of 15.8 x 20.7 x 12.2 inches will suit any countertop without too much space.
Even though it is small, this microwave is powerful and is equipped with 1200 Watts of energy to allow you easy preparation of any food. Its power promises a shorter cooking time which is perfect for busy students.
You will be able to enjoy both manual and auto controls with this microwave. If you decide to use auto controls, the sensor will recognize whether you need to defrost or reheat the food. This will make a difference in the life of a student who needs great time managing skills.
The new technology ensures your food is being cooked evenly and from all sides. This technology will get you delicious food every time in combination with its power.
10 pre-set heat settings will remove the guessing from your everyday cooking. You will be able to prepare potatoes, quinoa, soup, frozen vegetables, or even rice with just one button.
In case you are running late to class, opt for the ‘Turbo Defrost’ option to thaw your food more easily and evenly. Your frozen vegetables or meals will be ready to consume in no time.
Every student needs a break from studying and some time to relax. Popcorn can be a great snack for a study break. This microwave is equipped with three different heat and time settings specifically created for preparing popcorn. Adjust the temperature to the size of your popcorn bag to get a delicious snack.
Pros
- Compact but powerful
- Automatic sensor feature
- Three different popcorn heat settings
- Turbo defrost function
Cons
- A small portion of users has reported that the instructions were a bit difficult to use
- No silent function
- Some users have complained about the position of the LED light
Retro 700-Watt Microwave by Nostalgia
This retro-looking microwave with an amazing design will bring your dorm to a whole new level. It will bring a pop of color and help you with everyday food preparation.
This microwave by Nostalgia is equipped with 700 Watts of power to be sure that your food will be well-prepared and delicious. The capacity of 0.7 cubic feet will give you enough space for any food.
In order to make cooking more convenient, this microwave comes with 12 pre-programmed settings. You can choose the appropriate one and enjoy delicious food prepared at the right temperature. This will save you some time because you do not have to guess and adjust the temperature manually.
You will be able to make popcorn, potatoes, vegetables, pizza, or even more. This microwave is equipped with an ‘express cooking’ option which busy students will benefit from.
The digital clock comes with a LED display which makes it easy to read and consequently easy to use. It also comes with a delay timer, so you will get a chance to use this microwave in various ways.
This microwave also comes with a rotating glass tray which will allow even cooking. This promises flavorful meals which will bring joy into your college life.
The ‘turn and push’ option will make the usage of this beautifully designed microwave uncomplicated. There is no need for complicated actions to start your microwave.
Pros
- Beautiful retro design
- Compact
- 12 pre-programmed settings
- Rotating glass tray
Cons
- According to some users, the food can move around because of the rotating tray.
- A small portion of users reported problems with the door
Microwave with Copper Finish by H Beach
If you want a sleek, modern-looking microwave that will brighten any space, this one by H Beach may be an excellent choice for you.
This microwave comes with a beautiful copper finish and will look great in any dorm. It is elegant and modern, and it goes well with any style of your room.
It is equipped with sic quick buttons, so there is no need to wonder which heat setting will work best for a certain food. You can do it with just one press with this microwave.
Its power of 1000 Watts will ensure you will get evenly cooked food. Defrosting frozen meals or vegetables and heating up your leftovers will become an easy task that can be completed quickly.
This microwave comes with a quick button that automatically adds 30 seconds if you realize that your food needs more time to be prepared. However, you can set your manual time if you have any specific wishes.
This microwave can be used for melting as well, so if you feel creative, you could prepare some melted chocolate desserts in no time.
Pros
- Powerful
- Beautiful copper finish
- Pre-set heat settings
- Includes a button that adds 30 seconds
Cons
- There is no mute option
- This microwave may be a bit big for small kitchen spaces
- Some users have complained about not being able to set the manual time without instructions
Stainless Steel Toshiba Microwave
In case you are a person who cares about quality, this Toshiba microwave may be a great choice for you because of its long history. The company was established in 1939, and they promise products of great quality and build.
The exterior of this microwave is made from stainless steel with a black finish to give your dorm a stylish, elegant feel. Aside from making your kitchen space look beautiful, it will also last for a long time due to high-quality materials.
The Toshiba microwave offers you 6 heat settings for your food, so you don’t have to worry about calculating and monitoring your food. Preparing food in this microwave will not take much time, which is a bonus for busy students.
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In addition, this microwave comes with a ‘one-touch’ start option to start preparing your potatoes, popcorn, pizza, frozen vegetables, dinners, or even beverages with just one press. There is no need to make any additional effort to get delicious food.
If you are a student who can’t handle noise when studying, this microwave may be the best option. You can mute it by pressing one button and continue studying without any distractions.
It also comes with an energy-saving function, so you can even save your money if you decide to go with this option.
Pros
- Sleek and elegant design
- Durable
- Equipped with LED light
- ‘One-touch’ start option
- It comes with pre-set heat settings
Cons
- Some users have reported that the capacity of 0.9 cubic feet was not big enough for them.
- According to some users, some dishes have to be microwaved for longer to achieve the best results.
What to Consider When Buying a Dorm Room Microwave
Size
Not every college dorm allows you to bring kitchen appliances of great size. Your college dorm will most likely provide enough space for compact-sized appliances.
That’s why you should pay attention to the size of the microwave you are bringing with you. Luckily, there are many available options on the market so you will be able to find the perfect one without much trouble.
However, you should take a look at the capacity of your microwave. If it is too small and not designed to be used for plates or dishes, it may not be the best possible option for you.
Some big microwaves weigh a lot, so you should also pay attention to this feature. If your microwave is too heavy, it may make the moving process more difficult than it should be.
Special Features
While most microwaves offer the same basic functions, some of them come equipped with special features which can make your college life much easier.
Most of the microwaves come with pre-set heat settings, so there is no need to guess which heat option will prepare your food in the best possible way.
For example, it may be a good idea to go with a microwave that has a mute option. This will make sure your studying will not be interrupted by loud sounds.
Also, you could look at the microwaves that offer automatic heat settings. Such microwaves have built-in sensors that automatically recognize whether your food needs reheating or defrosting. This option can save you some time because it allows you to prepare your food without delay.
Some modern microwaves can be connected to devices such as Amazon Echo to ensure even easier use. If you own this device, you could look for microwaves that could be connected to it. This will make microwaving even easier as well as more fun.
If you are a busy student who needs to save as much time as possible, you could also go with microwaves that have special quick defrost and reheat options.
In addition, some microwaves are equipped with energy-saving options, which will help you save money.
Power
In addition to features, you should also consider the power your microwave is equipped with. More powerful microwaves tend to prepare the food more evenly and are able to do it faster.
Typical microwaves come with 700-1200 Watts of power which should be just enough for your daily needs. Read the instructions and the description before buying a microwave for your college dorm because you will find useful information there.
Some microwaves are not suitable or strong enough to prepare certain dishes, so it is always good to double-check the description.
Wrap Up
Moving to a college dorm means shopping for kitchen appliances that are compact and strong enough to fulfill all of your daily needs. It is important to consider the size, the power, and the special features a certain microwave has to offer before buying it.
Our favorite microwave option is Stainless Steel Toshiba Microwave because of its sleek design and easy use. If you decide to go with this microwave option, you will get a durable model to satisfy all your culinary needs. Stainless steel finish makes this microwave stand out, and its one-touch option makes it easy to use.
It also comes with a LED light which will allow you to see your food while it is being prepared and adjust the temperature if needed. Energy-saving is another feature that will benefit you in the long run.
BONUS: Did you know that you can microwave tofu? Just make sure to drain out the excess moisture by pressing it before seasoning or marinating. You can check our top five picks for the best tofu press to decide which one to buy.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
