The smallest microwave can make a world of difference in your kitchen. The versatility having a mini microwave as an additional cooking appliance brings to your kitchen will allow you to try out new recipes and cook your meals quicker. Compact microwaves are very trendy now, especially for small households.
With compact microwaves, you won’t have to rely on your stove or cooker alone for your meals. Portable ovens are also generally more energy efficient so you save cost on energy while cooking faster.
Whether you want to get a compact microwave as an extra oven or as the only one you’d be using, you can get a budget microwave oven from some of the top brands. These compact microwaves have digital controls that allows you to choose different cooking settings that make baking, roasting, heating, or grilling a lot less stressful. Microwave cooking has never been easier!
In this article, we review some of the best small microwave ovens you can buy. We will cover the different types of ovens and how to choose the right one for you by considering different important factors.
Types of Microwaves
The smallest microwave ovens are perfect for people that don’t cook often or have a normal-sized unit already. There are different types of this appliance. They can be solo, convection, or countertop.
Solo Microwave
The solo microwave is a basic type of microwave that is designed specifically for simple cooking tasks. It is called a solo microwave because does not come with grilling and convection features. A solo microwave is rudimentary and lacks many special features. Only microwave-safe glass or plastic are placed in this type of ovens.
They are used mainly for cooking, reheating, and defrosting food. The heat produced cannot turn food brown or make it very crispy. This is why a solo microwave cannot be used for grilling, baking, or frying. A solo microwave is cheaper to buy and to run compared to other types of microwave ovens. Using this type of oven also oven lessens the chances of your food getting burnt.
Convection Microwave
The convection microwave is the combination of a solo microwave and a convection microwave. It can perform all the functions of a solo microwave but it has additional features too. You can use a convection microwave to grill, bake, roast, brown, and crisp foods.
Beyond placing microwave-safe plastic and glass in the convection microwave, you can also place a microwave-safe metal in it. A convection microwave is a lot more expensive than a solo microwave but it gives you the benefit of being faster and more versatile. Some convection microwaves have multiple racks that allow cooking different things at the same time.
Countertop Microwave
A countertop microwave is a type of mini oven that is placed on a kitchen counter as against other types of microwaves that are built into your counter unit. This type of oven is ideal for those who don’t want to redesign their kitchen to install a microwave especially for those living in a rented apartment.
Portable countertop units are more affordable and they require no installation costs since they can be easily moved around or shifted from one location to another. Countertop ovens are also easy to use and easy to clean up due to their portable size. Some units also have parts that can be placed in a dishwasher for cleaning.
10 Things to Consider Before Buying An Oven
Here are some factors to consider and quick tips to remember when shopping for compact microwaves.
Cooking Power
The cooking power or wattage of your electric oven Malaysia determines how fast it cooks food and how efficiently it performs its function. A low wattage unit will generally be slower and may not heat your food evenly. This is why high wattage ovens are generally more recommended. However, the wattage also determines how much electricity the oven consumes per hour and this consequently affects cost. Finding a balance between these factors is important to find the most efficient oven possible.
Price
The cost of getting a oven appliance ranges from one brand or model to the other. The price tag is an unavoidable subject when it comes to buying compact microwaves. You want something with good cooking power and suitable capacity but it can’t burn a hole in your wallet.
How much to pay for an oven depending on a wide range of factors including the size, features, and functions the microwave has. Generally, pricier ovens tend to have additional functions that make cooking faster and more efficient. Some compact microwaves can only reheat or cook a certain type of food, while other multifunctional models can prepare a range of different foods.
Capacity
One of the most important factors to consider while selecting an oven is its capacity. This depends on the type of food you frequently cook and your family size. You will need a larger capacity oven. What you usually do is bake or roast lots of food at once. It will help you reduce your cooking time.
Most built-in ovens come with a standard capacity of 55-85 liters. Since measuring standards of manufacturers may differ, it is not advisable to depend on figures alone. You should head down to the store and visually check out the internal size of the oven you intend to purchase yourself. A built oven with an internal cavity of 90 to about 100litres would be ideal for large families. Compact microwaves are usually much smaller than that, but are still able to deliver the cooking power needed for reheating.
Design
The outward appearance of your oven should be considered too. Consider your available counter space. Whether you are cooking or not, your new built-in oven should be able to improve the visual appeal of your kitchen. These days, there are different functional designs of microwave ovens to choose from and even small seemingly insignificant design features can make a world of difference.
Microwave ovens these days might have digital controls instead of conventional knob controls. The best compact microwaves allow you to choose between power levels as well. All in all, this gives compact microwaves a trendy look and offers more control and precision during the cooking process.
Cleaning
Any kind of oven you want to get should be quite easy and convenient to clean. There are built-in ovens with the self-cleaning option. These are known as Pyrolytic ovens that can convert fats and other residues to white ash which can be easily wiped off once the oven cools. These types of the oven are relatively easier to clean compared to others. Compact microwaves are even easier; giving it a wipe down with the right solution (like lemon juice) is all you need to do.
Warranty
Most new built-in ovens come with a warranty that covers a specified period. The warranty determines the terms and conditions for the return or repair of the oven if it gets damaged within the time frame of the warranty. They might vary depending on the brand and manufacturer. Going for a unit with favorable warranty cover will ensure that you can conveniently get it fixed if it ever gets damaged within the warranty period.
Materials
Modern built-in oven surfaces are usually made up of ceramic or glass. The inner panels are made from stainless steel and coated with light acrylic enamel for good visibility. The hardware components of the oven like the nuts, screws, and pulleys are made from metals and few plastic parts. You should check to ensure that these parts are made of durable materials that are likely to last.
Extra Features
- Programmable timer: This feature allows the oven to switch off itself after a set time. This feature makes it easier to do other things will your meal cooks in an oven.
- Telescopic runners: This makes pulling in and out hot oven trays easier.
- Automatic cooking controls: this feature allows you to select the type of food you want to cook and the oven automatically gets to work. The oven automatically sets the temperature, moisture level, and other cooking conditions to best suit your dish.
- Glass doors: triple or quadruple glass layers to preserve heat and save energy in the oven.
- Slide-away door: This is a unique feature of ovens that proves useful in tight spaces since the oven doors can slide under the oven.
Read the Reviews
Going through customer reviews is very important before making a purchase. You can confirm the top specifications and the shortcomings of purchasing a particular oven model. The reviews are usually made from verified customers that have previously purchased the device. Their satisfaction and discontentment are expressed in the reviews. This gives you a good idea to work with about the oven model you want to purchase.
Choose Delivery Wisely
You would want your compact microwave to be delivered to you in perfect working condition quickly. Most stores offer next-day delivery. It might be more than that depending on your location or the delivery service. You should make sure that you go through the terms of delivery to avoid misunderstandings.
Brand
Several brands offer some of the best microwave ovens Malaysia. Generally, it is recommended that you go for known brands like Electrolux, Siemens, Elba, Bosch, and Midea. Well-known brands like this are more likely to quality and durable. However, there are definitely many other models from less famous brands that are worth purchasing too. You just need to do a bit of research.
Top 8 Mini Microwave Ovens
The market for compact microwaves is constantly growing in direct proportion to the demand for more small microwave ovens. Therefore, it might be confusing if you don’t know how to begin choosing. We’ve got your back! Here’s a list we put together of the best compact microwaves available in online stores right now to give you a head start.
1. Electrolux 20L Free-standing Microwave EMM20K18GWI
The Electrolux EMM20K18GWI is a free-standing portable microwave oven. With a 20-liter capacity, this unit is designed to bring flexibility to your meal preparation. It features a mechanical knob for varying the power by as much as 5 levels depending on your preference. A glass turntable ensures efficient heat distribution.
Pros
- Mechanical know for controls
- Power can vary win 5 levels
- Freestanding microwave
Cons
- This is a solo oven which limits its functionality
2. Electrolux Built In Microwave With Grill (20 Litre) [EMS2085X]
This Electrolux built-in model is one of the best compact microwaves on the market this year. It is a multi-functional kitchen appliance with a minimalistic capacity of only 20L. You get to save on counter space with this built-in microwave. Made with sturdy stainless steel, it has a sleek design that makes it a perfect addition to your modern kitchen. It has multiple power settings, and a range of auto-cook programmes to ensure maximum convenience.
Pros
- Multi-functional 2 in 1 microwave oven and grill
- Quick defrost
- Offers a child safely lock
- Good value for money
Cons
- May be too small for some households
3. Toshiba ER-SGS20(K)MY 20L Deluxe Series Microwave Oven with Grill
The Toshiba ER-SGS20(K)MY microwave oven features a grill and has a weight and time defrost function as well. In addition to these, there is 7 other automatic cooking menu which makes a total of 9 cooking menus you can select from for quick and efficient cooking. The microwave uses convection heating which ensures equal heat distribution for even cooking of your ingredients.
Pros
- Microwave and grill cooking
- Weight and time deforest option
- 9 cooking menus to choose from
Cons
- This unit is a non-inverter oven
4. Toshiba ER-SM20(W)MY 20L Simple Series Microwave Oven
The Toshiba ER-SM20(W)MY features both microwave and grill cooking options. This 20L large capacity oven can also be used to defrost food. This great microwave oven has an 800W power consumption and features a kitchen timer which allows you to set your preferred cooking time based on the recipe you are working with.
Pros
- Large capacity microwave oven
- Timer function
- Microwave and grill cooking
Cons
- This is a non-inverter oven
5. Midea MM720CXM 20L Microwave Oven
The power consumption of the Midea MM720CXM 20L Microwave Oven is quite minimal. This is one of the most outstanding things about this portable microwave oven. It also features a defrost setting that makes it quite easy to defrost food with it. This microwave oven also allows you to time your meal by as much as 35 minutes depending on what you are cooking.
Pros
- It features a push-button door
- Auto-defrost setting
- Energy-efficient oven
- Has an affordable price tag
Cons
- This is a solo oven so functionality is not very robust
6. Midea MM720CGE-WH 20L Microwave Oven With Defrost Function
The Midea MM720CGE-WH Microwave oven is a versatile countertop oven. This unit can be used for a wide range of cooking functions including defrosting and reheating food. You can vary this unit between 5 precise power levels using the easy-control knobs. This allows you to adjust the output based on the specific type of food you are cooking. The output level varies from low (for preserving food) to high (for fast heating).
Pros
- 20-liter capacity
- 5 precise heat levels
- Defrost function
- Timer and auto-shutoff
Cons
- Not so modern look
7. SHARP Microwave Oven R219EK
Save cost on electricity by using this efficient SHARP R219EK microwave oven with an energy-saving mode. This unit can be used to steam, reheat, defrost and cook different types of food quite conveniently. It is also designed to be safe for use. The door has an easy push design for convenient opening even when hot. There is also a child lock feature that ensures that it is safe to use this oven in a home with children. Using this oven is simple as well. You can choose between 6 power levels depending on what you are cooking and how fast you want the microwave open to work.
Pros
- 2-way defrost function
- Energy-Saving Mode
- Easy-Push Door
Cons
- Delivery may be a bit slow
8. SHARP Microwave Oven R219ES
You can easily steam, reheat, defrost and cook your meals with the SHARP R219ES Microwave Oven. Designed to be very easy to operate, this microwave oven has a rotary control which can be used to vary the output conveniently. It also has a convenient easy push door which makes it very easy to open the oven door. This is an energy-saving microwave oven which helps to save cost on electricity in the long run.
Pros
- Energy-saving mode
- 2-way defrost setting
- Easy-Push Door
- Easy operation
Cons
- This is a basic microwave oven
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for a simple solo mini microwave oven or a portable and versatile combination oven, we have selected some of the best you can find for this microwave oven malaysia review. These products cover a broad range of budgets so you should be able to find just the perfect one for you.
The 20L Electrolux Built-in Microwave Oven with Grill is our top recommendation if you are in search of a top notch mini microwave oven for your basic cooking needs and more. However, if you’re looking for a great microwave at a more affordable price, then we suggest that you check out the Midea MM720CGE-WH microwave oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many liters is a small microwave?
Microwaves come in a variety of sizes and capacities. Even for a small microwave, size still varies widely from one unit to the other. The smallest microwave ovens can have a capacity as low as 13 liters. A typical portable family size unit should have a capacity of about 20 to 25L
What wattage small microwave should I buy?
The answer to this question depends on how quickly you want your microwave oven to cook food. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the wattage, the faster the microwave will cook food. The wattage can also determine how efficient the oven cooks. So in essence, a 1000watts oven will cook food faster and more evenly than a 700watts unit.
Are small microwave combination ovens any good?
Although combination ovens tend to be more expensive, they are typically a better choice compared to solo ones. Combination ovens have both grilling and convection heating features. This makes them useful for crisping food quite efficiently. So if you can afford one, a small microwave combination oven may be a great choice especially if you intend to cook food that requires browning.