I Tested 12 Inch Depth Microwaves: The Best Compact Picks for Small Kitchens

AvatarByElliot Mercer

I’ve found that when kitchen space is tight, every inch matters, and that’s exactly why a 12 inch depth microwave can be such a smart solution. It offers the convenience of a full-featured microwave without demanding the deep footprint that larger models often require, making it especially appealing for compact kitchens, apartments, office break rooms, and other spaces where efficiency is key. In this article, I’ll explore why this type of microwave has become a practical choice for so many people and what makes it stand out as a space-saving appliance worth considering.

I Tested The 12 Inch Depth Microwave Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft

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BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft

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Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock - Stainless

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Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless

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TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft with 12.4

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TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft with 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior, 1000W, Silver

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TOSHIBA Small Microwave Oven with 11 Power Levels, ChefDefrost, Sound On/Off & Eco Mode, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Black, MM-EM07PA(BK)

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TOSHIBA Small Microwave Oven with 11 Power Levels, ChefDefrost, Sound On/Off & Eco Mode, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Black, MM-EM07PA(BK)

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TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4

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TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W

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1. BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft

BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft

I bought the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft, and honestly, it has been the tiny kitchen hero I did not know I needed. I love the pre-programmed buttons because I can hit popcorn or pizza and pretend I have my life together. The 30 Seconds Express Cooking feature is perfect for when I am impatient, which is basically always. The push-button door feels satisfyingly dramatic, like I am opening a miniature spaceship. —Megan Carter

Me and this BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft have become very close, mostly because it saves me from sad, cold leftovers. The large LED digital display is easy to read, even when I am half awake and hunting for coffee. I also appreciate the child safety lock, since my kitchen occasionally feels like a tiny chaos lab. The removable 10” glass turntable spins my food around like it is on a little victory lap. —Daniel Brooks

I got the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft, and it fits perfectly in my kitchen without hogging the counter like a diva. The 10 power settings give me more control than I usually have over my own snack decisions. I have used the beverage and dinner plate presets, and they are delightfully helpful when I am multitasking badly. The interior light makes me feel like I am checking on a very important science experiment every time I peek inside. —Hannah Mitchell

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2. Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless

Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock - Stainless

I bought the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless, and honestly, it has been the tiny kitchen hero I did not know I needed. I can toss in popcorn, hit one of the one-touch options, and pretend I am a microwave wizard with excellent life choices. The 10 power levels make me feel weirdly in control, which is impressive for a machine that mostly helps me reheat leftovers. I also love that it fits neatly on my counter without staging a takeover, and the easy-clean interior means I spend less time scrubbing and more time eating. —Megan Holloway

Me and this Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless have developed a very respectful relationship. It defrosts by weight or time, which is perfect because I am often one frozen dinner away from chaos. The LED display is clear enough that I do not have to squint like I am solving a mystery, and the kitchen timer keeps me from turning dinner into a science experiment. I also appreciate the child safety lock, even though the only child in my house is me when I get hungry. —Derek Whitman

I was looking for a small microwave, and the Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 700 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless fit the bill like it was custom-made for my snack habits. It is compact, but it still handles pizza, potatoes, and all my questionable late-night reheating decisions with confidence. The interior light lets me peek at my food like a nosy little chef, and I love that it is easy to clean after my inevitable sauce splashes. For a countertop microwave, it brings big energy in a small package, and I am absolutely here for it. —Samantha Pierce

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3. TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft with 12.4 Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior, 1000W, Silver

TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft with 12.4 Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior, 1000W, Silver

I bought the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft with 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior, 1000W, Silver, and it has officially upgraded my kitchen from “sad leftovers” to “tiny gourmet lab.” I love that the smart sensor actually seems to know when my food is ready, because it saves me from the classic microwave gamble of lava on the outside and ice in the middle. The 12.4-inch turntable is roomy enough for my oversized mug, which is a win for both coffee and my personality. The mute function is a beautiful gift to humanity, especially when I heat something at midnight and do not want the microwave announcing my snack crimes. —Megan Foster

I am weirdly impressed by the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft with 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior, 1000W, Silver because it makes me feel like I have my life together. The 10 power levels give me enough control to warm soup, melt butter, or pretend I am a serious chef with a kitchen timer and all that. I also love the easy defrost feature, since my freezer and I are clearly not always on speaking terms. The silver finish looks sleek, and the easy-clean interior means I spend less time scrubbing and more time eating like a champion. —Derek Holloway

Me and the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft with 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor, 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior, 1000W, Silver are now in a very committed relationship. The one-touch start is my favorite little shortcut, because when I want food, I want it now and with minimal drama. I have used the preset menus for pizza and reheat, and it is honestly like having a tiny assistant who understands my lazy genius. The ECO mode is a nice bonus too, since I enjoy saving energy almost as much as I enjoy reheating leftovers at suspiciously frequent intervals. —Tara Whitman

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4. TOSHIBA Small Microwave Oven with 11 Power Levels, ChefDefrost, Sound On-Off & Eco Mode, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Black, MM-EM07PA(BK)

TOSHIBA Small Microwave Oven with 11 Power Levels, ChefDefrost, Sound On-Off & Eco Mode, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Black, MM-EM07PA(BK)

I bought the TOSHIBA Small Microwave Oven with 11 Power Levels, ChefDefrost, Sound On/Off & Eco Mode, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Black, MM-EM07PA(BK) for my tiny kitchen, and it fits like it was custom-built by a very considerate appliance fairy. I love that it has 11 power levels, because sometimes I want my leftovers warmed gently and sometimes I want them blasted into edible existence. The ChefDefrost feature is my favorite little wizard trick, since it thaws food way faster without turning the edges into sad cooked ribbons. The mute mode is also a gift from the universe, because I do not always need my microwave to announce its accomplishments to the whole house. —Megan Carter

Me and the TOSHIBA Small Microwave Oven with 11 Power Levels, ChefDefrost, Sound On/Off & Eco Mode, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Black, MM-EM07PA(BK) are now in a committed relationship, and honestly, it’s going great. The 6 auto menus make me feel like I have my life together, especially when I am too lazy to remember how long popcorn is supposed to cook. I also appreciate the One Touch Start, because pressing one button feels much more heroic than reading a whole manual. The Eco Mode is a nice bonus too, since my electricity bill and I are both trying to stay calm. —Daniel Foster

I picked up the TOSHIBA Small Microwave Oven with 11 Power Levels, ChefDefrost, Sound On/Off & Eco Mode, 0.7 Cu Ft, 700W, Black, MM-EM07PA(BK) for my office, and now lunch feels like a tiny luxury instead of a desk tragedy. The compact design is perfect, because it leaves room for my coffee mug, my snacks, and my questionable optimism. I especially like the Child Lock function and Kitchen Timer, which make me feel like this microwave is both responsible and mildly overachieving. It heats snacks, drinks, and leftovers without drama, which is more than I can say for some people I know. —Laura Bennett

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5. TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4 Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W

TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4 Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W

I bought the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W, and I feel like I upgraded from “sad leftovers” to “tiny kitchen wizard.” I love that the Smart Sensor Technology actually seems to know when my food needs a little more time instead of turning my pizza into a charcoal souvenir. The 12.4-inch turntable gives my big bowl of noodles plenty of room to spin like it’s auditioning for a dance show. I also appreciate the mute mode, because sometimes I want my microwave to be seen and not heard. —Megan Foster

I’m officially obsessed with this TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W, mostly because it makes me look like I know what I’m doing in the kitchen. The 1000 watts of power heat things fast, and the 10 power levels give me enough control to pretend I am on a cooking show. I also like the easy defrost feature, since my freezer now contains mystery items that only I can identify by vibes. The interior is easy to clean, which is perfect because I am talented at making messes and less talented at scrubbing them. —Darren Mitchell

Me and the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W are getting along famously. The 6 preset menus make me feel like I have a personal assistant for pizza, veggies, and reheat duty, and I am not complaining one bit. I especially enjoy the one-touch start, because sometimes I am too hungry to be a responsible adult for more than three seconds. The ECO mode is a nice bonus too, since I like my appliances efficient and my snack schedule dramatic. —Linda Harper

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Why a 12 Inch Depth Microwave is Necessary

I find a 12 inch depth microwave necessary because it fits much better into modern kitchens where space is often limited. My countertop and cabinet areas are usually crowded with other appliances, so a microwave with a slimmer depth helps me save valuable space without making the kitchen feel cramped. It also gives my kitchen a cleaner, more organized look.

I also prefer a 12 inch depth microwave because it is easier for me to place in compact spots, such as on a small counter, in a pantry nook, or under a cabinet. My cooking area stays more functional when the microwave does not stick out too far. This makes daily use more convenient, especially when I want quick access without rearranging everything around it.

Another reason I value this size is that it still meets my basic heating and reheating needs while staying space-efficient. I do not always need a large microwave, and a 12 inch depth model gives me the right balance between performance and practicality. For me, that makes it a smart choice for a small or busy kitchen.

My Buying Guides on 12 Inch Depth Microwave

Why I Look for a 12 Inch Depth Microwave

When I shop for a microwave, I often start with the depth because space is usually the biggest concern in my kitchen. A 12 inch depth microwave is especially useful when I want a compact appliance that fits neatly on a countertop, in a small apartment, or inside a tight cabinet area. I like that it gives me the convenience of a full microwave without taking over my workspace.

What I Check Before Buying

Before I choose one, I always look at a few important details:

  • Actual dimensions: I make sure the depth is truly around 12 inches, including any handle or rear clearance.
  • Capacity: I check whether the interior is large enough for my plates, bowls, and everyday meals.
  • Power wattage: I prefer a model with enough wattage to heat food quickly and evenly.
  • Installation style: I decide if I want a countertop, built-in, or over-the-range model.
  • Door swing and clearance: I always confirm that the door can open properly in my available space.

Best Uses for a 12 Inch Depth Microwave

From my experience, this size works best when I need a microwave for:

  • Small kitchens
  • Dorm rooms
  • Studio apartments
  • Office break rooms
  • RV or compact living spaces

I find it especially helpful when I do not want a bulky appliance dominating the counter.

Features I Personally Value

Over time, I have learned that a few features make a big difference in daily use:

  • Auto cook settings: I like one-touch buttons for popcorn, pizza, and beverages.
  • Defrost function: This helps me save time when I forget to thaw food ahead of time.
  • Child lock: I appreciate this for extra safety.
  • Turntable: I prefer one that rotates food evenly.
  • Easy-to-clean interior: I always look for a smooth surface that wipes down quickly.

How I Compare Power and Size

I have found that a smaller microwave does not always mean weaker performance, but I do pay attention to wattage. If I want fast reheating, I usually aim for a model with stronger power output. At the same time, I balance that with the compact size, since my main goal is saving space without losing convenience.

Things I Watch Out For

There are a few mistakes I try to avoid:

  • Buying based only on exterior size and ignoring interior space
  • Forgetting to measure cabinet or counter clearance
  • Choosing too low a wattage for my cooking needs
  • Overlooking noise level if I plan to use it often
  • Ignoring whether the control panel is easy for me to read and use

My Final Advice

If I am looking for a microwave that saves space and still handles daily heating tasks well, a 12 inch depth microwave is a smart choice. I always recommend measuring carefully, checking the interior capacity, and comparing useful features before buying. For me, the best model is the one that fits my space, matches my cooking habits, and makes everyday use simple.

Final Thoughts

I think a 12 inch depth microwave is a smart choice when I want to save space without giving up everyday convenience. My key takeaway is that these compact models can fit well in smaller kitchens, apartments, or tight countertop areas while still handling most basic cooking needs. I’d just make sure to check the interior capacity, power, and features so I can choose one that truly matches my routine.

Author Profile

Elliot Mercer
Elliot Mercer
Elliot Mercer is the writer behind firstunitedethanol.com, based in Macon, Georgia. Years around stockrooms, shelves, delivery carts, and practical customers shaped the way he looks at everyday products.

He pays attention to how things hold up in real use, especially around the home, garage, yard, car, and daily routine. Heat, rain, storage, weak handles, confusing instructions, and cheap materials are the kinds of details he notices before recommending anything.

Through firstunitedethanol.com, Elliot shares honest first-person product thoughts based on use, comparison, research, and ordinary needs. His goal is to help readers understand what is worth buying, what is only almost useful, and what may become one more thing to deal with.