The Best Portable Microwave - 2021
We looked at the top 9 Portable Microwaves and dug through the reviews from 30 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Portable Microwaves.
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Our Picks For The Top Portable Microwaves
- The Best Portable Microwave
- 1. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Easy Clean Smart Sensor Portable Microwave Oven, 1100-Watt
- 2. Commercial Chef Counter Top Rotary Portable Microwave, 600-Watt
- 3. Nostalgia Retro Large Portable Microwave Oven, 800-Watt
- 4. Sharp Medium Commercial Portable Microwave Oven, 1000-Watt
- 5. BLACK+DECKER Turntable Digital Portable Microwave Oven, 900-Watt
- 6. COMFEE’ Portable Countertop Microwave Oven, 700-Watt
- 7. Tundra MW Series 120V Portable Truck Microwave, 700-Watt
- 8. Whirlpool Portable Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.5 Cu-Feet
- 9. AmazonBasics Voice-Controlled Portable Microwave, 700-Watt
Power-Saving ModeWith this portable microwave, you'll be able to turn off the buzzer, conserve energy and cook popcorn with the touch of a button.
Simple Yet EffectiveThis portable microwave is on the small side and an excellent choice for a dorm room, condo or small apartment.
Five Fun ColorsAdd style to your living space with this portable microwave, which comes in a choice of aqua, ivory, seafoam green, jet black and retro red.
Child Safety LockFamilies traveling with children will love this portable microwave, which comes equipped with a child safety lock.
Why we recommend these portable microwaves?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 9 Portable Microwaves and also dug through the reviews from 30 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Portable Microwaves.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Easy Clean Smart Sensor Portable Microwave Oven, 1100-Watt
Our Take
Roadtrippers will love that this portable microwave comes with a mute button for the buzzer. That means a late-night snack or an early morning cup of tea are possible without waking up the rest of your sleeping passengers. A few other features that make this unit stand out include a power saving mode, a large digital display and glass turntable.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
BLACK+DECKER Turntable Digital Portable Microwave Oven, 900-Watt
Our Take
This portable microwave has a clean modern look. It's made with a push button door release and has 10 power settings. There's also an interior light, a 30-seconds express cooking button and a child safety lock to prevent little ones from accidentally using it.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Overall Product Rankings
1. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Easy Clean Smart Sensor Portable Microwave Oven, 1100-Watt
2. Commercial Chef Counter Top Rotary Portable Microwave, 600-Watt
4. Sharp Medium Commercial Portable Microwave Oven, 1000-Watt
5. BLACK+DECKER Turntable Digital Portable Microwave Oven, 900-Watt
9. AmazonBasics Voice-Controlled Portable Microwave, 700-Watt
Our Portable Microwave Findings
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Easy Clean Smart Sensor Portable Microwave Oven, 1100-Watt
What We Liked: Roadtrippers will love that this portable microwave comes with a mute button for the buzzer. That means a late-night snack or an early morning cup of tea are possible without waking up the rest of your sleeping passengers. A few other features that make this unit stand out include a power saving mode, a large digital display and glass turntable.
Commercial Chef Counter Top Rotary Portable Microwave, 600-Watt
What We Liked: Sometimes simple is the way to go and with this portable microwave, you don’t need all the frills and thrills. The microwave’s door comes with an easy-to-grasp handle that is very easy to open. You simply need to turn the power dial to your preferred temperature and the time dial to the desired length of cooking time and you’re good to go.
Nostalgia Retro Large Portable Microwave Oven, 800-Watt
What We Liked: Head back in time with this retro-style portable microwave. In addition to the five fun color choices, this microwave is outfitted with a sleek chrome door handle. There’s even a digital clock, a rotating glass carousel and a dozen pre-programmed cooking settings.
BLACK+DECKER Turntable Digital Portable Microwave Oven, 900-Watt
What We Liked: This portable microwave has a clean modern look. It’s made with a push button door release and has 10 power settings. There’s also an interior light, a 30-seconds express cooking button and a child safety lock to prevent little ones from accidentally using it.
Tundra MW Series 120V Portable Truck Microwave, 700-Watt
What We Liked: With six pre-sets and an easy-to-use control panel, you’ll be able to heat your meal up in this portable microwave in no time at all. There’s even a removable glass turntable for even heating. The elegant finish with stainless steel accents is easy on the eyes, too.
Our Portable Microwave Buying Guide
Although portable microwaves are smaller and easier to move around, they’re just as powerful as their bigger counterparts. This is great news for anyone who needs a portable microwave for their RV, sleeper truck, dorm room or small apartment. Keep the following features in mind as you shop for the best portable microwave on the market.
Consider whether you really need a microwave with all the bells and whistles. Something like the Commercial Chef Counter Top Portable Microwave, 600-Watt is a better choice in some cases, as you only need to turn the power and time dials to use it. It’s perfect for the individual who typically only uses a microwave to heat up a cup of coffee or a plate of leftovers
If you prefer a portable microwave that’s more modern and comes with additional settings, go with the BLACK+DECKER Turntable Digital Portable Microwave, 900-Watt. This model offers 10 power settings, six pre-programmed cooking settings and a 30-seconds express cooking setting. If you have small children in the home, you’ll also appreciate the included child safety lock, which helps prevent unnecessary accidents from occurring.
Ease of use is important when shopping for the best portable microwave. The Toshiba Easy Clean Smart Sensor Microwave, 1100-Watt has a large digital display and a neatly organized control panel that are a cinch to read. It also comes with a power-saving mode and the ability to mute the buzzer. That’s a handy feature if you have friends or family members sleeping within earshot of the microwave.
Finally, look for a portable microwave that comes in a style that suits your tastes. For example, the Nostalgia Retro Portable Microwave, 800-Watt takes you back to times past, while still dazzling you with its sleek chrome door handle. It also comes in five fun colors, including aqua, ivory, seafoam green, jet black and retro red.
DWYM Fun Fact
Did you know that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics an astounding 90% of homes across the country own a microwave? It makes sense that Americans are turning toward machines that are convenient, as it seems that individuals are always on the go these days. With school, work, church and extra-curricular activities, it gets harder and harder to find time to cook a full meal from scratch.
The story about how microwaves were invented is an interesting one. In fact, the creator, Percy LeBaron Spencer, actually made the microwave by accident. He was testing a magnetron and noticed the effect it had on food. After creating a metal box to feed the energy into and conducting a few more tests, Spencer filed a patent for his invention. Amazingly, Spencer never even graduated grammar school. He was completely self-taught!
The Portable Microwave Tips and Advice
- Always consider the noise level of the portable microwave before you buy it. Some models run very quietly.
- The best way to clean your portable microwave is with good old-fashioned dish soap and water. Sometimes, however, you may face some stuck-on foods that are hard to remove. Fortunately, there is a trick to make this tough job much easier. Grab a microwave-safe bowl and fill it with water. Squeeze in a little bit of lemon juice or add a tablespoon of white distilled vinegar. Turn the microwave on for 2 minutes and then wait another 30 seconds before you open the microwave door. The steam will loosen up the food so that you can immediately wipe it away.
- Most portable microwaves have a removable glass turntable. You can take this out and wash it along with the rest of your dishes.
- Don’t forget to clean the outside of your microwave, as it’s often plagued with fingerprints and dust. You can use your soapy dishwater and washrag or opt for a glass cleaner with a paper towel.
- When comparing the cost of portable microwaves, you’ll need to factor in the size, which is typically listed in cubic feet, and the number of watts the microwave uses for power. The Commercial Chef Counter Top Portable Microwave, 600-Watt is one of the more affordable models on the market, while the BLACK+DECKER Turntable Digital Portable Microwave, 900-Watt has a moderate price tag. You’ll pay the most for the Toshiba Easy Clean Smart Sensor Microwave, 1100-Watt and the Nostalgia Retro Portable Microwave, 800-Watt.
About The Author
Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer that is always on the hunt for kitchen gadgets that can help save time and money, especially with two food-loving daughters at home. With more than 15 years of experience, her work has appeared in sites like on leading food and drink publications.