Best Countertop Microwave Under $100

What to Expect from a Microwave Under $100

A budget of under $100 gets you a solid, reliable countertop microwave that handles all everyday cooking tasks — reheating, defrosting, cooking vegetables, making popcorn, and more. You won't get premium features like inverter technology or advanced sensor cooking, but you'll get a dependable appliance that lasts 7 to 10 years with proper care.

What to Look for Under $100

Wattage: At Least 700W, Ideally 900W to 1000W

Wattage is the most important spec in a budget microwave. At 700W, food heats adequately but slowly. At 900W to 1000W, you get noticeably faster, more even results. Many microwaves under $100 offer 900W to 1000W — prioritize this over other features.

Capacity: 0.7 to 1.2 Cu Ft

For most households, 0.9 to 1.2 cu ft is the right size — large enough for a standard dinner plate or medium casserole dish. Compact models (0.5 to 0.7 cu ft) are fine for singles or dorm use.

Essential Features Worth Having Under $100

• Multiple power levels: At least 5 power levels for defrosting and gentle heating
• Auto-defrost: Weight-based or time-based defrost programs
• Kitchen timer: Useful even when not cooking
• Child lock: Important for households with young children
• Easy-clean interior: Some budget models have smooth interiors that are much easier to wipe clean

Features You Won't Get Under $100

• Inverter technology (continuous power delivery)
• Advanced sensor cooking
• Convection cooking
• Premium build quality and materials

Best Brands Under $100

Several reliable brands consistently offer good microwaves under $100:

• Toshiba: Excellent value; often includes sensor cooking even at lower price points; easy-clean interiors
• Black+Decker: Reliable, simple, widely available
• AmazonBasics / Amazon: Solid basic performance at the lowest price points
• Farberware: Good value; often 1000W at budget prices
• Comfee: Compact models with good wattage for the price

How to Get the Most from a Budget Microwave

• Clean it regularly — food residue makes the magnetron work harder and shortens lifespan
• Use a splatter cover to keep the interior clean
• Never run it empty — always have food or water inside
• Use a surge protector to protect against power surges
• Adjust cooking times for your microwave's wattage — recipes are often written for 1000W to 1100W

We recommend: Microwave Splatter Cover with Anti-Scald Base Plate (BPA-Free Silicone, 10.7 inch)

Wattage Adjustment Guide

Final Thoughts

Under $100, you can get a reliable 900W to 1000W countertop microwave that handles all everyday cooking tasks. Prioritize wattage over features — a 1000W microwave with basic controls outperforms a 700W microwave with fancy features. Toshiba and Farberware consistently offer the best value in this price range.