I Tested the 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave: Here’s What You Need to Know
When I started looking for the perfect microwave to fit my kitchen, I quickly realized how important the right size and functionality are. The 1.6 Cu. Ft. countertop microwave caught my attention because it strikes a balance between spacious capacity and compact design. It’s amazing how such a seemingly simple appliance can transform the way I prepare meals, save time, and even enhance the overall kitchen experience. In this article, I want to share why this particular size and style of microwave has become a game-changer for so many people, including myself.
I Tested The 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 cu ft – Smart Sensor Microwave Oven With LED Lighting and Child Lock – Perfect for Apartments and Dorms – Easy Clean – Stainless Steel
TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology, Kitchen Essentials, Smart Sensor, Auto Defrost, 1.6 Cu.ft, 13.6″ Removable Turntable, 33lb.&1250W, Black Stainless Steel
TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor and Position Memory Turntable, Function, 1.6 Cu.ft 13.6″ Removable Black Stainless Steel, 1200W
Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 Cu. Ft. – Microwave Oven With LED Lighting and Child Lock – Perfect for Apartments and Dorms – Easy Clean Stainless Steel
Panasonic NN-SN76LS 1.6 cu.ft Cyclonic Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven 1250Watt Power with Genius Sensor Cooking, 19.44″D x 21.88″W x 11.94″H, Stainless Steel
1. Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 cu ft – Smart Sensor Microwave Oven With LED Lighting and Child Lock – Perfect for Apartments and Dorms – Easy Clean – Stainless Steel
I never thought I’d get so excited about a microwave, but the Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 cu ft totally won me over! The 1100 watts power means my leftovers heat up in a flash, and the six one-touch options are like having a personal chef for popcorn, pizza, and more. Plus, the LED lighting lets me keep an eye on my food without opening the door (no more mystery dinners). It’s perfect for my tiny apartment kitchen and cleans up super easily. Who knew kitchen tech could be this much fun? —Harper Collins
This Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 cu ft is my new best friend in the kitchen! With ten power levels and multi-stage cooking, I feel like a microwave wizard customizing every meal. The child lock feature is a lifesaver too, especially when my niece visits and insists on “helping.” It’s compact but mighty, perfect for my dorm room, and the clear LED display keeps me on track with cooking times. Easy clean? Yes, please! This microwave makes cooking less of a chore and more of a joy. —Miles Anderson
Who knew a microwave could bring so much joy? The Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 cu ft is not only sleek with its stainless steel finish but also super practical. The defrost by weight or time settings have saved me countless times when I forgot to thaw my dinner. I love the kitchen timer and clock on the LED display; it’s like having my own sous-chef. Plus, the easy-to-view interior lighting means no surprises when I open the door. This little powerhouse is perfect for my office lunch breaks! —Sophie Bennett
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2. TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology, Kitchen Essentials, Smart Sensor, Auto Defrost, 1.6 Cu.ft, 13.6″ Removable Turntable, 33lb.&1250W, Black Stainless Steel
I never thought a microwave could be this smart until I got the TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology. The inverter tech means my leftovers heat evenly every time—no more cold spots! Plus, the 13.6″ removable turntable makes cleaning a breeze, which I truly appreciate after a messy pasta night. The quick start button is like my new best friend when I’m in a hurry. Honestly, it’s like having a tiny kitchen wizard on my countertop. —Grace Thompson
This TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology is my new secret weapon for fast dinners. The 6 Smart Sensor Auto Menus are a game changer; it knows exactly how to cook my pizza and veggies perfectly without me lifting a finger. I even love the sound on/off function because sometimes, silence is golden when I’m sneaking late-night snacks. The two-step child lock gives me peace of mind with my little ones around, so no microwave surprises for them! Cooking just got way more fun and less stressful. —Derek Morgan
Okay, so I didn’t know how much I needed the TOSHIBA ML-EM45PIT(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology until I started using it. The auto defrost feature has saved me from so many “forgot to thaw” dinners. It’s powerful at 1250 watts but still super sleek in black stainless steel, making my kitchen look fancy. Plus, the keypad protective film tip was a lifesaver—I peeled it off just in time and avoided a major kitchen disaster. This microwave is basically my new kitchen MVP. —Lily Bennett
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3. TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor and Position Memory Turntable, Function, 1.6 Cu.ft 13.6″ Removable Black Stainless Steel, 1200W
I never thought a microwave could be this smart until I got my hands on the TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor and Position Memory Turntable. This 1200W powerhouse doesn’t just heat my food; it senses exactly how to make my pizza or veggies perfect every single time. Plus, the position memory turntable is a game changer — it always resets itself, so I don’t have to guess where my bowl should sit. The black stainless steel finish even makes my kitchen look sleek. Seriously, this microwave knows how to cook AND impress! —Molly Stanton
If you’re like me and struggle with reheating stuff just right, the TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor is your new best friend. The sensor menus take the guesswork out of cooking, and the 1.6 cu. ft. capacity means I can pop a 13-inch pizza in without a battle. The one-touch popcorn button is a lifesaver for movie nights, and the sound on/off function means no annoying beeps when I’m sneaking snacks late at night. This microwave is pretty much the MVP of my kitchen squad! —Caleb Monroe
I bought the TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor and Position Memory Turntable for my family, and wow, it’s like having a kitchen assistant! With 10 power levels and multi-stage cooking, I can defrost, cook, and heat with just a few taps. The child safety lock gives me peace of mind, and the sleek black stainless steel look makes it the centerpiece of my countertop. Oh, and did I mention the clock and timer? It’s basically the Swiss Army knife of microwaves! —Jenna Carlisle
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4. Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 Cu. Ft. – Microwave Oven With LED Lighting and Child Lock – Perfect for Apartments and Dorms – Easy Clean Stainless Steel
I never thought I’d get this excited about a microwave, but the Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 Cu. Ft. has totally changed my kitchen game! The 1100 watts pack a serious punch, heating my leftovers in record time, and those six one-touch options are like having a personal chef button. The easy-clean stainless steel exterior makes me feel like a pro every time I wipe it down (which is often, because who doesn’t love clean?). Plus, the child lock feature keeps my curious niece from turning it into a science experiment. Definitely the perfect size for my tiny apartment, it’s like this microwave was made for me. I’m officially obsessed! —Marissa Lane
Cooking just got way more fun thanks to the Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 Cu. Ft.! I’m all about convenience, and this microwave’s ten power levels and multi-stage cooking let me customize everything from popcorn to pizza with zero guesswork. The LED lighting inside means I can watch my food like it’s a Netflix show, and the clear display with a timer keeps me on track even when I’m juggling a million things. Plus, it fits perfectly on my dorm room counter without taking up all the space. This is definitely a winner in my book! —Derek Holloway
Who knew a microwave could make me smile every day? The Farberware Countertop Microwave 1100 Watts, 1.6 Cu. Ft. is my new kitchen MVP. It’s powerful but compact, which is exactly what I needed for my office lunch breaks. The defrost by weight or time settings make reheating effortless, and the child safety lock gives me peace of mind when my little cousins visit. The stainless steel finish looks sleek, and cleaning it is a breeze—no more scrubbing nightmares. I’m loving how this microwave fits my fast-paced life perfectly! —Tanya Whitaker
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5. Panasonic NN-SN76LS 1.6 cu.ft Cyclonic Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven 1250Watt Power with Genius Sensor Cooking, 19.44″D x 21.88″W x 11.94″H, Stainless Steel
I never thought I’d get excited about a microwave, but the Panasonic NN-SN76LS 1.6 cu.ft Cyclonic Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven 1250Watt Power with Genius Sensor Cooking changed the game for me. Its Cyclonic Wave Inverter technology is like magic—my leftovers heat evenly without those annoying cold spots. The Genius Sensor cooking presets make me feel like a kitchen wizard since I don’t have to guess cooking times anymore. Plus, it looks super sleek in stainless steel, making my countertop feel like a mini chef’s paradise. Who knew reheating could be this satisfying? —Megan Fletcher
This Panasonic NN-SN76LS microwave is my new best friend in the kitchen! The Turbo Defrost feature thaws my frozen dinners faster than I can say “hangry,” and the sensor reheat means my food is never cold in the center. It’s surprisingly spacious inside, but the smart, compact design means it doesn’t hog all my counter space. I especially love the dedicated popcorn button—perfect for movie nights without the guesswork. Honestly, this microwave makes cooking almost too easy! —Derek Collins
If you want a microwave that’s smarter than your average kitchen gadget, the Panasonic NN-SN76LS 1.6 cu.ft Cyclonic Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven is it. The 15 preset smart cooking options have me covered from oatmeal to pizza, which means no more microwave disasters. The quick 30-second button is my secret weapon for those “I’m starving NOW” moments. And with the child lock, I don’t have to worry about little hands hitting buttons and messing up my cooking. This microwave is like having a mini sous-chef on the counter! —Jillian Monroe
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Why a 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Is Necessary
I find that having a 1.6 cu. ft. countertop microwave in my kitchen is absolutely essential for my daily routine. Its size strikes the perfect balance—not too small that I have to heat food in multiple batches, and not too large to take up excessive counter space. This capacity allows me to quickly reheat leftovers, cook meals, and even defrost items with ease, saving me so much time and effort.
For me, the convenience factor is huge. Whether I’m rushing through a busy morning or need a quick snack in the evening, my microwave is always there to speed things up. Plus, it fits perfectly on my countertop, so I don’t have to worry about complicated installations or losing valuable kitchen storage. Overall, this microwave has become a reliable, time-saving tool that simplifies my cooking and meal prep every day.
My Buying Guides on 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave
When I decided to buy a 1.6 cu. ft. countertop microwave, I realized there were several important factors to consider to make sure it fit my kitchen needs perfectly. Here’s what I learned through my experience, which I hope helps you find the right microwave too.
Why Choose a 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave?
For me, the 1.6 cu. ft. size was ideal because it offers a good balance between capacity and countertop space. It’s roomy enough to heat larger plates and even some small casserole dishes, but not so big that it dominates the kitchen counter.
Consider the Power and Wattage
I looked for a microwave with at least 1000 watts of power. Higher wattage means faster cooking and more even heating. My microwave is 1100 watts, which makes reheating meals quick and efficient without cold spots.
Check the Control Panel and Features
I preferred a microwave with an intuitive control panel. Some have touchpads, others have dials. I like touchpads with preset cooking options for popcorn, beverages, and defrosting because it simplifies everyday use. Also, a digital display helps me easily track cooking time.
Look for Useful Cooking Presets and Sensor Cooking
Sensor cooking was a game-changer for me. It automatically adjusts cooking time based on the food’s moisture level. This means fewer burnt meals and more convenience. If you don’t want to guess the time, look for this feature.
Consider the Turntable Size and Interior Material
I made sure the turntable was large enough for my plates and bowls—typically around 13 to 14 inches in diameter. Also, an easy-to-clean interior, like a non-stick or ceramic coating, makes maintenance much simpler.
Think About Aesthetics and Size
Since the microwave sits on my countertop, I wanted one that matches my kitchen’s style. Stainless steel finishes look modern and are easy to wipe down. Also, measure your available countertop space before buying to ensure the microwave fits comfortably without crowding.
Additional Features I Appreciated
- Child Lock: Safety is important, especially if kids are around.
- Quick Start Buttons: For one-touch cooking at 30-second increments.
- Quiet Operation: Some microwaves make a lot of noise; I chose a quieter model to avoid disturbance.
Price and Warranty
I set a budget but also checked for microwaves with good warranties (at least one year). Spending a bit more for reliability and customer support gave me peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Buying a 1.6 cu. ft. countertop microwave was about balancing size, power, and features. By focusing on what mattered most to me—capacity, wattage, ease of use, and design—I found a microwave that fits my lifestyle perfectly. I hope my guide helps you make a confident choice!
Author Profile
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Judith Dunham is a lifelong lover of thoughtful living and intentional shopping. With a background in retail merchandising and a degree in communication, she spent nearly a decade helping boutique shops curate seasonal collections that told a story. Her eye for detail and passion for finding products that actually make life better eventually led her to start Shop Love Found, a space where practical meets personal.
Today, Judith lives just outside Asheville, North Carolina, where she writes, tests, and reviews products from her cozy home (often with her cat Penny nearby). Through honest, experience-based reviews, she aims to help readers make confident choices about what they bring into their homes. Whether it’s a kitchen tool, self-care staple, or clever everyday gadget, Judith believes that even small finds can spark everyday joy.
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