The Verdict
The Chefman 0.7 Cu. Ft. Black Microwave is a practical, space-saving solution designed to handle everyday kitchen tasks with ease. This compact countertop microwave offers 700 watts of power and intuitive controls, making it a reliable addition to any modern home kitchen.
Why We Love It (Key Features)
- Versatile Power Controls: With 10 different power levels, you have precise control over your cooking, whether you need a gentle heat to melt butter or full power for rapid meal preparation.
- User-Friendly Presets: Cooking is simplified with six dedicated presets for common items like pizza, popcorn, and vegetables, plus a convenient one-touch express cook feature for quick heating.
- Thoughtful Convenience: The inclusion of a mute button allows you to silence beeps when you need a quiet kitchen, while the +30 seconds button lets you add time on the fly.
- Easy Maintenance: Designed for busy households, the exterior wipes clean easily, and the glass turntable is top-rack dishwasher safe, taking the stress out of kitchen cleanup.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Compact footprint that fits well in smaller kitchens.
- Simple, durable exterior finish that is easy to keep clean.
- Built-in safety handle lock to prevent accidental access.
- Ability to silence audio alerts for a quieter home environment.
Cons:
- Requires dedicated counter space in your kitchen layout.
- 700-watt power output is optimized for smaller tasks and may be slower than full-sized, higher-wattage models.
Who Should Buy This?
This unit is an ideal choice for apartment dwellers, office breakrooms, or anyone needing a secondary appliance who values a sleek, space-saving design. It works perfectly for individuals who prioritize basic, consistent heating performance for leftovers, beverages, and quick snacks without needing the excessive size of a large-capacity microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this compact countertop microwave difficult to clean?
Not at all. The exterior is designed to be wiped down with a damp towel, and the glass turntable is top-rack dishwasher safe for easy maintenance.
Can I silence the microwave alerts?
Yes, the unit features a dedicated mute button that allows you to turn off all beeps, which is helpful if you want to avoid waking others in the house.
How does the door open?
This model features a handle with a built-in child safety lock; you simply pull upwards on the top edge of the handle to open the door.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good microwave at a cheap price and the least frustrating child proof lock I bought this microwave primarily because, after 75 years of commercial availability, the intelligence level of our society has collapsed to the point that it intersects with the mad rush to have the government regulate everything. Now, microwave ovens are required to have childproof locks on the doors—even in households and other environments that never see children. This model has the idiocracy built right into the handle, letting me trigger the childproof feature in the same step I use to open the door. It allows me to pretend we don’t live in a dystopian world ruled by bureaucrats. All the other microwave ovens I looked at use a two-step process that would only frustrate people who just want to open a darn microwave door. This model comes with a warning sticker on the door explaining how to open it. If you’re a landlord or have a VRBO, you’ll want to leave the sticker on because otherwise somebody is going to rip the handle off trying to get the door open, or maybe even go the nuclear option and try to pry it open with a knife. People aren’t going to stand there trying to solve a microwave rubicks cube at the expense of their Hot Pocket getting cold. Even when it’s for the children!I have no doubt this microwave is actually using all 700 watts of its rated power. It outcooks the 700-watt Sunbeam it replaced—the little ray of sunshine that opened either by pulling the door or pressing the huge “open” button, without any needless bureaucratic hurdles or handles standing in the way. A microwave oven from a more civilized age.My only major complaint about this microwave is that the keypad requires superhuman strength in the fingers to register that a button has been pressed. I recommend putting your shoulder into it and letting your body weight do the work to avoid getting an injury. The microwave needs to be up against a wall to use it because the force required to use the keypad will push the microwave back until there is something to stop it, and then you need to keep pushing until it beeps. And if you want, for example, to hold the “4” button down for it automatically start for 4 minutes instead of pressing 4-0-0-start, you have to maintain Herculean pressure against the 4 button for several strenuous seconds, straining to keep your knuckles from buckling like you’re trying to hold an entire set of encyclopedias against the wall using only the strength from a single finger. And I mean all the encyclopedias. From A to Z. It’s easier to do 4-0-0-start so frankly that feature requiring the encyclopedia maneuver is worthless. I suppose the manufacturer is trying to future-proof their microwaves against full-blown microwave tyranny, where even the buttons would have to be childproof, because frankly, these buttons already are.The microwave works well, it looks sleek, it is the proper size and noise level for it’s wattage, it needs to be up against a wall, and the child-proof door opening mechanism is the best in it’s class.Variation: Color: BlackSize: 0.7 Cu. Ft
3.0 out of 5 stars Died after 37 days! Update: Chefman Customer Support contacted me nearly a month after filing a warranty claim. They then promptly dealt with my claim and shipped me a working replacement. I am changing my review to 3 Stars from 1.This microwave died completely after 37 days of very minimal use. It was used a few times to reheat leftovers before it died.I attempted an Amazon returned but they refused and sent me to the warranty and support page of the company that produces the microwave, Chefman. It has been over 2 weeks and the company has not replied to any contact or emails.The microwave wasn’t all that great to begin with. I was disappointed in how dim the interior light bulb was. The controls were difficult to operate. It was barely functional and very very loud overall not a very good microwave and not very durable at all.Avoid purchasing this microwave! It doesn’t last and the company does not support their products.Variation: Color: BlackSize: 1.1 Cu. Ft
4.0 out of 5 stars Little more power It’s an excellent option, more affordable than the others. It has several settings, it’s durable, and I just wish it had a little more power because I have to run it longer than usual to heat things up. Other than that, it works very well.Variation: Color: BlackSize: 0.7 Cu. Ft
4.0 out of 5 stars Compact, easy to use, and perfect for everyday meals I bought this microwave for a small apartment, and it’s been exactly what I needed. Despite its compact size, it has plenty of room for reheating leftovers, making popcorn, or warming up frozen meals. It doesn’t take up much counter space, which is a huge plus in a smaller kitchen.The controls are simple and straightforward, and I like that there are quick-start buttons for common cooking times. It heats food evenly for everyday use, and the door opens and closes smoothly without feeling cheap.At 700 watts, it may take a little longer than larger, more powerful microwaves, but that’s expected and hasn’t been an issue for me. It’s quiet, reliable, and has performed consistently since I started using it.Overall, this is an excellent microwave if you’re looking for something affordable, compact, and dependable. It’s a great choice for apartments, dorm rooms, offices, or anyone who doesn’t need a full-size model. Highly recommended!Variation: Color: BlackSize: 0.7 Cu. Ft
5.0 out of 5 stars Small and doesn't set off the circuit breaker Small, compact, and doesn’t pull too many watts. Exactly what I needed.If I pull more than a thousand watts where I’m renting, the lights start to flicker and I’m at risk of tripping a breaker.This is absolutely a great option for exactly that setup. It takes up very little space atop my mini fridge and runs well below the threshold that I need it to be at. It does take longer but is not an issue for home use.Variation: Color: BlackSize: 0.7 Cu. Ft
5.0 out of 5 stars Compact perfect! Excellent little microwave. It operates just as good as any of the larger models. The defroster works great for everything frozen solid. The fit and finish is excellent. It’s very quiet. The turntable is deceptively large. I would absolutely purchase again.Variation: Color: BlackSize: 1.1 Cu. Ft
5.0 out of 5 stars Well made appliance at a reasonable price. No thrills. Reasonable price for a seemingly well made appliance. The child lock is a bit of an excessive overreach but that’s only a subjective opinion after using an old school Goldstar for 20 years. Does the job well for an economy unit, no thrills or gizmos included. The buttons are bit dark and small, also, you have hold them down for a second or two sometimes for them to work. Noise level is as expected – not too loud. The fit is perfect if you have an average size counter top. Cleaning is as with any other economy oven. Features – just a basic microwave, no thrills.Variation: Color: BlackSize: 1.1 Cu. Ft