The deciding specification is published wattage, which ranges from 700 to 1,200 watts across these five models.
By the Lush Editorial Team·Researched & Compared
I compared five countertop microwaves using only manufacturer-published specifications from the fact sheet, including capacity, wattage, dimensions, weight, and listed features.
1,200 watts with a pre-programd sensor menu for pizza, potato, and vegetables.
Inverter Technology and Turbo Defrost for even thawing without overcooked edges.
At 17.52 inches wide and 23.81 pounds, the most compact model here.
Eight convenience cook settings plus sensor cooking controls.
1.6 cu. ft. capacity at 21.8 pounds, the lightest of the large models.
| Model | Brand | Size (capacity) | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOSHIBA Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor | TOSHIBA | Sensor-1.6 Cu.Ft | 36.6 lb | Best for sensor cooking |
| Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S Stainless Steel C... | Panasonic | 1.2 cft | 25.5 lb | Best for defrosting |
| Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft. | Chefman | 0.7 Cu. Ft | 23.81 lb | Smallest footprint |
| GE Countertop Microwave Oven | GE | Stainless Steel 1.6 Cu. Ft. | 39 lb | Most convenience settings |
| 1.6 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave with Stainless Door | Magic Chef | 1.6 cu. ft. | 21.8 lb | Lightest full-size |
1,200 watts with a pre-programd sensor menu for pizza, potato, and vegetables.
Inverter Technology and Turbo Defrost for even thawing without overcooked edges.
At 17.52 inches wide and 23.81 pounds, the most compact model here.
Eight convenience cook settings plus sensor cooking controls.
1.6 cu. ft. capacity at 21.8 pounds, the lightest of the large models.
For most kitchens, the TOSHIBA 1.6 cu. ft. sensor model is the strongest all-rounder: 1,200 watts, a 13.6 inch turntable, and sensor menus for pizza, potato, and vegetables. The Panasonic NN-SN686S is the pick for defrosting, with patented Inverter Technology and Turbo Defrost. The Chefman 0.7 cu. ft. is the smallest and lightest at 23.81 pounds, best for tight counters. The GE 1.6 cu. ft. adds sensor cooking and eight convenience settings. The Magic Chef 1.6 cu. ft. is the lightest full-size option at 21.8 pounds.
“Wattage and capacity decide more than any feature list.”
Lush Editorial Team
Priorities, not a computed score. The inputs are published specifications, so we rank by what matters most and say how much.
Published wattage separates these five more than any other figure. The TOSHIBA and Panasonic both state 1,200 watts. The GE states 1,150 watts. The Magic Chef states 1,100 watts. The Chefman states 700 watts. Capacity also splits the group: the TOSHIBA, Magic Chef, and GE each publish 1.6 cu. ft., while the Panasonic publishes 1.2 cu. ft. and the Chefman publishes 0.7 cu. ft. These two figures, wattage and capacity, tell you more about daily use than any feature list.
Dimensions decide whether the oven fits your counter. The Chefman is the smallest at 17.52 inches wide, 12.93 inches deep, and 9.53 inches high. The TOSHIBA is the largest at 21.8 inches wide and 19.2 inches deep. The GE publishes 12.875 inches of height, the largest figure here. Weight ranges from 21.8 pounds on the Magic Chef to 39.0 pounds on the GE. If you need to lift or move the oven, those pounds matter as much as the width.
| Specification | TOSHIBA B081T6GZZF | Chefman B0DY95T5HB | Magic Chef B01CID433G | GE B0DD85QFY6 | Panasonic B01DEWZUG4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Published wattage | 1,200 W | 700 W | 1,100 W | 1,150 W | 1,200 W |
| Capacity | 1.6 cu. ft. | 0.7 cu. ft. | 1.6 cu. ft. | 1.6 cu. ft. | 1.2 cu. ft. |
| Width | 21.8 in | 17.52 in | 21.8 in | 21.75 in | 20.69 in |
| Depth | 19.2 in | 12.93 in | 19.2 in | 17.75 in | 15.81 in |
| Height | 12.1 in | 9.53 in | 12.8 in | 12.875 in | 12.25 in |
| Weight | 36.6 lb | 23.81 lb | 21.8 lb | 39.0 lb | 25.5 lb |
| Power levels | 10 | 10 | not published | not published | 10 |
| Turntable diameter | 13.6 in | not published | 13.58 in | not published | 13.4 in |
| Sensor cooking | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Child safety lock | Yes | Yes | not published | Yes | Yes |
The table does not tell you how evenly any of these ovens heats food, how loud they run, or how long they last. No manufacturer here publishes noise in decibels, energy use in kilowatt hours per year, or interior dimensions for every model. The table also cannot tell you whether a sensor menu works well for your favorite foods. It only shows what each maker states on the box and the spec sheet.
The TOSHIBA, GE, and Panasonic all publish sensor cooking. The TOSHIBA describes a pre-programd sensor menu for pizza, potato, and vegetables. The GE states that its sensor controls monitor moisture as food cooks and automatically adjust cooking time. The Panasonic lists a Genius Sensor that adjusts power and time based on different foods. The Chefman and Magic Chef do not publish sensor cooking. If you want the oven to manage cooking time for you, those three are the only ones that state it.
Sensor cooking is not the same as a preset button. A preset selects a time and power level. A sensor reads moisture and adjusts during the cycle. The GE and Panasonic both describe this moisture-reading behavior. The TOSHIBA describes a sensor menu but does not detail how it adjusts. None of the makers publish how much time the sensor saves or how it performs on specific dishes. The feature is stated, not measured.
The Panasonic lists Inverter Turbo Defrost, which the maker states speeds up defrosting time. The GE lists manual and auto defrost modes that adjust time and power levels to thaw frozen foods evenly. The TOSHIBA lists auto defrost as a convenience feature. The Chefman and Magic Chef do not publish a defrost mode. If defrosting frozen meat or leftovers is a frequent task, the Panasonic and GE state the most detail about how their defrost cycles work.
Auto defrost typically uses weight or time settings. The GE states both manual and auto modes. The Panasonic states Turbo Defrost as part of its Inverter Technology. The TOSHIBA states auto defrost without further detail. No maker publishes defrost times in minutes per pound, so you cannot compare speed from the fact sheet. The published difference is which modes exist, not how fast they run.
The TOSHIBA, Magic Chef, and GE each publish 1.6 cu. ft. The TOSHIBA states it fits a 13 inch pizza and has a 13.6 inch turntable. The Magic Chef lists a 13.58 inch turntable. The GE does not publish a turntable diameter. The Panasonic publishes 1.2 cu. ft. with a 13.4 inch turntable. The Chefman publishes 0.7 cu. ft. and does not publish a turntable diameter. Capacity decides whether a dinner plate or a casserole dish fits.
Turntable diameter is the figure that tells you what actually spins inside. The TOSHIBA has the largest published turntable at 13.6 inches. The Magic Chef is close at 13.58 inches. The Panasonic is 13.4 inches. The Chefman and GE do not publish this figure, so you cannot compare their usable round space from the fact sheet. If you regularly heat large plates, the published turntable diameter is the number to check.
The Chefman is the smallest of the five at 17.52 inches wide, 12.93 inches deep, and 9.53 inches high. The TOSHIBA is the largest at 21.8 inches wide and 19.2 inches deep. The GE publishes clearance requirements: allow 3 inches on each side and above, 1 inch at the rear, and keep the bottom unobstructed. The other makers do not publish clearance requirements. If your counter is tight, the Chefman leaves the most room, but you still need airflow around any microwave.
Depth matters as much as width. The TOSHIBA and Magic Chef are both 19.2 inches deep, the largest figure here. The Chefman is 12.93 inches deep, the smallest figure here. The Panasonic is 15.81 inches deep. The GE is 17.75 inches deep. A deep microwave can crowd a counter or block a cabinet door. Measure your depth before you buy, because the published depth is the exterior, not the interior.
Sensor-cooking family cook. The TOSHIBA 1.6 cu. ft. at 1,200 watts has a sensor menu for pizza, potato, and vegetables, plus a 13.6 inch turntable. It is the largest and one of the heaviest here, so measure your counter first.
Frozen-food defroster. The Panasonic NN-SN686S at 1,200 watts lists Inverter Technology and Turbo Defrost, plus 14 preset menu items. It is 1.2 cu. ft. and 25.5 pounds, so it fits where a full 1.6 cu. ft. model will not.
Small-counter cook. The Chefman 0.7 cu. ft. at 700 watts is the smallest and lightest of the five at 17.52 inches wide and 23.81 pounds. It has six presets and 10 power levels. It is the lowest wattage here, so expect longer cook times.
Preset-heavy cook. The GE 1.6 cu. ft. at 1,150 watts lists eight convenience cook settings and sensor cooking controls. It publishes 12.875 inches of height, the largest figure here, and is the heaviest at 39.0 pounds. It publishes clearance requirements, which helps with installation.
Lightweight full-size buyer. The Magic Chef 1.6 cu. ft. at 1,100 watts is the lightest of the large models at 21.8 pounds. It has a 13.58 inch turntable and six one-touch cooking modes. It does not publish a child safety lock or sensor cooking.
Several figures that would help compare these microwaves are not published by the manufacturers. We looked for them and could not source them.
Published wattage across these five models ranges from 700 watts on the Chefman and BLACK+DECKER to 1,200 watts on the TOSHIBA, Panasonic, and Frigidaire. Higher wattage can cook faster, but the manufacturer does not publish cooking times. For simple reheating, 700 watts may be enough. For family meals and faster cooking, 1,100 to 1,200 watts is the higher end here.
The Chefman 0.7 cu. ft. model is the smallest by published dimensions: 17.52 inches wide, 12.93 inches deep, and 9.53 inches high. It weighs 23.81 pounds. The BLACK+DECKER and COMFEE' 0.7 cu. ft. models are close in size but slightly taller. If counter space is the deciding factor, the Chefman has the smallest published footprint of the five.
The TOSHIBA, Chefman, GE, Panasonic, and Frigidaire models all list a child safety lock in their published features. The Magic Chef does not publish a child safety lock. The COMFEE' lists a two-step child lock feature. If safety around children is a priority, four of the five picks here state a lock, and the Magic Chef does not.
The TOSHIBA, Magic Chef, and GE models all publish 1.6 cu. ft. capacity. The Frigidaire publishes 2.2 cu. ft. but is not one of the five picks. Among the five, 1.6 cu. ft. is the largest. The TOSHIBA states it fits a 13 inch pizza and has a 13.6 inch turntable. The Magic Chef lists a 13.58 inch turntable. The GE does not publish a turntable diameter.
The Panasonic lists 14 preset menu items, the highest published count among the five. The GE lists eight convenience cook settings. The Chefman and Magic Chef list six presets each. The TOSHIBA lists a sensor menu for pizza, potato, and vegetables but does not publish a total preset count. More presets can mean less manual programming, but the maker does not publish results.
The TOSHIBA, Chefman, and COMFEE' models list a mute or sound on/off function. The TOSHIBA requires a long press on the number 8 button for 3 to 5 seconds. The Chefman has an audio button. The COMFEE' uses a sound on/off button held for 3 seconds. The GE, Panasonic, Magic Chef, and Frigidaire do not publish a mute option.
Specifications come from the manufacturers' own published listings. Lush Food & Drink may earn a commission if you buy through a link on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we research.
