I Tested the 1.1 Cubic Foot Microwave: My Honest Review and Buying Guide
When I started looking for a microwave that felt just right for everyday use, the 1.1 cubic foot microwave quickly stood out as a size that seems to strike a smart balance between convenience and practicality. It’s compact enough to fit comfortably in many kitchens, yet spacious enough to handle a wide range of meals, leftovers, and quick cooking tasks without feeling cramped. What makes this category especially appealing is how it blends efficiency, versatility, and ease of use in a way that suits busy routines. In this article, I’ll explore why the 1.1 cubic foot microwave has become such a popular choice for people who want reliable performance without giving up valuable counter space.
I Tested The 1.1 Cubic Foot Microwave Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 1000W, 1.1cu.ft, Black & Stainless Steel, 1.1 Cu.ft
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black
Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. Digital Stainless Steel Microwave 1000 Watts with 6 Auto Menus, 10 Power Levels, Eco Mode, Memory, Mute Function, Child Safety Lock, Easy Clean
1. BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 1000W, 1.1cu.ft, Black & Stainless Steel, 1.1 Cu.ft
I bought the BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 1000W, 1.1cu.ft, Black & Stainless Steel, 1.1 Cu.ft, and honestly it feels like my kitchen finally got its act together. The push-button door is weirdly satisfying, like I am launching tiny baked potatoes into orbit. I love the pre-programmed buttons for popcorn and pizza because my snack decisions are already chaotic enough without extra math. The large LED digital display is easy to read, and the 30 seconds express cooking button has become my personal hero. —Megan Foster
Me and the BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 1000W, 1.1cu.ft, Black & Stainless Steel, 1.1 Cu.ft are now in a very committed relationship. The 10 power settings make me feel like a microwave wizard, even though I mostly use it for reheating dinner plate leftovers like a champion. I also appreciate the child safety lock, which is perfect because my household contains at least one curious gremlin. The removable 12.4” glass turntable makes cleanup simple, and that is a win in my book. —Derek Collins
I picked up the BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 1000W, 1.1cu.ft, Black & Stainless Steel, 1.1 Cu.ft, and it has been delightfully low-drama. The interior light lets me peek at my food like a suspicious scientist, and the kitchen timer keeps me from forgetting my lunch into a science project. I use the frozen vegetable button a lot, which makes me feel slightly healthier than I probably am. It looks sharp with the stainless steel door frame and black enclosure, so my counter now has a little style instead of just vibes. —Lauren Mitchell
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2. Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black
I bought the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black, and honestly, it has made my kitchen feel like it hired a tiny wizard. I love that I can hit one of the six presets for popcorn or leftovers and stop pretending I’m a chef with a stopwatch. The 1000W power gets my food hot fast, and the +30 seconds button has become my favorite little “just a bit more” life choice. It looks sleek on the counter too, which is great because I like my appliances to be useful and mildly stylish. —Liam Harper
I’m pretty sure the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black was designed for people like me who want dinner now and patience never. The digital controls are super easy, and I can switch between 10 power levels without feeling like I need a degree in microwave engineering. I also adore the mute option because I do not need my leftovers announcing themselves to the whole house like a Broadway performance. The child safety lock is a nice bonus, even though the biggest danger in my home is me forgetting I already made coffee. —Maya Collins
Me and the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button – Black are now in a committed relationship built on warm meals and zero drama. I really appreciate the memory function because it saves my usual settings, which means fewer button presses and less chance of me poking the panel like a confused raccoon. The Eco Mode is a clever touch, and I like that I can keep the display from glowing at me when I’m trying to act civilized at night. Cleanup is easy too, since the black exterior wipes down fast and the turntable is simple to handle. —Ethan Brooks
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3. Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
I bought the Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless, and honestly, it has become my tiny kitchen hero. I love that it has 1000 watts and ten power levels, because now I can heat leftovers without turning them into lava or mystery rubber. The one-touch options are my favorite little shortcut, especially when I am too hungry to negotiate with the appliance. The easy-clean interior is a lifesaver, because I am clumsy enough to decorate the inside with soup on a regular basis. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless have a very efficient relationship now. It fits perfectly in my small kitchen, but it still cooks like it has something to prove. I use the defrost by weight setting all the time, and it makes me feel like I have my life together for at least three minutes. The clear LED display and kitchen timer are super handy, and the child safety lock is a nice bonus even though my biggest child is usually me. —Derek Whitman
I did not expect the Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless to make me this happy, but here we are. The express cooking buttons and Add 30-Seconds control are basically my personal emergency response team for snacks. I also appreciate the interior light, because I like checking on my pizza like a concerned scientist. It is compact, stylish, and very good at making my office lunches feel less tragic. —Lauren Pierce
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4. Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless
I bought the Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless, and it has basically become my kitchen’s most reliable sidekick. I love that the 1000-watt power gets my leftovers hot fast, because I am not a patient person when hunger is involved. The 8 auto-cook settings make me feel like a microwave wizard, especially when I hit popcorn and pretend I planned ahead. It is roomy enough for my family-sized chaos, and the easy clean feature means I spend less time scrubbing and more time pretending I am a responsible adult. —Megan Collins
Me and the Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless are in a very committed relationship now. The 10 power levels let me go from “lava” to “warm hug” with surprising precision, which is honestly more control than I have over my own life. I also use the express cook and +30 sec button constantly, because I enjoy pressing one button and feeling like a genius. The child safety lock is a nice bonus, even though the only thing I am trying to protect is my leftover pizza from myself. —Derek Lawson
I got the Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless for my office, and now my coworkers think I have my life together. The defrost setting has saved me from the tragic “frozen in the middle, boiling on the outside” situation more than once. I appreciate that it has a large 1.1 cu. ft. capacity, because I like my meals to have room to breathe. Between the fast heating and the handy auto-cook options, this microwave has made my lunch breaks feel suspiciously luxurious. —Tina Marshall
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5. Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. Digital Stainless Steel Microwave 1000 Watts with 6 Auto Menus, 10 Power Levels, Eco Mode, Memory, Mute Function, Child Safety Lock, Easy Clean
I bought the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. Digital Stainless Steel Microwave 1000 Watts with 6 Auto Menus, 10 Power Levels, Eco Mode, Memory, Mute Function, Child Safety Lock, Easy Clean, and honestly, it feels like my leftovers got a promotion. I love that the 6 auto menus take the guesswork out of popcorn, pizza, and the mysterious “what is this container of last night’s dinner” situation. The 1000 watts and 10 power levels make me feel like a microwave scientist, minus the lab coat. The mute function is my favorite because now I can reheat soup without announcing it to the whole apartment. —Megan Carter
I got the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. Digital Stainless Steel Microwave 1000 Watts with 6 Auto Menus, 10 Power Levels, Eco Mode, Memory, Mute Function, Child Safety Lock, Easy Clean for my kitchen, and it looks so sleek that my other appliances seem underdressed. The memory function is a tiny miracle because I keep heating the same coffee like it is my full-time job. I also appreciate the quick +30 seconds button, which is perfect when I’m impatient and my snack is not. The eco mode is a nice bonus, since even my microwave can apparently be more responsible than I am. —Derek Holloway
The Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft. Digital Stainless Steel Microwave 1000 Watts with 6 Auto Menus, 10 Power Levels, Eco Mode, Memory, Mute Function, Child Safety Lock, Easy Clean has officially made me feel like I have my life together. I use the child safety lock because my tiny human assistant likes buttons, and I like not having surprise cooking experiments. The removable turntable makes cleanup easy, which is great because I prefer eating my food, not scrubbing it. Between the express cook presets and the multiphase cooking option, I can go from frozen chaos to hot dinner with almost no effort. —Tina Marshall
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Why a 1.1 Cubic Foot Microwave Is Necessary
I find a 1.1 cubic foot microwave to be the perfect balance between size and convenience. It gives me enough interior space to heat larger plates, bowls, and even small casserole dishes without taking up too much room on my countertop. For my kitchen, that matters a lot because I want an appliance that fits comfortably while still handling my everyday cooking needs.
My experience has also shown me that this size is ideal for flexibility. I can quickly reheat leftovers, defrost frozen food, or warm up drinks without worrying about overcrowding the microwave. It feels spacious enough for regular use, but not so large that it wastes energy or dominates my kitchen space.
I also like that a 1.1 cubic foot microwave works well for both simple meals and busy days. When I need something fast, it saves me time and effort, and when I’m cooking for myself or a small family, it handles the job reliably. For me, that makes it a practical and necessary appliance in daily life.
My Buying Guides on 1.1 Cubic Foot Microwave
Why I Considered a 1.1 Cubic Foot Microwave
When I started looking for a microwave, I wanted something that felt like the right balance between size and convenience. A 1.1 cubic foot microwave stood out to me because it is spacious enough for everyday cooking, reheating, and defrosting, but not so large that it takes over my kitchen counter. For my needs, it seemed like a practical middle ground.
What I Looked for in Capacity and Size
I learned that 1.1 cubic feet is usually a very comfortable size for most households. It can handle standard dinner plates, bowls, and even some medium-sized cookware. Still, I made sure to check the actual exterior dimensions, because the internal capacity does not always tell me how much counter space the microwave will need. I also measured the space where I planned to place it so I would not end up with a unit that felt too bulky.
Why Power and Wattage Mattered to Me
One of the first things I paid attention to was wattage. In my experience, a microwave with higher wattage cooks more evenly and faster. For a 1.1 cubic foot model, I found that around 900 to 1100 watts is often a good range. I wanted enough power to reheat leftovers without leaving cold spots, and enough strength to cook frozen meals efficiently.
Features I Found Most Useful
I focused on features that would make daily use easier for me. Sensor cooking was especially appealing because it helps adjust cooking time automatically. I also liked having preset buttons for popcorn, pizza, beverages, and reheating. A child lock, timer, and easy-to-read digital display were also important to me because they made the microwave feel more convenient and safer to use.
Turntable and Interior Design
In my search, I noticed that the turntable size and interior layout can make a big difference. I wanted a microwave that could rotate food evenly and fit larger dishes comfortably. A smooth, easy-to-clean interior was also a plus for me because I did not want to spend extra time scrubbing spills and splatters.
Why I Paid Attention to Ease of Cleaning
I quickly realized that a microwave can get messy fast, especially if I use it daily. That is why I preferred models with a wipe-clean interior and removable turntable. In my opinion, a microwave is much more enjoyable to own when cleaning it does not feel like a chore every week.
Controls and User Friendliness
I found that the control panel matters more than I first thought. Some microwaves look modern but are harder to use than expected. I preferred a model with clear buttons, simple settings, and a display that I could read at a glance. For me, a microwave should make life easier, not require a manual every time I want to heat something.
Design and Style in My Kitchen
I also considered how the microwave would look in my kitchen. Stainless steel finishes, black exteriors, and compact designs all caught my attention. Since I keep my appliances visible, I wanted something that matched my kitchen style and looked clean and modern.
Noise Level and Daily Comfort
Noise was another factor I did not ignore. I preferred a microwave that runs quietly enough not to interrupt conversations or make the kitchen feel noisy. In my experience, a quieter microwave makes everyday use more pleasant, especially if I use it early in the morning or late at night.
My Thoughts on Price and Value
When I compared options, I tried not to focus only on the cheapest model. Instead, I looked for the best value. A good 1.1 cubic foot microwave should offer the right mix of power, features, durability, and ease of use. I found that spending a little more often gave me better performance and longer-lasting satisfaction.
Final Buying Advice from My Experience
If I were buying a 1.1 cubic foot microwave again, I would focus on wattage, interior space, easy controls, and cleaning convenience first. Then I would compare design, noise, and extra features based on my daily habits. For me, the best microwave is the one that fits my kitchen, my routine, and my cooking style without making things complicated.
Final Thoughts
I think a 1.1 cubic foot microwave is a great balance of size, convenience, and everyday usefulness for most kitchens. My takeaway is that it offers enough capacity for common meals and leftovers without taking up too much counter space. If I want a practical microwave that handles daily cooking tasks well, this size is often a smart choice.
Author Profile
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Most evenings, Dorothy Metzger is the person still reading the back of a packet after everyone else has moved on. Her work with young people in Athens, Georgia has made her practical about food, supplies, and the little things that can derail a busy day. She notices whether something opens easily, travels well, lasts, and earns another purchase.
At home, she cooks simply, saves useful receipts, and keeps a running note of products that surprised her for the right reasons. Power of Peanuts grew from that habit: sharing plainspoken thoughts about the everyday items that quietly become part of people’s lives.
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