3 Best 14 Inch Depth Microwaves

Not everyone has the size and capacity to fit a big and hefty microwave into their kitchen. 

If you have limited space and aren’t in the market for something with all the fancy buttons and gadgets, then finding a sensible and subtle alternative is the right play for you.

Enter the 14-inch depth microwave: one of the most affordable ways to cook your food.

If you’re looking for the best option, it can be confusing to figure out which is going to be best for your needs, as not all microwaves are created equal.

I’ve compiled a list of my 10 favorite microwaves with a 14-inch depth, and at the end of this article, I’ll highlight what you might want to prioritize from the list, as I know that 10 different models can still feel like a minefield to wade through!

With that said, here’s my list of the best.

OUR TOP PICK

Choose this if you want a retro style 14 inch microwave.

We start off our list with a cool-looking model that looks like it’s been pulled right out of the 50s.

This 700 watts microwave comes with 6 varying power levels, along with an option to defrost.

It comes in a multitude of colors, with my personal favorite being the red model.

I found it had few issues with use, and those that enjoy a retro-style microwave will be right at home with this model.

I did notice that this model does retain a lot of moisture, which can be better described as standing water which was frustrating to remove.

Pros

  • Cool design that will impress fans of retro-style microwaves.
  • Comes in a number of different colors.
  • Six settings and a defrost option allow for a more bespoke cooking experience.

Cons

  • Noticed standing water at the bottom of the microwave which needed to be removed.

EDITORS CHOICE

Choose this if you want a modern, sleek, and relibable brand 14 inch microwave.

Going for a more modern approach, the Black+Decker EM720CB7 has an LED digital display, and a fairly easy-to-understand control panel, meaning you won’t need to keep flicking to the instruction manual to figure out how it works!

Overall this microwave was pretty great. It’s compact, yet good enough to effectively cook a meal.

It’s quiet and I didn’t run into any problems with this.

One downside is that this microwave doesn’t have an option to set a timer for seconds, only increments of 30 seconds, so you may need to keep an eye on your food in case you overcook something.

Pros

  • LED digital display to show cooking options and progress.
  • Simple and understandable instructions that are easy to follow.
  • Cooks well and didn't show any performance issues.

Cons

  • Cannot set the timer in seconds, which means you might have to micromanage cooking.

BEST VALUE

Choose this if you want a simple, budget friendly, 14 inch microwave.

Basic does not always equal bad, and the same can be said for the Commercial Chef CHM770B.

A budget-friendly option that is compact enough to fit into the smallest gap in a kitchen groove, that still has the gumption of a larger model.

In terms of simplicity, you won’t find a better model, and for those that aren't technologically versed, I’d recommend this model. 

One thing that has been noted by a number of reviewers is that their models have been shown to break, even after only a few months, so be wary of this, as this is generally the downside of buying budget: you often have to buy twice.

Pros

  • Simple to use.
  • A budget-friendly option that doesn’t break the bank.
  • Does its job and heats out food from the refrigerator in 2-3 minutes.

Cons

  • Does not look like it has a long shelf life compared to others models on this list.

RUNNER UP

GE Countertop has a lot of awesome features that make it one of the best models on our list.

It comes with 700 watts of power, as well as 0.7 cubic feet of space inside to allow for an efficient cook that doesn't take up a lot of space.

I liked a lot about this model, including its small footprint, and cooking options, and in terms of how it looks, I didn’t have any problems with it.

However, I did struggle with some items, such as popcorn bags and larger contained meals, or a regular-sized dinner plate.

Pros

  • Plenty of power for such a small model.
  • Overall it has a small footprint.
  • Heats items well, even at 700 watts.

Cons

  • You won’t be able to fit large items in the cubic feet provided.

RUNNER UP

Time for something a bit more subtle, yet powerful, with the introduction of the COMFEE’ countertop microwave oven series.

This features 700 watts of power with a capacity of 0.7 cubic feet.

And if that wasn’t enough, it comes with an energy-saving eco mode.

This was a great microwave, and at only 0.7 cubic feet, I was surprised by how small, yet efficient it was.

One thing to note is that this is not the most reliable option and if you are looking for something cheap, this might not be the best option for you.

Pros

  • Subtle, yet powerful at 700 watts.
  • Comes with plenty of space, at 0.7 cubic feet which is great for those looking to save on space.
  • Energy-saving eco-mode helps drive down bills.

    Cons
  • Not the most reliable option.

RUNNER UP

Time to take a step back in time. You won’t get more retro than this from Nostalgia.

With 800 watts of cooking power and 0.9 cubic feet, this microwave provides enough cooking power to quickly cook up your favorite meals in no time.

I particularly liked the buzzer-off option.

Very retro and it was a nice touch.

I also liked the eco-mode that can conserve energy whilst in use.

One downside is that this isn’t great for heavy use, so if you microwave a lot of meals you should look elsewhere.

Pros

  • The buzzer-off feature was a nice touch.
  • Eco-mode allows for energy conservation.
  • This will appeal to those that love a retro look to their microwave.

Cons

  • Not the best for heavy use, and shouldn’t be used often to extend the lifespan of this model.

RUNNER UP

Here’s another one from the Galanz range.

This retro microwave oven has 700 watts that come with 6 varying power levels.

Along with these options, there’s a child lock and interior light to check the progress of your food without having to keep opening and closing the door.

This model was relatively easy to clean the interior, which was a weight off my shoulders as cleaning a microwave out is not on the top of my priority list!

And the defrost option was excellent, as it managed to defrost a large pot of vegetables with ease.

One thing to note is that it’s not the most powerful option and you may have to cook for longer to get the best results.

Pros

  • Easy to clean the interior.
  • Defrost option allows for effective defrosting of foods.
  • Child lock and interior light to help check the progress of the cooking.

Cons

  • Not the best in terms of power, and you may have to cook for a little longer than desired.

RUNNER UP

Not everyone needs the fanciest model of microwave; especially those that prefer to cook meals in the oven.

But a microwave can be useful in a pinch, and the Danby countertop microwave is just that.

This model comes with a handy 30-second self-adjusting timer, an auto-defrost option, and 6 auto cook buttons for cooking different foods at different temperatures.

One downside is that this has a button to open the microwave, which is not as easy to clean as a handle.

Pros

  • Simple design that heats well and does a great job as an even cook.
  • Auto-defrost option is a useful feature.
  • 6 auto–cook options for a bespoke cooking experience.

Cons

  • No handle to open the door which is easier to clean.

RUNNER UP

This microwave is the perfect option for small to medium food preparation.

With 0.9 cubic feet of space and 10 power cooking levels, you can cook a number of different cuisine styles.

And it includes a defrost feature along with a digital timer.

What I loved about this is that it’s slightly more powerful than some of the other options on this list, at 900 watts.

Just don’t expect this to act like a more powerful model, as it’s still only likely going to be best used when used sparingly.

Pros

  • A decent power output of 900 watts.
  • 10 power cooking levels.
  • Defrost option is great and a digital timer makes this a useful microwave.

    Cons
  • Not suitable for a lot of use, and I'd recommend keeping the cooking to a minimum to increase shelf life.

RUNNER UP

My final pick is this stainless steel microwave.

Space-saving footprints are all the rage for cooking frozen dinners in limited space.

Despite its small size, there are an array of cooking options and it comes with a control lock.

What I liked about this microwave is that it’s a simple design that is easy to use.

It’s compact and won’t take up much space on the countertop.

One thing to note is that it’s only 700 watts and I noticed that meals needed extra time for best results.

Pros:

  • Easy to use and most people won’t need to spend hours looking at the instructions.
  • Compact and easy to fit on most countertop spaces.
  • Stainless steel and felt sturdy.

    Cons:
  • Not that powerful at only 700 watts.

Buyers Guide

Now that I’ve given you the rundown of the best 14-inch depth microwaves, let’s take a look at how to now choose which option is right for you!

Not all microwave ovens are created equally and so there are certain aspects that you should focus on over others.

For example, not everyone needs the most power, whilst others that cook a lot of meals will need to prioritize longevity.

Here are the main focus points listed in no particular order:

Features (Defrosting, Reheating, And Power Options)

Starting with features, many of us like to have options to cook at different temperatures for different foods, and having this option will appeal to many.

With this in mind, you might want to choose the Galanz GLCM.

Galanz GLCMKA07RDR-07 Microwave Oven, LED Lighting, Pull Handle Design, Child Lock,Retro Red, 0.7 Cu.Ft
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Although, let’s face it; most of us use the same setting to cook everything!

The same can be said for defrosting and reheating: whilst this may suit those that do this a lot, not everyone will cook like this.

Having all the fancy options and buttons will appeal to some. 

But for those that want a microwave that simply heats the occasional ready meal, I would recommend the...

Black+Decker EM720CB7.

BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
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Ask yourself the simple question: why do I use a microwave?

That way, you’ll be able to concentrate on the models that don’t feature a lot of bells and whistles.

It might also mean you pay less.

Power

It wouldn’t be a buyers guide for microwaves without mentioning power as one of the more important factors.

Let’s face it: if we can do something quicker then we’re probably going to choose that option.

In the current age we live in, time seems to be getting shorter and shorter, meaning that there’s less time to do stuff.

And if we can minimize the time it takes to cook up a meal, then who’s to say we shouldn’t explore this option?

Microwaves are measured using watts to determine their power, and with the list above you can find anything ranging from around 700 watts, all the way up to over 1000 watts.

Now, the more powerful the microwave the quicker and more effective the microwave will be at cooking your meals.

That’s why we would suggest the Nostalgia RMO4AQ or Avanti MT9K3S models for this feature.

However, with more power usually comes more money.

If you only occasionally plan on using the microwave, then needing all that power is not going to be necessary and you are better off going for a lower-power microwave such as the Commercial Chef CHM770B.

Commercial Chef CHM770B Countertop Microwave, 0.7 Cubic Feet, Black
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If you intend on cooking a lot o meals and need something that can handle the heat in a shorter time, then by all means go with a more powerful model.

Style

It would be prudent to mention that style is a super important aspect of buying a microwave.

I’ve done my best to feature a mixture of different styles of microwave, from retro options like the Nostalgia RMO4AQ to modern designs like the Black+Decker EM720CB7 that aren’t going to win any beauty awards but will still get the job done.

This is ultimately going to come down to personal preference, and there is no one answer to making the decision on which style you should go with, as we all have our preferences.

BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
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Lifespan & Usage

This one is a little trickier to judge, but it's probably one of the most important aspects of purchasing a microwave.

Whilst there should be a warranty that comes with a microwave, it’s still a nuisance to have to pack up and return a microwave that hasn’t even made it to the three-month mark.

Even though I’ve chosen the best microwaves in this range, and I hope that you don’t have a premature death of your beloved microwave, it’s going to depend on how much you use the microwave, and whether you have weighed up your usage versus your model.

With that said, bear in mind how much a microwave is going to play into your weekly cooking schedule.

If you only cook the occasional TV dinner meal, perhaps once a week then you’re not going to need to worry too much about overuse, So...

...go with the Black+Decker EM720CB7.

BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
Buy on Amazon

As there’s nothing worse than buying twice!

Whilst it will be difficult to judge based on the description of the product alone, make sure to check out the reviews and see if there is a running theme throughout.

You should easily be able to tell whether the product can last a long time with a lot of usages.

So, Which Is Best?

All of the microwaves listed above have their pros and cons, so which is best for you?

As there is no single answer it will depend on your personal needs as each microwave is different.

Features (Defrosting, Reheating, And Power Options)

I have only 1 choice for this...

The Galanz GLCM which has a great defrost option, child locks, and interior light to help check the progress of the cooking.

Galanz GLCMKA07RDR-07 Microwave Oven, LED Lighting, Pull Handle Design, Child Lock,Retro Red, 0.7 Cu.Ft
Buy on Amazon

Power

I recommend the Nostalgia RMO4AQ or Avanti MT9K3S models for this feature.

The Nostalgia RMO4AQ was surprisingly powerful at 800 watts of power, and cooked meals incredibly well.

Whilst the Avanti MT9K3S is the most powerful item on the list at 900 watts with the overall best cooking result.

Style

If we’re going with a retro look, then nothing beats the Nostalgia RMO4AQ.

But if you want something that has a smart, but modern look, then the Black+Decker EM720CB7 comes highly recommended.

BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
Buy on Amazon

Lifespan & Usage

Although trickier to judge, I liked the Black+Decker EM720CB7

Countertop Microwave which both seemed robust and could handle the heat of consistent use throughout the week.

BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft
Buy on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 14 Inch Depth Microwaves Just As Powerful Than Larger Models?

Generally speaking, the smaller the microwave, the less power it will generate.

However, 14-inch depth microwaves can still provide enough power to heat your meals, it just may take a little longer, or you may need to pick a microwave with a higher wattage at this size.