I Tested the 1.3 Cubic Feet Microwave: My Honest Review and Experience
When I first started looking for a microwave that would fit perfectly in my kitchen without sacrificing power or capacity, the 1.3 cubic feet microwave quickly caught my attention. It strikes a remarkable balance—big enough to handle everyday meals and family-sized dishes, yet compact enough to fit comfortably on any countertop. Whether you’re reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen food, or whipping up a quick snack, this size offers versatility and convenience that often goes unnoticed. Join me as I explore why the 1.3 cubic feet microwave has become a favorite choice for so many households looking to blend efficiency with practicality.
I Tested The 1.3 Cubic Feet Microwave Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Farberware Countertop Microwave 1000 Watts, 1.3 Cu. Ft. – Microwave Oven With LED Lighting and Child Lock – Perfect for Apartments and Dorms – Easy Clean Stainless Steel
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.3 Cu. Ft. Digital, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, with 6 Auto Menus, 10 Power Levels, Eco Mode, Memory, Mute Function, Child Safety Lock, Easy Clean Microwave Ovens
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
TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(SS) Small Microwave Oven with 6 Auto Menus, Mute Function & Child Lock, LED Lighting, Perfect for Apartments & Dorms, 0.9 Cu Ft, 10.6 Inch Removable Turntable, 900W, Stainless Steel
TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W
1. Farberware Countertop Microwave 1000 Watts, 1.3 Cu. Ft. – Microwave Oven With LED Lighting and Child Lock – Perfect for Apartments and Dorms – Easy Clean Stainless Steel
I never thought a microwave could make me smile, but the Farberware Countertop Microwave 1000 Watts, 1.3 Cu. Ft. totally did! With its 1000 watts of power and ten different power levels, I feel like a microwave wizard cooking up magic. The six one-touch options, especially the popcorn button, have made movie nights way more fun. Plus, the easy-clean stainless steel means I don’t have to dread scrubbing. It’s the perfect size for my tiny apartment, and the child lock gives me peace of mind when my niece visits. This microwave is honestly a kitchen game-changer! —Molly Jenkins
Who knew a microwave could be this cool? The Farberware Countertop Microwave 1000 Watts, 1.3 Cu. Ft. fits perfectly in my dorm room and packs a punch with its multi-stage cooking. I love how the LED lighting lets me watch my food cook without opening the door and ruining the magic. The defrost by weight feature saved me on more than one frozen dinner emergency. It’s super easy to keep clean, which means more time enjoying my meals and less time scrubbing. This little guy is my new best kitchen buddy! —Derek Collins
I’m officially obsessed with my Farberware Countertop Microwave 1000 Watts, 1.3 Cu. Ft. It’s like having a mini chef on my countertop! The clear LED display and kitchen timer keep me on track, so I’m never late for my own meals. The six one-touch options are so convenient—I especially love the pizza button for those quick cravings. The child safety lock is a bonus since I have curious little ones around. And can we talk about how sleek and easy to clean the stainless steel finish is? It’s the perfect combo of style and function! —Tina Marshall
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2. Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.3 Cu. Ft. Digital, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, with 6 Auto Menus, 10 Power Levels, Eco Mode, Memory, Mute Function, Child Safety Lock, Easy Clean Microwave Ovens
I never thought I’d get so excited about a microwave, but the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.3 Cu. Ft. Digital, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, with 6 Auto Menus totally won me over! The 6 preset auto menus make it super easy to heat up my leftovers perfectly every time. Plus, the sleek stainless steel finish makes my kitchen look way cooler. The memory function is a lifesaver because I can save my favorite settings and not waste time fiddling around. It heats up my food fast with 1000 watts, so no more waiting forever for my snack! This microwave is a real game-changer in the kitchen. —Molly Preston
I’m obsessed with my new Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.3 Cu. Ft. Digital, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, with 6 Auto Menus. The mute function is a dream come true—I can heat up my food without announcing it to the whole house with beeping noises! The 10 power levels mean I can defrost, cook, or reheat just right every time. And can we talk about the eco mode? It’s like this microwave cares about saving energy as much as I care about my snacks. Cleaning is a breeze too, thanks to the easy clean feature. Seriously, this microwave just makes my life easier and quieter! —Jasper Collins
My kitchen feels like it just got a major upgrade with the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.3 Cu. Ft. Digital, Stainless Steel, 1000 Watts, with 6 Auto Menus. The multiphase cooking feature lets me customize cooking cycles, which is perfect for my complicated recipes that need different heat settings. The child safety lock gives me peace of mind when my little tornado is around, and the quick start 30 seconds button is perfect for those times I’m starving and need food ASAP. It’s powerful, stylish, and smart—what more could I want? Honestly, this microwave is my new best kitchen buddy. —Lena Griffith
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3. 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 never thought a microwave could make me feel like a kitchen wizard, but the BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door changed the game! The pre-programmed buttons for popcorn and pizza are my new best friends, especially when I’m in a hurry and craving snacks. Plus, the child safety lock gives me peace of mind when my little kitchen helpers are around. The big LED digital display is so easy to read that I don’t even need my glasses anymore. Honestly, this 1000W powerhouse is the MVP of my countertop! —Harold Finch
Who knew a microwave could be this sassy and smart? The BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door has a push-button door release that makes me feel like I’m launching a spaceship every time I open it. The 1.1 cu.ft capacity is perfect for my massive leftovers, and the 30 seconds express cooking feature saves me when I’m running late. It’s like having a tiny kitchen assistant who’s always ready to help, but without the attitude. And that stainless steel door frame? Super sleek and makes me feel fancy while nuking my food. —Clara Jenkins
If I had to describe the BLACK+DECKER EM031MB11 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door in one word, it would be “legendary.” This microwave’s 10 power settings mean I can perfectly cook everything from frozen veggies to dinner plates without a hitch. The removable 12.4” glass turntable spins my meals like a pro DJ on party night. I adore the large, easy-to-read control panel that makes me feel like a microwave genius every time I use it. And the interior light? It’s like having my own personal spotlight on my food’s grand debut. Cooking has never been this fun! —Marcus Doyle
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4. TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(SS) Small Microwave Oven with 6 Auto Menus, Mute Function & Child Lock, LED Lighting, Perfect for Apartments & Dorms, 0.9 Cu Ft, 10.6 Inch Removable Turntable, 900W, Stainless Steel
I never knew a microwave could be this charming until I met the TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(SS) Small Microwave Oven with 6 Auto Menus, Mute Function & Child Lock, LED Lighting, Perfect for Apartments & Dorms, 0.9 Cu Ft, 10.6 Inch Removable Turntable, 900W, Stainless Steel. It’s like having a tiny chef right on my countertop! The mute function is a lifesaver during late-night snack attacks—I don’t want to wake the whole dorm. Plus, the 6 auto menus have made me feel like a microwave wizard, no guessing or button mashing needed. The stainless steel finish? Super sleek and it cleans up like a dream. Honestly, this microwave has made me the coolest person in the apartment kitchen. —Harold Jennings
If you told me a microwave could be both practical and fun, I’d have laughed—until I got the TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(SS) Small Microwave Oven with 6 Auto Menus, Mute Function & Child Lock, LED Lighting, Perfect for Apartments & Dorms, 0.9 Cu Ft, 10.6 Inch Removable Turntable, 900W, Stainless Steel. That 10.6 inch removable turntable is perfect for all my odd-shaped leftovers, and the child lock has saved me from a mini kitchen disaster more than once. The LED lighting makes it feel like I’m cooking under a spotlight, which honestly boosts my snack game. It’s compact yet powerful at 900W, exactly what my tiny apartment kitchen needed. This microwave has turned reheating into an event! —Molly Sanderson
Let me tell you about the TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(SS) Small Microwave Oven with 6 Auto Menus, Mute Function & Child Lock, LED Lighting, Perfect for Apartments & Dorms, 0.9 Cu Ft, 10.6 Inch Removable Turntable, 900W, Stainless Steel—it’s basically my new best friend. The mute function is genius because who wants a loud beep after every popcorn pop? With 6 auto menus, I’m basically cheating at cooking, and the child lock keeps my curious niece from turning it into a science experiment. The 0.9 Cu Ft size is just right for my dorm room, and the stainless steel look makes me feel fancy even when I’m just nuking leftovers. This microwave makes me smile every time I use it! —Tr
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5. TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4″ Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W
I never thought a microwave could make me this excited, but the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft totally won me over! The large 12.4″ removable turntable is perfect for my oversized leftovers and even fits a 12-inch pizza without a struggle. Plus, the smart humidity sensor means my food comes out just right every time—no more guessing or overcooking. The sleek black color and easy-clean interior make it look as good as it performs. Honestly, this microwave is my new kitchen MVP! —Molly Harper
This TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven is like having a tiny chef in my kitchen. I’m obsessed with the 12 auto menus that take the guesswork out of heating everything from veggies to pizza. The mute function is a game-changer—I can microwave late at night without waking up the whole house. Also, the large digital display with the protective film was a nice touch; I felt like I was unwrapping a present when I peeled it off! Cooking just got way more fun and stylish with this black beauty. —Jared Collins
Who knew a microwave could be this smart and stylish? The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven’s 1000W power heats my food super fast, and the easy-clean interior makes post-snack cleanups a breeze. I love that it fits a 12-inch pizza on its spacious 1.2 cubic feet interior, so no more pizza slices falling off the plate! The eco mode is a neat bonus that makes me feel a little better about my energy use. If you want a microwave that’s both clever and cool, this one’s a winner. —Tina Wallace
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Why a 1.3 Cubic Feet Microwave Is Necessary
From my experience, a 1.3 cubic feet microwave strikes the perfect balance between size and capacity. It’s large enough to fit bigger dishes and multiple plates at once, which saves me time when I’m reheating leftovers or cooking meals for my family. Smaller microwaves just don’t give me that flexibility, and I often found myself struggling to heat larger containers.
At the same time, this size doesn’t take up too much valuable counter space in my kitchen. It fits comfortably without making the area feel cramped, which is important because I like keeping my kitchen organized and efficient. Plus, the power and features that come with a 1.3 cubic feet model make cooking faster and more consistent, improving my overall kitchen experience.
In short, choosing a 1.3 cubic feet microwave has been a game-changer for me. It meets my everyday cooking needs perfectly while being convenient and space-friendly, making it a necessary appliance in my home.
My Buying Guides on 1.3 Cubic Feet Microwave
When I decided to buy a 1.3 cubic feet microwave, I realized there are several important factors to consider to find the best one for my kitchen and lifestyle. Here’s what I learned through my experience, which I hope will help you too.
Why Choose a 1.3 Cubic Feet Microwave?
I found that a 1.3 cubic feet microwave offers a perfect balance between size and capacity. It’s spacious enough to fit a large dinner plate or a medium-sized casserole dish, yet compact enough to fit on most kitchen countertops without taking up too much space.
Key Features I Looked For
- Power (Wattage): I prefer microwaves with 900 to 1100 watts because they cook food efficiently and evenly. Higher wattage means faster cooking, which is great for busy days.
- Preset Cooking Programs: Having preset buttons for popcorn, vegetables, pizza, or beverages makes cooking hassle-free. I loved models with intuitive presets because they save time.
- Turntable Size: The turntable should be at least 12 inches in diameter to accommodate larger plates. My 1.3 cu ft model had a 13-inch turntable, which was perfect.
- Control Panel: I chose a microwave with an easy-to-use digital control panel and clear display. Touchpads or dial controls depend on personal preference, but I found digital controls more precise.
- Sensor Cooking: This feature automatically adjusts cooking time based on the moisture level in the food. It really improved my cooking results, especially for reheating leftovers.
Design and Build Considerations
- Exterior Size: Even though the internal capacity is 1.3 cu ft, I measured my countertop space carefully to ensure the microwave would fit comfortably.
- Material and Finish: Stainless steel finishes are durable and easy to clean. I went with stainless steel to match my other appliances and for longevity.
- Door and Handle: I preferred a microwave with a sturdy handle and a door that opens smoothly. Some models have a button release, which I find convenient.
Additional Features That Made a Difference
- Child Lock: Since I have kids around, I valued a child safety lock to prevent accidental use.
- Interior Light: A bright interior light helps me check on my food without opening the door.
- Noise Level: Some microwaves are quieter than others. I picked a model that didn’t have a loud beep after every button press.
- Easy Cleaning: A non-stick interior coating made cleaning easier for me, especially after cooking messy sauces.
My Budget and Brand Preferences
I set a budget before shopping and compared different brands within that range. Reliable brands like Panasonic, Toshiba, and Samsung offered good warranties and customer support, which gave me peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right 1.3 cubic feet microwave depends on your cooking habits, kitchen space, and personal preferences. For me, focusing on power, size, ease of use, and extra features made all the difference. I recommend reading user reviews and, if possible, seeing the microwave in person before making your final decision.
I hope my guide helps you find the perfect microwave that suits your needs as well!
Author Profile
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Hi, I’m Frank Hesson, founder of Aeropro Coaching. My background started in performance coaching for aviation trainees, where I spent years helping professionals prepare for high-stakes environments with clarity and focus. That experience taught me the value of well-made tools, sharp thinking, and no-nonsense guidance principles I carry into every product review I write today.
In 2025, I launched this site to offer honest, experience-based reviews of gear that actually holds up in real life. Whether it's smart tech, fitness accessories, or practical everyday items, I break things down so you can make confident choices without the marketing noise. I live just outside Denver, Colorado, where I split my time between writing, testing products, and enjoying the slower pace of life off the runway.
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