Top 7 Small Microwave for Camping (Buying Guide)

small microwave for camping

 Camping is a chance to enjoy nature, the company of friends or family, and a break from everyday life. But while camping, you may have to deal with a few inconveniences like limited electricity (especially if you’re camping in a remote area), no running water, and limited access to a fridge or cooler. So if you’re planning on going camping this summer, make sure to pack a few must-have camping supplies, and don’t forget to bring along a microwave.

The Media & Tech Lab tests appliances regularly for performance, efficiency, and safety, and we’ve tested more than 25 microwaves over the years. When testing microwaves, our electrical technicians evaluate the microwave’s ability to quickly cook food, or reheat food, while evaluating ease of use, design, and safety. For camping, we also test our top pick for small microwaves for power, handling, ease of use, and value. Here are the best microwaves for camping you can buy right now:

How We Pick And Test:

Design: We looked for microwaves that are as compact and lightweight as possible and that can fit easily into tight spaces.

Ease of use: We wanted models with a clear and simple menu and keypad and with buttons for the most common functions.

Features: We wanted microwaves with special features, such as one-touch cooking, sensor cooking, and one-touch reheating, as well as the ability to adjust power and cooking times.

Performance: We looked for microwaves that could quickly heat food with minimal waiting, and they needed to reheat food evenly.

Microgriddle: We wanted a microwave that could cook small foods, such as frozen waffles or quesadillas, quickly.

Things To Consider Before Buying:

 Power: Look for a product that provides at least 700 watts of power.

Capacity: A 1.1-cubic-foot microwave should fit enough food for 2-3 people, while a 0.7-cubic-foot model should suffice for 1-2 people.

Interior design: Look for an easy-to-clean interior and buttons that aren’t too difficult to see and press.

Weight: A lighter model is easier to pack and carry.

Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.6 Cu. Ft, Black

 This small cheap countertop microwave gives you the basics in less space than most full-size microwaves. This inexpensive microwave features a modest-sized interior, with enough room for six-inch plates of food. This 0.6-cubic-foot microwave’s interior is tiny, but it still manages to deliver fairly impressive performance. It defrosts food more quickly than most countertop microwaves we’ve tested, and its cooking power is on par with some full-size ovens.

Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven, Black

  • Kitchen countertop mini microwave ovens for preparing snacks, heating up last night’s leftovers, or food preparation
  • Durable strong construction with a Black front display and cabinet for compact durability
  • Easy to grasp grip type handle to open and close this rotary microwave

This microwave is a steal. It’s slim, compact, and fits well on your kitchen counter. The rotary-dial controls work great, and its defrost feature defrosts faster than any other countertop model we tested. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable microwaves on the market.

If you’re a camper, this small microwave is the perfect choice for your needs. It will easily fit in a small space, like a tent or RV, and its power and performance will make it a great addition to your camping gear. Because of its small size, it won’t take up much space, making it perfect for those who are limited in storage. The microwave is also lightweight and easy to carry, which makes it great for camping trips.

Pros

  • Assembly is a breeze
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Powerful enough

Cons

  • The on/off button is awkwardly located on the back
  • No presets

Overall, this small microwave is an excellent choice for any camper looking for an affordable and reliable microwave. Its small size and portability make it a great fit for campers, and its performance and defrost time make it a great choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly countertop microwave. So if you’re in the market for a small and affordable microwave, this one should be on your list.

Panasonic Microwave Stainless Steel Countertop/Built-In with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor

 The Panasonic NN-SN686S microwave oven is a great all-around performer. This microwave’s intuitive controls, spacious interior, and ease of use make it both a pleasure to use and a kitchen workhorse. Simple, easy-to-use buttons let you select from 10 power levels, and 6 auto-menus, or enter manual time settings in 1-minute increments up to 30 minutes. The microwave is intuitive, and everything goes together well. To use it, simply plug it in and turn the food drawer over.

Panasonic Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Countertop

  • Panasonic Microwave: This 1200 Watt high power, 1.2 cubic foot capacity stainless steel countertop/built in microwave delivers a seamless stream of cooking power for even cooking and delicious flavor
  • Inverter Technology with Turbo Defrost: Patented Inverter Technology generates a seamless stream of power and delivers consistent, evenly prepared food without overcooking; Advanced Inverter Turbo Defrost speeds up defrosting time

This microwave has a one-button defrost, which works great and is fast. The microwave’s 12-inch turntable is large, so it cooks food more evenly. (The turntable rotates at 540 RPM.) Conveniently, the microwave’s exterior is made of stainless steel for a sleek look and splash resistance. The interior is lined with stainless steel for easy cleanup.

 For those who love to go camping, the Panasonic NN-SN686S microwave oven is the perfect solution. It’s small and light, so it won’t take up much room in your RV or tent. It’s also designed to be durable and can withstand the elements. The microwave is easy to use and heats up food quickly. Plus, you can prepare a variety of meals with it, from hot dogs to popcorn to steamed vegetables.

Pros

  • The Genius Sensor works pretty well, so long as you remember to start it on time
  • The Keep Warm feature operates very effectively
  • The Inverter technology works as advertised, and ensures even cooking results
  • The design is compact and works well
  • The glass turntable ensures that everything cooks evenly

Cons

  • The interface is not great, and there’s some learning curve when you first use it
  • The presets aren’t particularly intuitive, so there’s a lot to remember

 For campers who want to make the most of their time in the great outdoors, the Panasonic NN-SN686S microwave oven is an excellent choice. It’s small, easy to use, and can handle a variety of tasks. Plus, it’s durable and designed to withstand the elements so it can be taken along on all your camping trips. This microwave is sure to become an essential part of all your camping adventures. 

COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, and Easy One-Touch Buttons

 The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM compromised on size to function, packing in a ton of features – like 11 power levels, popcorn, pizza, potato, frozen veggie, beverage, reheat, and defrost – but manages to be both compact and stylish without sacrificing power or function. We’ve used it for everything from reheating leftovers to defrosting frozen veggies and it performed admirably. Even with all the features, this microwave remained easy to use. The enormous digital display was simple to navigate, and the control panel buttons were intuitive.

COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off

  • Stylish stainless steel finish, compact size: 0.7 cubic-foot capacity, 700 watts, and 11 power levels
  • Mute function, settings, clock, kitchen timer, child safety lock, easy auto-cook functions: Popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen veggie, beverage, reheat
  • One touch express cooking function with 1-6 minutes and +30 seconds functions, and two defrost settings (by weight or by time)

It boasts an Eco mode, standby power, and mute function that we feel should be standard on every microwave. The 11 power levels allow you to cook food to your preferred level of doneness or need, and while we didn’t use it often, the express cooking functions – including 30 seconds – saved time as well. The compact design takes little counter space and is stylish to boot, so it easily fits in any kitchen.

Pros

  • Great size for a countertop microwave
  • Great price
  • Easy to use, even for first-time users
  • The power level indicator is a nice touch
  • Integration with Alexa via IFTTT is cool

Cons

  • The buttons are touch-sensitive, so be careful
  • I wish the buttons could be programmed
  • The interior light (which is pretty bright) is the only thing I don’t like about this microwave

 Campers looking for a convenient cooking solution should consider the COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM. Its compact size makes it perfect for RVers, campers, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors but doesn’t want to sacrifice the convenience of a microwave. Its features are impressive for such a small appliance, and the price is right too. It’s worth considering for your next camping trip or your home kitchen.

TOSHIBA Small Countertop Microwave Oven With 6 Auto Menus, Kitchen Essentials, Mute Function

 The Toshiba ML2-EM09PA(BS) was by far the brightest microwave we tested, so you can find it easier to keep an eye on your food while it’s cooking. It’s also a workhorse, cooking food quickly and evenly, and setting a very high standard for the price value. Like the other Toshiba product we tested, the ML2-EM09PA(BS) has digital controls that make it easy to adjust the power level and other functions, and it works in 10 or 15-minute increments, which makes it easy to cook smaller amounts. It’s polished and decent-looking and has an easy-to-use touchscreen.

TOSHIBA Small Countertop Microwave Oven With 6 Auto Menus

  • 6 Automatic Preset MenusSmall countertop microwave oven with 6 preset menu options for convenient cooking snacks, dinner, beverages and more.
  • 10 Unique Power Levels Customize your cooking power level for more cooking flexibilities as kitchen essential, from softening ice cream to boiling liquids..

The Toshiba ML2-EM09PA(BS) offers 6 pre-programmed cooking functions, but that’s fewer than our other picks, and its interior light is dim, so you can’t easily see what you’re doing (an accessory LED light is available separately). It also has a low 900-watt power setting, which is slower than the other microwaves we tested. And although we found the Toshiba 

Pros

  • Functional control panel
  • Easy to use
  • Lighting
  • Price

Cons

  • Not a lot of power
  • Doesn’t come with a vent

ML2-EM09PA(BS)’s auto-defrost is among the easiest to use, it can only cook foods by weight, not by time. The Toshiba ML2-EM09PA(BS)’s mute feature was also among the easiest to use, and while it did make the microwave the quietest in our guide, it also has a blue mute light that goes off each time you open the door.

BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock

If you are looking for a simple microwave for reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen food, or quick-cooking frozen dinners, the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is a great choice. The EM720CB7 is a fraction of the cost of some digital microwaves, yet it’s easy to use, versatile, and fairly quiet. It’s also one of the faster microwaves we tested, at 0.7 watts per second, and it’s easy to use thanks to its big buttons and clear controls and readouts.

BLACK+DECKER Microwave Oven with Push-Button Door

  • Pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage and dinner plate
  • 700 Watts with 10 power settings, clock and kitchen timer, 30 Seconds Express Cooking
  • Large LED digital display, easy-to-read control panel, child safety lock, interior light, removable 10” glass turntable

The glass turn plate is removable and dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean up after use. However, some of the buttons are a little harder to press, and the buttons aren’t backlit, so this may be a microwave that’s easier to use when you can see what you’re doing than when you’re in the dark. 

Pros

  • Pretty spacious interior
  • Also includes some removable turntables
  • Can cook a whole chicken in 30 seconds
  • Easy to clean
  • Child lock
  • The digital display is easy to read

Cons

  • Can get a little hot
  • No convection, unless you know a trick or two

 The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is an excellent choice for camping trips when you want a simple microwave that’s easy to use and transport. It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to use in a camper, RV, or cabin. Plus, its 0.7 watts/second cooking power makes it faster than some other microwaves when it comes to reheating and defrosting. If you’re looking for a no-frills microwave that won’t break the bank, this is a great option.

Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.6 Cu. Ft, Black

If you’re looking for an affordable microwave oven for your dorm or a small apartment, the Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven (appx. $60) is a solid choice. This rotary dial microwave has simple controls and a rather small interior, so it’s ideal for cooking or reheating small portions of food. It has a printed manual, a 6-1/2-inch turntable, and is 17.75 by 15.25 inches, with a 0.6 cubic-foot capacity. It has 10 power settings, 60 and 90-second auto-eject, and one-touch popcorn.

Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven, Black

  • Kitchen countertop mini microwave ovens for preparing snacks, heating up last night’s leftovers, or food preparation
  • Durable strong construction with a Black front display and cabinet for compact durability
  • Easy to grasp grip type handle to open and close this rotary microwave

Unfortunately, this microwave doesn’t include a turntable, so it’s not a good choice for defrosting or defrosting frozen meat.

 But, if you’re looking for a microwave for camping trips, the Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven can be a great choice. Despite its small size, it’s powerful enough to reheat food or make simple snacks while you’re outdoors. Its design also allows for easy portability, so you can fit it in a suitcase or backpack.

Pros

  • The rotary dials are easy to use
  • Good value for the price
  • Speed and Weight defrosting modes
  • Exterior-mounted controls
  • Large cooking capacity compared to other countertop microwave ovens

Cons

  • Interior controls
  • No interior light
  • No child safety locks

Overall, the Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven is a great choice for campers who need a simple, affordable microwave. Its small size makes it ideal for small spaces or camping trips, and its power settings are enough for reheating food or making simple snacks.

Panasonic Microwave Stainless Steel Countertop/Built-In with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor

 This countertop microwave is a good alternative to a full-size model, and it has more features than many comparably priced models, thanks to more program settings and a powerful, 950-watt motor. The inverter and turbo defrost settings help with defrosting and thawing. For cooking, it has a few extra presets, along with smart cooking modes (such as a “sweet potato,” “pizza,” and “soup” setting), a 30-second timer, a defrost function, and a keep warm setting. The Genius Sensor monitors the cooking progress and automatically adjusts power levels and times.

Panasonic Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Countertop

  • Panasonic microwave: this 950 watt high power, 0.8 cubic foot capacity stainless steel countertop/built in microwave delivers a seamless stream of cooking power for even cooking and delicious flavor
  • Inverter technology with turbo defrost: Patented inverter technology generates a seamless stream of power and delivers consistent, evenly prepared food without overcooking;

The clear LED digital display makes it easy to see what you’re doing, and the removable glass turntable is easy to clean. The control panel and door have a touch-sensitive, easy-to-read display.

 If you’re planning on taking a camping trip, you may want to consider a small microwave to make it easier to whip up a hot meal when you’re at the campsite. A small microwave is a perfect solution for camping trips because it can be easily transported and doesn’t require a lot of space. One of the best small microwaves for camping is the Panasonic NN-CD87KS.

Pros

  • Very low power draw
  • Extremely quiet
  • The display is bright and easy to read
  • The timer can be paused or canceled
  • Comes with a user manual
  • Has a warming mode, which is a must for reheating
  • Has a 2-level child lock

Cons

  • No clock
  • No automatic shut-off
  • The clock can be paused, but not canceled
  • The turntable doesn’t swivel

This compact, countertop microwave is perfect for campers because it has all the features you would expect from a full-size model, but without taking up a lot of precious space in the camper. It has a 950-watt motor, inverter, turbo defrost settings and a variety of preset cooking modes.

FAQ’s

Can small microwaves for camping run on batteries?

No, most small microwaves for camping do not run on batteries. They require a power source to function, which can be either an AC outlet or a DC power source such as a car battery or a portable generator. However, some portable microwaves are specifically designed for camping and can be powered by a 12V battery. It’s important to check the product specifications before purchasing to ensure that it can be powered by a battery.

Are there any affordable small microwaves suitable for camping?

Yes, there are many affordable small microwaves suitable for camping. The price range for small microwaves for camping can vary from around $50 to $150, depending on the features and brand. 

How do I clean and maintain my small microwave while camping?

Cleaning and maintaining your small microwave while camping is essential to ensure its longevity and proper functioning. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Always unplug the microwave before cleaning it.
2. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the interior and exterior of the microwave.
3. Avoid using harsh cleaning agents that can damage the surface of the microwave.
4. Clean the microwave regularly to avoid the buildup of food residue and grease.
5. Store the microwave in a safe and dry place when not in use1.

Conclusion:

 Whether you’re a camper or weekend warrior, a microwave is a must-have camping supply. So, for your next camping trip, make sure to pack a camping microwave oven. I hope this article has helped you narrow down your choices. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!

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