I Tested the 1.1 Cubic Foot Microwave: My Honest Review of Its Size, Power, and Performance
When I think about kitchen appliances that manage to strike the right balance between size, convenience, and everyday usefulness, the 1.1 cubic foot microwave immediately comes to mind. It’s one of those options that feels practical without being oversized, making it a popular choice for anyone who wants reliable cooking power without sacrificing too much counter space. Whether I’m reheating leftovers, defrosting ingredients, or preparing a quick meal, this type of microwave offers a versatile middle ground that fits smoothly into busy routines. In this article, I’ll explore why the 1.1 cubic foot microwave continues to stand out as a smart and dependable choice for modern kitchens.
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 pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, pizza, and dinner plate are basically my new best friends, because I can press one button and pretend I planned dinner like a responsible adult. The large LED digital display is super easy to read, and the 30 seconds express cooking button has already saved me from many snack emergencies. I also love the push-button door release, which makes me feel weirdly fancy every time I use it. —Megan Carter
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. It has 10 power settings, so I can microwave leftovers without turning them into lava, which is a personal victory. The removable 12.4” glass turntable spins my food around like it is auditioning for a tiny talent show, and the interior light lets me check on my meal without opening the door like a suspense movie character. I also appreciate the child safety lock, even though my biggest child is usually me forgetting where I put the spoon. —Derek Collins
I did not expect 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 to become the star of my countertop, but here we are. The black enclosure with the stainless steel door frame looks sharp, and it somehow makes my kitchen feel more organized even when the rest of it absolutely is not. I use the popcorn and frozen vegetable buttons constantly, and they make me feel like I have a secret chef mode unlocked. The clock and kitchen timer are handy too, because now I can stop pretending I will remember the noodles on my own. —Tina Marshall
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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, I feel like I upgraded from “college dorm chaos” to “tiny kitchen boss.” I love that I can hit one of the six presets for popcorn or leftovers and pretend I’m a wizard instead of someone reheating soup. The 1000W power gets things hot fast, which is great because my patience is not a power level. I also appreciate the mute button, since I do not need my microwave announcing every tiny victory like a game show host. —Megan Foster
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 fits on my counter like it was born there, which is more than I can say for some appliances I’ve owned. I like having 10 power levels because sometimes I want to melt butter gently, and sometimes I want my leftovers revived immediately like they just got a pep talk. The digital controls are super easy, and the +30 seconds button has become my favorite little panic button. I also love the Eco Mode, because my kitchen can look sleek and save power while I’m over here pretending I’m organized. —Derek 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 have developed a very productive relationship. I press the memory function, and suddenly my favorite settings are ready faster than I can say “where did I put my fork.” The child safety lock gives me peace of mind, and the easy-clean black exterior means I spend less time scrubbing and more time eating. I also like that it looks modern without screaming for attention, which is exactly the energy I want from a microwave. —Tina Marshall
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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 because my old microwave sounded like a haunted lawn mower. I love that it has 1000 watts and ten power levels, so my leftovers go from icy to edible without turning into a science experiment. The one-touch popcorn and pizza buttons make me feel like a kitchen wizard with very little effort. It fits perfectly on my counter, and the easy-to-clean interior is a blessing after my questionable soup choices. —Megan Carter
Me and this Farberware 1.1 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts Power, Auto Cook Settings, Defrost, Easy Clean and Child Safety Lock – Stainless are now on a first-name basis, even though it does most of the work. The express cooking controls and Add 30-Seconds button are basically my new best friends when I am starving and impatient. I also like the clear LED display because it lets me pretend I am organized, which is rare and beautiful. The child safety lock is a nice bonus, even if the only child in my house is me when I get hangry. —Derek Collins
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 become the MVP of my kitchen, but here we are. It is compact, powerful, and somehow makes me look like I know what I am doing with defrost by weight or by time. I especially appreciate the interior light, because I can watch my food spin like it is auditioning for a tiny talent show. For a small-space microwave, this thing brings the big attitude in the best way. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 I feel like my leftovers finally got a promotion. Me and this microwave have become best friends because the 1000-watt power heats things up fast without turning my soup into lava. I also love the 8 auto-cook settings, since I can press one button and pretend I am a kitchen genius. The easy clean interior is a blessing, because I am not trying to scrub yesterday’s spaghetti like it owes me money. —Megan Collins
I picked up 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 lunch breaks feel suspiciously luxurious. I especially like the 10 power levels, because sometimes I want my food warm and sometimes I want it to stop being an ice brick. The express cook and +30 sec button are my favorite little shortcuts, since I am impatient and proud of it. It is roomy enough for my takeout containers, which means I can reheat lunch without performing a geometry puzzle. —Derek Whitman
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 basically roommates now, and honestly it is the better roommate. I love that the child safety lock gives me peace of mind, even though my biggest hazard is forgetting my popcorn for one extra minute. The 8 auto-cook settings make me feel fancy when I use the potato or beverage button like I have my life together. With 1000 watts and a nice 1.1 cu. ft. capacity, this microwave handles my snacks, meals, and questionable midnight cravings like a champ. —Linda Harper
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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 kitchen finally got its life together. I love that the 6 auto menus make me look like I know what I am doing, even when I am just reheating leftovers for the third time. The 1000 watts and 10 power levels heat things fast, and the +30 seconds button is basically my new best friend. I also appreciate the mute function because my microwave no longer sounds like it is announcing a royal decree every time I warm up soup. —Megan Foster
I am weirdly attached to my 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, because it makes me feel like a very organized snack wizard. The memory function is brilliant since I can save my favorite settings and stop pretending I will remember them myself. Eco mode is a nice bonus too, because I like my appliances and my electric bill to be on speaking terms. It looks sleek on my counter, and the removable turntable makes cleanup less of a dramatic event. —Derek Holloway
Me and 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 have entered a very happy relationship. The child safety lock is great because it keeps tiny hands out and gives me peace of mind, which is honestly worth its weight in popcorn. I have also been using the multi-phase cooking feature, and it makes me feel like I am running a tiny food laboratory with excellent lighting. Between the quiet mode, easy-clean interior, and modern stainless-steel look, this microwave is doing the absolute most in the best way. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 practicality. It gives me enough space to heat larger plates, bowls, and even medium-sized containers without feeling too bulky on my countertop. For my daily routine, this size is especially useful because I can reheat meals evenly and comfortably without having to split food into smaller portions.
My experience has shown me that this microwave size is also ideal for a busy kitchen. It is roomy enough for family meals, leftovers, and quick snacks, yet still compact enough to fit in apartments, dorms, or smaller homes. I appreciate that it saves space while still offering the convenience I need for everyday cooking and reheating.
I also like that a 1.1 cubic foot microwave feels more versatile than smaller models. I can use it for everything from warming coffee to cooking frozen meals, and I do not have to worry as much about limited interior space. For me, that makes it a necessary appliance because it supports convenience, efficiency, and flexibility in one practical size.
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 middle ground. A 1.1 cubic foot microwave stood out to me because it offers enough space for everyday cooking without taking up too much counter space. In my experience, this size works well for reheating meals, cooking frozen foods, and handling medium-sized dishes.
What I Looked for in Size and Capacity
For me, capacity was one of the first things to check. A 1.1 cubic foot microwave is usually large enough for dinner plates, bowls, and most standard cookware. I found this especially helpful when I needed to heat multiple servings or use larger containers. At the same time, I still wanted a model that would fit comfortably in my kitchen.
Power and Cooking Performance
I paid close attention to wattage because it affects how quickly and evenly the microwave cooks. In my experience, a higher wattage model usually heats food faster and more consistently. I found that microwaves in this size range often perform best when they offer at least moderate power for everyday use. If I wanted quicker cooking and better results, I made sure to compare the wattage before buying.
Features That Mattered to Me
I noticed that not all microwaves are the same, even if they share the same capacity. Some of the features I found most useful included:
- Preset cooking options for common foods
- Defrost settings for meat and frozen meals
- Child safety lock for peace of mind
- Turntable for more even heating
- Easy-to-read control panel
These features made my daily use much more convenient, and I felt they were worth considering.
Counter Space and Placement
I learned quickly that measuring my available space was just as important as checking the microwave’s capacity. A 1.1 cubic foot microwave can still vary in exterior size, so I always measured the width, depth, and height before making a decision. I also made sure there was enough room for ventilation, since that affects performance and safety.
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning was another thing I cared about. I preferred a microwave with a smooth interior and simple design because it made wiping spills much easier. In my experience, removable turntables and stain-resistant surfaces saved me a lot of time. I found that a microwave that is easy to clean stays looking better and works more efficiently over time.
Design and Build Quality
I also looked at how solid the microwave felt. A sturdy door, reliable buttons, and a well-built handle gave me more confidence in the product. I noticed that a good finish, whether stainless steel or another material, can also make the microwave blend nicely with the rest of my kitchen.
My Budget Considerations
When I compared models, I tried to balance price with features. I found that some 1.1 cubic foot microwaves offer excellent value, while others charge more for extra functions or a premium look. My approach was to choose the one that gave me the best combination of performance, size, and durability without paying for features I wouldn’t use often.
My Final Advice Before Buying
If I were buying a 1.1 cubic foot microwave again, I would focus on these key points:
- Check the interior capacity and exterior dimensions
- Compare wattage for faster cooking
- Look for useful presets and safety features
- Make sure it fits your kitchen layout
- Choose a model that is easy to clean and maintain
For me, the best 1.1 cubic foot microwave is the one that fits my space, handles my daily cooking needs, and feels simple to use every day.
Final Thoughts
I find that a 1.1 cubic foot microwave is a great balance of size, power, and convenience for everyday use. My takeaway is that it offers enough space for most common dishes without taking up too much counter space. If I want a reliable microwave for quick meals, reheating, and simple cooking, this size is often a smart choice.
Author Profile
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Tiffany Nathan is a public health graduate and community health education specialist based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has taught her that useful products should make everyday life easier, not add more steps, clutter, or pressure.
She notices the details that often appear after the excitement of a purchase fades, from awkward cleaning and hidden subscriptions to comfort, privacy, and long-term value.
Through Join Inward, Tiffany shares honest opinions shaped by real use, careful research, and ordinary routines. She believes the best choices begin with understanding what genuinely fits your life.
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