If you want to furnish your office with easy amenities for your employees, then a microwave is a must have appliance. In this article we look at the best microwave ovens for office use .
We have generally picked the options that are popular, have a decent size – justifiable enough for office use, and has a reasonable price tag.
There are many options and features that you can choose to have. Of course, the price will be determined by the amount of features the microwave oven has.
You can keep things as simple as possible, or treat your employees with something high tech as we will review below.
Also Read: Best Microwaves for Small Apartment
Top 3 Microwave Ovens For Office
4.9/5
[Best Overall]
1. Farberware Classic FMO11AHTBSB
In short, if you are looking for a highly functional midsize affordable model, then this can be the winner for you.
The turntable inside has a diameter of 12″. This is large enough fit a standard medium sized pizza or a dinner plate.
4.8/5
[Best for the Money]
2. AmazonBasics
This is a mini microwave oven. It offers an interior capacity of 0.7 Cubic FT, which is the smallest available size for microwave ovens in the market.
To give you a better idea, it has a turntable diameter of 10″. This is about the size of a small pizza or a medium sized dinner plate.
4.7/5
[Best Midsize Office Microwave]
This is an oven that you simply cannot go wrong with especially for an office settings. It is durable with its stainless steel exterior, it can heat up or cook very fast and evenly with its high power rating and it has another trick up its sleeve that very few microwave ovens do: it has sensors.
List of Best Microwave Ovens for Office Use in 2023
We find the following microwave ovens highly suitable for office use. They have the right size, power and price that is justifiable for most offices.
- Farberware Classic FMO11AHTBSB – 1.1 CU FT – Affordable Midsize Option
- AmazonBasics – 0.7 CU FT – Mini and Low Powered – Voice Control
- Toshiba EM131A5C – Popular Midsize Office Microwave Oven
- COSTWAY Retro – Mechanical and Minimal Microwave
- Panasonic NN-SN67KS – High Powered with Inverter
1. Farberware FMO11AHTBSB – 1.1 CU FT – Affordable Midsize Option
This is a perfect midsize and a midrange microwave oven with a 1000 watt of power and an affordable price tag.
First up we have a classic affordable midsize microwave oven. If you are looking for a model with a decent amount of interior capacity but also costs the least, then this is the best microwave oven for office use in our opinion.
In short, this microwave features 1.1 CU FT of interior capacity and a decent 1000 Watt of power.
To give you an idea, the turntable inside has a diameter of 12″. This is large enough fit a standard medium sized pizza or a dinner plate.
Therefore, as far as the capacity is concerned, you are quite good to go for a typical office setting.
On top of that, compared to the smaller ovens, this is also has a mid-range 1000 Watt of power, which should give you decently fast and even results.
Other than that, there is nothing too fancy about it. While it does feature a gorgeous stainless steel exterior and common presets for defrosting, beverages, frozen vegetables, and more, that's pretty much it.
The microwave is small enough to fit on any available counter space and its lightweight design makes it easy to move around. It's also simple to use and packs plenty of power. Many customers are impressed with its efficiency and fast heating abilities, with no cold spots to worry about.
Overall, the microwave is definitely worth the cost and a huge upgrade from smaller models. Plus, it can even fit large plates despite its compact size, making it a great choice for those with limited space. The color and design are also a nice touch that adds to its aesthetic appeal.
In short, if you are looking for a highly functional midsize affordable model, then this can be the winner for you.
2. AmazonBasics – 0.7 CU FT – Mini and Low Powered – Voice Control
A mini microwave oven with a low power rating and voice control.
If you are looking for the smallest and the least expensive model in the market, then this mini microwave oven has broken the records of popularity quite literally – you can have a look at the sheer amount of customer reviews it has on Amazon.com.
So lets us start off with the size first. As mentioned earlier, this is a mini microwave oven. It offers an interior capacity of 0.7 Cubic FT, which is the smallest available size for microwave ovens in the market.
To give you a better idea, it has a turntable diameter of 10″. This is about the size of a small pizza or a medium sized dinner plate.
In all honesty, for a typical office use where you expect people to warm up a cup of water or a sandwich, this is quite sufficient.
However, it should be noted that not only is this microwave quite small, it is also a low powered one with 700W power rating – the least amount of power a standard microwave oven features.
So basically, you should not be disappointed if it takes a bit longer to heat up your food. Plus, if you load up a lot of food inside, you may notice that some patches may remain unheated. Again, this should not be surprising due to its power rating.
This is a basic oven suitable for small meals only.
One of the best and most unique features of this microwave is its compatibility with Amazon Alexa. If you're someone who encourages the use of advanced, high-tech devices in your office, this appliance will serve you well.
It's the perfect size for a small kitchen and is easy to use, with excellent defrosting capabilities. The price is unbeatable for a name-brand product, and as an official Amazon brand, you can trust its quality. Even if you're not interested in voice control, you can still use it as a regular microwave, making it an excellent value for the price.
Along with that, this microwave can also be voice controlled which simply adds another unique layer to its ease-of-use.
All in all, if you need a high tech, low powered and small model, then this is the best microwave oven for office use in our opinion.
3. Toshiba EM131A5C – Popular Midsize Office Microwave Oven
A popular midsize microwave oven with a fairly high power rating. One of the most staple countertop microwave ovens in the market.
This microwave is more expensive than the two reviewed above, however, we would not be far off if we call this the most staple regular microwave oven that would appeal to the widest demographics.
This is midsize microwave oven with a decent 1.2 CU FT capacity, turntable diameter for 12.4″ and a very good power rating of 1100W.
1100W for a rather small microwave is quite a powerful number. Note that even much larger microwave ovens such as those exceeding 1.6 CU FT may feature an 1100 W power rating.
Therefore to find it here in a medium sized microwave is quite the luxury that too at a fairly reasonable price tag.
This is an oven that you simply cannot go wrong with especially for an office settings. It is durable with its stainless steel exterior, it can heat up or cook very fast and evenly with its high power rating and it has another trick up its sleeve that very few microwave ovens do: it has sensors.
The oven features humidity and temperature sensors. They are designed to automatically adjust the timer and the power level of microwave depending upon the preset that you have selected after reading the humidity and the heat level inside the chamber.
This in turn would ensure that you always get the most consistent results and when you combine the sensors with a high 1100 power rating, it can promise both consistency and speed.
All in all, if you want to make a beeline for the most logical option without worrying too much about the details, then this is the best microwave oven for office use.
I'm so happy I bought this oven, as it replaced my old microwave. I love how it saves space on my counter and how I no longer have to warm up the big oven for something small like rolls.
So far, this microwave has been great and it's an excellent option for what we need, especially considering the reasonable price. While it does make noise like all microwaves do, the noise it produces is actually pretty quiet, much quieter than my previous microwave.
4. COSTWAY Retro – Mechanical and Minimal Microwave
A retro looking, mini countertop microwave oven that ditches digital controls for mechanical ones.
Here we have a rather peculiar little microwave oven. Like the AmazonBasics model above, this too is only 0.7 CU FT in capacity and has a low 700 W power rating.
However, it sets itself apart from all the options in this list by completely ditching a digital control interface for a manual knob controlled one.
This is done so to promote simplicity. You will neither find an array of buttons with complex settings, nor will you find an LCD screen.
All you have here are two knobs. One of selecting the power/heat level. The other for setting the time.
If you do not want your employees to play around with the microwave settings, then this retro looking option may do quite well for you.
Or, if you are looking for a simple and functional microwave oven, the Retro microwave with its sleek design and handle may just be the one for you.
It doesn't offer any extravagant features, but it gets the job done efficiently. This is an excellent option for office use or a dorm room, and it's even perfect for small kitchens. Its retro style and chrome handle give it a classy look, making it a great addition to any kitchen.
With its low, medium, and high temperature settings and an accurate clock, this microwave oven is a practical choice for those who value simplicity and functionality over fancy features.
5. Panasonic NN-SN67KS – High Powered with Inverter
An advanced microwave oven that is very high powered and features the inverter technology.
Finally we have the most advanced and also the most expensive microwave oven on this list. If you have budget to spare and you want to treat your employees with high quality appliances, then this is certainly the best microwave oven for office use in our opinion.
For starters, this is a medium sized model with a 1.2 CU FT capacity which is the same as the Toshiba EM131A5C we reviewed above
So what separates this from the rest?
For starters, this microwave features a very high 1200W of power rating. This is more than the Toshiba EM131A5C above and about the highest that you can find on microwave for office or home use.
The benefit of a high power rating, as we mentioned earlier, is that it promotes consistency and fast heating speeds. By consistency we mean that it reduces the chances whereby you would find some patches of your food heated while the rest are still cold.
Since 1200W is among the highest power you can find on microwaves, you can be certain that the quality of heating would be most ideal.
Secondly, this is the only microwave oven in this list that features an inverter technology. An inverter circuit is basically a power component that replaces the regular bulky transformers.
While there a whole science behind how inverter circuits promote much higher quality of cooking and heating that you can read about here, suffice it to say that this is a premium technology that costs more than average microwave ovens.
And lastly, like the Toshiba EM131A5C above, this also features sensor cooking. However, unlike the Toshiba EM131A5C, this has a preset for 16 different food items – all cooked automatically thanks to the sensors.
All of these functions combined result in a higher price tag, which is to be expected with this microwave. The door button and door both work well, and the sound level is adequate.
The light is also decently bright, and the mechanical build quality is top-notch. Overall, it looks and cooks just the way I want it to! I would definitely buy it again, and I think it's a great microwave.
What to Look for in a Microwave for Office Use?
While there are plenty of microwave ovens suitable for different types of environments, for office use we find the following aspects to be worth looking into.
Size
Small to medium sized microwave ovens are most suitable for offices. Source: Farberware
Microwave ovens come in many different sizes. They are defined by Cubic Feet measurement or the interior capacity. Here is a simple guide:
- Less than or Equal to 1.0 CU FT – Small size
- 1.1 CU FT to 1.6 CU FT – Midsize
- 1.7 – 2.0 CU FT – Large size
- Greater than 2.0 – Extra-Large size
For offices, we recommend going for small to medium sized microwave ovens only. Even with midsize, we recommend keeping things to the lower end of the spectrum i.e at 1.1 or 1.2 CU FT capacity.
Why? Well unless if you are going to prepare complex recipes or dinners in your office – which you are most likely not- then there is absolutely no reason to invest in larger microwave ovens.
Small and Midsize models are excellent for average office requirement like heating a cup of coffee or lunch.
Also Read: Best Midsize Countertop Microwave
Power Rating
The power, or how hot and how fast a microwave oven heats up the food is determined by its power rating.
An average microwave oven ranges from 700 – 1250 watts in power. Generally, smaller microwave ovens have a low power rating and vice versa for larger ones.
There are benefits and disadvantages of having a high powered microwave oven. The higher the power rating, the more expensive the microwave happens to be. On the other hand, the higher the power rating the faster and more consistently it would heat the food.
Office microwave ovens feature power rating in the typical 700W – 1200W range. The one you choose would depend upon your budget.
Also Read: Best 1000 Watt Microwave Oven
Features
The most basics of microwave ovens would be rather suitable for an office. Source: AmazonBasics
Microwave ovens can come with a lot of features. Some offer convection fans, others offer grilling heating elements. Some go even further by literally packing themselves with features that make them multi-cookers.
You absolutely do not need any of these.
Keep things simple and invest only in the most regular microwave oven.
Advanced features are only suitable for kitchens and home chefs.
The one feature, however, that you MAY look into is the inverter technology. This is a newer technology that relates to how the power is delivered to the magnetron (the component that produces the microwaves).
An inverter provides smooth power, which in turn results in consistent and faster cooking.
Type
There are generally three types of microwave ovens: over the range, built in and countertop.
Countertop ovens are your average microwave ovens that you can place on, as the name suggests, on any counter or desk. They do not need any permanent placement.
Built-in and over-the-range microwave ovens need a permanent and a well defined space to be installed. Built-in microwave ovens are expensive and are installed within walls or cabinets.
Over the range microwave ovens, on the other hand, are installed on top of a cooking range with expert help.
Hence, for office, we would recommend you stick with countertop microwave ovens. They are simple, portable, and also more affordable.
Final Words
Here we looked at the best microwave ovens for office use. We would to reiterate the fact that a small-medium size microwave oven with minimal features would be sufficient for a typical office.
Surely you won’t be preparing dinners or reheating an entire turkey. A typical office uses microwave to reheat lunch or a cup of coffee perhaps. For this task, low powered and simple ovens are good enough.
FAQs:
1. How do you keep a microwave from rusting?
1. Put a container with water and a lemon slice inside the microwave oven.
2. Preheat the oven to a low temperature and allow the water to evaporate.
3. Using a damp cloth, gently coax the residue away.
4. Do not clean the inside of the oven with any harsh cleaning solution or abrasive material.
2. What are the factors to consider when purchasing a microwave oven for office use?
When purchasing a microwave oven for office use, there are a few factors to consider. The first is size. Make sure to get a microwave that is the right size for your office. The next consideration is power. If you will be using the microwave to heat up large items, you will need a model with more power. Finally, think about features. Some microwaves come with special features like defrosting or convection cooking.
3. Is enamel paint microwave safe?
Yes, enamel paints are safe. Typically, enamel paints are used to coat the interior of microwave ovens. High Heat by Rust-Oleum is an enamel paint. The interior walls of a microwave oven do not reach the 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit temperature that Rust-Oleum High Heat paint is designed to withstand.
4. Can you fix a rusty microwave?
No. Certain microwaves have been known to suffer from paint chipping, and their manufacturers frequently recommend replacing the microwave. Conduct a thorough examination of the oven cavity's interior. If any of the rust spots contain small pinholes, the oven cannot be repaired; it must be replaced.
5. Is rust in an oven dangerous?
Yes, its very dangerous.
Rust is a chemical reaction between oxygen and iron in the presence of water or moisture. Using rusty appliances, such as cookware in the kitchen, will not harm you directly. Consumption of rust, which is a compound of iron and oxygen can pose a health risk.