For most kitchens, the best retro microwave is the Galanz 0.9 cu ft Retro Microwave: it pairs 900 watts with a 10.6-inch turntable in a 19-inch-wide body, the narrowest of the 0.9 cu ft retro models here, and Galanz sells matching retro fridges and small appliances. If you have a narrow counter or a dorm room, the Nostalgia 0.7 cu ft Compact is 17.5 inches wide and has the biggest pool of owner ratings in the category. Below we compare five models on wattage, footprint and the problems owners actually report.
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How we chose
We didn’t test these microwaves in a kitchen. We compared manufacturer and retailer spec sheets (wattage, capacity, outside dimensions, turntable size), then read the Amazon rating counts and Amazon’s review summaries for each listing in October 2026. Those summaries are where the real trade-offs show up: almost every retro microwave gets praise for its looks and complaints about how long it lasts. We only list a spec when a manufacturer or retailer page states it, and we note where sources disagree.
One thing to know before you read the ratings: Amazon pools ratings across colors and sizes of the same product family. The Nostalgia 0.9 and 0.7 cu ft listings show the same 13,200+ ratings, so that number describes the Nostalgia retro microwave line, not one exact model.
Retro microwave comparison table
| Model | Capacity | Power | Outside size (W x D x H) | Turntable | Amazon rating (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galanz GLCMKZ09 Retro | 0.9 cu ft | 900 W, 11 levels | 19.0 x 14.9 x 10.8 in | 10.6 in | 4.3/5, about 1,000 ratings |
| Nostalgia RMO4 Retro (0.9) | 0.9 cu ft | 800 W | 20.5 x 16.5 x 11.5 in | 10.6 in (Lowe’s) / 12 in (Home Depot) | 4.4/5, 13,200+ ratings (pooled) |
| COMFEE’ CM-M092AAT Retro | 0.9 cu ft | 900 W | 19.09 x 15.79 x 11.54 in | not stated by maker | 4.4/5, 701 ratings |
| Nostalgia Retro Compact (0.7) | 0.7 cu ft | 700 W | 17.5 x 12.5 x 10 in | not stated on listing | 4.4/5, 13,200+ ratings (pooled) |
| Frigidaire 0.7 Retro | 0.7 cu ft | 700 W | 18.9 x 13.27 x 11.52 in | glass, size varies by source | 4.2/5, 918 ratings |
Sizes are from the Amazon listings or the manufacturer page (see Sources). Measure your counter depth with the door in mind: Lowe’s lists 27.69 inches of depth with the door open for the Galanz and 28 inches for the Nostalgia 0.9.
1. Galanz 0.9 cu ft Retro Microwave: best overall
Galanz makes a full retro line (fridges, toasters, kettles), so this is the pick if you want matching pieces. The microwave has a pull handle instead of a push button, which is a big part of the 1950s look. On paper it is the strongest package here: Galanz lists 900 watts, 11 power levels, a 10.6-inch glass turntable, 7 auto-cook menus and 10 auto-reheat modes in a body 19 inches wide and 25.8 pounds.
Who it’s for: anyone who wants full-size power in a retro shell and plans to match other Galanz retro appliances.
Who should skip it: buyers who want the longest track record; this listing has far fewer ratings than the Nostalgia line.
Pros
- 900 W output, the highest in this list (tied with COMFEE’)
- 10.6-inch turntable in a body narrower than the Nostalgia 0.9
- 17 preset programs (7 auto cook, 10 auto reheat)
- Owners in Amazon’s review summary praise the color and the size for small kitchens
Cons
- Durability is flagged negative in Amazon’s summary, with reports of units failing after 1, 7 or 15 months
- Noise and heating evenness get mixed feedback
Rating: 4.3/5 from about 1,000 Amazon ratings (Oct 2026).
2. Nostalgia RMO4 0.9 cu ft Retro Microwave: most owner reviews
Nostalgia’s retro microwave comes in more colors than its rivals and has by far the most owner ratings. The 0.9 cu ft version lists 800 watts and 12 pre-programmed cooking settings plus a digital clock. It is the largest box in this comparison at 20.5 inches wide and 16.5 inches deep, and Lowe’s lists it at 30.66 pounds.
Who it’s for: buyers who care most about color choice and want a design with thousands of owner reviews behind it.
Who should skip it: small counters, and anyone who cooks rather than reheats; at 800 W it is 100 W behind the Galanz and COMFEE’.
Pros
- Largest owner-review pool in the category (13,200+ ratings across the line)
- Appearance, size and color are the top positives in Amazon’s review summary
- 12 preset programs
Cons
- Durability is the top negative, with several owners reporting failures within two months
- Heat consistency, noise and controls all get mixed feedback
- Turntable size differs between retailers (10.6 in at Lowe’s, 12 in at Home Depot), so check before you buy for large plates
Rating: 4.4/5 from 13,200+ Amazon ratings, pooled across Nostalgia retro microwave variants (Oct 2026).
3. COMFEE’ CM-M092AAT Retro Microwave: best for quiet kitchens
The COMFEE’ looks softer than the chrome-heavy Galanz, with pastel colors like apricot. It matches the Galanz on power (900 W, 0.9 cu ft) and adds two features the others don’t list: a mute function and an ECO mode. It also offers multi-stage cooking and a turntable reset function.
Who it’s for: shared apartments, early risers and anyone tired of beeping.
Who should skip it: buyers who want a big review history; it has 701 ratings.
Pros
- 900 W in a 19.09-inch-wide body
- Mute function and ECO mode
- Owners say it fits 11-inch dinner plates
- Appearance and build quality are positives in Amazon’s review summary
Cons
- Durability is the negative aspect; several owners say theirs lasted less than three years
- Controls take some getting used to, according to mixed reviews
Rating: 4.4/5 from 701 Amazon ratings (Oct 2026).
4. Nostalgia Retro Compact 0.7 cu ft: best for small spaces
This is the smallest microwave in the list: 17.5 inches wide, 12.5 inches deep and 10 inches tall on the Amazon listing. That makes it the one to pick for a dorm, an office or a counter under low cabinets. It runs at 700 W and adds an LED display, a child lock and an easy-clean interior.
Who it’s for: one or two people who mostly reheat, and anyone with less than 13 inches of counter depth.
Who should skip it: families or anyone who cooks full dinner plates; 0.7 cu ft and 700 W are the low end for a countertop microwave.
Pros
- Smallest footprint here
- Child lock
- Shares the large Nostalgia rating pool, with appearance and size the top positives
Cons
- 700 W means longer cook times than package instructions written for higher-wattage ovens
- Same durability complaints as the Nostalgia line
Rating: 4.4/5 from 13,200+ Amazon ratings, pooled across Nostalgia retro microwave variants (Oct 2026).
5. Frigidaire 0.7 cu ft Retro Microwave: best brand-name compact
Frigidaire’s retro model is a two-tone design (black with gold trim in this listing) with 700 W, 8 auto-cook menus and auto defrost. It has 918 Amazon ratings so far. The Amazon title lists 5 power levels while Wayfair lists 10 for the same EMW788 series, so check the listing for the exact version you buy.
Who it’s for: dorms and small homes where a known appliance brand is reassuring.
Who should skip it: anyone sensitive to door quality; that is the most specific complaint in its reviews.
Pros
- Owners rate the size for dorms and small homes positively
- Ease of use and color are positives in Amazon’s review summary
- 8 auto-cook menus
Cons
- Door functionality is flagged negative: owners report doors breaking within a month or sticking shut
- Heating performance gets mixed reviews
- Power-level count differs between retailers
Rating: 4.2/5 from 918 Amazon ratings (Oct 2026).
How to pick a retro microwave for your kitchen
Start with the counter, not the color
Retro microwaves are deeper and wider than their capacity suggests, because the rounded corners and trim add bulk. Measure three things: counter width, counter depth, and the gap under your upper cabinets. Then allow for the door. Lowe’s lists about 28 inches of depth with the door open for both 0.9 cu ft models it carries, so a microwave in a corner may not open fully against a wall.
- Under 13 inches of depth: the Nostalgia 0.7 (12.5 in) is the only model here that fits.
- 13 to 15 inches: the Frigidaire 0.7 (13.27 in) or the Galanz 0.9 (14.9 in).
- 16 inches or more: any of the five, including the Nostalgia 0.9 (16.5 in).
Wattage decides your cook times
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service notes that higher-wattage ovens cook faster, and that microwaves heat unevenly and can leave cold spots. Package directions are usually written for full-size ovens, so a 700 W model often needs the longer end of the time range. If you mostly reheat coffee and leftovers, 700 W is fine. If you cook frozen meals or vegetables, the 900 W Galanz or COMFEE’ will save time.
Power levels work by switching the magnetron on and off: FSIS explains that 50% power means the oven produces microwaves half the time. More power levels give finer control for defrosting and for foods like eggs and cheese that toughen on high.
Plan for the durability gap
Every model in this list has durability as a negative aspect in Amazon’s review summary. That is the honest trade-off of retro styling at this price: you pay for the shell, and the reviews suggest the internals are no sturdier than a basic microwave’s. Two practical steps help: register the product with the maker right away, and keep the box for the return window. If long life matters more than looks, a plain microwave inside a cabinet may serve you better.
Match the rest of the room
If you are building a full retro kitchen, pick the brand that also makes your other pieces; Galanz sells retro fridges, toasters and kettles in matching colors. See our guides to retro ovens, black retro refrigerators and retro-inspired kitchen appliances for pieces in the same style.
Retro microwave FAQ
Are retro microwaves as good as regular microwaves?
They use the same technology, and the 900 W models here match many standard countertop microwaves on power. The difference is in owner-reported durability, which is a recurring complaint across retro models, and in footprint, since the styling adds width and depth.
Is 700 watts enough for a microwave?
For reheating drinks, leftovers and popcorn, yes. For cooking frozen meals or raw food, expect longer times than the package states, and follow the FSIS advice to stir, rotate and check the temperature with a food thermometer in several places.
Will a dinner plate fit in a retro microwave?
COMFEE’ owners report that 11-inch dinner plates fit in the CM-M092AAT. For the 0.7 cu ft models, measure your largest plate first; these are compact ovens built for bowls and small plates.
Which retro microwave has the most colors?
Nostalgia offers the widest range on Amazon, including ivory, red, aqua and pink variants. Galanz sells its retro microwave in colors such as Hot Rod Red and Bebop Blue to match its retro fridges.
Sources
Checked October 25, 2026.
- Galanz GLCMKZ09BER09 Retro Microwave spec page (900 W, 11 power levels, 10.6″ turntable, auto menus, colors, 19.0 x 14.9 x 10.8 in, 25.8 lb; retro product line in site menu): galanz.com
- Lowe’s Galanz 0.9 cu ft retro microwave listing (depth with door open 27.69 in, turntable 10.6 in): lowes.com
- Lowe’s Nostalgia 0.9 cu ft 800 W listing (turntable 10.6 in, depth with door open 28 in, 30.66 lb): lowes.com
- Home Depot Nostalgia RMO4IVY listing (12 in turntable): homedepot.com
- Wayfair Frigidaire EMW788 retro microwave listing (10 power levels): wayfair.com
- USDA FSIS, Cooking with Microwave Ovens (wattage, power levels, cold spots, food thermometer): fsis.usda.gov
- Amazon listing ASIN B09BVRB73T (Galanz): dimensions, rating, review summary
- Amazon listing ASIN B07YGYXD5J (Nostalgia 0.9): 800 W, 12 settings, dimensions, rating, review summary
- Amazon listing ASIN B08NP76C3F (COMFEE’): 900 W, presets, mute, ECO mode, dimensions, rating, review summary
- Amazon listing ASIN B09S3Y5TGD (Nostalgia 0.7): 700 W, child lock, dimensions, rating, review summary
- Amazon listing ASIN B0F1HFBHRK (Frigidaire): 700 W, 8 auto-cook menus, 5 power levels, dimensions, rating, review summary
- Owner notes / photos: none