Best Emerson Microwaves in 2026: 8 Picks Compared on Specs

Refreshed Nov 4, 2026

The Emerson MWG1191SB is our top pick for most kitchens. It combines a 1.1 cu ft interior with a stated 1100 W output and a built-in grill function, the most complete set of features among the Emerson models we compared. The other seven picks come from the same catalogue pool and were chosen on the seller's listed specifications: wattage, capacity, presets, timer, and safety extras. No unit was tested.

8 picks from 13 microwaves that match this guide with a price we can quote today. Live prices throughout, each with the moment it was read.

The list in brief

Which pick fits you?

• For a neat countertop: If your kitchen has a small open spot, the compact 0.7 cu ft Emerson with 10 power levels and 6 presets keeps the footprint tight without giving up programming options. See pick 6
• For a retro kitchen: The 0.9 cu ft retro Emerson with grill function brings the styling and adds a second cooking mode beyond plain microwaving. See pick 3
• For larger dishes: The 1.2 cu ft inverter Emerson is the largest exact capacity in this list and the only one with inverter and 8 pre-programmed settings stated. See pick 2
• For quick preset cooking: The MW1338SB lists six one-touch presets, a removable glass turntable, and a child safety lock in a 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft body. See pick 4

The full list of 8

1 Best overall

Emerson MWG1191SB 1.1 Cu. Ft. Microwave with Built-In Grill Function

Capacity

1.0 to 1.4 cu ft

Wattage

1000 to 1199 W

$126.70 (as of 11/04/2026 22:46 PST - Details)

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This is the only Emerson in the pool that pairs a 1100 W output with a built-in grill function and a stainless steel finish. It also lists an LED timer display, which makes it the most feature-complete model in this lineup.

Pros

• Stated 1100 W output, higher than the 1000 W inverter model
• Built-in grill function not listed on the other non-retro models
• 1.1 cu ft interior, larger than the compact models here
• LED timer display listed in the product name

Cons

• Inverter function not stated by the seller
• No child safety lock stated
• Capacity is smaller than the 1.2 cu ft inverter model

Good fit if

• Cooks who want a grill option and a larger microwave in one unit
• Buyers who prefer stainless steel styling and an LED display

Skip if

• You want a child safety lock; this listing does not state one
• You want the largest interior in this Emerson group; the 1.2 cu ft model is larger

Verdict: The MWG1191SB is the most capable all-round Emerson in this pool because it combines high wattage, a grill, and a larger interior.

2 Best with inverter

Emerson 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven with Inverter

Capacity

1.0 to 1.4 cu ft

Wattage

1000 to 1199 W

Inverter

Yes

$125.94 (as of 11/04/2026 22:46 PST - Details)

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The 1.2 cu ft Emerson is the only model in this list that states an inverter power supply. It also has the largest exact capacity in the pool and lists 10 power levels and 8 pre-programmed settings.

Pros

• Only inverter model in the pool
• 1.2 cu ft capacity, the largest exact size among these Emersons
• 10 power levels and 8 pre-programmed settings stated
• LED display and timer listed

Cons

• Stated 1000 W, below the 1100 W grill model
• No grill function stated
• No child safety lock stated

Good fit if

• Buyers who want the largest Emerson interior in this list
• Anyone who wants the only inverter model in this group

Skip if

• You want a grill function; choose the MWG1191SB instead
• You want the highest wattage in the group; the MWG1191SB lists 1100 W

Verdict: The 1.2 cu ft inverter Emerson is the largest and most adjustable model in this group on paper.

3 Best retro with grill

Emerson Retro Countertop Microwave Oven with Grill Function

Type

Countertop

Capacity

Under 1.0 cu ft

Wattage

800 to 999 W

Retro style

Yes

$119.99 (as of 11/04/2026 22:46 PST - Details)

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This retro-styled Emerson combines the 0.9 cu ft compact size with a grill function, something none of the other compact models offer. Its styling is the only retro plus grill pairing in the pool.

Pros

• Retro design and grill function in one unit
• 0.9 cu ft capacity, larger than the 0.7 cu ft compact models
• Countertop type listed

Cons

• Power output not stated by the seller
• No preset count stated
• No child safety lock stated

Good fit if

• Kitchens where a retro look matters and grilling is useful
• Buyers who want a compact footprint but more space than the 0.7 cu ft models

Skip if

• You need a stated wattage; the listing includes no exact output
• You want a simple white or stainless finish instead of retro styling

Verdict: The retro grill Emerson is the strongest choice if you want a small, styled microwave with an extra cooking mode.

4 Best large countertop with presets

Emerson MW1338SB Countertop Microwave Oven

Type

Countertop

Capacity

1.0 to 1.4 cu ft

Wattage

1000 to 1199 W

$169.64 (as of 11/04/2026 22:46 PST - Details)

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The MW1338SB is the only model in this list to combine a 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft capacity with six presets, a removable glass turntable, and a child safety lock. Its power range of 1000 to 1199 W puts it in the top group of this Emerson pool.

Pros

• Six pre-programmed settings listed
• Removable glass turntable and child safety lock stated
• Stated power range of 1000 to 1199 W
• Largest capacity bracket in the pool, 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft

Cons

• No exact capacity stated
• No grill or inverter function stated

Good fit if

• Families that want one-touch controls and a child lock
• Users who want a larger countertop microwave in a range up to 1.4 cu ft

Skip if

• You need an exact capacity number; this listing gives a range
• You want more than six presets; the inverter model lists eight

Verdict: The MW1338SB is a strong preset-focused countertop Emerson with the safety extras many households want.

5 Best compact with safety lock

Emerson MW9255B Countertop Microwave Oven

Type

Countertop

Capacity

Under 1.0 cu ft

Wattage

800 to 999 W

$109.99 (as of 11/04/2026 22:46 PST - Details)

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The MW9255B gives the 0.7 cu ft class a step up in power, with a stated 800 to 999 W range, and adds six presets, a removable glass turntable, and a child safety lock. It sits between the basic compact models and the larger units in this list.

Pros

• Higher stated power range (800 to 999 W) than the 700 W compact models
• Six presets, removable glass turntable, and child safety lock listed
• Countertop type listed

Cons

• Capacity still under 1.0 cu ft
• No exact wattage stated
• No grill or inverter function stated

Good fit if

• Buyers who want a compact size with a child lock
• Anyone who wants preset cooking in a smaller footprint

Skip if

• You need more than 0.9 cu ft of interior space
• You want an exact wattage number rather than a range

Verdict: The MW9255B is the most safety-oriented compact Emerson in this pool on paper.

6 Best compact with 10 power levels

Emerson Compact Countertop Microwave Oven

Type

Countertop

Capacity

Under 1.0 cu ft

Wattage

Under 800 W

$67.98 (as of 11/04/2026 22:46 PST - Details)

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This 0.7 cu ft Emerson lists 10 power levels and six presets in a compact countertop body, while also stating time and weight cooking options. It gives the small-capacity group the most control choices.

Pros

• 10 power levels stated, tied with the inverter model for the most in this list
• 6 cooking presets stated
• Time and weight cooking modes listed
• Countertop type listed

Cons

• 700 W output, below the 800 to 999 W compact model
• No child safety lock stated
• No grill or inverter function stated

Good fit if

• Small kitchens that want programming flexibility
• Buyers who cook by time and by weight

Skip if

• You want higher wattage than 700 W; the MW9255B states up to 999 W
• You need a child safety lock

Verdict: This compact Emerson is the pick if you want the most control options in the smallest-footprint group.

7 Best retro compact

Emerson Retro Countertop Microwave Oven

Type

Countertop

Capacity

Under 1.0 cu ft

Wattage

Under 800 W

Retro style

Yes

$89.99 (as of 11/04/2026 22:46 PST - Details)

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The 0.7 cu ft retro Emerson is the only compact model in this list with a retro design and no grill, making it a straightforward styling choice for a small countertop. It stays in the same 700 W class as the other compact Emersons.

Pros

• Retro design in a 0.7 cu ft body
• 700 W output stated
• Countertop type listed

Cons

• No preset count stated
• No child safety lock stated
• No grill or inverter function stated

Good fit if

• Buyers who want the retro look without a grill
• Compact kitchens that need a basic 700 W microwave

Skip if

• You want cooking presets; the 0.7 cu ft compact model lists six
• You want a grill function; the 0.9 cu ft retro grill model has one

Verdict: The 0.7 cu ft retro Emerson is the pure styling pick in the compact group.

8 Best basic compact

Emerson MW7601SL Microwave Oven

Capacity

Under 1.0 cu ft

Wattage

Under 800 W

$69.09 (as of 11/04/2026 22:46 PST - Details)

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The MW7601SL is the simplest Emerson in the pool: a 0.7 cu ft 700 W oven with a mirror-finish silver exterior and no extra cooking modes listed. It is the model to consider when you want a no-frills countertop microwave.

Pros

• 700 W output stated
• 0.7 cu ft compact size
• Mirror finish silver exterior listed

Cons

• No preset count stated
• No child safety lock stated
• No grill, inverter, or turntable detail stated

Good fit if

• Buyers who want a basic 0.7 cu ft microwave
• Anyone who likes the mirror-finish look

Skip if

• You want presets or a child lock; neither is stated
• You need a larger capacity or higher wattage

Verdict: The MW7601SL is the minimalist Emerson in this lineup, best for simple reheating tasks.

The specs, compared

Why these made the list

This guide covers the 8 Emerson microwave ovens in our catalogue pool. We shortlisted every model from the pool because the group is small, then compared the specifications printed in each listing: output wattage, interior capacity, preset count, display type, grill function, and child-safety lock where stated. Prices shown on the page are live and were read from the store listing at the time of writing. We did not operate any of these microwaves, and we do not repeat customer reviews. When a specification is absent from the listing, we say it is not stated by the seller rather than guess.

Things to weigh before buying

How microwave heating works

A microwave oven heats food by exposing it to microwave-frequency electromagnetic radiation, which causes polar molecules such as water to rotate and generate heat. The process is called dielectric heating, and it is the general principle behind the countertop microwave category.

The Emerson models in this guide all use the same basic technology; the differences are in wattage, capacity, presets, and extra functions. Product-specific numbers in this guide come from the seller's listings, while the general operating principle is covered by the Microwave oven overview in the sources.

Wattage and capacity

Emerson lists output wattage in three ways in this pool: exact wattage, a range, or not at all. The 0.7 cu ft compact models state 700 W; the 1.2 cu ft inverter model states 1000 W; the MWG1191SB states 1100 W. The MW9255B lists 800 to 999 W, and the MW1338SB lists 1000 to 1199 W. The retro grill model does not state a wattage.

Capacity is similarly mixed. The compact models are 0.7 cu ft, the retro grill model is 0.9 cu ft, the MWG1191SB is 1.1 cu ft, the inverter model is 1.2 cu ft, and the MW1338SB is listed only as 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft.

Presets, displays, and controls

Preset counts in this pool range from six to eight. The MW1338SB, MW9255B, and one of the compact models list six presets; the 1.2 cu ft inverter model lists eight. The 1.2 cu ft model and the compact model with 10 power levels give you the most manual control choices. Several models list an LED display or timer, while the two safety-focused models list a removable glass turntable. If a model does not state a preset count in the pool, treat the number as unknown.

Grill and inverter options

Two Emersons in this list include a grill function in their product names: the 1.1 cu ft MWG1191SB and the 0.9 cu ft retro model. One model, the 1.2 cu ft inverter Emerson, lists an inverter. The grill function and inverter are separate features; the seller's names call them out, so they are visible in the pool. We have not tested how either feature performs, and the pool does not include instruction details.

Safety extras

The MW1338SB and MW9255B are the only models in this list with a stated child safety lock and removable glass turntable. If you are cooking for children, choose one of these two if you want a lock you can confirm from the listing.

For safe reheating, the FDA recommends covering food, stirring, and rotating for even cooking. If there is no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking, and allow standing time before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer. Those are general food safety steps, not statements about any Emerson model in particular.

Recycling an old microwave

When an Emerson microwave reaches the end of its life, check local electronics donation and recycling options before putting it in the trash. The EPA's electronics recycling guidance explains the benefits of recycling and how to find certified recyclers. Some programs accept small kitchen appliances; others do not, so confirm with the local program before you drop off the unit.

Questions

What is the best Emerson microwave for most people?

For most kitchens, the MWG1191SB is the pick in this guide. It has a 1.1 cu ft interior, a stated 1100 W output, a built-in grill, and an LED timer display. If you prefer an inverter and a larger 1.2 cu ft interior, the 1.2 Cu. Ft. Inverter model is the alternative.

Do Emerson microwaves have child safety locks?

In this pool, two models state a child safety lock: the MW1338SB and the MW9255B. Both also list a removable glass turntable. The other Emerson models in this guide do not state a child safety lock in the listing, so assume it is absent unless the seller adds the information.

Are the wattage numbers exact?

Some are, some are not. The 0.7 cu ft compact models state 700 W, the 1.2 cu ft model states 1000 W, and the MWG1191SB states 1100 W. The MW9255B lists a range of 800 to 999 W, and the MW1338SB lists 1000 to 1199 W. The retro grill model does not state a wattage.

Which Emerson models have a grill function?

The MWG1191SB and the 0.9 cu ft retro model both include a grill function in the product name. The seller does not include detailed instructions in the pool data, so follow the manual that comes with the unit. The microwave portion still heats by microwave radiation; the grill function is an additional heating mode.

How should I safely reheat food in an Emerson microwave?

The FDA advises covering food, stirring, and rotating for even cooking. If there is no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking, and always allow standing time before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer. Food must reach a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy bacteria.

Latest changes

• 2026-10-08: First published.

Sources

• FDA Radiation-Emitting Products
• FDA Safe Food Handling
• Microwave oven - Wikipedia
• EPA Electronics Donation and Recycling