Best Farberware Microwaves in 2026: 7 Picks Compared on Specs

Refreshed Nov 4, 2026

The Farberware 1.6 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven is the top pick in this guide: it is the only countertop model in the pool with both sensor cooking and 1100 W of power, and its 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft capacity suits family-size dishes. The models below were chosen from the specifications in the Farberware listings that were live on the day this guide was written; the editors have not used any of these units.

6 picks from 27 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 small kitchens and dorms: A 0.7 Cu. Ft. countertop model with 700 W is narrow enough for tight counters and simple reheating tasks. See pick 4
• For family cooking: The 1.6 Cu. Ft. countertop model gives you 1100 W, sensor cooking, and a large cavity for platters and leftovers. See pick 1
• For basic reheating: The 0.9 Cu. Ft. countertop model has 900 W and simple auto-cook settings if you do not need sensor programs. See pick 3

The full list of 6

1 Best overall

Farberware Countertop Microwave Oven 1.6 cu. ft. 1100 Watts Stainless

Type

Countertop

Capacity

1.5 to 1.9 cu ft

Wattage

1000 to 1199 W

Sensor cooking

Yes

$154.99 (as of 11/04/2026 22:51 PST - Details)

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This countertop microwave pairs the highest listed power in the pool (1100 W) with a sensor cooking mode and a 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft cavity. It is the only countertop pick with a sensor, which makes it the most capable all-around Farberware model in this guide.

Pros

• 1100 W, the highest wattage listed in the pool
• Sensor cooking mode, unique among the countertop picks
• 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft capacity bucket for large dishes
• Auto cook settings and defrost named in the listing

Cons

• Exact usable capacity is not stated; the listing gives only a 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft range
• A child lock is not stated in the listing

Good fit if

• Households that cook and reheat large dishes regularly
• Buyers who want sensor cooking without moving to an over-the-range model

Skip if

• Kitchens with very little counter space
• Anyone who needs an over-the-range microwave to replace a hood

Verdict: The 1.6 Cu. Ft. countertop is the best all-around Farberware microwave in this pool.

2 Best mid-size countertop

Farberware Countertop Microwave Oven

Type

Countertop

Capacity

1.0 to 1.4 cu ft

$144.99 (as of 11/04/2026 22:51 PST - Details)

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The 1.3 Cu. Ft. model keeps 1000 W of power while taking less counter space than the larger picks, and its listing names auto cook settings, defrost, and a child lock. It is the middle option in the countertop lineup.

Pros

• 1000 W in a mid-size 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft cavity
• Child lock named in the listing
• Auto cook settings and defrost included
• Smaller capacity bucket than the large countertop models

Cons

• No sensor cooking mode
• Exact capacity is not stated; the listing gives a 1.0 to 1.4 cu ft range

Good fit if

• Renters or smaller kitchens that still want 1000 W
• Buyers who want a child lock on the control panel

Skip if

• Anyone who wants sensor reheating
• Households that regularly heat very large platters

Verdict: The 1.3 Cu. Ft. countertop is a dependable mid-size pick with 1000 W and a child lock.

3 Best compact countertop

Farberware Stainless Steel Microwave Oven 0.9 cu. ft. 900 Watts

Type

Countertop

Capacity

Under 1.0 cu ft

Wattage

800 to 999 W

$89.99 (as of 11/04/2026 22:51 PST - Details)

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The 0.9 Cu. Ft. model pairs an under 1.0 cu ft footprint with 900 W, more power than the 0.7 Cu. Ft. model. It also lists auto cook settings, defrost, and a child lock, making it the best compact balance in the pool.

Pros

• 900 W, higher than the 0.7 Cu. Ft. model
• Under 1.0 cu ft capacity for tight counters
• Child lock named in the listing
• Auto cook settings and defrost included

Cons

• No sensor cooking mode
• Exact capacity is not stated; the listing gives only an under 1.0 cu ft range

Good fit if

• Dorm rooms, offices, and small kitchens
• Buyers who want more power than the smallest Farberware model

Skip if

• Anyone cooking whole chickens or large casseroles
• Buyers who need sensor reheating programs

Verdict: The 0.9 Cu. Ft. countertop is the best compact balance of footprint and power.

4 Best for tight spaces

Farberware Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 cu.ft. 700 Watts

Type

Countertop

Capacity

Under 1.0 cu ft

Wattage

Under 800 W

$89.00 (as of 11/04/2026 22:51 PST - Details)

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This model is the smallest in the pool, with a capacity under 1.0 cu ft and power under 800 W. It is the right choice when a full-size microwave will not fit on the counter and the main jobs are reheating drinks and small plates.

Pros

• Under 1.0 cu ft capacity, the smallest in the pool
• Stainless steel finish named in the listing
• Under 800 W power for basic reheating

Cons

• Lowest power of any pick in the guide
• Defrost is not stated in the listing
• Auto cook settings are not stated in the listing

Good fit if

• Tiny kitchens, break rooms, or carts
• Buyers who mostly reheat coffee, soup, or single plates

Skip if

• Households that cook larger meals in the microwave
• Anyone who wants preset cooking programs or defrost

Verdict: The 0.7 Cu. Ft. countertop is the smallest Farberware option in this guide for basic reheating.

5 Best large countertop

Farberware Over The Range Microwave Oven

Type

Over the range

Capacity

1.5 to 1.9 cu ft

Wattage

1000 to 1199 W

Sensor cooking

Yes

$289.99 (as of 11/04/2026 22:51 PST - Details)

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The 1.7 Cu. Ft. countertop is the largest non-over-the-range pick, with 1000 W and the same 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft capacity bucket as the 1.6 Cu. Ft. model. It is a good choice if you want a big cavity and do not need sensor cooking.

Pros

• 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft capacity bucket, the largest countertop bucket in the pool
• 1000 W power
• Auto cook settings, defrost, and child lock named in the listing

Cons

• No sensor cooking mode, unlike the 1.6 Cu. Ft. countertop pick
• Exact capacity is not stated; the listing gives only a 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft range
• Lower listed wattage than the 1.6 Cu. Ft. model

Good fit if

• Big kitchens with room for a full-size countertop oven
• Buyers who want a child lock and a large cavity

Skip if

• Anyone who wants sensor cooking at the same size
• Small kitchens that need a compact unit

Verdict: The 1.7 Cu. Ft. countertop is the largest countertop-only Farberware model in the pool.

6 Best basic over-the-range

Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven

Type

Over the range

Wattage

1000 to 1199 W

$299.99 (as of 11/04/2026 22:51 PST - Details)

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This is the second over-the-range pick, with the same 1000 W power and 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft capacity as the sensor version. It lists auto cook settings and defrost, but not the sensor or multi-stage programs of the other fitted model.

Pros

• 1000 W power and 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft capacity
• Auto cook settings and defrost named in the listing
• Over-the-range design frees counter space

Cons

• No sensor cooking mode, unlike the other over-the-range pick
• Auto reheat and multi-stage cooking are not stated in the listing

Good fit if

• Buyers who want an over-the-range microwave without extra sensor programs
• Kitchens where the range venting matters more than preset cooking modes

Skip if

• Anyone who regularly reheats different foods and wants sensor detection
• Buyers who prefer the feature set of the sensor over-the-range model

Verdict: The 1.7 Cu. Ft. over-the-range without sensor cooking is the simpler fitted choice.

The specs, compared

Why these made the list

The starting pool was made up of 7 Farberware microwave models listed through the online catalog on the day this guide was written. Because the pool contains fewer than 12 entries, every model was kept for comparison. The picks were then sorted by type, with separate groups for countertop and over-the-range models. Within each group, the comparison uses the stated power in watts, the capacity bucket in cubic feet, and the presence of sensor cooking or listed presets such as auto cook and defrost. All specifications come from the product listings, and prices shown on the page are live readings from the same catalog. None of the units were operated by the editors, so this guide makes no claims about cooking performance, noise, or durability beyond the stated specifications. The FDA safe food handling and radiation-emitting products pages are included in the sources for related background.

Things to weigh before buying

Countertop or over-the-range: the first decision

Farberware offers both countertop and over-the-range models in this guide. Countertop ovens sit on a counter, plug into a standard outlet, and move easily if you rearrange the kitchen. Over-the-range ovens mount above the stove and usually include a vent, but they need more involved installation and enough clearance above the range. Of the 7 picks here, 5 are countertop models and 2 are over-the-range models. Match the type to your kitchen before comparing wattage or capacity.

Power: what wattage numbers are listed

The listed power levels are given in watts. In this pool, the lowest listed value is under 800 W for the 0.7 Cu. Ft. model, 900 W for the 0.9 Cu. Ft. model, 1000 W for most of the other picks, and 1100 W for the 1.6 Cu. Ft. countertop model. Exact cooking times are not stated in the listings, so the wattage is best treated as a number to compare rather than a tested performance measure.

Capacity: matching the cavity to your dishes

Capacity is the usable interior space measured in cubic feet. The 0.7 Cu. Ft. and 0.9 Cu. Ft. models are the smallest in the pool and fit mugs, bowls, and single plates. The 1.3 Cu. Ft. model adds room for dinner plates. The 1.5 to 1.9 Cu. Ft. bucket includes the 1.6 and 1.7 Cu. Ft. countertop models and both over-the-range models. Several listings give only a range rather than an exact cubic-foot number, so confirm the interior size if you need to fit a specific dish.

Sensor cooking and presets: what they add

Sensor cooking uses a built-in sensor to detect steam from the food and stop the oven at the right point, which can reduce guesswork when reheating leftovers. Two picks in this guide have sensor cooking: the 1.6 Cu. Ft. countertop and one 1.7 Cu. Ft. over-the-range model. The other picks use fixed auto cook settings and defrost programs, which let you choose a preset time and power level without a sensor. If you mostly heat the same items, presets may be enough; if you cook a variety of foods, sensor mode can save trial and error.

Microwave safety and food handling

The FDA says to cover food, stir, and rotate for even cooking in a microwave oven, and to allow standing time before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer. If the oven has no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking. Food thawed in the microwave should be cooked immediately. When you replace an old microwave, check the EPA's electronics donation and recycling guidance before putting it in the trash.

Questions

What Farberware microwave should I buy if I have a small kitchen?

For a small kitchen, the 0.7 Cu. Ft. or 0.9 Cu. Ft. countertop model is the better fit. Both are under 1.0 cu ft. The 0.9 Cu. Ft. model has 900 W and lists auto cook settings and a child lock, while the 0.7 Cu. Ft. model is the smallest pick in the pool.

Are over-the-range Farberware microwaves hard to install?

Over-the-range models are not countertop plug-ins. They mount above the stove and typically require space for venting and a power connection, so installation is more involved. The two over-the-range picks in this guide are both 1000 W with 1.5 to 1.9 cu ft capacity; one adds sensor cooking, auto reheat, and multi-stage cooking.

Does a higher wattage microwave cook more evenly?

Wattage affects heating speed more than it guarantees evenness. Turntables and rotating the dish help distribute heat. The FDA recommends stirring and rotating food during microwave cooking and allowing standing time, regardless of wattage. In this pool, wattage ranges from under 800 W to 1100 W.

What is the difference between sensor cooking and auto cook settings?

Sensor cooking detects steam or humidity during cooking and adjusts the time automatically. Auto cook settings are fixed presets, usually chosen by food type or weight, that run for a set time and power level. Two Farberware picks in this guide have sensor cooking; the others list auto cook settings and defrost.

Can I recycle my old Farberware microwave?

The EPA recommends recycling or donating electronics when you replace them, because they contain valuable materials. For a used microwave, check local or state electronics recycling programs or a certified recycler in your area. Do not put the unit in household waste if a recycling option exists. The product listings in this guide do not name a specific take-back program.

Latest changes

• 2026-10-08: First published.

Sources

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