Microwave ovens on a sailboat are a considerable help when cooking food. They help out just as much as your one at home does. Using the stovetop every time you want to heat something up gets annoying. Check out the list below for the 10 best microwave ovens to have on your boat.
1. Black+Decker EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven
This microwave oven is a great option for your sailboat. It is only 0.7 Cu.ft which means it will not take up too much space. Just be sure to measure where you are going to put it. One of the best features is the 10 power level options. This will help conserve your boat’s battery bank. See below for a complete list of features.
PRICE – $99.99
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 17.3 x 13 x 10.2 inches
- Space – 0.7 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 700 watts
- Kitchen Timer
- Child Safety Lock
- 10 Power Level Settings
2. Toshiba ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Microwave Oven
If you are looking for something that is a little fancier than your typical countertop microwave, then this one is it. It works with Alexa, allowing you to operate it hands-free. It’s a little bigger than most people would need on a boat, 1.3 Cu.ft, but if you need the space, this one has it. The most interesting feature of this microwave is the Humidity Sensor, which will adjust power based on humidity levels. Check out all of the cool features of this Toshiba microwave below.
PRICE – $152.99
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 20.4 x 16.6 x 12.4 inches
- Space – 1.3 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 1100 watts
- Alexa Integration
- Humidity Sensor
- ECO Mode
3. Farberware Classic FMO07AHTBKJ Microwave Oven
This compact model is perfect for any sailboat. The price is one of the lower options on our list at only $89.99. This model has six pre-programmed cooking buttons, making things easier for you when trying to decide how long you should cook something. If you think 0.7 Cu.ft is not enough space, this model does come in a 0.9 Cu.ft size. See more features in the list below.
PRICE – $89.99
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 17.75 x 12.9 x 10.17 inches
- Space – 0.7 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 700 watts
- 6 Pre-Programmed Buttons
- 10 Power Levels
- Defrost Option
4. Commercial Chef CHM660 Microwave Oven
This is definitely a small low budget option. If you are looking for the most simple option this is it. This microwave oven is only 0.6 Cu.ft. You could put this in a lot of different places. This is a dial setup, not a push-button like most people have today. It is one of the lower power options as well with only 600 watts. Consider this one if you are looking for the best budget option.
PRICE – $79.14
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 17.75 x 12.5 x 10.25 inches
- Space – 0.6 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 600 watts
- 6 Power Levels
- 9.5 Inch Turntable
5. Breville BMO650SIL Microwave Oven
If budget is not an issue for you, I recommend this one! Breville is a top brand when it comes to appliances and this microwave will not disappoint. It comes with a soft close door! I didn’t even know that was a thing for microwaves. It is very sleek and perfect for any type of boat interior. It has all the necessary features, and multiple pre-programmed buttons, including a defrost option. See a complete list of the features below.
PRICE – $249.95
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 17.3 x 19.1 x 11.5 inches
- Space – 0.9 Cu.ft
- Soft Close Door
- Wattage – 900 watts
- Multiple Power Settings
- Defrost Option
- Weight – 30 lbs
6. Galanz GLCMKA07BER-07 Retro Microwave Oven
This is a retro-style microwave oven. If you are looking for something to give your boat cabin some pop then this is the one. It comes in black, blue, green, or red giving you tons of options for matching your boat’s interior or color scheme. It comes in multiple sizes and has 700 watts of power. This one is all about the look! Check out more features below.
PRICE – $51.95
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 17.9 x 13.8 x 10.3 inches
- Space – 0.7 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 700 watts
- Six Power Settings
- Retro Style Design
- Multiple Color Options
7. Toshiba ML2-EM09PA(BS) Microwave Oven
This is the second Toshiba on our list, but a very different model from the one earlier. This one comes with a mute sound option, meaning no beeps necessary when you are trying to not wake your partner. The ECO mode button can use up to 50% less power when you need to conserve your battery power. This model is also the black stainless steel model, giving it a very sleek and cool look. See more information about this model below.
PRICE – $124.99
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 19.2 x 15.9 x 11.5 inches
- Space – 0.9 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 900 watts
- Six Pre-Programmed Buttons
- Black Stainless Steel
- ECO Mode Button
8. Panasonic NN-SN766S Microwave Oven
If you need something larger and have the room, check out this Panasonic Microwave. It has 1.6 Cu.ft of space meaning you can fit a ton of food in it. This is over double the size of most of the other microwaves on this list. It also has a lot more power at 1250 watts. The inverter technology in this model allows for more even cooking of your foods and quicker defrost times. Just remember more power means less power in your battery bank. Look below for all the features of this large-size microwave.
PRICE – $271.55
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 12 x 19.1 x 21.8 H inches
- Space – 1.6 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 1250 watts
- 14 Pre-Programmed Buttons
- Inverter Technology
- Keep Food Warm Function
9. Westinghouse Stainless Steel Microwave Oven
The Westinghouse company is a very reliable appliance maker. They have been around for a long time. This model comes with 10 power settings, which is more than most. It also has 6 one-touch cook options as well. They even think about safety with this model, by including a child safety lock. This model also has an average price point, see below.
PRICE – $149.99
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 21 x 15.5 x 12.5 inches
- Space – 0.7 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 700 watts
- 6 Pre-Programmed Buttons
- 10 Power Levels
10. GE 3-in-1 Microwave Oven/ Air Fryer/ Broiler
If you have plenty of power and want all the features then this is the best option for you. This is a microwave oven, air fryer, and broiler. Most sailors won’t need all of these things but it is built into one appliance meaning it’s there if you ever do need it. I would just be cautious about the power consumption of this one. See more about this one in the list below.
PRICE – $219.00
- Dimensions (L x W x H) – 16.6 x 20.6 x 11.88 inches
- Space – 1.0 Cu.ft
- Wattage – 1050 watts
- Microwave, Air Fryer, Broiler
- Multiple Pre-Programmed Buttons
This completes the list of the 10 best microwave ovens for a sailboat. There are a lot of differences between the microwaves on this list, but they are all good options. If you are still unsure which one to get keep reading. The rest of this article will discuss how to choose the best option for your boat.
How To Choose A Marine Microwave
When it comes to choosing the correct microwave oven there are a few factors you need to take into account. This section will describe those items and how to think about them in relation to your boat. The first item to discuss is power consumption or wattage.
Power Consumption/ Wattage
When putting any type of appliance on your sailboat, you need to consider how much power it draws or needs. The list at the beginning of this article tells the wattage of each microwave to help with your decision. Everyone’s boat is different and will have different electrical setups. You need to calculate everything as a whole and see how big of a microwave you can get based on wattage.
To read more about calculating power, check out my other article on solar power “How Much Solar Power Do You Need On A Sailboat”. This article talks about solar power, but if you are using a different type of power, it still discusses how to calculate the power consumption of everything on your boat.
The next thing we need to think about is size.
Size Of The Appliance
When it comes to putting something in the cabin of your boat, you should definitely think about the size. The size is a very big factor when thinking about adding a microwave. Where are you going to put it and will it fit. This is very simple to do, just measure twice! I have done plenty of boat work and measuring everything twice is definitely a good idea. Even if it is just to fit something in a small spot, measure it twice! Trust me.
Once you know the size, you can narrow down your search. Amazon will usually let you search by size as well, making it easier for you. I recommend giving yourself some clearance around the edges as well just in case.
The final thing to consider is features.
Features Of The Microwave
Microwaves can do a lot of different things these days. I know I use my popcorn button and the 30-second button more than any other button on there. There are just so many options sometimes it’s hard to decide.
The main thing is to think about your needs as a microwave user on a boat. What are you going to be cooking most? Do you have any large foods that require special attention? Do you need any special features like no-sound options? There are more questions out there, so think next time you are in your kitchen using your microwave. Maybe you will think of something you want or need.
My Final Thoughts
This article discussed the 10 best microwave ovens for your sailboat. We talked about Toshiba, Breville, Panasonic, and more. They all have unique features to fit different people’s needs. Each item in the list talked about the features, price, and size to help you make a better decision. The second part of this article was all about how to choose the right microwave. Power, size, and features are the three main things to consider when purchasing a microwave. Power will relate to your boat’s power consumption. The size will depend on where you are trying to fit your microwave, and the features will be for you to decide what is needed.
I hope this article helps and if you have any advice on the topic please reach out to us! [email protected].