This Tiny, Retro Microwave Is the Space-Saving Gadget My Apartment Needed (It’s on Sale!)

published Oct 21, 2022
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

This might sound a little odd, but I didn’t own a microwave for almost seven years before I moved into my last apartment, where my roommate happened to have one. Now, this was incredibly inconvenient, but sort of by design, since my default setting is “sitting on the couch and compulsively inhaling microwavable foods,” or whatever the equivalent of chain-smoking is for frozen burritos. Not having Chef Mike around also helped me get into cooking with whole ingredients, learning different techniques in the kitchen, and have a much bigger appreciation for eating out at restaurants. However, when I finally got a microwave again, I couldn’t imagine going back to living without one. 

I just moved in with my girlfriend, and her old roommate took the microwave, so that was the first order of business upon signing the lease. Having been out of the microwave-shopping game for a while, I was a little gun-shy about dropping upwards of $200 on a high-end model — especially since those tend to be on the larger size, and ideally (since I live in Brooklyn) I’d like to fit my microwave inside my kitchen, and not the other way around. Thankfully, I stumbled upon a sweet, retro-looking model that tucks perfectly into the corner of my countertop. Introducing: the COMFEE’ Retro Small Microwave Oven

Look: At the end of the day, a microwave should be able to correctly heat up the Thai food you ordered at 3:45 a.m. your healthy frozen meals, and this one, unequivocally, does. However, it’s also a plus if they look cool doing it. For folks who are suckers for that vintage-appliance look, you can’t go wrong with the COMFEE’. Not only does it have that 1950s-style handle and colorblocked paint job (I have the cream, but it also comes in blue and red), but right now, it’s over 20 percent off. I really love the size of this sucker, and at just 14.1 inches by 17.3 inches by 10.2 inches, it’s about the size of three big toasters, which isn’t bad — especially when you consider how much you’ll be using it. 

Credit: Ian Burke

The small appliance also features 10 power levels, weight and time defrost, energy-saving eco mode, a mute button (no more waking everyone up at night when you try to heat up a Hot Pocket), a clock, and a kitchen timer. Plus, all of the buttons have their meanings clearly listed when you open the door. My favorite part, though, is the knob — it’s super easy to twist to the right time setting, and you never have to worry about accidentally setting your mike to 30 minutes when you meant to set it to 30 seconds. 

So, if you’re in the market for a small, sturdy microwave that looks cool and won’t break the bank, the COMFEE’ Retro Small Microwave Oven is the way to go. 

BUY: COMFEE’ Retro Small Microwave Oven, $79.99 (normally $101.99)