BLACK+DECKER Microwave Oven Review: Solid Pick for Small Kitchens?

Quick Verdict

The BLACK+DECKER countertop microwave oven is a capable little workhorse that punches above its weight — literally and figuratively. At 0.9 cubic feet with 900W of power, it handles the daily reheating, defrosting and quick-cooking tasks that most small households need without hogging half your counter. The 6 auto menus are genuinely useful, the child lock is well-implemented, and the memory function saves you from repetitive button-pressing. It's not perfect: the interior is snug, the door feels a touch lightweight, and the single-slot memory might frustrate power users. But for the price, it earns a solid BLACK+DECKER microwave oven recommendation for students, couples and anyone outfitting a compact kitchen. I'd rate it 4.2 out of 5 stars. Check current price on Amazon

What Is the BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven?

I set this up in my kitchen two Thursdays ago, right next to the coffee maker, and it immediately felt like it belonged there. The brushed front panel gives it a slightly more premium look than the all-plasticbudget models I've tested before, and the digital panel is straightforward enough that I didn't crack open the manual until day three (and only because I wanted to figure out the memory function). The BLACK+DECKER countertop microwave oven is a 900W model designed for small to medium kitchens — think dorm rooms, studio apartments, offices or as a secondary unit in a larger household. It offers 10 power levels, 6 pre-programmed auto menus, a two-step child lock and a memory function that recalls your last-used settings. The removable 10-inch turntable handles most standard dinner plates, though you'll need to mind your dish sizing.

Key Features

• 900W rated power — fast enough for daily reheating and defrosting
• 0.9 cubic foot interior — fits a 10-inch pizza on the removable turntable
• 10 adjustable power levels — precise control from low warmth to full power
• 6 auto menus — popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetables, beverages, dinner plates
• One-touch start — begin cooking with a single press
• Two-step child lock — safety without permanent commitment
• Memory function — recalls your preferred settings automatically
• Kitchen timer — independent of cooking functions

Hands-On Review

By day one I had already used three of the six auto menus without really thinking about it. Morning coffee reheated on the beverage setting — 90 seconds at medium power, came out hot without the scary hot-spots I'd gotten from my old 700W unit. That evening I tossed a frozen lasagna portion in on the dinner plate setting, and it cooked evenly enough that I didn't have to pause and stir halfway through, which used to be my routine. What surprised me was the defrost function — I'd been skeptical of auto-defrost on non-inverter models, but a pound of chicken breast thawed in under six minutes with no cooked edges. I was honestly ready to write it off as marketing fluff until I saw it in action.

After the first week I started experimenting with the memory function. Here's the thing nobody mentions in the listings: it only saves one setting. I'd initially assumed you could store a handful of presets, the way some higher-end models work. Turns out it's just your last-used power level and time. That's not a dealbreaker — it's honestly fine for 80% of use cases — but it's worth knowing before you start dreaming up a whole custom preset library. The child lock, on the other hand, is exactly what I'd hoped it would be. I've got a toddler who treats every button as a personal toy, and the two-step activation gave me real peace of mind without the panic of wondering how to undo it later.

The turntable size is the one thing I had to adjust to. A standard 9-inch round Pyrex dish fits comfortably, but loading a 10-inch plate and closing the door requires a specific angle. It's not a complaint, exactly — BLACK+DECKER is upfront about the 10-inch turntable spec — but it's a detail that matters if you're used to a larger family model.

The door itself closes with a satisfying click, though I'll admit it feels slightly lighter than the door on the Toshiba I tested last year. That said, I've had no issues with rattling or heat escaping during extended cook times.

Will I keep using it? Yes — and the memory function is the main reason. Having the microwave remember that I always want 70% power for two minutes for my tea means one less thing on my morning mental load. It's a small quality-of-life win, but it adds up.

Who Should Buy It?

This BLACK+DECKER microwave oven is a natural fit if any of these describe you:

• College students or renters with limited counter space who need reliable reheating without a massive appliance dominating their desk or kitchenette.
• Small households — singles, couples or a parent with one child — who don't need to microwave multiple large dishes at once.
• Parents of young children who genuinely want the child lock to be functional, reversible and easy to operate, not just a checkbox feature.
• Meal-preppers using small containers who work with standard 9-inch Pyrex or glass storage dishes and want quick access to auto menus for common prep staples like frozen vegetables or rice.
• Office kitchens where a compact, straightforward unit with a memory function reduces the friction of shared-use settings.

Skip this model if you regularly cook for three or more people and need to fit large casserole dishes, if you want convection or grill functionality, or if you're used to the heftier build quality of higher-priced models and will be bothered by a lighter door. There's nothing wrong with that preference — it just means this isn't your unit.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If the BLACK+DECKER countertop microwave oven doesn't quite fit your needs, here are two alternatives worth a look:

• Toshiba EM925A5A-SS — Another popular 0.9 cubic foot / 900W model with a stainless steel finish. It tends to have a slightly larger turntable and a more solid door feel, though it lacks a memory function. Best for users who prioritize build quality over preset convenience.
• Panasonic NN-SB458S Compact Microwave — At 0.8 cubic feet and 900W, it's marginally smaller but features inverter technology for more even cooking. Pricier, but worth considering if you do a lot of defrosting or cooking rather than just reheating.

FAQ

Final Verdict

After two weeks with the BLACK+DECKER countertop microwave oven, I'm comfortable saying it's one of the better-balanced compact models in its price range. The 900W power delivers real performance for reheating and defrosting, the 6 auto menus cover everyday scenarios without overcomplicating the interface, and the two-step child lock is exactly as practical as it sounds. It earns its spot on a small kitchen counter without pretending to be something it's not. The limited memory function and snug turntable are honest trade-offs at this size and price. If you need a dependable, well-featured BLACK+DECKER microwave oven for a studio, dorm or compact kitchen, this model deserves a spot on your shortlist.