Common Microwave Wattages in the U.S.: A Market Cheat Sheet (What You’ll Actually See)
ZacharyWilliamUpdated: 2025-12-25 • By UDPOWER Editorial Team
If you’re shopping (or sizing backup power), you probably don’t want a lecture on what “watts” are—you want to know which microwave wattages are common on the market, which ones are “normal,” and what each tier usually means for everyday use. This guide is built around the wattage ranges major appliance brands describe and what independent testing groups commonly recommend.
Sources for these ranges: KitchenAid notes most microwaves are roughly 600 to 1,200+ watts (source); Whirlpool describes typical wattage needs and discusses higher-wattage categories including 1,000–1,700+ watts for larger needs (source); and Consumer Reports notes many recommended models fall around 1,050–1,250 watts (source).
Common wattage by microwave type (fast table)
The numbers below are the common wattages you’ll see on listings in the U.S. market. Think of this as a “what’s normal on shelves” map. (Wattages refer to cooking/output power unless noted otherwise.) Major appliance brands commonly describe the overall market as roughly 600–1,200+W, with many countertop units sitting in that band (source).
| Microwave type | Common listing wattages (output) | Where you’ll see it | What it’s typically good for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact countertop | ~600–900W | Dorms, offices, small apartments | Reheating, simple meals, light defrost | Slower heat; more time adjustments |
| Standard countertop | ~700–1,200W | Most home kitchens | Everyday cooking + reheating | This is the “normal” market band |
| Over-the-range / built-in | Often ~900–1,200W | Remodels, space-saving installs | Family cooking, heavier use | Typically similar wattage to standard countertop, but varies by model |
| Premium / multi-function (sensor-heavy, convection combos) | ~1,000–1,700W+ (model-dependent) | Higher-end kitchens, “do more than reheat” needs | Faster cooking, more features | Higher wattage often pairs with feature sets (convection, crisp, grill, etc.) |
The wattage tiers you’ll see most often (700–1200W)
If you browse major retailers, the repeating pattern is a handful of “standard” wattage steps. Below is a practical breakdown of the common tiers and what they usually mean. Overall market ranges cited by major brands typically land around 600–1,200+ watts (source).
| Tier (output watts) | How common it is | Best for | Real-life expectation | Time vs 1000W recipe (rule-of-thumb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600–700W | Common in compact units | Reheat, snacks, light use | Noticeably slower; needs patience | ~1.43× to 1.67× longer |
| 800W | Common | Everyday reheating | Fine for most basics, slower for big portions | ~1.25× longer |
| 900W | Very common | Most households on a budget | Good balance; fewer frustrations | ~1.11× longer |
| 1000W | Extremely common | “Recipe baseline” cooking | Directions often match closely | 1.00× |
| 1100W | Very common | Faster everyday cooking | Heats quickly; good for larger servings | ~0.91× (slightly shorter) |
| 1200W | Common in higher-performing units | Families, frequent use | Fast, consistent results | ~0.83× (shorter) |
New Time ≈ Old Time × (1000 ÷ Your Wattage) This aligns with the “recipes assume ~1000W” guidance noted by Maytag (source).
High-power microwaves (1200–1700W+): when they show up
If you keep seeing microwaves advertised above 1,200W, they’re usually positioned for bigger meals, heavier daily usage, or feature-rich models. Whirlpool explicitly discusses higher wattage categories, including 1,000–1,700+ watts for more complex recipes and larger needs (source).
| Wattage band (output) | Where it commonly appears | Why it exists | Tradeoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1300W | Higher-performing countertop & some OTR models | Faster reheat, better for larger portions | Usually higher draw from the outlet |
| 1400–1700W+ | Premium / multi-function units, specialized models | Speed + feature sets (model dependent) | Power planning becomes more important |
Independent testing summaries often show many recommended models clustering around ~1,050–1,250W (source), which is one reason the “1,000–1,200W” range is a practical target for most kitchens.
The one detail that matters for power planning: input vs output watts
When listings say “1100W microwave,” that’s usually output/cooking power. But for outlets, generators, and portable power stations, you must size to the microwave’s rated input power (what it draws from the wall).
| Example from manuals | Rated output (cooking) | Rated input (from outlet) | Why this matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toshiba EM131A5C series manual | 1100W | 1550W | Backup power must handle ~1550W draw, not just “1100W” marketing |
| Farberware FMO11AHTBKB manual | 1000W | 1500W | Again, the wall draw can be much higher than output watts |
Manual sources: Toshiba manual PDF, Farberware manual PDF.
How to choose a wattage quickly (without overthinking)
If you just want an easy decision:
- Budget / light use: target 900–1000W output.
- Most households: target 1000–1200W output (fast, widely “recipe-compatible”).
- Heavy daily use / big portions: consider 1100–1300W output, and verify circuit capacity.
- Don’t buy wattage alone: sensor performance, turntable size, and interior volume also affect results.
Why this aligns with reality: brand guidance places most models in the ~600–1,200+ band (source), and Consumer Reports’ recommended sets often land around ~1,050–1,250W (source).
Circuits & backup power: what to check before you plug in
If your goal is “what wattage is common,” you can stop above. If your goal is “will it trip a breaker / will my backup power run it,” here’s the short checklist.
| What you’re checking | Why it matters | Quick way to do it |
|---|---|---|
| Microwave rated input watts (nameplate/manual) | That’s the real electrical draw | Look for “Rated Input Power” on label/manual |
| Estimated amps on 120V | Helps you avoid shared-circuit overload | Amps ≈ Watts ÷ 120 |
| Power level behavior | Lower power levels often cycle ON/OFF | GE describes power levels as % time delivering energy (source) |
Light-touch UDPOWER sizing examples for microwave backup
Microwaves are one of the tougher kitchen loads for battery backup because many common models can draw roughly 1500W input even when the listing says ~1000–1100W output (see manual examples above). If you’re pairing a power station, size to the microwave’s input watts.
- Capacity: 1191Wh (listed as “Capacity 1191Wh”)
- AC Output: Pure Sine Wave, 1200W rated (1800W max) (listed under “AC Output”)
- Solar input: 12V–75V, 12A, 400W max (listed under “Solar Charging Input”)
Spec source: UDPOWER S1200 product page.
| What you have | What to compare | Practical takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Microwave listing says “1000–1200W” | Find its rated input (often higher in manuals) | For backup, plan around the input watts, not the marketing watts |
| Power station inverter rating | Continuous AC output vs microwave input | Continuous rating should meet the input watts (or verified boost mode) |
| Runtime expectations | Microwaves run in minutes, not hours | Think “how many total cook minutes per charge,” not day-long operation |
Other UDPOWER models (for context; typically not microwave-class loads): C200, C400, C600.
FAQ
What’s the most common microwave wattage to see on listings?
In practice you’ll see a lot of 900W, 1000W, 1100W, and 1200W listings, with the broader “most microwaves” range commonly described as roughly 600 to 1,200+ watts (source).
Why do many recipes mention 1000W?
Many directions assume around 1,000W. Maytag notes most microwave recipes require 1,000 watts for best results (source).
If my microwave is “1100W,” why does my label show ~1500W?
Because listings often show output watts, while labels show input watts. Manuals commonly list both, such as 1100W output / 1550W input in a Toshiba example (source).
Do power levels reduce wattage?
Often they reduce average energy by cycling ON/OFF. GE explains power levels deliver energy a certain percent of time (source).
Sources
- KitchenAid microwave wattage guide (overall market range): link
- Whirlpool wattage needs & higher-wattage discussion (includes 1,000–1,700+ category): link
- Maytag microwave wattages (recipes often assume 1,000W): link
- Consumer Reports microwave buying guide (recommended models often 1,050–1,250W): link
- GE support: power levels delivered as a % of time: link
- Example manuals showing input vs output watts: Toshiba, Farberware
- UDPOWER product specs: S1200, C600, C400, C200
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Always follow your appliance manual and safety instructions. For electrical issues or repeated breaker trips, consult a qualified electrician.
