Best Microwaves for Galley Kitchens

A galley kitchen runs along one or two narrow walls with limited counter width and often no room to open a wide door fully. The models below are 18 inches wide or less — the most you can practically fit in a standard galley run without blocking walkways or appliance access. Because galley counters are also shallow, depth is worth checking too: most models here are under 15 inches deep.

• ✓ In a galley kitchen, door swing direction matters — a right-hinged door may block the walkway or adjacent appliances when open.
• ✓ Placing the microwave at the end of the counter run (not in the middle) minimizes interference with other prep work.
• ✓ Width is tight in a galley, but so is height — measure under-cabinet clearance carefully if the microwave will sit below overhead cupboards.
• ✓ Some galley kitchen users prefer OTR models to free the counter entirely — if you have a standard 30" range, it's worth considering.
• ✓ Compact models in this width typically have 0.7–1.0 cu ft capacity — adequate for one or two people's daily use.

147 models in this guide