When you’re a college student or just living by yourself, most of the stuff that you need isn’t all that big, complicated, or even expensive to buy. All that matters is that it does one main thing: cook or reheat food. It must do that well. And, well, if it comes with some extra features, then that’s just great.
This is the kind of mindset that a person thinking of buying the Black Decker EM720CB7 microwave oven would have. It’s one of the few good-quality microwaves that retail for less than $100, and if you’re a student, this kind of budget makes it one of the best microwaves for college dorms.
It probably won’t pop up at the back of your mind if you’re shopping for the top convection microwave, but if you’re looking for something basic that also works well, then make sure you get to the end of this review to see what it’s got to offer.
Why We Like It – BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Microwave Oven
The Black+Decker EM720CB7 Microwave Oven is a perfect example of an affordable kitchen appliance that’s got all the main features that you need, and is compact enough so that it doesn’t take up too much space on your countertop. The microwave oven’s black stainless steel body makes it easy to clean, and gives it a neat, elegant look.
- Defrost by either time or weight
- 30 seconds express cooking
- Child safety lock
- No sensor cooking technology
Power & Performance
The Black Decker EM720CB7 digital microwave oven has got a decent power capacity of up to 700 Watts, matching that of the COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB countertop microwave oven. It features 10 power settings, similar to the original Comfee microwave, and with a smallish interior capacity of 0.7 cubic feet, it’s not really ideal for small families. What you’ll also appreciate about it is that you’ll be able to decide whether to defrost your frozen food either by time or by weight, and with an interior light to illuminate your cooking, you’ll always be able to keep an eye on your food’s progress.
Durability
The EM720CB7 digital microwave oven is an easy-to-use, compact microwave that features a removable 10-inch glass turntable, and a large LED digital display that is green-lit and easy to read off of. Just like the Farberware black FMO10AHDBKC microwave, the Black & Decker countertop microwave comes with a 1-year warranty, and on top of that, its stainless steel material makes it very easy to clean and maintain. Alternatively, if you don’t want a countertop model, you might like our list of top-rated microwave drawers.
Ease of Use
There aren’t too many touch keys on the Black Decker EM720CB7 Digital microwave, so operating it shouldn’t give you any kind of headache. What you might want to appreciate is that the keys are large, and the font on them is easily legible. The 0.7 cu ft countertop microwave also features express cooking, where you’ll be able to get it started on 100% power by pressing the “Add 30 seconds” option. This is a feature that it shares with the Samsung MC12J8035CT 1.2 cu ft, but even at that, and is great for when you want to warm your meal in a hurry. If you need something different, say with a rotary control knob and 4 small buttons, try the Nostalgia Microwave.
Added Features & Versatility
With a push-button door child safety lock and both a clock and a kitchen timer, this Black Decker microwave is very convenient to use, and well featured for one that costs less than $100. It’s got one-touch cooking features that’ll have you prepare your pizza, popcorn, beverage, or dinner plate without too much thought, and it’s also capable of a quiet operation so that you’ll be able to use it at night without waking anybody.
Value
The one thing that we wish the Black Decker EM720CB7 Digital microwave came with is sensor cooking technology. Maybe this was omitted to keep its price down, but either way, it would’ve made it a completely worthwhile purchase. You also won’t be able to turn off the green-lit display as you would on the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS, as it does not have an eco mode.
BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Microwave Oven Wrap Up
There are not as many good-quality microwaves that retail for less than $ 100, so the Black & Decker microwave oven stainless steel appliance will make a perfect addition to your house if you’re on a budget. Despite its lack of sensor cooking technology, the microwave is still capable of easily handling a couple of simple meals, and with a quick start 30 seconds button, you’ll quickly be able to get it started on 100% power, which is ideal for when you’re in a hurry.
