3 Best Low Profile Over-the-Range Microwaves (October 2026)
The best low profile over-the-range microwaves include the Samsung ME11A7710DS 1.1 Cu Ft Smart Slim Microwave for the strongest low profile vent, the Midea 1.2 Cu Ft Slim Over-the-Range Microwave for smart home control, and the GE Profile 1.2 Cu Ft Low Profile Microwave for a 10.3-inch body with LED cooktop lighting.
On this page (11 sections)
- How we picked the best low profile over-the-range microwaves
- Side by side: low profile height, depth and venting
- The three low profile picks in detail
- Height: why 10 to 11 inches matters
- Venting on a low profile unit
- Height checks you can do before you buy
- Controls and cooking features on low profile units
- Installing a low profile unit: what to plan
- Choosing between the three for a daily routine
- Low profile or standard: which fits your kitchen?
- Which low profile microwave should you buy?
A low profile over-the-range microwave is a short model, about 10 to 11 inches tall, that fits under a cabinet with a shallow gap above the cooktop. The three picks here are all 10.3 to 10.8 inches tall, so each one suits a tight space.
Low profile models usually sit in the premium tier, so this roundup covers three higher-priced units. We compared them on height, depth, venting, interior size and controls.
If you're not sure your gap is short, measure it first. A standard 16-inch unit won't fit a 12-inch gap, and a low profile model may be the only option.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for the strongest low profile ventSamsung ME11A7710DS 1.1 Cu Ft Smart Slim Microwave
8.1/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for smart home controlMidea 1.2 Cu Ft Slim Over-the-Range Microwave
8.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for a 10.3-inch body with LED cooktop lightingGE Profile 1.2 Cu Ft Low Profile Microwave
7.8/10 our score
See it on Amazon
How we picked the best low profile over-the-range microwaves
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. For a low profile search, height comes first, followed by venting and the room inside.
Each model faced these checks:
- How tall is the body, and does it fit a short cabinet gap?
- How deep does it sit, and will it clear the cabinet?
- How strong is the venting, measured in CFM?
- How much room is inside, in cubic feet?
- Which cooking controls and presets does it have?
Height decided the most, since a low profile unit that won't fit is no use. Venting came second, since it decides how well the unit clears smoke from the cooktop.
Here's how the scores landed:
- Samsung, 8.1: the strongest fan at 550 CFM, with Wi-Fi and voice control.
- Midea, 8.0: the shallowest body, with 400 CFM and smart home control.
- GE Profile, 7.8: a 10.3-inch body with sensor cooking, bottom controls and LED lighting.
Side by side: low profile height, depth and venting
All three are 29.9 inches wide. Height is 10.3 to 10.8 inches, and depth runs from 18.2 to 19.1 inches, so the depth of your cabinet matters as much as its height.
| Product | Best for | Size (W x D x H) | Vent fan | Capacity | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung ME11A7710DS 1.1 Cu Ft Smart Slim Microwave | the strongest low profile vent | 29.9 x 19.1 x 10.8 in | 550 CFM | 1.1 cu ft | 8.1 |
| Midea 1.2 Cu Ft Slim Over-the-Range Microwave | smart home control | 29.9 x 18.2 x 10.3 in | 400 CFM | 1.2 cu ft | 8.0 |
| GE Profile 1.2 Cu Ft Low Profile Microwave | a 10.3-inch body with LED cooktop lighting | 29.9 x 18.6 x 10.3 in | 400 CFM, 2 speeds | 1.2 cu ft | 7.8 |
The Samsung is the tallest of the three at 10.8 inches and the deepest at 19.1 inches. The Midea is the shallowest at 18.2 inches, and it ties the GE Profile for the shortest height.
The three low profile picks in detail
The Samsung leads because its 550 CFM fan is the strongest here and the body still stays under 11 inches tall. The Midea is the shallowest of the three, and the GE Profile adds sensor cooking and LED lighting.
Samsung ME11A7710DS 1.1 Cu Ft Smart Slim Microwave
- 29.9 inches wide and 10.8 inches tall
- 550 CFM venting with a hood light
- Wi-Fi and voice control
- Sensor cook and a fingerprint-resistant stainless finish
The strongest fan in this group at 550 CFM, with Wi-Fi, voice control and an LED light bar. Its 1.1 cu ft interior is the smallest here, so it suits smaller meals.
Pros
- 550 CFM, the strongest fan in this group
- Wi-Fi and voice control
- Sensor cook and an LED light bar
Cons
- 1.1 cu ft is the smallest interior here
- At 19.1 inches deep, it sits furthest into the cabinet
Samsung's 1.1 cu ft Smart Slim model is the strongest venting in this group, with a 550 CFM hood. That's the pick if your cooking throws a lot of steam or smoke.
It measures 29.9 inches wide, 19.1 inches deep and 10.8 inches tall. That makes it a little taller and deeper than the other two.
Samsung markets it with Wi-Fi, voice control and an LED light bar, plus sensor cooking. The finish is fingerprint resistant stainless steel, which shows fewer prints than a standard finish.
The 1.1 cu ft interior is the smallest here, so this model suits smaller meals. An install kit comes in the box.
The trade-off is room and depth. It holds the least inside, and it reaches the furthest into the cabinet of the three.
Our GE vs Samsung comparison sets it against the GE Profile in more detail.
Midea 1.2 Cu Ft Slim Over-the-Range Microwave
- 29.9 inches wide and 10.3 inches tall
- 400 CFM venting with a 1,000-watt output
- Voice control and a smart home app
- Sensor cook, sensor reheat and an auto cook menu
The shallowest body of the three, at 18.2 inches deep, with the same 400 CFM as the GE Profile. Midea doesn't mention a cooktop light, so check the manual for lighting.
Pros
- Shallowest body at 18.2 inches
- Voice control and a smart home app
- Sensor cook and sensor reheat
Cons
- Midea doesn't mention a cooktop light
- At 1,000 watts, it runs below the Samsung's 1,100 watts
Midea's 1.2 cu ft slim unit measures 29.9 inches wide, 18.2 inches deep and 10.3 inches tall. It's the shallowest of the three, which helps when the cabinet is shallow.
It has 400 CFM venting with a 1,000-watt output. Sensor cook and sensor reheat find the time and power for the food, and the auto cook menu covers the common jobs.
Voice control and a smart home app let you run the unit from your phone. The app also sends a notice when a cook finishes, which helps when you step away from the stove.
The unit has a child safety lock. Midea doesn't mention a cooktop light, so check the manual for lighting before you choose it.
GE Profile 1.2 Cu Ft Low Profile Microwave
- 29.9 inches wide and 10.3 inches tall
- 400 CFM venting on two speeds
- Sensor cooking with bottom controls
- Integrated handle and LED cooktop lighting
Tied for the shortest body in this group at 10.3 inches tall, with sensor cooking and 400 CFM venting. The controls sit on the bottom edge, and the handle is built into the front.
Pros
- 10.3 inches tall for a short cabinet gap
- Sensor cooking adjusts time and power
- 400 CFM venting on two speeds
Cons
- Premium price tier
- At 18.6 inches deep, it reaches further into the cabinet than the Midea
GE Profile's 1.2 cu ft model measures 29.9 inches wide, 18.6 inches deep and 10.3 inches tall. It's tied for the shortest body in this group, which makes it a strong match for a tight cabinet gap.
The controls sit along the bottom edge, and the handle is built into the front. Sensor cooking adjusts the time and power for the food, and the 400 CFM fan runs on two speeds.
The 12.4-inch turntable and the LED cooktop lighting come standard. GE Profile calls the unit installer-friendly, and the manual gives the clearance it needs above the cooktop.
The unit weighs 51 pounds, so the lift takes two people. It's the premium pick in this group, and at 18.6 inches deep it reaches further into the cabinet than the Midea.
Height: why 10 to 11 inches matters
Height decides whether the microwave fits under the cabinet at all. The three picks here run from 10.3 to 10.8 inches tall, while the standard units in our 30-inch roundup run about 16 inches.
Measure the gap between the cooktop and the cabinet bottom, and compare it with the height of the unit you pick. Leave a little room for the trim, since a unit that barely fits can be hard to mount.
Low profile microwave fit and depth in a cabinet
Depth is the second check. The three picks run from 18.2 to 19.1 inches deep, so a shallow cabinet or a short counter may cause a fit problem.
If the cabinet is both short and shallow, the Midea is the closest match on depth. If the gap is short but the cabinet has room behind it, the GE Profile and the Samsung are both workable.
Venting on a low profile unit
Venting is 400 CFM on the GE Profile and the Midea, and 550 CFM on the Samsung. Most standard picks in our 30-inch roundup run 300 CFM, so these three give you more pull for the size.
Venting still needs a path for the air. Ducted installs send air outside, and recirculating installs pass it through a charcoal filter first.
Check the manual before you plan a recirculating install, since the filter and the change schedule depend on the model.
For the full choices, see our venting options guide and the low profile vs regular guide, which compares the two types side by side.
Height checks you can do before you buy
Height is the first number to check, and a tape measure is enough. Measure from the cooktop surface to the bottom of the cabinet, then write the number down.
Measure in two spots, since cabinet bottoms can sit at slightly different heights. Use the smaller number as your limit, and leave a little room for the trim and the mounting plate.
The three picks run from 10.3 to 10.8 inches tall. A gap of at least 11 inches leaves a small margin, but the manual's clearance rule comes first.
Low profile over-the-range microwave: height first
Height is the first filter, and depth is the second. A unit can clear the height and still fail on depth, so measure both before you compare features.
Once a model passes both checks, compare the venting, the interior room and the controls. That order saves time, since many models drop out at the height step.
Controls and cooking features on low profile units
Sensor cooking appears on the Samsung, the Midea and the GE Profile. Sensor cook adjusts the time and power by checking the food, which takes most of the guesswork out of reheating.
The GE Profile puts its controls along the bottom edge. That's a different reach than a front panel, so try the layout in person if you can.
Samsung and Midea both add voice control and smart home features. Those features help when you start a cook from another room, though they add setup steps on the first day.
Each of the three runs 1,000 watts or more. Cooking speed is close across the group, so choose the controls you'll use most.
Installing a low profile unit: what to plan
Have a qualified installer mount the unit, and a licensed electrician check the outlet and the circuit. A low profile unit is still heavy, it hangs over a hot cooktop, and it ties into the wiring and the vent.
The GE Profile weighs 51 pounds, which is a real load to hold in a tight space. Plan for two people on delivery day, and leave the lift onto the mounting plate to the installer.
Ask the installer to check the wall framing and the cabinet before the mount. Solid framing takes the weight better than drywall alone.
Our installation guide lists the planning steps, and the mounting bracket guide covers the brackets and filler kits that go with any unit.
Choosing between the three for a daily routine
Think about the way you cook on a normal weeknight. A cook who reheats coffee, leftovers and a single plate needs the controls and the interior that fit that routine, not the most features on the list.
The Samsung suits a cook who values the strongest fan and a connected kitchen. The trade is room, since it holds the least inside and sits the furthest into the cabinet.
The Midea suits a cook who wants a shallow body and voice control. It's the one to check first if the cabinet is short and shallow at the same time.
The GE Profile suits a cook who wants simple sensor cooking with a low body. Its controls and lighting are set up for everyday reheating, and the 400 CFM fan covers normal steam and smoke.
Low profile or standard: which fits your kitchen?
Low profile models trade interior room for height. The three picks here hold 1.1 to 1.2 cu ft, while the standard picks in our 30-inch roundup hold 1.6 to 1.9 cu ft.
If your gap is short, a low profile model is the only real option. If the gap is generous, a standard model gives you more room inside, and the low profile vs regular guide walks through the trade-off in more detail.
Which low profile microwave should you buy?
Pick the Samsung if you want the strongest fan and smart features, and room is not the top concern. Pick the Midea if the cabinet is shallow and you want voice control and a smart home app.
Pick the GE Profile for sensor cooking with bottom controls and LED lighting in the shortest body. For a standard-height model, the best over-the-range microwave roundup covers the other options.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for the strongest low profile vent
Samsung ME11A7710DS 1.1 Cu Ft Smart Slim Microwave
8.1/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for smart home control
Midea 1.2 Cu Ft Slim Over-the-Range Microwave
8.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for a 10.3-inch body with LED cooktop lighting
GE Profile 1.2 Cu Ft Low Profile Microwave
7.8/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is a low profile over-the-range microwave?
A low profile microwave is a shorter model, about 10 to 11 inches tall, that fits under a cabinet with a shallow gap above the cooktop. The three picks here are all 10.3 to 10.8 inches tall, while a standard unit is about 16 inches.
Do low profile microwaves cost more?
Yes, all three picks sit in the premium tier. A standard model usually costs less and gives you more room inside for the same money.
How tall is a low profile microwave?
The three picks here measure 10.3 to 10.8 inches tall. Measure the gap between the cooktop and the cabinet bottom before you order, and leave room for the unit's trim.
Is a low profile microwave as powerful as a standard one?
The picks here run 1,000 to 1,100 watts, which is close to the standard units in our 30-inch roundup. Check the wattage in the manual, since low profile models may list different figures.
