GE Countertop Microwave Oven
- Countertop Microwave Oven
- 1.1 cu ft
- 950 watts
- Touch
Reliable and affordable for small spaces, though the child lock trips up a few owners and a small share of units arrive damaged in shipping.
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How it ranks among the 85 countertop microwave ovens we track
4.2★ across 233 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
233 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
Modest tracked demand last month.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 85 countertop microwave ovens we track - how the scorecard works · full countertop microwave ovens data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Last refreshed Jun 13, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
At 950 watts and 1.1 cubic feet, this GE countertop microwave is sized for a dorm room, apartment or small kitchen, with a two-step child lock, weight-and-time defrost, and a rotating glass turntable in stainless steel.
GE sells this as an entry-level replacement rather than a feature-loaded unit, and reviewers upgrading from an older GE largely confirm that positioning: it's straightforward and reasonably priced. A couple of owners flagged shipping damage and a mandatory child lock that some found hard to disable, so it's worth checking the unit on arrival and reading the manual's lock instructions rather than guessing.
- 950-watt rated power
- 1.1 cubic foot capacity
- Two-step child lock
- 39 inch power cord
Who it's for
Suits anyone wanting a no-frills, compact microwave for a small kitchen, apartment or dorm, especially GE owners replacing a similar older model. Not the choice for buyers who want to permanently disable the child lock without digging into the manual.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Reviewers switching from an older GE said this one heats evenly and was an easy, affordable replacement. Complaints centered on the child lock being confusing to disable, one report of a grinding turntable noise after continued use, and a couple of accounts of units arriving with shipping damage.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Heats evenly for everyday use
- Compact footprint suits small kitchens
- Weight-based automatic defrost
- Affordable relative to comparable GE models
Performance notes
950 watts with a 1.1 cubic foot interior heats evenly enough for everyday reheating and defrosting, according to owners, and the weight-and-time defrost mode sets timing automatically once you enter food weight. The two-step child lock is on by default and a few reviewers needed the manual to figure out how to turn it off.
Specifications
| Brand | GE |
|---|---|
| Model | GCST11N1WSS |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 30 pounds |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 15.6 × 20.8 × 12 inches |
| Turntable Diameter | 12.7 inches |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Capacity | 1.1 cu ft |
| Defrost System Type | Defrost |
| Heating Method | Electric |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Wattage | 950 watts |
| Number of Power Levels | 10 |
| Voltage | 120 volts |
| Energy Consumption | 950 Watts |
| Power Consumption | 950 Watts |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Inner Material | Stainless Steel |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Installation Type | Countertop |
| Human Interface Input | Touchscreen |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | Turntable |
| Other details | |
| Control Type | Touch |
| Number of Programs | 6 |
| Cooking Program | Beverage, Defrost, Pizza, Popcorn, Reheat |
| Timer Function | Timer Function Available |
| Item Type Name | GE Countertop Microwave Oven, Compact 1.1 Cubic Ft., 950-watt Capacity, 6 Auto Cooking Settings, Child-Lock Technology, Kitchen Essentials for the Countertop, Dorm Room or Apartment, Stainless Steel |
| Additional Features | Child Safety Lock, Convenience Cooking Controls, Defrost, Instant On Controls |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Residential |
Other GE countertop microwave ovens
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in countertop microwave ovens.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE Countertop Microwave OvenThis product | 4.2 / 5 | 233 | 3.6 / 5 |
| COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/OffCOMFEE' | 4.4 / 5 | 28,000 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Countertop/Built-In with Inverter…Panasonic | 4.3 / 5 | 8,400 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Nostalgia RMO4BK Retro 0.9 Cubic Foot 800-Watt Countertop Microwave OvenNostalgia | 4.6 / 5 | 1,200 | 4.4 / 5 |
| TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu FtTOSHIBA | 4.4 / 5 | 32,299 | 4.3 / 5 |
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Questions about the GE GCST11N1WSS
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
How do I turn off the child lock on the GE GCST11N1WSS?
It ships with the two-step lock active by default; several reviewers said they had to consult the manual to find the disable sequence.
What size is the GE GCST11N1WSS microwave?
It's a compact 1.1 cubic foot, 950-watt unit sized for a small kitchen counter, dorm room or apartment.
Does the GCST11N1WSS have an auto defrost setting?
Yes, its weight and time defrost mode sets the power level and timing automatically once you enter the food's weight.