GE Countertop Microwave Oven
- Countertop Microwave Oven
- 2 cu ft
- 1200 watts
- Touch
- More reviewed than 63%
A large, fast-heating countertop microwave at a reasonable price, worth it if interior capacity and cook speed matter more to you than a stainless interior finish.
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How it ranks among the 85 countertop microwave ovens we track
4.2★ across 497 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
497 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
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
GE's stainless steel countertop microwave pairs a 2.0 cubic foot interior with a 1200-watt output, sensor cooking that adjusts time and power automatically, and a two-step child lock meant for shared kitchens like dorms or apartments.
The unit uses weight-and-time defrost, meaning you enter the food's weight and it calculates the defrost cycle rather than guessing at a preset. One buyer who contacted GE directly found the interior cavity is not stainless steel despite the exterior finish, a distinction worth knowing if that mattered to your purchase decision. The child lock disables with a screwdriver or fingernail if you don't need it in the household.
- Weight-and-time defrost calculates cycles automatically
- One-touch express cooking controls
- Glass turntable for even heating
- Kitchen timer and cooking-complete alarm included
Who it's for
A solid match for anyone upgrading from a smaller or older microwave who wants more interior room and faster heating, including dorm and apartment kitchens given the size. Skip it if you specifically want a stainless interior cavity, since only the exterior is stainless steel.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Buyers consistently call out the large capacity and quick heating at 1200 watts as the standout features, with several comparing it favorably to smaller or older microwaves they replaced. The most specific complaint is that the interior isn't actually stainless steel despite the exterior finish, and one buyer received a unit with bent plug prongs that needed straightening before use.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Large 2.0 cubic foot interior fits big dishes
- 1200 watts heats noticeably faster than smaller units
- Sensor cooking auto-adjusts time and power
- Two-step child lock, easy to disable if unneeded
- Interior cavity is not stainless steel despite finish
- Large size takes up meaningful counter space
- One report of bent plug prongs on arrival
Specifications
| Brand | GE |
|---|---|
| Model | GCST20S1WSS |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 48 pounds |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 19.4 × 24.1 × 13.8 inches |
| Turntable Diameter | 16 inches |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Capacity | 2 cu ft |
| Defrost System Type | Auto Defrost |
| Heating Method | Electric |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Wattage | 1200 watts |
| Number of Power Levels | 10 |
| Voltage | 120 volts |
| Energy Consumption | 1200 Watts |
| Power Consumption | 1200 Watts |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Inner Material | Stainless Steel |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Installation Type | Countertop |
| Human Interface Input | Buttons |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | Turntable |
| Other details | |
| Control Type | Touch |
| Number of Programs | 8 |
| Cooking Program | Beverage, Defrost, Pizza, Popcorn, Reheat |
| Timer Function | Timer Function Available |
| Item Type Name | GE Countertop Microwave Oven, 1,200-watt Capacity, 2.0 Cubic Ft., 8 Auto Setting Cooking Settings, Child-Lock Technology, Kitchen Essentials for the Countertop, Dorm Room or Apartment, Satinless Steel |
| Additional Features | Child Safety Lock, Defrost, Shortcut Keys, Timer, Turntable |
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
| 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 | 497 | 4.1 / 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 GCST20S1WSS
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
Is the GE GCST20S1WSS microwave's interior stainless steel?
No, one buyer confirmed with GE directly that only the exterior is stainless; the interior cavity uses a different material.
How do you turn off the child lock on this GE microwave?
A reviewer describes turning a switch to the off position with a screwdriver or fingernail, since it's a two-step mechanical safeguard rather than a menu setting.
What size dish fits in this microwave?
With a 2.0 cubic foot interior, reviewers describe fitting large casserole dishes and joke about turkey-sized capacity, though actual turkeys weren't tested.