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Countertop or Built-In: Which One Fits Your Kitchen?
Countertop is the more popular pick for overseas kitchens, since all it needs is an open counter and a standard outlet.
Built-in models integrate into cabinetry instead, running about 24 inches wide with height varying by model, and they're common in custom kitchens or on a yacht wired for European-standard power, even one docked stateside; it's worth asking a US-based customer what voltage the boat actually runs on before assuming a standard 110V unit fits.
Sizing follows a simple scale:
- 20L, about 0.7 cubic feet: the smaller end, easiest fit in a tight kitchen
- 25L: the standard, middle-of-the-range pick
- 30L up through 50L-plus: family-size, the largest capacities in the countertop lineup
Built-in models also add grill or convection-oven functions on the higher-end units, useful for folding oven duty into a smaller footprint. Sharp leads the pack as our best-selling microwave 220 volts brand, with Panasonic and Samsung both carried as solid alternatives.
These are generally 50Hz units, working across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the 220-volt islands of the Caribbean, though none of them run on standard US household power. A spec sheet might read 220V on one listing and a 240 volt microwave rating on the next; treat the two as interchangeable.
Three Steps From Checkout to Countertop
1. Decide Countertop or Built-In
Settle on the type first, then size it in liters, from a compact 20L unit up to a 50L-plus family model.
2. Boxed Up and Sent From Illinois
Microwaves are small enough to ship overseas, unlike our bulkier appliances, though freight runs expensive for a specific order; we box it and send it out promptly, stateside or abroad.
3. Wire It In and Start Cooking
There's no conversion to do since it's already built for 220-240V, 50Hz power; just get it wired into your outlet and start cooking.
What Sets Our Microwave Selection Apart
Genuine Overseas Models, Not Retrofitted Imports
Sharp, Panasonic, Samsung, and the rest of the brands here are built at the factory for 220-240V power, not a US unit converted after the sale.
A One-Year Parts Warranty You Can Count On
Every order includes a one-year parts warranty (no labor coverage); a unit that arrives defective or damaged gets replaced before it ever leaves for its destination.
Serving Overseas Kitchens Since 1979
Our roots trace back to 1979 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and we've spent that time pointing households and yacht owners toward the right voltage for their kitchen.
A Team That Knows Built-In Dimensions Matter
Whether you're sizing a countertop unit or matching a built-in model to your cabinetry, our team is available to talk it through before and after you order.
Take a look through the lineup above, settle on the size and style your kitchen calls for, and leave the shipping logistics to us.
FAQs
Can I use a 220V microwave oven in the USA or Canada?
No. These are designed exclusively for 220-240V power, and a standard 110-120V US or Canadian outlet falls well short of what they need to operate.
Can a 220V microwave work on 240V?
Yes. 220V and 240V are treated as the same rating in this collection, so a 220V unit runs fine on 240V power.
What is the difference between a 220V and 240V microwave?
Basically none. Both are overseas-only units built for the same voltage range; the number on the spec sheet doesn't change how it performs.
Does 50Hz or 60Hz matter when choosing 220-volt microwaves?
Yes. These are generally built for 50Hz, the standard overseas frequency, not the 60Hz used in the US, so stick with a 50Hz-rated model for your destination.
Do I need a voltage converter for a 220V microwave oven?
No. It's already wired for 220-240V power, so it plugs directly into an overseas outlet with nothing to convert.
Are 220V microwave ovens available with grill and convection functions?
Yes. Several countertop and built-in models add a grill function, and select models across both types combine microwave, grill, and convection oven in one unit.