There is a moment in every move that catches you off guard. For me it was standing in my empty new kitchen, takeaway containers on the bench, realising I did not even have a way to reheat last night’s leftovers. That is when the Midea MM7P012MZ(W) Microwave Oven earned its spot as the first appliance I unpacked, and honestly, the one I now use every single day.
Moving into a studio apartment means every appliance has to earn its place. There is no spare cupboard for gadgets you only use twice a year. The Midea is compact by design, with a footprint that tucks neatly onto a narrow benchtop without swallowing up my already limited bench space. It arrived with a simple white finish that suits the clean, minimal look I was going for in my new place, and it did not take up the visual real estate that bulkier smart microwaves tend to.
What struck me first was how straightforward the whole thing feels. In a world of overcomplicated touchscreens, the Midea runs on a mechanical knob control, which means no manuals, no app pairing, no guesswork. You twist a dial, you set your time, you are done. For someone settling into a new routine in a new city, that kind of simplicity is genuinely underrated.
Here is what stood out to me as I put it through its paces over the past week.
20 litre cavity. The interior is roomy enough to fit a standard dinner plate or a 9 inch pizza on the 245mm turntable, which has made it the easy answer to “what is for dinner” more nights than I would like to admit.
700W of power with 5 power levels. This gives you the flexibility to go from a gentle reheat to a full defrost or fast cook, depending on what you are working with. I have used the lower settings for melting chocolate without scorching it, and the higher settings for reheating a full plate of last night’s roast.
Defrost by weight and time. This is the feature I did not know I needed. Rather than guessing at defrost times, you can set it according to the weight of what you are thawing, which has saved me from more than one lukewarm, half frozen chicken breast disaster.
High strength enamel coating. The interior cavity is coated in enamel that resists scratches and rust, and wipes down easily after the inevitable soup splatter or sauce explosion. As someone who does not love spending my evenings scrubbing appliances, this one small detail makes a real difference.
Open button with rubberised feet. It sounds like a minor thing until you are juggling grocery bags and need the door to open with one nudge. The rubberised feet also keep it steady on the benchtop, which matters more than you would think in a smaller kitchen where things get bumped often.
Child safety lock. Even in a share house or a studio, this is a thoughtful inclusion for anyone with younger visitors or family staying over.
The microwave market is crowded with over engineered options that promise the world and deliver a learning curve. The Midea takes the opposite approach. It is unapologetically simple, reliable, and built for people who just want their appliances to work without fuss. For apartment living especially, where space and simplicity both matter, that philosophy feels refreshingly honest.
It also strikes a nice balance between form and function. The enamel interior and rubberised feet are small design choices that show a level of care not always present in appliances at this size and price point, while the mechanical dial keeps the learning curve at zero.
If you are furnishing a new place, whether that is your first studio or a downsize into something smaller, the Midea MM7P012MZ(W) checks the boxes that actually matter. It is compact enough not to dominate your kitchen, powerful enough to handle real cooking and reheating needs, and simple enough that there is no setup stress on day one. For anyone moving into a new city or a new chapter, that kind of low maintenance reliability is worth more than a long list of features you will never use.
Note: pricing for this appliance varies by retailer and region. I would recommend checking current pricing directly with Midea or your preferred appliance retailer before publishing or purchasing, as figures can shift.
Recipes to Try
One of the best parts of settling into a new kitchen is rediscovering how much you can do with a good microwave. Here are a few recipes that have become regulars in my new apartment routine.
Mug Chocolate Cake. Whisk together 4 tablespoons of flour, 4 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, a pinch of baking powder, 3 tablespoons of milk, and 3 tablespoons of oil directly in a large mug. Microwave on high for around 90 seconds. It is the perfect one person dessert for a night in.
Steamed Jasmine Rice. Combine 1 cup of rinsed rice with 2 cups of water in a microwave safe bowl with a loose lid. Cook on high for around 10 minutes, then let it stand covered for 5 minutes before fluffing. A reliable side dish without dirtying a stovetop pot.
Poached Eggs. Crack an egg into a small bowl of water with a splash of vinegar, cover loosely, and microwave on medium for around 60 seconds. It has become my new weekend breakfast trick when I do not want to deal with a saucepan.
Steamed Veggies with a Twist. Chop broccoli, carrot, and snow peas, add a splash of water, cover, and microwave on high for 4 to 5 minutes. Toss with soy sauce, sesame oil, and a squeeze of lime for an easy weeknight side.
Defrost and Reheat Sunday Roast Leftovers. Use the defrost by weight setting to safely thaw portioned leftovers from the freezer, then finish with a reheat on medium power for even warming without the dry, rubbery edges you get from rushing it on high.
Settling into a new home is never just about the big furniture pieces. Sometimes it is the small, reliable appliances that make the space feel liveable, and for me, this one has quietly become part of the daily rhythm of my new studio.
