Comfee EM720CPL-PMB Review

On a budget and short on space? The Comfee EM720CPL-PMB is your solution. It offers a range of preset heating options, making dinner prep a breeze, and its compact design is perfect for those with limited counter space. This microwave handles common tasks like reheating leftovers effortlessly, and its interface is intuitive thanks to its thoughtful button layout. But, due to its small footprint, you might want to consider something with a larger plate if you're planning to heat large dishes or defrost meals for a family. Additionally, the overall build quality falls short of premium models. Still, if you're budget-conscious, the Comfee earns a top spot for those on a budget.

Performance Comparison

Heating

We started our tests with the most important aspect of microwaves: heating. To do so, we rated each microwave in a series of five subtests. We started with a heat map test to see how evenly the microwave power was spread. Then we assessed the heating speed by testing pre and post-microwave water temperatures. Finally, we warmed up an assortment of foods, including soup, leftovers, and pizza.

Heat Map Test

In our heat mapping assessment, we applied a thin layer of marshmallow fluff onto a circular piece of parchment paper custom-cut to fit within the microwave. We chose marshmallow fluff for its distinctive discoloration when heated, serving as a clear visual indicator of varying heat distribution. This evaluation contributes to 35% of the overall heating score.

Unfortunately, the Comfee fell short here. The marshmallow fluff was burnt in the center while remaining gooey around the perimeter. Clearly, we see this microwave is capable of heating up small things well but falls off drastically near the edges.

Heating Speed Test

To impartially assess the heating performance of each product, we adopted a 125 mL water-filled beaker as our testing medium. Positioned at the microwave's center, we heat the vessel for 45 seconds. We then gauged the difference in water temperature pre and post-microwave, with a larger difference indicating a quicker heating speed. This segment contributes to 20% of the overall heating score.

The Comfee isn't the best at heating its contents quickly. It raised the 125mL beaker of water from 43 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a difference of 67 degrees. This small device needs more time to heat up things effectively, but that's to be expected in a small, budget microwave.

Leftover Heating

In our test to reheat leftovers, we placed a 12-ounce dinner plate containing pre-cooked sausage links, mashed potatoes, and green beans into the microwave. Because this unit lacks a preprogrammed sensor reheat function, we selectively heated the items for six minutes and 30 seconds.

The Comfee was close to getting the food to an ideal temperature but didn't quite make it with the extended cooking time. Everything was warmed to an edible temperature, but we found it needed another 30 seconds or so. This rang especially true for the potatoes as they lagged behind the most.

Soup Heating

Some microwaves excel at warming the various textures and consistencies that soups may have. Others struggle to evenly heat the contents. With many foods having soup-like consistencies, we wanted to ensure these microwaves could stand up to the challenge.

Heating soup is where the Comfee EM720CPL-PMB stands out amongst its competitors. It was able to get soup to just the right temperature for consumption at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The soup was ready to go right away.

Pizza Heating

Concluding the assessment and accounting for the final 15% of the total heating score, our last test centered on reheating pizza. We reheated the pizza slices and then employed an infrared temperature gun to compare the temperature consistency across each slice.

Due to this model being on the lower side at 700 watts, we heated the pizza slices for one minute instead of 45 seconds. The temperature was decently consistent across the two slices. It ranged between 130 to 163 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfectly edible, but we would've liked it to be a tad hotter. Just a few extra seconds in the microwave would have likely done the trick, though slightly longer than the others in this lineup.

Frozen Foods

Our following testing criteria evaluated how well each microwave performed in heating prepackaged frozen items such as Hot Pockets or frozen burritos. We placed a primary emphasis on the uniformity of heating and utilized a set of digital probe thermometers to gauge the microwave's performance.

This product struggled with the frozen burrito on a high setting. The outer portion of the tortilla was a little tough but not burnt, while the inside remained quite cool. College students and burrito lovers, beware. Again, it struggled when it came to frozen lasagna. The temperature range on the lasagna was evenly distributed, with only a 13-degree variance. However, it remained too cold for consumption, failing to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, we examined the microwave's performance when heating a Hot Pocket, which delivered satisfactory results. The Hot Pocket was heated quite evenly, with the center remaining slightly cooler at 170 degrees and the sides reaching 191 to 198 degrees. Though we hoped for a crisper exterior, we were pleased with the above-average results.

Defrosting

This assessment is founded on the microwave's effectiveness in thawing a one-pound block of ground meat. This accounts for 20% of the final score, and the Comfee did well.

After 11 minutes and 36 seconds, the majority of the meat was successfully thawed without any of it being cooked, which is exactly what you want from a defrost setting. Only a small portion of the meat remained slightly frozen and proved challenging to fully break apart. While it may not be the quickest defrosting process ever, the results were quite satisfactory, especially considering the microwave's compact size.

Ease of Use

The quick buttons enhance the user-friendliness of this product, especially when you're in a rush. The internal lighting effectively improves visibility while cooking, heating, or thawing your food. There's also a handy 30-second start button and express cook buttons when you need to add time. One downside is the instability of the unit. Though the device comes with non-slip feet, it can sometimes move if you yank open the handle.

Should You Buy the Comfee EM720CPL-PMB?

If you don't require the extensive features of larger, pricier microwaves, the Comfee EM720CPL-PMB is a great choice. It's compact and fits easily on any kitchen counter, making reheating leftovers a breeze. However, if you're looking for advanced features or need to cater to a family, you might want to explore higher-priced options.

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