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Galanz 0.7 Retro Review

This product is great if you value the retro look more than overall performance
galanz 0.7 retro microwave review
Credit: Galanz
Price:  $90 List
Manufacturer:   Galanz
By Matt Spencer & David Wise  ⋅  Mar 17, 2022
48
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 11
  • Heating - 40% 4.9
  • Frozen Foods - 30% 5.0
  • Defrosting - 20% 4.0
  • Ease of use - 10% 5.5

Our Verdict

The Galanz Retro is a great option for anyone who absolutely has to have appliances with a vintage look in their kitchen. Unfortunately, its overall performance in our side-by-side tests didn't make as much of a statement, earning it a lackluster score in our microwave testing results. It isn't the most consistent or even at heating up food. It delivered subpar results in our defrosting metric and isn't as easy to use as some of the more conventional-looking models. All in all, this isn't the kitchen appliance we would recommend for most people or anyone shopping for performance over appearance.
REASONS TO BUY
Stylish retro look
Available eco mode
REASONS TO AVOID
Dial for timer interface
Uneven heating
Editor's Note: This product review was newly added to our review lineup and first published on March 17, 2022

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros Stylish retro look, available eco modeGood at defrosting meatEasy to use, relatively inexpensive, excellent with prepared frozen itemsGood at reheating, does well with premade frozen foodsDid well at defrosting, fairly inexpensive
Cons Dial for timer interface, uneven heatingNot the most convenient to use, heating performance could be betterStruggled to defrost the ground turkeyDidn't defrost frozen turkey wellStruggled with some frozen foods, so-so heating results
Bottom Line This product is great if you value the retro look more than overall performanceThis product pairs average results with an average price, failing to stand out from the competitionThis product had mixed results overall, failing to distinguish it all that much from other productsThis larger product did decently well but we don't think it quite matches the performance of the top-tier modelsThis product failed to impress us too much, ranking close to the bottom of the overall
Rating Categories Galanz 0.7 Retro Panasonic NN-SB458S Toshiba EM925A5A Black+Decker EM031MB11 Black+Decker EM720CB7
Heating (40%)
4.9
6.2
6.3
6.1
4.9
Frozen Foods (30%)
5.0
6.7
8.0
7.4
4.0
Defrosting (20%)
4.0
7.0
2.0
4.0
8.0
Ease of use (10%)
5.5
5.5
7.7
6.8
6.1
Specs Galanz 0.7 Retro Panasonic NN-SB458S Toshiba EM925A5A Black+Decker EM031MB11 Black+Decker EM720CB7
Wattage 700 watts 900 watts 900 watts 1000 watts 700 watts
Size 0.7 cu. ft. 0.9 cu. ft. 0.9 cu. ft. 1.1 cu. ft. 0.7 cu. ft.
Dimensions (WxHxD) 15.75" x 20.90" x 12.90" 19.1" x 11.5" x 14.8" 19.2" x 11.5" x 15.9" 20.2" x 12.1" x 15.6" 17.3" x 10.3" x 13.0"
Turntable Diameter 9.6" 10.6" 10.6" 12.4" 10.0"
Internal Dimentions (WxHxD) 11.6 " x 7" x 10.1" 13.9" x 8.1" x 12.4" 13.7" x 8.7" x 12.3" 14.5" x 9.1" x 13.9" 12.1" x 8.1" x 12.0"
Child lock Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
45 Sec Heating Temp Rise 76 F 89 F 89 F 83 F 73 F

Our Analysis and Test Results

The dial interface and the unique appearance set this compact microwave apart from the competition, but it delivered a less than standout performance in our side-by-side tests.

Performance Comparison


galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - the galanz retro definitely has a distinctive look.
The Galanz Retro definitely has a distinctive look.
Credit: Laura Casner

Heating


Our side-by-side began by comparing how each microwave fared at heating up different types of food. The Galanz Retro failed to impress in this set of tests, which comprise 40% of its overall score.


Heat Map Test


Accounting for 35% of the total heating score, our heat map test consisted of spreading out a thin layer of marshmallow spread on parchment paper, then microwaving it. We based scores off the evenness of cooking and if there were any browned or burned spots.

galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - the galanz didn't impress in our heat map.
The Galanz didn't impress in our heat map.
Credit: Matt Spencer

The Galanz did quite poorly in this test, showing a noticeable hot spot in the center and a ring of overcooked marshmallow, with the very outside edge remaining noticeably cool.

Heating Speed Test


We used a measured volume of water in our heating speed test, recording the temperature rise after 45 seconds of heating to assess performance between products. This accounts for 20% of the Galanz's total score in this metric.


The Galanz Retro did a little better in this regard, able to increase the temperature of the water by 76°F and earning it a middle-of-the-road score.

galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - this appliance did about average in our heating speed test.
This appliance did about average in our heating speed test.
Credit: Matt Spencer

Leftover Heating


For our leftover heating test, we used the Galanz Retro to heat up a plate of mashed potatoes, green beans, and sausage. We compared how evenly each type of food was heated and if all three were warmed enough to serve to determine scores. This accounts for 15% of the total heating score.

galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - this product did quite well in this test, performing decently...
This product did quite well in this test, performing decently above-average.
Credit: Matt Spencer

The Galanz Retro actually did very well in this test, earning it an above-average score. There was only about 10°F of temperature variation throughout the mashed potatoes and sausage and about 15°F for the green beans. Everything could be eaten right out of the microwave, though we felt the mashed potatoes could have been a little warmer.

Soup Heating


Accounting for 15% of the total heating score, we used a can of premade soup for our next test. We heated up the soup in a bowl following the directions, then gave it a quick stir to even out the temperature, assessing performance with a digital thermometer.

galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - this product continued to do well in this test.
This product continued to do well in this test.
Credit: Matt Spencer

The Retro again did decently well, getting the soup to 140°F — more than enough to serve immediately in our minds.

Pizza Heating


Responsible for the remaining 15% of the score in the heating metric, our last test focused on each microwave's ability to reheat pizza. We used two slices of pizza for this assessment, measuring performance with an IR temperature gun.

galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - however, we found this product lacked pizzazz when it came to pizza.
However, we found this product lacked pizzazz when it came to pizza.
Credit: Matt Spencer

The Retro wrapped up this metric with a mediocre performance. We saw wide temperature swings across the slice, with some areas being practically cool to the touch.

Frozen Foods


For our frozen foods metric, we used a single-size lasagna, frozen burrito, and Hot Pocket to rate and rank performance. We heated each one up according to the manufacturer's directions, then used an array of digital thermometers to compare the evenness of heating and assess if the item was sufficiently heated. This accounts for 30% of the overall score, with the Galanz Retro meriting another mediocre result.

galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - there was minimal temperature variation across the hot pocket.
There was minimal temperature variation across the Hot Pocket.
Credit: Matt Spencer

This microwave got off to a poor start with the frozen burrito, with this microwave failing to heat the entire thing to the requisite serving temperature. The edges of the burrito were also about 80°F warmer than the middle. It did about average with the mini-lasasgna, though the right half was a bit on the cooler side. There was about 25°F of variation between the different zones. Fortunately, it did finish off with a strong showing with the Hot Pocket, evenly heating it with only minimal temperature fluctuations between zones.

Defrosting


We tasked each microwave with defrosting a one-pound block of frozen meat for this metric, responsible for 20% of each appliance's overall score. We used the defrost setting for each microwave, with the Galanz Retro earning a subpar score.

galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - just over half of the meat was successfully defrosted.
Just over half of the meat was successfully defrosted.
Credit: Matt Spencer

This microwave beeped once and stopped notifying you to flip the meat over partway through. Just over half the meat was fully defrosted at the end of the 12-minute cycles, with the remaining part fairly easy to break apart. However, the corners were starting to get close to cooking.

Ease of Use


For our final metric, worth the remaining 10% of the total score for each appliance, we compared the overall user-friendliness of each product. We also looked at how effective the preset functions are, using popcorn as our test case. The Galanz Retro again delivered uninspiring results.

galanz 0.7 retro microwave review - the dial interface on this model wasn't our favorite.
The dial interface on this model wasn't our favorite.
Credit: Laura Casner

It has decent interior lighting but is limited to the "+30 Seconds" when it comes to quick buttons. It can't be used as a standalone timer and we noticed it doesn't take a ton of force to slide it around on a counter. Fortunately, it did quite well with the popcorn test. It had a decent amount of leftover kernels but we appreciated that none of it tasted burnt.

Should You Buy the Galanz Retro?


For most people, the answer is no. The main standout feature of this microwave is its appearance, so unless you are shopping solely for a vintage-looking product. Otherwise, we would suggest a more conventional, comparably-priced model that scored higher overall.

What Other Microwaves Should You Consider?


The Panasonic NN-SN936B is an excellent other option to consider. It earned one of the higher performances overall and is a top-tier appliance — although it is a bit costly. The Toshiba EM131A5C is also a great value option if you don't want to fork over too much cash for good performance.

Matt Spencer & David Wise
 
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