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Sharp Carousel 1.1 Cu. Ft. Microwave Review: Plain, Even-Heating and Quiet, With the Usual Lemon Risk

The Sharp Carousel 1.1 Cu Ft Microwave ZSMC1131CW is a simple even-heating microwave, best for small kitchens. Rated 4.4 out of 5 across 926 user ratings. The main drawback: short power cord. We scored it 4.3 out of 5.

By Whimsical Pris, Kitchen Editor Published September 26, 2026 Updated September 26, 2026
4.3Our score
SHARP White Carousel 1.1 Cu. Ft. 1000W Countertop Microwave Oven (ISTA 6 Packaging), Cubic Foot, 1000 Watts SHARP White Carousel 1.1 Cu. Ft. 1000W Countertop Microwave Oven (ISTA 6 Packaging), Cubic Foot, 1000 Watts, view 2 SHARP White Carousel 1.1 Cu. Ft. 1000W Countertop Microwave Oven (ISTA 6 Packaging), Cubic Foot, 1000 Watts, view 3
Product gallery, 3 images

Prices shown were correct on September 26, 2026 and change frequently.

TL;DRThe Short Answer: Is the Sharp Carousel 1.1 Cu Ft Microwave ZSMC1131CW Worth It?

This Sharp does the basics well and deliberately skips everything else: 1000 watts, a +30 second key, Express Cook and auto defrost, with no eco modes or sensor tricks to learn. What you give up is any clever feature, and a few units fail early, so the warranty that covers the magnetron for five years is worth knowing about.

NoFussDeal rates the Sharp Carousel 1.1 Cu Ft Microwave ZSMC1131CW 4.3 out of 5 at $149.97. Last updated September 26, 2026.

Key Facts

Capacity
1.1 cubic feet
Product Dimensions
18.9"D x 17.1"W x 11.5"H
Wattage
1000 watts
Voltage
120 volts_of_alternating_current
Material
Steel
Color
White

What Stands Out

  1. 1000 watts and 10 power levels in a 1.1 cubic foot cavity
  2. 11.2-inch carousel turntable that takes a standard dinner plate
  3. +30 second key, Express Cook for one-touch cooking up to 6 minutes, auto defrost and presets
  4. Child safety lock
  5. Warranty: 1 year parts and labor, plus 4 more years on magnetron parts

Strengths and Drawbacks

What works

  • Heats evenly with 1000 watts of power
  • Simple buttons including a +30 second instant start
  • Takes an 11-inch dinner plate but saves counter space
  • Runs quietly with a soft door closure
  • Magnetron parts covered for 5 years in total

What does not

  • Some units fail early
  • Short power cord
  • Interior light does not come on with the door open
  • Glass tray can lift off its support when sliding plates
  • Needs ventilation space and overheats in a tight cabinet

Features in Depth

01

1000 Watts and 10 Power Levels

Wattage 1000 watts Capacity 1.1 cubic feet Number of Power Levels 10

A 1000-watt output with 10 power levels covers everything from gentle defrosting to fast reheating in the 1.1 cubic foot cavity.

$149.97 4.3/5 Check price
02

11.2-Inch Carousel Turntable

Turntable Diameter 11.2 inches Inner Material Stainless Steel

The 11.2-inch glass turntable rotates food for even cooking and takes 11-inch dinner plates.

$149.97 4.3/5 Check price
03

Simple One-Touch Controls

Number of Programs 10 Express Cook Up to 6 minutes

The touch pad has a +30 second key for instant start, Express Cook for one-touch cooking up to 6 minutes, auto defrost, cooking presets, a timer and a child safety lock.

$149.97 4.3/5 Check price
04

Size, Placement and Warranty

Product Dimensions 18.9"D x 17.1"W x 11.5"H Item Weight 30 pounds Warranty 1 year parts and labor, plus 4 years magnetron parts

The white steel cabinet measures 18.9 x 17.1 x 11.5 inches and weighs 30 pounds. Sharp covers parts and labor for 1 year and magnetron parts for an additional 4 years.

$149.97 4.3/5 Check price

How We Scored It

Based on
The manufacturer's published specifications and the product's live Amazon listing.
Owner rating
4.4 out of 5 on Amazon, recorded September 26, 2026
How we score
We score each thing that comes up most in owner feedback on the SHARP White Carousel. Eight things come up most in owner feedback: three draw praise, four split opinion and one draws mostly complaints. Its ratings average 4.4 stars (71% five stars, 16% four, 6% three and 7% one or two), so every score starts at 88, that average on a 100 point scale. Where opinion is split, we take off 6. Where it draws mostly complaints, we take off 12. Then we read ten owner reviews in full (every one we found gave it four or five stars) and move the score up to 5 points either way depending on how the owners who mention it rated the product. Our overall score starts from the same 4.4 star average and loses 0.1 for each thing that draws mostly complaints, with 0.1 more when at least a tenth of ratings are one star, never more than 0.3 in all. Here that takes off 0.1, which gives 4.3. Read our editorial standards

Size

Sharp lists the product dimensions as 18.9"D x 17.1"W x 11.5"H and the capacity as 1.1 cubic feet. Three of the ten owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 93: we started at 88 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

93Positive

Noise

Two of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion…

Read the full note (410 characters)

Two of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

82Mixed

Control Panel

Sharp lists the controller type as Touch. One of the ten owner reviews we read mentions it, and that owner gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we sta…

Read the full note (451 characters)

Sharp lists the controller type as Touch. One of the ten owner reviews we read mentions it, and that owner gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

82Mixed

Cooking Time

Sharp lists the cooking program as 1 (minimum). Three of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 8…

Read the full note (460 characters)

Sharp lists the cooking program as 1 (minimum). Three of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

82Mixed

Interior Light

Three of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opini…

Read the full note (412 characters)

Three of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

82Mixed

Durability

Two of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 76: we started at 88 and took off 12 because it dra…

Read the full note (421 characters)

Two of the ten owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 13% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 76: we started at 88 and took off 12 because it draws mostly complaints.

76Needs Improvement

Owner Satisfaction

71% of ratings are five stars and 16% are four. 6% are three stars and 7% are one or two. The spread skews positive, but enough ratings sit low that the drawbacks below are worth reading. Score 88: its 4.4 star average on a 100 point scale.

88Positive

Specifications

Size and weight

Capacity
1.1 cubic feet
Product Dimensions
18.9"D x 17.1"W x 11.5"H

Power

Wattage
1000 watts
Voltage
120 volts_of_alternating_current

Materials and warranty

Material
Steel
Color
White

What Buyers Say

Based on 926 Amazon customer ratings, averaging 4.4 out of 5, recorded 12 September 2026. See the reviews on Amazon

★★★★★

Good size and easy use

This is my 3rd microwave I purchased. The first 2 I returned. This one is simple. No fancy eco settings. Just plain simple buttons. Good wattage, heats efficiently and consistently. I'm happ… Read it on Amazon
Liz · June 20, 2022 · Verified
★★★★★

Feature rich great microwave

Love, love, love this microwave. I had a Sharp microwave for 25+ years and when I was ready for a new one I was unable to find a Sharp at any of the stores by me...so I bought another brand.… Read it on Amazon
Book Maven · October 3, 2017 · Verified
★★★★☆

Keep still.

The only problem I have with this product is that the glass turntable tray is often comes off its platform when pushing or pulling a plate, etc from the oven. I wish the cord was a few inche… Read it on Amazon
The Speaker · June 1, 2026 · Verified
★★★★★

Gotta love an appliance that does it's job!

So, we have one of these microwaves at my work and it is my favorite! It heats up lunch evenly and quickly. When our old microwave went out I was excited to purchase this one in its place an… Read it on Amazon
I Make Stuff · July 12, 2020 · Verified
★★★★★

THIS!

I had a sharp microwave for 17 years. 17 YEARS! and I used it every day. it crapped out and while I was still grieving over the loss I purchased a different brand, at a higher price. I don't… Read it on Amazon
ninjacb · April 16, 2022 · Verified
★★★★★

Great mucrowave

Great microwave. Our build in cabinet above the counter spot would not work for this microwave. We needed a bit mire room all around and on top to vent better. The microwave would get too ho… Read it on Amazon
TSokol · February 1, 2021 · Verified

Setting It Up

  1. Leave room to vent

    Place it on a countertop or open shelf with space around and above it. Enclosing it in a tight cabinet can make it overheat and shut itself off.

  2. Put it near a socket

    The power cord is short. Plug it straight into a wall socket where possible; if you must use a power strip or extension, make sure it is rated for at least 1000 watts and is not shared with other appliances.

  3. Seat the turntable

    Fit the 11.2-inch glass tray onto its support and check it sits flat before first use.

  4. Try the +30 second key

    Press +30 seconds to start heating straight away, or use Express Cook for one-touch times up to 6 minutes.

Common Questions

Is the Sharp Carousel 1.1 Cu Ft Microwave ZSMC1131CW worth it?

For most buyers, yes: we score it 4.3 out of 5. Sharp's 1.1 cubic foot Carousel is a no-nonsense microwave: 1000 watts, an 11.2-inch turntable, a +30 second key and Express Cook, with nothing extra to learn. Rated 4.4 out of 5 across 926 user ratings.

What are the downsides of the Sharp Carousel 1.1 Cu Ft Microwave ZSMC1131CW?

Interior light does not come on with the door open. Glass tray can lift off its support when sliding plates.

How do you clean the Sharp Carousel 1.1 Cu Ft Microwave ZSMC1131CW?

Wipe the cavity and tray after spills.

How does popcorn work on the Sharp Carousel 1.1 Cu Ft Microwave ZSMC1131CW?

The popcorn preset can leave very few unpopped kernels without scorching the bag.

On Video

6 videos

SHARP Carousel 1.1 Cu. Ft. 1000W Countertop Microwave Oven

Alex's Reviews
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  1. SHARP Carousel 1.1 Cu. Ft. 1000W Countertop Microwave Oven Alex's Reviews
  2. SHARP Black Carousel 1.1 Cu. Ft. 1000W Countertop Microwave Oven (ISTA 6 Packaging) Alex's Reviews
  3. SHARP White Carousel 1.4 Cu. Ft. 1000W Countertop Microwave Oven (ISTA 6 Packaging) Alex's Reviews
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  5. SHARP Carousel 1.4 Cu. Ft. 1000W Countertop Microwave Oven Coffee Maker Reviews
  6. Features of Sharp Countertop Black Microwave (SMC1131CB) Sharp Home USA

The Verdict

4.3Out of 5

Sharp's 1.1 cubic foot Carousel is a no-nonsense microwave: 1000 watts, an 11.2-inch turntable, a +30 second key and Express Cook, with nothing extra to learn. It heats evenly and runs quietly, and it fits in small spaces. The drawbacks are minor quirks, a short cord, a tray that can lift off its support and a light that stays off with the door open, plus the more serious risk of an early failure. Give it room to vent and test it well while you can still return it.

Who should buy it

  • Anyone who wants simple buttons
  • Small kitchens, condos and pantry setups
  • People replacing an older Sharp who liked the familiar layout
  • Offices and break rooms that mainly reheat meals

A dependable everyday choice for reheating, defrosting and popcorn without extra features. Plan for the short cord and ventilation, and lean on the warranty if yours turns out to be a dud.

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