Best Microwave Ovens of 2026

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark
Last Updated: 10 Feb 2026

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Microwave ovens are a convenient and efficient way to cook or heat up food quickly. They use electromagnetic radiation to heat and cook food, which is absorbed by the water, fat and sugar molecules in the food. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, from countertop models to built-in options. Microwave ovens are a popular choice for busy households and those who want to save time in the kitchen. While they may not be suitable for all types of cooking, they are a useful addition to any kitchen for reheating leftovers, defrosting food, and cooking certain dishes.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven with Auto Cook Cover #TOP 1
Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven with Auto Cook
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Russell Hobbs RHM2076S Silver 20L Digital Microwave Cover #TOP 2
Russell Hobbs RHM2076S Silver 20L Digital Microwave
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20L Black Microwave Cover #TOP 3
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20L Black Microwave
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Microwave Ovens

Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven with Auto Cook

ML-EM23P(BS)
Black
Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven with Auto Cook Cover
Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven with Digital Display, Auto Defrost, One-touch Express Cook with 6 Pre-Programmed Auto Cook, and Easy Clean - Black - ML-EM23P(BS)

The Toshiba Microwave Oven offers a powerful 800w solo cooking experience with a spacious 23L capacity, perfect for busy kitchens. With the Express Cook feature, you can start cooking instantly by selecting a time from just one second to six minutes, making meal preparation quick and easy. The handy defrost option lets you defrost by weight, ensuring your food is ready to cook precisely when you need it. Additionally, the microwave operates quietly thanks to its 5 blade fan, allowing you to use it without disturbing your household.

What We Like
Quick cooking options
Easy defrosting features
Quiet operation
Child lock safety

Russell Hobbs RHM2076S Silver 20L Digital Microwave

Russell Hobbs
RHM2076S-AZ
Silver
Russell Hobbs RHM2076S Silver 20L Digital Microwave Cover
Russell Hobbs RHM2076S-AZ 20 Litre 800 W Silver Digital Solo Microwave with 5 Power Levels, Automatic Defrost, 8 Auto Cook Menus, Clock and Timer, Easy Clean

The Russell Hobbs RHM2076S Microwave offers an 800 W power output, making your cooking quick and efficient. Its mirrored door finish adds a sleek, modern look to your kitchen. With a 20-litre cavity, you can easily fit a standard dinner plate, and the removable glass turntable makes cleaning simple and dishwasher safe. The microwave also features handy pre-programmed auto cook menus for dishes like pizza and popcorn, allowing you to prepare meals at the touch of a button. Additionally, the automatic defrost function saves you time by selecting the perfect defrosting duration based on your food’s weight.

What We Like
800 W quick cooking power
Stylish mirrored door finish
Spacious 20 litre cavity
Easy-clean removable turntable
Convenient auto cook menus

Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20L Black Microwave

Russell Hobbs
RHM2076B
Black
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20L Black Microwave Cover
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20 Litre 800 W Black Digital Solo Microwave with 5 Power Levels, Automatic Defrost, 8 Auto Cook Menus, Clock and Timer, Easy Clean

The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B Microwave offers a sleek black design with a mirrored finish, adding a modern touch to your kitchen. With 800W of power, it ensures quick and efficient cooking, perfect for busy lifestyles. The easy clean feature, including a removable glass turntable that is dishwasher safe, makes maintenance a breeze. Additionally, the microwave comes with pre-programmed auto cook menus for dishes like pizza and popcorn, allowing you to prepare meals at the push of a button, saving you time and effort.

What We Like
Sleek design with mirrored finish
Easy to clean
Quick cooking power
Pre-programmed cooking options
Large capacity for dinner plates

Toshiba 20L 800W Compact Microwave Oven

MM-MM20P(WH)
White
Toshiba 20L 800W Compact Microwave Oven Cover
TOSHIBA 20 Liter 800W Manual Control Solo Small Microwave, Compact with 5 Power Levels, Automatic Defrost Function, Perfect for 9'' pizza, Clock and Timer, Easy Clean, White- MM-MM20P(WH)

The Toshiba Compact Microwave is designed for convenience in smaller spaces. Its 20-litre capacity is perfect for standard dinner plates, allowing you to easily prepare meals like a 9-inch pizza. With 800 watts and 5 power settings, cooking a variety of foods, from popcorn to frozen vegetables, becomes effortless. The automatic defrost feature ensures even thawing without overheating, which is ideal for busy individuals who want quick and effective meal preparation.

What We Like
Space-saving design
Easy to clean
Versatile cooking options
Efficient defrosting

Russell Hobbs 20 Litre Microwave with Timer

Russell Hobbs
RHMM827SS
Stainless Steel
Russell Hobbs 20 Litre Microwave with Timer Cover
Russell Hobbs Stainless Steel Microwave 20 Litre 800W Solo Manual with 5 Power Levels, Defrost Function & Easy Clean, 35 Minute Timer, RHMM827SS

The Russell Hobbs Microwave offers powerful performance with its 800W heating capability, ensuring your food is heated to perfection. Its compact design makes it ideal for kitchens with limited space, while the five power levels allow you to tailor your cooking to suit different dishes. Additionally, the 35-minute timer provides precise control, so you can set the cooking time and focus on other tasks without worry.

What We Like
Powerful 800W performance
Compact and space-saving design
Five adjustable power levels
Convenient 35-minute timer
#TOP 6

Toshiba 20L 800W Digital Solo Microwave

MM-EM20P(WH)
White
Toshiba 20L 800W Digital Solo Microwave Cover
TOSHIBA 20 Liter 800W Digital Solo Small Microwave With 11 Power Levels, One-touch Express Cook with 6 Preset Recipe, Defrost, Digital Display, Perfect for 9'' pizza, Easy Clean, White- MM-EM20P(WH)

The Toshiba Solo Microwave is a compact 20-litre appliance designed for convenience in smaller kitchens. With 11 power levels, you can easily cook a variety of foods, from popcorn to frozen vegetables, tailored to your needs. The one-touch express cook feature includes six preset recipes, allowing you to prepare meals quickly with minimal effort. You can also defrost food evenly, ensuring it’s ready for cooking without any risk of overheating, making it ideal for last-minute snacks or leftovers.

What We Like
Compact size for small spaces
Multiple power settings available
Quick one-touch cooking options
Even defrosting feature
#TOP 7

Samsung MS23K3513AK Solo Microwave, 23 Litre

MS23K3513AK/EU
Black
Samsung MS23K3513AK Solo Microwave, 23 Litre Cover
Samsung MS23K3513AK Solo Microwave, 23 Litre, Black

The Samsung Solo Microwave offers a 23-litre capacity, making it ideal for heating meals and snacks efficiently. This microwave oven is designed to simplify your cooking experience, allowing you to quickly prepare your favourite dishes with ease. With its sleek black design, it not only serves a practical purpose but also enhances your kitchen's aesthetics. The brand’s reputation for reliability ensures that you are investing in a durable kitchen appliance that meets your everyday cooking needs.

What We Like
Spacious 23-litre capacity
Sleek black design
Reliable brand reputation
Easy to use
#TOP 8

Hisense H23MOBSD1HUK 23L 800W Microwave

H23MOBSD1HUK
Black
23 litres
Hisense H23MOBSD1HUK 23L 800W Microwave Cover
Hisense H23MOBSD1HUK 23 Litre 800W electronic Microwave with Auto Defrost, Digital Display, Smart Cook, Multi level cooking and Easy Clean- Black

The Hisense H23MOBSD1HUK Microwave offers a generous 23-litre capacity with a 28.5cm turntable, making it ideal for heating large dinner plates with ease. Its 800-watt power output ensures your food cooks quickly and evenly, saving you time in the kitchen. The built-in timer helps you cook your meals to perfection by allowing precise control over cooking duration. Additionally, the automatic programmes take away the guesswork, so you can enjoy perfectly cooked dishes without any hassle or confusion.

What We Like
Large 23L capacity
Quick 800W cooking
Precise cooking timer
Automatic cooking programmes
#TOP 9

Samsung MC28H5013AS 28 Litre Microwave Oven

MC28H5013AS/EU
Silver
Samsung MC28H5013AS 28 Litre Microwave Oven Cover
Samsung MC28H5013AS Combination Microwave, 900W, 28 Litre, Silver

The Samsung MC28H5013AS Microwave offers a range of convenient features to enhance your cooking experience. With healthy cooking pre-set menus, you can effortlessly prepare nutritious meals. The power defrost function allows you to quickly and evenly defrost frozen foods, saving you time in the kitchen. Eco mode helps you reduce standby power usage, leading to savings on your energy bills. Additionally, the fermentation function enables you to make your own yoghurt or experiment with bread making, giving you a chance to enjoy homemade treats.

What We Like
Healthy cooking options available
Quick and even defrosting
Energy-saving Eco mode
Homemade yoghurt and bread

Panasonic NN-ST48KSBPQ Inverter Microwave Oven

NN-ST48KSBPQ
Stainless Steel
Panasonic NN-ST48KSBPQ Inverter Microwave Oven Cover
Panasonic NN-ST48KSBPQ Inverter Microwave Oven with Glass Turntable, 32L, 1000W, 25 Auto Programmes, Auto Defrost, 7 Power Levels, Timer, Digital LED Display, Stainless Steel Exterior

The Panasonic Inverter Microwave offers a generous 32L capacity, perfect for cooking larger dishes for the entire family. With its Genius Sensor, you can enjoy perfectly cooked meals every time, as it adjusts cooking times based on internal steam levels. The Healthy Junior Menu is ideal for catering to picky eaters, providing three automatic programmes for nutritious options. Additionally, the intuitive touch controls make operating this microwave simple and effortless, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your meals.

What We Like
Large capacity for family meals
Genius Sensor for perfect results
Healthy options for children
Easy-to-use touch controls
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the most reliable brand of microwave oven?

Microwaves from Breville, Hamilton Beach, Insignia, LG, Proctor-Silex, and Signature Kitchen Suite stand out as the most reliable brands; all six brands earn an Excellent rating. Seven of the 32 brands in our survey earn a Very Good rating.

2. What is the difference between a microwave and a microwave oven?

"Microwave" is just short for "microwave oven". Both terms mean the same thing: an appliance that uses microwave radiation to heat food. Cooking food in this way is called "microwaving". An oven, on the other hand, has a heating element which heats the air inside, which then heats the food.

3. Are microwaves or ovens better?

Because they heat the food from the inside out (rather than outside-in), microwave ovens have a better cooking efficiency (the % of energy that heats food during the cooking cycle) than electric or gas convection ovens. Microwaves also use less electrical power than conventional type electric ovens.

Editor's Notes

During our microwave oven research, we found 228 microwave oven products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 362,259 customer reviews through our big data system to write the microwave ovens list. We found that most customers choose microwave ovens with an average price of £78.77.

The microwave ovens are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of microwave ovens, including Toshiba, Russell Hobbs, Samsung, Hisense, Panasonic.

Written by
Mohammed Clark Avatar

Mohammed Clark is an architect and a contractor. His architectural skills are not limited to designing the plan for structures alone, but it extends to aesthetics and home décor. Before establishing his firm, he worked under a construction firm for eight years. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics.