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Best Microwaves of 2026

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark

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Microwaves, also known as microwave ovens, are household appliances that use electromagnetic radiation to heat and cook food quickly and efficiently. They are a popular kitchen appliance due to their convenience and time-saving capabilities. Microwaves come in a variety of sizes and styles, from compact countertop models to built-in units. Some models also include additional features such as grilling and baking functions. While there are some concerns about the safety of microwave cooking, when used properly, they can be a useful addition to any kitchen.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Top 10 Microwaves

Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven with Auto Cook

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.

9.9
FTB Score

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.

9.8
FTB Score

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.

9.6
FTB Score

What We Like

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

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.

9.5
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Powerful 800W performance
  • Compact and space-saving design
  • Five adjustable power levels
  • Convenient 35-minute timer

Toshiba 20L 800W Compact Microwave Oven

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.

9.4
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Space-saving design
  • Easy to clean
  • Versatile cooking options
  • Efficient defrosting
#TOP 6

Samsung MS23K3513AK Solo Microwave, 23 Litre

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.

9.2
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Spacious 23-litre capacity
  • Sleek black design
  • Reliable brand reputation
  • Easy to use
#TOP 7

Russell Hobbs 20L 800W Solo Microwave

  • Russell Hobbs
  • RHM2027B
  • Black
Russell Hobbs 20L 800W Solo Microwave Cover

Russell Hobbs 20 Litre 800W Black Solo Manual Microwave with Mirrored Door, 5 Power Levels, Integrated Timer and Defrost Function, Easy Clean RHM2027B

The Russell Hobbs Microwave offers 800W of power with five adjustable levels, making it perfect for cooking a variety of meals, including those straight from the freezer. Its compact design, measuring just 25.8 x 44 x 33.8 cm, allows it to fit neatly on your countertop without taking up too much space. You’ll appreciate the easy-to-use 35-minute timer and dial controls, which help you manage your cooking with confidence and simplicity. Plus, the dishwasher-safe glass turntable makes cleanup a breeze, saving you valuable time on washing up.

9.0
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Compact and space-saving design
  • Five power levels for versatility
  • Easy-to-use timer and controls
  • Dishwasher-safe turntable
#TOP 8

Hisense H23MOBSD1HUK 23L 800W Microwave

  • Hisense
  • 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.

8.9
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Large 23L capacity
  • Quick 800W cooking
  • Precise cooking timer
  • Automatic cooking programmes
#TOP 9

EMtronics 20L 700W Microwave with Timer

EMtronics 20L 700W Microwave with Timer Cover

EMtronics 20 Litre 700W Manual Control Microwave with 5 Power Levels, Defrost Function, 35 Minute Timer and Cavity Light - Black

The EMtronics 700W Microwave offers a modern handle-less design with easy dial controls, making it simple for you to adjust settings quickly. Its 20-litre capacity and dishwasher-safe turntable mean you can cook and clean with ease, fitting most meals without fuss. With five power levels, including a defrost function, you can prepare a wide range of dishes just the way you like. The 35-minute adjustable timer helps you keep track of cooking times, ensuring your food is heated perfectly every time.

8.7
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Modern handle-less design
  • 20 litre capacity
  • Five power settings
  • 35-minute adjustable timer
#TOP 10

Russell Hobbs RHMM701 17 Litre Manual Microwave

  • Russell Hobbs
  • RHMM701B
  • Black
Russell Hobbs RHMM701 17 Litre Manual Microwave Cover

Russell Hobbs RHMM701B 17 Litre 700 W Black Solo Manual Microwave With 5 Power Levels, Ringer & Timer, Defrost Setting, Easy Clean

The Russell Hobbs RHMM701 Microwave is a compact and stylish appliance, perfect for cooking a variety of meals in minutes. Its chic design allows you to place it anywhere in your kitchen, making it a practical addition to your home. With five power levels to choose from, you can easily tailor your cooking to suit any recipe, ensuring optimal results every time. Additionally, the essential defrost setting saves you valuable time, enabling you to cook meals straight from the freezer without hassle.

8.6
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Compact and stylish design
  • Five power levels for flexibility
  • Defrost setting saves time
  • Ideal for various meals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a solo microwave?

A solo microwave is a more basic microwave oven. It is great for uniform reheating, cooking and defrosting but cannot grill or bake. For anyone's basic microwave needs, a solo microwave oven will work, but it doesn't have special features. You can also only use microwave-safe glass or plastic in a solo microwave.

2. What is the difference between a solo and combination microwave?

Combination microwaves go beyond the features of a solo microwave and may act as a regular oven. By using the additional internal grill alongside the normal microwave function, your food will be browned and crisped as well as cooked, giving it a superior appearance and texture.

3. Are flatbed microwaves good?

In fact, a major benefit of the flatbed design over and above a turntable, is that they tend to cook and heat food more evenly. They simply do away with the hassle of having to constantly reheat to get rid of those cold patches at the bottom of your leftovers.

Editor's Notes

During our microwave research, we found 173 microwave products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 335,137 customer reviews through our big data system to write the microwaves list. We found that most customers choose microwaves with an average price of £71.32.

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

Written by

Mohammed Clark Avatar

Mohammed Clark

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.