Best Microwaves of 2025

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark
Last Updated: 2 Feb 2025

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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

Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20L Black Microwave Cover #TOP 1
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20L Black Microwave
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Russell Hobbs RHMM701 17 Litre Manual Microwave Cover #TOP 2
Russell Hobbs RHMM701 17 Litre Manual Microwave
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Toshiba 20L 800W Digital Solo Microwave Cover #TOP 3
Toshiba 20L 800W Digital Solo Microwave
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Microwaves

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

Russell Hobbs RHMM701 17 Litre Manual Microwave

Russell Hobbs
RHMM701B-N
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.

What We Like
Compact and stylish design
Five power levels for flexibility
Defrost setting saves time
Ideal for various meals
#TOP 3

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

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 20L 800W Solo Microwave

Russell Hobbs
RHM2027B
Black
Russell Hobbs 20L 800W Solo Microwave Cover
Russell Hobbs 20 Litre 800W Black Solo Manual Microwave, 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.

What We Like
Compact and space-saving design
Five power levels for versatility
Easy-to-use timer and controls
Dishwasher-safe turntable

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 7

Swan SM4420BLK 700W Manual Microwave

SM4420BLK
Black
Swan SM4420BLK 700W Manual Microwave Cover
Swan SM4420BLK Manual Microwave with 5 Power Levels, 35 Minute Timer, 700W, 20L, Black

The Swan SM4420BLK Microwave offers a powerful 700W output with five power levels, allowing you to select the perfect setting for your meals. Its spacious 20L capacity can easily fit a standard 10” dinner plate, making it ideal for family-sized portions. With a 35-minute timer, you can cook meals around your schedule, and the end cooking signal alerts you when your food is ready, giving you the freedom to relax. The defrost function lets you quickly prepare frozen items, making it a convenient choice for everyday cooking.

What We Like
Five power levels for versatility
Large 20L capacity
35-minute timer for convenience
Quick defrost function
#TOP 8

COMFEE' 700w 20L Digital Microwave Oven

CM-E202CC(BK)
Black
COMFEE' 700w 20L Digital Microwave Oven Cover
COMFEE' 700w 20 Litre Digital Microwave Oven with 6 Cooking Presets, Express Cook, 11 Power Levels, Defrost, and Memory Function - Black - CM-E202CC(BK)

The COMFEE' Microwave Oven offers a range of convenient features to enhance your cooking experience. With six cooking presets, you can easily prepare popcorn, potatoes, and hot beverages with just one touch. The eleven power levels allow you to heat or soften various foods, ensuring they are cooked to perfection. If you're in a hurry, the express cooking function lets you start cooking at full power instantly. Additionally, the defrost feature provides you with precise thawing options, so your food is ready without the risk of overheating.

What We Like
Multiple cooking presets
Quick express cooking
Effective defrosting options
Stylish and modern design
#TOP 9

Tower T24042BLK 800W Manual Microwave

T24042BLK
Black & Chrome
One Size
Tower T24042BLK 800W Manual Microwave Cover
Tower T24042BLK Manual Microwave with Sleek Mirror Door, 800W, 20L, Black & Chrome

The Tower T24042BLK Microwave is a powerful kitchen appliance with an 800W output, making cooking and heating your meals quicker and more efficient. With six adjustable heat settings, you can easily customise the cooking process to suit your preferences. The large 20-litre capacity allows you to fit a standard 10-inch dinner plate, perfect for family meals. Additionally, the 30-minute timer and defrost function ensure your meals are cooked to perfection and can quickly handle frozen food, making it ideal for busy days.

What We Like
Powerful 800W output
Large 20L capacity
6 adjustable heat settings
Convenient defrost function
#TOP 10

Cookology 800W Freestanding Microwave with 20L Capacity

CMAFS20LBK
Black
20 Litre
Cookology 800W Freestanding Microwave with 20L Capacity Cover
Cookology CMAFS20LBK 800W Freestanding Microwave - Microwave with 20 Litre Capacity and 25cm Turntable - 5 Cooking Power Levels - Quick Defrost Setting and Dial Timer - Black

The Cookology 800W Microwave is designed for both style and functionality, making it a great addition to any kitchen. With a generous 20-litre capacity, it easily accommodates meals for the whole family. You can choose from five cooking power levels, allowing you to reheat or cook dishes to perfection. The user-friendly control panel features a quick defrost setting and a dial timer, ensuring you can select your cooking preferences with ease. This microwave combines performance with convenience, making your cooking tasks simpler.

What We Like
Stylish design
Large 20-litre capacity
Five adjustable power levels
Easy-to-use control panel
Quick defrost setting
Buying Guide Image

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 171 microwave products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 266,714 customer reviews through our big data system to write the microwaves list. We found that most customers choose microwaves with an average price of £67.28.

The microwaves are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of microwaves, including Russell Hobbs, Toshiba, SWAN, COMFEE', Tower.

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.