10 best microwaves of 2022: combination, retro and more
While it’s important to eat fresh, cooking from scratch isn’t always possible. Whether you want to heat up a ready meal, make a quick snack or simply need a more efficient way to cook, a microwave can help.
A crucial piece of kitchen kit for students, flatshares and the country’s culinary-challenged, microwaves are an invention of the last century that remain popular to this day. Modern designs are super versatile, offering a huge selection of add-ons and functions that do more than simply heat up food.
Shop online and you can find microwaves with grill and convection oven functions as well as ones with pre-programmed buttons to cook pizza and popcorn to perfection.
For those with simple tastes (in more ways than one), there are budget designs that do no more than cook food quickly and efficiently.
How to shop for a microwave
Before you begin, decide first on the functions you’d like it to perform. For instance, do you like the sound of all-singing, all-dancing advanced features? Or are you shopping for someone who needs a simple option, like your uni halls-bound children or an elderly relative?
It’s also worth considering the capacity of your ideal microwave, especially if you plan to use it for big groups. Needless to say, the bigger it is, the more space it will take up in your countertops.
What to consider when buying a microwave
When purchasing your pre-heating device, you should take the following into consideration:
Type of microwave: These tend to fall into three categories - standard (your classic, cheap and cheerful option), combi (that have both a grill and an oven), and grill (for a quick and easy way to create grilled favourites like cheese sandwiches, pizza and more).
Wattage: This is the unit of measurements in which your microwave is measured in and tends to fall into the bracket of 700 to 1,200. The higher the wattage, the faster and more even the bake. Simple.
Programs / adjustable power levels: Whether you opt for a basic microwave or one packed with programs is a matter of personal choice. As you may expect, the more bells and whistles, the more expensive the microwave will be. You can opt for devices with pre-sets for defrosting or cooking certain items like chicken, meat or rice as well as various power levels.
Size and capacity: For larger families, you may need a microwave with a larger capacity. This is measured in litres. There are small or large models ranging from 15 to 32 litres. If it is acting as your main cooking facility, consider big dishes like chicken or turkey.
Noise level: This may or may not be important to you as all microwaves make some level of humming or buzzing when in use. If it sounds noisier than normal, this could be an indication that its time to replace your model.
Integrated vs countertop: This refers to where your microwave will be placed - either on your counter or shelf or built into your cupboards. Integrated devices don’t tend to come with exterior sides for ease in installation.
How to deep clean a microwave
You’ll most likely use a microwave far more than an oven, so grease and caked-on food are to be expected - but not necessarily tolerated. It’s easy to return your device to its sparkling best with a few simple cleaning hacks and microwave cleaning products.
Hack: cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice from both pieces into a microwave-safe bowl filled with water. Drop the lemon shells into the bowl and microwave the whole lot for three minutes, leaving to stand for five minutes after the beep so the steam can loosen the gunk. Wipe clean with a microfibre cloth. This technique also works with lime or oranges.
Hack: microwave one part white vinegar with one part water for five minutes. Wipe clean after the beep.
Hack: keep the glass turntable fresh by handwashing it in the sink with soapy water or adding it to a loaded dishwasher.
Product: HG Combi Microwave Cleaner 500ml is a powerful cleaner in a handy spray bottle, good for use on microwaves and combi microwaves, £5.74, Amazon.
Product: make cleaning that bit more amusing with this Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner, £5.99, Amazon. Simply twist off her hair, fill with vinegar and water and reseal before microwaving for around eight minutes on high. Wipe down the steam she emits with a cleaning cloth.
Product: this pack of 25 heat-activated wipes make light work of microwave cleaning. Simply place one inside the machine, heat according to the instructions, then use it to clear up the filthy interior. Done!
Best microwave deals to bag now
Take advantage of models on discount and special offer
Whether you’re in the market to buy your first ever microwave or need to replace an old model, we’ve reviewed the best microwaves to order for home delivery right now.
Sharp R861 900W Combination Microwave
Best for: Simplicity and effectiveness
This 25-litre, 900W combi microwave from Sharp ticks a crucial box that seems oddly to elude most other microwaves: it’s easy to operate.
The R861’s usability is thanks in part to its clearly marked cooking time buttons (which add 10 seconds, 1 minute or 10 minutes); pre-sets for commonly cooked foods including jacket potatoes, pizza and rice; and refreshingly uncomplicated grill and convection oven modes.
It cooks evenly without the need for a rotating plate, which makes it possible to cook larger meals than most other microwaves of the R861’s size would allow.
Buy now £180.00, Argos
Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ 4-in-1 Steam combination Flatbed Microwave Oven with Grill
Best for: Grill, steam, microwave and oven options
When you turn this microwave on for the first time, the blue digital display urges you to ‘Refer to operating instructions before use’.
We think this is astute, and we say that because this microwave is a complex machine, operated with twelve buttons and a multifunctional dial. If you’re after a feature-rich combination oven that can fit on a work surface to use in place of a traditional oven, it would make a superb purchase.
An impressive array of grill, steam, microwave and oven options just a few button-presses away. Simply enter your desired function and cooking time settings and hit ‘Start’.
Buy now £329.00, Amazon
Hotpoint Combination Microwave MWH27321B Ultimate Collection 25L
Best for: Intuitive features
This smart-looking microwave from Hotpoint has loads of handy features that set it apart from the crowd. Add, Stir and Turn buttons allow you to programme in pauses during the cooking time, which triggers the display to remind you what you need to do to the food. You can also stop the turntable rotating, which is handy when it comes to accommodating large meals.
You’ll need a deep surface to place this microwave on – but if you have the space, it will make for a stylish and helpful addition to your kitchen. It also comes with a grill accessory.
Buy now, Appliances Direct
Bosch Serie 2 HMT84M451B brushed steel
Best for: Metallic style
We love the brushed steel finish and red digital display on this quality Bosch microwave. Teamed with other metal appliances and surfaces, it could round off your kitchen with a real touch of class. The white metal interior is particularly easy to clean – if there’s any food left on it, you’ll see it.
Putting appearances aside for a moment, we’d also like to highlight this microwaves excellent usability. Alongside its standard microwave function, it also includes a range of automatic cooking and defrosting programs, which are easy to master using the microwave’s simple controls.
This excellent microwave combines style, simplicity and an effectiveness few others can muster. We thoroughly recommended it.
Buy now £149.99, Robert Dyas
Swan Retro 25L Digital Combi Microwave with Grill
Best for: Attractiveness
Did you know that the first microwave oven was made in 1947? That particular model – “the Radarange” – was nearly six-foot tall and weighed 340 kilograms.
For mid-20th-century style that comes with the welcome benefits of contemporary tech, you’d probably be better off purchasing the Swan Retro Digital Combi instead.
This remarkably easy-on-the-eye microwave provides a mixture of grill, convection oven and microwave functions up to 900W. It’s incredibly easy to use, and unlike so many other microwaves, it will be an asset to your kitchen’s aesthetic.
From the reflective glass panel on the front, to the stainless steel interior, this is a class act that marries function to fabulous form. Available in nine colours.
Buy now £109.99, Ryman
Miele M7140TC 46L Built-In Microwave, Clean Steel
Best for: Luxury seekers
Built to slot into your kitchen cupboards, this lavish luxury appliance works exceptionally well, glows with a homely light as it cooks and chirrups winningly when your food’s ready. These traits epitomise the M7140TC’s convincing combination of class and character.
Other selected highlights include its enormous 46-litre cooking compartment, 40 cm turntable, internal LED spotlight, and of course, its dedicated popcorn-making mode. We could go on...
If money’s no object, this may well be the microwave for you.
Buy now £1179.00, Appliances Direct
Samsung MC28H5013AK 28 Litre Combination Microwave
Best for: Keen cooks
This powerful, versatile smart oven from Samsung has healthy cooking presets for a wide range of vegetables, poultry and fish, it features dough-proofing and yoghurt-making modes as well as offering simultaneous microwave and grill combi cooking, which rapidly cooks and browns your food.
Clever, stylish and loaded with a huge array of features, this is a highly impressive microwave, capable of working wonders for chefs who wish to improve their efficiency in the kitchen – without losing quality.
The microwave also comes with a high rack and low rack, enabling you to cook to your taste.
Buy now £169.00, Samsung
Bosch Serie 4 BFL523MB0B Built-In Microwave
Best for: In-built affordability
Simple, effective and reasonably priced for an in-built microwave, the BFL523MB0B could well prove to be the ideal choice for those seeking to fully integrate their kitchen appliances on a reasonable budget.
With a capacity of 20 litres and a turntable diameter of 25.5cm, the BFL523MB0B does its job without dominating the space – something you might consider another boon from a design perspective.
In terms of features, this microwave focuses on doing the basics well, with five power levels ranging up to 800W, plus a few additional tricks up its sleeve including 7 auto cook programs. It is available in black, silver or white.
Buy now £349.00, AO
Swan Gatsby 20Litre 800W Digital Microwave - Black
Best for: heating up Extra Special ready meals
If you're looking for a machine that delivers on both style and flavour, check out the slick lines and sleek colourways on Swan's microwave, so glamorous it's been named Gatsby. The navy kitchen appliance is elevated with gold metal fittings such as the buttons, timer and handle and with 20L to make use of, is perfect for family homes.
Buy now £64.99, JD Williams
Verdict
Whilst we’ve been taken in by characterful microwaves at both ends of the price spectrum we have to stick with our guns and name the Sharp R860SLM our ES Best Pick. It’s simply the best at being a microwave.
