From preparing ready meals in minutes to thawing out frozen food, a good microwave is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can own. There are lots of different types to choose from though, so which one is right for you?
To help you decide, we’ve rounded up the best microwaves in all types and sizes. From the smallest and cheapest, to the largest built-in and freestanding models. The choice is yours…
Best freestanding microwave
A freestanding microwave is designed to be placed on top of a kitchen counter, rather than being built-in to a kitchen unit. The main advantage of this is portability and flexibility. You can easily move it, and use it in different spaces.
The spacious and powerful Samsung freestanding microwave has everything you need to prepare tasty meals at the touch of a button. Samsung's Triple Distribution System moves heat around the microwave evenly, so that your ingredients are always perfectly cooked through. Another great feature is the integrated deodorise - it removes odours and ensures food smells aren’t transferred between ingredients during each use of the microwave. Very handy if you’ve got fish pie followed by apple crumble on the menu!
Best built-in microwaves
A built-in microwave is designed to seamlessly integrated into your kitchen cabinet or wall units, for a streamlined appearance. Not only do they look good, but they’ll also save you valuable space on your kitchen worktop.
This Hotpoint microwave is incredibly versatile, with a grill that lets you create golden and crispy oven-baked food. And the Auto Cook function is great news. It adjusts the heat to suit what you're cooking, so everything comes out perfectly. There's also an Auto Defrost program - really handy for defrosting things like meat, fish and bread.
Best solo microwave
Solo microwaves are basic ovens designed for simple tasks like heating up ready meals, leftovers and jacket potatoes. The word ‘solo’ means it’s a microwave with nothing else built-in to it – no grills or anything like that.
This Kenwood solo microwave is low on price, but has some of the same features as more premium models. It comes with 11 power levels for different types of heating and re-heating. There are six automatic cooking programmes to choose from (Popcorn, Potato, Frozen Vegetables, Beverage, Dinner Plate or Pizza). And there are even a couple of auto-defrost programmes for perfectly thawed leftovers.
Best small microwaves
Small, compact, mini, call it what you want… but if space is tight in your kitchen you’ll want a microwave the doesn’t take up too much room.
This Russell Hobbs solo microwave is a little beauty. Even though it’s only 18-inches wide and 14-inches deep, it still offers 17 litres of capacity to cover your day to day cooking. The 700W of power is enough to cover anything you want to cook, reheat and defrost, and the auto-cook menus have pre-set programs for a variety of food. You can make pizza and popcorn for movie night, or meat and veg for Sunday lunch.
Best flatbed microwave
Flatbed microwaves don’t come with a turntable, which gives them more cooking capacity, and guarantees even cooking throughout. The Russell Hobbs flatbed microwave is very smart, with an intelligent weight sensor that can work out the ideal defrosting time for your dish. It also features an auto-cook menu, for easy and quick cooking.
Best microwave under £200
There are lots of great microwaves under £200, like this Panasonic solo microwave. It uses inverter technology to cook food more evenly, using less power. It’s simple to use, with a range of auto cooking programs for almost anything from soup to chicken. And five power levels offer more precise cooking control. It’s roomy too, with a flatbed design that gives you around 30% more cooking space than traditional turntable microwaves.
Best microwave under £100
If you’re on a strict budget, you can get a good microwave under £100 with lots of handy features. This Panasonic compact solo microwave is a great shout. Its compact design is perfect for smaller kitchens, but don't let its size fool you. It still kicks out 800W of power - more than enough to knock up a tasty meal in no time at all. The 9 Auto Programs give you loads of simple cooking options – you can thaw out a steak with Auto Defrost or warm up last night's pizza with Auto Reheat.
FAQs
Which brand is the best microwave?
There are some great microwave brands in the UK right now, famous for their reliability, advanced features and innovative technology. At Currys, you’ll find Russell Hobbs microwaves, Kenwood microwaves, Panasonic microwaves, Hotpoint microwaves, Samsung microwaves and lots more.
Which type of microwave is best for home use?
For home use, a countertop microwave is usually the most convenient and popular choice. They’re easy to install, versatile, and comes in various sizes to suit different kitchen spaces. But if your kitchen unit has space for a built-in microwave oven, it makes sense to go for that type. It’ll be installed into your kitchen unit - rather than positioned on the worktop - creating a neater and more integrated look.
What is the best size microwave to buy?
It all depends on how much cooking you’ll be doing with it – and how many people you’ll be cooking for. Microwave sizes (in litres) range from 17 litres to 44 litres. The larger capacity models have bigger turntables and more interior height, giving you space to cook more dishes and feed the whole family!
Is a 1000W microwave worth it?
A 1000W microwave is one of the most powerful you can buy. They’re suitable for large families or anyone who cook larger quantities of food, as they generally heat food faster than lower-wattage microwaves. They’re also great at reheating or defrosting food quickly.
Need more help?
Want more advice before you buy? Our microwave buying guide can help you pick the perfect model, from solo microwaves to combination microwaves. Or why not pop in-store and speak to one of our expert colleagues? They’ll help you find the microwave that’s best for you – making it easier than ever to cook whole meals from scratch.
And if your old microwave has life left in it, you might even get a few quid for it when you trade-in. And even if it’s given up the ghost, you still get £5 off your next eligible tech when you recycle with Cash for trash.
