Whether you need a microwave to reheat leftovers, make popcorn or cook frozen meals, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good one. There are many microwaves under £100 that can do the job just as well as their more expensive counterparts.
There are three main types of microwaves: countertop, over-the-range and built-in. Countertop microwaves are the most common and affordable, but they take up counter space (the clue is in the name) and may not fit in small kitchens.
Over-the-range microwaves are mounted above your stove, saving space and doubling as a vent hood, but they can be hard to install and may not suit your kitchen layout. Built-in microwaves are integrated into your cabinets or walls, creating a sleek look, but they're the most expensive and require professional installation.
As well as its style and structure, you'll want to pay attention to how effective your microwave is. The wattage of a microwave determines how fast and evenly it heats food. Higher wattage means faster cooking, but also higher energy consumption.
Most microwaves have a wattage between 700 and 1,200 watts, with 1,000 watts being the average. If you mainly use your microwave for simple tasks like reheating or defrosting, you can get by with a lower wattage.
Microwaves can also come with various features that can make your life easier, including preset programs, sensors, turntables and mute buttons. Preset programs allow you to cook common foods with the touch of a button, without having to guess the time and power level.
Sensors automatically adjust the cooking time and power based on the moisture and temperature of the food, preventing overcooking or undercooking. Turntables rotate the food as it cooks, ensuring even heating and avoiding hot spots.
Mute buttons let you silence the annoying beeps and buzzes of the microwave, especially useful for late-night snacking.
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Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven
If you're looking for a microwave oven that combines convenience, efficiency and versatility, look no further than the Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven. This sleek appliance features a digital display, auto defrost, one-touch express cook and six pre-programmed auto cook settings for pizza, popcorn, potatoes and everything in between. Its 23L capacity is spacious enough for most dishes, and its turntable ensures even heating.
Buy now £74.99, Amazon
Cookworks 700W Standard Microwave MM7 - Black
Whether you're warming up soup for lunch or defrosting yesterday's casserole, the Cookworks 700-watt microwave is ready to cook your meals to perfection. An absolute breeze to operate, it has six power levels to choose from and a rotating turntable for even cooking. A popular choice that's renowned for being straightforward, it ticks all the boxes for a cheap microwave that won't let you down.
Buy now £50.00, Argos
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B
This Russell Hobbs RHM2076B appliance is a versatile, convenient microwave oven that lets you cook your food with ease. It has an 800-watt output and eight auto-cooking programs to suit different cooking needs. You can use the digital display to set the cooking power and timer, and the turntable will ensure even heating. Its 20-litre capacity can fit most dishes and its mirror door finish adds a touch of style to your kitchen. This microwave also has an auto-defrost function and a child lock feature for peace of mind.
Buy now £74.99, Amazon
Morphy Richards 800W Standard Grill Microwave
In a sleek stainless-steel finish with a blue digital LED display, this Morphy Richards 800-watt microwave has 11 programs that'll cook your food to perfection every time. Its 800-watt grill function offers great results – perfect if you fancy a pizza or burger. There are seven auto-cook menus available, as well as a defrost function. Its handle-less design makes it a thoroughly modern choice.
Buy now £80.00, Argos
Hisense 700 Watts 20 Litre Solo Microwave
Reliable, efficient, quiet and affordable, this Hisense 700 Watts 20 Litre Solo Microwave has a compact capacity, a turntable inside and five power levels to cook all kinds of dishes. It also features an automatic defrost function, a timer and a durable door design for even the most enthusiastic of food preparers. It has nine auto-cook menus that take the guesswork out of cooking and has an easy clean interior that can be wiped with a damp cloth.
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
Sharp 800W Standard Microwave YC-MS02U-S
This Sharp 800W Standard Microwave is a compact and budget-friendly microwave oven with a 20-litre capacity and a turntable inside, which can easily fit a standard-sized dinner plate. It has 11 levels of cooking power and eight cooking programs, along with an eco-mode, which reduces the power consumption (and therefore the cost of using) of the microwave. Its full touch control electric panel makes it super easy to operate the microwave too.
Buy now £75.00, Argos
Cookology CFSDI20LBK Digital 800W Freestanding Microwave
Approved for its performance, design and simplicity, this Cookology CFSDI20LBK is a digital microwave oven that has a 20-litre capacity, an 800-watt power output and a 25cm turntable. Widely appreciated for its larger size, it can defrost or cook family-sized portions with its large turntable quickly and efficiently and comes with intuitive and ergonomic controls and functions. Its sleek black finish means it blends in nicely with all kinds of decor, too.
Buy now £56.94, Amazon
De'Longhi Argento Flora 800W Standard Microwave
Looking for something with a little more personality than your standard microwave? This De'Longhi Argento Flora 800W Standard Microwave comes in a soft sage green with all of the features necessary for quick and seamless cooking. This retro-design microwave is great for smaller households and comes with 800 watts of power, so you can heat up last night's leftovers or a hearty winter soup in minutes. Its choice of six power levels makes finding the right setting quick and easy.
Buy now £80.00, Argos
ESSENTIALS CMW21 Compact Solo Microwave
The clue is in the name with this ESSENTIALS CMW21 Compact Solo Microwave: a budget-friendly choice that does all of the essentials without bothering you with unnecessary settings. It has six power levels to suit what you're making – use a low one for chocolate sauce and a high one for soup or popcorn, as well as a 15-litre capacity that's perfect for a small dinner plate or a big bowl of pasta.
Buy now £51.99, Currys
BEKO MOC20100WFB Compact Solo Microwave
This BEKO MOC20100WFB Compact Solo Microwave is one you'll often find a great deal on, making your cheap microwave even more of a bargain. With 20 litres capacity and 700W of power, you can cook for your whole family, using its simple controls that will let you easily switch between heating and defrosting. Place it anywhere in your kitchen thanks to its compact size.
Buy now £69.00, Currys
Verdict
It's smart, powerful and efficient: everything you need from a microwave. The Toshiba 800w 23L Microwave Oven is our top pick when it comes to the best cheap microwave.
