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Best microwaves 2026: combination, grill and solo ovens
For quick midweek meals, speedy defrosting and instant lunches, a microwave is hard to beat. Keep hungry (and impatient) kids happy by investing in the best microwave for 2025.
By Natasha Gregson | Last updated Dec 30, 2025
An essential piece of kit for families, the best microwave can save you valuable time and simplify mealtimes for busy parents. Whether you're quickly warming up baby food during weaning or defrosting and reheating a meal in minutes, a good microwave can make life in the kitchen so much easier. What's more, they can cook a decent jacket potato in around 10 minutes – not bad at all.
Best microwaves UK: at a glance
Best microwave overall: Russell Hobbs RHM2076B Microwave | £87
Best budget microwave: Cookworks 700W MM7 Microwave |
£49£39 (-20%)Best microwave for style: Swan Retro Digital Solo Microwave |
£90£74 (-18%)Best combination microwave: Panasonic Steam Combi Microwave Oven |
£450£349 (-22%)Best flatbed microwave: SHARP YC-QC254AU-B Combination Microwave |
£219£169 (-23%)Best microwave air fryer combo: Sage the Combi Wave™ |
£400£359 (-10%)Best integrated microwave: Bosch Series 8 Built In Microwave | £759
Much like other time-saving gadgets such as the best air fryer or slow cooker, Mumsnetters regularly rave about how they couldn't live without their trusty microwave. With this in mind, we extensively researched feedback from food industry experts and analysed verified consumer reviews to find the best microwave for every budget and culinary need.
So, whether you're after a solo, grill or combination option, here are the best microwaves 2026.
Best microwave overall
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B Solo Microwave
Sleek and compact microwave for smaller spaces
Mirrored finish
Easy-to-use dial control
Door needs to be cleaned frequently but surface is easy to wipe
Key specs
Price on writing: £89 | Type: Standard | Capacity: 20 litres | Wattage: 800W | Number of programmes: 8 auto cooking and 2 auto defrost | Size: 25.8cm x 44.0cm x 35.9cm
If you’re looking for the best microwave for a busy family, the Russell Hobbs RHM2076B is a great all-rounder.
The mirror-door finish means it's as sleek as it is functional, and there are five power levels and special programmes for pizza, fish and popcorn.
With a 20-litre capacity, a standard dinner plate can easily fit on the removable, dishwasher-safe turntable, while the child safety lock feature means that curious little hands can’t open the door.
On the downside, it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as some microwaves. That being said, we think it offers unbeatable value for money, which is why it nabbed our top spot.
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Best budget microwave
Very simple to use
Great quality for the price
Compact design for smaller kitchens
Does a good job on basic tasks
700 watt max power
No additional features
Key specs
Price on writing: £39 (was £49) | Type: Standard | Capacity: 17 litres | Wattage: 700W | Number of programmes: 6 power levels, including defrost function | Size: H24.3 x W44.6 x D32.3cm
This 700-watt microwave more than does the job and, at just £49 (currently reduced at Argos to £39), it won’t break the bank.
With a 17-litre capacity, it’s compact enough to fit into small kitchens but can still comfortably accommodate a dinner plate for heating foods effectively.
As well as a child safety lock, this microwave has five power settings and a defrost option. Reviewers love how simple and straightforward this microwave is, though it does lack any specific settings for food types. However, its charm lies in its ease of use – there's no faffing about with complicated controls and instructions, music to any busy parents' ears!
Best combination microwave
Panasonic NN-DS59NBBPQ 4-in-1 Steam Combination Microwave Oven
Versatile - four-in-one design
Can be used as a grill, steamer and oven
Cooks quickly and efficiently
Five-year warranty
Very expensive
Takes some getting used to
Some found the buttons hard to see
Key specs
Price on writing: £349 (was £450) | Type: Combination | Capacity: 27 litres | Wattage: 1450W (oven) | Number of programmes: 28 | Size: H35 x W51 x D46cm
What Mumsnet users say
If you can get past the eye-watering price tag, the Panasonic DS59 might just become your new favourite appliance for versatility. Whether it's the best multi-cooker or an all-singing, all-dancing kitchen gadget, Mumsnetters love the space-saving qualities of an adaptable appliance, and we think this four-in-one Panasonic microwave oven is an excellent choice.
Whether it’s used as a conventional oven, a grill, a food steamer, or a microwave, this gadget offers an impressive 28 auto programmes so you can easily heat your porridge, grill a toastie and even cook a whole chicken (though not at the same time). There's also a convenient safety lock, which makes it ideal for families with young children.
Thanks to inverter technology, it's efficient too – according to Panasonic's internal product tests, it saves up to 55% energy and cooks 55% quicker when compared to some electric built-in ovens. Just bear in mind that it may take some time to learn how to work all the functions.
Best microwave for style
Fun, stylish design
Different colour options to suit your kitchen
Very simple to use
Relatively affordable
Might not suit all kitchens
May not be as long lasting as some other options
Key specs
Price on writing: £74 (was £90)| Type: Standard | Capacity: 20 litres | Wattage: 800W | Number of programmes: 5 | Size: 45cm x 25.6cm x 29.7 cm
What Mumsnet users say
Combining both style and substance, Swan’s Retro Microwave earned a coveted spot on our best microwave round-up as the most fashionable option. There are 11 pretty colours to choose from including orange, blue and lime green, and the curved silver handle is a nice touch.
It doesn’t just look great, however. It has five power levels and a 20-litre capacity, which should work well for medium-sized families. And despite its compact design, the turntable fits a standard-sized dinner plate, so it's also ideal for those who are short on counter space but don't want to sacrifice on functionality.
On the downside, some reviewers found it wasn't the most robust option, but like most Swan appliances, it's fairly affordable, plus it comes with a two-year guarantee for extra peace of mind.
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Best flatbed microwave
Sleek, stylish design
Lots of pre-set programmes
The flatbed interior makes it very easy to clean
Bulky
Pricey
Key specs
Price on writing: £189 | Type: Combination | Capacity: 25 litres | Wattage: 900W | Number of programmes: 14 | Size: 50.9D x 49W x 28.8H cm
What Mumsnet users say
If you thought a turntable was an essential feature of a microwave, think again. This Sharp model has a flatbed which makes it far less fiddly to clean and much easier to heat up rectangular dishes as they won’t get caught on the sides.
There are 14 pre-set programmes so you can tailor the microwave to cook everything from pizza to popcorn, and there's even a handy feature especially for reheating drinks - ideal if you often forget to drink your cup of coffee before it cools while working from home. It also includes a 1200W grill function, offering a little more bang for your buck.
We love how sleek this microwave looks with its digital timer display and silver accents - it'd look great in a modern kitchen. The main downside is the price - though it is cheaper than some other combination options, such as the Panasonic above.
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Best microwave with an air fryer
Includes a built-in air fryer
Quiet Mark certified
19 presets
Element IQ™ System for optimised results
Large capacity
Expensive
Complicated to use
A standalone air fryer will perform better
Key specs
Price on writing: £359 (was £400) | Type: Combination with air fryer | Capacity: 32 litres | Wattage: 1100W | Number of programmes: 19 | Size: H31.6 x W51.9 x D51.3cm
What Mumsnet users say
From pressure cookers to kettles and toasters, Sage has a pedigree for creating high-tech appliances, and the Combi Wave is an excellent example of the brand's innovation.
Not just a microwave, this clever gadget also features a built-in air fryer for ultimate versatility. There's 19 presets included too - our favourite of which is the 'soften butter' mode. Genuis!
It's quite complicated to use, but once you've spent time mastering it, the microwave and air fryer functions are fantastic. Opinions are slightly mixed on the grill function, however, with some reviewers being underwhelmed by its performance.
While it's very expensive, when you consider the separate cost of a combi microwave and air fryer, you may feel it's worth splashing out on - especially when you factor in the space it could save you on your kitchen counters too.
Best integrated microwave
Sleek, integrated design
Easy to clean
Minimalist control panel
Flatbed design
Saves countertop space
Very expensive
Needs to be fitted into your kitchen
Not a combination microwave
Key specs
Price on writing: £759 | Type: Integrated | Capacity: 21 litres | Wattage: 900W | Number of programmes: 7 | Size: 39 x 60 x 32cm
What Mumsnet users say
Renovating your whole kitchen or just love a sleek space with no countertop clutter? This Bosch Series 8 microwave is an ideal choice, and the brand comes with the coveted Mumsnetter seal of approval.
If you can get past the very steep price tag, there's a lot to love about this microwave. It's designed to be fitted in amongst your kitchen units for a clean look, and the minimalism extends to the control panel too, with a digital control ring and touch display to keep things looking modern and streamlined.
Like the Sharp microwave above, it has a flatbed design which makes it easier to clean than traditional turntable models, and the lack of knobs and buttons on the exterior means you can give it a quick, simple wipe down to keep it looking its best.
It’s not a combination microwave, which is disappointing considering the price, but the clever AutoPilot 7 setting ensures perfect results tailored to your dish every time.
How does a microwave work?
The clue's in the name. Microwaves work by literally using 'microwaves', a type of electromagnetic radiation, similar to radio waves and light.
Think of these 'microwaves' as tiny, invisible waves that bounce around inside the oven. When these waves hit your food, they make the water molecules in it shake really fast, which results in the heat needed for the cooking process.
If you have a microwave with a traditional plate, this spins around to ensure even cooking – otherwise the side closest to the magnetron (the component that generates the waves) would cook at a faster rate.
Flatbed microwaves don't have a spinning plate, but instead they use a rotating antenna to distribute heat evenly in the microwave cavity.
Are microwaves safe to use?
While a traditional oven uses an element that heats the air inside of the oven, a microwave uses radiation to heat or cook your food. While this may sound scary, there's no need to worry – the World Health Organisation says that, when used correctly, the radiation levels won’t harm you.
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What should I look for when choosing the best microwave?
Size: Whether you want it out on a worktop or want to hide it away, the best microwave should work with your space. Check the door opens easily (some open top to bottom).
Type: If you just need to defrost and heat food or ready meals then a humble microwave oven will do those jobs for you. But if you’re after something that can be used for roasting and grilling then a combination model may be better. You can also get air fryer microwave combos now too, though they tend to be fairly pricey.
Cost: Combination ovens are more expensive than standard microwaves as they can do more. The right microwave for you will depend on your budget - they can cost anywhere between £50 to £600.
Style: Looks aren’t everything, but if every appliance in your kitchen is silver you might not want a white or black microwave. Many manufacturers offer a variety of colour options.
Power: A 1200-watt microwave will be more powerful and cook quicker than a 700-watt version. Look for a higher wattage if speed is a priority.
Programmes: Some cheaper models just heat up food and, if you’re lucky, have a defrost feature. Others have programmes on the control panel for different food types, which change the way the microwave works, either slowing it down or speeding it up depending on the food type – including pizza and fish settings. In general, the more functionality it has, the more you can expect to pay.
Extra features: Not all microwaves have digital clocks and 30-second buttons. If these are important to you, make sure your new microwave offers these features.
Related: The best budget air fryer for families
What's the difference between standard, grill and combination microwaves?
Standard microwaves: Sometimes called solo microwaves, these are the most basic type, perfect for reheating leftovers or cooking small meals.
Grill microwaves: As well as working as a standard microwave, these have a built-in grill element, allowing you to grill food like chicken breasts, steak and bacon. The grill element heats up the food from above, giving it a crispy texture.
Combination microwaves: The most versatile type of microwave, these combine the function of a standard microwave with the benefits of a conventional oven, so you can bake and roast food in them. However, it's worth noting that they're often less powerful than a full-sized oven so are better suited to smaller dishes.
Other additional features: Some models even include a steamer and air fryer function too – though you're likely to pay a pretty penny for them. They're not always included with a combination microwave, so be sure to check the specific model you're interested in to see if it has these features.
How long should a microwave last?
The best microwaves tend to last around seven years. Like any kitchen appliance, if you have a big family or if you use it a lot then it won’t last that long. If you look after it then you may get as many as 10 years’ use out of it.
How we chose the best microwaves
Expert opinions
First up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted food industry experts. Whether they're baking a spud or reheating your leftovers, we want to be confident that the microwaves we recommend are fit for purpose and excel at the job, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace.
Authentic consumer reviews
We then thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, John Lewis, and Argos to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist and to see which models were consistently praised by consumers.
Recommendations from real parents
We also sought the trusted opinions of Mumsnet forum users, carefully analysing their feedback on the microwave brands that they rate, recommend and use in their own kitchens, noting the ones that performed exceptionally well.
About the author
Natasha Gregson is a Senior Content Editor at Mumsnet, overseeing all home and kitchen articles with a focus on product round-ups and reviews. With several years of editorial experience under her belt, she has written on many topics, including everything from beauty to parenting, fashion to health, but her true expertise is seeking out the best lifestyle advice and products to make life that little bit easier.
An avid foodie, she loves nothing more than trying new culinary creations in the kitchen, which often includes testing out and researching the latest time-saving gadgets for Mumsnet - including the best slow cookers and Instant Pots. She has also had work published in The i Paper, Stylist Magazine, Gransnet and Exposed Magazine.
Why you should trust us
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