When to Buy Microwaves in the UK

Microwaves are one of the most seasonally discounted kitchen appliances in the UK, with prices ranging from around £55 for a basic 700W unit to over £350 for a combination microwave-oven from Panasonic, Samsung or Sharp. The best time to buy is during Black Friday in late November and again across the Amazon Prime Day window in July, when retailers cut prices hardest on solo and grill microwaves.

Combi and inverter microwaves see steadier year-round pricing but fall to genuine lows during Black Friday. Buying outside these peaks usually means paying close to RRP — the autumn pre-Christmas window in October is typically the worst time to buy. Wait for a verified seasonal low against the 90-day high, not an RRP-inflated discount tag.

Best Months to Buy Microwaves

JulyNovember

The best time to buy microwaves is during July and November, when prices typically drop due to seasonal sales events and new model releases.

Current Price Status

Good time to buy

Average price (30 days): £142.19(vs £143.22 previous month)

Tracking 51 microwaves on Amazon UK

May is not a peak month to buy Microwaves, and prices are currently falling. The strongest buying windows are July and November.

Historical Low Prices

Basic 700W-800W solo microwaves from Russell Hobbs, Tower and Cookworks (regular £55-85) typically drop to £39-55 during Black Friday and Prime Day. Mid-range 900W grill microwaves (regular £90-130) fall to £65-90. Combination microwave-ovens from Panasonic and Samsung (regular £200-330) reach £150-240 during the strongest Black Friday weekend, with inverter models holding price better than non-inverter equivalents.

Lowest price tracked in the last 30 days: £10.89

Seasonal Pricing Patterns

Microwave pricing follows a clear two-peak cycle. The first major dip arrives in mid-July around Amazon Prime Day, when solo and grill microwaves see the strongest cuts of the first half of the year. Prices recover through August and rise through September and October as retailers push premium combi models into the gift season. The deepest discounts of the year arrive across Black Friday week in late November, with cuts continuing through Cyber Monday. December prices stay elevated through Christmas. January sees a brief secondary dip on Christmas overstock, mainly on basic solo units. February through May is a flat, expensive window with little movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the cheapest time to buy a microwave in the UK?

Microwaves hit their deepest annual cuts during Black Friday week in late November, with combi units from Panasonic and Samsung dropping £50-100 below RRP. Amazon Prime Day in mid-July is the second-strongest sale event, particularly for budget solo and grill microwaves. January sees a brief secondary dip on Christmas overstock, mainly on basic solo units under £80.

Solo, grill, or combination microwave — which should I buy?

Solo microwaves (700-800W) handle reheating, defrosting and basic cooking — fine for most households at £40-70 on Black Friday. Grill microwaves add crisping and browning, useful for ready meals and grilled cheese. Combination microwave-ovens add convection roasting and baking — they replace a small oven and are worth it for studio kitchens. Combi units from Panasonic and Samsung hit £150-240 during Black Friday.

Is an inverter microwave worth the extra cost?

Inverter microwaves (Panasonic NN-series, mid-range Samsung) deliver continuous variable power instead of pulsing on and off, giving more even reheating and gentler defrosting. The £40-60 premium pays off if you reheat delicate foods regularly. For basic reheating of beans on toast or boil-in-bag rice, a non-inverter solo unit performs identically and saves you the premium.