A good microwave does not need to cost a fortune: solo models from trusted brands like Russell Hobbs and Toshiba start under £70 on Amazon UK, and most fit neatly into a standard 600mm kitchen cupboard. This guide cuts through the noise on wattage, capacity, and controls so you can pick the right model first time.
What to look for
01Wattage and cooking speed
Every microwave in this guide runs at 800 W, which is the sweet spot for a UK home on 240V mains. At 800 W, a bowl of soup heats through in roughly 2 minutes, and a jacket potato takes around 8 minutes. Lower-wattage models (600 W or 700 W) are cheaper to buy but noticeably slower, and you will need to add 20-30 seconds to most recipe timings. Higher-wattage models (900 W or 1000 W) are faster but cost more and are usually larger. For a single person or couple reheating leftovers and defrosting, 800 W is the practical minimum. If you cook from scratch in the microwave regularly, consider stepping up to 900 W. All the models here draw well within the 13-amp UK plug limit, so no special wiring is needed.
02Capacity and worktop footprint
Both the Russell Hobbs RHM2076 and the Toshiba MM-EM20P offer 20-litre interiors, which comfortably fits a standard dinner plate (up to about 27 cm in diameter) and handles a 23 cm pizza. For a single person or couple, 20 litres is plenty. Families cooking larger dishes may want 25-30 litres, but those models are wider and deeper. The Toshiba MM-MM20P is also 20 litres with a compact footprint suited to smaller worktops. Before buying, measure your available worktop or shelf space: most 20-litre solo microwaves are roughly 45 cm wide and 35 cm deep, which fits inside a standard 600mm UK kitchen unit with room to spare. Leave at least 10 cm clearance on each side and above for ventilation.
03Controls: manual dial versus digital
Manual dial controls, as found on the Toshiba MM-MM20P, are straightforward and rarely go wrong. You turn one dial for power and another for time, which suits anyone who finds touchpads fiddly. Digital controls, as on the Russell Hobbs RHM2076 and the Toshiba MM-EM20P, add preset auto-cook menus (8 on the Russell Hobbs, 6 on the Toshiba digital model), a clock display, and more precise timing. The Russell Hobbs offers 5 power levels; the Toshiba MM-EM20P steps up to 11 power levels, giving finer control for delicate tasks like softening butter or melting chocolate. If you live in a hard-water area such as the South East, a digital display is also useful for checking the clock without touching the unit repeatedly.
04Defrost function
Automatic defrost is standard on all three microwave models here. It works by cycling the magnetron on and off at a lower power level to thaw food gently without cooking the edges. The Russell Hobbs and Toshiba models both offer weight-based or time-based defrost settings. For UK households that batch-cook and freeze meals, this is a genuinely useful feature: defrosting 500 g of mince from frozen takes around 8-10 minutes at the auto-defrost setting, compared to leaving it in the fridge overnight. Manual defrost (setting power to 30% yourself) works too, but auto-defrost removes the guesswork.
Our top picks
Best for everyday reheating in a mid-size UK kitchenRussell Hobbs RHM2076S-AZ 20 Litre 800
Currently £69.00 on Amazon UK, the Russell Hobbs RHM2076S delivers 800 W across 5 power levels in a 20-litre cavity that fits a standard dinner plate. Its 8 auto-cook menus cover soup, pizza, and jacket potatoes without any guesswork. The easy-clean interior is a practical bonus for busy households.
Best budget pick for students and small flatsTOSHIBA 20 Liter 800W Manual Control
At £54.97, the Toshiba MM-MM20P is the most affordable microwave here, and its 90-day low of £45.00 shows it drops further during sales. It delivers 800 W in a 20-litre cavity with manual dial controls, making it virtually foolproof for student accommodation or a compact flat kitchen. The automatic defrost function handles frozen meals reliably, and the white finish suits most worktop colours.
Best for precise cooking with more power controlTOSHIBA 20 Liter 800W Digital Solo
The Toshiba MM-EM20P costs £67.96 and stands out with 11 power levels, compared to the 5 on most rivals. That extra granularity is useful for melting chocolate or softening butter without hot spots. Six one-touch preset recipes and a clear digital display add everyday convenience. Its 20-litre capacity handles a 23 cm pizza, and the 90-day low of £37.00 means it is worth watching for a price drop on Amazon UK.
Frequently asked
What size microwave do I need for a UK kitchen?
For most UK households, a 20-litre solo microwave is the right starting point. It fits a standard 27 cm dinner plate, handles a 23 cm pizza, and measures roughly 45 cm wide by 35 cm deep, which slots into a standard 600mm kitchen unit. Single people and couples rarely need more than 20 litres. Families regularly cooking larger dishes, such as a whole chicken or a large casserole dish, should look at 25-30 litre models, but these are noticeably wider and heavier.
Is 800 W enough for a microwave in the UK?
Yes, 800 W is sufficient for the vast majority of everyday tasks: reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen food, cooking jacket potatoes, and warming soups. On UK 240V mains, 800 W draws well under the 13-amp plug limit. If you regularly cook rice, steam vegetables, or use your microwave as a primary cooking appliance, a 900 W or 1000 W model will be faster, but for most households 800 W is the practical sweet spot between speed and price.
What is the difference between a solo microwave and a combi microwave?
A solo microwave uses only microwave energy to heat food. It reheats, defrosts, and cooks, but it cannot brown or crisp food. A combi microwave adds a grill element, a convection oven, or both, so it can roast, bake, and brown as well. Combi models cost significantly more, typically from £150 upwards, and are larger. For most UK buyers who already own an oven, a solo microwave at £55-£70 covers all the bases without the extra cost or worktop space.
How do I clean the inside of a microwave easily?
Place a microwave-safe bowl containing 300 ml of water and a few slices of lemon or a tablespoon of white vinegar inside. Heat on full power for 3-5 minutes until the interior is steamy, then leave the door closed for 2 minutes. The steam loosens splattered food, which you can then wipe away with a damp cloth. Both the Russell Hobbs RHM2076 and the Toshiba models feature smooth easy-clean interiors that make this process quicker. Avoid abrasive scourers, which scratch the cavity lining.