A 20-litre, 800W solo microwave is the sweet spot for most small UK kitchens, delivering a full boil or reheat in under four minutes while sitting comfortably on a standard 600mm worktop shelf. This guide cuts through the noise on five shortlisted models, all priced under £80.00, so you can pick the right one without overspending.
What to look for
01Wattage and cooking speed
On the UK 240V mains supply, microwave wattage directly determines how quickly food heats through. An 800W model will reheat a bowl of soup in roughly 2 minutes; a 700W unit takes closer to 2.5 minutes for the same job. That gap sounds small, but across daily use it adds up. Most compact models in this price bracket sit at either 700W or 800W, so check the spec sheet rather than assuming. Higher wattage also gives you more headroom when defrosting denser items such as a 500g chicken breast. If you cook from frozen regularly, prioritise 800W. For occasional reheating only, 700W is perfectly adequate and can shave a few pounds off the purchase price.
02Capacity and worktop footprint
Twenty litres is the standard capacity for compact solo microwaves and comfortably fits a standard dinner plate (up to about 27cm diameter) or a 23cm (9-inch) pizza. The external footprint matters just as much as the internal volume. Most 20-litre units measure roughly 45cm wide by 35cm deep, which fits neatly under a standard UK wall cabinet with clearance to spare. If your kitchen has a particularly tight alcove or a low shelf, measure the depth from wall to worktop edge before ordering. Turntable diameter is worth checking too: a 25.5cm glass plate is typical, but some budget models drop to 24.5cm, which can make fitting a large mug awkward.
03Power levels and defrost settings
More power levels give you finer control. Five levels is the minimum you should accept: it covers defrost (around 30%), simmer (50%), reheat (70-80%), and full power (100%). Eleven levels, as found on some digital models, lets you dial in gentler settings for melting chocolate or softening butter without hot spots. Automatic defrost, where you enter the food weight and the microwave calculates time and power, is genuinely useful for busy households. Manual defrost works fine but requires more attention. If you live in a hard-water area such as London or the South East, also check whether the interior is described as easy-clean or has a smooth enamel lining, as limescale splatter is harder to remove from textured surfaces.
04Controls: digital versus manual dial
Digital touch-pad controls look sleeker and are easier to wipe down, but they can feel fiddly if you just want to add 30 seconds quickly. Manual dial models are faster to operate one-handed, which matters when you are holding a hot dish. Preset auto-cook menus (typically covering items like jacket potatoes, soup, and beverages) are a convenience feature rather than a necessity, but they do reduce guesswork for common tasks. A clock and kitchen timer function is worth having if your kitchen does not already have one built into the oven. Most models in this guide include both, so it is not a differentiator at this price point, but confirm it is present if you are considering a very budget-focused option.
Our top picks
Best for everyday reheating on a tight budget.Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20 Litre 800
Currently £79.99, this Russell Hobbs RHM2076B has dropped as low as £23.00 in the past 90 days, so it is worth setting a price alert before buying at full price. The 800W output and 20-litre cavity handle standard dinner plates without issue, and 8 auto-cook menus cover the most common tasks. With over 20,000 Amazon UK reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it has one of the strongest real-world track records in this category. The easy-clean interior is a practical bonus for a busy kitchen.
Best for a silver finish to match stainless appliances.Russell Hobbs RHM2076S-AZ 20 Litre 800
At £79.00 currently, the silver RHM2076S-AZ is essentially the same 800W, 20-litre machine as its black sibling but in a brushed-silver finish that pairs well with stainless steel kettles and toasters. Its 90-day low of £40.00 shows meaningful price movement, so patience can save you nearly £40.00. Five power levels and automatic defrost cover all everyday use cases, and the digital display keeps the front panel clean and easy to wipe down.
Best value pick for first homes and student kitchens.TOSHIBA 20 Liter 800W Manual Control
At £54.99, the Toshiba MM-MM20P is the most affordable 800W model in this guide, sitting £15.00 below the Russell Hobbs options. Its 90-day low of £45.00 means it rarely spikes far above that. The manual dial controls are straightforward to use and the 20-litre cavity fits a 23cm pizza comfortably. With over 10,000 reviews at 4.3 stars, it punches well above its price. A solid choice if you want reliable 800W performance without paying for digital extras.
Best for precise cooking with 11 power levels.TOSHIBA 20 Liter 800W Digital Solo
The Toshiba MM-EM20P at £67.99 steps up to 11 power levels, giving you finer control for tasks like melting butter or gently warming milk without boiling it. Six one-touch preset recipes reduce guesswork, and the digital display is clear and easy to read. Its 90-day low of £37.00 shows it can be had for significantly less, making it worth watching. The 800W output and 20-litre capacity match the pricier Russell Hobbs models, so you get more control for less money when it is on offer.
Best compact option if worktop space is extremely limited.COMFEE' 700W 20L Black Microwave Oven
The COMFEE CM-M202CC at £59.99 runs at 700W rather than 800W, which means slightly longer heat times, but its compact design is the draw here for very tight kitchens. Five power levels and a quick defrost function cover the basics, and the black finish suits modern fitted kitchens. Its 90-day high matches the current price, so there is no discount to wait for right now. Over 3,500 reviews at 4.5 stars suggest it is reliable for light daily use.
Frequently asked
What size microwave fits in a small UK kitchen?
A 20-litre solo microwave is the standard recommendation for small UK kitchens. Most 20-litre models measure approximately 45cm wide by 35cm deep and 26cm tall, which fits comfortably on a standard 600mm worktop with clearance under a wall cabinet. If space is extremely tight, measure your available worktop depth before ordering, as some units can be closer to 38cm deep including the handle. Anything below 17 litres starts to feel restrictive for standard dinner plates.
Is 700W or 800W better for a microwave?
800W is better for most households. It heats food faster and gives you more flexibility when defrosting denser items. On the UK 240V supply, the difference in running cost between 700W and 800W is negligible for typical use. A 700W model is acceptable if you only reheat drinks and small portions, and it can be slightly cheaper to buy. For anything more demanding, including defrosting meat or cooking from frozen, the extra 100W makes a noticeable difference to cooking time.
How do I clean the inside of a microwave easily?
The quickest method is to place a microwave-safe bowl containing 300ml of water and a few slices of lemon (or two tablespoons of white vinegar) inside and run it on full power for 3 to 5 minutes. The steam loosens dried splatter. Leave the door closed for another 2 minutes, then wipe the interior with a damp cloth. Models with a smooth enamel lining are easier to clean than textured interiors, which is worth considering if you live in a hard-water area where limescale builds up quickly.
Are cheap microwaves under £60 worth buying?
Yes, for basic reheating and defrosting. Models like the Toshiba MM-MM20P at £54.99 deliver 800W output and 20-litre capacity, which matches more expensive units on the core specs. The trade-offs at this price are typically fewer power levels, manual rather than digital controls, and a shorter warranty. For a student flat, a first home, or a secondary kitchen, a sub-£60 microwave is a sensible choice. If you cook more complex dishes or want preset programmes, spending closer to £70 to £80 buys noticeably more functionality.
Can I use a microwave in a flat with a standard UK plug?
Yes. All the microwaves in this guide use a standard UK three-pin plug and run on the 240V mains supply found in every UK home and flat. No special wiring or adaptor is needed. The maximum draw for an 800W microwave is around 1.2 to 1.4 kW when accounting for efficiency losses, which is well within the capacity of a standard 13-amp socket. You can plug it into any kitchen socket without concern, though it is good practice not to share the socket with another high-draw appliance such as a kettle.