A reliable 800W microwave does not have to cost a fortune: four of the models here sit under £80, and all fit comfortably on a standard 60cm worktop. This guide covers the solo microwaves in the list worth buying, cuts the non-microwave products, and tells you exactly what to look for before you spend.
What to look for
01Wattage and how quickly it heats food
All four microwaves here run at 800W on the UK 240V mains supply, which is the practical sweet spot for a compact solo model. At 800W you can reheat a bowl of soup in around 90 seconds and defrost 500g of mince in under 10 minutes. Drop below 700W and reheating times stretch noticeably; go above 900W and you pay more for a larger cavity you may not need. The key thing to check is whether the stated wattage is the output wattage (what heats the food) rather than the input wattage (what it draws from the wall). Every model listed here quotes 800W output, so comparisons are like-for-like.
02Cavity size and worktop footprint
All four units offer a 20-litre cavity, which comfortably fits a standard 26cm dinner plate and handles a 23cm (9-inch) pizza. For most UK kitchens with limited worktop depth, the external footprint matters as much as the internal volume. A typical 20-litre solo microwave measures roughly 45cm wide by 35cm deep, leaving clearance within a standard 60cm worktop run. If your kitchen has overhead cupboards, check the height too: most of these models sit around 26cm tall, so a 30cm clearance above the unit is sufficient. Measure before you order.
03Power levels and auto-defrost
More power levels give you finer control. The Russell Hobbs RHM2076S and RHM2076B offer 5 power levels, which covers the basics: full power for reheating, 50% for gentle warming, and a dedicated defrost setting. The Toshiba MM-EM20P steps up to 11 power levels, useful if you regularly cook delicate foods such as fish or scrambled eggs where a mid-point between 50% and 100% matters. Automatic defrost, present on all four models, calculates time based on the weight you enter rather than making you guess. In hard-water areas, the interior can accumulate limescale; all four models have smooth, easy-clean cavities that wipe down quickly.
04Digital versus manual controls
Three of the four models use a digital display with push-button controls, while the Toshiba MM-MM20P uses a manual dial. Dials are faster for a quick 30-second blast but less precise for timed cooking. Digital controls let you set exact minutes and seconds, use preset programmes, and read the clock at a glance. The Russell Hobbs models include 8 auto-cook menus covering common tasks such as baked potatoes and beverages. The Toshiba MM-EM20P adds 6 one-touch express-cook presets on top of its 11 power levels. If you mostly just reheat leftovers, a manual dial is perfectly adequate; if you want guided cooking, go digital.
05Price and value at under £100
The four microwaves here range from £69. 99 to £83.99 at current prices. The Toshiba MM-MM20P is the cheapest at £69.99, though its 90-day low was £45.00, suggesting it does go on sale. The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B is currently £83.99 but has dropped as low as £23.00 in the past 90 days, so it is worth adding to a wishlist and waiting. At full price, the Russell Hobbs RHM2076S at £79.00 offers the best balance of features and cost. None of these models require you to spend over £100 to get 800W output, auto-defrost, and a 20-litre cavity.
Our top picks
Best for everyday reheating on a tight budgetRussell Hobbs RHM2076S-AZ 20 Litre 800
At £79.00 (its 90-day high, so watch for a dip), the Russell Hobbs RHM2076S delivers 800W output, 5 power levels, and 8 auto-cook menus in a 20-litre silver cavity. It has over 21,000 Amazon UK reviews averaging 4.6 stars, which is unusually strong evidence of consistent real-world reliability. The easy-clean interior is a genuine plus in hard-water areas where limescale builds quickly.
Best for precise cooking with more power-level controlTOSHIBA 20 Liter 800W Digital Solo
The Toshiba MM-EM20P costs £79.99 but offers 11 power levels, double the granularity of the Russell Hobbs models, plus 6 one-touch express-cook presets. Its 90-day low was £37.00, so it has significant room to drop. The digital display and 20-litre cavity fit a standard 60cm worktop, and the 800W output keeps reheating times competitive.
Best for simplicity and lowest entry priceTOSHIBA 20 Liter 800W Manual Control
At £69.99, the Toshiba MM-MM20P is the cheapest model here and the one to choose if you want a no-fuss appliance. Manual dial controls mean no buttons to confuse, and the 800W output with 5 power levels and auto-defrost covers every basic task. Its 90-day low of £45.00 means it occasionally drops to an exceptional price on Amazon UK.
Best for a black finish to match dark kitchen appliancesRussell Hobbs RHM2076B 20 Litre 800
Functionally identical to the silver RHM2076S, the Russell Hobbs RHM2076B costs £83.99 at current pricing but has a 90-day low of just £23.00, the biggest price swing in this group. If you can wait for a sale, it is outstanding value. The 800W output, 8 auto-cook menus, and easy-clean 20-litre cavity are the same, but the black finish suits darker kitchen colour schemes.
Frequently asked
Is 800W enough for a microwave in a UK kitchen?
Yes, for most everyday tasks. At 800W on the UK 240V supply, you can reheat a portion of pasta in roughly 2 minutes, defrost 500g of chicken mince in under 10 minutes, and cook a jacket potato in around 8 minutes. If you regularly cook large joints or want to speed-cook from raw more often, a 900W or 1000W model would save a little time, but for reheating and defrosting, 800W is entirely adequate.
What size microwave fits on a standard UK worktop?
A 20-litre solo microwave typically measures around 44 to 46cm wide, 34 to 36cm deep, and 25 to 27cm tall. UK worktops are usually 60cm deep, so a 20-litre model sits comfortably without overhanging the front. If you have overhead cupboards, check that you have at least 30cm of clearance above the unit for ventilation. All four models in this guide fall within these dimensions.
How do I stop my microwave interior getting stained and smelly?
Wipe the cavity after each use with a damp cloth. For built-up grease, place a microwave-safe bowl of water with a halved lemon inside and run the microwave on full power for 3 minutes. The steam loosens residue and the lemon neutralises odours. All four models here have smooth easy-clean interiors without ridges or exposed screws, which makes this process quicker. In hard-water areas, a weekly wipe with a diluted white vinegar solution also prevents limescale build-up on the interior walls.
Are these microwaves safe to use with a UK standard 3-pin plug?
Yes. All four models are supplied with a standard UK 3-pin plug and are rated for the UK 240V mains supply. At 800W output, they draw roughly 1.1 to 1.3kW from the wall (accounting for efficiency losses), well within the capacity of a standard 13A fused socket. Do not use an extension lead rated below 13A, and avoid sharing the socket with other high-draw appliances such as a kettle or toaster.
Which microwave has the most power levels?
The Toshiba MM-EM20P (ASIN B07N6KQQPD) offers 11 power levels, the most in this group. The Russell Hobbs RHM2076S and RHM2076B each offer 5 power levels, and the Toshiba MM-MM20P also offers 5. More power levels give finer control: at 11 levels you can choose increments such as 30% or 70%, which is useful for gently warming chocolate or softening butter without melting it completely.