Product Inspector
Menu

Microwaves

8 best microwaves for UK kitchens in 2026

A practical UK shortlist covering simple solo models, compact picks and multi-function upgrades.

Products shortlisted
8
Last updated
11 Aug 2026

There is no single microwave that is best for every kitchen. If you mainly reheat, defrost and cook simple meals, the Panasonic NN-ST23QMBPQ is our strongest starting point. Families needing more room should look at the 32L Samsung, while the Sage, Daewoo, Panasonic steam model and Russell Hobbs combi earn their places by adding genuinely useful oven-style cooking.

We compared exact-model specifications, controls, cavity layout and independent performance findings, then matched each recommendation to a clear buyer need. The shortlist deliberately includes limitations as well as strengths: slow defrosting, awkward controls, fixed programme temperatures and difficult cleaning can matter more in daily use than a long list of modes.

Start with microwave type and external size, not the badge or headline wattage. A good 20L solo microwave is often the better buy for reheating, while a larger combination model only earns its worktop space if you will regularly grill, bake, steam or air fry.

Related buying guides

More guides for microwaves

Explore more focused guides in the same product family when you already know the type or feature set you want.

Microwaves Combination microwaves Solo microwaves

Choose your next step

Not sure which microwave suits you?

Get a shortlist based on your needs, or compare the catalogue yourself.

Quick picks

Best options at a glance

See the main recommendations side by side, with enough detail to decide which picks deserve a closer look.

Read verdicts
Sage the Combi Wave 3-in-1 microwave oven

Best Premium All-in-One Microwave

Sage The Combi Wave 3 in 1

32L air fryer, convection oven and microwave

A polished, spacious choice for households that will genuinely use microwave, oven, grill and air-fry modes from one appliance.

Capacity
32L
Power
1100w
Type
combination

Typical price: £398-£400

Top offers

Amazon UK Check price
Read our verdict

Comparison

Compare the products at a glance

See the main details and prices side by side to narrow down the products that suit your kitchen.

Product Price Capacity Power Type Dimensions
Panasonic NN-ST23QMBPQ Solo Microwave Best Microwave for Most Kitchens Typical price: £70-£99 20L 800w solo 44 x 32.4 x 25.8cm
Sage The Combi Wave 3 in 1 Best Premium All-in-One Microwave Typical price: £398-£400 32L 1100w combination 51.9 x 51.3 x 31.6cm
Samsung MS32DG4504ATE3 Solo Microwave Best Large Solo Microwave Typical price: £129-£149 32L 1000w solo 51.7 x 42.4 x 29.7cm
Panasonic NN-DS59NBBPQ Steam Combination Microwave Best Steam Combination Microwave RRP: £449 27L 1000w grill 51.4 x 45.6 x 34.7cm
Salter Toronto Solo Microwave Best Budget Solo Microwave Guide price: £105 20L 800w solo 25.9 x 44 x 33.5cm
Sharp YC-QC254AU-B Flatbed Combination Microwave Best Flatbed Microwave Guide price: £169 25L 900w combination 49 x 50.9 x 28.8cm
Daewoo Actuate 5-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Oven Best Air-Fryer Combination Microwave Guide price: £190 26L 900w combination 52.1 x 34 x 29.6cm
Russell Hobbs RHM2366B 3-in-1 Combination Microwave Best Budget Combination Microwave Guide price: £119 23L 900w combination 46.9 x 41.5 x 28cm

Buying advice

How to choose the right microwave

Use these checks to decide which features matter before comparing individual products.

Decide between solo and combination cooking

Choose a solo microwave for reheating, defrosting, drinks and simple microwave meals. Pay more for a grill, convection oven, steam or air-fry mode only when you can name the dishes you will cook with it regularly.

Measure the outside, not just the cavity

A 20L model can still be deep, while a 32L combi may need more than half a metre of worktop depth. Check width, depth, height, ventilation clearance and door swing before comparing capacities.

Match capacity to your plates and portions

Around 20L suits one or two people and ordinary dinner plates. A 25-32L cavity gives families and batch cooks more room, but the internal shape and turntable diameter determine whether a favourite dish actually fits.

Choose flatbed or turntable

A turntable rotates food and is common on lower-priced models. A flatbed has no glass plate, so it is easier to wipe clean and can accept rectangular dishes more freely, although flatbed appliances are not necessarily smaller.

Do not buy on wattage alone

Higher microwave power can reduce cooking time, but it does not guarantee faster defrosting or more even results. Clear controls, sensible power levels and performance with the foods you actually eat are at least as important.

Check how the controls work

Preset symbols, hidden functions and multi-stage programmes can make an otherwise capable microwave frustrating. Look for labelled buttons, a readable display, useful quick-start controls and instructions you can understand before the first meal.

Plan for cleaning and accessories

Removable turntables are easy to wash but leave a mechanism underneath; flatbeds remove that obstacle. For combis, check whether racks, trays and air-fryer baskets are dishwasher-safe and whether the cavity has corners that trap splashes.

Full verdicts

Why these picks made the shortlist

A closer look at where each pick works best, what it gives up and what to double-check before buying.

Award Best Microwave for Most Kitchens

Panasonic NN-ST23QMBPQ 20L Solo Microwave

Key specs

Capacity
20L
Power
800w
Type
solo
Dimensions
44 x 32.4 x 25.8cm

Panasonic NN-ST23QMBPQ Solo Microwave

20L, 800W, Silver

20L solo microwave for straightforward everyday cooking

See product details

The Panasonic NN-ST23QMBPQ earns the lead position because it does the jobs most people buy a microwave for particularly well. Its 20L cavity, 800W output and uncomplicated controls make it a practical choice for reheating meals, warming drinks, defrosting and simple microwave cooking.

Independent performance checks were especially positive for chilled and frozen ready meals, while the turntable still accommodates a normal dinner plate. It is a better fit for one or two people than a busy family kitchen, but buyers who do not need grill, oven or air-fry modes avoid paying for functions they may rarely use.

Typical price: £70-£99

Key features

  • 20L capacity and 800W microwave power
  • 11 automatic programmes, including three reheating programmes
  • Five power levels for gentler heating as well as full-power cooking
  • Turntable sized for a standard dinner plate
  • Compact 44 x 32.4 x 25.8cm body

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Strong independent results with both chilled and frozen ready meals
  • Controls are easy to understand without a long learning curve
  • Compact footprint suits kitchens that do not need a family-sized cavity
  • Standard dinner plates fit despite the relatively small 20L capacity
  • A sensible balance of useful programmes and simple day-to-day operation

Cons

  • Solo-only design cannot grill, brown or bake food
  • 20L cavity is restrictive for large dishes and family batch cooking
  • Defrost instructions could give more useful guidance
  • Soup may still need stirring to heat evenly

Verdict

Choose this if you want a dependable, compact solo microwave rather than a second oven. It combines useful automatic programmes with controls that are easy to learn and a cavity that makes sensible use of its modest size.

Look elsewhere if you regularly use oversized dishes, cook for several people at once or want crisping and browning. Defrost guidance is also less helpful than it could be, and liquids can still need stirring, but those limitations do not outweigh its strong everyday performance for the intended buyer.

Award Best Premium All-in-One Microwave

Sage the Combi Wave 3-in-1 microwave oven

Key specs

Capacity
32L
Power
1100w
Type
combination
Dimensions
51.9 x 51.3 x 31.6cm

Sage The Combi Wave 3 in 1

32L air fryer, convection oven and microwave

32L microwave, convection oven and air fryer in one

The Sage Combi Wave 3 in 1 is the premium choice for buyers who want one appliance to cover much more than reheating. Alongside its 1100W microwave, it provides convection, grilling, air frying and combination programmes in a generous 32L cavity.

Its appeal is breadth rather than bargain value. Independent assessments have praised both its cooking versatility and the clarity of its main presets, although the control panel still takes time to master. It makes most sense when the oven-style functions will be used regularly and replacing separate appliances has real value.

Typical price: £398-£400

Key features

  • 32L capacity and 1100W microwave power
  • Microwave, convection oven, grill and air-fry cooking
  • 19 presets covering reheating, defrosting and multi-stage cooking
  • Fast Combi and Cook From Frozen modes
  • Turntable-off option for suitable dishes
  • Quiet Mark certification

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Wide range of cooking modes can replace several separate countertop appliances
  • Large cavity is well suited to family portions and bigger dishes
  • Clear presets make its core functions easier to access than the feature list suggests
  • Independent checks found the controls and setup straightforward
  • Strong option when worktop space matters more than the lowest purchase price

Cons

  • Considerably more expensive than a good solo or basic combination microwave
  • Deep 51.3cm body demands a substantial area of worktop and ventilation space
  • The number of controls can feel complicated until the shortcuts become familiar
  • A dedicated air fryer can produce better results for buyers who prioritise that function
  • Oven temperatures may need adjusting from conventional recipe timings

Verdict

Buy the Sage for its all-in-one flexibility, not simply because it is a powerful microwave. It is particularly compelling for family kitchens, smaller homes without a full second oven, or anyone who wants extra cooking capacity without adding several machines.

The price, depth and learning curve are meaningful drawbacks. A basic solo model is a far better-value reheater, while keen air-fryer users may prefer a dedicated drawer appliance. If those trade-offs fit your kitchen, the Sage offers the most complete premium package in this shortlist.

Award Best Large Solo Microwave

Samsung 32L Solo Microwave MS32DG4504ATE3

Key specs

Capacity
32L
Power
1000w
Type
solo
Dimensions
51.7 x 42.4 x 29.7cm

Samsung MS32DG4504ATE3 Solo Microwave

32L, 1000W, Stainless Steel

Large 32L solo microwave for families and entertaining

The Samsung MS32DG4504ATE3 solves a simple problem: many solo microwaves are too small for family plates and larger portions. Its 32L cavity provides substantially more room while retaining the uncomplicated controls and lower learning curve of a microwave-only model.

Useful extras include keep-warm, deodorisation, automatic cooking and an energy-saving standby mode. Independent checks were positive about its family-friendly capacity and general ease of use, although the high wattage did not make every task faster and defrosting required patience.

Typical price: £129-£149

Key features

  • Large 32L cavity and 1000W microwave power
  • Auto Cook, Power Defrost and Keep Warm modes
  • Home Dessert programme for simple sweet dishes
  • Deodorisation and energy-saving standby modes
  • Control lock for family kitchens

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Generous cavity handles larger plates and family-sized portions
  • Straightforward controls keep everyday reheating simple
  • Useful keep-warm and deodorisation functions go beyond the basics
  • Sleek design works well in a modern kitchen
  • Good choice when capacity matters but grill and oven modes do not

Cons

  • No grill, convection, steam or air-fry mode
  • Large external dimensions take up much more worktop than a 20L solo model
  • Defrosting was slower than expected in independent checks
  • The 1000W rating did not always deliver noticeably faster cooking
  • Warranty information should be checked with the retailer before buying

Verdict

This is the solo microwave to choose when space inside matters more than space on the worktop. It suits families, batch cooks and frequent entertainers who use large plates but do not need a grill or convection oven.

Measure carefully before buying: the 32L cavity comes with a deep, wide body. Buyers who want a compact reheater should choose the Panasonic NN-ST23QMBPQ, while those who will use oven-style functions should spend the extra on a genuine combination model.

Award Best Steam Combination Microwave

Panasonic 4-in-1 combi microwave oven NN-DS59NBBPQ

Key specs

Capacity
27L
Power
1000w
Type
grill
Dimensions
51.4 x 45.6 x 34.7cm

Panasonic NN-DS59NBBPQ Steam Combination Microwave

27L, 1000W, Black, with grill

27L flatbed combi with steam, grill and oven modes

The Panasonic NN-DS59NBBPQ stands out by adding proper steam cooking to a 27L flatbed microwave, grill and convection oven. The lack of a turntable makes better use of the cavity, while the drop-down door and multiple cooking modes help it behave more like a compact second oven.

Steam performance is its clearest strength, and the easy-to-handle water containers reduce some of the usual fuss. It is not flawless: the controls need learning, the window can mist up and one independent jacket-potato check exposed uneven results. Its value therefore depends on using the extra modes regularly.

RRP: £449

Key features

  • 27L flatbed cavity with no turntable
  • 1000W microwave plus grill, convection oven and steam modes
  • 28 automatic programmes
  • Combination and turbo cooking options
  • Drop-down oven-style door
  • Cleaning programme and removable water containers

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Steam mode adds a genuinely different way to cook rather than another reheating preset
  • Flatbed cavity gives rectangular dishes more usable room and is easier to wipe clean
  • Broad microwave, grill, oven and steam functions suit varied family cooking
  • Water containers are straightforward to fill and empty
  • Independent checks found steam cooking particularly effective for puddings
  • Five-year warranty provides useful long-term reassurance

Cons

  • Premium price is difficult to justify if steam and oven modes will be occasional extras
  • Controls and less visible buttons take time to learn
  • Window can steam up during cooking
  • A jacket potato failed to cook through in one independent check
  • Large body still needs careful worktop and ventilation measurements

Verdict

Choose this Panasonic when steam cooking is a real priority and you want a flexible flatbed appliance. It can cover vegetables, puddings, reheating, grilling and oven-style cooking without a turntable limiting dish shape.

It is a costly and fairly substantial machine for simple microwave duties. Buyers interested mainly in air frying should compare the Daewoo or Sage instead, while a solo model will be cheaper and easier if browning, baking and steaming are not part of the plan.

Award Best Budget Solo Microwave

Salter Toronto microwave

Key specs

Capacity
20L
Power
800w
Type
solo
Dimensions
25.9 x 44 x 33.5cm

Salter Toronto Solo Microwave

20L, 800W, Black

Compact 20L solo microwave with quiet operation

The Salter Toronto is aimed at buyers who want to keep both cost and worktop use under control. It combines an everyday 20L cavity and 800W output with eight presets, quiet operation and a wood-effect handle that gives it a more distinctive look than many budget rivals.

Its main weakness is not cooking performance but usability. The presets rely on symbols rather than clear labels, so the manual may be needed until the controls become familiar. Once learned, it is a capable choice for ordinary reheating, defrosting and simple microwave cooking.

Guide price: £105

Key features

  • 20L capacity and 800W microwave power
  • Eight automatic cooking presets
  • Compact 25.9 x 44 x 33.5cm body
  • Wood-effect handle and black exterior
  • Digital controls and display

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Strong value for straightforward reheating and defrosting
  • Compact dimensions suit smaller kitchens and limited worktops
  • Runs quietly compared with many inexpensive microwaves
  • Distinctive design looks more considered than a typical budget appliance
  • 20L capacity is adequate for standard everyday portions

Cons

  • Preset programmes are not labelled directly on the appliance
  • Symbol-led controls are less intuitive until their meanings become familiar
  • Solo-only design cannot grill or brown food
  • Capacity is better suited to one or two people than large family dishes

Verdict

Pick the Toronto if price, compact size and quiet operation matter more than premium functions. It covers the basics without looking like the cheapest appliance in the kitchen and is especially well suited to smaller households.

Those who value instantly obvious controls may prefer the Panasonic NN-ST23QMBPQ, while anyone who wants grilling or oven cooking needs a combination model. For a simple solo microwave on a tighter budget, however, the Toronto makes the right compromises.

Award Best Flatbed Microwave

Sharp digital combination microwave YC-QC254AU-B

Key specs

Capacity
25L
Power
900w
Type
combination
Dimensions
49 x 50.9 x 28.8cm

Sharp YC-QC254AU-B Flatbed Combination Microwave

25L, 900W, with 1050W grill

25L flatbed combi for flexible dishes and easier cleaning

See product details

The Sharp YC-QC254AU-B uses a flat floor rather than a rotating glass plate, giving rectangular dishes more freedom and leaving fewer parts to remove for cleaning. It combines that practical layout with 900W microwave power, grilling, convection cooking and 14 presets.

Its precise timer, solid accessories and strong jacket-potato result add to the appeal. The trade-off is size: the body is deep and bulky, and the defrost setting is not quick. It works best for buyers who will make regular use of the flatbed space rather than simply wanting the smallest possible combi.

Guide price: £169

Key features

  • 25L flatbed cavity with no glass turntable
  • 900W microwave with grill and convection cooking
  • 14 preset programmes
  • Defrost, reheat and energy-saving modes
  • Precise digital timer
  • Supplied grill and oven accessories

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Flat floor is easier to wipe clean than a turntable mechanism
  • Rectangular and awkwardly shaped dishes make better use of the cavity
  • Microwave, grill and convection modes offer useful flexibility
  • Accessories feel sturdy and well matched to the appliance
  • Timer allows unusually precise control
  • Independent checks produced a particularly good jacket potato

Cons

  • Large footprint needs considerably more worktop depth than many 25L models
  • Costs more than a straightforward turntable microwave
  • Defrost programme was slow in independent checks
  • Flatbed convenience does not make the appliance itself compact

Verdict

Buy the Sharp when dish flexibility and easier cleaning are more valuable than a compact footprint. The flatbed layout is genuinely helpful for casserole dishes and other shapes that can catch on a turntable.

It is not the cheapest route to microwave, grill and convection cooking, and slow defrosting is disappointing. Even so, its combination of usable space, clear timing and versatile cooking modes makes it the strongest flatbed choice in this shortlist.

Award Best Air-Fryer Combination Microwave

Daewoo Actuate Range 26 Litre 5-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Oven

Key specs

Capacity
26L
Power
900w
Type
combination
Dimensions
52.1 x 34 x 29.6cm

Daewoo Actuate 5-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Oven

26L, 2400W, Black, with grill

26L air-fryer combi with responsive touch controls

See product details

The Daewoo Actuate is the most convincing choice here for combining microwave convenience with useful air-fryer cooking. Its 26L cavity, five functions and 28 presets cover everyday reheating as well as roasting, crisping and combination meals.

Independent checks produced strong results with roast chicken, sausages, soup, jacket potatoes, ready meals and defrosting, supported by a responsive panel and unusually clear illustrated instructions. Browning was less successful for macaroni cheese, and the fixed turntable restricts some dish shapes, but its overall cooking range is impressive.

Guide price: £190

Key features

  • 26L capacity with microwave, air-fryer and combination cooking
  • Five cooking functions and 28 presets
  • Responsive touch-screen control panel
  • Ten power levels
  • Supplied grill basket and baking tray
  • Clear illustrated operating instructions

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Air-fryer mode performed well with roast chicken and sausages in independent checks
  • Strong results across soup, jacket potatoes, ready meals and defrosting
  • Clear diagrams make a multi-function appliance easier to learn
  • Touch controls are sleek and responsive
  • 26L cavity balances useful cooking room with a smaller footprint than many premium combis
  • Broad programme choice supports quick meals as well as more ambitious cooking

Cons

  • Turntable cannot be switched off for larger rectangular dishes
  • Macaroni cheese did not brown as well as expected in independent checks
  • Air-fryer tray is not dishwasher-safe
  • Still larger and more complicated than a solo microwave
  • Buyers focused mainly on air frying may prefer a dedicated drawer appliance

Verdict

Choose the Daewoo if air frying is the extra function you are most likely to use. It offers a better balance of air-fryer performance, microwave basics and approachable controls than many multi-function machines.

The tray needs hand washing and the turntable cannot be stopped, so it is not the most flexible cavity. A dedicated air fryer may still suit enthusiasts better, but households trying to reduce the number of appliances on the worktop get a capable all-round package at a more accessible level than the Sage.

Award Best Budget Combination Microwave

Russell Hobbs RHM2366B 23 Litre Combination Microwave 900W

Key specs

Capacity
23L
Power
900w
Type
combination
Dimensions
46.9 x 41.5 x 28cm

Russell Hobbs RHM2366B 3-in-1 Combination Microwave

23L, 900W, with grill and oven

23L microwave, grill and convection oven at a lower price

See product details

The Russell Hobbs RHM2366B brings microwave, grill and convection cooking into a more affordable 23L appliance. Its 900W microwave, ten presets and logical controls cover the essentials, while the grill rack and oven mode make browning and small-batch baking possible.

Independent checks were notably strong for soup, jacket potatoes, chilled meals, frozen meals, roast chicken and grilling. The compromises are a cavity with some dirt traps and fixed temperatures on automatic grill and convection programmes, but neither undermines its value for buyers moving beyond a solo microwave.

Guide price: £119

Key features

  • 23L capacity and 900W microwave power
  • 1000W grill and 1700W convection oven
  • Ten automatic cooking presets plus defrost
  • Five microwave power levels
  • Removable glass turntable
  • Supplied grill rack

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Adds grill and convection cooking without premium combi pricing
  • Logical controls are easier to learn than many multi-function rivals
  • Removable turntable simplifies cleaning
  • Independent checks produced excellent soup and jacket-potato results
  • Chilled and frozen ready meals heated very well
  • Roast chicken and grilled food performance was strong for the price

Cons

  • Interior has crevices that can trap splashes and crumbs
  • Cooked food cooled slightly quickly after heating
  • Automatic grill and convection temperatures are fixed, so only time can be adjusted
  • 23L cavity is less suitable for large family dishes than 27-32L combis
  • Turntable layout is less flexible than a flatbed for rectangular cookware

Verdict

This is the best-value choice when a solo microwave is too limited but a premium combi is unnecessary. It handles everyday microwave jobs well and adds credible grilling and convection without an intimidating control layout.

The smaller 23L cavity and fixed programme temperatures reduce flexibility compared with the Sage, Panasonic and Sharp. For buyers who want useful oven-style functions at a more attainable price, the Russell Hobbs offers the most persuasive set of trade-offs.

Questions

Microwave buying questions

Straight answers to the questions that usually come up before buying.

Which microwave is best for most people?

The Panasonic NN-ST23QMBPQ is our best starting point for most buyers who want reliable reheating, defrosting and simple cooking in a compact solo microwave. Choose a combination model instead if grilling, baking, steaming or air frying will be regular jobs.

What capacity microwave do I need?

A 20L microwave is usually enough for one or two people and a standard dinner plate. Families, batch cooks and buyers using casserole dishes should look around 25-32L, while also checking the exact internal and external dimensions.

Is a combination microwave worth the extra cost?

It is worth paying more when the grill, convection oven, steam or air-fry modes will replace another appliance or provide useful extra cooking capacity. For reheating and defrosting alone, a good solo microwave is usually cheaper, simpler and smaller.

Can an air-fryer microwave replace a separate air fryer?

It can save worktop space and produce useful crisping and roasting results, but a dedicated drawer air fryer may still be quicker or better for frequent air frying. Treat the combined appliance as a space-saving compromise rather than an automatic upgrade.

Are flatbed microwaves better than turntable models?

Flatbeds are easier to wipe clean and make it simpler to use rectangular dishes because there is no rotating plate. Turntable models are often cheaper and remain a good choice for standard plates, bowls and everyday reheating.

Does a higher wattage microwave cook better?

Not necessarily. Higher power can shorten some cooking times, but even heating, sensible power levels, clear programmes and good defrosting matter too. Independent performance findings are more useful than wattage on its own.

How much ventilation space does a microwave need?

Follow the clearance distances in the exact model's instructions rather than using a general rule. Leave enough room for airflow, make sure the door opens fully and avoid placing the appliance where steam or heat will be trapped beneath a cupboard.

How long should a microwave last?

Lifespan varies with build quality, ventilation, cleaning and frequency of use. Check the warranty before buying, keep vents clear, clean spills promptly and stop using any appliance with a damaged door, seal, cable or unusual arcing.

Calculators

Use calculators before you choose

Sense-check size, cost and practical fit before comparing the recommendations.

Plug-in energy meter beside an air fryer and oven for a running-cost comparison

Calculator

Air fryer vs oven running cost calculator

Estimate how much common kitchen appliances cost to run by changing the power, cooking time and electricity price.

Reviewed 20 June 2026 Open calculator
Open microwave with dinner plate and tape measure on a kitchen worktop for size checking

Calculator

Microwave size calculator

Estimate the litre capacity, turntable size and counter-space trade-offs before you compare microwave picks.

Reviewed 10 July 2026 Open calculator

Buying advice

Helpful advice before you choose

Use these guides to settle the trade-offs that matter before comparing the recommendations.

Microwave on a kitchen worktop beside a dinner plate and measuring tape
Guide Microwaves

What size microwave do I need?

Choose the right microwave size by matching litre capacity to your plates, worktop space, household size and whether you want a simple solo model or a larger combi microwave.

Read advice

More buying guides

Compare related products next

Useful next stops if you are weighing up nearby categories or planning a connected purchase.

Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400UKCP from Best Air Fryers Best Air Fryers Read guide Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Multifunction Oven DT200UK from Best Mini Ovens Best Mini Ovens Read guide