10 best microwaves of 2024: combination, retro and more

• Best for: Simplicity and effectiveness
• Capacity: 25L
• Power: 200W

This 25-litre, 900W combi microwave from Sharp ticks a crucial box that seems oddly to elude most other microwaves: it’s easy to operate.

The R861’s usability is thanks in part to its clearly marked cooking time buttons (which add 10 seconds, 1 minute or 10 minutes); pre-sets for commonly cooked foods including jacket potatoes, pizza and rice; and refreshingly uncomplicated grill and convection oven modes.

It cooks evenly without the need for a rotating plate, which makes it possible to cook larger meals than most other microwaves of the R861’s size would allow.

• Best for: Grill, steam, microwave and oven options
• Capacity: 27L
• Power: 1000W

When you turn this microwave on for the first time, the blue digital display urges you to ‘Refer to operating instructions before use’.

We think this is astute, and we say that because this microwave is a complex machine, operated with twelve buttons and a multifunctional dial. If you’re after a feature-rich combination oven that can fit on a work surface to use in place of a traditional oven, it would make a superb purchase.

An impressive array of grill, steam, microwave and oven options is just a few button-presses away. Simply enter your desired function and cooking time settings and hit ‘Start’.

• Best for: Attractiveness
• Capacity: 20L
• Power: 800W

Did you know that the first microwave oven was made in 1947? That particular model – “the Radarange” – was nearly six-foot tall and weighed 340 kilograms.

For mid-20^th-century style that comes with the welcome benefits of contemporary tech, you’d probably be better off purchasing the Swan Retro Digital Combi instead.

This remarkably easy-on-the-eye microwave provides a mixture of grill, convection oven and microwave functions up to 900W. It’s incredibly easy to use, and unlike so many other microwaves, it will be an asset to your kitchen’s aesthetic.

From the reflective glass panel on the front, to the stainless steel interior, this is a class act that marries function to fabulous form. Available in nine colours.

• Best for: Luxury seekers
• Capacity: 46L
• Power: 900W

Built to slot into your kitchen cupboards, this lavish luxury appliance works exceptionally well, glows with a homely light as it cooks and chirrups winningly when your food’s ready. These traits epitomise the M7140TC’s convincing combination of class and character.

Other selected highlights include its enormous 46-litre cooking compartment, 40 cm turntable, internal LED spotlight, and of course, its dedicated popcorn-making mode. We could go on...

If money’s no object, this may well be the microwave for you.

• Best for: Keen cooks
• Capacity: 28L
• Power: 1400W

This powerful, versatile smart oven from Samsung has healthy cooking presets for a wide range of vegetables, poultry and fish, it features dough-proofing and yoghurt-making modes as well as offering simultaneous microwave and grill combi cooking, which rapidly cooks and browns your food.

Clever, stylish and loaded with a huge array of features, this is a highly impressive microwave, capable of working wonders for chefs who wish to improve their efficiency in the kitchen – without losing quality.

The microwave also comes with a high rack and low rack, enabling you to cook to your taste.

• Best for: In-built affordability
• Capacity: 20L
• Power: 800W

Simple, effective and reasonably priced for an in-built microwave, the BFL523MB0B could well prove to be the ideal choice for those seeking to fully integrate their kitchen appliances on a reasonable budget.

With a capacity of 20 litres and a turntable diameter of 25.5cm, the BFL523MB0B does its job without dominating the space – something you might consider another boon from a design perspective.

In terms of features, this microwave focuses on doing the basics well, with five power levels ranging up to 800W, plus a few additional tricks up its sleeve including 7 auto cook programs. It is available in black, silver or white.

• Best for: smaller households
• Capacity: 17L
• Power: 700W

This fantastic value microwave by household name Russell Hobbs is powerful, multifaceted and looks good on your kitchen counter.

Featuring a whole host of pre-programmed auto cook settings such as pizza, fish and popcorn, as well as five different power levels, weight defrost settings, digital clock and a countdown timer– this microwave has all the essentials nailed down.

With a 17L capacity, the kitchen essential would do well in any smaller household and comes at a very reasonable price point.

• Best for: express cooking
• Capacity: 23L
• Power: 900W

With a 23-litre capacity, oven temperature of up to 200°C and six auto cooking programs, this combination microwave is an absolute steal. Whether you’re looking for a device to reheat your leftovers, cook a ready meal, or even defrost meat, the K23CM21 is the microwave for you.

We’re fans of the express and quick start cooking functions, which ensure that you’re not going to get stuck fiddling with various settings when all you want is that delicious M&S lasagne.

• Best for: powerful reheating
• Capacity: 25L
• Power: 900W

The built-in microwave for your dream kitchen, this 25-litre combination grill makes for an incredibly handy kitchen gadget. It is designed to be fitted at eye level, so that you can properly utilise both the touch and dial controls and switch between settings.

The selection of auto-cook programs set the ideal time and temperature for your chosen dish, so you can enjoy your meal fuss-free and at the touch of a button. No more worrying about whether that leftover curry has been reheated all the way through.

• Best for: occasional use
• Capacity: 17L
• Power: 700W

Not everyone needs a microwave for every meal. For those who use the appliance infrequently, a simpler (read: cheaper) model may hit the sweet spot.

In this case, Russell Hobbs comes up trumps with a gold and white grooved design that keeps things simple yet oh-so stylish. The 700W countertop design offers a choice of five power levels as well as a defrost function so you can make use of what’s in the freezer for a fast mid-week dinner.

Comes with a one year guarantee.