A microwave is a blessing to any kitchen or office space. They're a bit like mini ovens, although a lot more efficient at warming up your lunch, cooking your breakfast or heating your leftovers. We've compiled an informative list below to help you decide which one to go for.
The Best Microwaves:
1. Best for simple-to-use buttons: Russell Hobbs 20 Litre Digital Solo Microwave
2. Best for clear functions: Toshiba 20 L Microwave Oven
3. Best for a contemporary design: SHARP Solo Microwave Oven
4. Best for unique style: Swan 20L Nordic Digital Microwave
5. Best for a large capacity: Samsung Solo Microwave
Russell Hobbs 20 Litre Digital Solo Microwave
Pros:
5 power levels
Pre-programmed auto-cook menus (pizza, popcorn, fish etc.)
Easy to clean
Cons:
Bit small inside
Our Thoughts: It's got five power levels and even an auto-defrost feature for those busy days where you forget to take the meat out of the freezer early. Plus, it'll look great on any kitchen countertop, thanks to its superb mirror finish.
Toshiba 20 L Microwave Oven
Pros:
Child lock feature
Most bowls, plates, cups, containers easily fit inside
Choose between manual or digital
Cons:
No colour options to choose between
Our Thoughts: How impressive is this microwave? With eleven levels of power, you can easily reheat, warm, cook and defrost a varying selection of foods, including cakes, potatoes and even drinks, to name a few.
SHARP Solo Microwave Oven
Pros:
6 power levels
Fits a standard dinnerplate inside
Range of colours and capacities to choose from
Cons:
No eco-function
Our Thoughts: We love how simple this contemporary SHARP microwave is to use, you just turn the dials, and it's ready to go. You can change the levels of power on the dials and set the timer anywhere between 0 and 30 minutes.
Swan 20L Nordic Digital Microwave
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£99.99 FREE Delivery in the UK.
Best for unique style
Pros:
Decent 20 litre capacity
Cooking end signal
Smaller range of colours to choose from
Cons:
Can be a little noisy sometimes
Our Thoughts: It's not just a pretty face. This Scandi style microwave has an extensive range of features, including clear button controls; a digital display timer that makes a noise to let you know when it's finished; multiple power modes, and a handy defrost mode.
Samsung Solo Microwave
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£98.00 FREE Delivery in the UK.
Best for a large capacity
Pros:
Clear LED display
Deodorisation to prevent lingering smells
Memory function
Cons:
Window isn't very see-through
Our Thoughts: If you are being conscious about what you eat, there are a few helpful, healthy cooking modes, as well as a memory function that stores the time and power required to cook your favourite dishes, which is super handy.
How do microwaves heat food?
It's time for a basic science lesson here. Microwaves do not use heat to cook foods. Instead, invisible electromagnetic waves are generated, which then vibrate the molecules in the food. The molecules start to move and therefore create their own heat, which then raises the overall temperature of the food.
Arabella Horspool is a Content Optimisation writer at Bauer Media, writing for multiple brands. She enjoys reading, cooking and looking after animals and is passionate about food.