Microwave Buying Guide 2025: How to Choose the Right Microwave for Your Kitchen, Budget, and Cooking Style

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Shopping for a new microwave? Compare solo, grill, and combi convection models; learn sizes, wattage, features, and installation options—plus reheating tips, safety, and energy‑saving tricks for UK homes.

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Introduction

Microwaves are the weeknight workhorse—reheat leftovers, steam veg, melt chocolate, defrost dinner, even bake and crisp if you pick the right model. But the market’s crowded with jargon: solo vs grill vs combination, inverter, turntable‑free, built‑in or countertop. This guide cuts through the noise so you can buy the right microwave for your space, budget, and the way you actually cook.

Microwave types (what each one does best)

Solo (microwave only)
- Reheat, defrost, steam veg, basic cooking.
- Best for small kitchens, students, offices, and low budgets.
Grill microwave
- Adds an electric top grill for browning/cheese melts/toast finishes.
- Good for pizzas, gratins, nuggets, garlic bread.
Combination (convection) microwave
- Microwave + grill + fan oven. Bake, roast, and crisp—often replaces a small oven.
- Best for families, meal‑preppers, or small flats where a full oven is overkill.

Capacity & size (what fits your dishes)

Compact: 17–20L (plate size ~25–27 cm). For one person or tight spaces.
Mid-size: 23–25L (plate ~28–30 cm). Most versatile for couples/small families.
Large: 28–32L+ (plate 31–34 cm or flatbed). For big plates, casserole dishes, whole chickens (in combi). Measure your countertop depth and door swing; check internal cavity height for tall mugs/containers.

Power & performance (what wattage means)

700–800W: Basic reheating/defrosting; slightly longer times.
900–1000W: Fast, even heating—sweet spot for most kitchens.
1000–1100W+: Premium speed; great for combi models and busy households.

Inverter technology delivers continuous power (not just on/off pulses), improving evenness and preventing rubbery edges—great for fish, chocolate, custards, and baby food.

Turntable vs flatbed

Turntable: Common and affordable; just ensure the plate size fits your dinnerware.
Flatbed (turntable‑free): Uses a rotating antenna beneath the cavity; more usable space, fits rectangular dishes and larger trays. Usually easier to clean.

Key features to consider

Auto cook/reheat programs: One‑button rice, veg, jacket potatoes, beverages.
Sensor cook/steam: Detects humidity for set‑and‑forget reheating; reduces guesswork.
Crisp/air‑fry plates (combi): Browner, crisper finishes for chips, nuggets, pastries.
Defrost by weight/time: Look for staged defrost to protect texture.
Child lock & cool‑touch door: Safety for family homes.
Quiet mode/sound off: Handy for late‑night reheats.
Easy‑clean cavity: Enamel or ceramic interiors wipe down faster; steam‑clean cycles help loosen grime.
Rack(s) for grill/combi: Enables multi‑level cooking and proper browning.

Installation: countertop, built‑in, or integrated combo

Countertop: Easiest, best value, moveable.
Built‑in (standard 60cm niche or compact 45cm): Seamless look, frees worktop; check venting requirements and depth.
Combination built‑in oven‑microwaves: Save space by replacing a second oven; excellent for city kitchens.

Tip: Leave ventilation clearance—usually 10 cm sides/top, 15 cm rear (check manual).

Use cases: match your model to your life

Students/singles: 20–23L, 800–900W solo with auto reheat and quick defrost.
Families: 25–32L, 900–1000W combi with grill and flatbed for big dishes.
Meal‑prep/fitness: Inverter + sensor reheat to keep lean proteins juicy, veg vibrant.
Bakers/snackers: Combi with convection, crisp plate, and accurate 180–220°C baking.
Small apartments: Built‑in compact combi to replace a traditional oven.

Energy‑saving & speed tips

Choose inverter models for efficiency and gentler cooking.
Cover food (microwave‑safe lid or silicone cover) to trap steam and cut times by up to 30%.
Batch heat: Reheat multi portions together in a larger dish.
Use appropriate power levels: 50% for gentle reheats, 30% for defrost, 80–100% for liquids.
Preheat only when using convection baking; for pure microwave tasks, preheating is unnecessary.
Keep the cavity clean—spills absorb energy and slow heating.

Safety essentials

Use microwave‑safe glass, ceramic, and BPA‑free plastics; avoid metal (unless the accessory is supplied for crisp modes).
Pierce skins (potatoes, tomatoes, sausages) to prevent bursts.
Stir and stand: Stir halfway and let food stand 1–2 minutes—heat equalises and finishes cooking.
Superheat caution: Be careful with plain water in mugs; add a wooden stir stick and avoid overheating.
Check seals and doors; replace if damaged.

Cleaning & maintenance

Steam clean: Bowl of water with lemon/vinegar, 4–5 minutes on high, then wipe.
Remove odours: Bicarbonate of soda in an open bowl overnight.
Wash turntable/rollers regularly; check for crumbs under the plate.
Replace charcoal/grease filters on built‑in and combo units as directed.

Quick cooking cheat sheet

Steamed veg: 200g broccoli, 2 tbsp water, cover, 800–900W for 2.5–3.5 min; rest 1 min.
Jacket potato (250–300g): Prick, 800–900W for 5–7 min; finish under grill for crisp skin.
Rice (1 cup rinsed + 1.5 cups water): Covered, 800W for 10–12 min; stand 5 min.
Oatmeal: 40g oats + 250ml milk/water, 800W 2–3 min, stir halfway.
Reheat leftovers: Cover; 600–700W (50–60%) for gentler, even warming, stir halfway.
Defrost mince (500g): 30% power, 10–12 min, turn/stir every 3–4 min; cook immediately.

What to spend (UK guide)

Budget (£60–£120): 20–23L solo, 700–900W, basic auto programs.
Mid‑range (£120–£250): 23–28L, 900–1000W, inverter, sensor reheat, grill options.
Premium (£250–£600+): Large flatbed combi, crisp/air‑fry accessories, strong convection, built‑in aesthetics.

Sustainability pointers

Pick the right size—smaller cavities heat faster and waste less.
Inverter efficiency + sensor programs = lower energy per meal.
Long‑life interiors (ceramic/enamel) reduce the need for early replacement.
Recycle responsibly at end of life via WEEE schemes.

FAQs

Q: Is an inverter microwave worth it?
A: Yes—more even heating, better defrosting, fewer overcooked edges, and improved energy efficiency.

Q: Can a combi microwave replace an oven?
A: For many households, yes. You can bake, roast small joints, and crisp. For large roasts or multiple trays, a full oven still wins.

Q: Turntable or flatbed—what’s better?
A: Flatbeds maximise space and ease cleaning; turntables are cheaper and fine for most tasks if your dishes fit.

Q: What size microwave do I need for a family of four?
A: 25–32L with 28–34 cm usable width; consider a flatbed for big plates and casserole dishes.

Q: Are “air‑fry” microwaves legit?
A: Combi models with convection + crisp plates can deliver good browning for chips/nuggets. They won’t fully replace a dedicated air fryer for large batches but are great for quick portions.

Conclusion

The right microwave depends on how you cook. If you mostly reheat and defrost, a mid‑size 900W solo (ideally with inverter) is perfect. Want browning and baking without a full oven? Step up to a grill or combination model—flatbed if you use large dishes. Prioritise capacity, inverter power, easy‑clean interiors, and sensor programs, and you’ll have a faster, more efficient kitchen helper for years to come.

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