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The Best Microwaves in the UK for 2026
A microwave is one of the hardest-working appliances in any UK kitchen, yet most buying decisions come down to a couple of things that actually matter: how evenly it reheats and defrosts, and whether you need a plain solo model or the browning of a grill or combination oven. Drawing on manufacturer specifications, pricing checked across multiple UK retailers and aggregated public reviews, we compared the current line-up to rank five of the best microwaves in the UK for different needs and budgets. Prices are indicative and move with promotions, so treat them as a guide rather than a fixed figure.
Our top picks
Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQ
Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQ
Samsung MS23K3513AK
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 14 September 2026
- Updated
- 14 September 2026
- Last verified
- 14 September 2026
- Sources
- 6 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
Written by
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our rankings or WATTB Scores. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we rank.
How we picked · Our ranking draws on official manufacturer specifications, current indicative pricing checked across several UK retailers, and aggregated public reviews from owners and expert sites, combined with our editorial assessment of value and suitability. Read our full method →The top 5 Microwaves in the UK for 2026
- Rank 1Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQWATTB Pick— Best overallWATTB90/100From £149 (indicative, typically £149–£170)
- Rank 2Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQ— Best combination microwaveWATTB88/100From £225 (indicative, typically £225–£249)
- Rank 3Samsung MS23K3513AK— Best value all-rounderWATTB84/100From £99 (indicative)
- Rank 4Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ— Best compact for small kitchensWATTB81/100From £90 (indicative, typically £90–£100 RRP)
- Rank 5Russell Hobbs RHM2076B— Best budgetWATTB79/100From £70 (indicative)
The WATTB Score is our own research-based editorial assessment out of 100 — not a customer-review average.
Compare at a glance
- Rank 1Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQWATTB PickWATTB90/100
- Best for
- Best overall
- Type
- Solo (inverter)
- Capacity
- 23 litres
- Price
- From £149 (indicative, typically £149–£170)
- Rank 2Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQWATTB88/100
- Best for
- Best combination microwave
- Type
- Combination (microwave + grill + convection)
- Capacity
- 27 litres
- Price
- From £225 (indicative, typically £225–£249)
- Rank 3Samsung MS23K3513AKWATTB84/100
- Best for
- Best value all-rounder
- Type
- Solo
- Capacity
- 23 litres
- Price
- From £99 (indicative)
- Rank 4Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQWATTB81/100
- Best for
- Best compact for small kitchens
- Type
- Solo (compact)
- Capacity
- 20 litres
- Price
- From £90 (indicative, typically £90–£100 RRP)
- Rank 5Russell Hobbs RHM2076BWATTB79/100
- Best for
- Best budget
- Type
- Solo (budget)
- Capacity
- 20 litres
- Price
- From £70 (indicative)
The picks in depth
Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQ
Why it won
The best all-round solo microwave for most UK kitchens: its inverter design is linked to more even reheating and gentler defrosting, for around £149.
Inverter technology delivers steadier power for more even reheating and gentler defrosting than standard solo microwaves
1000W output is quick, with a roomy 23-litre cavity and wipe-clean enamel interior
Ten auto programmes and Turbo Defrost cover most everyday tasks
Trade-off: Solo model only — no grill or convection for browning and crisping
Why it ranks here
It ranks first because of its inverter: Panasonic specifies continuous, variable power instead of on/off cycling, which explainers and reviewers link to more even reheating and gentler defrosting without dried-out edges. Around that sit 1000W, a 23-litre cavity, an easy-clean enamel interior, six power levels and ten auto programmes including Turbo Defrost, for an indicative £149–£170.
Buy it if
- You defrost meat or reheat dense, layered dishes regularly
- You want 1000W and a 23-litre cavity in a solo model
Skip it if
- You want to brown or crisp food — it is solo-only, with no grill
- You mostly reheat at full power; a cheaper 800W solo may be enough
Where it wins
- Around £75–£100 cheaper than the combination at indicative prices
- Simpler to use, with a smaller 23-litre cavity and footprint versus 27 litres
Where it loses
- No grill or convection, so it cannot brown, bake or roast
- Ten auto programmes versus the combination's 29
Closest alternative: Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQ — Choose the NN-CT56JBBPQ instead if you want grilling and baking as well as microwaving and will pay the premium for a larger unit.
Is it worth it? From ~£149 (typically £149–£170 as of September 2026), indicative — the premium over £99 solos buys the inverter and 1000W.
Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQ
Why we recommend it
A genuine three-in-one that microwaves, grills and bakes — the closest thing to a second oven on your worktop.
Three appliances in one: 1000W microwave, 1300W quartz grill and convection oven to 220°C
Large 27-litre capacity with 29 auto programmes
Can bake, roast and crisp — useful as a second oven in a small kitchen
Trade-off: Most expensive model here and a larger footprint
Why it ranks here
It ranks second as the only pick that can replace a small oven: Panasonic specifies a 1000W microwave, a 1300W quartz grill and convection to 220°C in one 27-litre unit, with 29 auto programmes, so it can defrost, reheat, grill, bake and roast. It sits below the NN-SD27HSBPQ because it is the most expensive, largest pick and those extra modes only pay off if you use them.
Buy it if
- You are short on oven space and want a compact second oven
- You will use the grill and convection for browning, baking and roasting
Skip it if
- You only reheat and defrost — you would pay for convection you don't use
- Worktop space is tight; it is the largest unit here
Where it wins
- 1300W quartz grill and convection to 220°C, which the solo lacks
- Larger 27-litre cavity and 29 auto programmes versus 23 litres and ten
Where it loses
- Around £75–£100 more at indicative prices
- Bigger footprint and more of a learning curve than a plain solo
Closest alternative: Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQ — The NN-SD27HSBPQ covers everyday reheating and defrosting with an inverter for noticeably less; choose the combination only if you need grill and oven functions.
Is it worth it? From ~£225 (typically £225–£249 as of September 2026), indicative — the highest price here, justified only if you use the grill and convection.
Samsung MS23K3513AK
Why we recommend it
A roomy, easy-to-clean 23-litre solo microwave at around £99 — the value sweet spot for everyday use.
Excellent value — full 23-litre capacity for around £99
Ceramic-enamel interior is durable and wipes clean easily
Auto-cook and quick-defrost programmes plus an energy-saving eco mode
Trade-off: No inverter, so reheating is less even than our top pick
Why it ranks here
It's the value pick: a full 23-litre cavity for around £99, with an 800W output, a ceramic-enamel interior Samsung describes as scratch-resistant and easy to wipe clean, auto-cook, quick defrost and an eco standby mode. That capacity-for-money puts it ahead of the smaller 20-litre models; it trails the top pick because it has no inverter and runs at 800W rather than 1000W.
Buy it if
- You want a roomy, easy-clean everyday solo for under £100
- You reheat and defrost without needing inverter-level evenness
Skip it if
- Even defrosting and reheating is your priority — it has no inverter
- You want faster 1000W heating or any grill function
Where it wins
- Around £50 cheaper than the NN-SD27HSBPQ at indicative prices
- Ceramic-enamel interior Samsung markets as scratch-resistant, plus an eco standby mode
Where it loses
- No inverter, so power cycles on and off and reheating is less even, per the sources
- 800W versus 1000W, so heating is a little slower
Closest alternative: Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQ — Step up to the NN-SD27HSBPQ for inverter power and 1000W at the same 23-litre capacity, for around £50 more at indicative prices.
Is it worth it? From ~£99 (as of September 2026), indicative — the lowest price here for a 23-litre cavity.
Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ
Why we recommend it
A small-footprint 20-litre solo from a trusted brand — the one to pick when worktop space is tight.
Compact 20-litre footprint suits small or cluttered worktops
From a brand with a strong reputation for reliable, well-built microwaves
Nine auto programmes and five power levels cover everyday cooking
Trade-off: 20-litre cavity is tight for large plates and dishes
Why it ranks here
It's the compact pick for when worktop space, not capacity, is the constraint: a 20-litre, 800W Panasonic solo with five power levels and nine auto programmes for jobs like jacket potatoes and chilled meals, at around £90 (RRP about £100). It edges the Russell Hobbs mainly on brand reputation rather than features, and trails the 23-litre models on room inside.
Buy it if
- Your worktop is small or cluttered
- You want a compact solo from a major brand and will pay a little over budget models
Skip it if
- You regularly heat large dinner plates or big dishes — 20 litres is snug
- You want an inverter, grill or convection
Where it wins
- Nine auto programmes versus eight auto-cook menus
- Panasonic brand backing, with build and support rated above Russell Hobbs's per the sources
Where it loses
- Around £20 more at indicative prices for a comparable feature set
- Same 20-litre, 800W, five-level spec, so the premium is mostly brand
Closest alternative: Russell Hobbs RHM2076B — The Russell Hobbs offers a similar 20-litre, 800W spec with digital controls for around £20 less; choose the Panasonic if brand backing matters to you.
Is it worth it? From ~£90 (RRP about £100 as of September 2026), indicative — a small premium over the budget pick for the Panasonic name.
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B
Why we recommend it
The lowest-cost pick here — a functional digital 20-litre solo for around £70 when budget rules.
Lowest indicative price here at around £70
Digital controls, five power levels and eight auto-cook menus — unusual at this price
Auto-defrost setting for everyday convenience
Trade-off: Build quality and brand support below the Panasonic models
Why it ranks here
It's the budget pick at the lowest indicative price here, around £70 (RRP about £80), and earns its place on features for the money: digital controls, five power levels, eight auto-cook menus and auto-defrost in a 20-litre, 800W solo. It ranks fifth because build quality and brand support sit below the Panasonic models and it has no inverter or grill.
Buy it if
- You want the lowest outlay for a digital solo microwave
- It's for a rental, student flat or second kitchen
Skip it if
- You want inverter evenness or a grill
- Premium build quality and brand support matter to you
Where it wins
- Around £20 cheaper than the Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ at indicative prices
- Digital controls and an auto-defrost setting at the lowest price here
Where it loses
- Build quality and brand support below Panasonic's, per the sources
- Eight auto-cook menus versus the Panasonic's nine
Closest alternative: Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ — Pay around £20 more for the Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ if brand backing matters; the core 20-litre, 800W spec is similar.
Is it worth it? From ~£70 (RRP about £80 as of September 2026), indicative — the lowest price here; you give up inverter, grill and premium build.
What matters when you’re choosing
The factors that make the difference here — and how to weigh them.
- Solo or combinationMatters most
- A solo microwave reheats, defrosts and cooks but cannot brown or crisp. A grill model adds a heating element for browning tops; a combination adds convection so it can bake and roast too. Four of the five picks here are solo; only the Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQ adds a 1300W quartz grill and convection to 220°C, and it is the priciest and largest.
- Inverter or standard powerMatters most
- A standard microwave reaches lower power levels by cycling full power on and off; an inverter delivers a steady output at the set level, which sources including Which? link to more even defrosting and reheating of dense dishes. Of the solo picks, only the NN-SD27HSBPQ has one. If you mostly reheat at full power, a standard model may do the job for less.
- Capacity and footprintWorth weighing
- The picks run from 20 litres (the Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ and Russell Hobbs) to 23 litres (the NN-SD27HSBPQ and Samsung) and 27 litres (the combination). A 20-litre cavity takes a standard dinner plate but is snug for large dishes; bigger cavities mean a bigger external footprint, so measure your worktop and cupboard clearance first.
- WattageWorth weighing
- Most solo models, including three picks here, are 800W, which ready-meal instructions are usually written around. The two 1000W Panasonics heat faster, so you may need to shorten packet times slightly. Wattage is quoted separately from capacity and from grill or convection power.
How to choose
Mostly reheating and defrosting?
Stick with a solo. The NN-SD27HSBPQ is the pick if even defrosting matters, thanks to its inverter; the Samsung MS23K3513AK gives the same 23-litre capacity and an easy-clean ceramic-enamel interior for around £50 less at indicative prices, without the inverter.
Short on oven space?
The NN-CT56JBBPQ combination can grill, bake and roast as well as microwave, so it can act as a compact second oven. It only pays off if you use those modes — for reheating alone, the solo picks cost far less.
Tight worktop or tight budget?
Both 20-litre picks suit small spaces. The Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ (around £90) adds nine auto programmes and Panasonic's brand backing; the Russell Hobbs RHM2076B (around £70) is the lowest indicative price here, with digital controls and eight auto-cook menus.
How we ranked this list
Our ranking draws on official manufacturer specifications, current indicative pricing checked across several UK retailers, and aggregated public reviews from owners and expert sites, combined with our editorial assessment of value and suitability. We did not test the microwaves ourselves; where we describe real-world performance we rely on published specifications and reviewers' reports. We weighed even reheating and defrosting, capacity and footprint, power, features such as grill or convection, build reputation and price.
Prices and availability last checked September 2026; these change, so confirm current details with the provider before buying.
Read our full ranking methodWhy you can trust WATTB
Independent & unbiased
We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.
In-depth research
Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.
Clear pros & cons
Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.
Transparent sourcing
We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.
Frequently asked questions
Which microwave is best in the UK?
For most people we rank the Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQ first: its inverter technology delivers steadier power than standard solo microwaves, which reviewers link to more even reheating and gentler defrosting, and it pairs that with 1000W and a 23-litre cavity. If you want to replace a small oven, the Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQ combination model grills and bakes as well as microwaves. For the best value, the Samsung MS23K3513AK gives you a full 23 litres and an easy-clean interior for around £99.
Is an inverter microwave worth it?
It is worth it if you defrost meat or reheat dense or layered dishes more than occasionally. A standard microwave reaches lower power levels by cycling full power on and off, whereas an inverter delivers a continuous, steady output at the set level. In practice that tends to mean more even reheating and defrosting without dried-out edges. For nothing but popcorn and quick full-power reheats, a cheaper standard model does the same job for less.
How many watts should a microwave be?
Most solo microwaves sit at 800W, which is fine for everyday reheating and defrosting; stepping up to 900–1000W simply cooks and reheats faster. Ready-meal instructions are usually written around 800W, so lower-wattage models follow packet times most closely, while higher-wattage ones may need you to shorten the time slightly. Wattage is separate from capacity and from grill or convection power, which are quoted individually.
What size microwave do I need?
Capacity is quoted in litres and mostly determines what fits inside. A 20-litre model such as the Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ takes a standard dinner plate and suits tight worktops or one-to-two-person households, while 23 litres and up (the Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQ or Samsung MS23K3513AK) gives more room for larger plates, batch dishes and families. Bear in mind the external footprint grows too, and combination models like the 27-litre NN-CT56JBBPQ are the largest — measure your available space and any cupboard clearance before buying.
What is the difference between solo, grill and combination microwaves?
A solo microwave only microwaves — it reheats, defrosts and cooks, but cannot brown or crisp. A grill microwave adds a heating element so you can brown or crisp the top of food such as cheese or toasties. A combination microwave adds a convection oven on top of the grill, letting it bake and roast as well, so it can act as a compact second oven. Solo models are cheapest and simplest; combination models are the most versatile and the most expensive.
What the evidence shows
Rankings draw on official manufacturer specifications (Panasonic, Samsung), indicative pricing checked across UK retailers including idealo, Which? buying guidance on microwave types, wattage and inverters, and aggregated public reviews. This is a research-based ranking from published sources; WATTB has not tested these microwaves.
Limitations
- Prices are indicative and move with promotions and retailer; the Russell Hobbs pricing comes from a price-comparison source rather than a manufacturer page.
- Claims about more even inverter reheating come from explainers and reviewers, not measurements; capacities, wattages and programme counts are manufacturer-stated.
Sources & further reading
6The information and claims in this guide draw on the references below. We check these when a guide is published or updated.
- Product informationPrimary source
Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQ 23 Litre Microwave Oven — official product page (opens in a new tab) — Panasonic UK & Ireland
Supports: Capacity, 1000W inverter power, power levels and auto programmes for our top pick
- Product informationPrimary source
Panasonic NN-CT56JBBPQ Slimline Combination Microwave — official product page (opens in a new tab) — Panasonic UK & Ireland
Supports: 27-litre capacity, 1000W microwave, 1300W grill, convection to 220°C and 29 auto programmes for the combination pick
- Product informationPrimary source
Samsung 23L Solo Microwave Oven MS23K3513AK — official product page (opens in a new tab) — Samsung UK
Supports: 800W output, 23-litre capacity, ceramic-enamel interior, auto cook and eco mode for the value pick
- Product informationPrimary source
Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ 20L Compact Solo Microwave — official product page (opens in a new tab) — Panasonic UK & Ireland
Supports: 20-litre compact capacity, 800W power, five power levels and nine auto programmes for the compact pick
- Customer & expert reviews
How to buy the best microwave (opens in a new tab) — Which?
Supports: Buying guidance on solo, grill and combination types, wattage and inverter technology
- Pricing
Russell Hobbs RHM2076B price comparison (opens in a new tab) — idealo UK
Supports: Indicative around-£70 pricing and availability for the budget pick
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