Microwaves remain a stalwart for home cooking. In fact, a cooking report revealed that the humble microwave is the most used kitchen appliance in British homes, followed by the air fryer and the slow cooker.
As well as an energy-efficient way to cook quick and easy meals, the best models are now a do-it-all staple for any kitchen. The very best can steam dumplings and vegetables, grill meat, bake biscuits, and some can even air fry.
While household name brands like Samsung are still firm favourites for families, couples and single occupancy households, brands like Daewoo aren’t to be overlooked, either. Ultimately, it was the Salter duowave microwave (£237, Currys.co.uk) that earned my top spot. With handy 10 presets from defrosting to warming, it became indispensable for day-to-day meal cooking.
Whether you want a basic model to heat your favourite ready meal or an all-performing powerhouse, I’ve rounded up my tests of the best options for every budget, bringing you the tried-and-tested models that are actually worth your money.
How I tested
I tested a range of microwaves with different functions to find the best on the market. Whether you’re a student or a busy parent, I tested a range of different foods in each appliance and took into account the following factors:
- Cooking: Whether defrosting, cooking, or warming, I wanted these microwaves to quickly cook through entire meals without drying them out.
- Space: I also considered how much room the microwaves took up in my kitchen, plus how much room they afforded me inside for plates and bowls.
- Noise: A little bit of noise is acceptable, but if a midnight snack disturbed the next-door neighbours, these microwaves didn’t pass muster.
- Extra features: Any add-ons like a timer, ‘keep warm’ function or settings for specific food types were a bonus.
- Cleaning: I wanted to ensure that it was easy to wipe down the interior of the microwave and, if any accessories were included, it was especially helpful if they were dishwasher safe.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Rachael Penn is a journalist who specialises in lifestyle, tech and food and drink. She has been writing product reviews for IndyBest since 2021, covering a whole range of home and kitchen appliances, from the best air fryers to the best hand mixers. Outside of work, she’s a keen baker and so, when reviewing the microwaves below, ensured that those making the final cut integrated seamlessly within her kitchen flow, fuss-free. With each test, Rachel prioritises quality, attention to detail, high performance and, of course, affordability.
The best microwaves for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Salter duowave two-in-one air fryer and microwave: £237, Currys.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Beko 700W 20l compact microwave: £79, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for large families – Samsung large capacity solo microwave oven 32l: £149, Amazon.co.uk
- Best design – Salter Toronto microwave: £84.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best compact microwave – Swan nordic microwave: £79.96, Amazon.co.uk
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Salter duowave two-in-one air fryer and microwave
Best: Microwave overall
Capacity: 26l
Power: 900W/1,500W
Dimensions: 52.3cm x 45cm x 30cm
Why we love it
- Super energy efficient
- Can be used as an air fryer and combo oven
Take note
- The exterior gets quite hot
- Large
If space is a premium in your kitchen, this appliance will be a game changer – it is a microwave, air fryer and combo oven all in one. My tests found it perfect for busy households, because whatever dish you want to cook, this machine has a function to do it. It’s user-friendly, with everything clearly labelled, and it has a 26l capacity, which is great for larger portions.
While it did a good job of everything from cooking jacket potatoes to reheating leftover pizza, one mode that stood out was the keep warm function, which is particularly handy if you can’t all eat at the same time. Plus, there are 10 preset functions, including meat, potatoes, pizza, chicken, pasta, vegetables, and more, so you know that your food will be perfectly cooked. These presets worked well, but they’re labelled by numbers, so you have to refer to the instructions until you get used to it. Overall, this microwave is one of the best on the market, and the added functionality means you can cook a range of meals in one machine.
Buy now £199.99, Salter.com
Beko 700W 20l compact microwave
Best: Budget microwave
Capacity: 20l
Power: 700W
Dimensions: 24.3cm x 44.6cm x 34.5cm
Why we love it
- Basic
- Easy to use
- Manual controls
Take note
- Small capacity
This is one of the best microwaves if you’re on a budget. It’s also a good choice if you’re struggling to find space on your counter, as it’s small and compact. This microwave has manual controls, so it’s easy to use – there is nothing to learn, you just choose your power level from a choice of six, select the minutes and press start.
The top power setting is 700W, but it’s still powerful and cooks food quickly and evenly. It also has a defrost function, which I found worked well and is ideal if you’ve forgotten to take your dinner out of the freezer. It has a relatively small 20l capacity, but it’s still big enough to fit a regular dinner plate, so you can cook or reheat meals with ease. Best of all, I found it easy to clean – simply take a clean cloth or paper towel and wipe around after use.
Buy now £79.99, Amazon.co.uk
Samsung large capacity solo microwave oven
Best: Microwave for large families
Capacity: 32l
Power: 1,000W
Dimensions: 51.7cm x 29.7cm x 42.4cm
Why we love it
- Large capacity
- Powerful performance
Take note
- Recessed handle is awkward
If you’re looking for a microwave that looks as good as it performs, the Samsung solo microwave is the one. This is a lovely-looking machine with a well-laid-out control panel that makes it straightforward to use.
With a large 32l capacity, it’s big enough to fit a whole chicken, so you can cook almost anything in it. The appliance has what Samsung calls a triple distribution system. The heat is distributed in three ways, so it cooks evenly, whatever you’re cooking. It also has an auto cook function, which I thought worked well and takes away any guesswork – you simply select the dish you want to prepare from a choice of 15 most popular cooked dishes (fish, chicken, vegetables and pasta) and it will start cooking with the appropriate mode, time and temperature. However, you need to know the weight of the food you’re cooking before using these modes, so don’t throw away the packet before noting it down.
I found that the food cooked well, and it was also easy to clean – this is down to the ceramic interior, which keeps its colour over time and can be wiped clean.
Buy now £169.00, Amazon.co.uk
Daewoo five-in-one air fryer and microwave
Best: Multi-function microwave
Capacity: 26l
Power: 2,400W
Dimensions: 30cm x 52.1cm x 45cm
Why we love it
- Does multiple jobs
- 28 cooking presets
- Large capacity
Take note
- It’s very heavy
Why have multiple appliances when this five-in-one microwave from Daewoo does it all? This is one of the easiest-to-use microwaves I’ve tested, and with 28 cooking presets, you won’t have to guess the timings. Instead, select the option, sit back and wait for your perfectly cooked meal.
Its large size means you need quite a lot of counter space for it to fit, but when you consider the number of appliances you can replace with this microwave, it’s a good trade-off.
The microwave function works incredibly well – it’s powerful yet eco-efficient, and its large capacity means ingredients are evenly cooked. It has 10 different power settings so you can tailor it to what you’re cooking, so nothing will come out under- or overcooked. The control panel is simple to use. Cleaning is easy, too. Just wipe it clean once you’ve finished using it to remove any condensation and to ensure any food splatters don’t stick. It comes with a handy baking tray and crisper basket, which are also easy to clean and dishwasher-friendly.
Buy now £189.00, Amazon.co.uk
Salter Toronto microwave
Best: Microwave for design
Capacity: 20l
Power: 800W
Dimensions: 29.1cm x 48.8cm x 29.1 cm
Why we love it
- Looks stylish
- Easy to use
- Compact size
Take note
- Small capacity
The Salter Toronto microwave will look good in any kitchen. Its sleek black design with wooden highlights makes this one of the best-looking microwaves we’ve tested. But it’s not all about the looks; it performs well, too. With a 20l capacity, it’s big enough for standard dinner plates, although if you regularly microwave larger meals, you may want to consider a larger size. It has a clear control panel, and the buttons are easy to see and use.
There are also eight auto-cooking functions for common dishes including pasta, fish, meat, potato and pizza. You have to learn which number goes with what food, but the instruction leaflet provides a handy table. This microwave is pretty quiet, but the beeps when your food is done are loud enough that you can hear them from another room. It’s easy to keep clean, and the turntable is removable for easy washing. This microwave did a good job of cooking food, and it was great at defrosting.
Buy now £84.99, Amazon.co.uk
Tower renaissance 20l microwave
Best: Microwave for ease of use
Capacity: 20l
Power: 800W
Dimensions: 25.9 x 44 x 35.5cm
Why we love it
- Works really well
- Easy to use
Take note
- Difficult to see in the window when cooking
A total delight to use, this microwave has a chrome control panel that is clear and easy to see. Heat is well-distributed, and there are no overly hot or cold spots after cooking, just perfectly cooked foods. It also does a brilliant job of defrosting food.
There are eight preset programs and a handy 95-minute timer for optimum cooking precision. I found it easy to clean, but noticed that it gathered a bit of condensation after cooking, so I’d recommend that you wipe it dry before closing the door to stop it from getting rusty. The 20l capacity means this microwave is quite compact, but it still has enough room to cook a decent meal.
Buy now £99.00, Amazon.co.uk
Samsung smart combi microwave with air fryer, MC32DG7646CKE3
Best: Smart microwave
Capacity: 32l
Power: 1,400W
Dimensions: 52.3cm x 33cm x 51.5cm
Why we love it
- Works with an app
- Can grill, roast, microwave, air fry and defrost
- Very powerful
Take note
- Text on the touchscreen is quite small
If you’re looking for a do-it-all microwave that will save space on your countertop, then Samsung’s latest smart microwave triples up as a convection oven and air fryer, so you’ll only need one appliance to get the job done.
Sleek, stylish and powerful, the large 32l capacity means there are options for all households. You can control the microwave using the SmartThings app, whether it’s air frying, heating up, baking, roasting, grilling or defrosting, though you still need to get up off the sofa to send the recipe to the microwave once you’ve programmed it in the app.
I particularly liked that the power defrost mode had food type presets, so if I was defrosting chicken, it was clever enough to know how long and how powerful it needed to run. The only thing I didn’t like was that the text on the microwave is quite small, making it hard to read on occasion. The touch screen is very responsive, however, and easy to use.
This one might come at a higher price point, but it’s worth checking for any microwave deals for some extra savings on your order.
Buy now £250.00, Amazon.co.uk
Swan nordic microwave
Best: Compact microwave
Capacity: 20l
Power: 800W
Dimensions: 31.4cm x 45.1cm x 25.8cm
Why we love it
- Compact size
- Looks great
- Clear and easy to use control panel
Take note
- It did get a lot of condensation
If you don’t have a lot of room, this model is compact enough to fit in even the smallest kitchens. Of course, this means it has a limited 20l capacity, but this will still hold a standard dinner plate and work well with medium-sized dishes.
It’s an easy-to-use microwave with intuitive controls and a clear LED display. The preset cooking functions are handy, taking the guesswork out of common tasks like defrosting and reheating. Food cooked quickly and evenly, and I found it easy to keep clean.
Buy now £79.47, Amazon.co.uk
Your microwave questions answered
What is the best microwave?
Choosing the right microwave for your home depends on a few factors, including how much counter space you have and the type of food you want to cook. I highly rate the Salter duowave two-in-one air and microwave for its added air fryer and combo oven, though the Daewood five-in-one microwave and air fryer also has the same functions and it is fractionally cheaper. If you are looking for a smaller microwave or if you’re on a budget, the Beko 700W 20l compact microwave is a great pick. It’s cheap, compact and works exceptionally well.
Do microwaves kill bacteria?
It’s not the microwave itself which kills bacteria, but the process of reheating. That’s why, when cooking or reheating food in a microwave, you need to ensure that it is piping hot throughout.
The simplest way to do this is with regular stirring. The Food Standards Agency says that “microwaves can heat in ‘pockets’, so stirring or turning the food helps to prevent pockets of cold food in your meal”, which in turn helps to kill bacteria.
Want more kitchen appliance recommendations? Read our guide to the best air fryers
