If you’re on the hunt for the best microwave, you’re in the right place. With the power to reheat and cook your food, these speedy countertop cookers are perfect for making light work of time-consuming tasks. Steaming veg and even cooking rice is quick and easy with a microwave, and they only take up a fraction of your counter space. In our best microwave guide we’ve included 10 of the top combi and solo microwave ovens on the market, as well as some built-in options that won’t even have to sit on your kitchen counters.

It’s very possible to pick up one of the best microwaves for under £100, and you can even find a few microwaves under £50 if you know where to look. With these budget-friendly and handy appliances, you can cut the amount of time it takes to cook a jacket spud in half. All you need to do is put it in for a quick spin in the microwave and then finish it in the oven for that classic crispy skin. And of course, when it comes to meal prepping, there’s nothing like a microwave for reheating your leftovers.

For more cooking essentials, take a look at the best air fryers

Most of the best microwaves in our guide come from brands like Sage, Swan, Beko, Russell Hobbs, and Panasonic. You can also pick up a couple of in-built microwaves that sit flush against your kitchen cabinets. They can be more tricky to install, but often come with added functions that will let you grill, air fry, and even steam cook all manner of meals in a larger and smarter model.

Best microwaves 2022

1. Swan Nordic Digital Microwave

Best microwave overall

Type: Digital
Capacity: 20 litres
Features: Defrost, express, auto cook, advance timer
Reasons to buy: 

• It looks the part
• Comes in a range of fun colours
• Far more multi-functional that it first appears

Reasons to avoid: 

• The controls took some adjusting to

The Swan Nordic Digital Microwave can be spotted (by the eager-eyed among us) in the Great British Bake Off kitchen. It comes in this striking forest green, but there’s also white, blue, and grey to choose from. The nordic style works well with a range of other swan appliances and the dimensions are well suited for small kitchens.

The microwave has fully adjustable strength settings, which is done by adjusting the micro power button. The dial can be used to scroll through timings, up to one hour, and the soft-touch finish also matches the door handle. The front of the microwave is mirrored but did not attract smudges when testing.

With only 800 watts there are more powerful microwaves out there, but the Swan Nordic Digital Microwave is a top pick for those who have a little more than £100 to spend on a microwave that looks the part and performs well.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Swan Nordic microwave review

2. Russell Hobbs Inspire Microwave Oven

Best microwave for under £100

Type: Standalone
Capacity: 17 litres
Features: Three colour options, five power levels, defrost setting, mirror door finish, easy clean exterior
Reasons to buy: 

• It’s super affordable
• Six settings
• Non-slip feet

Reasons to avoid: 

• Fingerprints leave marks

You can expect the best microwave for under £100 to be lacking in combination features, but we loved how easy to use the Russell Hobbs Inspire Microwave Oven was when we put it to the test. It has six settings: Low, Defrost, Medium Low, Medium, Medium High and High. It’s also surprisingly compact for a larger capacity option, with dimensions of 34.5 x 45.2 x 26.2 cm.

We did dock the Inspire Microwave half a star because the front leaves fingerprint marks which can mean more frequent cleaning, but found that its defrost and high power settings were brilliant for day-to-day use.

The timer goes up to half an hour which is convenient for the defrost mode especially, and the non-slip feet meant it stayed secure through testing. You can also pair this microwave with the Inspire toaster and kettle for some added coordination.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

3. Hotpoint Curve MWH 1311

Best microwave for corners

Type: Corner, standalone
Capacity: 13 litres
Features: Space-saver, four cooking levels, memo button, safety lock
Reasons to buy: 

• A top compact pick
• Can fit into the corner of the kitchen
• Four power levels

Reasons to avoid: 

• Its small internal capacity

This compact microwave (no combi grill or oven) has a curved back designed to fit into a corner, the front facing out in any direction. It’s a clever design because corners are the least useful bit of any kitchen worktop.

You can however put it anywhere: it’s a great space-saver full stop at just 39cm wide and 35cm deep (but pretty tall at 36cm because the brains are all under the cavity). Capacity is just 13 litres but it somehow manages to fit a 28cm glass turntable in there, so it can handle a dinner plate.

We loved its simplicity. You can microwave cook at four power levels (700W, 500W, 350W and 160W) or defrost by time or weight. Despite 700W being a bit low-powered, we found it could cook a respectable large jacket spud in 10 minutes.

Features are basic but include clock, kitchen timer and child-safety lock. Controls are self-explanatory. Press the plus and minus buttons to select cooking time or just press Start to cook on full power for multiples of 30 seconds. The memo button lets you save a favourite program.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4. Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ

Best freestanding combi microwave

Type: Freestanding, oven and grill
Capacity: 23 litre
Features: Pull-down door, wire grilling rack, metal crisper plate
Reasons to buy: 

• Multi-functional combi design
• Decent capacity
• Good at defrosting and cooking jacket spuds

Reasons to avoid: 

• It has a large footprint

This freestanding, 23-litre, 1000W microwave combi thinks it’s an oven and it’s not wrong: it does a good job of oven and grill functions. So much so that by Christmas you’ll wonder how you ever survived without the extra cooking space.

It boasts an oven-style, pull-down door and a flatbed design rather than a turntable, so you get 30% more useable cooking space. It comes with a wire rack for grilling, a full-width enamel tray for oven cooking, and also a Panacrunch pan (metal crisper plate) which is heated by microwaves to quickly cook the underside of dishes – for example, pizzas no longer have a soggy bottom.

Controls are straightforward, plus there are seven automatic programs to cook popular foods by weight. A handy sticker in the door reminds you of them. Although if you read the instruction manual there are lots more recipes and tips. Features include a clock, a timer delay and a child safety lock.

Cooking results are both outstanding and precise. Defrosted bread was fresh, not soggy, while a large jacket potato cooked using microwave-grill combi was surprisingly crisp-skinned yet fluffy inside, cooking in just 13 minutes.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

5. Sage Quick Touch Crisp

Best microwave for smart features

Type: Microwave-grill combi
Capacity: 25 litre
Features: Large capacity, smart menus, “A Bit More” button
Reasons to buy: 

• Very smart controls
• Useful shortcuts
• Good capacity

Reasons to avoid:

• An expensive microwave

The Quick Touch Crisp boasts impressive foodie menus and handy shortcuts. When the door’s closed, you have the usual controls for commanding microwave, defrost and grill cooking. Plus there are lots of smart menus for cooking various dishes and ingredients – the Sage’s large, detailed display makes them easy to navigate.

Ten buttons hidden inside the door offer popular shortcuts. And they’re not all junk food: there are buttons for caramel, melting chocolate, softening butter and more. This is a microwave that makes it quick and easy to be a foodie.

Features-wise, the Sage is a 1000W microwave-grill combi but not an oven. It has a 25 litre capacity and an 31cm turntable, big enough for even the grandest dinner plates.

The crisper plate has a clever design with three legs that fold up: use it high for grilling and low as a crisper. We used it up high for cheese on toast (a shortcut button) and were impressed: you can cook up to three slices at a time and the results are delicious. Last but not least, the “A Bit More” button is perfect for when a dish needs longer but you don’t want to have to set the program all over again.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

6. Whirlpool Fusion AMW 848/IXL

Best built-in microwave

Type: Integrated
Capacity: 40 litres
Features: Large capacity, auto-sense programs, built-in recipes
Reasons to buy: 

• Great for family kitchens
• Integrated design
• Comes with a wire rack and tray

Reasons to avoid: 

• It needs to be built-in

If you’re designing a new kitchen, consider an integrated microwave. You get a bigger, better appliance while freeing up valuable worktop space.

This microwave, grill and oven combi genuinely serves as an oven – you get a 40 litres of extra cooking space, perfect for family meals.

It comes with wire grill rack, full-width oven tray, large plastic steamer, crisper plate and an oversized 36cm glass turntable for the microwave. Its programs, intelligent auto-sensing programs and 30 built-in recipes make good use of all these features. Or just touch the arrow on the right to zap at full power (900W) for 30-second bursts, perfect for heating up a cold cuppa.

Oven cooking is quick and precise. Grilling uses the round grill rack on the turntable for even cooking. And we loved the crisper plate – not just for stuff like pizzas, but also as a quick, fat-free way to cook oven chips, “fried” eggs, halloumi and more.

The controls are intuitive and easy to grasp. When you’re done, it beeps and offers the option to cook at the same power for longer. We found the glass a bit fingerprinty, but otherwise it’s impossible to fault. Very impressive and can be teamed with the AKZM 6692/IXL oven, designed to match not just its design but also its touch controls, menus and recipes.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

7. Swan SM22090

Best microwave under £100

Type: Small microwave
Capacity: 20 litre
Features: Five power levels, quirky look, matching appliances available
Reasons to buy:

• Even cooking
• Matching accessories
• Very affordable

Reasons to avoid: 

• The style won’t be for everyone

The copper hue of this 800W Swan microwave is easy on the eye and has a timeless appeal. The colour is interesting but subtle. The copper looks superb teamed with the mirror-finish glass door.

It’s compact and simple: microwave only, no combi. It has a relatively small 27cm turntable, so beware if you have large dinner plates.

It boasts five microwave power levels. You can cook or defrost by time or weight. There are eight programs for cooking popular foods, including popcorn, pizza, drinks and potatoes. You can also quick-start cook for multiples of 30 seconds.

The Swan isn’t just a pretty face: it cooks evenly and we thought the features impressive for an affordable microwave. It does more than the basics and the controls are straightforward. But most of all, it’s affordable but looks great.

Swan offers a range of co-ordinated copper electricals to match, including three styles of kettle, five toaster designs and kitchen scales. You can even buy accessories like a pan set and a knife block in the same copper finish.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

8. Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B

Best for contemporary looks

Type: Freestanding microwave
Capacity: 23 litres
Features: Fits large dishes, looks sleek, does the job
Reasons to buy: 

• Space-saving design
• Even cooking

Reasons to avoid: 

• Low in power

Don’t buy an unbranded supermarket microwave when for a little more you can buy this. The Russell Hobbs “Solo” looks great and it cooks well, too. The design draws ideas from more expensive microwaves. For example, it has a flatbed interior rather than a turntable, which means you can make more effective use of its 23-litre capacity. You can therefore fit in square plates and oversized casserole dishes.

The purpose of turntables is to move food around, so cooking is more even. But the theory is that the Russell Hobbs’ bumpy walls – sorry, “diamond cavity” structure – reflect microwaves in various directions, which leads to more even cooking. We found that it cooked and defrosted evenly enough – and fast enough, despite only offering 800W of power. And cleaning is easier with a flatbed than a turntable.

The outside has a nice, modern design too, with a black, mirrored door, large handle and discrete digital controls. Cleverly, the display is behind the glass door but shines through it. Opening the door also reveals a list of the microwave’s eight built-in programs. Other features include kitchen timer and child safety lock.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

9. Bosch HMT75M451B

Best small microwave

Type: Freestanding microwave
Capacity: 17 litres
Features: Built-in programs, small size, five power settings
Reasons to buy: 

• A compact pick for small homes
• Includes a kitchen timer

Reasons to avoid:

• Basic offerings for the price

This has the smallest capacity (17 litres) and turntable (24.5cm) of the microwaves on test, but as a result it has a tiny footprint, just 46cm wide and 29cm deep.

What’s more, you can either sit it on the worktop or mount it on the underside of a kitchen wall cabinet to reclaim worktop space for food preparation. It’s therefore a good buy if space is at a premium.

It won’t fit a large dinner plate, but it does a fine job of the microwave basics. It has five power settings (800W, 600W, 360W, 180W and 90W) and there are separate buttons on the front for each one, so you can immediately select any power. You can cook by weight or time (up to 60 minutes) using the pop-out knob at the top.

Features include a small number of built-in programs, a memory button for your favourite setting and a kitchen timer.

We liked the Bosch’s space-saving design and also its simplicity. Some microwaves require you to read and memorise an instruction manual: this is straightforward. It’s basic but good quality, with a brushed stainless steel finish on the outside. Note that the inside is white though.

Ideal Home’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

10. Beko 32L Combination Microwave

Best combination microwave oven

Image credit: Beko

Type: Combination oven
Capacity: 32 litres
Features: Convection, grill, 5 power levels
Reasons to buy: 

• Immense capacity
• Very powerful

Reasons to avoid:

• It’s a pricey choice

The Beko 32L Combination Microwave is a top pick for those who want a microwave that can also act as a grill or even a convection oven when need be. It’s got a huge capacity of 32 litres, which translates into its somewhat bulky dimensions: 41 x 51.3 x 30.7 cm. As for power, it’s pretty much as powerful as a microwave can get, with 1000 watts of grill power, 900 watts of microwave power, and a massive 2300 watts of convection power.

There are six buttons, which makes it easy to choose a setting for your cooking, and with specific modes for defrosting, microwave grilling, and convection microwaving, you won’t get lots with fiddly or vague controls.

A buyer’s guide to microwaves

Before you make your final choice, make sure you’ve take these key features into account.

Image credit: Richard Gadsby

Do I want a combi?

If you have a small kitchen or you’re on a tight budget, a microwave-only model may be best. But otherwise a combi is well worth it. Your microwave doubles as a grill and/or oven, giving you extra cooking space (plan ahead for Christmas dinner) and the best of both worlds: cook a jacket potato quickly (microwaves) yet with a crispy skin (oven).

What’s a crisper plate?

The latest, high-end combis often come with extra accessories like grill rack, oven tray, steamer and something new called a crisper plate. Forget everything you were told about not putting metal in microwaves: these large, non-stick metal dishes are heated quickly by microwaves to become a hotplate. Cook stuff like pizza fast and with no fear of a soggy bottom. You can even “fry” stuff like eggs and bacon with no oil. We love them.

What if I don’t have room for a microwave?

New, small microwave-only models are surprisingly compact – there’s space in front of them for food prep. You can also get microwaves designed to be wall-mounted under a cabinet and ones with curved backs that fit neatly in the dead worktop space in a corner. Or if you have plenty of cupboard space but not much worktop, consider an integrated model.

How much should I spend on a microwave?

Budget £100 for a microwave that will serve you well. We think cheaper, supermarket own brand ones are a false economy. Budget up to £300 for a larger combi with all mod cons. And double that for integrated, but then you get much more cooking space and an appliance that genuinely doubles as a proper oven.

Microwave power – does it matter?

Image credit: Whirlpool

Microwave power is measured in watts – the higher the figure, the faster it should heat your food. The average is 800-900W. However, as microwave technology has improved, simply going for the most powerful model isn’t a guarantee of a better-performing oven.

What capacity microwave do I need?

• Want to cook a whole chicken in there? You’ll need a decent capacity – anything over the 30-litre mark should take a family-sized bird. Smaller households will be better off with a model that takes up minimal space on the worktop, so exterior dimensions will be more important.
• Most microwaves have turntables to ensure even cooking. But some newer designs have taken their lead from commercial kitchens and ditched them completely. These flatbed models use the latest technology to distribute the microwaves evenly without the need to turn the food. This frees up lots of space inside for big dishes, such as casseroles, and makes them easier to clean.
• If your microwave does have a turntable, keep in mind that the given capacity in cubic litres may not account for the space it takes up. Measure from the turntable up before you buy to make sure your dishes will fit.
• Some microwaves also have shelves that allow you to cook on two levels. You’ll need to increase the normal cooking time or move dishes around, but it’s handy for preparing large quantities of food simultaneously instead of in stages.

What auto programmes and presets do I need?

Not sure how long or at what power level you need to your penne or potatoes will need to cook? Don’t worry, your microwave will tell you if it’s got the relevant auto programmes. Most have them for the likes of popular dishes such as pasta, fish and vegetables. The cleverest can even weigh your food and work out the cooking times to the second.

Auto-defrost and reheat functions are also worth investing in, as are one-touch shortcut keys for melting butter or chocolate (saving you from using the hob) or a quick boost of power. Sage microwaves have presets for, among other things, porridge, soup, fish and baked beans. Ding, indeed!

Other features to consider

• One big way newer models excel is with sensor technology. This measures the humidity inside the oven and then adjusts the cooking times to prevent food from over-baking and drying out.
• For ultra-even heating and defrosting, look for a model with an inverter. It will control the power flow for consistent results – rather than pulsing high power on and off.
• A clean machine is more efficient. However, how easy your microwave will be to keep clean will be affected by its interior finish. Stainless steel, enamel and acrylic are relatively easy to keep sparkling with a regular wipe down.
• Pyrolytic cleaning functions (which incinerates mess completely at high temperatures) and low-hassle catalytic liners (which burn off any grease and food that’s on them) are usually only found on combination microwaves.

The post Best microwave 2022: built-in and countertop ovens appeared first on Ideal Home.

It’s the finishing touch every kitchen needs, that will not only protect your wall from the inevitable splashes of washing up, but will also add colour and pattern to your scheme. Follow our guide on how to tile a kitchen splashback and you’ll be armed with the knowledge and know-how to do it yourself, without having to fork out for professional labour costs.

There are plenty of kitchen tile ideas to inspire the look of your kitchen, and while we don’t necessarily advise you tackle the whole room if you’ve not tried tiling before, tiling your kitchen splashback is a good place to start, to gain practise.

Your splashback doesn’t have to be huge, just big enough to protect the wall behind your sink or oven plus inject some interest to the room.

For a simple yet stylish splashback, we’d recommend using metro tiles. Not only are they reasonably cheap, their simple shape means they are much easier to tesselate and there is less that can go wrong! That said, once you get more confident with your tiling technique, there is no reason why you can tackle a more exciting shape, like a hexagon, diamond or scalloped-fishtail shape.

How to tile a kitchen splashback

Image credit: Future Plc/Joanna Henderson

Kitchen splashbacks can be as low or as high as you like. Some are only the height of a single row of tiles, some take the tiles up to meet the bottom of kitchen cupboards and some continue the tiles right up to where the wall meets the ceiling. There is no right or wrong but it is personal choice and will be determined by the look you want to go for in your own kitchen.

While installing a kitchen splashback can sometimes be seen as an easier alternative, learning to tile one instead, will arm you with the skills to tile other areas of your home, such as your bathroom or ensuite. A tiled splashback is often cheaper too, as stainless steel or glass splashbacks can be pricey, especially if they have to be pre-cut to size.

Set aside a full day if you can, to leave time for prep, drying and the clean up, so you don’t feel rushed or stressed to complete your splashback in a certain time.

What you’ll need

• Dust sheets or newspaper to protect your work surfaces
• Tile adhesive
• A notch trowel
• A tile cutter
• Tile spacers
• A pencil
• A measuring tape
• A spirit level
• Your chosen tiles
• Your chosen grout

1. Prep your wall

After covering your work surface and sink with dust sheets or some newspaper, start by prepping your wall surface. Remove any dirt and dust with a damp cloth, and fill in any holes or dents to ensure a smooth, level finish. Give any rough areas a gentle sand then wipe with a damp cloth again to leave to dry.

2. Apply the adhesive

Next apply your tile adhesive to the wall, using a notch trowel. Start at the base of the wall, where it meets the countertop, and only apply what you need for the first layer of your tiles. Apply a generous amount but not so much that it starts to run off the wall and ensure it’s as even as possible. Use the notch trowel to create horizontal lines across your wall.

Image credit: Future Plc/Lizzie Orme

3. Start tiling!

Once you are happy with application of the adhesive, start by placing your first tile on the wall. Apply each tile with firm pressure to stick them to your adhesive and use tile spacers between each one to ensure perfect unity. You’ll need a tile spacer (or two if your metro tiles are quite wide) between each side of the tile, but with your first row you might want to butt them up against the top of the work surface. You can cover this join with mastic later.

Working from one side to the other, apply the next tile in the row, inserting the spacers as you go. Think about what formation you want your tiles in too. A simple linear brick formation is the easiest, but you could opt for the very popular brick bond, or a staggered brick bond, or even a herringbone pattern to add real interest.

Image credit: Future Plc/Lizzie Orme

4. Cut your tiles to size

Once you get to the end of your first row, you’ll probably find you need to cut a tile to fit into the remaining space. Use a measuring tape and mark on the tile with a pencil, where you need to cut it. Take the tile spacer into consideration then using a tile cutter, score a line along the tile and apply light pressure to break the tile along the score.

Once you’ve finished your first row, use a spirit level to check they are all perfectly horizontal, adjusting them slightly if not.

Then apply your adhesive above the row you have just finished, and start the process again, not forgetting the tile spacers!

5. Grout your tiles to finish

Once you have completed tiling your splashback, do a final check that they are all level, then remove all the spacers. Wipe off any excess adhesive with a damp cloth, then mix up your grout. For a subtle look, choose a grout the same colour as your tiles, or for a contrasting look, opt for black or grey. Follow our handy guide on how to grout tiles to finish your tiling off perfectly.

Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole

Where do you start tiling a kitchen splashback?

Always start your tiling at the base of the wall, where it meets the work surface. Depending on while tile formation you choose, you could either start on the far left hand-side of the wall, working your way to the right (or vice versa) or you might want to start in the middle of the wall, working your way outwards. Think about where your eye would naturally be drawn to and if your tiles have a strong pattern, make sure they won’t get cut off at an awkward point in the room.

Is it easy to tile a kitchen splashback?

Yes, but it does depend on how much DIY experience you have. If you’re not feeling too confident, why not practise on a piece or left over MDF, tile board or plywood. Have a go at applying the adhesive with the notch trowel and the experiment with the layout of the tiles. Or alternatively, cut some pieces of paper or cardboard into tiles and experiment with these first.

How long does it take to tile a kitchen splashback?

Always allow yourself plenty of time, but depending on the size of your splashback, it could take as little as an afternoon. Preparation is key, so ensure you have all the correct tools and means to protect surfaces, before you begin. It’s worth investing in a tile cutter as it will be very hard to cut them by hand, so have a search on a second-hand site or ask friends and family if you can borrow one, before you get started.

For a super simple splashback that would only take a couple of hours, tile a single row of square tiles just the width of your kitchen sink. You don’t even have to leave gaps inbetween each tile if you don’t want to,

The post How to tile a kitchen splashback- a step-by-step guide appeared first on Ideal Home.