Buying guide · 5 picks compared

Best microwave UK 2026

The Panasonic 32L Inverter Solo Microwave (silver, stainless steel front) is our pick for most households, with a 1000 W inverter and 7 power levels from 100 W to 1000 W.

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For small kitchens, the Sharp YC-MS01U-B 20L 800W Compact Manual Solo Microwave (black) is a 20-litre model with dial controls, a turntable and a 12-month warranty. It has no digital display or grill.

By Bez, Editor✓ Updated 25 October 2026

★ Our top pickPanasonic NN-ST68QSBPQ 32L Inverter Solo Microwave (silver, stainless steel front)Image: PanasonicSee it on Amazon

Which one is for you?

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Which pick suits which need
Ifyou want a small, cheap microwave for reheating and defrosting	Sharp YC-MS01U-B 20L 800W Compact Manual Solo Microwave (black)	See it on Amazon
Ifyou want a good all-round solo microwave for most households	Panasonic NN-ST68QSBPQ 32L Inverter Solo Microwave (silver, stainless steel front)	See it on Amazon
Ifyou want to grill as well as microwave	Beko MCF25310B 25L 900W Digital Combination Microwave with Grill and Convection (black)	See it on Amazon
Ifyou cook for a large family and want the most functions	Panasonic NN-CD88QSBPQ 34L 4-in-1 Combi Microwave with Air Fryer	See it on Amazon
Ifyou want a flatbed (no turntable) combi with two-level cooking	CASO Design MCG 25 Ceramic Chef 25L Flatbed Combination Microwave (item 3351)	See it on Amazon

The 5 picks compared

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1★ Top pick
Panasonic
Panasonic NN-ST68QSBPQ 32L Inverter Solo Microwave (silver, stainless steel front)Best for most households
Heat up leftovers fast with no guesswork
See it on Amazon
2
Sharp
Sharp YC-MS01U-B 20L 800W Compact Manual Solo Microwave (black)Best for small kitchens, low price
Warm up meals in a small kitchen with a simple dial
See it on Amazon
3
Beko
Beko MCF25310B 25L 900W Digital Combination Microwave with Grill and Convection (black)Best for grill and convection oven
Cook, grill and bake in one black microwave box
See it on Amazon
4
Panasonic
Panasonic NN-CD88QSBPQ 34L 4-in-1 Combi Microwave with Air FryerBest for large family, most functions
Cook most meals in one oven, from microwave to air fryer
See it on Amazon
5
CASO
CASO Design MCG 25 Ceramic Chef 25L Flatbed Combination Microwave (item 3351)Best for flatbed, two-level cooking
Cook two levels at once on a flat, turntable-free base
See it on Amazon

Side by side

From the makers' and retailers' published factsAffiliate

The picks side by side
Pick	Best for	Price	The fact that sets it apart	Where to buy
Panasonic NN-ST68QSBPQ 32L Inverter Solo Microwave (silver, stainless steel front)	most households	£199.99	1000 W inverter microwave with 7 power levels from 100 W to 1000 W.	See it on Amazon
Sharp YC-MS01U-B 20L 800W Compact Manual Solo Microwave (black)	small kitchens, low price	£84.99	20-litre, 800 W compact solo microwave with manual control and 5 power levels.	See it on Amazon
Beko MCF25310B 25L 900W Digital Combination Microwave with Grill and Convection (black)	grill and convection oven	£129	25-litre combination microwave with 900 W microwave power, a 1950 W grill and a 1950 W convection oven.	See it on Amazon
Panasonic NN-CD88QSBPQ 34L 4-in-1 Combi Microwave with Air Fryer	large family, most functions	£379.99	1000 W inverter microwave, 1300 W quartz grill, convection at 40°C and 100 to 220°C, and air frying from 180 to 220°C.	See it on Amazon
CASO Design MCG 25 Ceramic Chef 25L Flatbed Combination Microwave (item 3351)	flatbed, two-level cooking	£199.99	900 W microwave, 1200 W grill and 2050 W convection, with 10 microwave power levels and convection from 110 to 200°C.	See it on Amazon

Prices from the maker or retailer named on each pick below, checked 25 October 2026. A dash means the price changes too often to quote: tap through for today's.

Most kitchens only need a solo microwave; a grill or combi earns its place if you want browning, baking or air frying without a second appliance. Pick the type first, then the size: 20 litres suits one or two people, 25 to 34 litres a family. Combi models are heavier and deeper, so measure your worktop before you order.

Our picks in detail

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1★ Top pickBest for most households

Panasonic NN-ST68QSBPQ 32L Inverter Solo Microwave (silver, stainless steel front)

Heat up leftovers fast with no guesswork.

What it is: This 1000 W inverter microwave gives you 7 power levels, from 100 W to 1000 W. Pick the level for gentle melting or full-power reheats, and you're set.
Perfect for: A fit for most households who want a solo microwave, though it has no grill or oven function and is 52.5 cm wide and 11.3 kg.
Why we picked it: Genius Sensor Reheat does the thinking for you. It spots steam rising from chilled or pre-cooked food and stops automatically, so you never need to set power, time or weight. Add 24 auto programmes including Auto Defrost, and a 34 cm turntable, so everyday meals are easy.
Price: £199.99 (store.panasonic.co.uk, checked 25 October 2026)

1000 W inverter microwave with 7 power levels from 100 W to 1000 W.
Automatic Sensor Reheat and 24 auto programmes including Auto Defrost, with a 34 cm turntable.
Genius Sensor Reheat detects steam rising from chilled or pre-cooked food and stops automatically, with no need to set power, time or weight.

The catch: Solo only, so no grill or oven function, and it is 52.5 cm wide and 11.3 kg.

Check today's price on Amazon

2Best for small kitchens, low price

Sharp YC-MS01U-B 20L 800W Compact Manual Solo Microwave (black)

Warm up meals in a small kitchen with a simple dial.

What it is: You get a 20-litre, 800 W solo microwave with manual controls and 5 power levels. Cavity lighting, a timer and a turntable come included, and it's easy to clean.
Perfect for: A fit for small kitchens and anyone who wants a straightforward microwave, though it has dial controls only.
Why we picked it: It measures 440 mm wide, 258 mm high and 344 mm deep, so it stays compact. It comes with a 12-month warranty and is aimed at small kitchens.
Price: £84.99 (shop.sharpconsumer.uk, checked 25 October 2026)

20-litre, 800 W compact solo microwave with manual control and 5 power levels.
Easy to clean, with cavity lighting, a timer function and a turntable included.
Measures 440 mm wide, 258 mm high and 344 mm deep, with a 12-month warranty.

The catch: Dial controls only, with no digital display or grill, and Sharp's own UK shop showed it as sold out on the check date.

Check today's price on Amazon

3Best for grill and convection oven

Beko MCF25310B 25L 900W Digital Combination Microwave with Grill and Convection (black)

Cook, grill and bake in one black microwave box.

What it is: This Beko combination microwave gives you 900 W microwave power plus a 1950 W grill and a 1950 W convection oven. Heat, grill and bake from one 25-litre machine.
Perfect for: Suits anyone who wants a grill and convection oven in their microwave, but at 15.2 kg and 44.4 cm deep it needs a sturdy, roomy worktop.
Why we picked it: Dial and button controls keep things simple, while a defrost function and auto-cook menu do the hard work for you. It also comes with a 1-year guarantee as standard.
Price: £129 (ao.com, checked 25 October 2026)

25-litre combination microwave with 900 W microwave power, a 1950 W grill and a 1950 W convection oven.
Uses dial and button controls and has a defrost function and an auto-cook menu.
Measures 28.1 cm high, 48.3 cm wide and 44.4 cm deep, and comes with a 1-year guarantee as standard.

The catch: Weighs 15.2 kg and is 44.4 cm deep, so it needs a sturdy, roomy worktop.

Check today's price on Amazon

4Best for large family, most functions

Panasonic NN-CD88QSBPQ 34L 4-in-1 Combi Microwave with Air Fryer

Cook most meals in one oven, from microwave to air fryer.

What it is: This Panasonic combi microwave microwaves, grills, bakes and air fries in one unit. It has a 1000 W inverter, a 1300 W quartz grill and air frying from 180 to 220°C.
Perfect for: It suits a large family that wants one machine for most meals, but it is large and heavy at 56 cm wide, 45 cm deep and 18 kg.
Why we picked it: It has five combi cooking options and 30 auto programmes. Register within 90 days and Panasonic's UK store extends the warranty to 5 years, T&Cs apply.
Price: £379.99 (store.panasonic.co.uk, checked 25 October 2026)

1000 W inverter microwave, 1300 W quartz grill, convection at 40°C and 100 to 220°C, and air frying from 180 to 220°C.
5 combi cooking options and 30 auto programmes.
5-year warranty from Panasonic's UK store (1 year standard plus 4 more when registered within 90 days, T&Cs apply).

The catch: Large and heavy at 56 cm wide, 45 cm deep and 18 kg.

Check today's price on Amazon

5Best for flatbed, two-level cooking

CASO Design MCG 25 Ceramic Chef 25L Flatbed Combination Microwave (item 3351)

Cook two levels at once on a flat, turntable-free base.

What it is: This CASO combination microwave gives you 900 W microwaving, 1200 W grill and 2050 W convection in one unit. A rack lets you cook on two levels, so two dishes can cook together.
Perfect for: Suits households who want flatbed cooking and two-level cooking, though it weighs 16.8 kg, is 48 cm deep, and has no air-fry function.
Why we picked it: The flat borosilicate glass base has a built-in microwave reflector, so no turntable is needed and square dishes fit. You also get 9 automatic programmes, 6 combination programmes and convection from 110 to 200°C. It measures 49 cm wide, 28.5 cm high and 48 cm deep.
Price: £199.99 (homebase.co.uk, checked 25 October 2026)

900 W microwave, 1200 W grill and 2050 W convection, with 10 microwave power levels and convection from 110 to 200°C.
Flat borosilicate glass base with an integrated microwave reflector, so no turntable is needed and square dishes fit.
A rack allows cooking on two levels, and there are 9 automatic programmes and 6 combination programmes.
Measures 49 cm wide, 28.5 cm high and 48 cm deep, and weighs 16.8 kg.

The catch: Weighs 16.8 kg and is 48 cm deep, and has no air-fry function (microwave, grill and convection only).

Check today's price on Amazon

What we left out, and why

Samsung MS23K3513AK/EU 23L solo microwave: Samsung's own UK product page shows it as "No longer available", so it is not a safe recommendation.
Sharp YC-QC254AU-B 25L flatbed combination microwave: Sharp's UK shop lists it at £219.99 for 900 W with a 1200 W grill and 14 programmes; the CASO MCG 25 flatbed we picked adds two-level cooking and a 2050 W convection oven.

How we chose

Our buying criteria

Microwaves are easy to compare on paper, so we judged them on what changes daily use: the type, the capacity, the power and the footprint, from each maker's UK page and listing on the update date. We have not run our own heating tests, and each pick shows its catch.

Type: a solo only heats and defrosts, while a grill or combination model adds grill and oven functions.
Capacity: 20 litres suits one or two people, and 25 to 34 litres suits families and larger dishes.
Power: the picks range from 800 W to 1000 W, and the Panasonic models have a 1000 W inverter.
Size and weight: measure the width and depth against your worktop, because combination models are heavier.

How we choose every pick

Your questions, answered

What does an inverter microwave do differently?

An inverter gives steady power at lower settings instead of switching full power on and off, which helps with gentle jobs such as defrosting and melting. Both Panasonic picks use a 1000 W inverter; the 32-litre solo has 7 power levels from 100 W to 1000 W.

What's the difference between a solo, grill and combination microwave?

A solo microwave only heats and defrosts. A grill model adds a grill for browning, and a combination model also adds a convection oven, and sometimes air frying. Combination models are heavier and deeper, so check your worktop.

What size microwave do I need?

Go by your household first: 20 litres suits one or two people, and 25 to 34 litres suits a family and bigger dishes. Then measure your worktop: the picks here run from 44 cm wide for the 20-litre Sharp to 56 cm wide for the 34-litre Panasonic combi.

Can a combination microwave replace an air fryer?

Only if it has an air-fry function, and it takes more worktop than a solo. Panasonic's 34-litre 4-in-1 Combi air fries at 180 to 220°C and has 30 auto programmes, but it is 56 cm wide, 45 cm deep and 18 kg.

How long are microwave warranties?

Usually one year as standard: Sharp and Beko both give a year on these picks. Panasonic's UK store extends its 4-in-1 Combi to 5 years if you register within 90 days (T&Cs apply).