Best Microwaves of 2021: Solo and Combi Models That Work Best, from Russell Hobbs, Panasonic and Hotpoint Bedford News

You’ll be hard pressed to find a solo microwave that’s as much of a bargain as Wilko’s bestseller 800w.

Fortunately, the quality is impressive for the price, but if you’re worried, it comes with a two-year warranty. It’s compact, but large enough to accommodate an average plate, and it’s incredibly easy to use, making it a good choice for elderly parents.

Five power levels include a defrost function and the auto cook menu offers settings for 12 different foods. The digital timer can count up to 60 minutes, the glass turntable is easy to remove for cleaning, and its stainless steel exterior is sleek enough to tick the style box.

This affordable Panasonic combo microwave is a winner for buyers who want all the bells and whistles, but don’t have a lot of countertop space.

It’s powerful, at 1000W, with 16 automatic cooking programs for speed and convenience. It comes with a tray and grill, but note that only the grill and the microwave can be used simultaneously – to crisp the tops of your microwaveable lasagna, for example – and that there is no water tank for steaming like the NN-CS89 above.

Adjustable shelves allow cooking on the pan, giving you 30% more space than a standard solo model, while a built-in sensor eliminates the hassle of entering cooking times, weights and power levels. It comes with a two year warranty, should anything go wrong.

If you like the idea of ​​a microwave with a grill, but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a full combination oven, check out this CDA 900w model. It offers 10 automatic cooking programs, including pizza, potato and popcorn, and five power levels, including automatic and manual defrost functions.

Its electronic controls are fairly simple to use, if a bit tedious, and its LED timer helps you keep track of cooking progress. There is also a child safety lock to reassure parents.

The microwave and grill can be used both separately and together for that all-important crispy topping, although we prefer an included glass turntable turntable.

Overall, it’s reasonably priced at under £ 130, with a one-year warranty.

If it’s a basic digital solo you’re looking for, we’ve got a nice 20-liter suitor for you here.

Dunelm’s own-brand 700w microwave, with its copper accents and mirrored door, is a welcome change from the ubiquitous black designs.

It’s unfair to expect a lot of features or power at this price, but you have a choice of five heat settings, a defrost feature, and a 60-minute LED timer for your money.

There is a child safety lock and a glass turntable that easily detaches for washing. The only downside is that the fingerprints show up clearly on the door, so you will have to wipe it off regularly.

If you like what you see, there is a matching toaster and kettle available.

New to the Russell Hobbs lineup is this no-frills manual solo, with just two dials and not a digital function in sight.

It looks great with its Scandinavian-inspired wooden handle and gray casing, and it couldn’t be easier to use. There are five power levels, including defrost, and the timer can count down from 35 minutes.

There is an internal light to show when cooking is in progress and a buzzer when it is finished. It’s not the most powerful, at 700W, nor the largest, with its 17L capacity, but if you’re looking for a reliable small microwave for basic cooking tasks, this is a good deal.

Here’s another Russell Hobbs model, but this one is digital, with an LED dial, push buttons, and timer. Its cream envelope gives it a chic and subtly vintage aesthetic that would suit any kitchen.

It has a mirrored door (don’t touch it!) That you push to open and its 20-liter cavity fits comfortably on a standard plate.

There is a childproof lock for peace of mind and the glass turntable is dishwasher safe so you don’t have to worry about the hassle of rubbing.

The choice of auto cook programs includes fish and pizza and the auto defrost setting selects the perfect time for you, once you’ve entered your food weight.

If you want a microwave that does a lot more than basic reheat and defrost, you’ll be tempted by this 33-liter combo model.

It offers great value considering everything it can do from cooking a roast chicken in convection mode to using the double crisp feature that combines microwave and grill. The multi-wave technology distributes the heat evenly and even has a self-cleaning function.

It requires at least 30cm of ventilation space above, so it does not need to be plugged under a kitchen unit, and there is no internal shelf for a baking sheet. Our only other downside is that the retractable door handle sits right below the dial and touch panel, which means it’s easy to accidentally tamper with the settings.

Still, it’s a steal for a mighty 900w combi with every bell and whistle imaginable.

Panasonic is a trusted brand for microwaves and it is its flagship model. It has a massive 31-liter capacity that larger families will appreciate, but its 4-in-1 capacity makes it a great space saver.

It is modern and attractive in design, with a quick-clean touch panel and a retractable smoked glass door for easy access. Health conscious cooks will love its steam function, which helps preserve the nutrients in vegetables.

When used as a convection oven, it can cook an entire Sunday roast, including a whole chicken! You can use two functions simultaneously, such as grill and microwave, and it has a tray to maximize space.

Choose from 12 preset combo menus and 36 automatic cooking programs. Its built-in sensor takes the guesswork out of cooking by sensing the amount of moisture in your food and automatically adjusting power and times. It’ll cost you just under £ 500, but it has a two-year warranty.