6 best microwaves 2024: Panasonic, Samsung, Smeg and more brands tried and tested

One of the cheapest on the market and with just 700W of power, this little box of brilliance comes with eight pre-set cooking programs. It also features a multi-sequence function that allows you to vary the cooking power during a single cycle, without having to stop and restart. It didn’t fit some huge dinner plates and has half the capacity of the biggest microwave on the list, but given the price, it really can’t be beaten. It also comes in black, green, blue, grey and white, so will fit with any kitchen colour scheme.

While this microwave doesn’t look particularly futuristic, its sleek monotone black didn’t appear out of place on our work surface. What sets this model apart is its multi-functions and, arguably, you might never want to turn on your oven again. It features four different cooking methods – including steam and oven – with a top and bottom heater, grill and microwave. You can also combine and use two of the settings at once.

It’s the only one we tested with a unique built-in steam boiler as well as a large 600ml water tank. Plus, the 27l capacity makes this model among the biggest we tested – oven-proof dishes fitted inside easily.

If all that wasn’t enough, Panasonic robots press the buttons more than 60,000 times and open the door 150,000 times during testing – movements that would normally be made over the course of 15 years.

At 800W, this model is not the most powerful on the list but at just 45.1cm x 25.7cm x 38.2cm and with a 20l capacity, it’s perfect for smaller spaces. It also looks mean – you’ll want to keep it out on the work surface rather than hide it away in a cupboard. The clever folk at Swan have developed a whole Nordic range, too, so you can match the appliance to your toaster and kettle.

The settings are really simple to use. When it comes to reheating, there wasn’t the dreaded cold patch in the middle with the outsides being molten. The defrost function is brilliant, it has a child-safe lock and, despite the mirrored front, we didn’t see streaks from fingerprints, either. If you want a microwave that does what it says on the tin, looks as good as it performs and is in a very reasonable price bracket, this is the model for you.

Another on the list with multi-function features, in addition to microwaving, this model can grill and has a convection oven feature. The control panel isn’t as sleekly designed as some others in this price bracket, but the mirrored door doesn’t streak and it cleans in seconds, so, positioned in the right place in the kitchen, it gives the illusion of creating space.

The 25l capacity is perfectly adequate, while the instructions are really simple to follow, making the eight autocook menus easy to learn. While the beep to signal the end of cooking isn’t terribly sophisticated, the teenager in the house found the appliance easier to use than any of the others tested, and (almost just as importantly) it gave the best cake result.

Despite appearing fairly compact, Samsung’s solo microwave has a 23l capacity and fits large dinner plates. This model also looks sleek and smart, with a design that feels at home in a contemporary kitchen. Plus, it was the only appliance to come with a glass bowl for steaming.

However, looks aside, we did have a bit of an issue with the included instruction manual, which wasn’t the clearest. We managed to find a more thorough version online, after a bit of searching. Despite that, the microwave is pretty self-explanatory and intuitive to use. The enamel interior makes it very easy to keep clean and wipe down after any spills. It also doesn’t hold strong smells like some microwaves do.

If you’re one who likes to watch your food cook, this might not be for you. The very dark door makes it almost impossible to see what’s cooking inside.

At 34l capacity, this is the biggest microwave we tested and, while it might not have Smeg’s normal rounded corners and colour pop design, it’s got the brand’s brilliance and reliability. At 1,100W, it’s one of the more powerful on the list, and it’s worth taking the time to read and understand the 10 programs and 40 settings, as there really is so much this microwave can do.

There’s a shortcut menu – including melt, soften and casserole functions – handily placed inside the door, which doesn’t take long to pick up at all. It’s also one of the quietest on the market – a good job when you’re defrosting a big piece of meat on a Sunday morning while the rest of the house is still asleep.