Best: Overall

• Power: 900W
• Dimensions: 48.3 x 40.5 x 29.2cm
• Capacity: 25l
• Convection oven/grill: Yes/yes

With a microwave, grill and convection oven in one machine, this digital Hoover microwave is packed with features for a surprisingly reasonable price. It even boasts the latest inverter technology to disperse heat evenly and preserve food’s flavour, a feature normally reserved for pricier appliances.

It’s a decent 25l capacity, 27cm turntable and 900 watts of power mean cooking is quick and easy. There are also a staggering 32 automatic programmes for one-touch cooking of everything from porridge to salmon fillets. The oven and defrost settings both worked well, although the grill was slower than one on a traditional oven. We also found it tricky to judge grilling times because it’s not possible to see through the door during cooking.

However, this microwave’s almost-silent operation, glossy black exterior and multi-functional capabilities make it an excellent addition to any kitchen for a fantastic price.

Read the full Hoover chefvolution HMCI25TB-UK microwave review

Best: For sleek design

• Power: 800W
• Dimensions: W45.5 x D33 x H25.5cm
• Capacity: 20l
• Convection oven/grill: No/no

Microwaves aren’t usually the most attractive kitchen appliance but this sleek model is a great buy if you want to make a statement. With its shiny rose gold accents, the manual microwave is a head-turner when out on the kitchen worktop and is a breeze to operate too. Plug in and start cooking immediately, with six power levels and eight autocook settings including fish, popcorn and – curiously - spaghetti. However, the pizza setting left ours with a soggy bottom so is best avoided.

We found the chunky dial made it easy to heat for exactly the required time and the defrost function worked particularly well to cook frozen foods including a cottage pie and soup. Larger households might prefer a bigger capacity or higher wattage but this compact model is ideal for the average user looking for a no-fuss, easy to clean microwave that won’t be an eyesore.

Best: For extra features

• Power: 1100W
• Dimensions: 51.9 x 51.3 x 31.6cm
• Capacity: 32 litre
• Convection oven/grill: Yes/yes

There’s almost nothing this sleek, brushed stainless steel microwave can’t do. A convection oven, powerful microwave and air fryer in one, it uses inverter technology to automatically adjust power intensity for more even cooking results, particularly noticeable on delicate and reheated foods.

The large but very quiet machine has a whopping 19 pre-set options including ones to soften butter, cook bacon and melt chocolate and these generally worked well. We did need to add extra cooking time when baking chocolate chip cookies using the pre-set function though.

We were particularly impressed by the air fryer, which made it possible to cook foods like chips that normally go soggy in the microwave. We also loved the keep warm setting and the ability to turn off the turntable rotation to use a square dish.

It’s a dream to use straight from the box too, with a clever soft-close door and a useful digital screen which gives step-by-step instructions so there’s barely any need to look at the manual.

The steep price tag is the obvious downside, but is worth the stretch if you have the space and will definitely use the extra oven space and air fryer.

Best: Solo microwave

• Power: 700W
• Dimensions: 45.1 x 35.3 x 25.8cm
• Capacity: 17l
• Convection oven/grill: No/no

If simplicity and style top your wish list, this Russell Hobbs microwave is a winner. Also available in black and grey, the dinky white model has a tactile wooden handle and just two easy-to-use dials for super-simple operation. There’s a digital version if you prefer pre-set functions, but for straightforward cooking, reheating and defrosting, this has everything you will need at a great price.

Just be aware that the maximum power is only 700 watts, so we felt dishes took a little longer to cook than expected and the instructions on some ready meals will need adjusting accordingly. It’s worth measuring your dinner plates if you regularly reheat leftovers too as the turntable is just 24.5cm in diameter.

Read the full Russell Hobbs RHMM713 scandi compact white manual microwave review

Best: Easy to use microwave

• Power: 800W
• Dimensions: 46.1 x 35.1 x 29cm
• Capacity: 17l
• Convection oven/grill: No/no

This no-nonsense Bosch microwave was straightforward to operate and performed well in all our tests. It was easy to adjust cooking times for different weights with the turn dial and the seven pre-set programmes cooked potatoes and vegetables well, though our frozen mince wasn’t quite defrosted all the way through and needed extra time adding.

Anyone hoping to whip up feasts for a large family might prefer a bigger capacity, but we found all but the biggest dishes and plates fitted inside comfortably. We especially loved the memory button, which can be programmed with the cooking information for a favourite dish so it can be cooked at the touch of a button.

Our only complaint? The black glossy exterior showed fingerprints easily, but the pop out controls made cleaning quick and easy so it wasn’t a huge problem.

Read the full Bosch HMT75M461B 17 litre microwave review

Best: Combination microwave

• Power: 1100W
• Dimensions: 51.9 x 50.7 x 31.4cm
• Capacity: 34l
• Convection oven/grill: Yes/yes

Smeg’s first-ever freestanding microwave is a great-looking machine with an impressive 1110 watts of power for super-speedy cooking. Inverter technology ensures even results every time and the defrost setting was very effective, thawing our mince thoroughly without browning it.

Other features we loved included the keep warm and stew functions for slow cooking, although we found the grill a little slow to use and the settings tricky to remember without the manual to hand.

The oven is top-notch though, preheating quickly and delivering perfect results every time. Yet keen cooks should note it only reaches 200°C so won’t manage anything that requires very high temperatures.

Read the full Smeg MOE34CXIUK 34 litre combination microwave oven review

Best: Compact microwave

• Power: 800W
• Dimensions:45 x 36 x 26cm
• Capacity: 20l
• Convection oven/grill: No/yes

This compact, good-looking microwave is a great buy if you want a grill included but don’t want to splurge on the most expensive models. It has a respectable 20 litre capacity and 800 watts of power and heated everything from soup to ready meals with no issues.

The grill and defrost settings were a little slower to operate and needed watching during use to adjust timings, but it’s hard to complain for this price.

It looked stylish out on the worktop and we thought its copper-coloured handle and buttons made a nice change from most microwaves. There’s a coordinating toaster and kettle in the same range to complete the look too.

Best: Integrated microwave

• Power: 1,000W
• Dimensions: 50 x 43.7 x 39.1cm
• Capacity: 31l
• Convection oven/grill: Yes/yes 

Another mighty multi-tasking machine, the freestanding Panasonic 4-in-1 is a kitchen whizz, as you might expect for the hefty price. It functions more like a small oven than a microwave, with two levels for cooking, 36 pre-set programmes and no glass turntable.

We did need to keep the manual close by to make full use of this appliance but it was worth the effort. The oven was just as good as a standalone one and we loved the fact we could use different cooking methods at the same time. Using the oven and the grill simultaneously for instance worked well to cook lasagne and give it a crispy top. The grill was a little slow on its own though and we found it difficult to see the food cooking so would have preferred a brighter light inside.

However, we were wowed by the microwave’s steam technology, which uses an integrated 800ml water tank and two steam outlets to inject steam directly into the oven for healthy cooking. There’s even a hot steam programme to aid cleaning, while the flat grill heater means it’s easy to wipe down.

Read the full Panasonic NN-CS89LBBPQ combination microwave review

Best: Small microwave

• Power: 800W
• Dimensions: 44 x 30.7 x 25.2cm
• Capacity: 20l
• Convection oven/grill: No/no

Microwaves are rarely described as cute but this freestanding machine in baby blue could change that. Also available in other colours including cream, green and orange, the retro styling includes simple chrome dials, an unusual circular digital display, rounded edges and a curved statement handle.

There are five power levels including a defrost setting and all worked well for straightforward reheating and cooking, with an audible alert when food is ready.

With a 24.5 cm diameter turntable, it might not fit your biggest dinner plates but it’s ideal for everyday use, looks lovely and won’t dominate your worktop.

Best: Multipurpose microwave

• Power: 900W
• Dimensions:59.5 x 56 x 45.5cm
• Capacity: 40l 
• Convection oven/grill: Yes/yes

There’s no real need for an extra oven if you have this multipurpose but expensive machine, the only built-in microwave featured in our list. Although it’s very heavy and awkward to fit, its clean lines and digital display look great once installed and its mammoth 40l capacity and 40cm turntable mean it can manage almost any cooking task easily.

Results were consistently impressive too thanks to its 6th Sense technology which cleverly adjusts the time and temperature of food during heating to ensure nothing is over-cooked. We also liked the steam setting for making healthier meals, and the useful crisp function which gave our pizza added crunch.