Make cooking just a little bit easier with the best microwave under £100. From reheating leftovers to making popcorn, microwaves are at our disposal for many of our culinary needs. With the best microwave, our favourite dinners can live up to their former piping-hot glory at the push of a button. Using a microwave is practical, and it certainly can save a good amount of washing up too.
The Best Microwaves Under £100 At A Glance:
• Best budget microwave for ease of use: Salter Marino 800W Microwave – View on Currys
• Best budget microwave with a grill function: SHARP YC-MG02U-S 800W Digital Microwave – View on Amazon UK
• Best budget microwave for retro design: COMFEE' Retro Style Microwave Oven – View on Amazon UK
When you're on the lookout for a budget microwave, you want to ensure that your purchase will last as well as suit your household's needs. If you need quick meals most of the week due to a busy schedule, a small microwave is going to be your best friend. Sometimes, cooking on the stove or in the oven is way too time-consuming or impractical.
If you are not skilled in the kitchen, a microwave could really come in handy. Let's take a look at the best budget appliances... and if you're hungry to know more, scroll to the FAQs for tips and advice on what to look for when buying a new microwave.
Best Microwaves Under £100
Bet budget microwave for ease of use
Salter's latest range of Marino kitchenware and appliances are a brand-new colourway of steely dark blue with stunning champagne highlights. This Salter Marino 800W Microwave offers all the everyday functionality you'd expect from a budget microwave, plus a quality, design-led build that brings contemporary style to any modern kitchen. It features a 35-minute timer, defrost setting, five power levels and easy-to-use dial controls. The 27cm diameter glass turntable can accommodate an average-sized dinner plate. Coordinate with Salter's Marino kettle, toaster, bread bin and storage canisters –
"Give your countertop a makeover with modern neutral appliances and accessories from housewares expert, Salter."
Pros
- Stylish
- Easy to use
- Matching kitchenware available
Cons
- Short power cable
| Size: | H25.8 x W45.1 x D35.4cm |
| Capacity: | 20L |
| Energy Rating: | N/A |
| Wattage: | 800W (220-240V) |
| Guarantee: | 1 year |
- Tested by Natalie Knowles: Marino means "of the sea" and this gorgeous inky blue and gold microwave is a wonderful new colourway that brings a touch of elegance to my kitchen countertop. It arrived well packaged and the glass turntable was doubly wrapped in polystyrene, cardboard and tape inside the microwave cavity.
Ideally suited to a one or two-person household, this small microwave is perfect for reheating leftovers, making scrambled eggs and heating up baked beans. When in use. it's fairly loud and periodically makes a thronging noise. It sits comfortably on my small countertop with enough room for ventilation. I just love the gold handle and simple dial controls. The door is easy to open and the appliance is intuitively simple to use. The top dial is the power level, low-high and a defrost setting. The bottom dial is a timer up to 35 minutes in five minute increments. In order to cook jacket potatoes, I turned the power level up to high and at 800 watts I had to keep giving them a few minutes extra cooking until the potatoes were cooked all the way through.
All-in-all, a beautiful microwave that is perfect for simple reheating, steaming and defrosting.
Best budget microwave with a grill function
Sharp offers a great selection of microwaves. With different colours and capacities available, you're spoilt for choice. If a grill function is something you're looking for, then the SHARP YC-MG02U-S 800W Digital Microwave is perfect. Alongside the 1000W grill, Sharp is treating us to many useful features such as touch control, defrost, popcorn, eco – and even a setting for jacket potatoes.
Pros
- Touch control
- Grill, defrost, popcorn and eco setting
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Beeps repeatedly
| Size: | L32.4 x W44 x H25.8cm |
| Capacity: | 20l |
| Energy Rating: | A+ |
| Wattage: | 800W Microwave, 1000W Grill |
| Guarantee: | N/A |
Best budget microwave for retro design
With five power levels and an 800W defrost setting, COMFEE' Retro Style Microwave Oven makes prep hassle-free and easier than ever - and looks great. With this blast from the past, cook your food just the way you like it. Stylish, this apricot cream microwave has a 20L capacity and easy-to-use controls. So, if you're going for a retro look for your kitchen, this could be perfect.
Pros
- Stylish design
- 60-minute timer
- 5 power levels
- Defrost setting
Cons
- Some reviews have commented about the build quality
| Size: | D35.7 x W44 x H25.8cm |
| Capacity: | 20L |
| Energy Rating: | Unsure |
| Wattage: | 800W |
| Guarantee: | Not specified |
Best compact microwave for under £100
www.currys.co.uk
The ESSENTIALS CMW21 Compact Solo Microwave has a total of six power settings, so you can adjust the level to suit what you're cooking. Also, this appliance has a defrost function – perfect for thawing fish or meat – and a 15-litre capacity. Though this appliance is compact, it's spacious enough for a regular-sized dish.
Pros
- Compact design
- Defrost function
- Six power settings
Cons
- Doesn't fit larger plates
| Size: | H24.3 x W44.3 x D34cm |
| Capacity: | 15l |
| Energy Rating: | N/A |
| Wattage: | 700W |
| Guarantee: | 1 year |
Best black microwave under £100
Though with a simple design, this sleek DAEWOO Kensington SDA1655 Solo Microwave wouldn't look out of place on your worktop. It has 800W of power and 20l capacity – which helps you reheat a good amount of your food quickly and effectively. Its digital controls and easy-to-clean finish make it a great contender.
Pros
- Simple design
- Auto-defrost programme
- LED display
- Buttons and dial
Cons
- Silver handle stands out
| Size: | H26 x W45 x D31cm |
| Capacity: | 20l |
| Energy Rating: | N/A |
| Wattage: | 800W |
| Guarantee: | 2 years |
Best mid-range and stylish microwave under £100
www.currys.co.uk
Compact and stylish, the Russell Hobbs RHMM7O1S-N Microwave is the perfect everyday appliance, ideal for kitchens with limited space – perhaps, it could be perfect for a caravan. With this appliance, you can cook a variety of meals in just minutes with an easy-to-use 30-minute timer and five power levels. Not only that, but the chic and trim design means you have flexibility in choosing the right spot for this appliance.
Pros
- Compact
- Stylish
- Five power levels
- Easy-to-use timer
- Manual dial
Cons
- Can't see through door wall
| Size: | H25.6 x W45.1 x D32.6cm |
| Capacity: | 17l |
| Energy Rating: | D |
| Wattage: | 700W |
| Guarantee: | 1 Year Manufacturer’s Guarantee |
Best Scandi microwave under £100
Complete with buttons and a dial, this Russell Hobbs Scandi RHMD714MG-N Compact Microwave is a yes from us. If you're going for a Scandi look with a splash of colour, we can't recommend this enough. Not only are the reviews great, but it's a good price and is not bogged by down lots of programmes. If you're not into green, this Scandinavian-inspired microwave comes in a few colours, including grey and white.
Pros
- Eight autocook programmes
- 60 min timer
- Defrost and rehear settings
Cons
- Problems with button lettering
| Size: | H28.9 x W48.8 x D38.4cm |
| Capacity: | 17l |
| Energy Rating: | D |
| Wattage: | 700W |
| Guarantee: | 1 year |
Best microwave for under £100 with the best reviews
We scoured the internet for the best microwaves under £100. But do they live up to the reviews? Well, this one seems to be a hit on Amazon, clocking in a respectable average score of 4.5/5. Operating at a powerful 800W and boasting a generous 20L capacity, a large dish, this Tower T24019 Infinity Digital Solo Microwave is the perfect solution for reheating quick and tasty meals. Plus, the finish is stylish.
Pros
- LED display with digital timer
- Large capacity
- High-quality turntable
Cons
- Complicated operation
| Size: | H26.4 x W45.5 x D35cm |
| Capacity: | 20l |
| Energy Rating: | N/A |
| Wattage: | 800W |
| Guarantee: | Standard 1-year warranty |
OUR VERDICT: What's The Best Microwave For Under £100?
The best microwave under £100 would have to be the Tower T24019 Infinity Digital Solo Microwave. Not only does it have stellar reviews from happy customers, but it's stylish, has a decent capacity and is easy to use. It's ideal for people who aren't big on the latest features but want something reliable.
FAQs
What to look for when choosing the best microwave for under £100
If you're on a budget when choosing which microwave you need, the priority is going to be the price you pay. Prices of microwaves vary; some can be around £40 – others can climb up to £1,000. Make sure you're looking at a few websites and looking for deals. Keep scrolling if you want some help. We've chosen the best microwaves for under £100.
Next, quality is a good thing to keep in mind. When researching for budget microwaves, make sure to keep your eye out for the manufacturer's guarantee. How long do they last? Generally, it might be worthwhile to pay £50 more for a microwave that has a longer guarantee. But that's not always possible for everyone. Like many kitchen appliances, cheaper models don't operate for as long as expensive ones.
Lastly, look for features and programmes. What would suit your lifestyle and diet best? Plus, what kind of design are you looking for? We prefer a budget microwave that has separate settings for different types of food because it's innovative. Although, features aren't everything – and not everyone loves them as much as we do. If you want something simpler, we've included that.
How do microwaves work?
A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by means of high-frequency electromagnetic waves called microwaves. Yes, they're really called that. Worried about radiation? Don't be. Microwaves are non-ionising. Science has proved that microwave ovens are entirely safe to use and will not cause any adverse health conditions.
What not to put in a microwave
Though a microwave may be so convenient to heat up your grub, this doesn't mean it was built to withstand just about anything.
Here's a list of things to not put in the microwave.
Hot Peppers – These will start to spark and catch fire.
Styrofoam – This will melt and start to release chemicals into your food.
Nothing - Without anything to heat, the microwaves bounce off each other and are absorbed by the appliance, causing it to combust. Don't do this.
Hard-Boiled Eggs – None of us wants an egg-splosion.
Lidless Containers – Cover your microwave dishes to avoid having to clean up a mess.
Paper Bags – Aside from a bag of microwave popcorn, avoid paper bags.
Travel Mugs – It's safe practice to keep anything metal out of the microwave.
Aluminium Foil – It's not a great idea. The reflective properties of foil will cause it to burn very quickly and ignite. This is very dangerous.
How much do microwaves cost to run?
It's not news that we're heading for some tough times, so it's great to be on top of your energy usage – so you can take control of your bills. Sometimes, it's worth shelling out an extra £30-50 for a microwave with a higher energy rating. With a higher rating, you'll be paying less money per use. So, it could be worthwhile.
The cost of energy is around 28p per kWh for electricity, but this will be different for everyone. The power it takes to run a microwave differs between models – but they can range from 700 to 1000W.
You can calculate the price per use with this equation:
Microwave Power (W) x Amount of Time Used (p/h) x GBP per Kwh (0.28) / 100 = Price Per Use
For "Amount of Time", use decimal points (e.g. 0.5 is 30 mins, 1.5 is 90 mins).
For example, if you're running a 800W microwave for 10 minutes:
800(W) x 0.1 x 0.28 / 100 = 0.22 = 22p
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in cookware. When she's not cooking up a storm in the kitchen, Piper is re-watching a TV show or listening to a podcast.