The 10 Best Microwaves as of June 2026

How we ranked these microwaves

Each pick earns a score out of 10 from weighted criteria:

Performance (35%) — how well each microwave does its core job.
Value (25%) — quality and features for the price.
Build & reliability (20%) — materials, longevity and warranty.
Features (20%) — meaningful extras that improve the experience.

At a glance: top 10 compared

Swipe across to see all columns, including Amazon links →

#	Microwaves	Score	Best for	Type	Approx. Price	Amazon links
1	Panasonic NN-DF386B	8.7	Best overall	Combi (micro+grill+oven)	£180	View Price
2	Panasonic NN-ST46KB	8.6	Best solo inverter	Solo (inverter)	£120	View Price
3	Panasonic NN-CD58JS	8.5	Best premium combi	Combi (flatbed)	£250	View Price
4	Russell Hobbs Solo Microwave	8.4	Best value solo	Solo	£70	View Price
5	Samsung MS23K3515	8.4	Best mid solo	Solo	£100	View Price
6	Sharp Microwave with Grill	8.3	Best micro+grill value	Microwave + grill	£90	View Price
7	Hotpoint Combination Microwave	8.3	Best family combi	Combi	£160	View Price
8	Daewoo Retro Microwave	8.2	Best style	Solo (retro)	£80	View Price
9	Tower Solo Microwave	8.1	Best budget	Solo	£65	View Price
10	Amazon Basics Microwave	8.0	Best smart budget	Solo (Alexa)	£60	View Price

The full ranking

Best overall

Panasonic NN-DF386B

8.7Our number one pick.

Panasonic's NN-DF386B is a 3-in-1 microwave, grill and convection oven with inverter power for even cooking, a versatile do-it-all that bakes and crisps as well as reheats. It is pricier and takes worktop space, but the versatility and even cooking are excellent.

Cooking: 9.0Capacity: 8.6Features: 9.0Value: 8.6

Pros

Microwave, grill and oven
Inverter even cooking
Versatile

Cons

Pricey
Large footprint

Check price on Amazon≈ £180

Best solo inverter

Panasonic NN-ST46KB

8.6A superb runner-up.

Panasonic's NN-ST46KB uses inverter technology for more even reheating and defrosting in a large 32L cavity, a quality solo microwave. It is pricier than basic solos, but the even cooking and size are excellent.

Cooking: 8.8Capacity: 9.0Features: 8.4Value: 8.6

Pros

Even inverter cooking
Large 32L cavity
Quality build

Cons

No grill
Pricey for solo

Check price on Amazon≈ £120

Best premium combi

Panasonic NN-CD58JS

8.5Rounds out our top three.

Panasonic's NN-CD58JS is a flatbed combination microwave-oven with no turntable for more usable space, inverter power and convection baking, a premium all-rounder. It is expensive, but the flatbed design and versatility are excellent.

Cooking: 8.8Capacity: 8.8Features: 9.0Value: 8.2

Pros

Flatbed (no turntable)
Microwave, grill and oven
Inverter cooking

Cons

Expensive
Large

Check price on Amazon≈ £250

Best value solo

Russell Hobbs Solo Microwave

8.4A standout in the upper half.

Russell Hobbs' solo microwave covers everyday reheating and defrosting with simple controls and a decent 20L cavity at a friendly price, strong everyday value. It only microwaves, but for the basics it is excellent.

Cooking: 8.4Capacity: 8.4Features: 8.0Value: 9.2

Pros

Affordable
Simple controls
Good everyday size

Cons

No grill
Basic

Check price on Amazon≈ £70

Best mid solo

Samsung MS23K3515

8.4A well-rounded mid-table pick.

Samsung's MS23K3515 offers a ceramic easy-clean interior, healthy steam programs and a sleek look in a 23L solo microwave, a tidy mid choice. It only microwaves, but the cleaning and design are good.

Cooking: 8.4Capacity: 8.4Features: 8.4Value: 8.6

Pros

Ceramic easy-clean inside
Steam programs
Sleek design

Cons

No grill
Mid capacity

Check price on Amazon≈ £100

Best micro+grill value

Sharp Microwave with Grill

8.3Great value in the middle of the pack.

Sharp's microwave with grill adds a quartz grill for browning and crisping on top of reheating at a sensible price, good value versatility. It is mid-capacity, but the added grill is good.

Cooking: 8.4Capacity: 8.2Features: 8.4Value: 8.8

Pros

Microwave plus grill
Good value
Browning and crisping

Cons

Mid capacity
Basic display

Check price on Amazon≈ £90

Best family combi

Hotpoint Combination Microwave

8.3A dependable pick if the price is right.

Hotpoint's combination microwave offers microwave, grill and convection in a roomy 25L cavity with auto programs, good for families wanting an all-in-one. It is bulkier, but the capacity and versatility are good.

Cooking: 8.4Capacity: 8.6Features: 8.6Value: 8.4

Pros

3-in-1 cooking
Roomy 25L
Auto programs

Cons

Bulky
Mid build

Check price on Amazon≈ £160

Best style

Daewoo Retro Microwave

8.2Solid, if outshone by pricier rivals.

Daewoo's retro microwave brings a stylish vintage look with simple dials to everyday reheating at a fair price, a charming kitchen accent. It only microwaves and is mid-capacity, but the looks and value are good.

Cooking: 8.2Capacity: 8.2Features: 8.0Value: 8.8

Pros

Retro styling
Simple dials
Good colours

Cons

No grill
Mid capacity

Check price on Amazon≈ £80

Best budget

Tower Solo Microwave

8.1A budget-friendly option worth a look.

Tower's solo microwave covers everyday heating with several power levels at a low price, sensible budget value. It is basic, but for value it works.

Cooking: 8.2Capacity: 8.2Features: 7.8Value: 9.0

Pros

Cheap
Several power levels
Compact

Cons

No grill
Basic build

Check price on Amazon≈ £65

Best smart budget

Amazon Basics Microwave

8.0Rounds out our top ten.

Amazon Basics' microwave adds Alexa voice control to a budget 23L solo, letting you start it by voice if you have an Echo, novel value. The voice feature is gimmicky to some, but for value it works.

Cooking: 8.0Capacity: 8.2Features: 8.2Value: 9.0

Pros

Alexa voice control
Affordable
Decent size

Cons

No grill
Needs Echo for voice

Check price on Amazon≈ £60

Frequently asked questions

What's the best of the microwaves in 2026?

Our top overall pick is the Panasonic NN-DF386B, which leads on our combined score for performance, value and features. The Panasonic NN-ST46KB and Panasonic NN-CD58JS are excellent alternatives depending on budget and needs.

How did we choose these?

We weight performance, value, build quality and features, drawing on hands-on use and independent testing. See the methodology box above for the full breakdown.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK figures at the time of writing and change frequently. Click through to Amazon for the current price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best microwaves without overthinking it, the Panasonic NN-DF386B is our top recommendation — it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon ≈ £180

Our top picks at a glance

Panasonic NN-DF386B

Russell Hobbs Solo Microwave

Panasonic NN-CD58JS

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How we ranked these microwaves

At a glance: top 10 compared

The full ranking

Panasonic NN-DF386B

Pros

Cons

Panasonic NN-ST46KB

Pros

Cons

Panasonic NN-CD58JS

Pros

Cons

Russell Hobbs Solo Microwave

Pros

Cons

Samsung MS23K3515

Pros

Cons

Sharp Microwave with Grill

Pros

Cons

Hotpoint Combination Microwave

Pros

Cons

Daewoo Retro Microwave

Pros

Cons

Tower Solo Microwave

Pros

Cons

Amazon Basics Microwave

Pros

Cons

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

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