The 10 Best Compact Microwaves

We’ve reviewed dozens of compact microwaves and listed our 10 best options

Jen Hammond

Last updated on April 7, 2022

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    Even if you are short on countertop space in your kitchen you won’t lose out with a small microwave. The best compact microwaves now come with many high tech features and offer the same performance that you will find with a regular freestanding microwave yet take up less space.

    We find that the biggest complaint our customers have about their kitchens is space.  All too frequently we have to compromise on the kitchen appliances we can have due to a lack of space. So we couldn’t complete our microwave reviews without including compact microwaves.

    We love these small microwaves and for this review, we have looked at the pros, cons and features of what we believe are 10 of the best compact microwaves that you can choose to buy now. Included at the bottom of this review we have included further information to help you clarify your needs to ensure that you choose the best microwave for your budget and kitchen.

    The Top Mini Ovens 2022

    1.
    Swan SM308N Mini Oven

    Swan SM308N Mini Oven

    When you’re hoping to save space and money, compact microwaves are the perfect solution. They provide you with an essential that has all the required features without going over the top with useless show-off functions and wasted space.
    It goes without saying that when you opt for a compact microwave, you will be looking for a smaller appliance. Subsequently this will impact the amount of space for your meals. With that said, we are happy to announce the Swan SM3080N fits onto your countertop with ease, yet still boasts 20-litres of capacity.
    Cater for your family with lots of space, functions and power. It comes with automatic presets that make it easy to use and you can also enjoy its stylish yet practical control panel. It also happens to be the best looking compact microwave in our opinion.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: 25.5 x 45.2 x 32.5cm
    • Power: 800W
    • Capacity: 20L
    • Capacity Weight: 10.9 Kg
    • 8 Automatic Programmes

    Reasons to Buy

    • Matching kettle/toaster set available
    • It has lots of programmes and presets, taking the guesswork out of your cooking
    • Nice and stylish

    Reasons to Avoid

    • On the noisier side

    2.
    Beko MOC20100W

    Beko MOC20100W

    Beko is another one of those brands which you can trust, and they offer high quality at low prices which is great for anyone wanting an appliance which is worthwhile yet affordable.
    If you are searching for a small yet powerful microwave then this compact appliance will be perfect for you. It may be basic but it has been made to ensure easy use.
    The dial controls are simple to operate, and there are a couple of settings available which will ensure a range of foods can be prepared. From lightly heating soups and sauces to defrosting the dinner, this is a great addition to any kitchen where space is an issue.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)26.5 x (W)45.2 x (D) 32.5cm
    • Power: 700W
    • Capacity: 20L
    • Weight: 10 Kg
    • Auto Defrost

    Reasons to Buy

    • It is easy to use with two rotary dials
    • A robust design and has been made to last
    • All this, for less than £60

    Reasons to Avoid

    • It lacks modern style

    3.
    Russell Hobbs RHM1714

    The 10 Best Compact Microwaves 9The 10 Best Compact Microwaves 10

    This Russell Hobbs’ style is one of the best in the compact microwaves list. Modern, with nice touches such as the curved chrome handle and mirrored front, it is great if you want something basic but which looks beyond its capability.
    There is 17 litres of space, making it one of the more compact on the list. With auto defrost settings and five selectable power levels, you’re able to cook pretty much anything in it.
    It is available in a host of colours, including a cream option which helps the overall look go a bit more retro. Comfortably under £100, you get a lot for your money.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)36 x (W)45.2 x (D) 26.2cm
    • Power: 700 Watt
    • Capacity: 17L
    • Weight: 10.5 Kg
    • Auto Cook Options

    Reasons to Buy

    • Super-stylish design with a modern exterior
    • Easy to use and even has auto cook options taking all of the guesswork out of your task
    • It is a lightweight design, weighing just 10Kg

    Reasons to Avoid

    • A few reports of it being hard to clean long-term

    4.
    Samsung MS28J5255UW

    The 10 Best Compact Microwaves 11The 10 Best Compact Microwaves 12

    Samsung have excelled themselves with this creation. We are still in awe at how they have pieced together the full outfit and yet still qualify it as a compact microwave.
    If you wish to save on space but still want all of the modern features then you should take a look at this Samsung MS28J5255UW. It comes with an auto-frost function, lots of power and an LED display. But the thing we love the most? It packs 28 litres of space into the small dimensions. Perfect if you need more cooking space but don’t have the physical space.
    The product is one that is perfectly slick and sure to add character to your kitchen. Check out its curved handle, durable design and easy to use control panel. There are some really handy pre-sets as well, such as an option to healthy steam, one to pre-warm the plates and even an option for deodorisation. So when you’ve been cooking fish, it won’t stink out the house or linger for months to come.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)32 x (W)48.9 x (D) 27.5cm
    • Power: 1000W
    • Capacity: 28L
    • Weight: 10 Kg
    • Auto Cook Options

    Reasons to Buy

    • Remarkable capacity for a compact microwave
    • Powerful appliance showcasing 1000W
    • It is simple to use and features a stylish control panel

    Reasons to Avoid

    • It is expensive

    5.
    Tower T24015S

    The 10 Best Compact Microwaves 13The 10 Best Compact Microwaves 14

    Towering above the options which didn’t make it into our top 10 picks is the Tower T24015S. If you are looking for the best compact microwave then be sure to take this model into consideration.
    You can create delicious recipes in no time, with its 800 Watt power output and 20 litre capacity. It caters for a small-medium household well and even comes equipped with various functions such as defrost, a manual timer and some handy pre-sets which automatically do the hard work for you.
    Available in both silver and black, you’ll be able to pick the option which best suits your decor and other appliances. The mirrored door and chrome knobs add the perfect finishing touch, looking modern without going all futuristic. For comfortably under £100, it is a solid option.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)36 x (W)45.2 x (D) 26.2cm
    • Power: 800W
    • Capacity: 20L
    • Capacity Weight: 10.3 Kg
    • Auto Cook Options

    Reasons to Buy

    • Great value and can be bought for less than £80
    • A super-stylish design including a mirrored door and polished chrome dials
    • Has five power levels and different settings that are easy to use

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Interior height is smaller than you’d expect

    6.
    Russell Hobbs RHMM701C

    Russell Hobbs RHMM701C

    Incorporate a retro design into your modern kitchen with this stunning Russell Hobbs compact microwave. It is small, sleek and very simple to use on top of the looks.
    Two dials control both the time and the setting. It can reach 30 minutes of run time at once, and has several power levels as well as a defrost option. You can choose from a couple of colour options to find the best match for your decor, and there are other matching appliances available if you’d like the full set.
    The maximum power level provided is 700W, which is sufficient for most foods. Inside, the lighting isn’t the best and the mirrored door picks up every little mark, but these are the only two niggles we found in an otherwise fantastic machine.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)25.6 x (W)45.1 x (D) 32.6cm
    • Power: 700W
    • Capacity: 17L
    • Weight: 10.4 Kg
    • Auto Cook Options

    Reasons to Buy

    • It adds character to any kitchen with a combination of modern and retro influences
    • Simple to use with two rotary dials
    • It has various power levels and settings
    • Great value and can be bought for less than £70

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Not the most robust design

    7.
    Russell Hobbs RHM2076S

    The 10 Best Compact Microwaves 15The 10 Best Compact Microwaves 16

    If you’re really not too fussy about all the bells and whistles that some of the bigger ovens and units come with, Russell Hobbs really does have you covered with their 800W standard. This amazingly-priced microwave offers plenty of cooking features and defrost facilities, meaning that what you see is pretty much what you get. That’s not a bad thing!
    Offering a simple 20 litres, this compact microwave also has several automatic cooking options which should make it fairly easy for you to start cooking without fiddling around with clumsy dials and other functions. It’s got a classic yet pleasing look, meaning that it really won’t look out of place in any contemporary kitchen. Sometimes, you don’t need anything big or flashy to cook up a storm.
    Automatically defrost food and easily clean down your unit when you’re done. This is a no frills microwave which is impressively adept for the price. Make sure to check out others in our list, however.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: 44 x 25.8 x 35.9 cm
    • Cooking Power: 800 W
    • Capacity: 20 L
    • Weight: 11 Kg

    Reasons to Buy

    • Extremely well-priced
    • No frills system - what you see is what you get
    • Automatic defrosting option
    • Several cooking modes to make life easy

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Maybe not the ideal aesthetics for everyone

    8.
    Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ

    Panasonic NN-E28JBMBPQ

    Although it may look fairly basic, this microwave is a powerful appliance that will soon become a staple of your kitchen.
    It is is compact, lightweight and easy to use. There is a digital display and touch sensitive buttons to enable you to toggle through the various automatic programmes, such as the ability to defrost bread and meat, or auto-cook some fish.
    You can also safely reheat various foods, from the Chinese leftovers from last night to the batch cooking of pasta you made, froze and then defrosted yesterday for ’emergency meals’.
    Despite the fact it is small, there is still 20 litres capacity, which is a really great amount for most tasks.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)21.4 x (W)30.8 x (D) 32.1cm
    • Power: 800W
    • Capacity: 20L
    • Capacity Weight: 12 Kg
    • 3 Automatic Cooking Programmes
    • Timer

    Reasons to Buy

    • Auto programmes for set weight and temperature
    • Weight sensor can intuitively set your programme for accurate results
    • Lots of space for a compact microwave, with 20L capacity

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Digital display can be hard to see in some lights

    9.
    Daewoo KOR6M5RR

    Daewoo KOR6M5RR

    Perhaps not the best-known name, nor is it the prettiest size, but sometimes you just want something which is small and simple. This model fits well.
    A 20L capacity and 800W power aren’t particular standout features as they are common, but there are a few things present which do stand out. The Concave Reflex System makes sure your dishes are evenly cooked, using two heat sources and a reflector to distribute hot air to every corner of the microwave.
    There is also a very effective thaw and defrost mode which can help you out when you’ve forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer, and a Zero Standby Eco button that uses less energy when in standby mode. The last point means it doesn’t need to be switched off at the plug all the time, so is ready to go when you are.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)25.9 x (W)44.9 x (D) 32.1cm
    • Power: 800W
    • Capacity: 20L
    • Weight: 10 Kg
    • Auto Defrost

    Reasons to Buy

    • Comes with plenty of space for a small to medium household
    • Has an enamel interior that is effortless to clean

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Not the prettiest

    10.
    Bosch HMT75M461B

    Bosch HMT75M461B

    Looks basic, but looks can be deceiving. This is one of the more compact models on our rundown of the best compact models, with a 17L capacity, yet it stands out when it comes to functionality.
    An 800 Watt power output and five power levels make it perfectly adaptable, and the minute minder dial allows you to set the time. From a jacket potato which needs to be on for about 15 minutes to a bowl of soup you want to be piping hot after 3 minutes, both will receive equal attention.
    The time selected is displayed on the digital screen, after you have selected the correct programme or setting. It is available in black, stainless steel and white, and is easy to clean both inside and outside.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)29 x (W)46.2 x (D) 32cm
    • Power: 800-Watt
    • Capacity: 17L
    • Weight: 11 Kg
    • Auto Defrost

    Reasons to Buy

    • Simple to use with a dial and buttons on the control panel
    • A clear LED display
    • It has various automatic programmes

    Reasons to Avoid

    • On the basic side for price (but is well built which is where the price comes in to play)

    Things to Consider When Buying a Mini Oven

    There are many similarities to buying a standard microwave, only you’ll be looking for one that fits perfectly into your kitchen, you may also be looking for a microwave on a budget. Typically the most important criteria for users is the physical size and dimensions of the microwave, but there are other considerations too.

    We breakdown all of the features that you’ll need to consider when buying a compact microwave.

    • Power – What you concede in size, you will not want to lose in power, just because it comes in a smaller package is not to say that it needs to be low in power. You can enjoy powerful compact microwaves with the wattage fluctuating from 700W to more than 1000W.
    • Size – This is one of the most important details, as you are obviously searching for a compact microwave that can fit on your counter. The average compact microwave internal size is around 30cm x 30cm. Find one that is suitable for your home by checking the dimensions first.
    • Price – Prices vary and we have attempted to pile together a range of different microwaves to cater for various budgets. You can get a quality microwave for around £50 with some of the more expensive microwaves reaching around £150.
    • Features – You’ll also find a range of different features available with grills, ovens, quick-cook and more. Most compact microwaves are fairly simple, offering everything that you need. Enjoy some of the compact microwaves that come with quick-cook features and preset functions to eliminate any hassle.
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