Fortunately, there is a range of microwaves designed to fit into any lifestyle. Compact microwaves are the most popular, they offer the same features as full-size microwaves in a small package.
These compact microwaves come in various sizes and often have specialized features such as compact design, small interior capacity, sensor reheat and quick cook settings. They also come with plenty of safety features and modern technology to ensure that you get the most out of your microwave.
Overall, if you’re looking for a small-sized microwave, then a compact microwave is an ideal choice. It provides all the essential features you need conveniently and efficiently.
3 Compartments of Mini Microwaves
Mini microwaves are compact and portable, making them perfect for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or offices. Despite their small size, they often come equipped with three compartments that maximize their functionality. The first compartment is the microwave cooking area, where you can heat up your favourite meals and snacks with ease.
The second compartment is the defrosting area, allowing you to thaw frozen food quickly and conveniently. Lastly, the third compartment serves as a convenient storage space for keeping your microwave-safe dishes or containers organized. These three compartments in mini microwaves ensure that you can make the most out of limited space without compromising on functionality.
1)Portable but Tall
If you don’t have any height restrictions, selecting a small yet tall model can offer you the advantage of space conservation without sacrificing too much of your cooking area. Few of these narrow microwaves are available on the market; however, they have earned some impressive reviews.
2)Compact, Vintage Style
If you are opting for a more traditional microwave that occupies a smaller space, then most options listed below should be sufficient. Additionally, there are a couple of smaller, vintage-style models worth exploring.
3)Portable, on the brink of reaching the medium status
We have included options between the petite models and the full-sized ones. These selections commonly have higher power and more cooking settings, but they are not always essential.
Features to Reflect On
Even though smaller convection microwaves don’t offer the wide range of features you would find on larger models; there are still some considerations worth exploring. We have published an independent article to showcase our preferred models.
Power Level
One of the features that may be of use is power level, a function that is often overlooked but can be quite advantageous. Having at least ten power levels gives you greater control over the cooking process and leads to tastier meals.
The “add 30 seconds” Button
The “add 30 seconds” button can be a tremendous time-saver for those who frequently use the microwave.
Cooking Presets
When you find yourself stuck in a cooking rut, preprogrammed settings on microwaves can be a great way to save time. Common presets like “popcorn,” “potato,” and “pizza” are usually available on small microwaves. However, remember that these settings are not always ideal, and the result may not be up to your expectations. Remember, these preset are a general solution to a situation subject to personal preferences.
Turntables: A Useful Feature or Not?
The turntable in microwaves spins the food to ensure it is evenly cooked. All microwaves come equipped with this helpful feature.
That being said, the turntable can make it difficult to fit larger items, such as rectangular dishes, if they hit the walls of the microwave when rotating.
Our team researched plenty of models, and it turns out that these seven microwaves were the ones that consistently received the highest ratings.
7 Microwaves with the highest ratings
RUSSELL HOBBS RHM1727RG Compact Solo Microwave
Pros:
1. Attractive Design: The stylish golden handle and dials bring an elegant look that will coordinate with any kitchen decor.
2. Compact Size: Perfect for small kitchens, this microwave won’t take up too much space while providing great convenience when reheating or defrosting food items.
3. Adjustable Power Levels: You can select the ideal setting for your meal and start with the 30-minute timer to ensure it’s cooked right!
4. Easy Use Controls: With intuitive controls, you’ll be able to set up your meals quickly and effortlessly in no time!
5 Fast Cooking Time & Efficiency: This microwave is efficient enough to have your food ready in a flash without wasting energy while cooking!
Cons:
1. Limited Capabilities: While the Russell Hobbs RHM1727RG Compact Solo Microwave offers five adjustable power levels, it lacks other features, such as preprogrammed settings and cooking modes which are found in larger models.
2. Small Interior Capacity: The microwave has a lower internal capacity than most microwaves, making it suitable for smaller meals or snacks.
3. Relatively Weak Power Output: This microwave is efficient when reheating and defrosting food at its max power of 800 watts. Some users may need to adjust the time accordingly due to its weaker power output than other models available today.
4. Not Suitable For Large Meals: As mentioned previously, due to its smaller size and capacity, you won’t be able to cook large meals with this appliance; if your family routinely requires large quantities of food, then this model likely isn’t ideal for you.
Features
- Type Solo microwave
- Maximum microwave power 700 W
- Turntable diameter 245 mm
- Capacity 17 litres
- Cavity material Painted metal
- Manufacturer’s guarantee one year
- Weight 12.1 kg
Product Details
The stylish Russell Hobbs RHM1727RG Compact Solo Microwave is the perfect size for your kitchen for convenient reheating and defrosting. The golden handle and dials bring a chic look that will coordinate with any kitchen decor.
With five adjustable power levels, you can pick the ideal setting for your meal and get it started with the 30-minute timer. Easy to use and efficient, this microwave will have your food ready in a flash.
SHARP YC-GC52BU-B Combination Microwave
Pros:
1. Combines microwave and grill functions for flexible cooking options.
2. Sleek, modern design with a flatbed interior for plenty of space to cook larger dishes or multiple items at once
3. 14 automatic programs and 11 power levels enable users to customize their cooking experience
4. Child lock helps keep small hands out of the kitchen when parents are away
5. Easy-to-read LCD that shows the remaining time, power level selection, weight defrosting setting, and more
Cons:
1. High Initial Cost: This combination microwave is quite expensive compared to other microwaves, making it a less accessible option for those on a budget.
2. Complicated to Use: With 14 automatic programs and 11 power levels, learning how to use the controls for this microwave can be overwhelming and intimidating for some users who are used to simpler models of microwaves.
3. Limited Counter Space Usage: The flatbed design makes the best use of the interior space but takes up more counter space than traditional turntable-style microwaves, which have small footprints on kitchen counters.
4. Short Warranty Periods: In some cases, SHARP YC-GC52BU-B Combination Microwave offers warranties that cover certain parts only or may not include labour costs associated with repairs or replacements during the warranty period after the purchase date.
Features
- Maximum power: 900 W
- Capacity: 25 litres
- Oven temperature: up to 200°C
- Flatbed design means no turntable for more space
- 14 auto cooking programs
Product Details
Introducing the SHARP YC-GC52BU-B Combination Microwave! This amazing microwave is perfect for any kitchen and gives you the convenience of a microwave with the bonus of a grill, enabling you to cook steaks, sausages, and more with ease.
This sleek, modern microwave has a flatbed design, giving you loads of space for all your cooking needs. With 14 automatic programs and 11 power levels, you can customize your cooking experience to suit whatever dish you create. Plus, a child lock helps ensure that small hands can’t cause chaos in the kitchen.
BEKO Cosmopolis MOF 21220 BCP Compact Solo Microwave
Pros:
1. Compact Design: The BEKO Cosmopolis MOF21220BCP microwave is designed to be compact, allowing you to place it anywhere in your kitchen and make the most of your available space.
2. Large Capacity: This microwave boasts a generous 21-litre capacity, so you can easily cook various large and small dishes.
3. Powerful Performance: With 800 watts, this appliance promises fast cooking for delicious meals in no time!
4. Auto Cook Programs: Enjoy perfectly cooked dishes every time with 15 auto cook programs that take away the guesswork from meal prep!
5 Easy Maintenance: The non-stick interior feature ensures easy maintenance after every use – simply wipe it clean without any hassle!
Cons:
1. Limited Power Options: The BEKO Cosmopolis MOF21220BCP Compact Solo Microwave only has one power setting of 800 watts, which may not be suitable for all types of food.
2. Not Suitable for Defrosting: This microwave does not have a defrost mode, making it difficult to thaw frozen foods quickly and evenly without overcooking them.
3. No Timer Setting Available: This microwave is equipped with the 15 auto cook programs, but you cannot set the timer manually if needed according to your convenience and requirement to get perfectly cooked dishes every time
4 Low-Quality Build Material Used: Although this appliance looks very stylish and modern on the outside, it uses low-quality materials that are prone to wear out quickly after regular use as compared with higher quality parts found in more expensive models
5 Reliability Issues Reported by Customers Online: Despite its compact design being very attractive at first sight, customers who have purchased this model have experienced reliability issues over time.
Features
- Maximum microwave power 800 W
- Turntable diameter 255 mm
- External material Steel
- Capacity 21 litres
- Cavity material Steel
- Useable capacity 16.5 litres
Product Details
The BEKO Cosmopolis MOF21220BCP Compact Solo Microwave is the perfect appliance to revolutionize your cooking experience. With its compact design, you can place it anywhere in your kitchen and make the most of your available space. Boasting a generous 21-litre capacity and 800 watts of power, you can cook various large and small dishes.
Say goodbye to guesswork with the 15 auto cook programs, which guarantee perfect results every time. Enjoy your favourite meals in a fraction of the time with this amazing microwave, and make dinnertime a breeze.
RUSSELL HOBBS Microwave
Pros:
1. Compact Size: The RHMD714B-N is designed to fit into any small kitchen, making it a great choice for those with limited space.
2. Easy to Use: With eight auto-cook programs and five selectable power levels, the RHMD714B-N is both easy to use and efficient.
3. Defrost Functionality: This microwave includes a handy defrosting function so that you can take meals straight from the freezer – no need for extra time waiting around!
4. Child Lock Feature: This model also comes with an added child lock feature which prevents curious little hands from playing with it when not needed – providing peace of mind at all times!
5 Energy Efficiency: The RHMD714B-N operates using minimal energy consumption effort while still delivering fast cooking results – helping you save valuable time while being energy conscious too!
Cons:
1. Limited Capacity: The RHMD714B-N has a limited capacity of 20 litres, which is unsuitable for bulky items and larger batches of food.
2. Relatively High Price Tag: This microwave has a relatively high price tag compared to other models in its range, making it an expensive choice for those on a budget.
3. No Preprogrammed Features Available: Although the RHMD714B-N comes with eight auto cook programs and five power levels, it does not have any preprogrammed features that can make cooking easier, such as timer functions or child lock settings. It is available with some other microwaves on the market today.
4. Not Energy Efficient: The energy efficiency rating of this model is lower than many more modern models available nowadays, meaning users will be paying higher electricity bills than buying newer technological advances.
5 Low Resale Value: Due to its age and outdated features, this model may fetch less at resale value when compared to other brands/models in similar size categories offering the latest technologies like sensor reheating, etc
Features
- Maximum microwave power: 700 W
- Capacity: 17 litres
- Turntable diameter: 245 mm
- External dimensions 258 x 451 x 328 mm (H x W x D)
- Manufacturer’s guarantee one year
- Weight 10.7 kg
- Internal dimensions 212 x 280 x 297 mm (H x W x D)
Product Details
The Russell Hobbs Scandi RHMD714B-N Compact Solo Microwave is the perfect kitchen addition for making their meal times easier. This compact microwave is designed to fit into any kitchen, no matter how small, and with its eight auto-cook programs, you can quickly and easily heat your meals in no time.
The RHMD714B-N also comes with a handy defrosting function, so you can take meals straight from the freezer – just make sure to remove the packaging first. It also has five selectable power levels, allowing you to choose the perfect setting for whatever you’re heating.
Make life easier with the Russell Hobbs Scandi RHMD714B-N Compact Solo Microwave – it’s simple and effective, and you’ll have your food ready in no time.
KENWOOD K20MCU21 Solo Microwaves
Pros:
1. Five power levels for easy heating and reheating of dishes.
2. Eight automatic cooking programs for customized settings and a quick start function for fast heating options.
3. Cooking Memory Function allows users to save their cooking settings for future use.
4. Intuitive control panel with LED display is easy to navigate, making the microwave user-friendly even for beginners
5 . Sleek design makes it a great addition to any kitchen countertop or shelf
Cons:
1. Limited Cooking Space: One of the major drawbacks to using a solo microwave is the limited space for cooking. Due to its small size, it can only accommodate small dishes or containers that fit inside its cavity.
2. Poor Temperature Control: Unable to precisely control temperature levels, microwaves can overheat certain foods and undercook others, leaving them raw or soggy in texture.
3. Health Risks from EMF Radiation Exposure: Microwave radiation exposure has been linked with adverse health effects such as headaches, irritability, memory loss, and even cancer in some cases due to prolonged use at high-intensity settings over long periods.
4 Possible Fire Hazards if not Used Properly: If you’re not careful when using your microwave oven, you could start a fire by leaving something too close to the heating element, which easily starts fires. Therefore, users must always follow safety instructions when operating their appliance and never put anything flammable near it while in use.
5 Lack Of Certain Cooking Functions And Reheating Options: Although these microwaves have quite simple features, they still lack more complex functions like grilling, baking, etc., than traditional ones meaning food may look different if cooked this way rather than being heated up quickly.
Features
- Maximum microwave power 800W
- Turntable diameter 255 mm
- Capacity 20 litres
- Weight 11.2 kg
- Colour Black & Copper
- Internal dimensions are 206 x 306 x 290 mm (H x W x D)
- The door hinge location is Hinged on left
Product Details
Cook delicious meals quickly and easily with the sharp microwave r272km 800 watt microwave free standing black. This handy microwave makes it easy to prepare all dishes, with five power levels for uncomplicated heating and reheating to ensure each dish is cooked right. You can also choose from 8 automatic cooking programs for customized settings for your meal or use the Cooking memory function to make your own.
And when you need to heat something quickly, the Quick Start function lets you do that in no time. Get the Kenwood K20MCU21 Solo Microwave for effortless meal preparation today!
Cookology 20L Integrated Microwave
Pros:
1. Stylish Design: The Cookology 20L Integrated Microwave has an unbranded stainless steel frame, making it an ideal choice for stylish kitchens.
2. Increases Home Value: Installing the Cookology Microwave can raise the value of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers in the future.
3. Safe & Reliable: CE Certified and with features like Auto Defrost, 95-minute Cooking Timer, and Child Lock functions to ensure this microwave is safe to use in any home kitchen setting
4. Convenient & Easy To Use: With its built-in Auto Cook Menu, you’ll have delicious meals prepared quickly without wasting time preparing them manually!
5 Energy Efficient: This microwave uses less energy than traditional microwaves due to its smart design, which helps save money on utility bills while providing great performance every time!
Cons:
1. Expensive: The Cookology 20L Integrated Microwave is expensive and may not be within the budget for many people.
2. Limited Amount of Space: This microwave has a limited amount of space which could easily become overcrowded depending on how much food needs to be heated up or cooked at any time.
3. High Power Usage: Microwaves are known to use high amounts of electricity, so using this microwave can cause electric bills to spike unnecessarily throughout the year, especially if it is used frequently or left running for long periods at a time without being shut off properly after each use session
4. Complex Programming Functionalities: Its advanced programming functionalities might make it difficult for some users who are not tech-savvy enough to navigate and understand its various functions correctly.
5 Not Compatible with Certain Home Interiors: The stainless steel frame kit may clash with more traditional home interiors, making it hard to integrate into those types of households seamlessly without looking out-of-place.
Features
- Power 800W
- Frequency (Hz) 50Hz
- Capacity (L) 20
- Voltage 230V
Product Details
Transform your kitchen with the Cookology 20L Integrated Microwave. This high-quality, stainless steel frame kit is perfect for any kitchen, offering style and convenience. With a built-in microwave, your kitchen will look more stylish and less cluttered while also increasing the value of your home.
The Cookology Microwave is unbranded, meaning it won’t have a logo on the front and won’t look out of place in your kitchen. CE Certified, the Cookology 20L Integrated Microwave is a must-have for any home! With an Auto Cook Menu, Auto Defrost function, 95-minute Cooking Timer, and Child Lock, it offers great convenience and safety for families with kids.
Plus, its program makes defrosting and cooking a breeze. This microwave also comes with a Frame Kit for easy installation into a kitchen cavity or cupboard and a 3-Pin British Plug for plug-and-play use.
PANASONIC NN-E27JWMBPQ Compact Solo Microwave
Pros:
1. Slim design: The Panasonic NN-E27JWMBPQ Compact Solo Microwave takes up minimal counter space, making it ideal for smaller kitchen spaces.
2. Powerful cooking power: 800 watts of powerful cooking power makes this a great appliance for quick and easy meal preparation.
3. Quick 30-second start: You can heat a meal quickly without worrying about waiting too long to enjoy your food.
4. Nine auto programs: The range of options available with the nine auto programs makes it easier to get creative with whatever ingredients you have on hand in the kitchen at any given time.
5. Defrost and Auto Reheat Setting: With defrost and Auto Reheat setting, you can ensure that your meals are always cooked perfectly every time!
Cons:
1. Noisy Operation: The Panasonic NN-E27JWMBPQ Compact Solo Microwave can be quite noisy, which might be annoying for a smaller kitchen.
2. Limited Capacity: This model has a limited cooking capacity and may not suit those who require larger capacity or higher wattage microwaves for their needs.
3. Poor Design of Defrost Feature: Many reviews of this microwave mention that the defrost feature does not work correctly, often heating food too quickly instead of slowly thawing it out as expected
4. Short Warranty Periods on Parts & Labor (1 Year): With such a short warranty period compared to other models in its price range, customers may find themselves having to replace parts more frequently than they would expect from competing brands with longer warranties periods in place
5. Lack Of Innovative Features Compared To More Expensive Models On The Market: While this is an affordable option and competitively priced against similar microwaves on the market today, there are still more expensive models available that offer features such as inverter technology or additional functions like popcorn button & keep the warm capability
Features
- Maximum microwave power 800 W
- Turntable diameter 250 mm
- External material Coated metal
- Capacity 20 litres
- Cavity material Acrylic
Product Details
The Panasonic NN-E27JWMBPQ Compact Solo Microwave is the perfect appliance for smaller kitchens. Its slim design takes up minimal counter space while delivering 800 watts of powerful cooking power. With a Quick 30-second start, you’ll be able to heat a meal quickly and easily.
The NN-E27JWMBPQ comes with nine auto programs, including the ability to defrost and auto reheat, so you can make the most of whatever ingredients you have. Make cooking easier and more convenient with the Panasonic NN-E27JWMBPQ Compact Solo Microwave.
