Microwave ovens: buying guide
Choose the cooking format and usable dish space, then distinguish cooking output from mains electricity input.
Reviewed · Next editorial review by 5 February 2027 · Independent buying framework; no hands-on testing or product ratings.
List the jobs you need: reheating portions, defrosting, grilling or replacing some oven cooking. A simple microwave may cover the first two without the cost and space of a combination model. Start with your largest everyday dish and installation space, because a nominal litre capacity alone cannot tell you whether your cookware will fit.
Which type suits your home?
Microwave-only
A straightforward option for reheating and defrosting. Compare controls, power adjustment and internal dimensions instead of paying for extra cooking modes you do not need.
Microwave with grill
Consider it if browning is a regular requirement. Check the supplied rack, permitted cookware and the actual modes that can be combined safely.
Combination model
Evaluate it as a small multi-function oven. Allow for preheating, mode-specific accessories and installation clearances, and check that its interior suits the meals you intend to cook.
What to check before buying
Dish and door clearance
Measure your plate or casserole dish and check the internal opening as well as the turntable. Allow room for the door to open comfortably beside a wall or cupboard.
Input versus output
A headline cooking-power figure is not necessarily the electricity drawn at the socket. Find mains input in the specification or use measured kWh for a complete task.
Installation format
Distinguish freestanding from built-in models and verify required ventilation. Do not enclose a freestanding unit in a cabinet simply because its case fits the gap.
Controls you can use
Compare the steps needed for your common tasks, display visibility and audible prompts. A long menu list is of little value if basic reheating becomes inconvenient.
What ownership really involves
Include any required built-in trim, installation and mode-specific dishes in the upfront cost. Compare electricity for the same meal and starting temperature. A combination appliance may save space without automatically reducing every cooking bill.
A common comparison mistake
Do not calculate electricity from cooking-output watts or compare a short reheat with a full oven meal. Use the manual's cookware rules for each mode, and treat a restricted source page as a reason to verify the current specification directly.
Compare running costs
A hypothetical 1,200W mains input for a six-minute daily task. These are hypothetical starting figures, not a measured product average. Scenario B starts equal to A: change it to your alternative's documented figure.
Annual difference: £0.00. Equal under these assumptions.
The example uses electricity input, not microwave cooking output. Real power settings and combined modes can change consumption; it is not a measured product figure. Electricity only; excludes standing charges and purchase costs. Monthly figures spread annual cost over 12 calendar months. Seasonal estimate uses active weeks × uses per active week; 52 weeks is 364 days. A and B share the same usage assumptions.
Your questions answered
Is the largest capacity the best choice?
Only if you need its usable space. Check the dimensions of the food container and access through the door; a smaller appliance that fits your real dishes can be the more appropriate choice.
Can I compare microwave and oven running costs?
Yes, for an equivalent completed task. Include preheating and additional browning stages where needed. A measured energy reading is more useful than comparing the headline power printed on the front of each appliance.
Sources and evidence limits
Source links support the stated buying considerations. Manufacturer material is commercial information, not independent comparative testing. Our editable energy figures are hypothetical and are not taken from these products.
- LG UK: solo, grill and combination microwaves ↗
Manufacturer buying guidance. Microwave formats, dimensions and features; manufacturer comparisons are not independent testing. Use the exact manual for electrical input and operation.
Check the current manual and product sheet for the exact model before purchasing. How we selected these 30 categories · Calculation methodology · Affiliate disclosure