It’s not the cheapest microwave around, but it has a super compact design – only 25.6cm tall, so ideal for rooms with restricted height – and also looks good on the kitchen counter. On the plus side, though, the two dial controls mean it’s still fairly easy to use. It’s well loved by reviewers, who praise the compact size and the way it fits into awkward corners. For lots of people, the space-saving design will be worth paying extra for.

Size – Size does matter when it comes to mini microwaves. Make sure you measure the space available for the microwave and its dimensions – before you buy. Add 1-2 inches to the space you have for clearance. The smallest microwave size (0.5 cubic feet) is made to fit most 10-inch dinner plates –but that’s all. So you won’t be able to reheat leftover foods in large casserole dishes without decanting them to a smaller plate or dish. This combi microwave might be billed as a slimline model but it’s worth noting that this is in comparison to previous models – it’s still pretty deep and a bit of a worktop hog. However, it earns its place there, offering a generously sized cavity, 1300W quartz grill and 100-220°C fan-assisted oven cooking. As a microwave, it works well, with 29 automatic programmes as well as a defrost programme that aims to thaw food more evenly. We tried it with frozen bread and while our slices still had the odd cold spot, the white was soft and the crust didn’t dry out. And the grill turned our bread into a perfect cheese toastie. The most important feature of any microwave is how well it cooks. We fired up each microwave and tested them on commonly-prepared items like popcorn, pizza rolls and potatoes. Microwaves that cooked food evenly got higher scores than those that left cold spots or burned spots.That said, while speedier at cooking, freestanding microwaves struggle to brown or crisp food as well as a regular oven. However, there are plenty of delicious meals you can cook in one, including cakes, French toast and steamed puddings. If you're eager to be more adventurous, try microwaving bacon and making crisps in your appliance! How we test microwaves The 25.5cm turntable is big enough for most average dinner plates, so it’s perfect for reheating leftovers and the 20-litre volume is a good size for everyday tubs and dishes. There are five power settings to choose from including defrost and the timer goes up to 35 minutes which far exceeds the amount of time most people microwave for. When it comes to microwaves, wattage equals power. A 700W power is decent enough when it comes to small-mini microwaves. Key specs – Type: Turntable; Dimensions: 310 x 517 x 463mm; Stated volume: 28l; Turntable diameter: 310mm; Stated power output: 900W; Convection oven/grill: Yes/yes The runner-up is the smaller Comfee 0.7 Cu. Ft. Mini Microwave, with 11 power levels, 6 programs, eco-mode, and a sound-off option – for a lower price, and perfect for dorms.

After power, comes capacity. While countertop microwaves may be smaller than a regular microwave, there’s still a lot of variety when it comes to capacity. So if you’re cooking for more than one or using bigger plates and pasta dishes, you may need at least one cubic feet of space. One advantage that flatbeds do have is that the absence of a turntable that allows you to fit bigger or awkwardly shaped dishes inside the microwave compared to a turntable model. All manufacturers quote the internal usable volume of their microwaves in litres. We also looked for units that have food-specific settings and a wide selection of power levels. Here's what to look for when choosing from the best compact microwaves...Walmart reviewers have given this microwave an average rating of 4.2 out of 5. One user praises the cost effectiveness of the product, saying "The microwave is best at the given price". However, multiple users have reported the microwave breaking down after a few months of use. To help safeguard against this, we'd recommend registering your product for its 1 year warranty.

It’s not the most compact microwave on the market but what this neat model does well is that it’s about the same size as most solos, but includes a grill. It’s perfect if you want a golden-brown topping on a cottage pie or a crisp baked potato – easily achieved by combinations of microwaves and grilling. Surprisingly, high wattage and a high price tag don't always deliver a quality product. To find the right microwave for you, consider the following: This Panasonichigh-power microwave (with inverter technology) delivers consistent, evenly cooked food (simmer without overcooking), and the advanced inverter turbo speeds up defrosting time. Small yet powerful Aside from its handy features, the LG NeoChef LMC0975ST is a very sleek and stylish microwave that looks premium even though it’s not as expensive as some other models. Wattage: In general, the higher the wattage, the faster the microwave cooks. That said, the Samsung MS23T5018A is a modest 800W machine that still performed well on test, so don't be swayed by this factor alone.

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This might involve a longer microwaving period, and more frequent stirring to ensure cooking is thorough but will save you from power outs. The vast majority of microwaves use a turntable to try to counteract this – it automatically rotates your food, attempting to ensure that it’s as evenly heated as possible by the oven’s fixed heating element. Alternatively, some microwaves have a flatbed design, which eschews a turntable in favour of a rotating heating element. This is supposed to cook and heat food more evenly, but this isn’t necessarily the case as our tests show. What wattage should I go for? Programs: Some solo microwaves offer auto-cook programs that adjust the power and time based on the type and weight of your food. Examples of common programs include pizza, popcorn and frozen vegetables. Look out for handy reheating and defrosting modes, too. Key specs – Type: Turntable; Dimensions: 360 x 353 x 392mm; Stated volume: 13l; Turntable diameter: 280mm; Stated power output: 700W; Convection oven/grill: No/no