Solo Microwaves

Best Solo Microwave Reviews of 2017

Solo microwaves are often the cheapest models, with prices ranging from £30 and up. While they don’t have a grill or conventional oven, solo models are effective for basic kitchen tasks, such as cooking, reheating and defrosting. Unlike more versatile models, however, they aren’t capable of crisping, baking or roasting.

This doesn’t mean solo models don’t come with useful features though. Many of the more expensive models have a variety of functions, including cooking programs, fast defrost settings and auto cook menus. There are also a range of powers available, with higher power models able to cook or reheat much faster. Other considerations include the capacity, style and brand.

Listed below are all the models we’ve reviewed so far in this category. Reviews contain price info, specification and buyer’s opinions, along with information about which is the best solo microwave available at the moment.

What is a Solo Microwave Oven?

A solo model is what you might call a basic microwave oven. In other words, they are the simple models you’re used to seeing in kitchens.

These models are great for reheating, defrosting and cooking, although the speed and efficiency varies depending on the brand, model, power and other factors (see our guide below for more information on choosing the right model). They are notorious for not being able to provide the crispy exterior you get from a regular oven though, which is why grill microwaves are also available.

There are many brands manufacturing models in this category, but the most popular are probably Daewoo, Morphy Richards, Panasonic and Russell Hobbs. Newcomers, such as Swan, are also making an impact on the market, although others, such as Whirlpool, have fallen away in recent years.

Advantages and Disadvantages

While solo models are sufficient for most people’s cooking needs, especially if used in conjunction with a convection oven, it’s worthwhile knowing the pros and cons compared to other types. Here’s a quick overview:

Pros

• Often the cheapest option – although beware of cheap solo microwaves that sacrifice quality and performance to reduce cost.
• Prefect for simple reheating, cooking ready meals or defrosting.
• Available in a wide range of different shapes and styles.

Cons

• Limited applications compared to grill or combi microwaves.
• Can’t brown or crisp foods.
• Also can’t bake foods like a conventional oven.

What Can You Do With A Standard Microwave?

Solo microwave ovens are designed to excel at simple tasks, such as cooking a ready meal, reheating the previous night’s food or defrosting meat. They are also capable of other tasks, such as cake baking, although many people find that the lack of a heating element results in a soft exterior.

The most attractive feature of a standard microwave is the price. Branded models can cost as little as £50, and supermarkets often sell “ultra” basic models for less than this. If you go for the cheapest option, however, don’t expect any advance programs or features.

Not all solo models are cheap though. There’s a huge range of prices available, depending on the size, power and features you want.

How to Choose a Solo Model

The great thing about buying a solo is that there are so many options – but this can also make it difficult to decide. While these models don’t have a grill or convection, they still come with a range of features, so calling them basic microwave ovens may do them a disservice.

• Power. It goes without saying that the best solo microwave ovens usually have a high power rating. While 800W models are able to cook foods relatively quickly, 900W microwaves are even faster and usually cook food more evenly. There are 600W or 700W models available, but we usually only recommend these if you’re on a tight budget or need a specific feature (such as a mini microwave).
• Capacity. The interior capacity determines how much you can cook at any one time. A big microwave may have a 30 litre capacity or more, while a small one may have half that (along with a much smaller footprint). The size you need depends on the type of cooking and the size of your household.
• Price. While cheap digital microwaves may be tempting, they nearly always sacrifice on one of power, capacity or durability. The best priced microwaves provide value for money – no necessarily the lowest price. We recommend setting a budget before you start looking and sticking to it (although there are always great deals available at major shopping sites).
• Style. Whether you care about style is a matter of personal preference, but most people want a colour that matches the rest of their kitchen.
• Features. Do you need an automatic defrost setting? Or auto-cook menus? Make sure you know which features are included before you buy.
• Other considerations. You also need to consider the brand, warranty, digital or manual microwaves and buyer reviews.

To sum up this section, the best microwave to buy depends on your personal requirements. The size of your household, budget, type of cooking and style preferences determine which is likely to be the best model.

Listed below are all our solo microwave reviews. Take your time to browse through them and find the best model for you – and let us know if you have any questions.