So it's the end of the line for your microwave.
Whether the kitchen soldier performed its duties admirably or you never really got on together, it's time for an upgrade and you've got your heart set on a flashy new microwave oven.
Capable of so much more than simply defrosting and reheating leftovers, a microwave oven comes armed to the eyeballs with extra cooking functions.
The best models can grill, roast, bake, steam - heck, some can even air fry! The problem is all those bells and whistles don't exactly come cheap.
A microwave oven might be more compact than a traditional oven (not to mention more energy-efficient), but prices can easily creep towards the £500+ mark. But have no fear: if you're after great performance without emptying your bank account, there are other lower-cost options around.
A freestanding model is best for budget, as it means you can skip the installation costs. It also means you can tuck the appliance away into cupboards when it is not in use - great news for fans of the invisible kitchen trend.
Amazon is awash with unbranded models with excellent reviews to back them up, but big kitchen appliance brands offer them on a less punchy price scale too.
We've rounded up the best options to help your search for a budget microwave oven below.
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TOSHIBA Air Fry Combo 5-IN-1 26L
If it's versatility you're after, Toshiba delivers heartily. The brand's combi microwave packs five fabulous functions under the hood, adding air fryer, broiler, bake and combi to the list alongside microwave.
The combi mode sees microwave, convection and grill functions unite to cook ingredients perfectly: crispy on the outside, and mouthwateringly succulent on the inside. The small footprint gadget has a removable turntable, but you'll hardly need to - it can comfortably fit a 4lb chicken for roasting and a 10-inch pizza when you want a guilty pleasure fast.
You won't need an engineering degree to work the control panel either. The functions are clearly listed in neat order and a simple on/ off knob also controls the timer. Ping! It couldn't be easier.
Buy now £179.99, Amazon
De’Longhi 900W Enamel Cavity Combination Microwave - Black
All-singing, all-dancing, De’Longhi’s combi microwave oven offers a host of useful cooking methods, from standard microwaving to grilling and using as a conventional convection oven. It’s a powerful thing, with the microwave function running on 900W, the grill on 1100W and the oven on 2100W, with the ability to reach a maximum temperature of 220 degrees.
The interior is made of hard-wearing enamel which makes clean-up a dream. While it will fit in perfectly well in small kitchens, it’s roomy enough to cook a whole chicken in, so perfect for using when you’re making Sunday lunch for friends and family.
Two things to note: the brand asks customers to keep 30cm of clear space above the microwave from a safety aspect, and you should be careful to keep metal trays out of the machine when it’s on microwave mode for obvious reasons.
Buy now £135.00, Argos
SHARP YC-GC52FU-B Combination Microwave - Black
Whatever you fancy for dinner tonight, this multi-cooking microwave can manage it thanks to its roster of cooking functions, 14 pre-sets, and 10 power levels to make sure everything is piping hot and cooked through. There’s plenty of space inside the 25L capacity, exaggerated further thanks to the fixed flatbed design and omission of a turntable (which also means fewer things to clean).
The auto-defrost option means you can simply enter the weight of your food into the panel and it will work out how long to heat it for, all displayed clearly on the large LED display. The child lock feature will also be helpful to homes with curious little ones, ensuring that it won’t be used accidentally.
Buy now £168.99, Amazon
STATESMAN SKMC0925SB Combination Microwave - Black
In sleek matte black, this combi microwave oven is your hot ticket to making everything from baking cake, grilling fish and reheating takeaway leftovers. It comes loaded with 10 auto-cook programs (including a child lock to deter curious little hands) and can hold up to 25L, meaning there's plenty of space to use.
Don't worry about making a mess; the stainless steel interior means cleaning up is easy - though do clear splashes as soon as you see them to avoid stubborn stains from forming.
Buy now £143.00, Currys
Our Place Wonder Oven
Best for: aesthetics
The six-in-one appliance from Our Place comes with an air frying function, but it can also bake, roast, toast, reheat, and broil, making it an invaluable piece of kitchen tech.
The compact dimensions make it ideal for small households or spaces - for instance, you could feasibly use it in a caravan as long as you have mains power. A nifty reheat function means you can get rid of your microwave. Steam infusion ensures food comes out crispy on the outside and juicy inside: the best combination for everything from fries and wings to cookies.
Comes with a one-year warranty and a 100-day trial period.
Buy now £195.00, Our Place
Russell Hobbs Combination 25L Black Digital Microwave
This four-in-one baby is packed to the rafters with features, from grill, oven and manual air fry modes to 10 auto cook menus and nine air fryer settings to tweak it to whatever you're cooking. The smart black appliance comes with an easy-to-read control panel and child lock for total peace of mind. Sold with a one-year guarantee.
Buy now £180.00, Dunelm
Hisense Solo Microwave Oven
Hisense has kept things simple with this microwave oven design. There are just two knobs to twiddle for operation, great news for anyone who doesn't have a Masters in Engineering. Five power levels delivered on 700W means dishes are ready quickly while a timer is there to alert you if you're in another room. And it can hold up to 20L, so it'll prove as useful for big households as it will for small homes.
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
Nostalgia Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
If you've gone to the effort of recreating a retro diner feel in your kitchen, the wrong appliances can wreck that aesthetic. Keep things in line with this fun Nostalgia microwave oven which features modern functions hidden behind an old-timey hood.
The 25L appliance comes with a timer and 800W of cooking power. Express cooking can be further managed with pre-sets which takes the guesswork out of cooking vegetables, popcorn and pizza.
It's also available in black and aqua colours if red isn't your thing.
Buy now £125.67, Amazon
COMFEE' Retro Style Microwave Oven
Cooking pre-sets makes life so much easier, and this Comfee microwave oven comes with eight of them. Spanning popular microwave dishes - think pasta, soups, fish, baked potatoes, etc - the user-friendly control panel makes operation a doddle. The machine features a child lock too in case curious little fingers can't resist pushing random buttons.
Buy now £86.99, Amazon
Morphy Richards Combination Microwave - Black
Say hello to your kitchen's new BFF. Morphy Richards offers this multi-use appliance that can run both as a microwave and a convection oven, expanding your cooking space. Make everything from cakes and bread to ready meals inside the large 23L microwave, using eight auto menus to figure out the cooking times for you if needed. Comes with a one-year manufacturer's guarantee.
Buy now £95.00, Argos
