TOP 6 best budget microwaves according to customer reviews

What to look for when choosing a microwave

Due to the fact that a microwave oven is an appliance that is always located in a visible place, most users pay attention to its design when purchasing. However, in addition to this, it is necessary to study the technical parameters, because they affect the ease of use of the device.

Main technical characteristics:

1. Dimensions of the working chamber . This parameter determines the amount of food that the microwave oven can heat or cook in one go. For families of 2-3 people, a device with a capacity of 20-23 liters will be sufficient, and for families of 3-4 members, it is advisable to acquire a device with a chamber capacity of 25-28 liters.
2. Internal coating of the camera . The walls of the chamber can be covered with enamel, ceramics or stainless steel. Many devices are covered with an enamel layer. Such models are easy to maintain, they are shock-resistant, but wear out quickly at high temperatures. For long-term use of the device, it is advisable to purchase a stove with a layer of metal or ceramics.
3. Controls and equipped modes . In inexpensive models, the control is mechanical. It is easy and understandable, but the user is limited in the choice of programs. In microwave ovens with touch controls, there is a wide choice of mode settings. Also, such devices are easy to maintain, because The settings panel is flat and does not get dirty in the gaps between the buttons.

The power of the microwave can be ignored. The volume of the chamber absolutely corresponds to the power of the device. It should be borne in mind that the developer often indicates in the instructions the total power of the microwave oven, grill and convection, so you should not take into account only this parameter.

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List of the best microwave oven models

Samsung ME88SUW

Our rating opens with products from a world-famous company that has been manufacturing high-tech equipment for quite some time. The internal coating of the microwave oven is covered with a special bioceramic composition, which is not only easy to clean from any dirt, but also does not scratch. The smooth surface of the chamber can almost instantly get rid of even the most severe dirt, and there is no need to use aggressive or harsh detergents. Both internal and external coatings retain their original color even after prolonged regular use. It does not corrode and can last for a very long time. There is an accelerated defrosting function - even large volumes of food will become edible in just a few minutes. In such a microwave you can even defrost dry-frozen berries without fear that they will begin to release juice or lose their original shape.

The product's memory contains several recipes that allow you to prepare very tasty dishes. In addition, there is a mode for eliminating extraneous odors, which allows you to make the food you are heating or preparing even tastier. The useful volume of the chamber is 23 liters, the body is made of painted galvanized metal, so there is no fear of corrosion processes.

Advantages:

• Excellent build quality and workmanship;
• There is a quick start button that allows you to heat up food in a few seconds;
• All controls have excellent reliability;
• There is a cooking mode, cleaning the working chamber from foreign odors;
• A quick defrost function is provided.

Flaws:

• The door locking latches are flimsy, so they must be handled fairly carefully;
• The power cable is short.

Samsung ME88SUW

Midea MG 820 CJ7

This microwave is considered one of the best in its price segment. The volume of the heating chamber is 20 liters: its length and width will be quite enough for cooking pizza, chicken, fish or meat. To make the use of the oven as efficient as possible, a quartz grill is located in the chamber. The operating power in microwave mode is 800 W, but if it is used for grilling, then this figure will be 1 kW. Thanks to this point, cooking takes a minimum of time.

The inside of the microwave oven is coated with Smart Clean enamel, which makes it easier to clean from food particles. It is stable, does not slip on the surface thanks to rubber feet, and the design is quite strict. The product is ivory in color. The oven can also be used to defrost food. All switches are mechanical. According to reviews, this microwave is very popular among consumers.

Advantages:

• Practical device;
• Occupies a minimum amount of free space;
• Makes virtually no noise during operation;
• It looks very attractive, there is nothing superfluous in the design;
• Good value for money;
• High performance.

Flaws:

• Low power does not allow food to be heated well;
• Sometimes the power regulator breaks down.

Midea MG 820 CJ7

Gorenje MO-4250 CLB

In the ranking of the best microwave ovens of the year, this model is the first with electronic control. It has tact and push-button switches. For greater convenience, the stove has a display, a timer with an additional delayed start function, and a defrosting function.

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There are several programs in the memory that allow you to prepare dishes automatically - 8 recipes. Unfortunately, the user cannot store his own recipes. Grill and convection modes are not provided. The microwave is distinguished by high-quality assembly, there are no gaps between the parts, and the inside is coated with a special compound on which particles of the prepared food will not linger.

Advantages:

• Small overall dimensions, stylish appearance;
• The door has a glass insert made of heat-resistant glass;
• Convenient display;
• Very easy to operate;
• Food heats up in seconds;
• There are a large number of programs.

Flaws:

• Some buyers point out the presence of cracks in the door, but this disadvantage is not found in all products;
• It will not be possible to adjust the time while cooking;
• The keys make too loud a sound when pressed;
• During use, the enamel coating may peel off.

Gorenje MO-4250 CLB

LG MW-23R35GIB

These household appliances are equipped with the latest Smart Inverter technology, which, combined with the high power of the device 1000 W, allows you to quickly heat, defrost and cook food. The magnetron elements are covered by a fairly long warranty period - 10 years. The microwave power is controlled using a special sensor system, which ensures the most uniform heating of food, regardless of its volume, and while maintaining the taste of a freshly prepared dish. These same sensors are also responsible for defrosting food, due to which they will retain their original structure - this applies to both vegetables or berries, and denser substances, for example, meat and poultry.

There are many cooking modes here - frying, baking, frying, you can also prepare yogurt, maintain the temperature of the dish at a given level for a long time. The inner surface is coated with a special EasyClean substance, which prevents the growth of bacteria. The camera can be cleaned with an ordinary dry cloth in just a few seconds. Fat is not absorbed into this coating, as well as other contaminants.

Advantages:

• Heats any food evenly, smoothly and quickly;
• Defrosts food while maintaining its structure;
• Attractive appearance;
• Long service life;
• Long period of warranty service for individual structural elements;
• Compact overall dimensions.

Flaws:

• Quite expensive;
• The glass at the door is too dark - it is not so easy to see what is happening in the working chamber.

LG MW-23R35GIB

Candy CMWX 20 DW

This stove is equipped with 40 automatic programs, with which you can not only heat up food, but also prepare various semi-finished products and many full-fledged delicious dishes. The set comes with a recipe book containing a sufficient number of quick cooking methods. The model has a touch panel, which is very convenient to use. All necessary information is displayed on a digital liquid crystal display. There is a quick start function. When you select this mode, the oven immediately starts working at maximum power - the dish reaches a comfortable temperature within a few seconds. A special sound signal will notify the user about the completion of the operation. If the device is left idle for a long time, the energy saving function is activated, due to which you can save a lot on electricity bills.

The useful volume of the chamber of such a microwave oven is 20 liters. Inside it is covered with special enamel, which is very easy to clean from various types of contaminants. At the same time, the microwave is characterized by small overall dimensions - 259x440x357 mm, so it will fit well into the interior of even a compact kitchen. Automatic defrosting can be carried out both by time and by weight of the product. The sound notification can be turned off if necessary. Microwave power is 700 W - this parameter is adjusted depending on the needs of the user. The operating timer of the device is designed for a maximum of 95 minutes.

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Advantages:

• Relatively compact overall dimensions;
• You can turn off the sound signal;
• 40 automatic programs at once;
• Ease of management;
• Availability of liquid crystal display.

Flaws:

• The design could be made more powerful - it takes a long time to heat up.

Candy CMWX 20 DW

Sharp R-2772RSL

This is one of the simplest models available on the market today. This microwave oven is small in size, lightweight, and has a working chamber volume of 20 liters.

It can be used for a range of operations, including defrosting and reheating. The maximum operating power is 800 W, and the level can be adjusted - there are 11 positions for this. The design provides 8 automatic programs, which is quite a lot at a very reasonable cost of the equipment.

The microwave oven does not have grill and convection functions, but it has very convenient touch-type controls, as well as a fairly bright LED display.

Advantages:

• Beautiful appearance that allows you to fit organically into the interior of the kitchen;
• The power is quite acceptable for domestic conditions;
• The working chamber is spacious;
• The stand has a significant diameter;
• Touch-type switches are provided;
• If necessary, you can use the delayed start function;
• Food heats up quickly and evenly, a defrost mode is provided;
• Attractive price.

Flaws:

• It makes a lot of noise during operation;
• There is no grill function;
• The minimum time period is 1 minute.

Sharp R-2772RSL

4. Horizont 20MW700-1378

This is one of the most optimal microwave ovens presented in this rating. The volume of the internal chamber is 20 liters, the maximum operating power is 700 W. The door opens using a special button. The device has rubberized feet that will prevent sliding on the surface during operation. You can not only heat or defrost food in it, but also cook various dishes.

The control is very comfortable: it is carried out using several buttons that are responsible for the main functions of the product. Time and power are adjusted using special knobs. The user is informed about the completion of work by a special sound signal.

The ventilation holes are located on the sides, so you can put something useful on the top surface. The case has small gaps, which many users regard as a serious drawback. The case dimensions are small - height 260 mm, width 455 mm, depth 335 mm. The working chamber is 175 mm high, the diameter of the rotating dish is 290 mm. The door has a heat-resistant glass insert. It is not darkened, so you can easily see what is happening inside the camera.

Advantages:

• Low cost;
• Assembly reliability;
• Volumetric working chamber;
• Long service life;
• Neat appearance;
• Availability of a large number of operating modes.

Flaws:

• Compared to other models, it heats up more slowly;
• Defrosting is not very uniform.

Horizont 20MW700-1378

Weissgauff HMT-205

One of the few built-in designs in our review of the best microwave ovens. The device is manufactured in several color options, so buyers will be able to choose a color that will best fit into the interior of the kitchen. Heating of food is carried out without the use of a turntable - the latest Spiegel system is used here, the inner surface of the chamber is covered with special bioceramic materials White Flat Ceramic. This approach allows you to distribute the temperature within the working area as evenly as possible and effectively use all the capabilities of the microwave oven. Due to the bioceramic coating, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial substances are preserved in all products, in addition, significantly less electricity is spent on heating.

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The depth is insignificant, so this microwave can be built even into a cabinet that is not too wide. The weight is also small, which allows you to install the stove in a light wall cabinet. The interior of the camera is easy to clean thanks to a combination of enamel and ceramic. Its elements are tightly fitted to each other - there are no slightest gaps, which also facilitates cleaning work. The control of the device is electronic and very sensitive. It’s easy to understand; the device responds to all commands instantly.

Advantages:

• Reasonable cost;
• Copes well with the tasks assigned to her;
• There is no turntable;
• Works almost silently;
• Heats, defrosts and cooks food very quickly;
• Several color options;
• Compact overall dimensions.

Flaws:

• Not a very well-known manufacturer brand.

Weissgauff HMT-205

Horizont 20MW800-1378

This microwave is one of the most practical models in this rating. It is made in traditional black and white colors. The maximum microwave power is 800 W. The volume of the inner chamber is 20 liters, its inner surface is covered with special environmentally friendly enamel. It does not absorb pollution. The diameter of the dish is 24.5 cm. The design provides five power modes for heating food; there is also a quick and standard defrosting mode. The timer lasts 35 minutes and also has a delayed start function.

The door is hinged with a handle, the camera has a backlight. The microwave beeps when finished. It is controlled by special rotary switches. The overall dimensions are small: length 260 mm, width 440 mm, depth 350 mm, so there will be enough space for it even in a small kitchen. The microwave weighs about 11 kg, so it can be hung using special brackets.

Advantages:

• Heats and defrosts food very quickly;
• The controls are mechanical, there are no buttons or displays;
• There are rubber feet that prevent slipping on the surface;
• Good value for money.

Flaws:

• Quite a short power cord;
• The upper right part of the case, located directly above the control unit, often gets very hot during operation;
• The cooling fan is quite noisy during operation.

Horizont 20MW800-1378

LG MS-2042DB

This is one of the most widely known models of microwave ovens. The volume of the working chamber is 20 liters with an average operating power of 700 W. The power level can be adjusted if desired. It does not have convection or grill functions, but it does have a number of useful automatic programs that make cooking much easier.

There are four defrosting modes at once - depending on the type of food and their weight. Electronic control based on touch buttons is provided. The control panel display is quite bright.

Advantages:

• Defrosting and heating of food is carried out evenly;
• The inside of the working chamber is covered with a special enamel that does not absorb fats, which allows you to quickly clean it of dirt;
• Advanced functionality;
• Attractive appearance;
• Long service life - users talk about a service life of at least 10 years;
• The outside of the microwave oven is coated with silver paint;
• Attractive price.

Flaws:

• Short power cord;
• When closing the door, a fairly loud click is heard.

LG MS-2042DB

The best microwave oven manufacturers

Like many modern technologies, microwave ovens were previously produced for military purposes, so their creation and developers were strictly limited. Over time, such devices have become generally available, and purchasing a device has become noticeably difficult due to the variety of manufacturers on the market. To choose a quality product, you need to study the following 5 popular brands:

1. LG . The products of this brand come first. Products are produced with original design and versatility at a normal price.
2. Samsung . A competitor to the leader not only in terms of features and price, but also in the country of development (South Korea). Most buyers prefer equipment from this particular manufacturer.
3. BBK . A Chinese manufacturer that produces almost all electrical appliances necessary for life. BBK equipment combines reasonable cost and high quality.
4. REDMOND. A domestic manufacturer whose product, in all its characteristics, competes with global brands, but has an inexpensive price.
5. A.E.G. _ A German brand, its products are high-quality and multifunctional, but have an expensive price. The offered range is small on the domestic market, as a result of which it occupies 5th place in the ranking. Overall an excellent manufacturer.

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Which microwave is better to buy?

When choosing a microwave oven, you need to decide how you will use it. If you only need it for cooking and heating ready-made dishes, there is no need to purchase a model with a grill. And vice versa: a housewife who wants to bake meat and pies with a golden brown crust in the microwave will be ready to spend money on a more expensive microwave - in this case, “the game is worth the candle.”

Additional accessories can significantly expand the functionality of even the simplest stove: a multi-level grill for simultaneous cooking of 2-3 dishes, a frying pan that replaces a frying pan, a spit or a double boiler.

The second equally important criterion for choosing a microwave oven, which is often overlooked, is the coating of the internal chamber, namely:

1. Stainless steel is the most reliable, hygienic, but difficult to maintain material.

2. Enameled steel - easy to clean due to its smooth surface, but will not last long, especially if a grill is installed in the chamber.

3. Bioceramics is an expensive coating that retains maximum nutrients in food during cooking.

Our article will help you choose a microwave oven that suits your requirements. But if you already know exactly what you want, then let’s move straight to the best microwave ovens that have recently appeared on the market.

Which microwave oven should you choose?

To choose the right microwave oven, you need to decide on its purpose. Only for heating food, it is better to purchase inexpensive models. For complete cooking, you need to consider devices with microwave, grill and convection functions. You also need to consider the kitchen area. If its value is small, it is better to buy a built-in oven. For a kitchen with a regular area, you can also buy solo models.

It is also necessary to pay attention to price categories. Popular high-power models from leading brands have prices in the tens of thousands. However, you can choose a good model among inexpensive devices from little-known or domestic manufacturers. Purchasing a microwave oven mainly depends on its purpose and frequency of use.

What inexpensive microwave oven to buy

The TOP of the best budget microwave ovens includes models with a different set of functions and other features that are important to consider when choosing. There is not a single unnecessary item on this list. Absolutely all devices are worthy of attention and the highest praise for their capabilities and making the task easier for ordinary users. Making a choice in favor of a specific microwave oven is not easy, but you can still find a suitable option, but you will have to devote time to this. Our editors recommend that before purchasing a product, pay attention to its power, as well as the features of the timer. Thus, in terms of the first parameter, Samsung GE83XR and Panasonic NN-SM221W are in the lead, in terms of the second - REDMOND RM-2002D.

LG

In terms of total sales, the Korean corporation LG is confidently in the forefront. This also applies to the popularity of the brand. Such popular love is well deserved, because LG is known for its passion for new proprietary technologies that take product quality to a new level.

The “advantages” of LG microwave ovens include:

• moderate cost;
• innovative technologies;
• easy and quick cleaning of the inner chamber;
• the presence of a quartz grill.

Distinctive features of LG microwave ovens include I-wave technology, the use of which allows you to heat food more evenly, avoiding cold spots. Microwaves from the Korean company are also equipped with a special smooth EasyClean coating, which has antibacterial properties and makes the process of cleaning the chamber more convenient.

LG microwaves also deserve the attention of buyers because the factory warranty on the internal coating of the chamber is 10 full years. This indicates the high quality and reliability of microwave ovens from this manufacturer.

Tips for choosing

1. Modern microwave ovens can not only defrost and reheat food, but also completely replace the stove for preparing a variety of culinary masterpieces;
2. Korean companies - LG and Samsung - are recognized as the most popular and reliable manufacturers. Each brand has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages compared to its competitor;
3. Elgie's products are recognized as world leaders - they are distinguished by their beautiful design, high power, versatility and affordable price for most buyers;

   
   Elgie's products have taken global leadership

4. Samsung appliances are more reliable and durable; they heat and cook food evenly. Many experts advise that it is better to spend money once on purchasing a good quality device than to repair the device later;

   
   Samsung stoves are more reliable and durable, they heat and cook food evenly

5. A more powerful device will allow you to heat and cook the product in a shorter time. At the same time, 500-800 W is enough for heating, and to fully create a culinary delight you will need more than 1000 W. Of course, the higher the power indicators, the greater the electricity consumption. If you need a unit with maximum power, you should take a closer look at LG products;
6. Thanks to the grill option, you can get an appetizing dish with a golden-brown, crispy crust. The quality of cooking does not depend on the manufacturer, but depends on the installed heater - heating element, quartz, infrared or combined;
7. The most advanced and expensive models are equipped with an improved grill function - convection. Due to the hot air distributed inside the working chamber from the built-in fan, cooking meat, fish or vegetables will be much faster and more efficient;
8. The type of control does not affect the quality of food preparation, but the simplicity and ease of use of the equipment depends on it. The mechanical method is considered the most practical and reliable, but devices with touch controls look more presentable and provide multifunctionality of the unit;
9. Based on the appearance of the product, it is recommended to pay attention to the materials used in production. The best option is an enamel surface, but ceramics will be more practical and safer. If you choose a model with a steel surface, it is better to give preference to the combined version, where the walls are made of stainless steel and the bottom is made of ceramics;
10. Of course, the quality of the purchased microwave oven is influenced by its pricing policy. The more expensive the copy, the more reliable and durable it is, the more functionality it has.

Watch a video about comparing Samsung and LG microwave ovens up to 3 thousand rubles.

Panasonic

Panasonic is a leading player in the production of inverter microwave ovens. The engineers of the Japanese corporation have brought this technology to almost perfection. The electronic control unit (inverter) is much smaller than the transformer used in conventional microwave ovens. This frees up additional usable space in the camera.

The advantages of Panasonic inverter stoves include:

• lighter and more compact than conventional microwaves;
• economical energy consumption;
• high-speed defrost mode.

Thanks to wave inverter technology, Panasonic microwaves defrost food twice as fast as conventional ovens. The material used for the internal coating of the chamber is stainless steel and an enamel layer.

For many buyers wondering which brand to buy a microwave oven, there is no better option than Panasonic. They are convinced of this by the huge range (32 models!), Japanese quality and reliability.