The Panasonic NN-E27JWMBPQ is our pick for small kitchens: a usable 20-litre cavity squeezed into one of the most compact bodies in its class, with simple controls and the everyday reliability Panasonic is known for. Here is what it does well, and where its limits lie.
For a lot of people the deciding factor is not power or features but space. A galley kitchen, a small flat, a caravan or a tight worktop simply will not take a big microwave, and many roomy 23-litre models come in surprisingly large bodies. The Panasonic NN-E27 solves that problem: a genuinely compact machine that still gives you a usable cavity, from a brand you can rely on. That is exactly why it is our small-kitchen recommendation.
| Model | Price | Type | Capacity | Microwave power | Rating | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ★ Top pick Panasonic NN-E27JWMBPQ 20L Compact Solo Microwave | £99.00 | Solo (microwave only) | 20 litres | 800 W | ★ 4.4 | View → |
£99.00
Solo (microwave only) · 20 litres · 800 W
The verdict from Naomi Clarke, kitchen appliance tester
The best choice for a small kitchen. The Panasonic NN-E27JWMBPQ squeezes a usable 20-litre cavity into one of the more compact bodies here, so it suits a galley kitchen, a flat or a caravan where worktop space is tight. Within that brief it is excellent: dependable 800 W cooking and controls so simple anyone can use them. It will not brown or crisp, but as a space-saving everyday solo it is exactly right.
Tucks neatly under a wall cabinet where the bigger 23L units would not fit.
The NN-E27 is the right buy when worktop space is your main constraint. It suits small flats, galley kitchens, annexes, caravans and second kitchens, and anyone living alone or in a small household who mainly reheats and defrosts. The 20-litre cavity is right for one or two people, the controls are simple and legible, and the whole machine is light enough to move or store easily. If you have measured your space and a bigger microwave will not fit, this is the sensible answer.
It is less suited to a family or anyone who regularly reheats large containers, where a 23-litre model such as the Samsung MS23K3513 gives more room. And as a solo it does not brown or crisp, so if you want those jobs and have the space, the Sharp YC-MG81 grill is the better fit. For pure space-saving, reliable reheating, though, the NN-E27 is exactly right.
This is the whole reason to buy it. Panasonic has packed a usable 20-litre cavity into one of the smaller external bodies in its class, so it sits comfortably on a tight worktop or under a wall cabinet where bigger units would not fit. It is the rare microwave that is genuinely small on the outside without forcing you down to a cramped 17-litre cavity inside. If your kitchen is short on space, that balance is worth more than any feature.
At 800 watts the NN-E27 delivers the same everyday cooking power as much larger machines, reheating a plate and defrosting meat at a sensible pace and following packet timings reliably. Five power levels and a turntable handle gentler jobs and even heating well. Panasonic's reputation for dependable, long-lasting microwaves applies here too: it is the kind of machine that just keeps working.
The controls are deliberately simple and legible, which makes it an easy machine for anyone to use, including in a shared house or a holiday let where guests need to pick it up at a glance. There is nothing to learn and nothing to get wrong. For a microwave whose job is to be small and reliable, that simplicity is exactly the right call.
The NN-E27's limitations are the flip side of its strengths. The 20-litre cavity, while usable, is smaller than the 23-litre all-rounders, so a very large platter or container can be tight, and as a solo it will not brown, crisp or bake. Neither is a flaw; they are simply what you accept in exchange for a genuinely compact, dependable machine. If you have the space and want more capacity or browning, the trade-offs point you elsewhere. If space is the priority, they are exactly the right compromises.
It fits a usable 20-litre cavity into one of the smaller bodies in its class, so it sits comfortably on a tight worktop or under a wall cabinet where bigger 23-litre units would not. It is also light enough to move or store easily, which suits flats, caravans and second kitchens.
Very much so. The 20-litre cavity is right for one or two people, the controls are simple and legible, and Panasonic's everyday reliability means it just works. For a single occupant or a small household that mainly reheats and defrosts, it is an ideal size and price.
No, it is a solo microwave, so it reheats, defrosts and cooks with microwaves but does not grill or bake. If browning matters to you and space allows, look at the Sharp YC-MG81 grill or the Panasonic NN-DF386 combination instead. For pure space-saving reheating, the NN-E27 is the pick.
The NN-E27 is our pick for small kitchens because it fits a usable 20-litre cavity into a genuinely compact body, with simple controls and Panasonic's everyday reliability. For a tight worktop, a small flat or a single occupant, it is the sensible buy. If you have more room and want a bigger cavity, the Samsung MS23K3513 is the value choice, and the cheaper Russell Hobbs RHM2076 is another compact option. To be sure of the measurements, read our small-kitchen guide and our buying guide before you choose.