The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B is our best budget pick: honest 800 W solo cooking, a 20-litre cavity and an automatic defrost at the keenest price here. It is plain rather than premium, and that is exactly the point. Here is what it does well, and where the savings show.
A microwave does not need to be expensive to be good at the basics. The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B proves it: a name-brand solo at one of the lowest prices on the market that reheats, defrosts and cooks exactly as it should. You give up the finish and the cavity material of pricier machines, but not the cooking power, which is why it is our budget recommendation for anyone who wants a dependable everyday microwave for the least money.
| Model | Price | Type | Capacity | Microwave power | Rating | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ★ Top pick Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 20L Solo Microwave | £63.50 | Solo (microwave only) | 20 litres | 800 W | ★ 4.2 | View → |
£63.50
Solo (microwave only) · 20 litres · 800 W
The verdict from Naomi Clarke, kitchen appliance tester
The best budget unit. The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B delivers honest 800 W solo cooking, a 20-litre cavity and a defrost function at the keenest price here. The controls and finish are plain rather than premium, but everything works as it should. If you want a dependable everyday microwave for the least money, and a grill or oven is not on your list, this is it.
A no-nonsense machine that simply reheats and defrosts without fuss or a big bill.
The RHM2076 is the right buy if your priority is spending as little as possible on a microwave that simply works. It suits students, first flats, second kitchens, holiday homes and anyone who needs a reliable solo without the extra cost of a grill, an oven or a premium finish. The compact 20-litre body is an advantage on a smaller worktop, and at this price it is also the sensible choice if you only need a microwave for occasional use and do not want to over-invest.
It is less suited to anyone who wants a roomy cavity, a hard-wearing interior or a more refined machine. If you reheat large containers or cook for a family, the 23-litre Samsung MS23K3513 gives you more room and a wipe-clean enamel interior for a little more money. And if you want browning or baking, this plain solo is not the machine. For honest, cheap, everyday reheating, though, it is hard to beat.
At 800 watts the RHM2076 has exactly the same everyday cooking power as microwaves costing two or three times as much. It reheats a plate of food, defrosts meat and warms drinks at a sensible pace, and because it is a true 800 W model, packet instructions work without you having to add extra time. Five power levels give you enough control for gentler jobs and the automatic defrost handles meat and bread sensibly. This is the part where you are not paying any penalty for buying cheap.
The 20-litre cavity suits one or two people and fits a standard dinner plate, though a very large platter can be tight. Eight auto-cook programmes cover common foods such as potatoes, vegetables and pizza, which is more than you might expect at the price and takes the guesswork out for everyday meals. For a budget solo, the feature set is genuinely useful rather than token.
Here is where the savings show, and it is fair to be honest about it. The dial-and-button controls are basic and feel less precise than those on pricier machines, and the painted interior is less hard-wearing than the ceramic enamel of the Samsung, so it needs a little more care when cleaning to avoid marking it. None of this stops the microwave working well; it just means the experience is plain rather than polished. For the money, that is an entirely reasonable trade.
The RHM2076's drawbacks are exactly what you would expect at this price: plain controls and a painted cavity that needs gentler cleaning than a hard enamel one. There is no premium feel and no extra functions. But none of that is a flaw so much as the natural consequence of buying the cheapest reputable solo, and if your goal is a dependable everyday microwave for the least outlay, those are trade-offs worth making. Spend a little more and the Samsung MS23K3513 answers most of them.
For everyday use, yes. At 800 watts it sits right in the everyday sweet spot, reheating a plate of food or defrosting meat at a sensible speed. It is the same wattage as microwaves costing far more; what you save on is the finish, the controls and the cavity material, not the cooking power.
It has a 20-litre cavity, which suits one or two people and fits a standard dinner plate, though a very large platter may be tight. The compact body is an advantage on a smaller worktop. If you regularly reheat big containers or cook for a family, the 23-litre Samsung MS23K3513 gives you more room.
Nothing that affects whether it works, but the savings show in the details. The dial-and-button controls are basic, and the painted interior is less hard-wearing than the ceramic enamel of pricier models, so it needs a little more care when cleaning. For a dependable, no-frills everyday microwave, those are fair trade-offs.
The RHM2076 is our best budget pick because it delivers full everyday cooking power and a genuinely useful feature set at one of the lowest prices around. It is plain, but it is honest, and for a student room, a second kitchen or anyone who wants a reliable solo for the least money, it is the smart buy. If you can stretch a little, the Samsung MS23K3513 adds a roomier cavity and an easier-clean interior, and for the smallest worktops the compact Panasonic NN-E27 is worth a look. Our small-kitchen guide and buying guide help you confirm the right size.