Comparison: Best Microwave For £70 (Updated | May 12th)

If you are hunting for the best microwave for 70 bucks or less, the Cuisinart CMW-70 is a heavy hitter from a brand you usually associate with high-end food processors. What really stands out to me here is the stainless steel finish; it looks significantly more premium than the plastic-heavy competitors in this price bracket. It’s a compact 0.7 cubic-foot machine that manages to fit 11 power levels, giving you more granular control over your reheating than the standard ten levels found on most budget units.

I would recommend this specifically for someone living in a studio apartment or a dorm where counter space is at a premium but style still matters. It’s perfect for the “reheat and go” lifestyle—think coffee, leftovers, and popcorn. However, you have to be realistic about the 700 watts of power. This is a low-wattage unit, meaning it will take noticeably longer to boil water or cook a frozen meal compared to the beefier 1000-watt ovens you might be used to. It’s a trade-off of speed for size and aesthetics.

The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS is essentially the “goldilocks” of microwaves. What makes it a standout in a crowded market is the Smart Humidity Sensor. Instead of just guessing how long a plate of pasta needs, the sensor detects steam and adjusts the time automatically. It’s a feature usually reserved for much more expensive models, and it genuinely prevents that “rubberized” texture you get from overcooking food. With 1.2 cubic feet of space and 1000 watts, it’s a true workhorse.

This is the best pick for a busy family or a household that actually “cooks” in the microwave rather than just defrosting bread. It’s large enough to fit a standard dinner plate comfortably. One of my favorite “quality of life” features is the Mute Function; by holding down the 8 button, you can kill those annoying end-of-cycle beeps. The only real downside is its large footprint. It takes up a significant amount of real estate, so if your kitchen is tiny, this might feel like it’s swallowing your entire counter.

For those who want the Toshiba reliability but don’t have the room for a full-sized monster, the TOSHIBA ML-EM09PA(BS) is a smart middle ground. It packs 900 watts into a 0.9 cubic-foot frame, which is a sweet spot for power-to-size ratio. It stands out because it doesn’t feel like a “cheap” small microwave; it still includes the Black Stainless Steel finish and the silent mode that people love. The Two-Step Child Lock is also a thoughtful safety addition for homes with curious toddlers.

I’d suggest this for a small apartment or an office breakroom. It’s powerful enough to heat up a frozen burrito without leaving the middle frozen, yet it’s small enough to tuck into a corner. The trade-off here is the interior height. With only about 7.6 inches of vertical space inside, you might struggle to fit taller items like a large travel mug or a high-sided soup bowl. It’s built for plates and standard bowls, so just keep your glassware height in mind before buying.

The TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) is an absolute beast. With 1200 watts of power and a massive 1.6 cubic-foot capacity, it’s designed for high-volume needs. The standout feature for me is the Position Memory Turntable. It’s one of those “why didn’t they think of this sooner” innovations that ensures the turntable returns to its starting position, so your mug handle is exactly where you left it. No more reaching into the back of a hot microwave to grab a handle that rotated away from you.

This is clearly the choice for large families or anyone who regularly hosts. It can fit a 13-inch pizza or a large casserole dish with ease. It’s fast, efficient, and looks sleek in the black stainless finish. However, the honest downside is the noise level during operation. When you have this much power under the hood, the cooling fan and the motor tend to be louder than smaller, lower-wattage units. It’s a powerful machine, and it sounds like one, which might be a bit much for a quiet morning kitchen.

The Chefman Countertop Microwave is a budget-friendly 700-watt unit that punches above its weight class in terms of user interface. What makes it stand out is the Memory Function, allowing you to program your most-used settings so you aren’t constantly punching in the same time and power levels every morning. It also includes an Eco Mode to save on standby power, which is a nice touch for the environmentally conscious shopper who wants to shave a few cents off the electric bill.

This is the ideal “first microwave” for a college student or someone moving into their first tiny studio. It’s lightweight, compact, and gets the job done without any unnecessary bells and whistles. It even has a dedicated Mute Button, which is a lifesaver for late-night snacking without waking the roommates. The trade-off is the build quality; it feels a bit more “plasticky” and lightweight than the stainless steel models. You have to be gentle with the door handle, as it doesn’t have that heavy, solid thud you find on more expensive appliances.

The GE Countertop Microwave is a powerhouse that dominates the kitchen counter with its 2.0 cubic-foot capacity. This is one of the largest consumer microwaves you can find, and it stands out for its Sensor Cooking capabilities that take the guesswork out of heating. GE is a staple in American kitchens for a reason, and this 1200-watt unit delivers the kind of heating speed that makes 700-watt models look like they’re standing still.

If you have a big family or you do a lot of meal prep in bulk, this is your best bet. It’s a “kitchen essential” for people who actually use their microwave as a secondary oven rather than just a popcorn maker. It handles large platters and heavy glass bowls without straining. The obvious downside is that it is massive. You really need to measure your counter space before ordering this; it’s too big for most dorms or small apartments and might even be too deep for some standard kitchen cabinets.

The BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 is a classic, no-nonsense appliance. What makes it stand out is the push-button door release. While many modern microwaves use a pull-handle that can cause the whole unit to slide forward on the counter, the push-button allows for one-handed access while keeping the machine stable. It’s a 700-watt unit with a clean stainless steel front that looks much more expensive than its price tag suggests.

This is the perfect choice for a senior living space or a small office. The large LED display is very easy to read, and the 30-second express cooking button makes it incredibly simple to operate for someone who doesn’t want to navigate complex menus. The trade-off is the interior lighting; it’s a bit dim compared to other models. If you like to watch your cheese melt to ensure it doesn’t bubble over, you might find yourself squinting through the door to see what’s actually happening inside.

The Farberware 0.7 Cu. Ft. microwave is the definition of a “small space solution.” What makes it stand out is its multi-stage cooking feature, which is rare for such a small, 700-watt unit. This allows you to set the microwave to defrost for a certain amount of time and then immediately switch to a higher power level to cook, all in one go. It’s a smart bit of programming in a very affordable package.

I’d recommend this for an office cubicle, a tiny camper, or a basement bar. It’s built for the basics: reheating a cup of coffee or a small plate of leftovers. It’s incredibly compact, so it fits where others won’t. The downside is the turntable size. At 0.7 cubic feet, the glass plate is quite small. If you have oversized dinner plates or those rectangular glass storage containers, they might get stuck against the walls as they try to rotate, leading to uneven heating. Stick to standard-sized dishes with this one.

If you like the Farberware brand but need more “oomph,” the 1.1 Cu. Ft. version is a significant upgrade. It jumps up to 1000 watts, which is the industry standard for most microwave recipes and frozen food instructions. What stands out here is the Express Cooking buttons (1 through 6 minutes). You just hit the “2” and it immediately starts for two minutes. It’s a small convenience that you’ll find yourself using every single day.

This is a great “all-rounder” for a typical apartment kitchen where you have a bit of counter space but don’t want a giant appliance. It’s powerful enough to handle frozen dinners properly and large enough for a standard bag of popcorn. One honest trade-off is the finish maintenance. The stainless steel looks sharp, but it is a total fingerprint magnet. If you’re someone who hates seeing smudges every time you open the door, you’ll find yourself wiping this down more often than you’d probably like.

The COMFEE’ EM720CPL-PM stands out immediately because of its Pearl White finish. In a world where every microwave is either black or silver, this white unit looks fresh and fits perfectly in “shabby chic” or bright, modern kitchens. Despite its 700-watt power rating, it’s packed with modern features like a Mute Function and an ECO Mode that dims the display to save energy. It’s a thoughtful, “green” approach to a budget appliance.

This is a fantastic choice for a nursery (to warm bottles silently) or a bright kitchen where a black box would look like an eyesore. It’s very quiet and the one-touch buttons are responsive. The trade-off is the cooking speed. Because it is only 700 watts, you’ll find that “microwave instructions” on food boxes usually require you to add an extra minute or two. It’s a patient person’s microwave—it gets the job done eventually, but it won’t win any races against its 1000-watt cousins.