The best microwave for a small kitchen is one that earns its worktop space.
Prices checked on Amazon UK, 13 October 2026.
The best microwave for a small kitchen is one that earns its worktop space. In a galley kitchen, flat or studio, a compact 17 to 20 litre solo model leaves room for a kettle and toaster, while a slightly larger grill microwave can double up as a second oven and save you running a full-size cooker for small meals. Capacity, external footprint, turntable size and simple controls are the things to compare before buying. We compared 4 options on Amazon UK, with prices from £48.95 to £94.96 when checked on 13 October 2026; every product was in stock with no low-stock warning on the buy-box offer. Best compact: the Russell Hobbs 17L Textures Small Manual Microwave, 700W at £54.99. Best budget: the COMFEE' 20L Compact Black Microwave, 700W at £48.95. Most powerful compact: the Belaco 800W Compact 20L Microwave with Manual Control at £49.99. Best grill combo: the Toshiba 23L Digital Grill Microwave, 900W with 1000W Grill at £94.96. Prices change often, so check before you buy.
Our picks
Russell Hobbs 17L Textures Small Manual Microwave
Russell Hobbs 17L Textures Small Manual Microwave
£54.99
Best overall
COMFEE' 20L Compact Black Microwave
COMFEE' 20L Compact Black Microwave
£48.95
Best budget
Belaco 800W Compact 20L Microwave with Manual Control
Belaco 800W Compact 20L Microwave with Manual Control
£49.99
Best for families
How we pick
We shortlist products sold on Amazon UK using capacity, features, customer ratings and price band. We do not lab-test every model unless a page says so. The Amazon page is the live price. How we recommend.
Compare at a glance
| Product | Capacity | Last Amazon price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17L |
£54.99
|
||
| 20L |
£48.95
|
||
| 20L |
£49.99
|
||
| 23L |
£94.96
|
The products
Buying advice
Quick comparison
Best compact: Russell Hobbs at £54.99
Best budget: COMFEE' at £48.95
Most powerful compact: Belaco at £49.99
Best grill combo: Toshiba at £94.96
How we chose: we searched Amazon UK for microwaves suited to small kitchen, read each listing, and kept only products with a single new buy-box price, an in-stock status and no low-stock warning. Product details below come from the Amazon listings, not from our own testing.
Our picks
Best compact: Russell Hobbs 17L Textures Small Manual Microwave, 700W (£54.99). Russell Hobbs describes the 17L capacity as ideal for kitchens with limited space. It is a 700W manual model with easy-to-use dials, 5 power levels including a defrost setting and a 30-minute timer, finished in a dual matte and high-gloss black.
Best budget: COMFEE' 20L Compact Black Microwave, 700W (£48.95). The cheapest pick has a 20 litre interior with a 245mm glass turntable, which the listing says suits single portions, leftovers and vegetables. It is a 700W solo manual microwave with two mechanical knobs, 5 power levels, quick defrost and a large viewing window.
Most powerful compact: Belaco 800W Compact 20L Microwave with Manual Control (£49.99). Belaco's compact model offers 800W in a 20L cavity with a 27cm glass plate that fits most dinner plates. It has simple dial controls, a 35-minute timer, built-in defrost and an end-of-cycle alarm, and is pitched at homes, offices and dorms.
Best grill combo: Toshiba 23L Digital Grill Microwave, 900W with 1000W Grill (£94.96). If your small kitchen lacks oven space, Toshiba's 23L model adds a 1000W grill to 900W microwave power. The listing says it fits a 10-inch pizza, offers two combination modes, 11 power levels and weight-based defrost, with a mirror black front and digital display.
What to look for in a microwave for small kitchen
Capacity versus footprint: 17 to 20 litres covers reheating, defrosting and single meals; check the external dimensions on the listing against the gap on your worktop, and leave space around the vents.
Turntable size: a small cavity is only useful if your plates fit, so compare the quoted turntable diameter with your largest dinner plate.
Solo or grill: a solo microwave is the most compact and simplest, while a grill or combination model can replace a second oven in a kitchen without much cooking space.
Controls: manual dials are quick and easy, while digital models add presets and weight-based defrost. Choose whichever you will actually use day to day.
Prices and availability were checked on Amazon UK on 13 October 2026 and can change at any time. Specifications above are taken from the Amazon listings; check the current listing for full details before you order.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good small microwave?
A good small microwave for most kitchens is a 17 to 20 litre solo model with simple controls and a defrost setting, such as the Russell Hobbs or COMFEE' models here. Picks in this guide ranged from £48.95 to £94.96 on Amazon UK when checked on 13 October 2026.
How to choose a microwave size?
Measure your worktop space, then compare the external dimensions and capacity. 17 to 20 litres suits one or two people; around 23 litres or more fits larger dishes.
How to put a microwave in a small kitchen?
Choose a compact model that fits your worktop with space for ventilation, as listed by the manufacturer, or consider a grill microwave so one appliance does two jobs.
Is a grill microwave worth it?
It can be in a small kitchen, as a grill microwave like the Toshiba here can brown and crisp food as well as reheat, saving the need for a second oven.
