Best Microwave Ovens 2027

Microwave ovens are the quickest way to reheat lunch, defrost meat or steam vegetables without a pan. This guide is for anyone buying a first microwave or replacing an old one: singles and students who need a basic model, families who need more space and people who want a microwave that can also stand in for a small oven. The best microwave ovens 2027 on Amazon.de are the LG MH6535NBS as an inverter with grill for 129 euros, the LG MS23NECBW as the best-value inverter microwave without a grill, and the Samsung MC28A5137KK as a combination model with hot air that can replace a small oven and an air fryer. We compared seven countertop models with live prices as of 28 October 2026, from 79.99 to 199.00 euros.

Before you order, measure the space on your worktop, especially the depth. The difference between the shallowest and the deepest microwave in this comparison is 13 cm.

Quick overview: best microwave ovens 2027

All microwave ovens in this comparison are available on Amazon.de with delivery to Croatia and most of the EU. Click a name for the current price.

Specifications are from the manufacturers' websites; for Panasonic, from the manufacturer's official Amazon listing. Samsung does not state whether the MC28A5137KK has an inverter.

How to choose microwave ovens

Microwave ovens are cheap these days and all of them reheat food. The differences show up when you defrost meat, try to fit a large plate inside or want to brown the cheese on a pasta bake.

Capacity

For one or two people who mostly reheat, 20 litres is enough. Families are better served by microwave ovens of 23 to 29 litres with a turntable of at least 28 cm, because a large dinner plate will not fit on a smaller one. The capacity on the box does not tell the whole story: the interior dimensions and turntable diameter, which manufacturers list in their specs, matter more.

Power and inverter

800 W is enough for reheating, and 1000 W shortens the time. A classic microwave on medium power actually runs at full power and switches on and off in cycles. An inverter delivers genuinely reduced power without interruption, so defrosting is more even, with no cooked edges and a frozen middle. If you often defrost meat or melt chocolate and butter, an inverter is a difference you will notice.

Solo, grill or hot air

Solo microwaves only heat. A grill is an element in the ceiling that browns the surface: melted cheese, crispy toast, a crust on lasagne. Microwave ovens with hot air (convection) have a fan and heating element like a small oven, so you can bake a cake or roast a chicken in them. These models are more expensive, larger and heavier.

Turntable or flat bed

A turntable is standard and helps with even heating. Flat-bed models spread the microwaves with a reflector under a glass floor. Rectangular dishes fit, and they are easier to clean because there is no turntable or roller ring underneath.

Dimensions and placement

Countertop microwave ovens need some space around the housing for ventilation; the manual tells you exactly how much. Depth in this comparison ranges from 34.5 cm (Bosch FFL023MS2) to 47.6 cm (Samsung MC28A5137KK). Also check which way the door opens: the Bosch FFL023MS2, for example, is hinged on the left, and if the hinge side is against a wall the door will not open fully.

Interior and cleaning

Ceramic enamel (Samsung) and LG's antibacterial EasyClean coating wipe clean easily. Stainless steel is durable but shows stains. A painted interior (Severin) wipes clean easily but is less scratch-resistant than ceramic enamel.

1. LG MH6535NBS

Photo: LG, Amazon

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The LG MH6535NBS is our pick for most households because for 129 euros it has both a Smart Inverter and a quartz grill. No other microwave in this comparison has both confirmed. Capacity is 25 litres, the microwave runs at 1000 W and the grill at 900 W. The 29.2 cm turntable takes even a large family plate.

The inverter defrosts evenly, and the grill browns a sandwich or a gratin. LG gives a 10-year warranty on the inverter magnetron. It weighs only 8.9 kg and is 38.8 cm deep. The grill is a little weaker than on the Samsung and Caso, but it is enough for melted cheese.

Pros: inverter and grill for 129 euros, large 29.2 cm turntable, 1000 W, lightweight, long magnetron warranty.

Cons: 900 W grill weaker than competitors, no hot air.

Our opinion: If you are not sure what you need, get this one. You will appreciate the inverter every time you defrost, and the grill every time you make a toasted sandwich.

2. LG MS23NECBW

Photo: LG, Amazon

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The LG MS23NECBW is a 1000 W inverter microwave for the price of an ordinary solo microwave: 109.90 euros. Capacity is 23 litres, the turntable is 29.2 cm, and LG lists 28 auto programmes. Like the MH6535NBS, it has a child lock and a 10-year warranty on the magnetron.

There is no grill, so it will not brown anything. For reheating lunch, defrosting and steaming vegetables that does not matter. At 8.6 kg it is the lightest of the models with a published weight, and at 34.6 cm deep only the Bosch is shallower. The housing is white, which will not suit every kitchen.

Pros: inverter and 1000 W at a low price, shallow and light housing, large turntable, long magnetron warranty.

Cons: no grill, white housing, LG does not state the number of power levels.

Our opinion: The best money you can spend on a microwave that only heats. For 19 euros less than the LG MH6535NBS, all you lose is the grill.

3. Samsung MC28A5137KK

Photo: Samsung, Amazon

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The Samsung MC28A5137KK is the only microwave in this comparison with hot air. On top of 900 W of microwave power it has a grill and convection, and Samsung also markets it with an AirFry function. The box includes a Crusty Plate for a crisp pizza base and a steaming bowl. The turntable can be switched off, so larger rectangular dishes fit too.

Capacity is 28 litres, and the ceramic enamel interior is easy to clean. The price of this versatility is size: 51.7 x 47.6 x 31 cm and 17.8 kg, with a maximum power input of 2900 W. Samsung does not state the maximum hot-air temperature or the number of programmes.

Pros: grill and hot air in one appliance, Crusty Plate and steaming bowl included, turntable can be switched off, ceramic interior.

Cons: large and heavy, only 900 W of microwave power, Samsung does not publish the maximum hot-air temperature.

Our opinion: For a studio flat without an oven, or a kitchen where the big oven only comes on at Christmas. Measure your worktop first, because it is almost 48 cm deep.

4. Panasonic NN-SD37QSEPG

Photo: Panasonic, Amazon

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The Panasonic NN-SD37QSEPG has the largest capacity in this comparison, 29 litres, yet the housing is still a reasonable 49.5 x 37.8 x 29.2 cm. The interior is 33 cm wide, so large plates and family-size dishes fit.

Power is 1000 W with seven levels, and there are 11 auto programmes plus defrosting by weight. There is no grill, and at 178.99 euros it is a solo microwave that costs considerably more than the LG MS23NECBW. We took the specifications from Panasonic's official Amazon listing because the manufacturer's website was not available; Panasonic does not state the weight or interior material there.

Pros: largest capacity in the comparison, wide interior, inverter, defrost by weight.

Cons: no grill, more expensive than the LG inverter model, manufacturer does not state the weight.

Our opinion: For families who reheat large portions every day. If you do not need this much room, the LG MS23NECBW does the same job for 69 euros less.

5. Caso MG 20 Ceramic Menu

Photo: Caso, Amazon

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The Caso MG 20 Ceramic Menu has no turntable. The floor is a flat borosilicate glass plate with a reflector underneath that spreads the microwaves, so rectangular lasagne dishes fit and cleaning is a single wipe. Alongside 800 W of microwave power it has a 1000 W quartz grill and a rack for cooking on two levels (grill mode only).

Caso lists 14 auto programmes and 2 combination programmes (microwave and grill together). The interior is stainless steel, and the beeper can be muted, which is handy when someone is asleep. There are only five power levels, the timer goes up to 30 minutes, and the mirrored housing shows every fingerprint.

Pros: flat bed for rectangular dishes, strong 1000 W grill, two-level cooking, beeper can be muted.

Cons: only 800 W and 5 levels, timer up to 30 minutes, housing collects fingerprints.

Our opinion: For people who are annoyed by turntables and actually use the grill. A rectangular dish does not have to be turned or catch on the edge of a turntable.

6. Bosch FFL023MS2

Photo: Bosch, Amazon

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The Bosch FFL023MS2 from the Serie 2 range is the shallowest microwave in this comparison: only 34.5 cm deep, so it fits on a narrow worktop or shelf. Capacity is 20 litres, power is 800 W with five levels (90 to 800 W), and it has seven AutoPilot auto programmes.

It has a child lock, a memory for one custom setting and a cleaning aid. The turntable is 27 cm. There is no grill or inverter, and at 123.87 euros you are also paying for the Bosch name. The hinges are on the left, so check where it will stand.

Pros: shallowest in the comparison, child lock, simple auto programmes, neat housing.

Cons: no grill or inverter, more expensive than the more powerful LG MS23NECBW, left-hand hinges.

Our opinion: When space is the main problem. If the LG MS23NECBW fits, you get an inverter and 1000 W for less money.

7. Severin MW 7771

Photo: Severin, Amazon

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The Severin MW 7771 is the cheapest microwave in this comparison, and it still has a grill. For 79.99 euros you get 20 litres, 700 W of microwave power, a 900 W grill and a grill rack. Microwave and grill can run at the same time, and it is operated with two rotary knobs and no display.

700 W means everything takes a little longer than on a 1000 W model. The turntable is only 24.5 cm, so a large plate will not fit. The interior is painted, and the timer goes up to 30 minutes. For a student room or a holiday home it is enough.

Pros: lowest price, grill at this price, simple knob controls, combined microwave and grill operation.

Cons: only 700 W, small 24.5 cm turntable, no digital display.

Our opinion: For students, holiday homes and other kitchens where the microwave runs a few times a week. For everyday family reheating, get one of the LG microwaves.

Safety, power use and reheating properly

Microwave ovens do not make food radioactive. The leakage limit is 5 mW/cm² at 5 cm from the housing, and measurements by Germany's Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) showed that appliances leak about 1% of that limit on average. Still, do not use a microwave with a damaged door or seal.

For energy use, the amount of food is what counts. According to Germany's Federal Environment Agency (UBA), a microwave is most energy-efficient for small quantities, up to about 250 ml, while for larger quantities a hob or oven is more efficient. In standby, under Regulation (EU) 2023/826, new appliances may use no more than 0.5 W from May 2025, or 0.8 W with a display. For more ways to cut household bills, see our guide to saving on utility bills.

When reheating, stir the food and let it stand briefly, as the manual advises, because microwaves create hot and cold spots. The UK Food Standards Agency recommends that the centre of the food reaches 70 °C for 2 minutes and that you reheat food only once. Cook food defrosted in the microwave straight away. If you cook ahead for the whole week, take a look at our meal prep gadgets and containers that are microwave-safe.

Conclusion: which microwave ovens should you choose?

In this comparison, microwave ovens from 110 to 130 euros already have an inverter and 1000 W, so a model without an inverter mainly makes sense if price, a flat bed or a shallow depth matters more to you. The LG MH6535NBS is the best choice for most people: inverter and grill for 129 euros. Without the grill, the LG MS23NECBW does the same for 109.90 euros. If the microwave needs to replace a small oven, the Samsung MC28A5137KK has a grill and hot air.

If you want an appliance that mostly fries without oil and you already have a microwave, look at our air fryers for families or, for a quick hot breakfast, toasters and sandwich grills.

Frequently asked questions

What capacity of microwave oven should I choose?

For one or two people who mostly reheat, 20 litres is enough. Families need 23 to 29 litres and a turntable of at least 28 cm so that a large plate fits. Combination models with hot air (around 28 litres) make sense if you want to replace a small oven, but they are deeper.

Is an inverter microwave worth it?

Yes, if you often defrost or cook on lower power. An inverter delivers genuinely reduced power instead of switching full power on and off, so food heats more evenly, with no cooked edges and cold centre. In this comparison the LG MS23NECBW offers an inverter for 109.90 euros.

How much electricity does a microwave oven use?

An 800 W microwave draws about 1.2 to 1.4 kW from the mains (Bosch FFL023MS2: 1270 W), but it runs for a short time. For small quantities up to about 250 ml it uses less than a hob or oven. In standby, new microwaves may use no more than 0.5 W, or 0.8 W with a display.

Do I need a grill or hot air?

A grill is an element in the ceiling that browns the surface: cheese, toast, a crust. Hot air uses a fan to circulate heated air like an oven, so you can bake cakes or roast chicken. For most households a grill is enough; hot air mainly pays off if you have no oven or rarely use your big one.

Turntable or flat bed?

A turntable is cheaper and helps with even heating. A flat bed has no turntable, so rectangular dishes fit and it is easier to clean. If you often use rectangular ovenproof dishes, choose a flat-bed model or one with a turntable that can be switched off.

Does microwaved food lose vitamins?

No more than with other cooking methods, and often less. According to Harvard Health, shorter cooking with little water preserves nutrients better than boiling in lots of water. For reheating, use containers labelled microwave-safe rather than takeaway plastic boxes.

How we chose

We reviewed ten countertop microwave ovens from 20 to 29 litres available on Amazon.de with delivery to Croatia. We checked specifications on the LG, Samsung, Bosch, Severin and Caso websites; for Panasonic we used its official Amazon listing because the manufacturer's website was not available. Prices are live Amazon.de prices as of 28 October 2026 and may change. We left out the Severin MW 7761 (flat bed without grill, redundant next to the Caso), the Samsung MG23DG4524AGE1 (grill without inverter for roughly the price of the LG MH6535NBS) and the Panasonic NN-CD58RSEPG, which at around 350 euros falls outside the range of this comparison. We did not physically test the appliances.

Sources and references

1. LG MH6535NBS specifications
2. LG MS23NECBW specifications
3. Samsung MC28A5137KK/E1 specifications
4. Bosch FFL023MS2 specifications
5. Severin MW 7771
6. Caso MG 20 Ceramic Menu
7. BfS - microwave ovens and radiation
8. FDA - Microwave Ovens
9. Umweltbundesamt - microwave tips
10. Regulation (EU) 2023/826 on standby
11. UK Food Standards Agency - cooking and reheating food
12. Harvard Health - Microwave cooking and nutrition

Related articles:

• Air fryers for families
• Meal prep gadgets
• Toasters and sandwich grills
• Countertop dishwashers
• Saving on utility bills