Microwaves

Microwaves

Buying a microwave comes down to three decisions, and capacity is the first. Litres describes the cavity, not the footprint, so it tells you what will fit inside rather than how much counter space the machine takes. A 17 litre microwave suits one or two people and takes a dinner plate. 20 litres is the size most Irish kitchens buy, comfortable for a family meal and still compact enough to sit under a wall unit. 23 to 25 litres takes a large plate or a casserole dish and is the sensible size for a household of four or more. Above that, 27 and 32 litre models hold a full dinner service and are the ones to look at if you regularly reheat for a crowd. Measure the gap before ordering, and leave clearance at the back and sides for the vents.

Power is the second decision and it decides speed rather than capability. A 700W microwave is perfectly good for reheating and defrosting but takes noticeably longer than an 800W or 900W model on anything substantial, and packet instructions are usually written for 800W. If the microwave is the main way food gets cooked rather than warmed, 800W is the floor and 900W is better. Inverter models hold a steady power level instead of pulsing between full power and off, which is what stops the edges of a dish overcooking while the middle stays cold, and it makes a real difference to defrosting.

The third decision is type. A solo microwave does one thing well and is the cheapest to buy and to run. A combi microwave adds a grill element and a convection fan, so it browns, crisps and bakes as well as microwaves, which makes it a genuine second oven in a small kitchen or a caravan. A microwave with grill sits between the two, adding a browning element without full convection. A flatbed microwave removes the turntable entirely and drives the cooking from underneath, which means the whole floor is usable, square dishes fit, and there is no glass plate or roller ring to wash. Built in and integrated microwaves fit into a tall housing unit or a wall cabinet at eye level, freeing the worktop completely, and they are the choice when the kitchen is being fitted rather than furnished. Beyond that, look at whether the controls are manual dials or digital, since digital gives you weight-based auto programmes and a timer, and check the interior finish, because a stainless steel cavity wipes clean far more easily than painted enamel. Colour is worth a thought too, with black, white, silver, cream and retro finishes all stocked. Everything here is delivered nationwide across the Republic of Ireland, with click and collect at our Athlone store on Shannon Retail Park, Dublin Road.

Dimplex covers 20 and 23 litre solo microwaves at 800W and 900W, manual and digital, with stainless steel interiors, in black, white and silver. Russell Hobbs spans the 17 litre Inspire and RHMM compact range, the 20 litre Bronte and the 23 litre flatbed, in black, white, cream, grey, red and matte black. Sharp supplies 20 litre 800W solo digital microwaves in black and white, and Panasonic the 27 litre flatbed and the 32 litre 1000W inverter. Morphy Richards brings the Cassini digital and Felspar Clay ranges at 20 litres in olivine, china white, brown, flint grey and moonless night. Samsung covers 23 litre freestanding solo models, Sona and Studio Collection the 700W value end, and Ninja the CRISPi microwave, air fryer and oven. For built in and integrated, Belling covers 23 litre integrated and 44 litre built in combi, with Beko and Candy on 20 and 25 litre built in grill models.

Small and Compact Microwaves

Small microwaves from 17 to 20 litres, at 700W and 800W, for a flat, a bedsit, a caravan, an office kitchen or anywhere the worktop is tight. A 17 litre cavity still takes a standard dinner plate, and a mini microwave at this size is the cheapest way into the category. Manual dial and digital controls are both stocked, in black, white, silver, cream, red and retro finishes. Browse small and compact microwaves.

23 Litre and Larger Microwaves

Solo microwaves from 23 litres upward, at 800W, 900W and 1000W, sized for a household that cooks rather than reheats. A 23 litre cavity takes a large dinner plate or a small casserole; a 32 litre inverter model holds a full dinner service and keeps power steady rather than pulsing, which matters for defrosting. Stainless steel interiors and digital controls are standard at this size. See 23 litre and larger microwaves.

Built In and Integrated Microwaves

Built in microwave ovens that fit a tall housing unit or a wall cabinet and clear the worktop completely. Cavities run 20 to 44 litres, with grill elements on most and full combi on the largest, at 900W. Check the aperture your kitchen unit takes before ordering, since built in microwaves are sold to standard housing widths rather than to the appliance's own dimensions. Browse built in and integrated microwaves.

Combi Microwaves

A combination microwave adds a grill and a convection oven to the microwave function, so it browns, crisps and bakes as well as reheats. That makes it a second oven for a small kitchen, a holiday home or a caravan, and the reason people buy one is usually space rather than price. See combi microwaves.

Flatbed Microwaves

Flatbed microwaves have no turntable. The cooking is driven from below instead, which means the entire base is usable, rectangular and oversized dishes fit where they would jam in a turntable model, and there is no glass plate or roller ring to lift out and wash. Cavities here run 23 and 27 litres at 900W and 1000W. Browse flatbed microwaves.

Microwaves Sale

Every microwave currently reduced is gathered on one page. This is a category where a cheap microwave is not a compromised one, because the technology is mature and a 20 litre 800W solo model does the same job at any price point, so a sale is usually the right moment to buy. Prices here are live all year. Shop the microwaves sale.