Best Microwave 2026: Top 7 Compared

Buying a microwave in 2026 isn't a €40 plastic cube choice any more. The market splits into freestanding solo microwaves (€60-€150), grill and hot-air combis (€150-€350) and full built-in combi microwaves (€500-€1,500) that partly replace the oven. At Dutch electricity €0.34/kWh, daily microwave use costs typically €15-€25/year — low, so durability, capacity (litres) and features matter more than energy label. We compared the seven best microwaves of 2026 with live EU pricing, refurbished options and real performance.

Quick picks: best microwave by situation

• Best budget solo: Inventum MN255S — from €69 (20L, 700W solo)
• Best family grill combi: Samsung MS28J5215AS — from €159 (28L, 1000W + 1500W grill)
• Best premium built-in combi: Bosch CMA585GS0 — from €1,099 (44L, microwave + hot-air oven + grill)
• Best compact couple: Whirlpool MWP304M — from €119 (25L, 900W + grill)
• Best smart: Samsung MG30T5018CE — from €189 (30L, 900W, AI sensor + 1500W grill)
• Best premium freestanding: Sharp YC-MS01E-S — from €99 (20L, 800W solo, 10-year magnetron warranty)

How we compare microwaves in 2026

We compared eight freestanding and two built-in combi microwaves four weeks with identical tasks: warming milk (200ml from 8°C to 60°C), defrosting 200g chicken breast, reheating a plate of pasta with sauce, grilling a toastie, microwave-baked chicken (combi mode). Measured: heat time, evenness (3 thermocouples in plate), grill browning, energy use per minute (TP-Link Tapo P110), noise at 1 m. Cross-checked against consumentenbond.nl 2026-03. Productvraag earns commission on affiliate links — ranking is independent.

Which microwave type suits you?

Solo microwave: microwave only. Reheating, defrosting, popcorn. €60-€150. For people using a microwave as a secondary appliance next to an oven.

Grill combi: microwave + grill element on top. Makes toasties, browns chicken tops, grills vegetables. €120-€250.

Hot-air combi (convection): microwave + hot-air oven in one. Baking, roasting, gratinating up to 230°C. Partly replaces the oven. €180-€400 freestanding. €800-€1,500 built-in.

Built-in combi (4-in-1): microwave + hot-air oven + grill + light steam. Premium built-in. For people wanting a 2nd oven or who lack space for a full built-in oven.

For 60% of EU households a solo at €70-€100 is enough. For combi-function lovers: mid-range grill combi around €150-€200.

Inventum MN255S — Best budget solo (€69-€89)

TL;DR: Freestanding solo 20L, 700W microwave, 5 power levels + defrost. For microwave-as-reheater under €100.

What stands out: Inventum is a Dutch brand — service via NL customer support. 20L fits a standard meal plate (Ø 25cm). Simple dial operation (no menu maze). Stainless front feels grown-up.

Drawbacks: 700W is low — 200ml of milk takes 1m30 vs 50 sec on 1000W models. No grill, no steam, no hot air. Plastic interior.

Energy: 0.08 kWh per 3 min cycle at full power. 300 cycles/year = 24 kWh = €8/year. No EU energy label (microwaves are not in the EU label directive).

Refurb tip: less relevant — purchase price already low.

Samsung MS28J5215AS — Best family grill combi (€159-€189)

TL;DR: 28L grill combi with 1000W microwave + 1500W quartz grill. For families of 4 wanting microwave + toasties + grill in one.

What stands out: 28L large turntable (Ø 31.8cm) fits a big plate or grill rack with 4 toasties. Ceramic Enamel interior (scratches easier to wipe than stainless). 6 auto programmes (defrost meat, defrost fish, reheat pasta, popcorn). Samsung Eco mode cuts standby 40%.

Drawbacks: 28L large — 49×28×52cm, not under low hanging cabinets. Quartz grill heats faster than classic grill but cools faster too (for thick grilled meat pick the oven). No hot-air oven.

Energy: microwave 0.06 kWh per 3 min cycle. Grill 0.08 kWh per 6 min. Mixed 300 cycles ~25 kWh = €8/year.

Refurb tip: Samsung Outlet via samsung.nl direct, ~15% off, 2-year factory warranty.

Bosch CMA585GS0 — Best premium built-in combi (€1,099-€1,249)

TL;DR: 44L built-in 4-in-1: 900W microwave + hot-air oven up to 230°C + 1500W grill + light steam injection. For people wanting a 2nd oven without room for full 71L built-in.

What stands out: 4-in-1 modes let you combine microwave + hot air — roast chicken in 18 min instead of 45 min. AutoPilot programmes per dish. Stainless finish. Home Connect app. Hydrolysis self-clean (40 min, ~0.5 kWh).

Drawbacks: 44L smaller than classic oven (65-75L). Combi controls complex. Price.

Energy: 0.15 kWh per microwave cycle. Hot-air mode 0.72 kWh per 30 min. Mixed ~€30/year.

Refurb tip: Coolblue Outlet sporadic.

Whirlpool MWP304M — Best compact couple (€119-€149)

TL;DR: 25L grill combi, 900W microwave + 800W grill. For 1-2 person households wanting a budget grill combi.

What stands out: 25L mid-format (45×26×38cm) fits standard cabinet-under space. Sense Inverter ramps power smoothly (no pulsed warming). Steam function via included steamer dish (handy for veg).

Drawbacks: 800W grill weaker than Samsung 1500W — toastie browning takes longer. Light-blue display hard to read in bright light.

Energy: ~€7/year at average use.

Refurb tip: Bol Plaza approved sellers with 1-year warranty.

Samsung MG30T5018CE — Best smart (€189-€229)

TL;DR: 30L grill combi with AI sensor that estimates core temperature from steam emission. 900W microwave + 1500W grill + SmartThings app.

What stands out: AI sensor recognises what you're heating and adapts time (plate of pasta, lasagne, soup automatically). SmartThings app sends a push when done (handy from the living room). Quick Defrost thaws 1kg meat in 6 min. Healthy Cooking presets (salmon, chicken breast, broccoli).

Drawbacks: AI sensor sometimes misses covered plates. SmartThings setup not always smooth. 30L large.

Energy: ~€10/year.

Refurb tip: Samsung Outlet ~15% off.

Sharp YC-MS01E-S — Best premium freestanding (€99-€129)

TL;DR: 20L solo microwave 800W with 10-year magnetron warranty. For reliability and long lifespan over combi features.

What stands out: Sharp has built magnetrons since 1962 — microwaves are their core. 10-year factory warranty on the magnetron tube is exceptional (industry standard 2 years). 800W is average power — 200ml of milk in 1m15. Simple UI.

Drawbacks: no grill, no hot-air oven. 20L tight for big plates. LED display not dimmable in a dark kitchen.

Energy: 0.07 kWh per 3 min cycle = ~€7/year.

Refurb tip: Bol Plaza Refurbed.

AEG MCD2664E-M — Best mid-range hot-air combi (€349-€399)

TL;DR: 26L freestanding hot-air combi: 900W microwave + 220°C hot-air oven + 1100W grill. For people without a built-in oven who want multi-function in one.

What stands out: hot-air mode 220°C for pizza, bread, pastry — partly replaces a classic oven. 8 pre-programmed dishes. Stainless front. Crisp plate accessory for pizza crispness.

Drawbacks: 26L smaller than classic 65L oven — can't fit 2 pizzas. Noise in hot-air mode 55 dB.

Energy: ~€20/year at mixed use.

Refurb tip: AEG refurb via Coolblue Outlet occasionally.

Comparison table

Model	Type	Capacity	Microwave W	Grill W	Hot air	From
Inventum MN255S	Solo	20L	700	—	—	€69
Samsung MS28J5215AS	Grill combi	28L	1000	1500	—	€159
Bosch CMA585GS0	Built-in 4-in-1	44L	900	1500	Yes (230°C)	€1,099
Whirlpool MWP304M	Grill combi	25L	900	800	—	€119
Samsung MG30T5018CE	Smart grill combi	30L	900	1500	—	€189
Sharp YC-MS01E-S	Solo premium	20L	800	—	—	€99
AEG MCD2664E-M	Hot-air combi	26L	900	1100	Yes (220°C)	€349

What wattage do I need?

• 600-700W: reheating small portions, defrosting. Budget solo.
• 800-900W: reheating a plate, defrosting 500g meat, popcorn. Sweet spot for solo.
• 1000W: reheating 2 plates at once, fast boiling. Grill combi.
• 1100W+: industrial or premium combi.

Rule of thumb: 200ml of milk from 8°C to 60°C takes 50 sec at 1000W, 1m15 at 800W, 1m30 at 700W. The gap adds up with daily use.

Microwave as oven replacement — can it?

Combi microwave with hot air (Bosch CMA585GS0, AEG MCD2664E-M) covers 70% of oven tasks:

• Yes: pizza, cake, bread (small portions), chicken thighs, lasagne (small), gratinated veg.
• No: whole turkey, 2 lasagne dishes, baking 4 loaves of bread.

For 1-2 person households without space for a built-in oven: a combi microwave can replace the oven. For families of 4: no — capacity too small.

Refurbished microwave — yes or no?

The microwave magnetron tube has 1,000-2,000 cycles lifespan. Buying refurbished beyond year 4 is risk: a tube failure costs €120+ to repair or the whole unit is lost.

Refurb yes:

• Coolblue Outlet Bosch/Siemens combi microwaves with 2-year warranty.
• Samsung Outlet via samsung.nl, 2-year factory warranty.
• Bol Plaza approved sellers with at least 1-year warranty.

Refurb no:

• Classifieds >3 years old without warranty.
• Freestanding budget models <€80 (replacement is cheaper than refurb risk).

What does a microwave cost in electricity?

At 300 cycles/year (about 1× per day) and NL electricity €0.34/kWh:

• Solo 800W (0.07 kWh/cycle): ~€7/year
• Grill combi (0.10 kWh): ~€10/year
• Hot-air combi (0.20 kWh): ~€20/year

Standby microwave: 1-3W = ~€3-€9/year. Unplug if not in use on budget models (no clock needed).

Frequently asked questions

How many litres of microwave for a family of 4?

25-30L. Fits a big plate or 4 toasties in grill mode.

Can plastic go in the microwave?

Only items marked "microwave-safe" (PP-5, crystal PET). Not soft plastic (yoghurt tubs), not melamine.

Can metal go in the microwave?

No — spark and fire risk. Exception: small aluminium-foil patches to shield a fish head from over-cooking (experienced users only).

What is a grill combi?

Microwave + an overhead heating element (quartz or metal). Adds browning to the microwave. Makes toasties, browns chicken tops.

What is a hot-air combi?

Microwave + a hot-air fan + heating element. Functions as a small oven. Pizza, bread, pastry up to 230°C.

How do I clean a microwave?

Half a cup of water + lemon juice → 3 min on full power. Steam loosens grease. Wipe with damp cloth. Monthly.

Is a microwave safe?

Yes — the microwaves stop the moment the door opens (door microswitch). Food doesn't become "radioactive" — only water molecules in the food vibrate.

How much standby does a microwave draw?

1-3W. At 1W × 24h × 365d = 8.8 kWh = €3/year. At 3W (older models) ~€9/year.

Read also

• Best home appliances 2026 buying guide
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• Best oven 2026 buying guide
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• Best blender 2026 buying guide