Breville BRE 753TCGMPSL
Price £49.99
Controls Digital with 99-minute timer and five power levels
Oven capacity 20 litres
Microwave output 800W
Max power consumption 1200W (grill 1000W)
Weight 15.1kg Size 46 x 29.5 x 39cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.breville.co.uk
The geometric lines, a bold stainless-steel-trimmed door and a prominent handle all contribute to this microwave-grill's slick appearance.
Its contoured interior, concealed grill and smooth, clearly marked touch-pad controls will make cleaning very straightforward. The timer is clear and programming the various functions is easy thanks to the helpful instructions.
Verdict At less than £50, this should be great value, but the grill adds weight and the microwave cooking results were very disappointing.
Rating ¤¤

Cookworks ED 8525 S-F [400/5661]
Price £79.95
Controls Digital with 59-minute timer and ten power levels
Oven capacity 25 litres
Microwave output 850W
Max power consumption 1450W (grill 1000W; oven 2000W)
Weight 19kg Size 51.5 x 31 x 44cm
Tel 0870 600 1010
Web www.argos.co.uk
This was the biggest, heaviest and most expensive oven tested. But at 25 litres and 850W, it's tops for capacity and output. With a 1000W grill and a 2kW, fan-assisted conventional oven, you've got an microwave that does everything. Its stainless steel interior makes it the most durable on test, but cleaning around the grill is awkward. Operation is easy with a clear, illuminated display, touch-pad controls and helpful symbols. In microwave mode it struggled to compete with the lesser-powered ovens, while the grill and conventional oven produced 'big-oven' results. Sadly, it's the least energy-efficient model.
Verdict It's feature packed but it's also big and heavy.
Rating ¤¤¤

Hinari Lifestyle MX 707 TC
Price £35
Controls Digital with 99-minute timer and ten power levels
Oven capacity 20 litres
Microwave output 800W
Max power consumption 1200W
Weight 13.3kg Size 46 x 29 x 37cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.albaplc.com
This model has an attractive elliptical porthole window on the door, accented by a handle that has a dimpled thumb-patch, which gives you a better hold if you have wet or greasy hands. The interior of this microwave is painted white and, although it is shaped and recessed, it is also fairly easy to clean.
The control panel has a smooth finish and the black-on-white markings are by far the clearest to read of all the models in our test, while the instruction manual makes them easy to master. You get a bumper range of ten different settings and the fastest boil time of any of the microwaves we tested.
Verdict Stylish looks, fast speed and digital functionality at the same price as some manual ovens.
Rating ¤¤¤¤
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Sharp R249
Price £59.99
Controls Digital with 99-minute timer and five power levels
Oven capacity 20 litres
Microwave output 800W
Max power consumption 1210W
Weight 12kg Size 46 x 28 x 36cm
Tel 08705 274 277
Web www.sharp.co.uk
The R249 is smartly finished with a lustrous silver body, and the white interior panels are scooped out to maximise interior capacity.
The Sharp has smooth touch-pad controls, but the LCD digital display is dark and hard to read. It also has an 'Express' function that auto-calculates the cooking time for certain foods and weights, but its menu dominates the control panel and is a distraction during normal usage. However, the instruction manual does explain the functions and contains some recipes for you to try. Test results were disappointing, especially the overcooked meal.
Verdict Well made, but out-gunned and out-priced by the competition. You can get a lot more for your money elsewhere.
Rating ¤¤

Daewoo Solo 20L KOR63F7SL
Price £29.99
Controls Manual with 35-minute timer and seven power levels
Oven capacity 20 litres
Microwave output 700W
Max power consumption 1000W
Weight 12.5kg Size 46.5 x 28 x 36.5cm
Tel 01189 252 627
Web www.daewooelectronics.co.uk
The labelling for this model boasts 'CRS' (Concave Reflex System), which is a series of circular depressions on the white interior, which Daewoo claims focuses and reflects the microwave radiation. CRS sounds good but it did make cleaning harder. In our test, the oven delivered an average boil time and a slightly burnt meal. The rotary manual timer is easy to use and clearly marked.
Verdict Designer looks and energy efficient.
Rating ¤¤¤

Tesco MCM01
Price £24.82
Controls Manual with 30-minute timer and six power levels
Oven capacity 17 litres
Microwave output 700W
Max power consumption 1150W
Weight 12.4kg Size 46 x 30 x 36cm
Tel 0870 607 6060
Web www.tesco.com
Part of Tesco's 'value' range, this basic oven with its easy-clean interior is the cheapest we tested. The door has an elliptical porthole window and a curved handle for the fingers to slide behind. The two rotary controls are clearly marked and easy to turn, although the power level could do with a positive 'click' at each level.
Even with only 700W of power, this oven kept up with more powerful models and returned a very credible boil time and acceptable results in the meal test.
Verdict Almost as good as the £25 Cookworks model, but better looking and a fraction cheaper.
Rating
Rating ¤¤¤¤
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Sharp R209
Price £39.95
Controls Manual with 30-minute timer and five power levels
Oven capacity 20 litres
Microwave output 800W
Max power consumption 1210W
Weight 12kg Size 46 x 28 x 36cm
Tel 08705 274 277
Web www.sharp.co.uk
This model differs from the R249 only in having easy-to-use manual controls in lieu of the fiddlier digital ones. The result is a user-friendly oven that is £20 cheaper. Having said that, the two rotary controls, although clearly marked with precise stepped actions, can be difficult to grab, especially if you have wet or greasy fingers.
This microwave is well built, but it was the slowest to boil and the heated meal result was far from the best.
Verdict Great build and finish quality, but only a so-so performance.
Rating ¤¤¤

Cookworks M7017P-F [400/5513]
Price £24.95
Controls Manual with 35-minute timer and five power levels
Oven capacity 17 litres
Microwave output 700W
Max power consumption 1150W
Weight 11.8kg Size 46 x 26 x 35cm
Tel 0870 600 1010
Web www.argos.co.uk
This no-frills microwave is exclusive to Argos for its Cookworks range. Along with the Tesco model, it has the smallest capacity in the test, but it is lighter in weight. On test, it produced the best cooking results, although with just 700W of output, it was the slowest in the water-boil trial. It has a smooth interior for easy cleaning.
Verdict Functional looks, lightweight and great cooking ability at a very good price.
Rating ¤¤¤¤

LG Electronics MS192WG
Price £39.95
Controls Manual with 60-minute timer and five power levels
Oven capacity 19 litres
Microwave output 800W
Max power consumption 1200W
Weight 12kg Size 45.5 x 28 x 32.5cm
Tel 0870 607 5544
Web www.lge.co.uk
This has the smallest overall size of the ovens tested and is the second lightest, but it has a full power rating of 800W and an internal capacity equalling most of its rivals, but with a cleverly recessed turntable. There's a clear 60-minute timer, but the power control shows wattage levels, rather than the normal low to high, and the white interior's sculpted back-panel is hard to clean. Cooking results were uneven, burning the dish on one side, but it returned a good time in the water test.
Verdict Compact but expensive, with a dated appearance.
Rating ¤¤¤

Hinari Ellipse EMX 710 S/S
Price £69.95
Controls Manual with 30-minute timer and six power levels
Oven capacity 20 litres
Microwave output 800W
Max power consumption 1200W
Weight 13.9kg Size 46 x 29.5 x 38cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.albaplc.com
The stainless steel finish looks great and should be the most durable. The Ellipse was fast and gave good cooked results.The rotary controls are recessed and easy to use, although the power level and timer markings are too faint. With its manual controls and lack of features its hard to see how this oven can justify its £70 price tag.
Verdict Good performance and great looks, but very overpriced.
Rating ¤¤

NEXT MONTH: CLEANING PRODUCTS