Best Over the Range Microwaves in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update October 12, 2024
An over-the-range microwave oven is a smart 2-in-1 unit designed for installation over a range or cooktop. It combines a strong ventilation ...Read more
PROS

The microwave has a flatbed bottom rather than a turntable, which obviously makes it much more versatile. Large meals enough for 4-6 people can easily go into this oven.

CONS

The fan works a bit too loud in convection mode.

OUR VERDICT

The Panasonic NN-CF778SBPQ is a great multifunctional oven that can replace a few appliances at once. With it, you'll be able to treat large companies to delicious dishes they could normally expect from a fine cuisine.

detailed parameters
Type

Free-standing

Power

Microwave: 950 W

Grill: 1330 W

Convection: 1400 W

Capacity

27 litres

Turntable

Not available (FlatBed™ design)

Cooking Modes

6 power levels, 16 auto-cook programs

Exhaust Fan

Not available

Extras

Inverter technology, Stainless steel interior with catalytic coating of back plate

Dimensions

53.1 x 53.4 x 32.8 cm

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The oven is made with mirrored door finish. But when you turn it on, the large viewing window becomes transparent and allows you to watch the cooking process.

CONS

The door may be a bit difficult to open at first.

OUR VERDICT

The Russell Hobbs RHM2574 is a stylish microwave with a simple, functional control panel and plenty of features. It can become a solid fit for those who need a high-quality appliance for reasonable costs.

detailed parameters
Type

Free-standing

Power

Microwave: 900 W

Grill: 1100 W

Convection: 2500 W

Capacity

25 litres

Turntable

31.5 cm

Cooking Modes

5 power levels, 10 auto-cook programs

Exhaust Fan

Not available

Extras

Stainless steel interior

Dimensions

52 x 50 x 31 cm

Warranty

2 years

PROS

This is a built-in combination microwave that will fit into any kitchen decor, integrating beautifully with existing kitchen appliances and units.

CONS

Fingerprints are well visible on the door. 

OUR VERDICT

The Russell Hobbs RHBM2503 Built-In oven is one of the most minimalistic solutions you can find on the market. It'll be excellent for users who need a space-saving microwave that still offers extra cooking facilities like grilling or baking.

detailed parameters
Type

Built-in

Power

Microwave: 900 W

Grill: 1100 W

Convection: 2400 W

Capacity

25 litres

Turntable

31.5 cm

Cooking Modes

5 power levels, 10 auto-cook programs

Exhaust Fan

Not available

Extras

Stainless steel interior

Dimensions

60 x 47 x 46 cm

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The oven has a white enamelled steel interior that can be quickly wiped with a damp cloth after cooking. Plus, it's highly resistant to scratches.

CONS

You may need some time to get used to it.

OUR VERDICT

The Whirlpool MCP 349 SL with DualCrisp™ technology is a good product with all the basic features you may look for in over-the-range microwave ovens. It will surely be a good fit for modern kitchens.

detailed parameters
Type

Free-standing

Power

Microwave: 800 W

Grill: ~1100 W

Convection: ~1900 W

Capacity

25 litres

Turntable

~31 cm

Cooking Modes

6 power levels, 18 auto-cook programs

Exhaust Fan

Not available

Extras

DualCrisp™ technology, Jet defrost feature, Enameled steel interior

Dimensions

52 x 49 x 30 cm

Warranty

1 year

PROS

It comes with a microwave-heated Panacrunch pan for healthy, low-fat grilling. The Panacrunch cooks food evenly, from top to bottom, ridding you of the need to rotate the food.

CONS

Auto-cook programs don't differ that much.

OUR VERDICT

The Panasonic NN-DS596B Steam Combi Oven is one of the smartest products on the market. And with its ability to steam and grill (low-fat), it'll be particularly useful for those who stick to a healthy diet.

detailed parameters
Type

Free-standing

Power

Microwave: 1000 W

Steam: 1000 W

Grill: 1200 W

Convection: 1250 W

Capacity

27 litres

Turntable

Not available (FlatBed™ design)

Cooking Modes

6 power levels, 23 auto-cook programs

Exhaust Fan

Not available

Extras

Inverter technology, Stainless steel interior, Square panacrunch pan included (dishwasher safe)

Dimensions

51.2 x 40 x 34.7 cm

Warranty

1 year

Super Multifunctional

The Panasonic NN-CF778SBPQ is an innovative product that seems to incorporate all the new technologies. To begin with, it's much more than a simple microwave. It's an inverter oven, grill, and convection oven in one compact appliance.

Using the inverter technology instead of a magnetic coil, the oven offers a more efficient way of cooking compared to traditional style. Simply put, it requires substantially less amount of energy but provides great cooking results (especially shines in slow cooking).

In fact, energy consumption is reduced by 50%, which positively influences your wallet and our environment. Thanks to the inverter power supply system, the cooking power is precisely controlled to prevent overheating. As a result, no flavour or moisture is lost.

Moving on, it's worth emphasizing that the oven is fan-assisted, meaning you can use it for grilling or convection cooking. And to increase cooking capacity, you can cook food on two levels. When used as an oven, it holds the wire rack on one level and the metal tray on the other.

Lastly, the cooker looks quite smart. Unlike standard side doors, it's featured with a drop-down door and a removable plastic drip tray to catch any steam/drips when the said door is open. Yet, the most ingenious part is that the microwave has a flatbed bottom rather than a turntable, which obviously makes it much more versatile. Large meals enough for 4-6 people can easily go into the oven. And those dishes won't go round when cooking.

All things considered, the Panasonic NN-CF778SBPQ is a great multifunctional oven that can replace a few appliances at once. With it, you'll be able to treat large companies to deliciously tasting dishes they could normally expect from a fine cuisine.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B001HN6QS4

Golden Mean

If you'd like to take your cooking experience to a whole new level, the Russell Hobbs RHM2574 is a combo oven you may be interested in. Compared to some other models, it is probably one of the more well-balanced options you can find on the market right now, which deftly combines good performance, reasonable price, and decent build quality.

Featuring a 25-litre capacity and 31.5-cm glass turntable, it's a good appliance for average families. The size like that will allow you to bake large cakes or grill a whole chicken. Besides those dishes, the microwave is versatile enough to let you cook lasagnas, pizzas, tarts, baked potatoes, cottage pies, and many more yummy meals. Boasting 900 Watts of power, this microwave oven can handle any cooking, reheating, and defrosting requirements. It offers 5 power levels and 10 auto-cook programs in total.

As for aesthetics, the Russell Hobbs RHM2574 oven has a stainless steel body with mirrored door finish, so it looks nice and is easy to clean. Rather than sophisticated touchscreens, it uses press buttons and dials that are straightforward to operate and easy to understand for seniors and kids. For safety purposes, the unit is equipped with a child lock.

To sum it all up, this stylish microwave with a simple, functional control panel and plenty of features can become a solid fit for those who need a high-quality appliance for reasonable costs.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £145.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07FVNQQBN

Built-in Model

If you're living a minimalistic life and look for a microwave oven that can be neatly hidden in a kitchen cabinet, the Russell Hobbs RHBM2503 is one of the best offerings out there. This combination microwave will fit beautifully into any kitchen, integrating with existing kitchen appliances and units.

The microwave boasts a durable stainless-steel body with clean lines and attractive design. With that, it strikes an ideal balance between affordable price and functionality. Like other models from our review, it combines microwave cooking with grilling and convection technologies, meaning you'll be able to get a variety of dishes with just one neat appliance. It can heat, roast, bake, crisp, and brown. And with 900 Watts of microwave power and 10 pre-sets, it's a decent performer on the market of built-in appliances.

Fitting of the oven is very straightforward - it should be simply slotted straight into the cabinet or placed where the old built-in model had been. The oven comes with stainless steel fascia trim already attached to the casing, so there is actually nothing to do except attaching a metal bracket to the shelf where the oven will sit on and screwing through a hole within the housing into the shelf.

To wrap things up, it's one of the most minimalistic solutions you can find on the market. It'll be excellent for users who need a space-saving microwave that still offers extra cooking options like grilling or baking.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £248.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00IJZZF0I

Basic Option

The Whirlpool MCP 349 is a basic over-the-range combo microwave. It offers many features customers look for and has a bit more power than some other models in its price range.

The microwave is sleek and boxy. Obviously, it won't "wow" your visitors with its unique look but its basic aesthetics are still nice. It has standard dimensions and will easily fit in most kitchens. The 25 litres of interior space provides ample room, but if you need more, you can double the amount of food you can cook by putting an additional rack inside.

Speaking about the interior, it's very easy to maintain. The unit has an enamelled steel interior that can be quickly wiped clean with a damp cloth after cooking. Plus, it's highly resistant to scratches. The turntable with a diameter of approximately 31 cm is made of tempered glass, so it can be safely placed in a dishwasher.

The model is designed with sensor technology and can eliminate guesswork from cooking. The humidity sensors can accurately determine the amount of moisture in your food and adjust the power level/cooking time according to that. You won't have to stop and check the temperature on your own. In total, the microwave offers 6 power levels and 18 auto-cook programs.

Overall, the Whirlpool MCP 349 SL Over The Range is a good product with all the basic features you may look for in an over-the-range microwave oven. It will surely be a good fit for contemporary kitchens.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B06XF63GBK

Get The Most Out of It

Do you need something compact yet ultra-versatile? Then we offer you to check the Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ 4-in-1 oven. As it goes from its name, it's an extremely functional appliance that offers 4 cooking options.

In addition to such extras as grilling and convection microwave cooking, the Panasonic allows you to benefit from steaming. The oven is equipped with a highly efficient boiler that injects steam into the top, thus, preserving more nutrients, vitamins, and natural flavours in food. The oven is really superior in its ability to deliver quicker, healthier, and more delicious meals.

Another perk of this model is that it comes with a microwave-heated Panacrunch pan for low-fat grilling. If combined with the power of the upper heater, the Panacrunch cooks food evenly, from top to bottom, ridding you of the need to rotate the food midway through. During the cooking process, the pan's grooves collect excess fat to make meat crispy outside and juicy inside.

Just like other sophisticated Panasonic microwaves, this one comes with a flatbed offering 29% more cooking space than standard turntables. The flatbed design lets you use dishes of non-standard size or shape.

Speaking about tech specs, the oven uses inverter technology that cooks food evenly and quietly with lower power consumption. Plus, it makes the Turbo Defrost function really turbo, heating frozen food in no time at all.

All this makes the Panasonic NN-DS596B Steam Combi Oven one of the smartest products on the market. With its ability to steam and grill (low-fat), it'll be particularly useful for those who stick to a healthy diet. Cooking nutritious and delicious food has never been easier.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01G6Y7PIS

What Is an Over-the-Range Microwave?

If you want to use your kitchen space as wisely as possible, an over-the-range microwave is a solution. It has numerous benefits over simple countertop models. Actually, it's a 2-in-1 unit, combining an exhaust fan and a microwave. It can be discreetly installed over your stove, thus, taking minimum space. They have built-in exhaust systems and powerful fans inside. And no wonder, this type of microwave ovens is very "RV- friendly" and great for use in your motorhome as well.

So, how do over-the-range units work? They come with ventilation fans that are able to work at multiple speeds to remove cooking odours from your stovetop. Plus, the included cooktop light can illuminate your stove area. All this with no additional wiring and, consequently, no clutter in your way! As a rule, you can also configure these microwave ovens to filter and redirect air to the outdoors according to your kitchen design. If you want to vent it outside, you can easily arrange the ductwork to vent air either horizontally (through a wall) or vertically (through the ceiling).

For this review, we have selected the best over-the-range microwave ovens, but if you still hesitate what type of microwave you really need, we kindly offer you to look through our reviews on cooktop microwave ovens and built-in microwave ovens.

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