Which microwave brand is the most reliable?

We've got data on the reliability and performance of the biggest microwave brands – including Bosch, Panasonic, Russell Hobbs, Samsung and Sharp. 

Knowing which microwave brands develop the most faults and how long a model can be expected to last is vital when you're buying a new kitchen appliance.

In our unique small appliance survey, we asked 5,710 Which? members and members of the public if they’re happy with their microwave and if they’ve experienced problems, so you can see which brands are worth spending your money on.

Go to our best microwaves guide to discover the solo models, combination microwaves and grill microwaves we rate.

Which microwave brands develop the fewest faults?

This table summarises what we found about how quickly microwave brands develop faults or break down, based on microwaves bought in the past seven years.

Which? members can log in to view which microwave brands are the most and least reliable, and which our members are most satisfied with. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Want more cooking flexibility? One of the best combination microwaves we’ve tested could suit you.

Which microwave brands do owners recommend?

As well as faults, our survey also revealed which microwave brands owners feel happy with – and which they’d recommend to a friend.

These results are shown as each brand’s customer score and is based on microwaves bought in the past seven years.

Which? members can log in to view which microwave brands last the longest before they need to be replaced. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Go to our microwave reviews to compare all the microwaves we've tested.

The three most common microwave faults

Microwaves may epitomise convenient cooking, but they can still benefit from a little TLC. Our survey reveals recurring faults that can cause them to stop working sooner than expected – and what action you can take.

According to Which? Connect Panel members, the three most common faults that led to them replacing their microwave were: 

1. Rust inside the microwave (15% of all faults)

About 15% of our members complained of finding rust inside their microwave. Rust happens when metal components, such as interior walls or turntable supports, are exposed to moisture due to scratches, damage or the presence of dried-on food debris.

You can prevent this from happening by regularly cleaning your microwave and dealing with spills as soon as you can.

Find out more top tips on how to clean your microwave.

2. Microwave stopped heating (14%)

If your microwave is running, but still leaving your plate of lasagne cold, then it's likely that the magnetron is broken. A magnetron converts electrical energy into high-powered electromagnetic waves that generate heat and warm up your food.

Don't try to replace the magnetron yourself – there's a risk of electric shock, even if the microwave isn't plugged in.

If your microwave is still under warranty, the manufacturer should be able to replace it for you. Most microwave warranties last two years, but you can often get an extended guarantee by registering your model online.

3. Complete loss of power (14%)

If your microwave stops working altogether, your first thought might be to throw it away. But it's worth checking, either with the manufacturer (if it's still under warranty) or an electrician, whether the microwave can be repaired.

Getting your microwave repaired saves you the cost of buying a new model, and it's more sustainable too.

Cooking the wrong foods can also stop your microwave working. Head to our story on the five foods that could ruin your microwave.

How easy is it to repair a microwave?

Do not attempt to undertake microwave repairs yourself. If your microwave is failing to heat or experiencing a complete loss of power, first check your warranty before investigating a repair by an expert.

If your appliance is beyond its warranty, and irreparable, it might be time to invest in a new one.

Unfortunately, in many cases, repairing a cheaper microwave may not be cost-effective.

Find out more about how to recycle electrical items.

Which microwave brands offer the best guarantees?

Most microwave brands have a guarantee of two years, but there are a handful of brands that offer longer cover, including:

• AEG – some AEG microwaves are eligible for a five-year guarantee.
• Beko – if you register your microwave, you can get a 10-year parts guarantee.
• Hotpoint – same as Beko, you can get a 10-year parts guarantee if you register your microwave.
• Panasonic – depending on the microwave, you can get up to a five-year guarantee.
• Samsung – you can get a three-year guarantee for their combi microwaves by registering on the Samsung site.

Got a faulty product? Find out how to get a refund, repair or replacement.

How we discover the most reliable microwave brands

Which? has a wealth of information on Britain's favourite brands.

Every year we ask Which? members to tell us about the home appliances they own – from how reliable the products are once they get them home to how likely they would be to recommend a brand to a friend.

This year, 10,718  Which? members and members of the public told us about 32,637 individual small domestic appliances, including over 5,000 microwaves .

We calculate each brand's customer score, fault rate and reliability rating using the results of our survey.

Our surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean we can recommend the best microwave to buy.

For more on what it takes to be a Best Buy, head to how we test microwaves.