Microwave ovens may not be the most significant invention of this era, but having one in your kitchen can probably save you more time when preparing meals. Microwave ovens are one of the most commonly used appliances in South African homes. They are fast, easy, and relatively energy-efficient. Our editors gathered the best microwave ovens for sale in South Africa.
But how does a microwave work? Additionally, how do you spot the best brand and type for you? A microwave has a magnetron generator that blasts waves on the food. The magnetron converts electricity into radio waves, which bounce around the interior and pass through food spinning on a turntable. When the waves penetrate the food, the molecules inside it vibrate, and the vibrations produce heat, which will then cook the food.
Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Microwave for Sale
You are trying to look for the “best microwave” because it is a very essential kitchen appliance that is designed to provide convenience. Whether you want to reheat leftovers or make a quick meal, microwave ovens do it for everyone. When choosing a microwave oven, you want a model that is very easy to clean and offers practical features to make life easier. These can range from automatic programs that set the time based on the weight of the dish to multi-functional models that can grill, bake, and air fry. You can even get ones with a defrost setting, which is useful if you are in a hurry to cook meat from the freezer.
However, with so many different types and sizes available, determining which microwave is best for your home can be difficult. Power, design, and capacity are all factors to consider. Nowadays, there is a type to suit every household or lifestyle. Various sizes are available to accommodate small kitchens, as well as a smart-enabled microwave with advanced features.
When choosing a microwave oven, you need to consider some important things before purchasing. Ask yourself first what type of microwave oven user you are. Are you going to cook in bulk or for the family only? How much is your budget? These are only some of the questions you should keep in mind.
Type
Microwave ovens are no longer what they used to be; they now have more advanced features and are designed to blend in with the rest of your kitchen appliances. There are five types of microwaves that you can choose from:
- Built-in Microwave
- Over-the-range Microwave
- Countertop Microwave
- Drawer Microwave
- Convection Microwave
Size
Aside from determining the size of the microwave that will fit on your countertop or over your range, you must also decide on the capacity. For microwave ovens, we often measure the oven size in liters. However, you may find some that are in cubic feet. Therefore, if you see the abbreviation ‘1.0 cu. ft.,’ it means one cubic foot.
There are ultra-compact, space-saving models available that are less than 0.9 cu. ft. Smaller sizes allow you to reheat, defrost, and even cook popcorn. On the other hand, more spacious types range in size from 1.7 cu. ft. and up. Moreover, this type gives you more cooking and heating options. A large model can accommodate anything, from a roast to a full-size casserole dish.
Price
Since you will be making a purchase, do not forget to consider your budget. Naturally, you should choose the oven that suits your budget. If you have plenty of money, try considering high-end brands. Brands like Samsung and LG are the ones to look for.
But if the budget is minimal, consider microwaves that are a bit more affordable. While some microwaves are considered cheap, they still manage to serve their purpose.
Wattage
Wattage refers to how quickly the microwave cooks your food. So a microwave with 1,200 watts will cook your chicken or bowl of soup faster than a lower-watt model. Most types average around 1,000 watts, but some higher-end models have different wattages for different functions.
Safety
There are plenty of myths about microwave ovens; some talk about leaking cancer-causing radiation or zapping all of the nutrients in food. But there is no real research to back up those claims. The only real safety concern with microwaves is the slight possibility of one catching fire.
If you own this appliance, your children also need to be cautious when using it, especially the over-the-range microwaves. This type must be used with proper parental guidance or proper knowledge, or else it can spell danger.
Microwave safety issues, for the most part, have more to do with proper use than with the model you buy. But to be safe, you can always check the reviews of the model you are eyeing to see if it’s a good buy.
Noise
Noise is not a big deal for everyone. However, some microwaves are simply noisy. And if you are sensitive to noise, you should try out the model that you are interested in before buying to get a sense of what to expect from the sound. If you are thinking about buying a microwave online but would not be able to test it out, customer reviews will frequently mention if a microwave is particularly noisy. So, you can figure out which models or brands to avoid.
Best Microwave Ovens for sale in South Africa
Defy 30L Electronic Microwave Oven
Website: Defy South Africa | Capacity: 30 liters | Power Output: 900 watts | Mirror glass door: Yes | Product Dimensions (H x W x D): 539 x 395 x 300 mm | Available Colors: Black / Silver finish | Price: R 2,109
The Defy 30L Solo Model Microwave has a 900-watt power output and a variety of useful cooking features, making cooking easier than ever. If you get home late from work and need to defrost a meal quickly, simply use the microwave oven’s auto-defrost function, and you will be eating in no time.
This Defy microwave can also detect the weight of your frozen food and automatically set the defrosting time. The Defy electronic microwave oven also offers a convenient pre-set menu option that allows you to select an automatic cooking time for whatever dish you are preparing, removing the hassle of cooking. Lastly, with a capacity of 30 liters, it can accommodate the food needs of a large family.
Samsung 40L Solo Microwave Oven with Black Glass Mirror
Website: Samsung South Africa | Capacity: 40 liters | Power Output: 1,550 watts | Turntable Size: 360 mm | Mirror glass door: Yes | Product Dimensions (W x H x D): 556 x 313 x 439 mm | Product Weight: 18 kg | Available Colors: Black / Silver finish | Price: R 3,299
This microwave from Samsung has a luxurious mirror design that will stand out in your kitchen and complement your stylish decor. Its touch display design, which includes key functions, is simple to use. Moreover, its display detects and tracks your finger, making input straightforward.
Samsung used ceramic enamel for this 40-liter solo microwave oven. This kind of surface finish is seven (7) times more scratch- and rust-resistant than other microwave interiors. Additionally, it prevents bacteria from spreading. The Hohenstein Institute in Germany granted hygienic approval to the Samsung Ceramic Enamel Interior for its durable and sanitary surface.
The Samsung 40L Solo Microwave Oven has an Eco mode that can save up to 40% more power on standby. You can save electricity, money, and the environment by simply pressing a button.
LG 56L Black NeoChef Solo Microwave Oven with Smart Inverter
Website: LG South Africa | Capacity: 56 liters | Power Output: 1,200 watts | Turntable Size: 406 mm | Mirror glass door: Yes | Product Dimensions (W x H x D): 610 x 345 x 495 mm | Available Colors: Black Stainless Steel | Price: R 849
The LG NeoChef 56L Smart Inverter Microwave Oven has eight reheats, three soften, eight Sensor Cook, and four defrost options, making it easy to adapt to people’s changing needs. It also has a power output of up to 1200 watts, which helps reduce cooking and reheating times.
The LG NeoChef Smart Inverter Microwave Oven has an anti-bacterial interior coating that makes it quick and easy to clean. Furthermore, a 406mm-wide turntable aids in keeping your food in place while a program is running.
The Black NeoChef Solo Microwave Oven is under LG Inverter technology that has defrosting and heating. The bright internal LED lamp illuminates the food through the window, allowing you to easily monitor the cooking progress.
Mellerware Scorpio 20L 700W Microwave Oven
Website: Mellerware South Africa | Capacity: 20 liters | Power Output: 700 watts | Mirror glass door: No | Product Dimensions (W x H x D): 370 x 470 x 280 mm | Product Weight: 11.4 kg | Available Colors: Black | Price: R 1,899
Mellerware adds the 20-liter digital microwave to its growing line of small appliances, with a 700-watt power output, five (5) power levels, and a defrost function. If you only have a small family and a limited amount of space in your kitchen, this model and brand are good enough for your needs.
Whirlpool W7 MW461 Built-in Microwave Oven – Stainless Steel
Website: Whirlpool South Africa | Capacity: 40 liters | Power Output: 900 watts (microwave power), 1600 watts (grill power) | Turntable Size: 400 mm | Mirror glass door: Yes | Product Dimensions (W x H x D): 595 x 455 x 560 mm | Available Colors: Stainless Steel | Price: R 3,299
The Whirlpool W Collection W7MW461UK Built-In Combination Microwave Oven will help you with your culinary experiments while also looking great in any kitchen workspace. It is the ideal addition to any medium-sized household because it has a 40-liter capacity. You will never have to wait long for your favorite meals to be cooked and ready to eat since the model has 900 watts of power output.
The Whirlpool W7 MW461 built-in microwave oven packs features to make cooking simple and easy. If you get this microwave oven, you can enjoy a grilling method, an LCD, a child lock, and, of course, the 6th Sense Technology by Whirlpool.
Samsung 23L Electronic Solo Microwave Oven
Website: Samsung South Africa | Capacity: 23 liters | Power Output: 1,150 watts | Turntable Size: 288 mm | Mirror glass door: Yes | Product Dimensions (W x H x D): 489 x 275 x 338 mm | Product Weight: 12 kg | Available Colors: Black / Silver finish | Price: R 1,599
Samsung’s microwave ovens are so amazing that our editors had to include two of their best ovens. This time, we include the smaller brother of our previous pick. We introduce the Samsung 23-liter electronic solo microwave oven.
This Samsung microwave has an auto cook feature and six power levels to make cooking easier. It ensures that everything is thoroughly and evenly cooked. The clean up after cooking is made easier. This microwave is easy to clean and will not discolor over time since it is made of ceramic materials. The German Hohenstein Institute certified it to be 99.9% anti-bacterial. The surface is rust and scratch-resistant, ensuring long-lasting, high-quality performance.
Midea 20L 700W Microwave Oven – White
Website: Midea South Africa | Capacity: 20 liters | Power Output: 700 watts | Turntable Size: 360 mm | Mirror glass door: No | Product Dimensions (W x H x D): 440 x 259 x 359 mm | Product Weight: 10.48 kg | Available Colors: White | Price: R 989
The Midea 20L Black Mechanical Microwave Oven is a stylish, non-inverter microwave with a stunning white finish with black accents. It has a 35-minute timer, five (5) microwave power settings, and a defrost function. While you can tell its features are bare and rudimentary, this microwave model from Midea is enough for household cooking.
Taurus Microonda Digital 20L 700W Microwave – Silver
Website: Taurus Appliances South Africa | Capacity: 20 liters | Power Output: 700 watts | Mirror glass door: Yes | Product Dimensions (W x H x D): 370 x 460 x 270 mm | Product Weight: 11.4 kg | Available Colors: Silver finish | Price: R 1,599
Taurus introduces the 20-liter microwave as one of their expanding appliance collections. It has 700 watts of power, five (5) preset options, a defrost function, and a mirror finish that adds to its extremely slick design. It also has advanced features like defrosting and a glass turntable.
Final Verdict
If you want a huge capacity microwave that is energy efficient, then choose the LG 56L Black NeoChef Solo Microwave Oven with Smart Inverter. But if you have a small family and are currently on a tight budget, consider buying a Mellerware Scorpio 20L 700W microwave oven.
We hope you finally had the best one in your mind after reading this guide!
Related articles:
