Toast lovers, take note though, the grill element may not be as powerful as conventional grills meaning it may be slower to brown your bread than an oven or a toaster. Another simple but clever feature that we like about the LG NeoChef LMC0975ST is its hexagonal stabilizer. This makes the microwave turntable much more solid and less likely to tip - most microwaves just have a three-point stabilizer. We also looked for units that have food-specific settings and a wide selection of power levels. Here's what to look for when choosing from the best compact microwaves...

This compact microwave offers 1.2 cubic feet of space and its wattage is 1200 - the highest in our entire round up.You can also expect 15 auto cook options with this microwave, spanning everything from quinoa and oatmeal to soup, omelets, and vegetables. There are 11 power settings and even a three-level popcorn button to get tasty treats just right. Available in color ways of Blue, Cream, Red and Yellow, this vibrant microwave oven can breathe life into any kitchen. However, the trade-off on its colorful appearance is a lower-than-average power wattage of just 700W and minimal features. But, if you don't use your microwave often, then this might not matter to you.

You shouldn’t just opt for any old space-saving microwave though, as your new device needs to be versatile enough to earn its small spot in a cramped caravan. Of course, you’ll need a microwave that covers the basic presets such as potato, pizza, or soup, but as it’s unlikely you’ll have a wide selection of kitchen appliances on hand, you may also want to invest in a microwave that can handle a little more complexity, such as frozen food and bread too. Key specs – Type: Turntable; Dimensions: 310 x 517 x 463mm; Stated volume: 28l; Turntable diameter: 310mm; Stated power output: 900W; Convection oven/grill: Yes/yes This combi microwave might be billed as a slimline model but it’s worth noting that this is in comparison to previous models – it’s still pretty deep and a bit of a worktop hog. However, it earns its place there, offering a generously sized cavity, 1300W quartz grill and 100-220°C fan-assisted oven cooking. As a microwave, it works well, with 29 automatic programmes as well as a defrost programme that aims to thaw food more evenly. We tried it with frozen bread and while our slices still had the odd cold spot, the white was soft and the crust didn’t dry out. And the grill turned our bread into a perfect cheese toastie. Key specs – Type: Turntable; Dimensions: 360 x 353 x 392mm; Stated volume: 13L; Turntable diameter: 280mm; Stated power output: 700W; Convection oven/grill: No/no In terms of functions, you’ll get 10 power levels with the Faberware FMO11AHTBKB, an Express Cook mode, and a Memory Function which will get to know your cooking preferences. What’s more, you can expect six preset cooking settings including popcorn, pizza, potato, beverage, dinner plate, or frozen vegetables.

Complete with LG’s smart inverter, this microwave heats more evenly using precise power, rather than blasting your whole dish. Internally the LG NeoChef LMC0975ST is designed with easy use in mind. The controls are made with smooth glass and there aren’t any old fashioned dials to navigate. Key specs – Type: Turntable; Dimensions: 520 x 395 x 310mm; Stated volume: 27l; Turntable diameter: 340mm; Stated power output: 1000W; Convection oven/grill: Yes/yesThis Panasonichigh-power microwave (with inverter technology) delivers consistent, evenly cooked food (simmer without overcooking), and the advanced inverter turbo speeds up defrosting time. Small yet powerful