Altimo vs Hotpoint Microwaves

Altimo is represented by Altimo MMW701S (£54), with the MMW701W white and MMW701B black 700W 20L models, both at £54. It sits as an ultra-budget 20L freestanding line, aimed at very low-cost solo microwaving. Hotpoint counters with Hotpoint HCT9A9PHTSBUK (£899), alongside the HMD44MXUK and HMD44MBUK, both listed at £325. The choice is less about one winner than about fit, cooking style and budget.

Technically, Altimo MMW701S brings a 700W, 20L solo format with five cooking power levels, quick defrost and a manual kitchen timer, available in silver, white and black. Hotpoint HCT9A9PHTSBUK brings a broader built-in price ladder, from the HMD44MXUK and HMD44MBUK at £325 to the much higher HCT9A9PHTSBUK, giving shoppers a choice between matching trim-level spend and a more advanced integrated slot. So compare installation style, litre capacity, wattage and whether the appliance is solo, grill or full combination. Finish matters: a fitted gloss or stainless look feels very different from a plug-in worktop microwave.

Altimo suits students, landlords, spare rooms, offices and anyone needing basic reheating for the smallest outlay. The £54 price is the main value case; it will not replace an oven, but it can handle drinks, ready meals and defrosting cheaply. Hotpoint suits buyers already choosing Hotpoint ovens, landlords upgrading a fitted kitchen, and families wanting an integrated look without automatically entering luxury-brand pricing. The £325 models make more sense for cost control, while the £899 flagship is for design matching and feature headroom rather than quick payback. Energy payback is usually modest on microwaves, so value is more about avoiding wasted oven use, saving worktop space or keeping replacement cost low.

Bottom line: "choose Altimo if you need the lowest-cost 20L 700W microwave with manual controls / opt for Hotpoint if you want a Hotpoint built-in microwave range with both mid-price and premium options"