Hotpoint vs Russell Hobbs Microwaves

Hotpoint and Russell Hobbs share a UK focus but target different budgets. Hotpoint's range runs from the HPMK12CXUK built-in microwave with grill at £250 to the HCT9A9PHTSBUK compact oven with microwave at £899, with built-in models such as the HMD44MXUK and HMD44MBUK at £325. Russell Hobbs is far cheaper, with the RHM2076S 800W 20-litre solo microwave in silver at £79, the RHM2027 20-litre manual model in white at £79.99 and the RHMM701B-N Colours Plus 17-litre 700W manual unit in black at £79.99. The RHM2076B 20-litre black version costs £89.99.

Russell Hobbs keeps the feature list simple. Its models offer 700 to 900 watts and capacities from 17 to 25 litres, with manual dials on several models and the RHM2076 range at 800W. Hotpoint adds built-in installation options and a grill, such as the 1000W microwave with quartz grill on the HMD44MBUK, along with stainless steel finishes. Those extras are what the higher price pays for, while Russell Hobbs stays with freestanding solo units that concentrate on reheating and defrosting.

Russell Hobbs suits first-time buyers, students and small households that need a reliable solo microwave for reheating and defrosting without paying for a grill. A 17-litre model suits a single person, while the 20-litre RHM2076S fits most two-person kitchens. Hotpoint suits people who are renovating and want a microwave built into kitchen cabinetry, or who need a grill function integrated into the same appliance. Buyers who only reheat drinks and soup will not need the grill or built-in fitting that Hotpoint offers, so the difference of more than £170 between the cheapest models of each brand is hard to justify for them.

Bottom line: choose Russell Hobbs if you need a basic 800W microwave for under £90, choose Hotpoint if you are fitting a built-in unit with a grill and can spend from £250.