Panasonic vs Russell Hobbs Microwaves

Panasonic and Russell Hobbs both offer freestanding microwaves, but they sit at different price points. Panasonic's range starts at the NN-E28JMMBPQ 20-litre solo microwave at £78 and the NN-E27JWMBPQ compact 800W model at £79, and rises to the NNSF464MBPQ 27-litre inverter model at £199 and the NN-CF87LBBPQ 31-litre three-in-one combination oven at £509. Russell Hobbs stays between £79 and £89.99, with the RHM2076S 800W 20-litre solo model at £79 and the RHM2076B black version at £89.99.

Panasonic's extra cost buys Inverter Technology, which delivers continuous power rather than pulsing it, and Genius Sensor Cooking, which adjusts time and power to the steam from the food. The NNSF464MBPQ has a 27-litre flatbed cavity with no turntable, which gives more usable space inside. Russell Hobbs offers 700 to 900 watts across its range, with the RHMM701B-N Colours Plus at 17 litres and 700W as its smallest unit, and manual controls on several models. Its focus is clear, simple controls rather than sensor cooking.

Russell Hobbs suits students, first-time buyers and single-person households that want a 20-litre solo microwave for reheating and defrosting at the lowest cost. Panasonic suits households that cook more often or want inverter defrosting, and the 27-litre model suits families who want space without a turntable. The compact NN-E27JWMBPQ at £79 is a useful middle ground for buyers who want the Panasonic name at close to Russell Hobbs prices. The NNSF464MBPQ is the only Panasonic here without a turntable, so its 27-litre cavity suits anyone who regularly cooks large dishes, while Russell Hobbs' 17-litre RHMM701B-N is the smallest unit in either range.

Bottom line: choose Russell Hobbs if you need a basic 800W microwave for under £90, choose Panasonic if you want inverter cooking, a larger flatbed cavity or a combination oven and are happy to spend from £199.