Russell Hobbs vs Sage Microwaves

Russell Hobbs and Sage sit at opposite ends of the countertop market. Russell Hobbs offers the RHM2076S, a 20-litre, 800W silver solo microwave at £79, the RHM2076B in black at £89.99, and the 17-litre, 700W RHMM701B-N at £79.99. Sage's Compact Wave Soft Close costs £179 for 25 litres and 800W, and the Combi Wave 3 in 1 starts at £349 with 32 litres, 1100W and an air fry function.

The main technical difference is air frying and combination cooking. Russell Hobbs' models are solo microwaves with manual controls, while the Sage Combi Wave adds an air fry function and convection-style oven mode. Sage's Compact Wave brings a soft close door and six auto button programmes at 25 litres, compared with the RHM2076S's 20 litres at the same 800W power. Russell Hobbs' solo models cover basic reheating and defrosting well, but they do not offer the air frying that Sage's combi provides.

Russell Hobbs suits renters, students and first-time buyers who want a dependable reheating microwave on a tight budget. The 17-litre RHMM701B-N is a good fit for one-person households. Sage suits flats and small kitchens where a single countertop appliance should replace a microwave, an air fryer and a mini oven. Anyone choosing between the two should weigh the £100 price gap against the difference between a basic solo unit and a combi with air fry. A household that wants soft close and six auto programmes will see the Compact Wave as the better use of £100 than a basic solo model.

Bottom line: choose Russell Hobbs if you need a basic solo microwave, such as the RHM2076S at £79, and want to keep costs low. Choose Sage if you want a soft close countertop unit, starting with the Compact Wave at £179, or the Combi Wave from £349 for air frying.