Microwaves are one of the most-used appliances in UK kitchens — yet most people have no idea how much electricity they actually use.
They feel cheap to run.
They’re quick.
They don’t heat the whole kitchen like an oven.
But what does that really mean in pence per minute?
This guide breaks down:
- how much electricity a microwave uses per minute
- what that costs on UK tariffs
- how usage changes with power level and cooking time
- and when microwaves are genuinely one of the cheapest appliances in your home
No guesses — just realistic UK numbers.
This guide is part of our Smart Kitchen & Appliances hub, where we break down energy-efficient kitchen tech and everyday appliance choices that help UK homes save money.
The Short Answer (Straight to the Point)
In a typical UK home:
A microwave uses around 0.01–0.03 kWh per minute, depending on power and setting.
At an average UK electricity rate of ~28p per kWh, that works out to roughly:
- 0.3p–0.8p per minute
That’s why microwaves are often one of the cheapest cooking appliances to run.
What Determines How Much Electricity a Microwave Uses?
Microwave electricity use depends on three main things:
1. Microwave Wattage
Most UK microwaves fall into these ranges:
- 700W (older or compact models)
- 800–900W (most common)
- 1000W+ (larger or combination models)
Higher wattage = more power per minute, but often shorter cooking times.
2. Cooking Time
This is the biggest factor.
A microwave running for:
- 2 minutes uses very little energy
- 10 minutes uses five times as much
Short bursts are where microwaves shine.
3. Power Level Used
Microwaves don’t always run at full power.
Lower settings work by cycling the magnetron on and off, which:
- reduces average power draw
- but often increases total cooking time
In practice, many people use full power for shorter bursts, which is usually more efficient overall.
Electricity Use Per Minute (UK Examples)
Here’s a realistic breakdown assuming 28p per kWh:
700W Microwave
- Uses ~0.012 kWh per minute
- Cost per minute: ~0.3p
900W Microwave
- Uses ~0.015 kWh per minute
- Cost per minute: ~0.4p
1000W Microwave
- Uses ~0.017 kWh per minute
- Cost per minute: ~0.5p
Even at the higher end, the cost is tiny.
Real UK Cooking Examples
Let’s put this into everyday terms.
Reheating a Plate of Food (3–4 minutes)
- Electricity used: ~0.05 kWh
- Cost: ~1–1.5p
Heating a Ready Meal (6–8 minutes)
- Electricity used: ~0.12 kWh
- Cost: ~3–4p
Heating Soup or Drinks (2 minutes)
- Electricity used: ~0.03 kWh
- Cost: <1p
This is why microwaves are so hard to beat for quick jobs.
Why Microwaves Are Cheaper Than You Expect
Microwaves don’t heat air, walls, or cookware — they heat the food directly.
That means:
- less wasted energy
- shorter run times
- lower total electricity use
Compared to ovens or hobs, there’s almost no warm-up period.
Microwave vs Oven (Electricity Per Minute)
Typical electric oven:
- 2000–3000W
- Needs 10–15 minutes to preheat
Even before cooking starts, an oven may use more electricity than a microwave uses for an entire meal.
This is why microwaves are often recommended for:
- reheating
- small portions
- quick cooking tasks
Do Bigger Microwaves Cost More to Run?
Not necessarily.
A larger microwave:
- may have higher wattage
- but often heats food faster
A 1000W microwave running for 3 minutes can use less electricity overall than a 700W model running for 6 minutes.
Efficiency isn’t just about wattage — it’s about time.
How Much Does a Microwave Cost Per Day or Month?
For a typical UK household:
Per Day
- 10 minutes total use
- Cost: ~4–5p
Per Month
- ~£1.20–£1.50
Even daily use barely registers compared to appliances like:
- tumble dryers
- ovens
- electric showers
Standby Power: Does a Microwave Waste Energy When Not in Use?
Yes — but very little.
On standby:
- most microwaves use 1–3 watts
- cost: ~£1–£2 per year
If you want to eliminate that completely, a smart plug can cut standby power — but it’s optional, not essential.
When a Microwave Isn’t the Cheapest Option
Microwaves are cheap per minute — but they’re not ideal for everything.
They’re not efficient for:
- large batch cooking
- foods needing long run times
- anything requiring crisping or browning
In those cases, air fryers often beat microwaves on total energy used, even though their wattage is higher.
Choosing an Energy-Efficient Microwave (UK Picks)
If you’re replacing an old microwave, efficiency improvements are usually about size and simplicity, not fancy features.
Two well-regarded, energy-efficient UK options available on Amazon UK include:
Russell Hobbs Digital Microwaves (800–900W)
- Sensible wattage
- Reliable for everyday reheating
- No unnecessary power-hungry features
Hisense Compact Microwaves
- Efficient heating for smaller kitchens
- Lower standby use
- Ideal for flats and low-energy households
The key isn’t brand hype — it’s choosing a microwave that matches how you actually use it.
Common Myths About Microwave Electricity Use
❌ “Microwaves use loads of power”
❌ “They’re expensive to run”
❌ “Higher wattage always costs more”
In reality, microwaves are:
- among the cheapest appliances per use
- more efficient than ovens for small tasks
- best used in short, focused bursts
How to Keep Microwave Electricity Use as Low as Possible
Simple habits make a difference:
- use the right size container
- avoid overcooking
- don’t reheat multiple times unnecessarily
- use full power for shorter bursts rather than long low-power cycles
Efficiency is about finishing faster, not running longer.
🔗 How Microwaves Compare to Other Cooking Methods ⚡🍽️
Knowing how little electricity a microwave uses per minute puts its efficiency into perspective — but it’s even more useful when you compare it to other ways of cooking in UK homes.
If you’re deciding which appliance makes sense for different meals, these guides help complete the picture:
- Is It Cheaper to Use the Oven or the Air Fryer for Family Meals? — breaks down the real cooking costs of full meals and batch cooking.
- Air Fryer vs Microwave: Which Is Cheaper To Run in the UK? (Real Energy Test) — a side-by-side comparison showing when each appliance genuinely saves the most electricity.
Together, they help you choose the right appliance for each job instead of relying on wattage alone.
✍️ Author Insight
Microwaves often get overlooked when people talk about cutting energy bills, simply because their electricity use feels “too small to matter.” But once you break it down per minute and per meal, it becomes clear that using a microwave for the right jobs — reheating, small portions, quick meals — quietly saves far more energy than most people realise, especially compared to firing up an oven for the same task.
The Bottom Line
So, how much electricity does a microwave use per minute in the UK?
Very little.
In most homes:
- around 0.3–0.8p per minute
- just 1–4p per typical use
- roughly £1–£2 per month overall
That makes microwaves one of the most cost-effective kitchen appliances you can use — especially for reheating and quick meals.
Used properly, a microwave is not just convenient — it’s one of the quiet winners when it comes to keeping electricity bills down.
Cook smarter and cut everyday kitchen costs with our Smart Kitchen & Appliances Hub your guide to energy-efficient gadgets, smarter cooking habits, and affordable ways to upgrade your home. Explore simple tips, low-energy tools, and practical UK advice that actually saves money.
For official, trusted UK advice on reducing energy use, the Energy Saving Trust has clear, practical guidance on saving electricity at home.
Written by Andy M. — a Scottish home-efficiency writer simplifying smart gadgets, energy tips, and everyday fixes.