In our test kitchen, we’ve seen it countless times. You’ve just completed a stunning kitchen renovation, every detail meticulously planned, from the quartz countertops to the shaker-style cabinets. The last piece of the puzzle is the countertop appliances. The old, beige microwave sticks out like a sore thumb. The search begins for something that doesn’t just heat food, but actually complements your decor. You want sleek, modern, and efficient. This is the exact predicament that leads many to discover appliances like the HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven. It promises a sophisticated aesthetic, a compact footprint, and a suite of useful features. But the real question, one that can lead to significant frustration and even danger if ignored, is whether the performance and build quality live up to its polished exterior. An unreliable microwave isn’t just an inconvenience; it can be a genuine kitchen hazard.
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What to Consider Before Buying a Solo Microwave
A solo microwave is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for rapid cooking, reheating, and defrosting. In a fast-paced world, it’s the cornerstone of kitchen efficiency, saving precious time on everything from melting butter for a recipe to warming up last night’s dinner. Its primary benefit lies in its simplicity and focused functionality. Unlike combination ovens with grills and convection features, a solo microwave does one job and aims to do it exceptionally well. It’s about delivering consistent, reliable microwave energy to get food prepared quickly without the complexity or cost of multi-function appliances.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the need for a straightforward, dependable heating appliance. This includes students in dorms, busy professionals, families needing a second microwave for convenience, or anyone who values speed and ease of use over culinary bells and whistles. It’s for the person who says, “I just need to heat my food perfectly every time.” However, it might not be suitable for those who wish to brown, roast, or bake in their microwave. For those users, a combination microwave oven or a countertop smart oven would be a far better investment, as a solo model will never achieve the crisp finish they desire.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Before you even look at wattage, measure your available countertop space. Consider the microwave’s external dimensions (Depth x Width x Height) and also the required clearance around the unit for ventilation, which is typically a few inches at the back, top, and sides. A poorly ventilated microwave can overheat, reducing its lifespan and posing a safety risk. The HADEN Dorchester’s compact 26D x 43W x 32H cm footprint is designed for smaller spaces, but checking your own measurements is non-negotiable.
- Capacity & Performance: Capacity, measured in litres, determines how much you can fit inside. A 20-litre capacity, like this model’s, is standard for compact units and suitable for standard dinner plates. Wattage dictates cooking speed; 800W is a respectable power level for this size, offering a good balance between speed and energy consumption. Check for multiple power levels, as cooking delicate foods or defrosting requires lower power settings for even results.
- Materials & Durability: The exterior is often a mix of plastic, stainless steel, and glass, but the interior is critical. A painted interior is easy to clean initially but can chip or peel over time with heavy use. The HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven lists a “Ceramic Enamel” inner material type, which is a step up, known for being scratch-resistant and easier to clean than standard painted cavities. However, overall build quality, including the door mechanism and control panel, determines the unit’s longevity.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Digital controls with clear presets can simplify cooking, but poorly designed interfaces can be frustrating. Look for intuitive buttons and a readable display. For maintenance, a removable glass turntable and a smooth interior cavity are essential for easy cleaning. The “Easy To Clean Painted Interior” is a listed feature, and in our experience, this is a make-or-break aspect for long-term satisfaction.
Now that we’ve established the key criteria for a great solo microwave, let’s see how the Haden model performs under our intense scrutiny.
While the HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven is an excellent choice on paper, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- MIRRORED FINISH - The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B features a sleek black body and contemporary mirror door finish
- Ceramic Enamel Interior - It's exceptionally smooth antibacterial surface makes it easy to clean. It is also highly rust and scratch resistant so it won't discolour over time.
- COMPACT EVERYDAY COOKING: A practical 20L capacity with a 24.5cm glass turntable fits standard dinner plates and bowls, delivering reliable, even heating for quick meals, snacks and reheats in busy...
First Impressions: A Masterclass in Modern Design
Unboxing the HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven, our first impression was overwhelmingly positive. Haden has built its brand on a foundation of stylish, retro-modern aesthetics, and this appliance is a prime example. The sleek grey finish is sophisticated and contemporary, a far cry from the generic white or black boxes that populate the market. It feels solid enough at 10kg, substantial without being overly cumbersome to position on the counter. The combination of the glass door and stainless steel accents gives it a premium look that genuinely elevates the kitchen space.
Setting it up is as simple as it gets: place the roller ring and the 27cm glass turntable inside, plug it in, and you’re ready. The digital control panel is cleanly laid out, with clearly labelled buttons for power, clock, auto-cook menus, and defrost functions. Initially, it feels responsive and intuitive. For anyone looking to create a coordinated kitchen, especially those who already own Haden’s matching toaster and kettle, this microwave seems like the perfect final piece. It certainly looks the part, promising a blend of high design and everyday functionality that you can see in its detailed product gallery.
Advantages
- Stunning, sleek grey design that complements modern kitchens.
- Intuitive digital controls and a clear display make operation straightforward.
- Compact footprint is ideal for smaller kitchens with limited counter space.
- Easy-to-clean interior cavity simplifies maintenance.
Drawbacks
- Significant reports of poor build quality and component failure.
- Alarming user feedback regarding safety issues, including timer malfunctions and fire risk.
Performance Under Pressure: A Tale of Two Halves
A microwave can be the most beautiful object in your kitchen, but if it can’t reheat a bowl of soup without drama, it’s merely a very expensive decoration. We put the HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven through a rigorous testing process, evaluating everything from its aesthetic appeal and user interface to its core cooking performance and, most importantly, its reliability and safety. What we discovered was a machine with a deeply divided personality—one of impeccable style masking some deeply concerning flaws.
Design and Aesthetics: A Kitchen Centrepiece
Let’s begin with the Haden’s undeniable strength: its appearance. This is not just an appliance; it’s a design statement. The Dorchester Grey colour is a perfect, neutral tone that blends seamlessly with both light and dark kitchen palettes. The clean lines, minimalist button layout, and sturdy door handle contribute to a feeling of quality that, at first glance, seems to justify its price point. In our test kitchen, it immediately drew positive comments for its looks alone. This aligns perfectly with feedback from many users, one of whom noted, “The stylish and sleek design effortlessly complements my kitchen,” while another was “Very happy with my purchase & goes well with my Kitchen.”
Haden clearly understands its target audience—consumers who are tired of utilitarian appliances and want their functional items to also be beautiful. The 20-litre capacity is housed within a compact frame, making it a brilliant choice for those who need to maximise counter space without sacrificing style. The 27cm turntable is large enough for most dinner plates, ensuring its practicality matches its form. If your primary motivation for buying a new microwave is to find one that looks fantastic and coordinates with other stylish accessories like a matching toaster or kettle, the HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven absolutely delivers on this promise. It feels like a premium product and makes a fantastic first impression.
Everyday Usability and Core Functions
Moving beyond looks, we tested the core purpose of the machine. With 800 watts of power and five distinct power levels, the Haden Dorchester has the right specifications for a versatile solo microwave. In our tests, it performed standard tasks adequately. A cup of water boiled in a reasonable amount of time, a bowl of soup reheated evenly, and popcorn popped with only a few unpopped kernels left behind. The Auto Cook presets for things like pizza, potatoes, and frozen vegetables are a convenient touch, taking the guesswork out of common tasks. We found the controls to be simple and easy to master within minutes.
The defrost function, which can be set by weight or time, also worked as expected, thawing a block of frozen mince without cooking the edges—a common failing in less capable microwaves. The Express Cook function is handy for quickly adding 30 seconds of cooking time with a single button press. The painted interior proved easy to wipe down after minor splatters. On paper and in basic, short-term use, the microwave does exactly what it says it will. It’s a functional, easy-to-use appliance with all the features one would expect at this price point. The inclusion of a Child Safety Lock is another thoughtful feature, providing peace of mind for families with young children. For simple, everyday tasks, the feature set is well-rounded and effective.
The Alarming Elephant in the Room: Quality Control and Safety Concerns
This is where our review takes a sharp and troubling turn. While our initial test unit performed well out of the box, we began to notice intermittent issues during our extended testing period. A faint, inconsistent humming sound developed, and on one occasion, the interior light flickered. These were minor annoyances at first, but when we cross-referenced our experience with the broader pool of user feedback, an alarming pattern emerged. Our minor observations were, for many users, the prelude to catastrophic failure.
We found numerous, credible reports of severe malfunctions. One user described how, just four months after purchase, their unit developed “a bit of a humm and a flickering light intermittently” before “the glass plate cracked.” This points to a significant issue with build quality and component durability. Even more concerning are the reports of timer malfunctions. Several users experienced the digital timer behaving erratically, with one stating their unit “jumped from 2 minutes remaining to 55 minutes!!” This is not just a glitch; it’s a serious fire risk. An unattended microwave cooking for nearly an hour instead of two minutes can have devastating consequences.
Tragically, this hypothetical risk became a reality for at least one user, who provided photographic evidence after their unit “set on fire.” They stated, “Thankfully we had caught it in time and managed to contain it.” Another user who received two separate faulty units concluded, “On researching this has happened to a few people, not just with this microwave but other brands who have the exact same digital screen.” This suggests a potential systemic flaw in the digital controller component used in this and possibly other models. When a product’s failure modes include spontaneous timer changes, cracking components, and catching fire, its beautiful design becomes utterly irrelevant. These safety concerns are so significant that they overshadow any positive attributes the appliance may have.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing the user experience for the HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven reveals a stark divide. On one side, there is a contingent of satisfied customers who are captivated by its appearance and find its basic functionality sufficient. Comments like, “Thrilled with my recent microwave purchase! The stylish and sleek design effortlessly complements my kitchen,” and “Easy to use, very modern & perfect for me,” represent this viewpoint. For these users, the product delivered on its primary promise of being a beautiful and functional kitchen accessory.
However, a significant and vocal group of users reports experiences that range from disappointing to downright dangerous. The negative feedback isn’t about subjective dislikes; it centres on critical failures. One user summed up the sentiment of poor manufacturing by stating, “It’s not particularly well made… It’s a false economy.” The most damning feedback comes from those who experienced the timer malfunction and the fire incident. The user who warned others to “Please stay away” after their unit caught fire provides a chilling and essential counterpoint to the positive reviews. This feedback, coupled with reports of non-responsive customer service from the manufacturer, paints a picture of a product with potentially severe quality control issues that cannot be ignored.
How Does the HADEN Dorchester Compare to the Alternatives?
When considering a purchase with such mixed feedback, it’s crucial to evaluate the competition. The HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven operates in a crowded market, and several other models offer different strengths that might be a better fit, especially for those concerned about reliability.
1. Sage Smart Oven Pro Brushed Stainless Steel
- The Sage Smart Oven Pro with Element iQ System is a high performance countertop oven. Reduce your cooking time by up to 30 Percent using the convection setting and choose from 10 cooking functions as...
- Elemet iq System. Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer power to where and when it's needed to create the ideal cooking environment for perfect results every time. Fast 2400 Watt...
The Sage Smart Oven Pro is in a completely different league. This is not a solo microwave but a high-end countertop convection oven. For users who were drawn to the Haden but are willing to invest significantly more for unparalleled performance and versatility, the Sage is the answer. It uses smart algorithms and 10 pre-set cooking functions to toast, bake, roast, and reheat with incredible precision. While it lacks the microwave functionality, it excels at everything else, delivering oven-quality results. It’s the ideal choice for serious home cooks who value substance and performance far more than a specific colour scheme.
2. Nostalgia Retro 800-Watt Countertop Microwave
- 800 watts cooking power: At 25L, this microwave provides the cooking power needed to quickly cook and reheat foods
- Convenient cooking controls: 12 pre programmed cooking settings, delay timer and express cooking provide options for the optimal heating of popular foods like popcorn, pizza, potatoes, veggies and...
For those who loved the Haden’s focus on aesthetics but want a different style, the Nostalgia Retro microwave is a fantastic alternative. It offers the same 800W power but in a charming, 1950s-inspired design available in vibrant colours like red. It boasts a slightly larger 25.4L capacity and comes with 12 pre-programmed settings. This model is perfect for someone who wants their appliance to be a conversation piece and values a fun, retro vibe over the Haden’s sleek modernism. It competes directly on style while offering a comparable feature set.
3. Russell Hobbs RHMD714MG-N 17L Matt Green Digital Microwave
- STYLISH - Wooden effect handle and dial for a Scandinavian inspired finish
- COMPACT - Ideal for kitchens with limited space
The Russell Hobbs model is perhaps the closest competitor in terms of marrying style with compact functionality. It has a slightly smaller 17-litre capacity and 700W of power, making it better suited for very tight spaces and lighter use. Its distinctive matt green finish with wood effect accents offers a unique, popular aesthetic. Coming from a well-established brand like Russell Hobbs, it may offer more peace of mind regarding reliability for buyers spooked by the Haden’s safety reports. This is for the user who wants a stylish, compact microwave from a trusted name and is willing to trade a little bit of power and capacity for it.
Final Verdict: A Risky Purchase We Cannot Recommend
We wanted to love the HADEN Dorchester Grey 800W Microwave Oven. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, it is a triumph. It’s one of the most attractive solo microwaves on the market, and it perfectly fulfills the brief for a design-conscious consumer. Its core functions work well enough for basic, everyday tasks, and the user interface is simple and intuitive. However, a product review cannot be based on looks alone. The volume and severity of user complaints regarding poor build quality, critical component failure, and, most critically, extreme safety hazards like malfunctioning timers and fire, are impossible to overlook.
While some users have had a perfectly positive experience, the pattern of serious faults suggests a significant quality control lottery. You might get a great unit, or you might get a dangerous one. In our expert opinion, that is not a risk worth taking for any kitchen appliance. We must therefore conclude that this is a case of style over substance. Unless design is your only priority and you are willing to accept a significant risk, we cannot recommend this microwave. There are safer, more reliable alternatives on the market that still offer great style. We strongly advise you to carefully read the most recent user feedback before making a final decision and to consider other options. If you still feel drawn to its design, please check the latest price and any manufacturer updates, but proceed with extreme caution.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API