There’s a specific, quiet frustration that comes with the demise of a trusted kitchen appliance. For us, it was our decade-old microwave, a bulky, cream-coloured behemoth with a dial timer that had become more of a suggestion than a precise measurement. One morning, the familiar hum was replaced by a sad, mechanical click, and our porridge remained stubbornly cold. The search for a replacement began, but it wasn’t simple. The market is flooded with overly complex “combi” ovens and grills we’d never use, or cheap, flimsy models that feel disposable. We needed something that hit the sweet spot: a reliable, straightforward solo microwave that was powerful enough for daily tasks, compact enough for our limited counter space, and stylish enough not to be an eyesore. This common kitchen conundrum is precisely what led us to test the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave.
- MIRRORED FINISH - The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B features a mirror door finish
- EXTRA POWER - 800 W of microwave power, providing quick and convenient cooking
What to Consider Before Buying a Solo Microwave
A solo microwave is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for rapid reheating, simple cooking, and efficient defrosting. In a fast-paced world, it’s the engine of the quick weeknight meal, the perfect bowl of soup for lunch, and the saviour of forgotten-to-thaw chicken breasts. Its primary benefit is its focused simplicity. Unlike combination ovens with grills and convection features that can complicate the user experience and inflate the price, a solo microwave excels at its core function: heating food quickly and evenly with microwave energy. This focus makes them generally more affordable, smaller, and easier to use and clean.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenges of a busy schedule. This includes students in dorms, couples in their first apartment, families needing a secondary machine for quick jobs, or anyone who values efficiency over complexity. It’s for the person who wants to reheat last night’s dinner in two minutes, not spend ten minutes navigating a complex menu system. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who love to experiment with advanced cooking techniques or wish to replace their main oven. Aspiring home chefs who want to grill, bake, or roast in their microwave should look towards more expensive and feature-rich combination models.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The first rule of buying a new appliance is ensuring it fits. Measure your intended space—width, depth, and height—leaving a few centimetres of clearance around the back and sides for proper ventilation. The Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave has external dimensions of 34 cm x 44 cm x 25.7 cm, making it a compact choice for most standard countertops without sacrificing too much internal capacity.
- Capacity/Performance: Capacity, measured in litres, determines how much you can fit inside. A 20-litre capacity, like this model, is ideal for single users or small families, comfortably fitting a standard-sized dinner plate. Wattage dictates cooking speed; at 800W, this microwave offers a solid balance of power for quick heating without being so aggressive that it easily overcooks food.
- Materials & Durability: Most microwaves feature a steel exterior and a painted or enamel interior. While steel is robust, the quality of the finish matters. We’ve seen models where the interior paint peels or rusts over time. Look for easy-clean coatings and solid construction. A removable, dishwasher-safe glass turntable is a non-negotiable feature for easy maintenance.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The control panel is your primary interaction point. Do you prefer tactile buttons, a responsive touchscreen, or simple dials? The RHM2079A uses a button-based digital interface, which offers more precision than traditional dials. For maintenance, a wipeable interior is essential, as food splatters are inevitable. Consider how easy the door and exterior are to keep clean—mirrored finishes, for example, look fantastic but often require more frequent wiping.
While the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave is an excellent choice, 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: Unboxing a Slice of Modern Design
Pulling the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave from its packaging, our initial impression was one of clean, contemporary elegance. The crisp white steel casing feels solid and well-constructed, a step up from the plasticky feel of some budget alternatives. But the standout feature is undoubtedly the sleek, mirrored door. It immediately gives the appliance a premium look that belies its affordable price point, reflecting the kitchen around it and adding a touch of sophistication. Several users confirmed our thoughts, calling it “lovely and stylish” and noting it “looks great in my kitchen.”
Setting it up was effortless—simply remove the packaging, place the glass turntable on its roller ring, and plug it in. The digital clock was intuitive to set, taking less than a minute. At 12kg, it has enough heft to feel stable on the counter without being too heavy to move for cleaning. The button layout is logical and clearly labelled, avoiding the cryptic icons that plague some modern appliances. It instantly felt like a significant upgrade from our old dial-timer model, promising a more precise and user-friendly experience right out of the box.
Advantages
- Sleek, modern design with a premium mirrored door finish.
- Compact footprint ideal for smaller kitchens and limited counter space.
- Intuitive digital controls and 8 useful auto-cook menus.
- Good 800W power for fast and even cooking results.
- Excellent value for money, offering style and functionality at an affordable price.
Drawbacks
- Multiple user reports of the white paint finish developing rust spots over time.
- The mirrored door shows fingerprints and requires frequent cleaning.
Performance Deep Dive: Putting the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A to the Test
An appliance can look fantastic, but its true worth is revealed in daily use. We spent several weeks integrating the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A into our kitchen routine, testing everything from its basic heating capabilities to its more advanced auto-cook functions. We wanted to see if its performance lived up to its polished appearance, and for the most part, it delivered with impressive consistency.
Design and Build Quality: A Closer Look at that Mirrored Finish
The aesthetic appeal of this microwave cannot be overstated. It’s a genuinely handsome appliance. The bright white shell paired with the dark, reflective door creates a striking contrast that fits perfectly into a modern, minimalist, or all-white kitchen theme. As one happy user put it, it’s “Beautiful and works a treat. Matches my all white theme perfectly.” The handle is integrated cleanly into the side of the door, maintaining the sleek lines, and the button panel is unobtrusive. However, beauty often requires maintenance. As we and other users discovered, the mirrored door is a magnet for fingerprints. While we found they “buff off with a soft dust cloth,” as one owner helpfully pointed out, it’s a constant task to keep it looking pristine. This is a small trade-off for the high-end look, but one to be aware of.
The more significant concern we found, echoed in several user reviews, is the long-term durability of the white paint finish. While our unit remained flawless during our testing period, we cannot ignore the consistent feedback from users who reported “very small spots of rust” appearing after a few months of use, or in one case, “Paint came off the front of the microwave revealing rust.” This suggests that the coating, while beautiful, may not be as robust as on more premium models. We advise careful cleaning with non-abrasive cloths and gentle cleaning products to preserve the finish for as long as possible. The internal steel cavity, however, proved easy to wipe down, and the dishwasher-safe turntable is a huge plus for effortless cleanup after messy spills. The overall build feels solid, but the potential for exterior cosmetic issues is a key consideration for long-term ownership. You can see the full material specifications and design details here.
Everyday Performance: Power, Precision, and Defrosting Demystified
At its core, a microwave must heat food well. With 800 watts of power, the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave is perfectly equipped for this fundamental task. We found it heated a bowl of leftover chilli evenly and quickly, without the dreaded cold spots that plague lower-wattage models. A large mug of water for tea was piping hot in under two minutes. The five distinct power levels provide excellent control for more delicate tasks, such as softening butter without melting it or gently warming milk. The 20-litre cavity was spacious enough for our largest dinner plates, and the 25.5cm turntable rotates smoothly to ensure even energy distribution.
The digital interface is a massive improvement over imprecise manual dials. Setting the timer to an exact 1 minute and 45 seconds is simple and repeatable. The +30 second button is a fantastic feature for quick boosts of heat—we found ourselves using it constantly, just as one user mentioned: “I’ve not bothered to set a time & just press the 30sec button to get my desired time.” It’s a shortcut that quickly becomes second nature. Where some users expressed confusion, particularly with the defrost settings, we decided to dive into the manual. The automatic defrost function is weight-based; you select the food type (meat or poultry) and input the weight, and the microwave calculates the optimal time and power cycling. We tested it on a 500g block of frozen mince, and it worked exceptionally well, thawing it through without cooking the edges—a common failing of less sophisticated defrost systems. While it does require a quick read of the manual to master, we found it to be a genuinely useful and effective feature.
Usability and Auto-Cook Menus: Are They Genuinely Helpful?
Beyond manual heating, the RHM2079A comes equipped with 8 pre-programmed auto-cook menus for items like popcorn, pizza, fish, and potatoes. Often, these can feel like gimmicks, but we were pleasantly surprised by their effectiveness. The jacket potato setting produced a perfectly fluffy, evenly cooked potato in about 8 minutes, requiring only a final crisp-up in a conventional oven. The popcorn setting worked flawlessly with a standard microwave popcorn bag, leaving very few un-popped kernels. These menus take the guesswork out of common tasks and are genuinely convenient, especially for those less confident with microwave cooking.
The overall user experience is defined by simplicity. One user noted it was “soooo easy to use and defrost,” and we wholeheartedly agree. The functions are clearly labelled, the process is logical (select function, set time/weight, press start), and the digital display is bright and easy to read. The inclusion of a kitchen timer function, separate from the microwave cooking, is another thoughtful touch, allowing you to time other kitchen tasks without needing a separate device. From the simple setup to the intuitive daily operation, the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave is designed for anyone who wants to get the job done with minimal fuss, making it a truly user-friendly appliance.
What Other Users Are Saying
After our own extensive testing, we delved into the broader pool of user feedback to see how our experience compared. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the microwave’s aesthetics and ease of use. Many users, like us, were immediately impressed by its appearance, with comments like, “Love the look of this microwave, so stylish and compact,” and “a very attractive item and matches perfectly in the kitchen.” The straightforward functionality was another common point of praise, described as “very easy to use” and “easy to program.”
However, the feedback isn’t universally glowing, and the critical reviews highlight the key trade-offs we also identified. The most prevalent complaint concerns the durability of the white paint finish. One user expressed their disappointment, stating, “the white is already starting to show very small spots of rust that I originally thought was marks that could be wiped.” Another reported a more severe issue: “Paint came off the front of the microwave revealing rust.” While less common, there were also isolated reports of units failing prematurely or arriving with cosmetic damage, such as a “DEEP, OBVIOUS and WORRYING scratch.” These comments suggest some potential inconsistencies in quality control, but they appear to be outliers in a sea of otherwise satisfied customers.
How Does the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A Compare to the Alternatives?
No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the full picture, we’ve compared the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave to three popular alternatives, each offering a different set of features and design philosophies.
1. Nostalgia Retro 800-Watt 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...
The Nostalgia Retro Microwave is all about making a statement. If the Russell Hobbs is modern and understated, the Nostalgia is bold, vibrant, and unapologetically retro. Functionally, it’s a close competitor with the same 800W power output, but it boasts a larger 25.4L capacity and 12 pre-programmed settings compared to the RHM2079A’s eight. The choice between these two comes down almost entirely to aesthetics and kitchen space. If you have a retro-themed kitchen or simply love a pop of colour, and have a bit more counter space to spare, the Nostalgia is a fantastic option. However, for those seeking a more versatile, modern look that blends in seamlessly, the Russell Hobbs remains the sleeker choice.
2. Panasonic NN-SD25HBBPQ 23L Microwave Oven
- Inverter technology - allows food to cook evenly for more consistent results
- 23 Litre capacity - can fit up to 2 kg of food
The Panasonic NN-SD25HBBPQ represents a step up in both power and technology. It packs a formidable 1000W of power and features Panasonic’s signature Inverter technology, which delivers a constant stream of energy for more precise and even cooking, especially when defrosting or using lower power levels. With a 23L capacity, it’s slightly larger than the Russell Hobbs model. This microwave is for the user who prioritizes performance above all else. If you are a heavy microwave user, frequently cook meals from scratch, and demand the most even results possible, the extra investment for the Panasonic and its Inverter technology is well worth it. For everyday reheating and simple tasks, however, the Russell Hobbs offers comparable real-world results for a lower price.
3. Swan SM22030LBLN Retro 20L Microwave 800W
- POWERFUL 800W & 5 HEAT SETTINGS: Features a powerful 800W output for faster cooking and heating, with 5 heat settings that can be adjusted to suit your needs – ideal for everyday convenient cooking
- LARGE 20L CAPACITY: The huge inner 20 litre capacity can easily fit a standard size dinner plate, giving you versatility to use large dishes to cook for the whole family
The Swan Retro microwave is perhaps the most direct competitor to the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A in terms of core specifications. Both offer a 20L capacity, 800W of power, and are digitally controlled. The primary differentiator is, once again, style. Where the Nostalgia is a 50s-diner retro, the Swan offers a more chic, colourful retro design available in numerous pastel shades. It’s a fantastic alternative for someone who wants the same compact, capable performance as the Russell Hobbs but prefers a softer, more stylised aesthetic over the RHM2079A’s sharp, modern lines. The choice here is purely personal preference in design language.
Our Final Verdict on the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave
After extensive hands-on testing, we can confidently say that the Russell Hobbs RHM2079A 20L 800W White Digital Microwave is an exceptional choice for the modern kitchen, offering a brilliant blend of style, simplicity, and performance at a very competitive price. Its sleek white finish and mirrored door lend it a premium look, while its compact size makes it perfect for those with limited space. The 800W power is ample for quick and even cooking, and the intuitive digital controls and genuinely useful auto-cook programs make daily use an absolute breeze.
The primary caveat is the potential long-term durability of the exterior paint, as noted in several user reviews. While we experienced no issues, it’s a point to consider for those seeking a machine to last a decade. That said, for students, first-time homeowners, or anyone needing a reliable and stylish solo microwave for everyday reheating, defrosting, and light cooking, its value is hard to beat. It does what a microwave is supposed to do, does it well, and looks fantastic while doing it. If you’re looking for an affordable upgrade that elevates your kitchen’s look without complicating your life, we highly recommend it. You can check the latest price and see more details online to decide if it’s the right fit for your home.
Last update on 2025-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API