There’s a quiet battle being waged on our kitchen countertops. On one side, we have appliances bristling with buttons, complex menus, and digital displays that feel more like a cockpit than a cooking tool. They’re powerful, yes, but often clunky, sterile, and an eyesore in a carefully curated space. On the other side is a growing desire for simplicity and beauty—for tools that do their job effectively without demanding a degree in engineering to operate. I’ve often looked at my own collection of gadgets and wished for something that felt more intentional, something that blended in rather than screaming for attention. The search for a simple, elegant microwave that can just heat a bowl of soup or defrost some chicken without a fuss is a surprisingly common frustration. It’s the quest for an appliance that complements your home’s aesthetic, serving as a functional piece of decor rather than just a utilitarian box. This is precisely the promise of the Nordic-inspired Fika range, and why the VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream immediately caught our eye.
- COMPACT YET POWERFUL: Take the stress out of food prep with the VonShef Fika cream microwave, powered by a 700W motor. At H25 x W44.5 x D35.5cm, the small microwave merges compact design and powerful...
- DEFROST FUNCTION: Forgotten to get that chicken out of the freezer? No stress; cook from frozen with the defrost setting. The Scandi microwave also includes five other power levels.
What to Consider Before Buying a Solo Microwave
A solo microwave is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for straightforward, fast, and efficient heating. Unlike combination models with grills and convection ovens, a solo microwave focuses on one core competency: using microwaves to heat and defrost food. This makes them inherently simpler, more compact, and often more affordable. Their primary benefit lies in their speed and convenience for everyday tasks like reheating last night’s dinner, warming up a cup of tea, cooking a ready meal, or quickly defrosting ingredients for a recipe. For many households, this core functionality is all that’s ever needed from a microwave.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenge of limited space, a desire for operational simplicity, or a need for a secondary appliance. This includes students in dorms, individuals in small apartments, couples, or those looking for a basic model for an office kitchenette. It’s also an excellent choice for elderly users who may be overwhelmed by complex digital interfaces. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who love to experiment with microwave cooking, large families who need to heat large dishes, or anyone who wants an all-in-one appliance to grill, roast, and bake. For them, a combination or grill microwave would be a much better investment.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: First, measure your available countertop space (width, depth, and height), leaving room for ventilation around the unit. But don’t stop there; critically assess the *internal* capacity. A microwave’s external footprint can be deceiving. Pay close attention to the turntable diameter, as this dictates the maximum size of the plate you can use—a common oversight that leads to frustration.
- Capacity & Performance: Capacity is measured in litres (L), with 20L being a standard compact size suitable for individuals or couples. Wattage determines cooking speed; 700W, like this VonShef model, is on the lower end of the spectrum. While perfectly functional, it will take slightly longer to heat food compared to 800W or 900W models. For basic reheating, this difference is minor, but it’s a factor to consider.
- Materials & Durability: Most solo microwaves feature a painted metal casing and a plastic door and interface. While functional, the thickness and quality of this metal can vary significantly, impacting its resistance to dents and dings. Look for sturdy construction, a solid-feeling door mechanism, and feet that provide a stable, level base to avoid wobbling during operation.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: This is where the choice between manual dials and a digital interface comes in. Dials offer unparalleled simplicity—turn one for power, one for time. Digital panels offer precision and pre-programmed settings. For maintenance, a painted interior is standard, but some premium models offer ceramic enamel interiors that are more scratch-resistant and easier to clean.
While the VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream is an excellent choice for those prioritising style and simplicity, 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...
Unboxing the Fika: Nordic Charm with a Few Surprises
Upon unboxing the VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream, the first impression is overwhelmingly positive. It looks exactly like its promotional pictures: a beautifully designed appliance that channels the cozy, minimalist “Scandi” aesthetic. The matte cream finish is soft and contemporary, a welcome departure from the usual glossy white or stark stainless steel. The wood-effect handle and control dials are the standout features, providing a warm, organic contrast that genuinely elevates the product’s appearance. It feels light at 9.5kg, making it easy to position on the counter. Setting it up involves nothing more than placing the rotator ring and glass turntable inside and plugging it in.
However, as we examined it more closely, a few surprising design choices became apparent, echoing sentiments we later found in user feedback. The most noticeable is the door. While the main body is a warm, matte cream, the plastic frame around the door window is a stark, slightly glossy white. The colour difference is subtle in some lights but jarring in others, making it look, as one user aptly put it, “like a replacement that didnt come with the original microwave.” Another aesthetic hiccup is the large warning text—”WARNING MICROWAVE ENERGY, DO NOT REMOVE THIS COVER”—stamped directly into the metal on top of the unit. This industrial-style warning feels completely at odds with the chic, homely design, cheapening the overall effect. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they are curious missteps in an otherwise beautifully conceived design. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a closer look at these details.
What We Like
- Stunning Nordic-inspired aesthetic with matte cream and wood-effect details
- Supremely simple two-dial manual control system is intuitive and user-friendly
- Compact footprint is ideal for small kitchens, offices, or student accommodation
- Provides even and consistent heating for basic reheating and defrosting tasks
Drawbacks
- Noticeable design inconsistencies, such as the mismatched white door and stamped warning text
- Reports of quality control issues, including units arriving with dents or wobbling
- Dial indicators are very difficult to see in low-light conditions
- True internal capacity is tight; standard-sized dinner plates will not fit and rotate
Putting the VonShef Fika Through Its Paces: A Detailed Analysis
A microwave can have all the style in the world, but if it doesn’t perform its core duties well, it’s just a pretty box. We spent extensive time with the VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream, using it for everything from our morning porridge to late-night leftovers, to understand where it excels and where it falls short. Our deep dive focused on the key aspects that matter most: its usability, its raw heating power, its build quality, and its real-world capacity.
A Study in Simplicity: The Two-Dial Control System
The greatest strength of this microwave is, without a doubt, its simplicity. In an age of endless sub-menus and confusing icons, the VonShef Fika is a breath of fresh air. There are two large, tactile rotator dials with a satisfying, chunky feel. The top dial controls the power level. It offers six settings: Low, Defrost (M. Low), Medium, M. High, and High. It’s incredibly intuitive—for most tasks, you simply turn it to ‘High’. The bottom dial is a 30-minute mechanical timer. You turn it to the desired time, and the microwave begins its work with a reassuring, classic ticking sound, ending with a distinct “ding.”
This back-to-basics approach is brilliant for anyone who feels intimidated by modern technology. There is no learning curve. We handed it over to family members of different ages, and everyone could operate it instantly without a single glance at the manual. However, this elegant simplicity is hampered by a significant usability flaw. The small, indented line on the wood-effect dials that indicates the selected setting is the same dark colour as the dial itself. In our moderately lit kitchen during the evening, we had to lean in very close or turn on an overhead light just to see what power level or time we were setting. This seems like a major oversight, turning a simple task into a frustrating one in low light. While one user suggested adding a sticker to fix it, it’s a flaw that shouldn’t exist on a product so focused on user-friendly design.
Performance vs. Power: What 700 Watts Really Means
With 700 watts of power, the VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream sits at the lower end of the power spectrum for a modern solo microwave, where 800W or 900W is more common. What does this mean in practice? Primarily, it means slightly longer cooking times. We tested this with a few kitchen staples. A large bowl of porridge that takes 2.5 minutes in our 900W office microwave required a full 3 minutes in the VonShef to reach the same temperature. Reheating a dense portion of leftover lasagne took about 4 minutes instead of 3.5. While these are not huge differences, they are noticeable and add up over time.
On the plus side, the heating is impressively even. The standard turntable system does its job effectively, eliminating the common issue of cold spots in the middle of a dish. Our jacket potato test—often a challenge for microwaves—resulted in a consistently cooked potato that was fluffy throughout after about 8-9 minutes with a mid-cook turn. The dedicated Defrost setting, which cycles power, worked reliably for a pack of chicken breasts, thawing them in about 10 minutes without starting to cook the edges. For the vast majority of tasks—reheating, defrosting, and cooking ready meals—the 700W is perfectly adequate. It just requires a small adjustment in timing expectations. The performance is a feature that really sets it apart for those needing simple, reliable heating.
The Nordic Aesthetic: A Closer Look at Design and Build Quality
This is where our analysis becomes a tale of two halves. The design *concept* of the VonShef Fika is a home run. It successfully captures the warm, minimalist, and functional ethos of Scandinavian design. When viewed from a distance as part of a matching set with the Fika kettle and toaster, it creates a cohesive and stylish kitchen environment that few appliance ranges can match. The matte cream colour is sophisticated, and the faux-wood accents on the handle and dials are convincing enough to add that desired touch of organic warmth.
Unfortunately, the execution and build quality let the concept down. As mentioned, the mismatched white on the door and the industrial warning stamp on top detract from the premium feel. More concerning are the recurring user reports of units arriving with dents and damage, even within intact packaging. During our own testing, we found the metal casing to be noticeably thin to the touch; you can feel it flex with moderate pressure. This suggests it is highly susceptible to damage during shipping and handling. Our unit also had a very slight wobble, which we corrected with a small felt pad, but this points to potential inconsistencies in manufacturing. The internal glass turntable also feels thinner and lighter than those found in microwaves from more established brands. While it feels “sturdy enough” during basic operation, these collective issues raise questions about its long-term durability, especially for the price point.
Compact Living: Capacity and Real-World Use
The VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream is advertised as a compact model, and its small external dimensions (44.5cm W x 35.5cm D x 25cm H) make it a fantastic space-saver. It fits neatly onto a crowded countertop or a small shelf, making it perfect for its target audience of students, city-dwellers, or office workers. The listed 20-litre capacity and 27cm turntable diameter seem adequate on paper. However, this is where theory clashes with reality.
We quickly discovered a critical limitation confirmed by multiple users: a standard 27cm dinner plate does not fit. While the turntable itself is 27cm, a plate of the exact same size has no clearance to rotate. It bumps against the interior walls, resulting in uneven heating as the food remains stationary. The *actual* maximum usable plate size for effective rotation is closer to 25-26cm. This is a crucial piece of information. It means the microwave is perfectly suited for smaller plates (like side plates or “kids plates” as one user noted), bowls, and mugs. For a single person reheating a meal in a bowl, this is no issue at all. But for anyone hoping to heat a meal on a full-sized dinner plate, it’s a non-starter. This limitation firmly places the microwave in the “light use and small portions” category, a fact that isn’t immediately obvious from the specifications alone. It’s a great choice for a compact space, but you need to check the latest price and availability and be aware of this practical size constraint.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from various owners reveals a clear and consistent pattern. The sentiment is sharply divided between those who are captivated by the microwave’s appearance and simplicity, and those who are let down by its quality control and design flaws. On the positive side, users consistently praise its “fantastic” look. One person noted they bought it to complete their VonShef Fika set and loved the cream colour and wood finish. Others celebrate its sheer simplicity, calling it “perfect for heating a bowl of soup” with controls that “could not be easier.” It’s frequently recommended for small spaces, like a “tiny kitchen at work” or for a student heading to university, where its small footprint and basic functionality are seen as major assets.
Conversely, the negative feedback is just as consistent. The most common complaint by far is units arriving damaged, with multiple users reporting “small dents and a large dent” or a “twisted” frame that causes it to wobble, even when the packaging is pristine. This points strongly to a manufacturing or material quality issue. The aesthetic complaints are also widespread, with the “strong plain white” door that clashes with the cream body and the “stamped” warning text being highlighted as details that “ruin the aesthetic.” It’s clear that while the VonShef Fika concept is loved, the execution leaves many feeling it’s a “step down” in quality.
How Does the VonShef Compare? Three Top Alternatives
The VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream operates in a competitive market. To give you a clearer picture of your options, we’ve compared it against three popular alternatives, each offering a different blend of features, power, and design.
1. Russell Hobbs RHM2064C 20L 800W Cream Microwave
- The Russell Hobbs RHM2064 microwave has a sleek and stylish contemporary design, boasting an attractive mirror door finish. As well as an appealing look, this appliance also includes impressive...
- The RHM2064 from Russell Hobbs is a 20 litre cavity capacity microwave, comfortably fitting a standard size of dinner plate. It comes with a removable and dishwasher safe glass turn-table for easy...
This Russell Hobbs model is perhaps the VonShef’s most direct competitor. It shares the 20L capacity and cream colour scheme but takes a different approach in almost every other aspect. It boasts a higher 800W power output for faster cooking and features a digital control panel with eight auto-cook menus for things like pizza, popcorn, and fish. Its “Heritage” design is more retro-classic than Scandi-minimalist, with a mirrored door finish and chrome accents. This is the better choice for someone who likes the cream colour but prioritizes cooking power and the convenience of presets over the manual simplicity and unique aesthetic of the VonShef.
2. Russell Hobbs RHM2076B 800W Digital Microwave
- MIRRORED FINISH - The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B features a sleek black body and contemporary mirror door finish
- EASY CLEAN – With a wipeable painted interior and removable glass turntable which is dishwasher safe, it’s super easy to keep clean
If you’re not committed to the cream colour, the RHM2076B offers the same reliable performance as its cream counterpart but in a sleek, modern black. It provides a solid 800W of power, five power levels, and auto-cook menus, all controlled via a user-friendly digital interface. It represents a safe, highly functional, and well-regarded choice from a household name. This microwave is for the pragmatic buyer who wants a proven, feature-rich digital microwave and values straightforward performance and reliability over a specific design statement.
3. Samsung MS23K3513AK 23L Solo Microwave Black
- 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.
- Eco mode - reduce the use of your standby power with eco mode to help save money on your energy bills.
For those who need a bit more room, this Samsung model is a significant step up. Its 23L capacity provides more flexibility for larger plates and dishes. Samsung is renowned for quality, and this model often features a durable and easy-to-clean ceramic enamel interior, which is superior to the standard painted interiors of the other models. While it’s a digital microwave, Samsung’s interfaces are typically clean and intuitive. This is the ideal alternative for a small family or an individual who cooks in larger batches and is willing to invest a little more for extra space, higher build quality, and the durability associated with a leading electronics brand.
Our Final Verdict: Is the VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream Right for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream is that it is a product of beautiful ambition with flawed execution. It is, first and foremost, a statement piece. Its Nordic-inspired design is genuinely stunning and will undoubtedly be the primary reason for purchase. Paired with its utter simplicity of use, it perfectly serves a niche but important audience: the style-conscious individual in a space-constrained environment who needs a microwave for only the most basic of tasks.
However, this aesthetic appeal comes with significant compromises. The questionable quality control, evidenced by numerous reports of dents and wobbles, is a serious concern. The frustrating design oversights—like the hard-to-see dial markers and mismatched door colour—chip away at its premium facade. And its practical limitation with standard dinner plates cannot be ignored. We would recommend it, but with strong caveats. It’s for the student, the office worker, or the single dweller in a chic apartment who values form over function, understands its limitations, and is willing to potentially overlook some quality issues for that perfect look. If you fit this description and have fallen in love with its unique design, the VonShef 20L Solo Microwave Cream could be the stylish, simple appliance you’ve been searching for.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API