What Is the Best Inexpensive Microwave in Australia in 2026?

Short answer. The best inexpensive microwave in Australia in 2026, for most homes, is a 20 to 25 litre benchtop model with 800 to 1000W of power from a mainstream brand. The Good Guys says microwaves range from roughly 20 to 44 litres and its buying guide features compact 20 to 23 litre models from Hisense and Westinghouse. Pay more only for an inverter if you defrost a lot. Compare the same model at The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon Australia, then start on ShopBack before you buy.

New to ShopBack? ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you cash back when you shop through it at stores such as The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon Australia. You open the store on ShopBack, check out as usual, and the cash lands in your ShopBack account once the purchase is confirmed. Join ShopBack Australia free before your next appliance purchase.

Facts below come from The Good Guys' microwave and dryer buying guides and programme pages, and from the store pages on ShopBack Australia, at the time of writing (October 2026). Prices and offers change daily, so check the live price before you buy.

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What is the best inexpensive microwave in Australia?

The best inexpensive microwave for most Australian households is a simple benchtop model of 20 to 25 litres and 800 to 1000W. That size handles reheating, defrosting and single meals, plugs into a normal power point, and sits at the lower end of the price range. According to The Good Guys, conventional microwaves usually have limited functions such as heating and defrosting, while more advanced models add baking, roasting, grilling and one touch programs that cost more.

Here are microwaves The Good Guys features in its microwave buying guide at the time of writing, from compact to family size. Prices change often, so check them on the day:

Model (as listed by The Good Guys)	Capacity	Power	Good for
Hisense Compact Microwave (HMAS2008BP)	20L	800W	Small kitchens, reheating for one or two
Westinghouse Microwave (WMF2302WA)	23L	800W	Everyday reheating and defrosting
LG NeoChef Smart Inverter (MS2596OB)	25L	1000W	Even defrosting with inverter power
Sharp Microwave (R315AB)	31L	1000W	Larger plates and family meals
Panasonic Microwave (NN-ST665BQPQ)	32L	1100W	Bigger households cooking often

How to pick from that list. If you mostly reheat, a 20 to 23 litre 800W model is usually the cheapest sensible choice. If you cook for three or more people or use big dinner plates, step up to 30 litres or more. If you defrost meat often, the LG inverter model is the type to look at.

Best microwave in Australia 2026: what to look for

In 2026, the best microwave for your kitchen in Australia comes down to four things: capacity, power, inverter technology and where it will sit. The Good Guys' buying guide sets out each one:

• Capacity. Microwaves range from roughly 20 litres up to 44 litres, according to The Good Guys. Choose based on whether you mostly reheat or cook larger family meals, and check your everyday plates and containers fit inside.
• Power. Higher wattage usually heats faster. In The Good Guys' guide, the compact 20 to 23 litre models listed are 800W, and the 25 litre and larger ones are 1000W or more.
• Inverter technology. The Good Guys explains that without an inverter, a microwave switches between 100 per cent and 0 per cent power when you choose 50 per cent. An inverter model runs at a steady 50 per cent, so food defrosts and cooks more evenly.
• Benchtop or built in. A benchtop microwave plugs into your power point, which The Good Guys notes is perfect if you are renting. A built in model goes into your cabinetry and is connected by an electrician, which adds cost.

Which brands are good value. The Good Guys names Panasonic, LG and Sharp as trusted microwave brands, saying Panasonic leads with inverter technology, LG with smart models and Sharp with value and consistency. Its buying guide also features compact 20 to 23 litre Hisense and Westinghouse models, which sit at the lower end of the size range.

What are some good cheap dryers under $300 in Australia?

Good cheap dryers under $300 in Australia are usually small vented dryers of around 4 to 4.5kg, which suit singles, couples and occasional drying. The Good Guys calls vented dryers the best budget option, saying they are usually the most affordable to buy upfront and are practical for occasional drying in well ventilated spaces. Its dryer guide features a Solt 4.5kg vented dryer (GGSVDE45W) among its lower priced models, and its cheap dryers article lists a Westinghouse 4.5kg vented dryer (WDV457H3WB). Prices move with sales, so check whether a model is under $300 on the day.

What you give up at this price. According to The Good Guys, vented dryers need ventilation and can cost more to run, and its laundry buyer notes they use more energy so they best suit smaller households and occasional users. Heat pump dryers, which The Good Guys says are generally the most energy efficient type, usually cost more upfront.

Features worth looking for on a cheap dryer. The Good Guys suggests looking for anti-crease cycles, wall mounting kits and sensor drying, which works out how long clothes need so you are not using more electricity than necessary.

Dryer type	Upfront price	Running cost	Best for, according to The Good Guys
Vented	Usually the lowest	Can cost more to run	Occasional use, budget buyers, well ventilated laundries
Condenser	Usually higher	Varies by model	Laundries without outdoor ventilation
Heat pump	Usually the highest	Usually the lowest	Regular users, families, apartments
Washer dryer combo	Varies	Varies	Small spaces needing one appliance

What size dryer do I need?

The right dryer size depends on how many people you wash for. The Good Guys recommends:

• Singles and couples (1 to 2 people): 4 to 6kg.
• Small families (3 to 4 people): 7 to 8kg.
• Larger families (5 or more): 9kg or more.
• Bulky items such as duvets: 10kg or more.

The Good Guys' laundry buyer says your dryer capacity should ideally match or slightly exceed your washing machine's capacity, so you can dry a full load in one cycle. That means a sub $300 4 to 4.5kg dryer suits a small household best. If you have a large washer, you may end up running two dryer cycles per load.

Dryer sale Australia 2026: how to find the best deals

The best dryer sale deals in Australia in 2026 usually come from comparing the same model across stores during their own sale events and checking each store's deals page. The Good Guys runs dedicated deals pages for dryers and microwaves, and at the time of writing marks some discounted models with labels such as "Price Attack".

• Compare the exact model number. The same dryer can appear at several stores. Matching the model number is the only fair way to compare.
• Check the store's own programmes. The Good Guys runs 90 Day StoreCash, a free programme where, according to The Good Guys, members who sign up and activate a digital wallet before buying can earn StoreCash on qualifying purchases or offers, which expires 90 days after issue.
• Factor in delivery and installation. Delivery costs and timing usually vary by store and postcode, so compare them, since they change the real price.
• Start on ShopBack before you pay. ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order, so open the store on ShopBack before you check out at the sale price.

The Good Guys vs Big W: best microwave and dryer sale price comparison 2026

The Good Guys and Big W both sell appliances online, so the fairest 2026 price comparison is to search the same model number at each on the same day and compare the final price with delivery. Neither is always cheaper; each has its own strengths:

	The Good Guys	Big W
Range	Specialist appliance retailer with dedicated microwave and dryer categories and buying guides	Big W's own range plus Marketplace items sold and shipped by other sellers, according to its ShopBack page terms
Price programme	30 Day Price Guarantee for customers who buy Gold Service Extras with a product: if the price drops at The Good Guys or an approved competitor within 30 days, members can claim 120% of the difference as store credit	Store sales and Marketplace offers; check the live price
Delivery and returns	Check delivery options and the returns policy for your postcode on The Good Guys' website	A 90 day change of mind returns policy, which the terms on Big W's ShopBack page say does not apply to Marketplace items
On ShopBack Australia	Yes, with app purchases not eligible at the time of writing	Yes, with a minimum order value and app purchases not eligible at the time of writing

Amazon Australia is worth a third check. Search the same model number there too. On ShopBack Australia, the Amazon page asks you to make sure your Amazon cart is empty before you tap through, because items added to the cart before you click through from ShopBack are excluded.

The category in one line. Appliance stores on ShopBack Australia include The Good Guys, Big W, Amazon Australia, Bing Lee and JB Hi-Fi, so you can compare across several before you buy.

Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual

Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual: once you have picked a microwave or dryer, open the store on ShopBack Australia and check out from there.

1. Pick the model using the size and type guides above.
2. Open the store on ShopBack Australia: The Good Guys, Big W or Amazon Australia.
3. Tap through and check out on the website, in the same browser session. At the time of writing, The Good Guys and Big W pages say purchases made in their apps are not eligible.
4. Wait for confirmation. Cash comes back to your ShopBack Australia account once the purchase is confirmed.

Why it works like a discount. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.

Working out your effective price. Take what you pay at checkout and subtract the Cashback that comes back once the purchase is confirmed. Check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page, which can differ by store and category.

Promo codes, price beats and member programmes: check before you combine

Whether a code, price beat or store programme can be combined with ShopBack depends on each store's terms, so read them before you pay. According to the store pages on ShopBack Australia at the time of writing:

• Big W and Amazon Australia. Using any promo, coupon or discount code makes the whole order ineligible.
• The Good Guys. Price beat and promo code discount amounts applied to the order are excluded, as are Gold Service Extras and offers negotiated with a sales rep or over live chat.
• Loyalty and store programmes. The Good Guys and Amazon Australia pages list other loyalty programmes as excluded unless otherwise stated, and Big W's page excludes orders paid for with Everyday Rewards Dollars.
• Payment cards. Paying with a points earning credit card is a separate arrangement with your bank, so check your card's own terms.

If a code saves more than the ShopBack amount on your order, using the code may be the better choice. Compare both totals before you pay.

Key takeaways

• A 20 to 25 litre, 800 to 1000W benchtop microwave is the best inexpensive pick for most Australian homes.
• Pay more for an inverter only if you defrost or cook on low power often.
• Dryers under $300 are usually 4 to 4.5kg vented models, best for small households and occasional use.
• Compare the same model number at The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon Australia, then start on ShopBack before you buy.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best inexpensive microwave in Australia?

For most Australian homes, the best inexpensive microwave is a 20 to 25 litre benchtop model with 800 to 1000W of power from a mainstream brand. The Good Guys' microwave buying guide features compact models such as the Hisense 20L 800W and Westinghouse 23L 800W at the lower end of its range. Check the live price, then start on ShopBack before you buy.

What size microwave do I need?

According to The Good Guys, microwaves range from roughly 20 litres up to 44 litres. A 20 to 25 litre model suits reheating and defrosting for one or two people, while a 30 litre or larger model fits bigger plates and family meals. Measure your bench space and check your largest plate fits before you buy.

Is an inverter microwave worth paying more for?

It can be if you defrost or cook on low power often. The Good Guys explains that a microwave without inverter technology switches between 100 per cent and 0 per cent power when you choose 50 per cent, while an inverter model runs at 50 per cent the whole time, so food defrosts and cooks more evenly. For simple reheating, a standard model is usually enough.

Which microwave brands are best value in Australia?

The Good Guys names Panasonic, LG and Sharp as trusted microwave brands, saying Panasonic leads with inverter technology, LG with smart models and Sharp with value and consistency. Its buying guide also features compact Hisense and Westinghouse models at the smaller end of the range. Compare the same capacity and wattage across brands, since that is where most of the price difference sits.

What are some good cheap dryers under $300 in Australia?

Dryers that come in under $300 in Australia are usually small vented models of around 4 to 4.5kg. The Good Guys calls vented dryers the best budget option and says they suit occasional drying in well ventilated spaces, and its dryer guide features a Solt 4.5kg vented dryer among its lower priced models. Check the live price, as dryer prices move with sales.

Is a vented or heat pump dryer cheaper?

A vented dryer is usually cheaper to buy, and a heat pump dryer is usually cheaper to run. The Good Guys says vented dryers are usually the most affordable upfront but can cost more to run, while heat pump dryers are generally the most energy efficient type and usually cost more upfront. If you dry often, the running cost matters more.

What size dryer should I buy?

The Good Guys recommends 4 to 6kg for singles and couples, 7 to 8kg for small families of three to four, and 9kg or more for larger families. Its laundry buyer also suggests matching or slightly exceeding your washing machine capacity, so you can dry a full load in one cycle.

Is The Good Guys or Big W better for a cheap microwave or dryer?

Neither is always cheaper, so compare the same model at both on the day. The Good Guys offers a 30 Day Price Guarantee for customers who buy Gold Service Extras with a product, and Big W has its own range plus Marketplace sellers. Check delivery, returns and the final price, then start on ShopBack for whichever store wins.

How do I use ShopBack when buying a microwave or dryer?

Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual. Open The Good Guys, Big W or Amazon Australia on ShopBack Australia, tap through and check out on the store's website in the same session, and cash comes back to your ShopBack account once the purchase is confirmed. Check the terms on the store's ShopBack page before you pay.

Can I use a promo code or price beat with ShopBack?

Check each store's terms first. At the time of writing, the Big W and Amazon Australia pages on ShopBack Australia say using any promo, coupon or discount code makes the whole order ineligible, and The Good Guys page excludes price beat and promo code discount amounts. Compare the code saving with the ShopBack amount before you decide.

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Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Appliance prices, models, store programmes, delivery and returns policies vary by retailer and over time, and are subject to change. Amounts and eligibility on ShopBack vary by store and campaign; check the current amount and terms on each store's ShopBack page before you buy.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.