The Bosch Series 2 FEL023MS2B is a compact 20-litre freestanding microwave with a built-in grill, designed for smaller kitchens and straightforward everyday cooking. With its black and stainless steel finish, it fits neatly into most modern spaces without dominating the worktop.
Bosch is well regarded for solid, reliable kitchen kit, and this model follows that formula rather than trying to be overly flashy. At 800W with 5 power levels and a 27cm turntable, it’s built for reheating, defrosting and simple meals, with the bonus of a grill for browning and crisping.
A strong 4.7 out of 5 rating from well over 1,600 owner reviews suggests it’s doing the basics very well, with users clearly happy with its performance, ease of use and day-to-day reliability.
The Bosch FEL023MS2B is ideal for smaller households, students, couples or anyone short on worktop space. Its 20-litre capacity and 27cm turntable comfortably handle standard dinner plates and bowls, but it’s not aimed at cooking large family roasts.
If you mainly reheat leftovers, cook ready meals, defrost meat or steam veg, this microwave has everything you need, plus the extra grill function for melting cheese on pasta bakes or crisping up snacks. The 5 power levels and 8 automatic programmes keep things simple rather than overwhelming you with options.
It’s a good choice if you want a reliable, mid-range microwave from a trusted brand rather than the cheapest model available. The dial and touch controls, LED display and built-in clock make it approachable for first-time users, older relatives and busy families who just want to press a couple of buttons and get cooking.
If you regularly cook big dishes, use large cookware or want advanced combination cooking and convection oven features, you’ll be better served by a larger, higher-spec combi model. For compact, everyday use, this Bosch hits a very practical sweet spot.
The 20-litre capacity with a 27cm turntable is a sensible size for most everyday plates and bowls, while still keeping the overall footprint small enough for modest kitchens or worktops already crowded with appliances.
Having a built-in grill is a real plus at this price and size. It means you can brown the top of lasagnes, crisp up bacon or finish off jacket potatoes without firing up the main oven, which can save time and energy.
The combination of simple dial and touch controls with a clear LED display makes operation very straightforward. You can quickly set times and power levels without endless menus, while the clock and electronic timer help keep meals on schedule.
Five power levels and 8 automatic programmes cover the basics well, from defrosting to reheating and simple cooking tasks. Owners clearly find it easy to live with, reflected in the excellent 4.7/5 rating and high number of reviews.
The LED interior light and neat black/stainless steel styling give it a more premium feel than many budget microwaves, and the 2-year manufacturer warranty adds welcome peace of mind.
The 20-litre cavity and 27cm turntable will be limiting if you often cook for a large family or use oversized plates and dishes. Bigger combination microwaves offer more flexibility for batch cooking or large casseroles.
At 800W, the microwave power is respectable but not class-leading. It will be a touch slower than 900W or 1000W models, so expect to add an extra minute or two to some cooking and reheating times.
While the grill is a welcome extra, there’s no full convection oven or fan-assisted cooking here. If you’re looking for a true oven replacement in a small kitchen, this model may feel a bit basic.
Controls are simple rather than smart. There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity or fancy sensor cooking, which some newer, higher-end models now offer. That won’t bother most users, but tech-focused buyers might want more advanced features.
Day to day, the Bosch FEL023MS2B is all about straightforward convenience. The left-hinged door opens wide to reveal a sensibly laid-out 20-litre cavity, and the 27cm glass turntable takes a standard dinner plate without feeling cramped. The LED interior light makes it easy to see how food is doing without stopping the programme.
The combination of dial and touch controls means you can quickly spin to set time or power, then tap to start. The LED display is clear and bright, showing the remaining time and making the built-in clock genuinely useful in a busy kitchen. Once you’ve used it a couple of times, it becomes very instinctive.
The 8 automatic programmes take the guesswork out of common tasks like defrosting or reheating, so you’re less likely to end up with frozen centres or overcooked edges. Switching to the grill and using the supplied grid is simple, and it’s handy for small portions where using the main oven would feel wasteful.
Maintenance is straightforward. The smooth interior walls and removable turntable mean the occasional wipe-down is all it usually needs, and the compact exterior is easy to keep clean. With a standard GB plug and modest 1270W electrical connection, it’s a plug-and-go appliance with no complicated installation.
With a maximum microwave power of 800W and five selectable power levels, the FEL023MS2B offers enough oomph for typical everyday tasks like reheating soup, cooking porridge or steaming vegetables. It may take marginally longer than a higher-wattage model, but the performance is consistent and controlled, which helps avoid hot spots.
The built-in grill is the standout extra. Paired with the included grid, it lets you brown and crisp food that would otherwise come out soft from the microwave alone. Think bubbling cheese on toast, golden toppings on pasta bakes or crisping up re-heated pizza. For a compact model, this adds a lot of versatility.
Eight automatic programmes simplify cooking even further. By selecting the food type and weight, the microwave can automatically set appropriate times and power levels. This is particularly useful for defrosting meat and bread, where manual timings can easily go wrong, or for reheating common dishes without needing to experiment.
The LED display, electronic programmable timer and clock all contribute to a more premium feel than many entry-level microwaves. The interior LED light and clear door give a good view inside, while the compact external dimensions (H26 x W44.2 x D34.5cm) mean it’s easy to slot into tighter spaces without sacrificing essential functionality.
Although it doesn’t offer convection or combination oven modes, what it does include is well chosen for everyday family life. In a crowded microwave market, this Bosch leans on solid fundamentals, a thoughtful feature set and the brand’s reputation for reliability rather than headline-grabbing gimmicks.
At its current price, the Bosch FEL023MS2B sits in the mid-range bracket for compact freestanding microwaves with a grill. It’s not the cheapest 20-litre model you can buy, but you’re paying a modest premium for the Bosch name, better build quality and a more refined design.
Considering you get a grill function, automatic programmes, a clear LED display and a tidy compact footprint, the overall package feels well judged. Many cheaper models either skip the grill or cut back on user-friendly touches like the electronic timer and clear display.
The excellent 4.7/5 average rating from a very large number of owner reviews strongly supports its value case. When that many people are happy with performance and reliability, it suggests you’re investing in an appliance that should quietly get on with the job for years.
If you simply want the lowest possible price and don’t care about the brand or grill function, there are basic microwaves that undercut it. But for most buyers wanting a trusted name, sensible features and everyday ease of use, this Bosch offers very solid value for money.
The Bosch Series 2 FEL023MS2B is a well thought-out compact microwave with a useful grill, aimed squarely at people who want reliable everyday performance without unnecessary complication. It handles reheating, defrosting and simple cooking with ease, and the grill adds welcome versatility for crisping and browning.
Its 20-litre capacity and 800W power won’t suit those wanting a large-capacity, high-powered combi oven replacement, but for smaller households, students, couples or as a secondary microwave in a busy kitchen, it’s an excellent fit.
Backed by strong customer reviews and a 2-year warranty, this is a safe, sensible choice if you value ease of use, compact size and the reassurance of the Bosch badge more than cutting-edge smart features.
