Compact Bosch microwave for everyday meals

The Bosch Series 2 FFL023MW0B is a compact, freestanding 20-litre standard microwave designed for simple, everyday cooking. With 800W of power, touch controls and a clear LED display, it aims to take the hassle out of reheating, defrosting and quick midweek meals.

Bosch sits firmly in the reliable, mid-range bracket, and this model follows that pattern: no fancy convection or grilling, just a well-built solo microwave that focuses on ease of use. The 27 cm turntable is sized for smaller dinner plates and bowls, making it a good fit for tighter kitchens and worktops.

Backed by a strong 4.7 out of 5 user rating from well over a thousand reviews, it’s clearly a popular choice with owners who want straightforward performance from a trusted brand.

Table of Contents

Key features

  • 20L capacity & 27cm turntable for smaller dinner plates
  • 800 Watt power output – for even cooking in no time
  • 7 automatic programmes to cook food to perfection
  • Clear, easy-to-read LED display
  • Easy-to-use touch controls

Who this microwave is best for

This Bosch Series 2 microwave is ideal for smaller households, students, couples or anyone short on counter space. The 20-litre capacity and compact footprint make it easy to slot into a modest kitchen without feeling cramped.

It suits buyers who mainly use a microwave for reheating leftovers, defrosting ingredients and the odd ready meal or jacket potato, rather than large casseroles or family-sized dishes. The 27 cm turntable will comfortably take standard plates, but big serving platters are a stretch.

In budget terms, it sits in the mid-range rather than rock-bottom bargain territory. You’re paying for Bosch build quality, intuitive touch controls and a set of automatic programmes, not a long list of advanced cooking modes.

If you’re after a first microwave that’s simple to live with, or you’re replacing an older basic model and want something more refined without going premium, this is a very sensible option.

What we like

The 800W power rating is strong for a compact microwave, helping food heat quickly and more evenly than lower-powered budget units.

Bosch’s AutoPilot 7 automatic programmes take the guesswork out of cooking common dishes – handy if you don’t want to fiddle with times and power levels every time you put something in.

Touch controls and a bright LED display make it easy to set cooking times and check progress at a glance, even in a dim kitchen.

The compact 20-litre cavity and 27 cm turntable strike a good balance between space-saving design and everyday practicality for smaller plates and bowls.

A 2-year manufacturer warranty from a well-known brand adds reassurance on reliability for the price.

Where it could be better

With a 20-litre capacity, this model isn’t ideal for large families or anyone regularly heating big dishes – you’ll want a larger microwave if that’s your routine.

It’s a simple solo microwave with no grill or convection functions, so it can’t brown or crisp food in the way combination models can.

There are five power levels, which is perfectly adequate, but some more advanced microwaves offer finer control and additional specialist programmes.

The left-hinged door and relatively short 130 cm power cable may limit placement options slightly, depending on your socket layout.

Everyday use

Living with the Bosch FFL023MW0B is refreshingly straightforward. The touch controls are clearly labelled, so setting the timer or choosing a programme soon becomes second nature, even if you’re not a gadget person. The LED display is crisp and easy to read from across the room, making it simple to keep an eye on the remaining time.

The compact external dimensions (26 x 44.2 x 34.5 cm) mean it doesn’t dominate the worktop, and the 20-litre cavity still feels usable thanks to sensible internal proportions (300 mm deep, 280 mm wide). The 27 cm turntable handles most dinner plates, side plates and bowls without issue.

An interior light comes on when the microwave is running, so you can quickly spot any bubbling-over mishaps. The smooth interior and turntable design should make wiping it down straightforward – there are no complicated racks or accessories to remove.

The built-in clock and electronic timer are practical day to day, doubling as a handy kitchen timekeeper even when you’re not microwaving anything.

Performance and features

At 800W, this Bosch sits in the sweet spot for a compact microwave, heating food quickly without scorching the edges as easily as some higher-powered models can if you’re not careful. For reheating and defrosting, it delivers consistent, reliable results once you’re familiar with your usual timings.

The AutoPilot 7 feature is a highlight: seven automatic programmes that adjust power and time for different types of dishes. For things like jacket potatoes or reheating leftovers, this means far less trial and error. You simply select the programme, enter the weight if needed, and let the microwave do the rest.

Five power levels give enough flexibility for gentle defrosting, medium-power cooking and full-power blasts when you’re in a rush. Paired with an electronic programmable timer, it’s easy to dial in exactly how long you want without the imprecision of mechanical dials.

The standard left-hinged door, internal light and rotating turntable are all familiar, fuss-free features. There’s no smart connectivity, grill or convection system here – this is a straightforward solo microwave – but what it does, it does with the solidity you’d expect from Bosch.

A 2-year manufacturer warranty rounds out the package, reinforcing the impression of a well-built appliance designed for years of everyday use, rather than something disposable.

Value for money

Priced in the mid-range for compact solo microwaves, the Bosch FFL023MW0B isn’t the cheapest option, but it justifies its tag with brand reputation, solid build quality and thoughtful ease-of-use features.

The combination of 800W power, AutoPilot 7 automatic programmes, a clear LED display and touch controls puts it ahead of many basic entry-level models that rely on manual dials and guesswork. For most households, those quality-of-life improvements are worth paying a little extra for.

The strong 4.7/5 user rating from a very large number of reviews suggests owners feel they’re getting good value in real-world use, with few serious complaints. Add in the 2-year warranty and you have a microwave that should prove a sound investment if you prioritise reliability and simplicity over advanced cooking modes.

Our verdict

The Bosch Series 2 FFL023MW0B is a well-judged compact microwave that focuses on doing the basics properly. It offers respectable 800W performance, genuinely useful automatic programmes and an intuitive interface, all wrapped in a neat, space-saving design.

It’s best suited to singles, couples and smaller kitchens where a large-capacity or feature-packed combination microwave would be overkill. If you mainly reheat, defrost and cook simple meals, it will feel quick, dependable and pleasantly unfussy to use.

If you regularly cook for a large family or want grilling and crisping functions, you’ll need to look at larger or combination models. But for anyone after a reliable, easy-to-use solo microwave from a trusted brand, this Bosch is a strong, confidence-inspiring choice.

FAQs

What is the capacity of the Bosch FFL023MW0B microwave?

It has a 20-litre capacity, which is ideal for smaller households and standard dinner plates, but less suited to very large dishes or platters.
The Bosch FFL023MW0B has a maximum microwave power of 800 Watts, offering quick and efficient heating for everyday cooking and reheating.
Yes, it includes Bosch’s AutoPilot 7 with seven automatic programmes that set the time and power for you, helping to cook common dishes more reliably.
No, this is a standard solo microwave with no grill or convection function. It’s designed for heating, cooking and defrosting rather than browning or crisping.
The turntable is 27 cm in diameter, so it comfortably fits most standard dinner plates, side plates and bowls, but very large plates may not rotate freely.
It uses electronic touch controls with a clear LED display, making it easy to set cooking times and select programmes accurately.
Yes, it’s a freestanding model with a standard GB plug. Just place it on a stable worktop, ensure enough ventilation space, and plug it into a suitable 10-amp socket.
The Bosch FFL023MW0B comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty, offering good peace of mind on parts and labour.

Bosch Series 2 FFL023MW0B 20 Litre 26cm High, Freestanding Small Standard Microwave Oven Review

£139.00

Overall score

8.7/10

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