The Electra MWSM20LW is a no-frills, 20-litre freestanding microwave designed for everyday reheating and simple cooking. With its compact footprint and classic white finish, it’s clearly aimed at smaller kitchens and buyers who just want something straightforward that works.
This is very much a budget-friendly option, focusing on basics rather than advanced features. You get 700W of power, manual knob controls and a mechanical timer instead of touch panels or auto programmes.
Despite the simple spec, owners rate it extremely highly, with an average score of 4.9 out of 5 from around twenty reviews. That suggests Electra has got the essentials right: easy to use, heats reliably and fits neatly on the worktop.
The Electra MWSM20LW suits anyone who wants a straightforward microwave for reheating leftovers, defrosting portions and the odd ready meal. Its 20-litre capacity and 26.4 cm height make it ideal for flats, student houses, small kitchens or as a second microwave in a larger home.
If you’re on a tight budget or setting up a first home, the price point and simple feature set are very appealing. You’re not paying for fancy displays, sensors or grill functions you may never use.
It’s also a good fit for those who prefer tactile, intuitive controls. The rotary knobs and mechanical timer mean no digging through menus – just turn the dial and go, which can be especially handy for older users or anyone who struggles with touchscreens.
However, it’s not aimed at keen cooks who want to steam, grill or run complex cooking programmes. If you regularly cook full meals from scratch in the microwave or need lots of capacity for family-sized dishes, you’ll be better off with a larger, more fully featured model.
The 20-litre capacity hits a sweet spot for smaller households, offering enough room for standard dinner plates and bowls without taking over the worktop. At 26.4 cm high and 45.6 cm wide, it’s compact enough for tight spaces.
With 700W of power and five selectable power levels, it handles everyday reheating and defrosting reliably. You can dial the intensity down for gentler warming, which helps avoid hot spots and overcooked edges.
The mechanical timer and knob controls make operation incredibly simple. There’s no display to figure out, no confusing buttons, and the clear rotary dials are easy to see at a glance.
An interior light and turntable are included, so you can keep an eye on food as it rotates, helping you judge when things are hot enough. User reviews are very positive, suggesting it’s dependable and straightforward to live with.
The low purchase price and basic design also mean fewer electronics to go wrong, which can be reassuring if you just want something functional and fuss-free.
At 700W, this model is slightly less powerful than many mid-range microwaves, which often sit around 800–900W. That means some dishes may take a little longer to heat through, especially larger portions.
There’s no digital display, auto cook programmes or built-in defrost settings by weight or food type. You need to rely on your own judgement and the mechanical timer, which may feel limiting if you’re used to more advanced controls.
It lacks a grill, convection oven or steam cooking, so it can’t brown food or replace a traditional oven. If you’re short on cooking appliances, this won’t cover every job.
There’s also no child lock, which may be a drawback for households with young children who can reach the controls. Finally, the 1-year manufacturer warranty is standard but not generous compared with some brands that offer longer cover.
Day to day, the Electra MWSM20LW is about as uncomplicated as a microwave gets. You pop food on the 25.5 cm turntable, close the side-opening door with its push-button release, choose a power level with one knob and set the time with the other.
The lack of a digital display means there’s nothing to set up or programme – it’s ready to go as soon as you plug it in. The mechanical timer gives a satisfying click as you rotate it, and the microwave stops automatically when the time runs out.
The interior light and rotating turntable make it easy to see if food is bubbling over or needs a quick stir. Cleaning is straightforward too: the standard cavity and glass turntable can be wiped down after use, with no grills or racks to remove.
Because it’s compact and relatively lightweight for a freestanding microwave of this size, it’s easy to shift slightly on the worktop if you need to clean behind it or rearrange your kitchen layout.
Core performance here is built around a 700W microwave output and a 20-litre cavity. For reheating leftovers, warming drinks and cooking ready meals, it does the job reliably, though you may need to add an extra minute or so compared with higher-wattage models.
There are five power levels to choose from, which is useful when you want to soften butter, gently warm baby food or avoid overheating more delicate dishes. Having a mechanical power selector makes it obvious what setting you’re on, with no hidden menus.
The standard turntable and interior light are key convenience features, ensuring more even heating and allowing you to keep an eye on food. While it doesn’t offer turntable deactivation, the 25.5 cm diameter is ample for most plates and bowls used in smaller households.
Feature-wise, this is deliberately basic: no grill, no convection mode, no auto cook or steam functions. It also lacks a display, delay timer, keep warm mode and child lock. In a crowded microwave market where many models chase extra features, this Electra instead focuses on simplicity and low cost.
For buyers who just want an uncomplicated microwave for day-to-day tasks, that stripped-back approach works well. But if you’re looking for something to handle baking, roasting or browning, or you like pre-set programmes and digital precision, you’ll find this model too limited.
With a current price of around £49, the Electra MWSM20LW sits firmly at the budget end of the microwave market. For that outlay you get a compact, practical appliance that covers all the basics without unnecessary extras.
You are sacrificing features like a digital display, auto cooking programmes, grill and convection functions, but the strong 4.9 out of 5 user rating suggests most owners feel they’ve had excellent value for what they paid.
If your priority is keeping costs down while still having a reliable, easy-to-use microwave, it represents very good value. The only reason to spend more is if you specifically want more power, a larger capacity or advanced cooking modes that this model doesn’t offer.
The Electra MWSM20LW is a straightforward, budget-friendly microwave that gets the essentials right. It’s compact, easy to use and well liked by owners, making it a strong choice for smaller households, students, first-time buyers or anyone who just wants simple reheating and defrosting.
Its limitations are clear: modest 700W power, no grill or convection, no digital display and no child lock. For families who cook a lot in the microwave, or those wanting one appliance to do everything, a higher-spec model will be worth considering.
But if you’re happy with a basic, reliable workhorse that doesn’t take up much space or cost much to buy, this Electra microwave is a very sensible pick and offers strong value for money.
