Cookworks 700W Digital Microwave
Cookworks
If your kitchen counter is already fighting for space with a kettle, a toaster, and a stack of mugs that never quite fit in the cupboard, the last thing you need is a microwave that eats up half your worktop. The Cookworks 700W Digital Microwave in white is aimed squarely at that problem. It doesn't try to be a do-everything kitchen centrepiece.
It tries to be small, simple, and reliable — and after digging into how it's built, what it includes, and what real owners say about living with it day to day, that's largely what it delivers. Here's everything you need to know before it earns a spot on your counter.
Design and Build: Does It Feel as Compact as It Looks?
At just under 45cm wide and a little over 24cm tall, this is a genuinely small-footprint microwave — closer in scale to what you'd find in a student halls kitchenette or a static caravan than a family-sized freestanding oven. That's the whole point. It's designed to slot into narrow gaps between other appliances, sit comfortably under a wall cupboard, or perch on a small kitchen cart without dominating the space.
The clean white finish is deliberately understated. Rather than trying to make a design statement, it's built to blend into a light, modern kitchen and disappear visually the way a good appliance should. Inside, the cavity uses a coated steel construction, the kind of hard-wearing, corrosion-resistant surface that's standard for this category of microwave. It's built to shrug off the inevitable splashes and spills from reheated soup or overzealous porridge, and it should wipe clean without much effort. The exterior carries a similar coated finish, which again favours easy cleaning over flashy styling.
One practical point worth flagging before you buy: this model is designed as a freestanding appliance. It needs clear space around it for ventilation and isn't intended to be tucked into a cabinet or built-in housing with the door closed, even if you're tempted to hide it away behind a cupboard front. If you're planning built-in-style integration, this isn't the microwave for that job.
At just under 10kg, it's also light enough that moving it — between a kitchen and a bedroom during exam season, say, or in and out of a car boot for a house move — isn't a two-person job. The one-metre power cable is on the shorter side, so it's worth checking your intended socket is within easy reach before you commit to a specific spot on the counter, since you won't have much slack for repositioning later.
Just How Much Cooking Power Does 700W Actually Give You?
Wattage is the single most important number on any microwave's spec sheet, because it determines cooking speed more than almost anything else. At 700 watts, this Cookworks model sits at the lower-to-mid end of the domestic microwave power scale. For context, many modern compact microwaves in this price bracket now push 800W or 900W, while larger family units often reach 1000W or beyond.
What that means in practice: this isn't the microwave for speed-cooking a full dinner in three minutes flat. It's built for the everyday jobs microwaves are actually used for most — reheating leftovers, warming a bowl of soup, softening butter, or defrosting mince for tonight's meal — and at 700W it handles all of those competently. Where the lower wattage becomes more noticeable is with recipes or ready-meal instructions written for 800W-plus ovens. Because those cook times assume more power, you'll typically need to add 20-30 seconds or so to compensate and get food properly hot the whole way through, rather than warm on the outside and still cool in the middle.
It's also worth being upfront about something several owners have flagged after using this exact model: some report that the microwave feels like it's delivering a touch less punch than the 700W figure on the box suggests, particularly on dense or cold foods. That kind of perceived gap between stated and felt wattage isn't unusual across the budget microwave category, and it doesn't mean the appliance is faulty — it just means you should expect to nudge cooking times up slightly rather than trusting a recipe's timer to the second.
Everyday Features That Actually Matter
Beyond raw power, this microwave keeps things simple rather than piling on gimmicks. Here's what you're actually getting:
- Six automatic programmes. Rather than guessing at power level and time for common foods, you select a preset and let the microwave handle the calculation. This is the difference between "how long do I nuke this for" anxiety and just pressing a button and walking away.
- Dedicated defrost setting. A specific mode for taking food from frozen to ready-to-cook without you needing to calculate power levels manually — genuinely useful on a weekday evening when you've forgotten to take the mince out of the freezer that morning.
- Touch control panel. No dials to turn or buttons to stick over time. The trade-off, based on real owner feedback, is that touch panels can occasionally need a firmer or repeated press to register compared to a physical button — a minor learning curve rather than a dealbreaker.
- Child safety lock. A genuinely valuable inclusion for any household with young kids around, letting you disable the controls so little hands can't start the microwave or fiddle with settings.
- Digital clock display. Beyond just timing your cooking, the unit displays the time when idle, so it can double as a kitchen clock — a small but appreciated bonus.
- Interior light. Lets you check on food through the door without interrupting the cooking cycle, which matters more than it sounds once you're trying to judge whether that jacket potato needs another two minutes.
- Flexible timer entry. You can dial in cooking time in quick 30-second increments for fast, repeatable tasks, or set it manually for anything that needs a more specific duration.
None of this is groundbreaking, and that's rather the point — it's a sensible, no-nonsense feature set aimed at people who want a microwave to just work, not one that needs a manual to operate.
Capacity and Turntable: What Will Actually Fit Inside?
The 17-litre interior capacity places this firmly in the compact category — noticeably smaller than the 20-25 litre microwaves aimed at larger households. Combined with internal dimensions of roughly 20cm in height and around 30cm in width and depth, there's a real ceiling on what you can cook here.
The 24.5cm rotating turntable is the key number for everyday practicality: it tells you the largest plate or dish that can spin freely inside without catching on the cavity walls. A standard side plate or a smaller reheating dish will sit comfortably and rotate for even heating — which is exactly what stops you getting that frustrating experience of porridge that's boiling on one side and lukewarm on the other. Where the compact size shows its limits is with larger dinner plates, big casserole dishes, or tall containers; the roughly 20cm interior height in particular means anything unusually tall — a large travel mug or a bulky food storage container — may not clear the roof of the cavity.
If your household regularly reheats big batch-cooked meals for four or five people, or uses oversized dinnerware, this compact interior will feel restrictive. If you're mostly heating single portions, mugs of milk, or defrosting modest cuts of meat, it's more than adequate.
Who This Microwave Is For — and Who Should Look Elsewhere
This is a microwave built around a specific kind of household, and it's worth being honest about where it fits and where it doesn't.
It's a strong match if you are:
- Living alone or as a couple, where portion sizes are naturally smaller
- A student in halls or a small rented flat with limited counter space
- Looking for a straightforward second microwave for an office, garage, caravan, or granny annexe
- Someone who mainly reheats, defrosts, and warms rather than cooks full meals from scratch in the microwave
- After a simple appliance with genuinely useful safety features like a child lock, without paying for extras you won't use
It's likely the wrong choice if you are:
- Cooking for a family of four or more, where 17 litres and a 24.5cm turntable will feel cramped fast
- Someone who relies on a microwave for full meal cooking rather than reheating, and wants shorter cook times
- Regularly using large dinner plates, big mixing bowls, or tall containers that need more interior headroom
- Hoping to build the microwave into a cabinet or fitted kitchen unit, since this model is designed to stand freely with ventilation space around it
- Someone who specifically wants grill or combi-cooking functions, since this is a straightforward microwave-only appliance with no browning or crisping capability
How It Compares to Other Compact Microwaves
To put this model in context, here's how it stacks up against the other common types of small microwave you'll typically be choosing between at a similar size and budget:
| Category | Cooking Power | Controls | Best For | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookworks 700W Digital (this model) | 700W | Touch panel, 6 programmes, defrost mode | Singles, couples, students; simple daily reheating | Slower than higher-wattage rivals; no grill function |
| Manual dial compact microwaves | Typically 700-800W | Physical dials, no presets | Buyers who want maximum simplicity and tactile controls | No automatic programmes; less precise timing |
| Higher-wattage compact digitals (800-900W) | 800-900W | Touch or button panel, presets | Anyone wanting noticeably faster cook times in a similar footprint | Usually a step up in price |
| Compact combi/grill microwaves | Varies, often 700-900W plus grill element | Touch panel with grill/combi modes | Buyers who want browning, crisping, or mini-oven versatility | Larger footprint, higher price, more to clean |
The takeaway: if simplicity and a genuinely small footprint are your priorities, this model competes well. If speed or extra cooking functions matter more to you than compactness, it's worth looking at the higher-wattage or combi options instead.
Strengths and Weaknesses After Living With the Details
Where it excels
The clearest strength here is coherence — every design choice, from the 17-litre cavity to the one-metre cable to the freestanding-only build, points toward the same goal of a small, no-fuss microwave for a small kitchen, and it doesn't compromise that focus by trying to also be a family-sized cooking powerhouse. The six programmes and defrost setting genuinely reduce the mental effort of daily cooking, the child safety lock is a real safety feature rather than a box-ticking exercise, and the light weight and modest dimensions make it easy to live with in a tight space. The one-year guarantee is in line with what's typical for an appliance at this size and price point, so there's nothing unusual to be wary of there.
Where it falls short
The honest weaknesses are just as clear. The 700W output, while entirely workable for daily reheating and defrosting, will feel slow if you're used to a more powerful microwave, and you should expect to add time to any packaging instructions written for 800W-plus ovens. Some owners have also found the touch controls need a slightly firmer or repeated press compared to physical buttons, which is a minor but real point of friction during regular use. And the compact 17-litre interior, while ideal for its intended audience, is a genuine limitation if your household's needs grow — there's no scaling this microwave up to family-sized cooking without feeling its ceiling.
Final Verdict
The Cookworks 700W Digital Microwave earns its place by doing one job well rather than many jobs adequately. If you're furnishing a small kitchen — as a student, a couple, or anyone who mainly reheats and defrosts rather than cooks elaborate meals in the microwave — this is a sensible, well-specified pick that won't overwhelm your counter or your budget. The programmes and defrost setting handle the everyday basics smoothly, the child lock is a genuine safety plus for family homes, and the compact dimensions mean it fits where bulkier microwaves simply can't.
Where it falls short is speed and scale: families needing to reheat large portions quickly, or anyone wanting a microwave with grill versatility, should look further up the range. But for its intended audience — small households wanting a straightforward, reliable microwave without unnecessary extras — it does exactly what it promises.
What People Say
126 comments"Perfect for small kitchens—reliable and simple"
I recently bought this 700W microwave, and it has been exactly what we needed. While it isn't the most powerful model on the market, it works very well for our daily reheating and defrosting.
The compact size is a huge plus; it doesn't take up much counter space but still fits our dinner plates easily. My favorite feature by far is the kitchen timer function. It’s so handy to have a dedicated timer for other cooking tasks without having to grab my phone with messy hands.
If you need a straightforward, space-saving microwave that does the basics perfectly, I highly recommend this one.
Burns the popcorn!!
The main issue we have with this microwave is the interior size is too small. When we tried to heat a bag of popcorn it got burnt badly because as the bag unfolds and expands it touches the sides and will no longer rotate. The solution is to keep stopping the microwave every 15 secs and manually revolve the bag. Not ideal. For very basic things like heating a bowl of porridge or small plate of food the microwave is good. Easy to use. So provided you don’t use larger plates etc the microwave is good value for money but if you don’t want burnt popcorn a bigger microwave is required!!
Worth the money.
I purchased the Cookworks 700W Digital Microwave a month ago. I was helped from the shop to my car with it. It works well and I have no complaints with it. There are various settings that can be used for different dishes. Holds a medium size dinner plate. The only thing I feel the writing on the start button feel a little raised. I am not sure if this is that the writing is put on with a sticker, rather than printed on. I haven't rubbed it in case the writing comes off. That is the only problem I have come across. Recommended.
A little cracker.
I bought this to replace an old 3 in 1 microwave that had broken down. This little Cookworks microwave is just what I was looking for, it's small and compact with nice styling and a clear to read control panel. Numbers 1 to 6 are shortcut keys for 1 to 6 minutes cooking, which I think is a great feature. It's very easy to clean and looks good in my kitchen on top of my fridge.
If you are looking for a small simple microwave, this little fellow is for you. And for the price, you can't go wrong.
Faulty
I've used it for various things and it cooks very unevenly. Something I did the other day was burned one side and still frozen on the other side half way through cooking. Twice things have been burned / dried out to the point I had to bin them after the first half of the cooking time. I'm returning tomorrow. Also I did boil in the bag fish and am attaching pictures of the inside of the microwave after two minutes 20seconds cooking
Not as advertised
I brought this a month ago. Took it home opened it up and took it straight back. As other reviewers have stated its not a 700w microwave. Its advertised by argos as a 700w microwave. The box shows it a a 700w. But when you take out the microwave the door states its a 650w. The advertising is not correct so beware. You are not getting what you think you have purchased.
Great features - excellent small microwave!
I bought the standard version of this microwave ( with the rotary control ) a few months ago,which I have now donated to my neighbour,as I have since upgraded to the digital one. This is a great little microwave with some excellent features for its size. It fits very nicely into the corner of my kitchen worktop and so far has done everything that I've wanted it to!
Easy to use
My elderly father is so pleased that I bought this microwave for him because it is easy to use. The press button for thirty seconds and the option to choose just the number of minutes cooking time with one press is really easy. He also likes the time display, and the beeping to say his food is cooked is not too piercing a noise like some microwaves. Very pleased.
Not 700w
Bought this as a replacement. We only use it for heating soup, wraps, beans etc dont use it for ready meals or anything luckily. The box & description both say 700w but the sticker on the front of the microwave says 650w and as other reviews have stated you can’t fit a dinner plate inside without tilting it. It does the job for us but might not for a big family
Good little microwave.
This microwave is good, nice size, easy to put on work top. I think its good for the money. I didnt want yo pay a lot for a microwave as I only normally use it to warm up food, packet rice etc. it does what it says it does & the heat in it is brilliant. I have not tried it to defrost yet as only had it a few weeks, but I will & im sure it will be good
Good basic microwave
This microwave is easy to use and compact. However, the internal dimensions given are inaccurate. The door opening is only 27cms wide not 29cms, though it does widen inside the oven. This was extremely annoying as I had to buy new plates just to fit through the door. Also it states 650W on the front of the oven, not 700W as listed.
Excellent product. Great value.
Purchased this Cookworks microwave after the much more expensive Panasonic microwave we had only lasted a couple of years before giving up the ghost. The Cookworks microwave does everything the old one did but a much reduced price. We’ve had Cookworks kitchen products before and they’ve always been very good and long lasting.
NOT AS ADVERTISED
Unfortunately, this item description not not match the item, Clearly says 700watt, but it's actually a 650watt, I had read this information on other customers reviews, but have decided to keep the item anyway, for a Digital microwave it's very well priced , but just remember to add 10/15 seconds onto your cooking times
Microwave oven- not as described
This microwave oven looks good, and is easy to operate, but it is quite small inside.
Unfortunately, Argos are not describing it correctly. The information on the website, and on the box, says 700w but on the actual microwave it says 650w. I had to return it as it was taking a long time to cook anything..
Serves its purpose.
I bought this to replace a much larger microwave which took up far too much worktop space. My only grumble is the control panel which could be easier to operate.
A microwave is not a major piece of equipment
in my kitchen so therefore it does the job adequately. Ideal for students and single people.
Thoroughly recommended
I needed to replace my 2 yo quite expensive microwave as it had bubbling in the inside roof. I decided to go cheaper this time and surveyed many. I am very pleased with this particular microwave. Very easy to use. Compact. Well worth the reasonable price too. I'm very pleased with my purchase.
Nice Microwave
I bought this a couple of weeks ago and have used it daily since, simple to use. It's small and compact therefore does not take up a huge amount of room on the worktop yet big enough to fit my largest casserole dish into, wouldn't need it to be any bigger. I like the yellow lamp inside.
Really great addition to my kitchen.
I am extremely happy with this microwave. It efficiently performs whatever I use it for. Brilliant performance with clever features. I have had more powerful and more expensive microwaves but this is the best one that I have owned. Its size and design lends itself well in my kitchen
Good easy to use
Brought this for my cousin who is blind. He has to put a tiny piece of plaster on the button he requires, but this has been very easy for him to use. The timings are easy to understand and we were able to explain its use for him to use. A great little microwave at a good price
Cookworks microwave
I bought this microwave a couple of weeks ago. It's simple to operate and does everything I need it to. I've only given 4 stars as the light stays on all the time the door is open (to let out steam and cooking smells), which is a nuisance. Other than that, I'd recommend it.