Start by thinking about the cooking you do most often. An air fryer is suited to small batches of roasted or crispy food, while a combination microwave can bring several functions together in one appliance. With a compact oven, check its installation type and the space available. In an open-plan kitchen, also compare the noise levels of the models you’re considering, their dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual.
If you cook near the living room or a workspace, ventilation noise can affect your everyday choice. UFC-Que Choisir particularly draws attention to this point when it comes to air fryers used in open-plan kitchens.
If you want to reheat, defrost, grill and cook certain dishes without having several appliances, check the functions available on each combination microwave. UFC-Que Choisir highlights how their versatility can save space.
If worktop depth, sockets or an existing alcove limit your options, first check the appliance’s external dimensions, installation type, power rating and installation instructions. Electrolux’s published niche dimensions for its KVLBE08X compact oven show why these checks matter for a built-in appliance.
Consider it if: you mainly prepare small batches of roasted or crispy food on the worktop.
Bear in mind: its fan makes noise. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking this into account in an open-plan kitchen.
Consider it if: you want one appliance for reheating, defrosting, grilling and certain types of cooking, depending on the modes it offers. UFC-Que Choisir notes that combination models can save space.
Bear in mind: its range of functions doesn’t mean you can skip checking the appliance’s depth and what it can actually cook.
Consider it if: you regularly need oven functions and have a suitable space for your chosen installation type.
Bear in mind: a built-in model needs a compatible niche; “compact” doesn’t mean it can be used as a freestanding appliance.
In a small open-plan kitchen, start with the function you need most, then check each model against the space available and the way you use the adjoining room.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Operating noise | Compare noise tests carried out under clearly stated conditions, and consider other appliances running at the same time. | If I cook near the living room or while someone is working, I want to minimise disruption from ventilation noise; around 33% of consumers prioritise a quiet living space. |
| Functions and footprint | Check which modes are actually included, the external dimensions and how the door opens, rather than looking only at the internal capacity. | When worktop space is limited, I’d rather combine my everyday needs in one appliance that fits its space; around 42% of consumers prioritise versatility without taking up too much room. |
| Small batches of roasted or crispy food | Check the usable surface area of the basket or cavity, and how it performs with the foods you usually cook. | For small portions, I prioritise the type of cooking I want over having every function in one appliance; around 25% of consumers prioritise roasted or crispy dishes. |
The fan may be audible in the adjoining room. UFC-Que Choisir takes noise into account in its air fryer tests, measuring it at 0,50 m; a brief in-store demonstration won’t necessarily reflect the conditions in your kitchen.
Look for test results that state how noise was measured, and think about other appliances that might be running at the same time.
An appliance with a cavity that fits your dishes may still be too deep for the space available. For example, the freestanding MWF259SG combination microwave is 46,8 cm deep according to Whirlpool France; this measurement applies to this model only.
Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the space needed to open the door, then check the manual for ventilation clearances.
Some compact ovens are designed for built-in installation. Electrolux lists niche dimensions of 450 × 560 × 550 mm for its KVLBE08X, so this model needs a suitable niche rather than simply a spot on the worktop.
Check the oven’s niche dimensions, power rating and installation instructions against your existing cabinet and electrical installation.
Depending on the installation, you may need to adapt the cabinet or arrange electrical work.
These models are suited to two needs in a small open-plan kitchen: freestanding microwaves for everyday tasks and an air fryer for small portions. Before choosing, check the space each one needs and its operating requirements.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a worktop appliance for reheating and defrosting. Its stated capacity is 23 L and its product name lists a power rating of 900 W.
Check that it has the modes you need for your recipes, along with its external dimensions, the ventilation clearances specified in the manual and its operating noise.
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Worth considering if you want a freestanding appliance for reheating and defrosting. Its stated capacity is 25 L; check which mode the 1 000 W power rating in its product name refers to.
Check the functions you need for your recipes, the available depth, the ventilation clearances specified in the manual and its operating noise.
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Worth considering if you prepare small portions of roasted or crispy food. Its stated capacity is 2 L and its listed power rating is 1 150 W; check that the basket suits the quantities you usually cook for your household.
Before making space for it on your worktop, check its external dimensions, the clearances specified in the manual and its operating noise.
Not necessarily. A combination microwave can bring several modes together, but the functions and cooking options vary by model. Before deciding you don’t need another appliance, compare the modes it actually offers, its capacity and the recipes you want to make.
Your container must be suitable for the selected cooking mode. Don’t use metal utensils in microwave mode, only use plastics explicitly marked as suitable for that mode, and check the manual to see which accessories are allowed with the grill or other functions.
No. Under the French installation rules cited by Promotelec, the relevant socket outlets must not be installed above sinks or cooking appliances. If the proposed location is near these areas, have the installation checked before planning to put an appliance there.