For reheating meals and defrosting food in a studio flat or holiday home, start by looking at straightforward freestanding microwaves. Check their overall size and the dimensions of dishes they can accommodate. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, a grill is worth considering if you also want to brown food; a combination microwave is mainly worth looking at if you plan to use it for some of the cooking you would usually do in an oven.
UFC-Que Choisir lists student accommodation and holiday homes among the situations where a microwave can come in handy. In both cases, the space you have and the meals you actually prepare will help you decide which features you need.
If you mainly use the appliance to reheat leftovers and defrost food, compare its external dimensions with the space you have available. Measure your plates too: the stated capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether they’ll fit on the turntable.
If you mainly prepare simple meals during occasional stays, a model without a grill may be all you need. Before opting for extra cooking modes, think about when you would use them in that property.
If you also want to brown food or prepare dishes that need other cooking modes, consider a grill or combination microwave. How often you’ll make these meals should justify the space the appliance takes up and its extra features.
First decide what you’ll cook: reheated and defrosted food, browned dishes or a wider range of meals. Then check that the appliance, its open door and the clearances specified in the manual will all fit in your kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | External dimensions, door clearance, turntable diameter and the clearances specified in the manual. | In a narrow kitchen, I need to be able to place the appliance and use my plates without getting in the way of other worktop activities; around 36% of consumers in this situation would make size their priority. |
| Simple meals | Whether it has a defrost setting and whether the cavity is big enough for your usual portions. | If I mainly reheat leftovers or defrost portions, I prefer controls suited to these everyday tasks; around 29% of consumers in this situation would prioritise this. |
| Browning food | Whether it has a grill mode and what the manual says about suitable accessories. | If I want to brown certain dishes without expecting the appliance to handle everything an oven can, I need a grill; around 21% of consumers in this situation would prioritise this. |
| A wider range of cooking | The modes available on the exact model, its external dimensions and whether you can move it if needed. | If my home doesn’t have a practical oven, I want to prepare more than just reheated meals; around 14% of consumers in this situation would put this use first. |
Compact size isn’t a fourth type of cooking appliance: a standard microwave, a grill or a combination model can all be freestanding. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these appliances by their features. For a small home, check your chosen model against the depth available rather than relying on the capacity of its cavity alone.
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external depth or how much space you’ll need to open the door. For example, Whirlpool lists a depth of 46,8 cm and a weight of 19 kg for its MWF255B combination model. These figures apply to this model, not all combination microwaves.
Measure the space and check the manual for the clearances required for the model you’re considering. Also compare the turntable diameter with the dishes you normally use.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between standard microwaves, grills for browning food and combination models that offer a wider range of cooking options. These extra features are most useful if you expect to use them regularly.
Make a list of the dishes you’ll prepare in your home. If you only want to brown food now and then, compare grill models too before choosing a combination microwave.
A container that’s suitable for microwave mode isn’t necessarily suitable for the grill. UFC-Que Choisir warns against using metal in microwave mode and points out that not all plastics are suitable.
Check the container’s instructions and follow the appliance manual for each mode, especially when the microwave and grill are used together.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual, as explained by the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. An additional commercial warranty is separate from this legal protection.
Keep your proof of purchase and the product description. Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its cover carefully with your statutory rights.
These models illustrate different features and dimensions; they don’t represent every range from each brand. Always check the full model number when comparing two appliances.
The MOC20100SFB is an example of a standard microwave to consider when space and everyday meals are the main priorities.
The EMZ421MMK is worth considering if you want a grill for browning food in a home with limited cooking facilities.
The MS23K3513AS/EF is an example of a standard microwave for reheating and defrosting.
The MWF255B is an example of a freestanding combination microwave to consider if your home lacks a practical oven.
These appliances are suited to choosing a freestanding microwave for reheating and defrosting in a small space. Their controls and features vary. If browning food or oven-style cooking is essential, look at the modes available on a grill or combination model instead.
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Worth considering for reheating meals and defrosting without needing a grill function.
Stated capacity: 20 L; stated microwave power: 700 W. Before setting aside a space for it, check its dimensions and the clearances required in the manual.
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Worth considering if you want straightforward settings for everyday meals and defrosting.
The product name lists 700 W, six power levels, a defrost function and a 30-minute timer. Compare the turntable size with your plates and check the model’s installation instructions.
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A freestanding option to consider for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen.
Stated capacity: 20 L; stated power: 700 W. Before choosing where to put it, check the manual for the space needed around the appliance and the connection requirements.
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Worth considering if you prefer digital controls for simple meals and defrosting.
The product name lists 700 W, 11 power levels and six pre-set menus. Check that you’re comfortable with the controls and consult the manual for installation requirements.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting portions that fit on its turntable.
The product name lists 700 W, five power levels, a 30-minute timer and a 245 mm turntable. Measure your dishes and check the external dimensions and installation instructions before choosing a spot for it.
Yes, if you mainly plan to reheat food, defrost and prepare simple meals. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from browning food with a grill and the extra cooking options offered by a combination model. Even so, measure the space available before choosing a standard microwave.
Measure the available width, height and depth, remembering to leave enough space to open the door. Compare these measurements with the model’s external dimensions, then check the turntable diameter and the clearances specified in the manual.
Don’t use a metal container in microwave mode unless the manual explicitly allows it for the mode and accessory in question. UFC-Que Choisir warns that this could damage the appliance. Also check that plastic containers are suitable for the intended use.
In France, purchases made by an individual from a business are covered by the statutory guarantee of conformity, as explained by the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. Keep the product description and proof of purchase so you can explain the fault to the seller. Any commercial warranty does not replace this legal protection.
In France, used microwaves are covered by the waste electrical and electronic equipment collection scheme described by the ministry responsible for ecological transition. Contact the seller or your local collection service to find out about take-back or drop-off options.