Student living in a studio or room with a kitchenette
You are looking for a freestanding appliance to reheat, defrost and prepare simple meals in a space where worktop dimensions and ventilation clearances matter just as much as capacity.
Who is it for?
Occupant of a sparsely equipped second home
You need an appliance suited to occasional stays. A grill or combination model should mainly be chosen according to how often you will genuinely cook and how much space you have available.
Tenant who wants to brown dishes without adding an oven
You often reheat and defrost food, but would also like to brown certain dishes. A grill microwave is more directly suited to this use than a solo model.
Buying priorities
Freestanding microwave
Choose this if: you reheat portions, defrost food and occasionally prepare simple dishes, without regularly needing to brown or crisp them.
Good to know: it does not brown or crisp food; compare the turntable, dimensions and power output as well as the litre capacity.
Grill microwave
Choose this if: reheating remains your priority but you want to brown or crisp certain dishes without installing a second oven.
Good to know: the grill alone does not replace a fan-assisted cooking function.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you do not have a usable oven and genuinely intend to bake, grill or use fan-assisted cooking.
Good to know: it combines several functions, but requires more space and its usefulness depends on the dishes and the model.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Compare the width, height and depth with your worktop; allow room for the door to open. Check the turntable diameter, internal dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model. | I want to install the appliance without blocking the vents, and without discovering too late that my plates or dishes will not fit. |
| Useful functions | A solo model covers reheating and defrosting. The grill is used for browning; a combination model’s fan-assisted cooking should only be considered for oven-style cooking you genuinely intend to do. | Reheating may be enough for me, but I want the option to brown dishes if I will use it regularly. I will only choose a combination model if I will genuinely use its oven functions. |
| Expected results | Check the power levels, defrost programmes and available modes. The stated power rating alone does not fully describe how evenly food will be reheated or browned. | I am looking for an appliance suited to the tasks I do most often, without assuming that having a particular mode guarantees the same result for every dish. |
| Value of a combination model | Compare the size with the functions you will genuinely use. The ADEME / INC study indicates that the effectiveness of combination models compared with convection ovens varies according to the dishes, models and brands. | In a small kitchen, I want to know whether a multifunction appliance will genuinely replace a second appliance or simply add functions I will rarely use. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing solely by litre capacity
A small cavity may have a turntable that is too narrow for your plates, while a lower-capacity appliance may sometimes accommodate a wider turntable. Capacity does not replace checking the external and internal dimensions and the turntable.
Measure your usual plate or dish, then compare it with the turntable diameter and internal dimensions. Also check the overall depth and the door opening.
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Buying a combination model assuming it will always be better than an oven
Versatility does not guarantee the same cooking or energy benefits for every dish. A combination model can bring several functions together in a small kitchen, without being the most suitable choice if fan-assisted cooking will rarely be used.
Make a list of the dishes you actually prepare: solo for reheating and defrosting, grill for dishes that need browning, and combination when oven-style cooking is frequent.
The ADEME / INC study notes that combination models are generally more expensive than the convection ovens compared, depending on the models and retailers.
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Installing a freestanding model without reading its manual
Ventilation openings must not be obstructed, and the required clearances can vary from one appliance to another. A distance specified for a different model is not a universal rule.
Before buying, read the manual for the exact model and check the clearances, intended position, cable length and stated electrical specifications.
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Forgetting to return your old appliance
A microwave is electrical and electronic equipment that must be taken through an appropriate collection scheme rather than disposed of with household waste.
In France, request collection when replacing the appliance, or use an eligible shop and collection point in accordance with the applicable take-back rules.
Brand guide
Samsung
The French range includes solo, grill and combination freestanding microwaves, making it useful for comparing a simple 23 L model with more versatile appliances.
- The MS23K3555ES is an example of a 23 L, 800 W solo model with defrosting and keep-warm functions, according to Samsung.
- This model adds neither a grill nor fan-assisted cooking; its cooking and lining specifications are based on the manufacturer’s information.
Whirlpool
The French range includes grill appliances and compact formats, worth considering when browning matters in a limited space.
- Whirlpool describes the MAX49MB as a compact 13 L, 700 W grill model with a 28 cm turntable.
- Capacity alone does not tell you how much space it will take up: also compare the dimensions, turntable and functions of the specific model.
LG
The NeoChef range includes microwave, grill and oven combination models for people who will genuinely use several cooking modes.
- LG presents the MJ3965BPS as a 39 L combination model combining microwave, grill and oven functions.
- A combination model of this capacity requires careful checks of its depth and installation space before purchase.
Joybuy products
Joybuy options for reheating, defrosting and, depending on the model, browning dishes in a kitchenette or second home.
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Beko MGC20100B1 20 L 700 W grill microwave
For reheating, defrosting and occasionally browning dishes without adding a second appliance.
20 L, 700 W microwave, 800 W grill, 245 mm turntable and nine power levels.
No fan-assisted cooking indicated; allow for 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm and 10 cm of clearance at the sides and rear.
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LG MH6535GIS 25 L 1000 W grill microwave
For regular reheating and defrosting, with a golden finish thanks to the grill.
25 L, 29.2 cm turntable, 950 W grill, automatic programmes and dimensions of 47 × 26 × 37 cm.
Fan-assisted cooking is not indicated; check the depth, door opening and clearances in the manual for the model.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI 25 L 900 W grill microwave
For reheating, defrosting and browning portions or larger dishes on a suitable worktop.
25 L, 900 W microwave, 1 150 W grill, 28.8 cm turntable and eight programmes.
Its dimensions of 53.6 × 43.6 × 33 cm should be measured carefully; allow 10 cm at the sides and 20 cm above.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK) 20 L 700 W digital microwave
For reheating and defrosting everyday portions in a very small kitchenette.
20 L, 700 W, eleven power levels, six preset menus and defrosting by weight or time.
No grill or oven-style cooking indicated; check that the dimensions of 44 × 31.9 × 25.9 cm and the manual suit your available space.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W 20 L 700 W microwave
For simple everyday reheating in student accommodation or a second home.
20 L, 700 W, six power levels, 30-minute mechanical timer and 245 mm turntable.
No grill or fan-assisted cooking; check the 315 × 294 × 210 mm cavity, 220–240 V supply and required 10 cm clearance.
Frequently asked questions
Does a combination microwave always replace a conventional oven?
No. A combination model adds grill and fan-assisted cooking, but the ADEME / INC study covering four combination microwaves and ten convection ovens indicates that its effectiveness depends on the dishes, models and brands, with no clear overall advantage over a convection oven. Choose one for the functions you will genuinely use.
Which dimensions should you check for a kitchenette?
Measure the worktop’s width, height and especially its depth, the space needed for the door to open, and the turntable diameter or internal dimensions needed for your plates. Then check the ventilation clearances in the manual for the exact model.
Which electrical power specifications should you check?
Do not confuse the microwave output power with the total power consumption. For example, the Electrolux EMZ421MMK specifies 800 W microwave power, 1 270 W total power, 230 V and 10 A; these figures are specific to that model. Check the product information and manual for your chosen appliance, as well as your property’s electrical installation.
What should you do with your old microwave in France?
A microwave is classed as electrical and electronic equipment. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, “1-for-1” take-back applies when buying an appliance of the same type; “1-for-0” take-back applies to eligible shops with at least 400 m² of sales area dedicated to electronic equipment, household appliances and lamps.