For a home with space for just one appliance
You want to bake and reheat in the same space. Check the installation dimensions, the available settings and how much usable space there is inside the cavity.
Which option is right for you?
For cooks who make large dishes
You prioritise capacity and oven cooking settings. Compare the compact format of a combi oven with a standard oven, then check the internal dimensions against the dishes you usually use.
For households that need to use both at once
You want to reheat a meal while something else is cooking in the oven. Compare a combi appliance with two separate appliances, which can be used independently if you have enough space.
What should you check before buying?
The INC and ADEME technical study looked at four combi ovens and ten convection ovens bought in 2024. Its results do not show that combi ovens are generally more energy-efficient. Compare models based on the dishes you make, the space you have and whether you genuinely need to use two appliances at the same time.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Combining functions in one space | Measure the space according to the model’s instructions. Check that it has the microwave and oven settings you want to use. | If I want to combine cooking and reheating in my existing space, I check the dimensions and settings before choosing. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a combi oven that fits their space. |
| Making sure there’s enough room for your dishes | Compare the stated capacity and internal dimensions with the dishes you use regularly. | If my usual dishes need a large cavity, I compare the compact format with a standard oven. Around 29% of consumers put capacity first. |
| Cooking and reheating at the same time | Think about when you need both tasks to happen at once. Check whether one appliance can handle this or whether you need two separate appliances. | If I need to reheat something while a dish is cooking in the oven, two independent appliances may suit the way I cook better, if I have the space. Around 21% of consumers prioritise being able to use both at once. |
| Weighing up energy use | Look at consumption results for comparable recipes and settings. Don’t assume the results for one model apply to every appliance. | If I want to choose based on documented energy results rather than simply having functions combined, I compare the conditions of the tests. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this trade-off. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on the word ‘combi’ alone
A microwave with a grill does not necessarily offer the oven settings your recipes need.
Check the settings on the model you’re considering, including fan cooking if you need it, and compare them with the recipes you make.
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Confusing the housing, external dimensions and cavity
A compatible housing doesn’t guarantee that your dishes will fit inside the cavity. For example, Electrolux’s product information for the KVLBE08X gives a housing size of 450 × 560 × 550 mm and a cavity capacity of 43 L.
Check the installation instructions and measure the dishes you use regularly. If they don’t fit, you may need to choose a different model or have the kitchen unit altered.
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Assuming a combi oven always uses less energy
The results of the INC–ADEME study vary depending on the dishes and appliances tested. They don’t prove that a combi oven is more energy-efficient in every situation.
Compare measurements for recipes and settings that are similar to the way you cook, without extrapolating the results to a model that wasn’t tested.
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Forgetting the limitations of a single appliance
When the oven is in use, a combi oven can’t provide a second, independent cavity for reheating at the same time.
If you often need to do both at once, compare a combi oven with a conventional oven and a separate microwave, and check that you have enough space.
Brands to consider
Bosch
The CMG7241B1 and HBA534BS3 illustrate two different formats and uses.
- Bosch Electroménager France lists a 45 L capacity and maximum microwave power of 900 W for the CMG7241B1. The manufacturer gives its dimensions as 455 × 594 × 548 mm.
- The HBA534BS3 is a conventional oven, with no microwave function listed in its product information. These specifications describe the models; they are not the result of a comparison between them.
Electrolux
The KVLBE08X is a compact model that combines microwave and oven cooking.
- Electrolux France gives a housing size of 450 × 560 × 550 mm, a 43 L cavity and settings that combine fan cooking and microwave.
- The dimensions and capacity apply to this model only. The manufacturer’s claims about speed don’t prove it will be quicker for every recipe.
Samsung
Samsung France describes the NQ5B6753CAK/U1 as a built-in combi microwave.
- The manufacturer’s product information lists a 50 L capacity and combines convection cooking with microwave.
- The NQ5B6753CAK’s inclusion in the sample studied by the INC and ADEME does not mean this model can be credited with energy savings.
Whirlpool
The WCT11A9FHTSSMAF combines several functions in a compact built-in appliance.
- Whirlpool France lists a 52 L cavity, microwave power of 950 W, fan-assisted cooking and steam functions.
- These specifications and functions are those declared by the manufacturer. Check the housing dimensions, and consider whether the accessories and settings are useful for the way you cook.
Built-in ovens available on Joybuy
This selection features built-in ovens for baking and roasting, so you can compare capacities and functions. It does not include combi microwaves.
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Candy CA6 NP5B3HTX, 78 L built-in oven
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a built-in oven with a large stated capacity.
Capacity: 78 L. Features listed in the name: Air Fry, Wi-Fi and hydrolytic cleaning. Energy rating listed: A++.
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Electrolux EOM3H00X, 72 L built-in oven
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a multifunction built-in oven with a stated capacity of 72 L.
Capacity: 72 L. Feature listed in the name: AirFry. Finish listed: stainless steel.
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Hotpoint FI4485PIX, 71 L built-in oven
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a multifunction built-in oven and want to explore the cleaning options available.
Capacity: 71 L. Pyrolytic cleaning listed in the name. Finish listed: stainless steel. Energy rating listed: A+.
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Samsung NV7B41403BS/U5, 76 L built-in oven
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a multifunction built-in oven with a stated capacity of 76 L.
Capacity: 76 L. Energy rating listed: A+. Finish listed: stainless steel.
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Bosch HBA514BB3, 71 L built-in oven
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a built-in oven with 3D fan cooking and a stated capacity of 71 L.
Capacity: 71 L. Feature listed in the name: 3D hot air. Finish listed: stainless steel.
Frequently asked questions
Does a built-in microwave with a grill necessarily replace an oven?
No. A grill is useful for browning and crisping, for example, but it doesn’t guarantee the oven settings your recipes need. Check for fan cooking or any other settings you’re looking for, as well as the cavity size.
What should I measure before replacing a built-in oven?
Measure the height, width and depth of the housing, then compare these with the model’s installation dimensions and instructions. External dimensions are not a substitute for the housing measurements. Also check that your dishes will fit inside the cavity.
Does a built-in combi oven use less energy than a conventional oven?
Not necessarily. ADEME says efficiency varies depending on the dishes, models and brands. The INC–ADEME study looked at four combi ovens and ten convection ovens bought in 2024; it did not directly compare an oven with a separate microwave.
What should I check about the electrical supply in France?
Check the appliance’s power requirements and connection instructions, as well as whether your existing installation is compatible. For a dedicated oven circuit under NF C 15-100, Legrand specifies conductors of at least 2,5 mm² and a circuit breaker rated at no more than 20 A. This guidance applies in particular to new or fully renovated installations and cannot confirm remotely that an older installation is safe. If in doubt, ask a qualified professional.
What should I ask the seller about the warranty and spare parts?
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a professional to an individual, under the conditions set out by the Ministry of the Economy. Ask separately what information the seller can give you about how long spare parts will be available. The DGCCRF states that the seller must provide this information if the manufacturer has informed them of it.