A combi microwave is a good choice if you want to reheat and defrost food, as well as make proper use of the grill or fan oven function, and can install the appliance with the clearances specified in its manual. If you mainly want to brown and crisp food, a microwave with grill may be enough. For larger dishes or if oven cooking is your priority, also compare a mini oven or a standard microwave paired with a separate oven. Programmes alone can’t guarantee good results: check test results for the exact model and make sure your dishes will fit.
You want several cooking functions in one appliance, without discovering after purchase that it’s too deep or difficult to install. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking the actual footprint of a combi microwave into account.
You also reheat meals, but the grill, browning and some fan oven cooking options matter when you’re choosing an appliance. Check test results for the exact model and the dishes you’re interested in: UFC-Que Choisir tests specific models.
The size of your dishes or the need to cook several batches may matter more than having several functions in one cavity. Compare your dishes with the appliance’s usable dimensions rather than relying on the advertised capacity alone.
Start by considering the space available and the dishes you prepare. Having several cooking modes doesn’t guarantee that you’ll use them or that every recipe will turn out well.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and ventilation | Measure the available space and check the clearances, installation requirements and door opening specified in the manual for the exact model. | If worktop space is limited, I want to know whether the appliance will fit without obstructing access or ventilation; around 33% of consumers prioritise size and ventilation. |
| Additional cooking functions | Check the modes available on the exact model and, where possible, look for test results on the dishes you prepare. | If I plan to cook bakes or use the oven function, I want results that reflect those uses, not just a list of programmes; around 27% of consumers put the quality of additional cooking functions first. |
| Dish size | Compare your dishes with the cavity dimensions, turntable and door opening. | If my usual dishes are large, I want to check that they’ll fit and be easy to remove; around 20% of consumers prioritise dish size and usable capacity. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Consider how easy the controls are to use and, where available, check test results for even reheating and defrosting. | For everyday use focused on reheating meals and defrosting food, I prioritise ease of use; around 20% of consumers make these functions their priority. |
The grill browns food, but having one doesn’t mean the appliance also has a fan oven function. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these different uses.
Check the modes listed for the exact model before comparing appliances.
If a grill alone isn’t suitable for the recipes you have in mind, you may need to keep or buy an oven, reducing the space you hoped to save.
The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether a dish will fit in the cavity, turn on the turntable or be easy to remove.
Measure the dishes you use regularly and compare them with the usable dimensions, turntable and door opening of the exact model.
If a dish doesn’t fit, you may have to change containers or give up on certain cooking methods.
In a test of the LG MJ3965BPS, UFC-Que Choisir found that a pizza was still cold in the middle after using the automatic programme. This result applies to that specific model, not all combi microwaves.
Look for tests of the model you’re considering and check that your dish is cooked through.
A combi microwave may take up more space than you expect once installed. The documented Whirlpool MWP 3391 SB is 54 cm deep externally; this measurement applies to that specific model.
Measure the full space available and check the installation instructions for the model before you buy.
The NN-CT56RB is an example of a combi microwave with microwave, grill, convection and air fry modes, in a cavity with an advertised capacity of 27 L.
The NeoChef range includes combi microwaves with different capacities and dimensions, including the MJ3965ACW, which has an advertised cavity capacity of 39 L.
The Supreme Chef models are examples of freestanding combi microwaves with forced-air cooking and a Crisp accessory.
The Optimo 39 L represents the mini oven category for households that prioritise oven cooking.
This selection includes microwaves with grill and combi microwaves, so you can compare the functions, dimensions and capacities listed for each model.
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This model may suit you if you want to reheat or defrost food and use a grill in the same appliance.
Advertised capacity: 25 L; turntable: 28,8 cm; microwave power: 900 W. Advertised external dimensions: 53,6 × 43,6 × 33 cm. Check the required clearances in the manual.
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This model may meet your needs for reheating and defrosting, with the added option of a grill. Check that this combination suits the recipes you have in mind.
Advertised capacity: 20 L; turntable: 245 mm; 9 power levels; grill. Advertised external dimensions: 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm.
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This combi microwave may suit you if you want microwave, grill and steam cooking in one appliance. Check that its functions are right for the dishes you prepare.
Advertised capacity: 29 L; turntable: 31,5 cm; grill: 1 000 W. Advertised external dimensions: 52,3 × 44,9 × 30 cm.
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This combi microwave is worth considering if you want microwave, grill and convection modes in one appliance. Compare its internal dimensions with the size of your dishes.
Advertised capacity: 42 L; 30 automatic programmes; advertised temperature range: 140 to 230 °C. External dimensions: 553 × 326 × 505 mm; internal dimensions: 395 × 394 × 272 mm.
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This combi microwave may suit you if you want microwave, grill, convection and steam cooking in one appliance. Check that its dimensions and accessories are suitable for your dishes.
Advertised capacity: 39 L; turntable: 36 cm. Advertised external dimensions: 54,4 × 52,5 × 32,7 cm.
No. An automatic programme alone can’t guarantee that a pizza will be cooked through. In its test of the LG MJ3965BPS, UFC-Que Choisir found that a pizza was still cold in the middle after using the automatic programme. Check tests for the model you’re considering and the dishes you’re interested in.
Not without checking the new appliance’s dimensions and installation requirements. Compare the available space and door opening with the ventilation clearances listed in the manual for the model you’ve chosen.
No, not all materials are suitable for every mode. UFC-Que Choisir points out that metal isn’t suitable for microwave use and that not all plastics are suitable either. Check the container’s labelling, as well as the instructions for the appliance and its accessories.
If you buy from a professional seller, you can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity for two years for a new product. The French Ministry of the Economy says that claims are made to the seller and that this legal guarantee is separate from an optional commercial warranty.
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE mark isn’t a certification mark and doesn’t demonstrate the quality of cooking or defrosting. To assess these uses, look for tests of the exact model.