In a small kitchen, choose a combi microwave if reheating and defrosting are your main priorities, with grilling or oven-style cooking depending on the functions actually available. A mini oven is a better choice if you mainly want oven-style cooking without a microwave function; a built-in compact oven requires a suitable housing, power supply and installation conditions. Whichever you choose, measure the appliance’s external dimensions, check that your dishes will fit and read the instructions before making a decision.
If you want to keep the number of appliances to a minimum, a freestanding model can cover several needs. You’ll still need to allow space for it on your worktop, including room to open the door and the clearances specified in the instructions.
For gratins, cakes or roasts, look for the right cooking functions and check that the cavity will fit the dishes you usually use. The word ‘combi’ alone doesn’t tell you which functions are included or what size of dish will fit.
A freestanding appliance means you may not need to make room for a built-in oven. Its position, power supply and clearances must still be suitable for your kitchen and comply with the model’s instructions.
Start with the meals you prepare most often. A microwave with a grill won’t meet the same needs as a model with fan-assisted cooking, while a mini oven is designed primarily for oven-style cooking.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space required | External dimensions, door opening and clearances specified in the instructions. | If your worktop is also where you prepare meals, combining several functions in one appliance only helps if there’s still enough free space. Around 33% of consumers would put saving space first. |
| Oven-style cooking | Whether it has fan-assisted cooking, its temperature range and the dimensions of dishes it can accommodate. | If you regularly make gratins, cakes or roasts, you’ll want to know whether the functions and cavity suit your recipes. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Installation | For a built-in model, the housing dimensions and power supply; for a freestanding model, the position and clearances specified in the instructions. | If your kitchen is already fitted or rented, you may prefer an option that doesn’t require you to assume the cabinetry will need modifying. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise straightforward installation. |
| Use and maintenance | Comparable energy-use information for your intended use, cleaning requirements and repair options. | If you use the appliance every day, you’ll want to assess its upkeep and energy use without comparing different categories on an unequal basis. Around 20% of consumers would put ease of use and control first. |
A spacious cavity can mean a deeper appliance. For example, the Panasonic NN-C69KS combi microwave measures 520 mm deep, according to the brand. Capacity in litres alone won’t tell you how much room you’ll have left to prepare meals.
Measure the space you have in mind, then check the appliance’s depth, door opening and the clearances required in the instructions.
Depending on the model, the term can refer to a microwave with a grill or one that also offers convection cooking. UFC-Que Choisir assesses several cooking functions on combi microwaves separately; having one function doesn’t indicate how well the others perform.
If you plan to cook cakes or roasts, check specifically for fan-assisted cooking, its temperature range and compatible accessories.
Installation requirements vary by model. For example, Electrolux specifies a housing measuring 450 × 560 × 550 mm and a total power rating of 3 000 W for the KVLAE2ST. These figures don’t apply to every compact oven.
Compare your kitchen measurements and power supply with the appliance’s installation diagram and instructions. If necessary, ask a qualified professional to confirm that the electrical supply is suitable.
If the housing or power supply isn’t suitable, the cabinetry may need adapting or further work may be required before installation.
The European Commission’s energy labelling rules for domestic ovens apply to a defined range of products. An oven energy label therefore isn’t automatically a like-for-like basis for comparing a mini oven with an appliance that has a microwave function.
For an oven covered by these rules, check its capacity and energy consumption per cycle. For other appliances, compare their functions and the information in their instructions with the way you’ll actually use them.
These examples show different configurations. The functions and requirements mentioned apply to the models listed, not to every product in each range.
Some built-in compact models combine oven and microwave functions in a suitable unit.
The CombiQuick KVLAE2ST built-in compact oven combines oven and microwave functions.
The freestanding NN-C69KS combi microwave combines microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions.
The freestanding Optimo 19 L mini oven is designed for oven-style cooking on the worktop.
The freestanding MWF259SG microwave is designed for reheating and other cooking functions.
These models are freestanding microwaves that could suit a small kitchen. Compare their dimensions and functions with the way you’ll use them. This selection isn’t a substitute for choosing a mini oven or built-in model if oven-style cooking is your priority.
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Worth considering if you want one freestanding appliance to cover several needs and have enough worktop space. The listed capacity is 42 L. Check that it has the cooking functions you need, and confirm its external dimensions and required clearances in the instructions.
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Consider this if reheating and grilling matter more to you than regular oven-style cooking. The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W. If you need fan-assisted cooking, check explicitly that this function is available before choosing.
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This model may suit a household looking for a microwave with a grill rather than a dedicated oven. The product name lists a 25 L capacity. Check that your dishes will fit and that you have enough space, using the dimensions and installation instructions as a guide.
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Worth considering if you’d prefer a freestanding microwave for everyday reheating. The product name lists a 21 L capacity and 800 W. Before buying, check that it has the functions you need for your recipes, and confirm the space and clearances required.
No. Its functions, cavity and the dishes it can accommodate vary by model. If you often cook cakes, roasts or large dishes, check for fan-assisted cooking, the temperature range and the maximum dish size. UFC-Que Choisir’s microwave tests also compare results across different cooking functions.
A grill doesn’t mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking. If your recipes need oven-style cooking, check specifically for this function, the available temperature range and compatible accessories on the model you’re considering.
Measure the housing’s height, width and depth, then compare these with the model’s installation diagram. Also check the power supply and ventilation requirements in the instructions. The 450 × 560 × 550 mm housing specified by Electrolux for the KVLAE2ST isn’t a universal size.
No, not on a like-for-like basis by default. The European Commission defines which domestic ovens are covered by energy labelling. For an oven that is covered, compare its capacity and energy consumption per cycle. For a mini oven or an appliance with a microwave function, first check which information applies to its category and your intended use.
Don’t block an existing air vent to save space. For homes covered by the French decree of 24 March 1982 on ventilation, Légifrance states that the kitchen is one of the service rooms where air outlets are required. You should also follow the appliance’s own clearance requirements as set out in its instructions.