Choose a combi microwave if you often reheat and defrost food, but also want to grill or cook certain dishes in the same appliance. Check the modes available on the model you’re considering. If you’re more interested in cooking gratins, pastries and other oven dishes than reheating food in a microwave, a mini oven may be a better choice. Either way, measure the space available for the appliance, the clearance needed to open its door and the gaps required by the instructions. Capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether your dishes will fit.
If you want to avoid having two appliances in your studio flat, consider a combi microwave. According to Whirlpool France, these combine microwave functions with those of a convection oven. However, check which modes are actually available on the model you’re considering.
For gratins, pastries and roast dishes, start by checking the cooking modes and the size of the dishes the appliance can accommodate. The mini ovens shown by SEB and Moulinex offer conventional cooking or a grill, depending on the model.
Before choosing a capacity, measure the appliance, the space needed to open its door and the clearances specified in the instructions. Also check that the plug will remain accessible and that the appliance won’t be exposed to water where you plan to put it.
The term “compact worktop oven” often refers to a mini oven rather than a separate category of cooking functions. The model specifications, not the name, tell you which cooking modes it offers.
Consider one if : reheating and defrosting quickly are your main needs, with extra cooking options depending on the modes available.
Bear in mind : “combi” doesn’t guarantee fan-assisted cooking or enough room for your dishes.
Consider one if : conventional cooking, grilling or baking matters more to you than reheating food in a microwave.
Bear in mind : a mini oven won’t necessarily have a microwave function for reheating or defrosting.
| Priority | What to check | Who this applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and versatility | Microwave, defrost and grill modes ; check for fan-assisted cooking if your recipes require it. | If I often reheat and defrost food, I want to keep these options in one appliance without giving up all other cooking functions. Around 42 % of consumers would put this need first. |
| Oven cooking | Conventional cooking and grill modes ; the sizes of dishes the appliance can accommodate. | If I regularly make gratins or pastries, I mainly need an appliance that suits the dishes I cook. Oven cooking would come first for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Space and installation | External dimensions, door opening and clearances specified in the instructions ; a suitable electrical connection. | With a narrow alcove, I need to be able to position, open and plug in the appliance without blocking its ventilation. Around 25 % of consumers would prioritise this constraint. |
Capacity doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external dimensions or which shapes of dish will fit. Whirlpool France lists dimensions of 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm for its 25 L MWF255B, while Severin France gives dimensions of 44,5 × 38,5 × 29,5 cm for its 20 L TO 2067. These dimensions apply to two specific models, not every appliance in their categories.
Compare the available width, depth and height with the model’s dimensions, then check the door opening and whether your most-used dish will fit.
Grill, convection and other functions vary by model. An appliance that reheats and grills won’t necessarily be suitable for the same recipes as a model with fan-assisted cooking.
Make a note of the dishes you plan to cook, then check the mode and permitted accessories for each one in the documentation for the exact model.
An alcove that looks the right size may still not leave enough room for the required clearances. The electrical connection must also be suitable for the appliance and your home’s wiring.
Read the instructions before buying, don’t block the ventilation openings, and ask a qualified professional to check the installation if the connection doesn’t seem suitable.
If the electrical installation needs adapting, you won’t be able to use the appliance in that spot until the work is done.
Whirlpool France’s freestanding microwave range includes combi models, some of which have no turntable.
Moulinex France offers freestanding mini ovens in a range of sizes, with different cooking modes.
Severin France offers both freestanding mini ovens and combi microwaves.
This selection includes microwaves with a grill or combi functions for those who prioritise reheating, as well as a worktop oven for conventional cooking. Check that their modes and dimensions suit your recipes and the space you have available.
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A good option if you want to prioritise reheating while still having a grill. The product name lists a power rating of 700 W ; if you also want to bake pastries, check which modes are suitable for this. Before installing it, read the instructions for clearance and electrical connection requirements.
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Worth considering if reheating and grilling food matter more to you than conventional oven cooking. The product name lists a power rating of 900 W. Before allocating space for it in an alcove, measure the appliance and the clearance needed for its door, then check the required gaps in the instructions.
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An option if you want several cooking functions in one appliance, provided you have enough space. Its stated capacity is 42 L : before choosing it, compare its external dimensions, the dishes it can accommodate and the clearances in the instructions with your available space.
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Consider this if you want to reheat and brown dishes in the same appliance. Before comparing it with other models, check the modes your recipes require and the grill’s power rating in the product documentation. The instructions should also confirm the installation and electrical connection requirements.
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For prioritising oven cooking over reheating food in a microwave. Check that its modes suit the dishes you make ; if you need a microwave function, make sure it’s explicitly listed. Confirm the required clearances and electrical connection in the instructions.
Yes, for your specific needs, if the model has the modes you need and can accommodate your dishes. Whirlpool France describes a combi microwave as combining microwave and convection cooking. If you often make gratins or pastries, check for a grill, fan-assisted cooking and the accessories you can use rather than assuming all models are the same.
No. Check the usable dimensions of the cavity and the dish sizes the model can accommodate, as well as its external dimensions. Capacity alone doesn’t tell you the shape of the cavity or how much space you need to open the door.
Don’t assume so : check the model’s electrical connection instructions and power rating, as well as the specifications of your home’s wiring. Promotelec advises against connecting an oven and a washing machine to the same socket using an extension lead, among other things. This example doesn’t replace the instructions for your freestanding appliance.
Follow the instructions for the model you’ve chosen. For its 23 L Express mini oven, SEB says to remove the accessories, clean them and the oven with a damp cloth, then dry them before first use. Don’t apply these instructions to another appliance without checking its documentation first.