If you cook full meals during the week
If you regularly prepare gratins, roasted vegetables or several parts of a meal, start by looking at the cavity capacity and cooking modes. A microwave designed mainly for reheating won’t meet the same needs.
Which option is right for you?
If you often reheat and defrost food
For leftovers, individual portions or frozen food, check the microwave and defrost functions, as well as the usable capacity. Whether you choose a separate appliance or a combi also depends on whether you need to use the oven at the same time.
If you have a specific space available
For an existing appliance column or cabinet, the height of the front panel isn’t enough to go on. Check the housing dimensions, depth, ventilation requirements and connection specified for the exact model.
What sets these appliances apart?
Your decision will depend first on what you want to do most often: cook a dish, reheat something quickly or combine these functions in the space available.
Traditional oven
Best for: oven-cooked dishes and recipes that need a suitably sized cavity.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a separate microwave if you also want to reheat portions regularly without tying up the oven.
Combi oven with microwave
Best for: when you need a single cavity for oven cooking, reheating and defrosting.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to do these tasks one after the other if you want to cook a dish and independently reheat another meal.
Separate microwave
Best for: when you often reheat and defrost food, while keeping an oven for oven-cooked dishes.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for a second appliance. Check the installation instructions for the built-in or freestanding model you’re considering.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking full meals | Usable capacity, oven modes and whether you can cook on several levels. | I prepare family meals or several parts of a meal and need a cavity suited to this kind of cooking. Around 25% of consumers would rank full-meal cooking as their top priority. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Microwave and defrost functions; capacity suited to the portions you usually prepare. | Between other activities, I mainly want to reheat leftovers or defrost food. This would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Space and built-in installation | Housing height, width and depth; ventilation clearances specified in the instructions. | My cabinet is already in place, so the appliance needs to fit in line with its installation instructions, even if I want several functions. Space would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Energy use for your needs | Capacity and modes you’ll actually use; for comparable ovens, the stated energy use per cycle. | I switch between cooking and reheating and want to understand how my usage affects energy consumption, without assuming that one category always uses less. Around 19% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
What should you avoid before buying?
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Choosing a built-in appliance by its front panel alone
For the models listed by Electrolux, the stated housing dimensions are 590 x 560 x 550 mm for the COH4P06BX3 oven, 450 x 560 x 550 mm for the EVM6E46X compact oven and 380 x 560 x 550 mm for the EMS4253TEX microwave. So, a similar width doesn’t mean these appliances take up the same amount of height.
Measure the housing height, width and depth, then check the ventilation clearances in the instructions for your chosen model before buying.
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Expecting a combi oven to have two independent cavities
A combi oven can bring several functions together in one cavity, but it won’t let you cook a dish in the oven while separately reheating another meal in the microwave.
If you often need to do these tasks at the same time, compare how a separate oven and microwave would work for you, as well as the space required for both appliances.
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Applying average energy use to a specific model
ADEME explains that actual energy use depends, among other things, on the size of the appliance and how it’s used. The European Commission also distinguishes between the scope of the energy label for domestic ovens and that for appliances with microwave heating.
When comparing ovens covered by this label, look at the capacity and stated energy use per cycle. For a combi oven, check its specifications and the functions you’ll actually use rather than directly comparing its energy rating with the absence of one.
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Forgetting about your old built-in appliance
In France, a used oven or microwave is covered by the waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme. Collecting and removing an appliance that’s already installed requires separate arrangements from simply delivering the new one.
Ask the retailer about the “one-for-one” take-back terms that apply to your purchase, and arrange for the old appliance to be removed in a way that suits the existing installation.
Brands to compare across different formats
These manufacturer models illustrate different formats. Check each model’s specifications rather than assuming they apply to an entire brand.
Bosch
Bosch offers, among other products, 60 cm built-in ovens and 45 cm compact ovens with a microwave function.
- Bosch lists the compact CMG7241B1 as measuring 455 x 594 x 548 mm, with a 45 L cavity and 900 W microwave power.
- These dimensions and functions apply to this model. Check the housing dimensions and instructions for the model you’re considering.
Whirlpool
The range includes compact appliances that combine several functions in a single built-in cavity, depending on the model.
- Whirlpool describes the WCT7A9PHTSBF as a 52 L compact oven combining fan cooking, microwave and steam functions.
- Check which accessories you need for your preferred functions, as well as the dimensions and installation requirements of the model you choose.
Electrolux
The Electrolux models listed here let you compare a traditional oven, a compact oven with microwave and a built-in microwave.
- Electrolux lists housing dimensions of 590 x 560 x 550 mm for the COH4P06BX3, 450 x 560 x 550 mm for the EVM6E46X and 380 x 560 x 550 mm for the EMS4253TEX.
- These dimensions are specific to each model. You’ll still need to check the ventilation and installation instructions for the appliance you choose.
Appliances for cooking or reheating separately
These appliances offer two different ways to organise your kitchen: use a separate microwave for reheating and defrosting, or choose a built-in oven for oven cooking. If you need both, check the available space and installation requirements for each appliance.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, microwave with grill, 25 L, Titanium
Worth considering if you want a separate microwave for reheating and have a suitable space for a freestanding appliance.
Listed capacity of 25 L and microwave power of 900 W. Check the instructions for ventilation clearances and the required connection. The grill won’t necessarily replace the cooking functions of a traditional oven.
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Samsung MS23K3513, solo microwave, 23 L
Worth considering if your main need is to reheat or defrost portions in an appliance separate from the oven.
Stated capacity of 23 L. As this is a solo microwave, don’t expect it to handle traditional oven cooking. Also check the ventilation requirements for the space where you plan to put it.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), microwave, 20 L, black
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen, provided you have enough space around the appliance.
Stated capacity of 20 L, power of 700 W, six pre-set menus and eleven power levels. Check the instructions for placement and connection. If you want to grill or cook dishes in an oven, check separately that the appliance has the functions you need.
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Heinrich's, solo microwave, 20 L
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting portions when another appliance takes care of oven cooking.
Stated capacity of 20 L, power of 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Before setting aside a space for it, check the instructions for ventilation clearances and the connection.
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Bosch HBA514BB3, built-in oven, 71 L
Worth considering if you prioritise oven-cooked dishes over microwave reheating.
Listed capacity of 71 L and 3D hot air function mentioned in the product title. The title and description don’t agree on the number of cavities, so confirm the configuration of the exact model, then check the housing dimensions, ventilation and connection in its instructions. You’ll need a separate microwave if you want to reheat food.
Frequently asked questions
Can you compare an oven and a combi microwave using their energy labels?
Not directly. The European Commission states that appliances with a microwave heating function fall outside the scope of the energy label described for domestic ovens. When comparing like-for-like ovens, look at the capacity and stated energy use per cycle. For a combi oven, also consider which functions you’ll use.
What should you measure before replacing a built-in appliance?
Measure the usable housing height, width and depth, then check the new model’s instructions for ventilation and connection requirements. As examples specific to these models, Electrolux lists housing dimensions of 590 x 560 x 550 mm for the COH4P06BX3 oven, 450 x 560 x 550 mm for the EVM6E46X compact oven and 380 x 560 x 550 mm for the EMS4253TEX microwave.
Is the stated power enough to confirm an appliance can be installed?
No. You need to check the power against your existing connection and the instructions for the exact model. On its own, it doesn’t confirm that the housing or installation is suitable. The Electrolux instructions for the EVM6E46X state that installation and cable replacement must be carried out by a qualified professional.
What should you do with an old oven or microwave in France?
Arrange for it to be handled through the waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme. The FAQ from the ministry responsible for ecological transition describes a “one-for-one” take-back when buying equipment of the same type. Ask the retailer how to arrange this in practice, particularly if the old appliance is built in.