Choose a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking if you need reheating, grilling and oven-style cooking in a single appliance. A microwave with grill is best suited to reheating and the occasional gratin, while a separate compact oven makes more sense when traditional oven cooking is your priority and you are happy to keep a separate appliance for reheating.
You often reheat meals but would also like to cook pizzas, cakes, gratins or poultry without adding a traditional oven. A combination microwave could be a good fit if its dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual are compatible with your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes combination models by the addition of a grill and fan-assisted cooking.
You mainly want to reheat food every day and brown a few dishes, without regularly needing to bake or use fan-assisted cooking. A microwave with grill may be enough if this more limited cooking function suits your recipes. UFC-Que Choisir describes this distinction.
You prepare oven-cooked dishes more often than food that needs reheating and have room for two appliances. A separate compact oven provides traditional heat and a grill, but it does not replace the microwave function.
Choose this if: you want to reheat, brown and regularly prepare oven-style recipes using a single appliance.
Keep in mind: it will often take up a fair amount of worktop space, and you will need to check the accessories and installation requirements carefully.
Choose this if: reheating is your main use and you only brown dishes from time to time.
Limitation: fan-assisted cooking is not included in this category according to the UFC-Que Choisir guide.
Choose this if: traditional heat and a grill are your priorities for oven cooking.
Compromise: you will need to keep another appliance for microwave reheating.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking functions | Check that microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking or convection modes are explicitly listed. Also check the preheating function and which modes can actually be used with the supplied accessories. | I want to reheat food every day while still being able to cook, brown and prepare oven-style recipes without installing a separate oven. |
| Actual footprint | Compare the external width, height and, above all, depth with your worktop. Check the manual for the clearance required around the appliance for the exact model. | My appliance must fit without blocking the door or ventilation openings. The capacity in litres alone is not enough to assess the space required. |
| Cooking results | For the grill, look at browning performance. For fan-assisted cooking, check evenness, preheating and temperature accuracy where tests applicable to the model are available. | I want well-browned gratins and even cooking for pizzas, cakes and oven dishes. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses these criteria separately. |
A grill adds browning, while the fan-assisted cooking needed for oven-style use belongs to the combination category, according to UFC-Que Choisir. A grill-only model may therefore not cover regular cooking of cakes, pizzas or oven dishes.
If oven-style cooking is a frequent requirement, look for fan-assisted cooking or convection to be explicitly mentioned in the model’s specifications.
A 35 to 39 L cavity may come with an appliance that is nearly 50 cm deep or more. Without measuring your worktop, the depth, door or ventilation requirements could make installation unsuitable.
Compare the external width, height and depth, then confirm the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model.
The grill, combination cooking and fan-assisted cooking cannot be judged by a single figure. UFC-Que Choisir’s protocol looks separately at browning, evenness, cooking time, preheating and temperature stability.
For important recipes, prioritise an independent test of the exact model and treat brands’ cooking claims as manufacturer information.
Some programmes depend on specific accessories; if they are missing or incompatible, the actual usefulness of a featured mode may be limited.
Before buying, check the list of included accessories and the compatibility instructions in the manual for your chosen model and mode.
Depending on the recipes you have in mind, you may need a rack, crisping dish or steam cover.
Samsung offers, among other options, freestanding 35 L combination microwaves designed to bring together microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking in a single appliance.
The NeoChef range includes combination models with large cavities, including 39 L models with drop-down doors designed for mini-oven use.
Moulinex represents the separate compact oven option here, for people who prioritise traditional heat and grilling.
Joybuy options covering the two main needs explored here: a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking to bring several cooking modes together, or a microwave with grill for reheating and occasional gratins.
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Combines reheating, grilling and convection in a single appliance, with enough capacity for larger dishes.
39 L, preheating, stated temperature range of 40 to 200 °C and a 36 cm turntable. Its stated depth of 52.5 cm means you should measure your worktop first; check the manual for installation clearances.
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A combination option for reheating, browning and oven-style cooking without a separate appliance.
42 L, microwave, grill and convection modes, a stated range of 140 to 230 °C, with two racks, a baking tray and a rotisserie listed. Stated dimensions: 553 × 326 × 505 mm; check the manual before installation.
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For everyday reheating and occasional browning, when you do not regularly need fan-assisted cooking.
25 L, quartz grill, 28.8 cm turntable, eight automatic programmes and combined microwave/grill cooking. Fan-assisted cooking is not listed; check the ventilation requirements for your chosen location.
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A practical format for reheating, defrosting and browning in one appliance when fan-assisted cooking is not essential.
25 L, quartz grill, rapid defrosting, keep-warm function and automatic programmes listed. Stated external dimensions: 38.8 × 47.6 × 27.2 cm; check the manual for the required clearances.
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For reheating, defrosting and browning in a compact format, without aiming for regular oven-style cooking.
20 L, grill, nine power levels, 245 mm turntable and mechanical timer. Stated dimensions: 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm; the product sheet specifies 10 cm of clearance at the sides and rear.
It can cover basic needs when microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking modes are explicitly included. However, this does not guarantee the same capacity, dish size or results for every recipe: UFC-Que Choisir assesses the grill, combination cooking, pizza, fan-assisted cooking and temperature control separately.
It is suitable if reheating remains your main use and you only want to brown dishes occasionally. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes a grill, which adds browning, from a combination model, which also adds fan-assisted cooking.
Check the accessories supplied with the exact model: a rack for grilling, a turntable and, depending on your recipes, a crisping dish or steam cover. Samsung France, for example, lists a rack, crisping dish, steam cover and 38 cm turntable for the MC35R8088LC; you should not assume that these items are included with another model.
Consult the French manual or installation documentation for the exact model before choosing where to place it. The dimensions given on the product sheet must be considered alongside the required clearances around the appliance and checks of the ventilation openings.
These appliances are classified as electrical and electronic equipment. The French collection and treatment scheme for household WEEE has been operating since 15 November 2006, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition; use a collection point or an appropriate take-back service rather than putting the appliance in household waste.