A combination oven could suit you if you regularly bake, reheat and defrost, and its functions and cavity are right for the dishes you use. If oven cooking and usable capacity matter most, consider a conventional oven with a separate microwave instead. If you don’t have a built-in housing unit, you could also look at freestanding mini ovens. In a comparison of four combination ovens and ten convection ovens, ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute found that results varied between dishes and models.
You want to bake, reheat and defrost with a single appliance. Check which modes are available and whether there’s enough room for your dishes: the compact Bosch and Electrolux combination ovens mentioned here have capacities of 42 to 45 L.
You prioritise space for your dishes and oven cooking modes, and don’t mind keeping a separate microwave for quick jobs. The study by ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute is a reminder not to assume that a combination oven will deliver the same results for every dish.
You’re looking for a freestanding appliance, perhaps for smaller portions. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you everything: compare the internal dimensions and the worktop space required with the dishes you normally use.
Start with the tasks you do most often, then check the functions, the size of your dishes and the space available for the model you’re considering.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Combined functions | Check which oven, microwave and grill modes are available, as well as the combinations the appliance actually offers. | I want to bake, reheat and defrost without adding more appliances, but only if the modes I use are included. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Oven cooking | Compare the usable capacity and internal dimensions with your dishes, then check the oven cooking modes. | If I often cook dishes in the oven, the space available and the results for different recipes matter more than the number of combined functions. Around 29% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the capacity, microwave power and, if there is one, the turntable diameter. | If I already have another appliance for oven cooking, I mainly want to reheat and defrost. I wouldn’t choose a combination oven for functions I’d rarely use. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise these tasks. |
| Available space | Measure the housing unit or worktop, and distinguish the appliance’s dimensions from the space required for installation. | Without a suitable housing unit, I need to be able to place the appliance while still leaving enough room for my dishes and its location. Space is said to be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Electrolux’s product details distinguish between appliances that combine several oven modes with microwave cooking and the CMS4253EMX, which offers microwave, grill and microwave with grill modes. So the name alone won’t tell you what you can cook.
Check the modes listed for the exact model, particularly if you need fan-assisted or conventional cooking.
A stated capacity in litres or a compatible housing unit doesn’t guarantee that your most-used dish will fit. The Bosch CMG7241B1 and Electrolux EVM6E46X combination ovens have capacities of 45 L and 42 L respectively, while Moulinex offers mini ovens in a range of sizes.
Measure your dishes and compare them with the available internal dimensions, as well as checking the usable capacity and the space required.
In their comparison of four combination ovens and ten convection ovens, ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute found that results varied between dishes and models. Combining functions doesn’t automatically mean an appliance will be better suited to the dishes you usually cook.
If you mainly use the oven, also compare this option with a conventional oven and a separate microwave.
The Bosch HBA571BB4 and CMG7241B1 let you compare a conventional built-in oven with a compact combination oven with microwave.
The Electrolux models covered here show the difference between a compact combination appliance and a dedicated built-in microwave.
Moulinex freestanding mini ovens are worth considering if a built-in appliance isn’t right for your kitchen.
These appliances cover three of the needs discussed here: combining several functions in one appliance, prioritising a built-in oven or choosing a freestanding mini oven. Before you decide, compare each model with your dishes and the space available for it.
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Worth considering if you want to combine several cooking functions in a freestanding appliance. The stated capacity is 42 L. Check that your dishes fit in the cavity and allow for the required clearance around the appliance.
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A way to switch between different cooking tasks with a combination microwave, without installing a built-in oven. The stated capacity is 39 L. Check the space required, ventilation and the modes you need for your recipes.
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Worth considering if oven cooking matters more to you than combining functions. The stated capacity is 71 L. Check the housing unit and the number of compartments, as product information for this model differs on that point. You’ll need another solution if you require microwave functions.
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An option for oven cooking without a built-in housing unit. Check the dimensions and clearance required on your worktop, and confirm which brand the BXOV6000E model is associated with before ordering. Microwave functions aren’t listed for this model.
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Worth considering for oven cooking with a freestanding appliance. Measure the space available and confirm which brand the BXOV4500E model is associated with before ordering. Microwave functions aren’t listed for this model.
It can bring your cooking tasks together in a single cavity if its cooking modes and capacity suit your dishes, but it won’t necessarily be right for every type of cooking. In a comparison of four combination ovens and ten convection ovens, ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute found that results varied between dishes and models.
Measure the housing unit, then compare its height, width and depth with the installation dimensions required for the model. Don’t confuse these with the appliance’s external dimensions. According to Electrolux, for example, the compact EVM6E46X requires a housing unit measuring 450 × 560 × 550 mm. These measurements don’t apply to other models.
For the domestic ovens covered by the scheme, the energy label lets you check energy-related information when buying online, as the French Ministry of the Economy explains. Check the product details too: the label alone won’t tell you which cooking modes are available or whether your dishes will fit.