Households that cook large dishes
If you often cook roasts, bake or prepare several dishes at once, compare the oven capacity and number of shelves. This option assumes you have another way to reheat and defrost food if those features matter to you.
Who is each option for?
Small kitchens with room for just one appliance
A combi can bring convection cooking and microwave functions together in one appliance. However, check its dimensions, the space available and the clearances specified in the manual: a compact built-in model and a freestanding model have different requirements.
Households that often reheat and defrost food
If you want to avoid having a separate microwave, look for a combi whose specific model number includes the modes you need. Then compare its capacity with the dishes you usually cook.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the dishes you cook most often, then compare each model’s functions and dimensions with the space available in your kitchen.
| Priority | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Combined functions | Check the exact model’s microwave, reheating, defrosting and convection modes. The presence of a particular mode alone does not tell you how well it will work for every dish. | I want to cook meals and reheat portions without making room for a separate microwave. |
| What you usually cook | Compare the available modes with the dishes you actually make. France’s National Consumer Institute, together with ADEME, studied four combi ovens and ten built-in fan ovens. The results do not tell you how any other specific model will perform. | I often cook roasts and bake, and I also want to know how the appliance will handle the food I reheat. |
| Capacity | Check the stated capacity, the usable dimensions for your dishes and tins, and the number of shelves. For a specific example, Whirlpool lists a 71 L capacity and three shelf levels for the OMR55CR1X. | I prepare several portions or dishes at once, so I don’t want to choose a compact model without checking what will fit inside. |
| Space and installation | For a built-in model, compare the housing and door clearance with the manual. Check the required ventilation clearances and electrical connection. For a freestanding model, check the surface it will sit on and the space around it. | There’s a specific space for the appliance in my kitchen: it must fit without obstructing the door or ventilation. |
| Energy use | If you compare energy data, make sure it relates to similar dishes and conditions. For models covered by an energy label, the European EPREL register provides information specific to each model. | I want to compare energy use for the dishes I cook regularly, rather than assume one type of oven always uses less. |
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Choosing by the number of functions rather than what you cook
A list of modes is not enough to judge how well an appliance cooks, reheats or defrosts food. The study by France’s National Consumer Institute and ADEME covers specific appliances and dishes, not every combi oven.
Make a note of what you cook most often, check the modes available on the model you’re considering and, if you look at test results, search for dishes similar to your own.
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Switching to a compact oven without checking the capacity
A compact model may limit the size of dishes you can use or the space available for cooking several dishes at once. For example, Electrolux presents the KVLBE08X as a built-in combi for a 45 cm housing; Whirlpool lists a 71 L capacity and three shelf levels for its OMR55CR1X fan oven. These specifications relate to two different models.
Before replacing a large oven, compare your dishes and tins with the internal dimensions, capacity and shelf levels of each model.
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Ordering before checking the installation space
An unsuitable housing or insufficient clearance could make it impossible to follow the installation and ventilation instructions. Whirlpool, for example, recommends leaving space behind a built-in oven to allow heat to escape.
Check the manual for your chosen model to measure the housing, clearances and door opening. If the circuit or connection needs to be changed, have the installation assessed by a qualified professional.
Brands and models to compare
Electrolux
The KVLBE08X is an example of a compact built-in combi for kitchens where several functions need to fit into a single housing.
- Electrolux specifies a 45 cm housing and lists microwave, defrost, reheat and fan cooking modes among the functions available on this model.
- Compare the capacity with your dishes and check the installation requirements before choosing this compact model.
Whirlpool
The OMR55CR1X is an example of a built-in fan oven to consider when capacity and cooking on several shelves are priorities.
- Whirlpool lists a 71 L capacity and cooking on three shelf levels for this model.
- If you also want to reheat or defrost food using microwaves, check how you’ll cover those needs separately.
Bosch
The HBA571BB4 is a built-in fan oven to consider, with dimensions and cooking functions specified by Bosch.
- Bosch lists dimensions of 595 × 594 × 548 mm and describes Hotair 3D as a three-level cooking function on this model.
- Check these dimensions against your housing and decide separately whether you need microwave functions.
Ovens for both needs on Joybuy
This selection includes two microwave combis to consider if you want to combine functions, and one built-in fan oven to look at if cooking is your priority and you’re happy to keep microwave reheating separate.
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LG MJ3965ACS, 39 L combi microwave, black
Worth considering if you want to combine microwave and convection cooking in an appliance with a stated capacity of 39 L. Before relying on it for all your needs, check the manual for its defrost modes and the clearance required where you plan to install it.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB, 42 L combi microwave
This combi has a stated capacity of 42 L and is worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance for cooking and microwave use. Check the convection and defrost modes in the manual, along with the ventilation clearances required for your chosen location.
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Bosch HBA514BB3, 71 L built-in oven, 3D hot air
Worth comparing if you want a stated capacity of 71 L and have a separate way to reheat food using microwaves. The product title describes a double oven, while the description lists a single compartment: confirm the exact configuration, then check the housing and electrical connection before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combi replace both a conventional oven and a microwave?
It can combine their functions if the model you choose includes the cooking, reheating and defrosting modes you need. Also compare its capacity with the dishes you usually cook: having those functions does not guarantee the same results for every dish.
What should I measure before buying a built-in oven?
Measure the housing and the space needed to open the door, then compare them with the dimensions and clearances in the manual for the specific model. Whirlpool, for example, recommends leaving space behind a built-in oven to allow heat to escape.
What should I check before connecting an oven to the electricity supply?
Check the connection requirements in the manual and make sure they’re compatible with your existing installation. In France, Promotelec notes that the NF C 15-100 series sets out requirements for the design and installation of low-voltage electrical systems. If electrical work is needed or you’re unsure about the connection, consult a qualified professional.
Is the energy rating enough to choose between a combi and a fan oven?
No, not on its own. Compare data based on similar conditions and dishes, then consider how you use the appliance for cooking, reheating and defrosting. For models covered by an energy label, the European Commission’s EPREL register provides information specific to that model.