If you regularly prepare meals that need both hob and oven cooking, a separate hob and oven let you handle these tasks with two appliances, provided each is compatible with your existing kitchen units and installation. A combi microwave brings several functions together when space is limited, while a standard microwave is mainly suited to reheating and defrosting. In either case, check that it offers the cooking modes your recipes need before considering it as a replacement for an oven.
If you often use saucepans and oven dishes for the same meal, a hob and oven are designed for different tasks. Choose the number of cooking zones and the oven capacity to suit the cookware and dishes you actually use.
When the kitchen unit and electrical circuit are already in place, the available space may limit your options before you even consider the features. Measure the housing or cut-out, then compare it with the installation diagram and connection requirements for the model you’re considering.
A microwave may meet your main needs if you mostly reheat and defrost food. If you also want to grill or cook with fan-assisted heat, check the functions of a combi model carefully and distinguish them from those of a standard microwave.
For everyday cooking, start by deciding what you want to cook, then check whether the relevant appliances will fit in your kitchen without changes to the existing units or electrical circuit. A standard microwave won’t automatically offer the same cooking modes as an oven; assess a combi model based on its own features and dimensions.
Worth considering: when your meals need hob and oven cooking at the same time.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for two appliances and must check that each is compatible with your installation.
Worth considering: if you want microwave and oven-style cooking modes in one appliance, and have a compatible housing.
Bear in mind: capacity and available modes vary by model; ADEME notes that combi ovens involve some cooking compromises compared with a traditional oven.
Worth considering: if you mainly need to reheat and defrost food, particularly as an additional appliance.
Bear in mind: don’t expect grill or fan-assisted cooking modes unless you’ve checked that they’re included on your chosen model.
| Criteria | What to check | Relevant consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Varied cooking | Number and size of the hob zones; oven capacity and modes to suit your dishes. | If I prepare several parts of a meal at once, I want to use a hob zone and the oven without waiting for one to become free. Around 29% of consumers would put this everyday versatility at the top of their list. |
| Existing installation | Housing or cut-out dimensions, clearances and connection requirements specified for the exact model. | In a fitted kitchen, my choice depends first on what can be installed without changing the unit or electrical circuit. Compatibility would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and functions | Cooking modes actually offered, cavity capacity and any accessories required. | With limited space, I want one appliance to handle reheating and some types of cooking, without assuming it can do everything a traditional oven can. Around 24% of consumers would put this combination of uses first. |
| Electricity use and lifespan | Consumption figures that can be compared across models, documentation and repair options. | If I use these appliances often, I want to understand their energy consumption and find out about maintenance before choosing. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise electricity use and lifespan. |
The external dimensions of an oven or hob may not match the dimensions of the housing or cut-out. Some combi ovens are designed for a housing that is 45 cm high, but that alone doesn’t confirm that they’ll fit your kitchen unit.
Measure the width, height, depth and clearances, then compare them with the installation diagram for your chosen model.
If the appliance isn’t compatible, you may need to adapt the unit or choose another model.
The power rating on a product page isn’t enough to establish whether a hob is suitable for your kitchen’s electrical circuit. For example, Electrolux lists a maximum total power of 7 350 W for the EIV64453 hob; this figure applies to that model and doesn’t tell you anything about your installation.
Check the model’s instruction manual and have its compatibility with your existing circuit confirmed before you buy. If the circuit needs modifying, that goes beyond a straightforward appliance replacement.
A standard microwave, a combi microwave and a traditional oven won’t necessarily offer the same modes, capacity or accessories. The category name alone doesn’t tell you whether you’ll be able to make your usual recipes.
Make a list of the dishes you cook regularly and check the modes, usable capacity and required accessories for each model.
In France, a commercial guarantee is optional and separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the latter can be claimed for two years on both new and second-hand goods, subject to the conditions set out by law.
Before taking out an extended guarantee, compare its cover, exclusions and duration with your statutory rights.
Bosch offers built-in ovens and induction hobs, with instruction manuals searchable by E-Nr reference.
Whirlpool offers combi microwaves and compact ovens, with features that vary by model.
Miele offers built-in combi microwave ovens, designed in particular for kitchens with a compatible 45 cm housing.
Electrolux publishes technical specifications for its induction hobs, which can help you check how each model will work in your existing kitchen.
It may be suitable if its cooking modes work for your recipes and it fits the available housing, but it won’t automatically be a like-for-like replacement. ADEME highlights the versatility of combi ovens while noting that they may involve some compromises in cooking results. Check the modes and capacity, and consider what you plan to cook in it.
No. Check the housing or cut-out dimensions in the model’s installation diagram, along with the required depth and clearances. The external size alone doesn’t guarantee that the appliance will fit your kitchen unit.
No. You need to check it against the connection instructions and the specifications of your existing circuit. If the model requires changes to the circuit, don’t assume it can be installed directly in your current kitchen.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity lets you seek a remedy for a lack of conformity under the conditions set out by law. According to the Ministry of the Economy, it can be claimed for two years on new or second-hand goods; an optional extended commercial guarantee should be considered separately.
No, don’t assume that these product categories carry this rating. The ministry responsible for ecology says that its introduction from 2025 applies to televisions and washing machines. For an oven or hob, look instead at the information available about the model and its repairability.