For everyday cooking, start by choosing an appliance that suits the task you do most often: frying or cooking in a pan, preparing dishes that need an oven, or reheating and defrosting. Then compare the space available, the connection requirements and energy consumption figures on a like-for-like basis. ADEME’s annual estimates relate to different usage patterns and cannot predict how much energy a particular meal will use. A compact appliance can meet a specific need, but it won’t necessarily replace several hob rings or an oven.
If you often cook meals on a hob, check the number of cooking zones, which pans are compatible and how the appliance needs to be connected. Bosch advises that pans used on an induction hob must be suitable for this technology.
For dishes that need an oven cavity, capacity and built-in dimensions matter just as much as the cooking functions. ADEME and the model information published by manufacturers can help you identify which figures to compare.
When space is limited, start with the tasks you need to cover: a portable hob, a microwave and an air fryer don’t do the same things. Check their dimensions and capacity against the meals you usually prepare.
Start by identifying the type of cooking you do most often, then check whether the appliance suits your available space and connection. To compare energy use, look at figures based on similar usage and settings.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking on a hob | Number of cooking zones and pan compatibility; model dimensions and connection requirements. | If I often cook in a frying pan or saucepan, I check that the hob suits my pans and the meals I prepare. Around 29% of consumers prioritise hob cooking. |
| Oven cooking | Capacity and dimensions of the housing; energy figures per cycle, using the same setting where available. | When my dishes need an oven cavity, I compare the usable capacity with the meals I prepare and the space available. Around 23% of consumers prioritise oven cooking. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Functions actually available; capacity and turntable diameter compared with the containers you use. | If I mainly want to reheat or defrost, I check that the appliance has the functions I need rather than paying for settings I won’t use. Around 18% of consumers prioritise these tasks. |
| Space available | Appliance dimensions and the space needed for installation or ventilation; capacity suited to the quantities you prepare. | In a small kitchen, I measure the space and check what the appliance can prepare in one go. Around 18% of consumers prioritise saving space. |
| Energy consumption | Compare figures for the same type of use; distinguish between connection power and energy consumed. | If energy consumption is a key factor in my decision, I compare figures based on the same setting and similar usage, rather than estimating my bill from the power rating alone. Around 12% of consumers put this criterion first. |
ADEME’s estimates, published in May 2026, cover appliances with different usage frequencies and patterns. So a lower annual figure doesn’t prove that an appliance uses less energy to prepare an equivalent meal.
First decide what you need to cook, then compare figures based on similar usage and measured on the same basis.
Housing dimensions and connection requirements vary by appliance. Legrand’s guidance, for example, distinguishes between the circuits designed for cooking appliances.
Measure the space and have the existing connection checked before you buy. This guide does not replace advice from a professional and does not cover electrical work.
A study by the Institut national de la consommation for ADEME, carried out in February 2026, reports varying results depending on the dishes and models, with no clear energy advantage for the combination ovens studied.
Choose functions you’ll actually use and compare results for the dishes you make and the cooking settings you choose.
A portable hob may have only one cooking zone, a standard microwave doesn’t have the functions of a convection oven, and an air fryer’s capacity is limited.
List the dishes, containers and quantities you usually prepare, then check which tasks you would still need another appliance to handle.
The PIE631FB1E built-in induction hob is an example of a model with several cooking zones for preparing meals in pans and saucepans.
The Everyday Slim IH2108E1 is a portable, single-zone induction hob to consider when space is limited or you don’t need to cook several dishes at once.
The EOF3C40TH built-in oven is an example of a model for preparing dishes that need an oven cavity.
The MWP251W is a freestanding microwave for needs focused on microwave functions.
The Easy Fry Deluxe EZ401D10 is an example of a basket-style air fryer for dishes suited to its capacity.
This selection includes appliances for hob cooking, preparing oven-baked dishes, and reheating or defrosting. It features both built-in and portable options to suit your space and how you plan to use them.
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Worth considering if you prepare dishes that need an oven cavity.
The model name indicates a capacity of 78 L, Air Fry and Wi-Fi functions, hydrolytic cleaning and an A++ energy rating. The stated housing size is 56 × 59 × 56 cm; check the space and connection against the model instructions.
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Worth considering if you often cook in a frying pan or saucepan and need several cooking zones.
The model name indicates four zones and a Bridge function. This hob is designed for built-in installation: check the required power supply and ventilation, and have it installed by a qualified professional. Your pans must be suitable for induction cooking.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an electric ceramic hob for cooking several dishes at once.
This model is designed for built-in installation and must be hardwired by a qualified electrician. Check that the cut-out and circuit are suitable before buying.
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An option to consider if you need a single portable cooking zone and space is tight.
The model name indicates a power rating of 2000W. It has one cooking zone and, according to its description, requires magnetic-base pans measuring 12 to 26 cm.
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Worth considering if reheating and defrosting are your main priorities.
The model name indicates a capacity of 25 L and a power rating of 900 W. It’s described as a solo microwave, not a convection oven. The product description calls for an earthed socket and clearance for ventilation.
For a built-in hob, the connection depends on the model and the planned installation. In the example covered, Legrand describes a dedicated circuit and a suitable connection. Some portable hobs with a plug are different. Ask a professional to identify the existing circuit and follow the model instructions; this guide does not cover electrical work.
Check the oven’s requirements and the existing circuit before buying. In the example described by Legrand, the dedicated oven circuit is protected by a circuit breaker rated at no more than 20 A and has conductors of at least 2,5 mm². Have a qualified person check the installation against the model instructions if needed; the stated power rating alone cannot confirm compatibility.
No. European Regulation 65/2014, in the consolidated version of 7 March 2017 published on EUR-Lex, covers the categories of domestic ovens defined in the text. It excludes, among others, ovens with a microwave heating function, as well as small and portable ovens that meet the specified exclusions. So don’t automatically apply the rating of a conventional oven to a microwave, combination appliance or compact appliance.
Follow the model’s instructions for use and cleaning. In its study published in March 2022, ADEME highlights that using and maintaining equipment correctly helps prevent faults caused by use and extend its lifespan. Also check that the parts you need to clean are easy to access, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer. For a new product, the French Ministry of the Economy states that defects are presumed to have existed at the time of sale for two years. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller. This statutory guarantee is separate from a commercial warranty.