If you mainly cook with a saucepan or frying pan, start by considering a portable hob and check that your cookware is compatible. A multicooker is better suited to meals cooked in one pot, while a combination microwave or mini oven can meet different needs, provided the cooking modes you want are clearly listed. Before pairing two appliances, measure the space they need to be used safely, including ventilation clearance.
If you mainly need to cook with a saucepan or frying pan, a portable induction hob can give you that option, as long as your cookware is compatible. However, a single cooking zone means you’ll need to cook dishes one after another.
For rice, soups, stews or steaming, compare a multicooker’s programmes with the recipes you usually make. Also check the cooking pot’s capacity and how much space you’ll need to store it.
If oven cooking matters as much as reheating, look at a mini oven or combination microwave. Grill and convection functions should be explicitly listed: the term ‘microwave’ alone doesn’t guarantee them.
For a kitchenette, start with the meals you make most often, then choose the appliance that provides the cooking method you’re missing. A second appliance is only worthwhile if it adds a function you’ll actually use and you have room for it, including the clearances specified in its instructions.
| Need | What to check | Who this suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking with a saucepan or frying pan | Check that your cookware is induction-compatible and allow enough space around the hob for ventilation. A single cooking zone only lets you cook one thing at a time. | I don’t have a hob, and I want to be able to boil or simmer a dish in my pans rather than just reheat food. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the microwave’s internal capacity and external dimensions with your containers and the available space. Only count on grill or convection cooking if those modes are listed. | My meals are often already prepared, so I mainly want to reheat leftovers or defrost a portion. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Preparing one-pot meals | Check the programmes that match your recipes, then compare the cooking pot’s capacity and the parts you’ll need to clean. | If I regularly cook rice, soup or stews, I prefer to make everything in one pot. This is the main need for around 23% of consumers. |
| Oven cooking and browning | Look for grill and convection modes that suit your dishes; also measure the appliance and allow for the clearances specified in its instructions. | Pizza or a gratin is a regular part of my meals, and simply reheating food isn’t enough. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this type of cooking. |
You’ll need to allow space for airflow and access to the door or drawer, too. For this model, the Brandt FC210MW-B mini oven instructions require at least 10 cm on each side.
Measure the full space available and check the clearances specified in the instructions for the appliance you’re planning to buy, rather than using the measurements for another model.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but not have enough room to be used as intended, which could mean finding it a new home.
A solo microwave designed for reheating and defrosting won’t automatically have the grill or convection functions you need to brown or oven-cook your dishes.
Look for the named modes in the product specifications, then check the temperature settings and accessories you’ll need for your recipes.
An induction hob requires compatible cookware. Tefal’s guidance for its cookware explains that the symbols on the base of its pans show which types of hob they can be used on.
Check every saucepan and frying pan you want to keep before choosing a portable hob.
If your cookware isn’t suitable, replacing it becomes an extra expense and inconvenience.
A multicooker, combination microwave and air fryer can cover some similar uses, but they aren’t interchangeable. Each one also takes up space and needs cleaning.
Make a note of the meals you cook most often and the cooking modes they require. Add another appliance only if the first one can’t handle a function you use regularly.
The Everyday Slim IH210801 portable hob is an example of a single-zone induction hob that can be put away after use. Tefal lists a height of 45 mm and a maximum power output of 2 100 W for this model.
The MK708810 and MK705111 multicookers are examples of appliances for cooking rice, soups, stews or steamed food in one pot, with features that vary by model.
The NN-E20JW and NN-CD88 offer two distinct options: a 20 L solo microwave and a combination appliance that Panasonic lists with grill and convection functions.
The freestanding FC210MW-B mini oven is worth considering if oven-style cooking matters more to you than simply reheating food.
Philips offers air-frying appliances as part of its kitchen range. This category is worth exploring if this type of cooking suits the meals you usually make.
These appliances are designed for different tasks: hob cooking, one-pot meals, reheating with a grill, or air frying. First decide which cooking method your kitchenette is missing, then check that you have enough space and that the model suits your needs.
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Worth considering if you mainly need to cook with a saucepan or frying pan and want to be able to put the hob away after use.
The product name lists eight power levels, seven preset functions, a temperature range of 60 to 270 °C and a 3-hour timer. It specifies cookware sizes of 12 to 26 cm.
Check that your cookware is compatible, and review the dimensions and clearances in the instructions before deciding where to put it.
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This cooker is designed for meals prepared in a single pot, particularly if you’re looking for a hot pot-style appliance.
The product name lists a capacity of 5 L. Compare this with your usual portions and the space available for using and storing the appliance.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and have a grill function, but don’t assume this model is a substitute for a convection oven.
The product name lists a capacity of 20 L and microwave power of 700 W. Check that it has the modes you need for your dishes and allow for ventilation clearance before installing it.
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This size is worth considering if you mainly prepare small portions using hot air; it won’t replace a hob for cooking with a saucepan.
The product name lists a capacity of 2 L, a power output of 1 150 W, a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket. Measure the space needed for the appliance and its ventilation.
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This small cooking pot is worth considering for simple one-pot meals, if 1 L is right for the quantities you usually cook.
The product name lists two power settings, 300 W and 600 W, and an inner pot made of stainless steel. Check where it will go and read the instructions before use.
Only if its functions cover the types of cooking you expect from an oven. The Panasonic NN-E20JW is a solo microwave, while Panasonic lists grill and convection functions for the NN-CD88. For gratins or baking, check the functions and accessories of the model you choose rather than relying on the word ‘combination’.
Allow for the clearance specified in the instructions for your model, as well as its external dimensions. The Brandt FC210MW-B mini oven instructions require at least 10 cm on each side; this measurement applies to this model only. Also keep the air inlets and outlets of an induction hob clear, as directed in its instructions.
Not necessarily. Check for the induction symbol or confirmation that they’re compatible. Check the pans you use most often, as having to replace them can change whether a portable hob is the right choice for you.
Check the appliance’s stated power rating, the electrical instructions in its manual and the location of the socket you’ll use. Follow the warnings and ventilation clearances for your specific model, and don’t apply the instructions for another appliance to your set-up.