For people who mainly reheat meals
In a studio flat, student accommodation or holiday home, your main priorities are reheating portions and defrosting food, without adding lots of appliances.
Which type is right for you?
For people who want to brown some dishes
Reheating is still what you do most often, but you’d also like to grill or brown food from time to time without installing a separate oven.
For people who cook without a conventional oven
If you regularly plan to make pizzas, quiches, gratins or simple bakes, convection cooking and the space the appliance needs become more important.
Which features should you prioritise?
First decide whether your meals need reheating only, occasional browning or convection cooking. Then compare the size of each model with the space available, allowing for ventilation too.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost settings and whether the controls and interior suit the meals you usually prepare. | For leftovers, soups or frozen portions, I mainly want an appliance that’s easy to use every day. Around 31% of consumers prioritise reheating and defrosting. |
| Oven-style cooking | Look for a convection setting with adjustable temperature, and check which accessories are approved for this type of cooking. | Without a conventional oven, I want to be able to regularly make pizzas, quiches or simple bakes. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise being able to cook these in one appliance. |
| Grill browning | Check that the model has a grill, and find out which containers and accessories are suitable for this setting. | I reheat meals but would also like to brown some dishes without making oven-style cooking my main use. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise browning. |
| Size and ventilation | Compare the appliance’s external width, height and depth with the available space, allowing for the clearances specified in the instructions. | In a very compact kitchenette, the appliance and the space needed around it must both fit where you plan to put it. Around 15% of consumers would put this installation constraint ahead of their other needs. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming a combination microwave will always replace an oven
A convection model can handle more types of cooking than a solo microwave, but these features are only worth considering if you plan to use them. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between solo, grill and combination models based on their functions.
Make a note of the meals you usually prepare: choose a solo model if you mainly reheat and defrost, a grill model for occasional browning, or look for convection if you regularly plan to cook oven-style dishes.
-
Measuring only the width of your worktop
A microwave might fit widthways but not have enough room in front, above or around its ventilation openings. The stated capacity of the interior doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external dimensions.
Measure the space in all three dimensions and compare it with the model’s measurements and the clearances specified in its instructions.
-
Using the same container for every setting
A container being microwave-safe doesn’t necessarily mean it’s suitable for the grill or convection setting too. Anses also notes that overheating food packaging can increase the migration of substances into food.
Follow the packaging instructions for power and cooking time, then check the appliance instructions to see which containers and accessories are suitable for the setting you’re using.
Brands to consider
These ranges give you a starting point for comparing features; always check the specifications of the particular model you’re interested in.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers a range of freestanding microwaves, including grill and combination models.
- The range includes several types of appliance, making it easy to compare grill and combination features.
- A grill doesn’t mean the model has convection. Check its cooking settings.
Panasonic
Panasonic France offers the NN-C69KSM, among other models. It combines microwave, grill and convection cooking.
- The NN-C69KSM product details list its cooking settings and dimensions, which are useful when considering an appliance to use without a separate oven.
- This model is 520 mm wide, 520 mm deep and 327 mm high, before allowing for the clearances needed for installation.
Electrolux
Electrolux France offers freestanding microwaves, including the Y4ZM25MMK, with microwave, grill and microwave-with-grill settings.
- The published dimensions for the Y4ZM25MMK, 280 × 469 × 348 mm, can be compared with the space you have available.
- These grill settings shouldn’t be confused with convection cooking. Check that the model has the feature your recipes require.
Microwaves for these needs
These Joybuy models include options for everyday reheating and models with a grill for browning some dishes. If you plan to cook with convection, check explicitly that the model you’re considering has this feature.
Image unavailable
Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L, black
Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and have a grill for occasional browning too. The product name states a microwave power of 700 W. If you plan to cook oven-style dishes, check separately for convection and for the clearances specified in the instructions.
Image unavailable
Whirlpool MWP 101 W, 20 L
This solo model is suited to everyday reheating and defrosting. Its stated microwave power is 700 W. If you want to brown dishes or cook with convection, look specifically for these features on the model you choose.
Image unavailable
Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter with grill, 25 L, titanium
Worth considering if you want to combine reheating with occasional browning. Its stated microwave power is 900 W. Check the required clearances in the instructions, and don’t assume it has convection just because it has a grill.
Image unavailable
Hisense H25MOBS7H, 25 L, black
Consider this model for reheating and defrosting if its stated 25 L capacity suits the dishes you use. Its stated microwave power is 900 W. Check the exact cooking settings and installation clearances before relying on it to have a grill or convection.
Image unavailable
COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, black
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting on a worktop where every centimetre counts. The product name states 700 W, six pre-set menus and 11 power levels. Also check the space needed for ventilation and for the dishes you use.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should you leave around a freestanding microwave?
Follow the clearance instructions for the model you choose. Samsung France gives a general guide of at least 10 cm at the back and sides, and 20 cm above. However, these measurements don’t replace the requirements for each specific appliance.
Can you reheat a meal in any type of packaging?
No. Check that the packaging is suitable for the setting you’re using, and follow its instructions for power and cooking time. Anses states that overheating can increase the migration of substances from food packaging into food. For the grill or convection setting, also check the appliance instructions.
What rights do you have if a microwave bought in France isn’t as described?
According to the official economie.gouv.fr website, the legal guarantee of conformity applies, among other cases, when a business sells a new, second-hand or refurbished appliance to a private individual in France and it doesn’t match its description or the use normally expected of it. This is a statutory right, separate from any commercial returns policy.
What should you do with an old microwave when replacing it in France?
Old microwaves are collected as waste electrical and electronic equipment. The Ministry for Ecological Transition says that a ‘one-for-one’ take-back service may be available when you buy an appliance of the same type. Check the take-back arrangements offered when you make your purchase.