For reheating and defrosting in a student kitchenette or second home, choose a standard microwave if its dimensions and ventilation requirements suit the space. A grill model is useful for the occasional crispy topping; if you also want to cook some dishes in the oven, compare a combination microwave with a mini oven based on the dishes you plan to make, the space available and whether you already have another microwave. In every case, check the appliance’s power consumption and the requirements in the manual for the model you choose.
If you mainly reheat meals and defrost food, start by checking the external dimensions of a standard microwave. The cavity capacity isn’t the whole story: you also need to allow for the ventilation clearances specified in the manual.
If you’d sometimes like to brown the top of a dish while still having microwave reheating, a grill model is worth comparing with standard models. A grill doesn’t necessarily mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking.
If some of your dishes need to be cooked in an oven, compare the cooking modes of a combination microwave and a mini oven. Your choice will also depend on how much you need to reheat food quickly and how much space you can make available for one or two appliances.
In a student kitchenette or second home, start with the dishes you’ll make most often, then check that the appliance and its ventilation clearances will genuinely fit in the space you have in mind. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between standard, grill and combination microwaves for these different uses.
Choose this if: reheating is your main use and you don’t need to brown dishes.
Bear in mind: it doesn’t offer a grill or fan-assisted cooking.
Choose this if: you’d also like to brown dishes from time to time.
Bear in mind: a grill alone doesn’t do the job of a fan-assisted oven.
Choose this if: you need oven-style cooking as well as microwave functions, without adding more appliances.
Bear in mind: pay particular attention to its size and power consumption in each cooking mode.
Choose this if: oven-cooked dishes are your priority and you already have a microwave, or rarely use one.
Bear in mind: it won’t reheat and defrost food as quickly as a microwave.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and reheating | External dimensions, clearances specified in the manual and turntable size. | When every centimetre of worktop space matters, I want to reheat meals without blocking the appliance’s ventilation. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this need for reheating in a small space. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill mode and the accessories needed for the dishes you plan to make. | I’d like to brown the top of a dish now and then, without needing fan-assisted cooking. Around 27% of consumers put browning food first. |
| Cooking without an oven | Cooking modes, dimensions and power consumption of the combination microwave. | Without a working oven, I’m looking for an appliance that can also handle some oven-style cooking while retaining its microwave function. Around 20% of consumers put this partial oven replacement first. |
| Oven-cooked dishes | Cooking modes and capacity of the mini oven, the space it needs and the appliances you already have. | If I already have a microwave or rarely use it to reheat meals, I’d rather use the available space for oven cooking. For around 20% of consumers, this is their main need. |
The internal capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance, its door and the ventilation clearances it needs will fit in your chosen spot. For example, Electrolux lists external dimensions of 280 × 469 × 348 mm for the Y4ZM25MMK.
Measure the space in width, height and depth, then check the manual for your chosen model to find out what clearances it needs. Also make sure your plates fit on the turntable.
A grill can brown the surface of a dish, but its presence doesn’t mean the appliance offers the cooking functions of a combination microwave or mini oven.
Make a note of the dishes you want to prepare: if you only want to brown food occasionally, look at a grill model; for more regular oven cooking, compare the specific modes offered by combination microwaves and mini ovens.
Microwave output power and electrical input power aren’t the same thing. Electrical requirements can also vary between cooking modes.
To check the electrical requirements for your setup, look at the power consumption and electrical instructions in the manual for the exact model, rather than relying solely on the microwave wattage advertised.
Freestanding microwaves with a grill are worth comparing if you want to brown food without going straight for a combination model.
A brand to look at for standard freestanding microwaves, as well as other configurations depending on the model.
Worth considering if you want a combination microwave that brings together reheating, grilling and fan-assisted cooking.
An option for mini oven cooking when oven-cooked dishes matter more to you than microwave reheating.
These two models suit different kitchenette needs: the Electrolux microwave with grill can also brown food, while the standard Whirlpool is a good fit if reheating is your priority. Compare their size and functions before choosing; if you need fan-assisted cooking, you’ll need a different type of appliance.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and use a grill from time to time. This model is listed as a 25 L freestanding microwave with 900 W of microwave power. Before making space for it, check the dimensions, ventilation clearances and power consumption in the documentation for the exact model.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if reheating is your priority and you don’t need a grill. This model is listed with a 20 L capacity and 700 W of microwave power. If you’re counting on a dedicated defrost programme, check that it’s included; also consult the manual for ventilation clearances.
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model. Samsung France gives a general guideline of at least 10 cm at the back and sides, and 20 cm above, but these measurements can vary: the Schneider SCMWN20SDG manual, for example, specifies 5 cm at the side.
To check the appliance’s electrical requirements, look at its power consumption, which is different from its microwave output power. Electrolux France lists 800 W of microwave power and 1 000 W for the grill on the EMZ421MMK; check the electrical details and installation requirements in the manual for the model you’re buying.
A mini oven is designed for oven cooking, but it won’t reheat and defrost food as quickly as a microwave. Choose one if oven cooking is your priority and you already have a microwave, or can manage without its functions.
Contact the retailer to exercise your statutory rights under the legal guarantee of conformity. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that this guarantee allows you to request a repair or replacement; it is separate from any commercial warranty that may be offered.