If your accommodation doesn’t include a microwave and you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, start with that function. A model with a grill or convection setting can handle other types of cooking if you don’t have an oven. An air fryer is better suited to roasting and browning, while a multicooker is ideal for one-pot meals. Before choosing, check what’s provided, your residence’s rules and how much space you’ll need around the appliance.
What’s included in your accommodation affects where to start: listings for Crous residences show that some studio flats come with a microwave, while others don’t.
If you already have a hob and fridge but no microwave, reheating leftovers and defrosting food may be the main reasons for your first purchase. Check what’s included in your studio before adding an appliance to the worktop.
If you regularly make dishes that need grilling or convection cooking, consider a combination microwave. Measure the space available and check that your residence allows its cooking functions.
For rice, soups, steaming or slow-cooked dishes, a compact multicooker serves a different purpose from a microwave or air fryer. Its usefulness depends on the meals you actually make and which appliances are allowed in your accommodation.
Start by choosing the function you’re missing, then check the dimensions and setup instructions against your kitchenette. Que Choisir distinguishes between reheating and defrosting with a microwave; its tests also show that air fryer results vary by model.
Consider this if: your accommodation doesn’t include a microwave and you mainly want to heat leftovers and ready meals or defrost food.
Limitation: it doesn’t have the grill or convection setting you might want to brown certain dishes.
Consider this if: you don’t have an oven and will regularly use the grill or, on models with this feature, convection cooking.
Consideration: its dimensions and cooking functions must suit your worktop and your accommodation’s rules.
Consider this if: you mainly want to roast or brown small batches and the appliance is allowed where you live.
Limitation: it doesn’t reheat food in the same way as a microwave. In a studio flat, fan noise is another factor to consider. Que Choisir recommends taking it into account.
Consider this if: you often make rice, soups, steamed dishes or slow-cooked meals.
Limitation: its cooking programmes don’t replace reheating a plate of food in a microwave or the browning you’d get from an air fryer.
| Consideration | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| What’s provided | Check your accommodation inventory and see whether it already includes a hob, oven and microwave. | If I already have a way to reheat meals, I only want to add an appliance for a type of cooking I’ll actually use. |
| Meals you usually make | Think about whether you need to reheat or defrost food, grill or use convection, cook with hot air, or make one-pot meals. Check the functions of the specific model. | Do I mainly cook leftovers, dishes that need browning, or soups and rice? The answer points to different appliances. |
| Space and ventilation | Compare the appliance’s external width, depth and height with the available space, then follow the clearance instructions in the manual. Whirlpool advises keeping a microwave’s air vents unobstructed. | I need enough space to position and use the appliance according to its manual, not just an internal capacity that looks sufficient. |
| Residence rules | Read your tenancy agreement and residence rules before choosing an additional cooking appliance, particularly one with a grill or a cooking bowl. The Crous guide dated 2 September 2026 explicitly lists microwaves as permitted. | If I live in a residence, I’ll check which appliances I can use in my accommodation before choosing extra functions. |
| Noise and cleaning | If you’re considering an air fryer, look for tests covering noise, cleaning and ease of use for that model. Que Choisir includes noise measurements in its test procedure. | In a single room, I want to be able to cook and clean the appliance without overlooking fan noise or where I’ll store the basket. |
An appliance that suits the dishes you make isn’t necessarily allowed in your accommodation. The Crous guide dated 2 September 2026 treats microwaves differently from other cooking appliances.
Check your inventory, tenancy agreement and residence rules. If you’re unsure whether an air fryer, multicooker or model with a grill is allowed, ask your residence for confirmation before buying.
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you how much worktop space the appliance will take up. The vents also need to remain unobstructed.
Measure the space in width, depth and height, then compare it with the chosen model’s external dimensions and setup instructions in the manual.
Cooking with hot air is mainly for roasting or browning; it doesn’t serve the same everyday purpose as reheating a plate of food in a microwave.
If reheating and defrosting are your priorities and your accommodation doesn’t include a microwave, start by comparing models that offer those functions. Then consider an air fryer for a different, permitted use.
You can hear an air fryer’s fan in a small room. Que Choisir notes that noise and cooking results vary between models.
Before choosing, check a test that covers noise and cleaning, then make sure you know where you’ll use the appliance and store its accessories.
These models show how features and overall size can vary; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
The freestanding MWP201SB microwave is a useful example to consider when choosing a microwave for a small kitchen.
The NN-CT56RB is an example of a combination microwave for anyone looking for cooking functions beyond standard microwave use.
Philips air fryers are an example of hot-air cooking to consider if roasting or browning suits the meals you usually make.
The Duo 3 L is an example of a multicooker designed for meals prepared in a single cooking bowl.
These options cover reheating and defrosting, with standard models and models that include a grill. To choose between them, think about whether you’ll use the grill and whether the appliance will fit on your worktop with the required clearances.
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For reheating and defrosting without a grill. The product details list defrosting by weight or time, 11 power levels and external dimensions of 440 × 319 × 259 mm. Check the manual for the required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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For reheating and defrosting, with the added benefit of a grill. The product details list an 800 W grill and dimensions of 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm. They also specify at least 10 cm of clearance at the sides and rear. Check the manual for any other setup instructions and make sure your residence allows the use of a grill.
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For reheating and defrosting, with a grill as well. The product details list rapid defrosting, automatic programmes and dimensions of 38,8 × 47,6 × 27,2 cm. Check the manual for setup instructions and the power levels suited to your needs, and check your residence rules regarding the grill.
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For reheating and defrosting, with a mechanical timer and six power levels listed in the product details. Its external dimensions are 452 × 362 × 262 mm. The description specifies an earthed wall socket and at least 10 cm of clearance on all sides. Also check whether your accommodation already includes a microwave.
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For combining reheating and defrosting with a grill function. The product details list 900 W microwave power, a 1 150 W grill and dimensions of 53,6 × 43,6 × 33 cm. Measure the available space, allowing for the clearances required in the manual, and check that your accommodation allows the use of a grill.
Check your tenancy agreement and residence rules before buying one. The Crous guide dated 2 September 2026 lists microwaves as permitted under its rules for cooking appliances. Don’t assume this also applies to an air fryer, a multicooker or the grill function on a combination microwave.
Only add an appliance to cover a type of cooking that’s missing from your usual meals: an air fryer for roasting or browning, or a multicooker for one-pot dishes. First check that the appliance is allowed and that you have space for it.
A model with a grill and convection cooking can handle some of the dishes you might otherwise make in a conventional oven, but check its exact functions and capacity for the food you want to cook. As a guide to its size, Panasonic France lists the NN-CT56RB’s dimensions as 52 × 31 × 39,1 cm, before allowing for the clearances specified in its manual.
Measure both the appliance and the space in width, depth and height, then allow for the clearances specified in its manual. Whirlpool advises keeping a microwave’s air vents unobstructed, so its capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether it will fit in the space you have.
Yes, particularly if your kitchenette and living space are in the same room. Que Choisir highlights fan noise as a factor to consider when buying and measures it in its tests. Look for results for the model you’re considering rather than relying on the number of programmes alone.