If you mainly reheat food
In a studio flat, holiday home or small kitchen, you’re likely to use your appliance mainly for reheating and defrosting. A solo model is worth considering if you’re unlikely to use oven functions.
Which option is right for you?
If you want to brown food
You reheat most meals, but would also like to brown a dish now and then. A microwave with a grill is suited to this, without assuming you need a fan oven function.
If you cook without an oven
You’d like to make some oven-style dishes in the same appliance you use for reheating. A combination microwave with a fan oven function could be a good fit, provided its dimensions, installation requirements and cooking results suit your kitchen and the dishes you make.
What should you look for before choosing?
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the uses of solo microwaves, models with a grill and combination microwaves with a fan oven function. Start with the dishes you’ll actually cook, then check whether the model you’re considering will fit in the available space.
| Your needs | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the external dimensions and make sure there’s room for your plates or dishes, then check the clearances specified in the manual. | If you mainly use your microwave to reheat meals, oven functions you rarely use won’t help with that task. Around 40% of consumers prioritise reheating and defrosting. |
| Occasional browning | Check that the appliance has a grill and see which accessories the manual permits you to use with it. | If you want to brown a dish from time to time, look for a grill; you don’t necessarily need a fan oven function. Browning is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Cooking oven-style dishes | Check for a fan oven function, the dimensions and installation requirements; look for test results covering the dishes you plan to make. | If you don’t have a conventional oven, you may want to bake a cake or roast a dish occasionally in the same appliance. Around 40% of consumers put this type of cooking first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a combination microwave cooks like any oven
A fan oven function gives you more options, but results depend on the model and the dish you’re preparing. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests assess factors including cooking performance, ease of use and thermal safety.
Make a list of the dishes you want to cook, then look for tests covering the relevant settings instead of relying on the word ‘combination’ alone.
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Comparing capacity without measuring the space
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop, whether the door can open properly or whether your dishes will fit inside.
Measure the available width, height and depth. Compare these with the model’s dimensions and the clearances listed in its manual; also check the size of the dishes you use.
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Confusing freestanding and built-in models
A built-in appliance needs a housing unit that meets the requirements in its installation manual. Don’t assume you can fit a freestanding model into a housing unit in the same way.
Choose the installation type before settling on a finish. For a built-in model, check the housing unit, ventilation and electrical supply against the instructions for the exact model.
Adapting the housing unit or electrical installation may require work separate from the appliance delivery.
Brands to know
Bosch
Bosch offers freestanding microwaves and built-in combination models, among other options. Consider which format best suits the space you have available.
- Bosch lists the freestanding FFL023MS2 as 20 l and 260 × 442 × 345 mm; the built-in CMA583MS0 combination model is listed as 44 l and 454 × 594 × 570 mm.
- These specifications apply to two specific models. For a built-in appliance, check the housing unit dimensions and the manual for the model you choose.
LG
LG offers combination models that bring together microwave, grill and fan-assisted heating functions for kitchens where one appliance needs to cover several uses.
- LG lists a capacity of 32 l and an input power of 2 600 W for the MJ-9250NB in microwave mode with fan-assisted heating.
- These figures don’t describe the whole range or indicate cooking results. Check the specifications for the model on sale and look for tests covering the dishes you plan to prepare.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers freestanding combination models without a turntable, which may be worth considering if the shape of your dishes matters to you.
- Whirlpool describes the MWF259SG as a 25 l model without a turntable, measuring 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm.
- The brand says its usable space is comparable to that of a 30 l cavity. However, check the dimensions of your dishes, the accessories you’ll need and the specified ventilation space.
Microwaves available from Joybuy
These freestanding models illustrate two uses: reheating with a solo microwave and occasional browning with a grill. For oven-style cooking, make sure the model you’re considering specifically lists a fan oven function.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 l
Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and brown food occasionally without installing a built-in appliance.
This model is listed as a 20 l microwave with grill and 700 W microwave power. If you want to cook oven-style dishes, check the listed settings rather than assuming the grill can do the job.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI, 21 l, titanium
This freestanding model suits a shortlist focused on reheating, defrosting and occasional browning with the grill.
It’s listed as 21 l with 800 W microwave power. If you expect to cook with a fan oven function, check the exact settings, as well as the appliance’s dimensions and the clearances required by its manual.
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Hkoenig VIO8, 20 l, black and stainless steel
Worth considering if reheating and defrosting matter more to you than browning or oven-style cooking.
The product listing states a capacity of 20 l and microwave power of 700 W. Before making space for it on your worktop, compare the appliance’s dimensions and the clearances in its manual with the space available.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace a conventional oven?
It can cook some oven-style dishes if the model has a fan oven function. To decide what you can cook in it, check the size of the dishes it can accommodate and look for tests covering convection cooking. UFC-Que Choisir assesses factors including cooking results, ease of use and thermal safety.
How much space should you allow for a freestanding microwave?
Allow for the width, height and depth of your chosen model, as well as the clearances specified in its manual and enough room to open the door. As examples for specific models, Bosch lists the FFL023MS2 as 260 × 442 × 345 mm, while Whirlpool lists the MWF259SG as 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm.
Can you put a freestanding microwave in a housing unit designed for a built-in model?
Don’t assume you can: installation requirements vary by model. Check the manual for permitted placement and ventilation. If you choose a built-in appliance, also check the housing unit dimensions and connections before you buy.