For everyday reheating and defrosting, start with a solo microwave. Choose one with a grill if you’d also like to brown or crisp food from time to time. If you regularly cook oven dishes, consider a combination microwave with fan assistance or a mini oven, depending on whether you still need microwave functions. Whichever you choose, check the available space, door clearance and ventilation requirements in the manual before selecting your programmes.
In student accommodation or a small kitchen, a solo microwave is ideal for reheating and defrosting without paying for oven-style cooking functions you’re unlikely to use. If you occasionally want to brown or crisp food, compare models with a grill too.
If you regularly make dishes such as gratins, pizzas or pastries using a single appliance, look specifically for a combination microwave with fan-assisted or fan-forced cooking. A grill alone doesn’t mean it has this function.
If your holiday home doesn’t have a built-in oven, a mini oven is worth considering if oven cooking matters more to you than reheating with a microwave. However, you’ll need another appliance if you still need microwave functions.
UFC-Que Choisir’s guide distinguishes between combination microwaves, including those with a grill and fan-assisted cooking. Start with the dishes you plan to cook, then check each appliance against your available space and the cookware you own.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking uses | Check which functions are actually included: microwave for reheating and defrosting, grill for browning or crisping, and fan-assisted or fan-forced cooking for oven-style results. A mini oven covers the latter without providing microwave functions. | I mainly reheat meals, occasionally brown or crisp food, or regularly cook oven dishes: the right appliance depends on which of these uses matters most to me. |
| Space and cookware | Compare the appliance’s external width, height and depth with your worktop, then check that the door can open fully. Also check the internal dimensions and turntable size against your dishes: capacity in litres isn’t enough on its own. | My plates and dishes need to fit, and the appliance mustn’t get in the way of using the kitchenette. |
| Oven cooking | To compare similar appliances, look at their cooking modes and stated temperature range. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses factors such as browning, evenness and cooking time: the presence of a programme alone doesn’t tell you how well it performs. | If I make pizzas or pastries, I want to compare the cooking results I can expect, not just count the programmes. |
| Installation | Check the manual for the exact model variant to find its ventilation clearances and permitted installation type. Bosch’s instructions remind users that these clearances must be observed when installing an appliance in a cabinet. | My appliance needs to fit and work in its intended location, including under a shelf or beside a cabinet. |
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external depth, how much room you need to open the door or how much space is required for installation.
Measure your available space and the dishes you usually use, then compare them with the appliance dimensions and the guidance in its manual.
A grill is useful for browning or crisping food, but it doesn’t tell you how the appliance performs with fan-assisted cooking. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses factors such as browning and evenness separately.
If you often cook pizzas or pastries, check that the appliance has a convection function and look for test results covering the mode you’re interested in.
Even if an appliance fits the space, you may not be able to leave the ventilation clearances it requires.
Check the installation instructions for the exact model and variant before choosing a recess, shelf or enclosed space.
A programme description or promise of crispy results doesn’t, on its own, tell you how the appliance will perform with the dishes you make.
Compare the functions listed for the exact models and, where comparable independent tests are available, their results using the same cooking modes.
Two freestanding models show the difference between a solo microwave and a microwave with a grill.
The NN-C69KSM is worth considering if you’re looking for a combination microwave with a grill and fan-assisted cooking.
The MCP349WH is another combination microwave configuration to consider.
The range includes several sizes of combination microwave to consider, depending on the space available and the dishes you use.
The Optimo 19 L is a useful point of comparison if oven cooking in a mini oven is your priority.
These models let you compare solo microwaves, models with a grill and a combination microwave for a kitchenette. Choose according to the dishes you usually cook, then check the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you select.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you reheat meals and would also like to brown or crisp food occasionally. The title lists a capacity of 20 L and a microwave power of 700 W; check the clearances and space needed to open the door before installation.
Image unavailable
For prioritising reheating and defrosting over oven cooking. The title lists 700 W, 11 power levels and a defrost function; check the ventilation clearances and door opening space available in your chosen location.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you want to reheat and brown or crisp food, with a stated capacity of 25 L. The grill doesn’t confirm a fan-assisted cooking function; check the manual for clearances and connection instructions before installation.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if reheating is your main use. The title lists a capacity of 20 L and a power of 700 W; if you defrost food often, check the available settings and how much depth you’ll need with the door open.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a combination microwave to cook a range of dishes in a single appliance. Its stated capacity of 42 L makes it especially important to check the available space, door clearance and installation instructions. Also check that it has the modes you need for your dishes.
Compare its external dimensions with the space available, allowing for the door to open and for the size of your dishes. Then check the manual for the exact model: Bosch’s instructions specify that ventilation clearances must be observed when installing an appliance in a cabinet.
Not for the same uses: a grill is for browning or crisping food, while fan-assisted cooking is a separate function to look for if you plan to cook oven dishes. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses criteria such as browning and evenness separately, so check which mode was actually tested before comparing two models.
Electrolux support information states that moisture produced during heating escapes through the ventilation ducts of the relevant appliances. When installing your model, follow the clearances and instructions in its own manual.