If you mainly reheat and defrost food, a standard microwave may be all you need. Choose a model with a grill if you also want to brown dishes. If you regularly want to cook food as you would in an oven, compare a combination microwave that explicitly lists convection cooking with a mini oven. Check the dimensions of your dishes, the space available for installation and which containers are suitable for each cooking mode.
You want to prepare oven-style dishes while keeping the convenience of a microwave for reheating. Check that the model has convection cooking and that your dishes will fit, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir in its microwave buying guide.
In a studio flat or holiday home, you mainly heat individual portions and leftovers, and defrost food. A basic appliance can save you from giving up space to functions you won’t use. UFC-Que Choisir highlights these uses in particular.
Your choice depends on how much browning you want, the size of your containers and how important oven-style cooking is to you. Compare the cavity, turntable and external dimensions before deciding which functions you need.
Choose this if: you reheat and defrost food, and do simple cooking.
The trade-off: it won’t replace oven cooking or give you the browning you’d get from a grill.
Choose this if: you want to brown some dishes as well as reheat food.
The trade-off: a grill alone doesn’t mean the microwave has convection cooking.
Choose this if: you want one appliance for reheating, defrosting, grilling and oven-style cooking.
The trade-off: check its overall size and cavity capacity against your available space and dishes.
Choose this if: cooking on a rack or tray matters more to you than the speed of microwave reheating.
The trade-off: a mini oven doesn’t include microwave cooking or defrosting functions.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who cares about this most |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking as you would in an oven | Check that convection or fan-assisted cooking is explicitly listed, then compare the cavity size with your dishes. | If I want to cook oven-style dishes without adding a second appliance, this function is essential. Around 29% of consumers prioritise versatile cooking. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the available modes and controls, as well as the turntable diameter for your plates. | If I mainly use it for leftovers, individual portions and defrosting, I’d rather not give up space to functions I won’t use. Around 24% of consumers prioritise reheating and defrosting. |
| Finding space for the appliance and dishes | Measure the space, door clearance, cavity and turntable; follow the clearances specified in the instruction manual. | When every centimetre counts in my kitchen and my dishes need to fit easily, dimensions are crucial. Around 18% of consumers prioritise the appliance’s footprint and container size. |
| Browning food now and then | Check that it has a grill and which containers the instruction manual allows for this mode. | If I want to brown some dishes without making fan-assisted cooking my top priority, I’ll check for a grill first. Around 18% of consumers prioritise browning. |
| Prioritising oven cooking | Compare the cooking modes and dimensions of a mini oven; check whether you can manage without a microwave function. | If I mainly cook dishes on a rack or tray, I might prefer a mini oven and use another way to reheat food. Around 11% of consumers prioritise this option. |
Cooking modes vary between models. The French product page for the Whirlpool MWF259SG lists microwave, grill and Crisp functions, but doesn’t confirm convection among the features shown.
Check the cooking modes for the exact model before choosing it for fan-assisted recipes.
The stated capacity in litres, the appliance’s overall size, the cavity and the turntable all refer to different measurements. A dish might not fit the cavity or turntable even if the capacity seems sufficient.
Measure a dish you use regularly and compare its dimensions with the cavity, turntable and door opening.
A container that’s suitable for microwave use may not be suitable for grilling or convection. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using plastic with the grill or convection setting; the DGCCRF reminds users to follow the container’s instructions.
Check the container’s instructions and the appliance manual for the mode you want to use.
A mini oven is still an option if oven-style cooking is your priority. However, it won’t replace a microwave for reheating or defrosting.
Consider this option if you can manage without those microwave functions.
The French models MS2535GIB, MH6535GDS and MJ3965ACS illustrate the standard, grill and combination options respectively.
According to Samsung France, the MC28H5015AW/EF is a 28 L combination microwave with microwave, grill and convection functions, plus a turntable stop function.
The TO 2058 is an example of a countertop mini oven, with fan-assisted cooking, a grill and several shelf positions.
The NN-CT57RM is an example of a combination microwave with microwave, grill and convection functions.
The French model MWF259SG is an example of a freestanding microwave described as a combination model.
This selection includes standard microwaves, models with a grill or convection and countertop mini ovens.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, with a grill for browning dishes.
Stated capacity: 20 L; turntable: 245 mm.
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Worth considering if reheating and defrosting are your main uses and you don’t need a grill.
The product page lists a 245 mm turntable and five power levels.
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Worth considering if you prefer oven-style cooking on a rack or tray to microwave reheating.
The product page lists 15 functions and an adjustable temperature range of 100 to 230 °C. The internal elements and accessories get hot during use; the manufacturer recommends using heat-resistant gloves.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance with microwave, grill and convection functions.
The product page lists a 42 L capacity, a turntable, two racks and a baking tray. Stated external dimensions: 553 × 326 × 505 mm; check that it will fit in your space.
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Worth considering if you want microwave, grill and convection functions in one appliance; the product page also lists steam cooking.
The product page lists a 36 cm turntable and cooking accessories. Stated dimensions: 54,4 × 52,5 × 32,7 cm; measure your available space before choosing.
No. Compare your dish with the cavity’s dimensions and height, as well as the turntable diameter if the cooking mode requires it. For example, the French product page for the LG MS2535GIB gives cavity dimensions of 322 × 228 × 335 mm and a 292 mm turntable; these measurements don’t apply to other models.
Don’t assume so: check the container’s instructions and the appliance manual for each mode. The DGCCRF advises against putting a container in the oven if it isn’t designed for oven use, while UFC-Que Choisir points out that plastic suitable for microwave use shouldn’t be used with the grill or convection setting.
Measure the appliance and allow enough space to open the door, then follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you choose. For cleaning, UFC-Que Choisir recommends unplugging the appliance and avoiding abrasive cleaners; the SEVERIN TO 2058 mini oven manual also says to let it cool down first.
If you bought the appliance as a private individual from a professional seller, contact the seller to make a claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity. The DGCCRF states that this applies for two years from the date the goods are delivered; a commercial guarantee is separate and optional.