If you don’t have a traditional oven, a basic microwave is suitable if you mainly reheat and defrost food. A grill adds browning, while a combination microwave with a fan oven can also handle some oven-style cooking. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these functions, so choose according to the recipes you make, the space available and the specifications of the exact model. A mini oven is also worth comparing if oven cooking is your priority, but its defrost function doesn’t replace microwave reheating.
You want to reheat and defrost food, but also cook some dishes without adding a second appliance. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between grill and fan-oven functions, so the available space and the modes offered by the model should inform your choice.
You mainly prepare portions to reheat or defrost, and want to avoid paying for functions you’ll rarely use. UFC-Que Choisir describes a basic microwave as an option to consider when these uses are your priority.
You regularly use oven dishes or tins, so you need to compare the cavity and modes of a combination microwave with those of a mini oven. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses browning, evenness and cooking time in fan-oven mode, among other things.
| Concern | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking in the oven and reheating with one appliance | Check that the exact model explicitly lists microwave, grill and fan-oven modes, and that the usable dimensions will accommodate your dishes. | If I want to cook some dishes in the oven while keeping microwave reheating, consumers who prioritise this all-in-one use account for around 29%. |
| Simply reheating and defrosting | Look at the defrost functions, turntable diameter and power consumption, rather than just the stated cooking power. | For me, the main thing is reheating and defrosting without paying for modes I’ll rarely use; consumers who prioritise these uses account for around 23%. |
| Browning or grilling | Check for a grill and, if available, look for browning ratings for the model in question. | If I mainly want to brown or grill food from time to time, without needing a fan-oven function, consumers who prioritise grilling account for around 18%. |
| Making oven-style recipes | Compare the modes and internal dimensions with those of the dishes and tins you usually use. | When my recipes mainly use oven dishes, tins or oven modes, consumers who prioritise this type of cooking account for around 18%. |
| Fitting the appliance into a small kitchen | Measure the space and door clearance; check the clearances specified in the manual, as well as the power consumption of the modes you plan to use. | If the available space and power supply are the main factors in my choice, consumers who put these constraints first account for around 12%. |
A grill is used for browning, while a fan oven is a different cooking mode. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these uses separately in its test protocol.
If you often make cakes or other oven-style recipes, check that the model explicitly lists a convection or fan-oven mode.
The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether your dish will fit inside the cavity or whether the appliance can be installed in the space you have in mind.
Measure your dishes, the appliance’s external dimensions and the ventilation clearances specified in the manual for the exact model.
For the LG MS2535GIB, LG France distinguishes between a microwave output power of 1 000 W and a power consumption of 1 350 W in microwave mode. These figures describe different things.
To check whether your electrical connection is suitable, consult the specifications for the model and its French version, especially for the modes you plan to use.
The Moulinex Optimo OX444810 lists defrosting among its modes, but that doesn’t mean it uses microwave technology.
Compare the tasks you actually carry out and check separately whether you need a microwave for reheating or defrosting.
The models with published specifications include basic microwaves, models with a grill and combination models, making it possible to compare these uses without confusing them.
The NN-CD58RS is presented as a freestanding appliance combining microwave, grill and convection functions.
The Optimo OX444810 is a mini oven to compare when oven cooking is more important to you than microwave reheating.
The brand’s French FAQ explains why the required clearance depends on the model.
The MWP 3391 SX is an example of a combination model with Crisp functions, but it isn’t a current purchase recommendation.
This selection includes microwaves with a grill and combination models, so you can compare reheating with additional cooking functions for a home without an oven.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, with a grill for occasional browning.
Stated capacity: 25 L. The product name specifies 1 000 W.
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Worth considering if reheating and defrosting are your priorities, with a grill for browning dishes.
Stated capacity: 20 L; the product name specifies 700 W.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for an appliance that combines microwave and additional cooking functions.
The product name specifies a 1 000 W grill and a steam function.
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Worth comparing if you want to keep the microwave function while looking for a combination appliance for other types of cooking.
The product name specifies a capacity of 42 L and a 3-in-1 design.
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Worth considering if you want microwave reheating alongside some oven-style cooking. LG France lists microwave, grill and oven functions for this model.
Stated capacity: 39 L.
Measure the space and check the manual for the model you’ve chosen before installation. Samsung France explains that the required clearances vary by model, so general guidance can’t confirm whether there’s enough room for a particular appliance.
Not necessarily. Check the instructions for the mode and accessory you’re using. Samsung France, for example, advises against using metal dishes in microwave mode. Anses recommends following the power and cooking-time instructions on food packaging intended for this mode.
For a purchase made by a consumer from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies, among other things, to new, second-hand and refurbished goods. In its information sheet updated on 17 August 2026, Service-Public.fr states that the fault must appear within two years of the goods being delivered. This guarantee is separate from any optional commercial warranty.
The ministry responsible for the environment lists several options: take the appliance to a recycling centre or collection point, return it to a retailer, or pass it on to a social and solidarity economy organisation.