Which option is right for you?

Student who mainly reheats portions

If you reheat meals, defrost food and occasionally prepare simple dishes, a standard microwave will cover these needs without adding grill or oven-cooking functions.

Someone who also wants to brown dishes

If you use a microwave every day but would like to brown some dishes, a model with a grill gives you that option. However, having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance also has a fan oven function.

Renter without a usable oven

If you want to cook oven-style dishes regularly, compare a combination microwave with a mini oven, based on the functions you need. Check the available space and installation requirements for each.

What should you prioritise?

According to UFC-Que Choisir, combination microwaves add features such as a grill and fan-assisted cooking. Your choice will depend on the meals you prepare, as well as the space available once the appliance is installed.

Basic microwave

Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost individual portions.

Bear in mind: this option doesn’t include a grill or fan-assisted cooking.

Microwave with grill

Choose this if: you’d like to brown some dishes while keeping all the usual microwave functions.

Bear in mind: a grill alone doesn’t offer all the cooking options of a fan oven.

Combination microwave

Choose this if: you don’t have a usable oven and want to combine microwave, grill and oven-style cooking functions.

Bear in mind: check its external dimensions and installation requirements against the space available.

Electric mini oven

Choose this if: pizzas, gratins or baking matter more to you than microwave functions.

Bear in mind: it won’t reheat food using microwaves.

Consideration What to check Who should consider this?
Space and installation External dimensions, door clearance and the ventilation gaps specified for the model. In a kitchenette where every centimetre counts, I want to be able to position the appliance without blocking its vents; around 33% of consumers would put this constraint first.
Reheating and defrosting Microwave and defrost functions, with controls suited to your everyday use. If I mainly eat portions that need reheating or food that needs defrosting, I prioritise these basic functions; around 27% of consumers would put them first.
Browning under the grill Whether it has a grill and includes accessories suitable for the dishes you plan to cook. For the occasional dish I want to brown, I need a grill function but not every feature of an oven; around 20% of consumers would make this their priority.
Oven-style cooking Fan-assisted or other oven-cooking modes, and interior dimensions that will fit your dishes. Without a usable oven, I regularly prepare meals that need oven cooking; this would be the priority for around 20% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Relying on the cavity capacity alone

    The interior capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much worktop space you’ll need. The depth and ventilation clearance required can affect whether the appliance will fit.

    Measure the space, then compare it with the external dimensions and clearances given in the manual for the model you’ve chosen.

  • Choosing a combination microwave just to reheat food

    Grill and oven-style cooking functions won’t add much to your meals if you almost exclusively reheat and defrost food.

    Start with the meals you usually eat: compare basic models for those needs first, then consider a grill or combination microwave only if you’ll use the extra functions.

  • Assuming a grill is the same as a fan oven

    Browning food under a grill and cooking oven-style dishes are different uses. UFC-Que Choisir assesses them separately in its microwave testing protocol.

    If you regularly plan to cook pizzas, gratins or baked goods, check the oven-cooking modes and the size of dishes the appliance can accommodate.

Brands to know for these uses

Whirlpool

Whirlpool offers countertop microwaves, including models without a turntable that may be worth considering if the layout of the cavity matters to you.

  • Whirlpool lists the MWF255B as having a 25 L cavity with no turntable and external dimensions of 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm.
  • For this model, as with any other, check the ventilation clearances in the manual before deciding where to put it.

Samsung

Samsung’s range includes microwaves with grills for anyone looking to add browning to their reheating options.

  • Samsung describes the MG23T5018CK as a 23 L grill model with Grill Fry and Quick Defrost functions.
  • These functions alone don’t mean that this model can replace a fan oven.

Moulinex

Moulinex countertop mini ovens are worth considering if you prioritise oven cooking over microwave functions.

  • Moulinex lists fan-assisted cooking, a grill and several cooking modes for the Optimo 39 L.
  • This mini oven doesn’t offer microwave functionality; check its dimensions and the required clearances in your kitchen too.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a combination microwave replace my oven?

It can handle some oven functions if the model has features such as a grill and fan-assisted cooking, while still offering microwave functions. UFC-Que Choisir describes these capabilities for combination models. Before replacing your oven, though, check the specific cooking modes, the size of dishes it can accommodate and the space it needs.

Is the capacity in litres enough to tell me whether the appliance will fit?

No: capacity tells you how much space there is inside, not how much room you need to install the appliance. For example, Whirlpool lists the MWF255B as having a 25 L cavity and external dimensions of 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm. Also measure the space needed to open the door and meet the ventilation requirements in the manual.

What guarantee applies to an appliance bought from a trader in France?

According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual in France. The DGCCRF states that claims under this guarantee must be made within two years of the goods being delivered; keep your proof of purchase and the description of the model you ordered.