If you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, choose a basic microwave; add a grill if you’d like to brown dishes from time to time. A combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking is better suited to cooking without a separate oven, while a mini oven is worth considering if oven cooking matters more to you than using a microwave. In a small home, also check how much space you’ll need, the ventilation requirements and the plug socket, as well as which appliances are permitted in your accommodation.
If you want to reheat and defrost food, but also make gratins, simple roasts or bakes, look at the fan-assisted cooking and grill functions on a combination microwave. Check that its dimensions and accessories suit your recipes and worktop.
If you mostly need to reheat or defrost meals, a basic microwave will cover those needs without making you pay for an oven-cooking function you’re unlikely to use much.
If you live in student accommodation or shared housing, check the rules before choosing an appliance. Crous says that microwaves are permitted in its residences, although individual residences may have additional conditions; this permission does not necessarily apply to mini ovens.
Start with the meals you plan to make: reheating, occasional browning and oven cooking each call for different features. Then compare the size and installation requirements of appliances that suit the way you’ll use them.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Microwave and defrost settings; external dimensions and the space needed to open the door. | If I mainly prepare ready-cooked meals or frozen food, I want to reheat them without giving up space for oven functions I’ll rarely use. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Cooking with one appliance | Whether it has fan-assisted cooking, its temperature range and included accessories; the dimensions and ventilation requirements set out in the manual. | Without a separate oven, I also want to be able to cook oven dishes rather than just reheat food. Around 31% of consumers share this priority. |
| Occasional browning | Available grill settings and compatible accessories; remember that grilling is different from fan-assisted cooking. | I usually reheat meals, but would sometimes like to brown a gratin without needing to cook in the oven regularly. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this use. |
| Cooking in a separate oven | The mini oven’s settings, dimensions, ventilation and plug requirements; whether you’ll also need to keep a separate microwave. | If I cook in the oven more often than I use the microwave, I could consider a mini oven and make room for it. Around 15% of consumers put this type of cooking first. |
The capacity of the cavity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop or whether the door can open freely. For example, Samsung France lists external dimensions of 523 × 330 × 515 mm for its MC32DB7746KCE1 combination microwave.
Measure the available width, depth and height, as well as the space needed for the door to swing open. Then compare these with the appliance dimensions and clearances specified in the manual for the model you’re considering.
A freestanding appliance needs the ventilation clearances specified for its installation. The manual for the GM20W2 published by Darty requires 30 cm of clearance above this particular model; that figure does not automatically apply to other microwaves.
Keep the ventilation openings clear and follow the clearance instructions in the manual for the appliance you buy.
Crous rules permit microwaves, but set conditions for other cooking appliances and for using electrical appliances at the same time. Local rules may also apply.
Check the rules for your accommodation before buying a combination microwave or mini oven, and confirm the requirements for plugging in your appliance.
A grill is for browning food; on its own, it won’t provide the fan-assisted cooking needed for some bakes or roasted dishes. Conversely, these extra features won’t be much use if you only plan to reheat and defrost food.
Make a list of the meals you expect to prepare regularly, then choose the features you’ll need to cook them.
In France, Whirlpool offers freestanding basic microwaves, models with a grill and combination microwaves.
Samsung’s French range includes freestanding convection combination microwaves.
Panasonic’s French range includes multifunction microwaves combining microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking.
A combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking can handle some oven-style cooking as well as reheating and defrosting, provided its features suit your recipes. Before deciding you don’t need a separate oven, check the temperature range, usable dimensions and included accessories for the specific model.
Yes, but only if the manual for your model allows it and all the required clearances and ventilation openings remain unobstructed. Whirlpool advises against blocking the vents; the manual for the GM20W2 published by Darty requires 30 cm of clearance above that model, not all microwaves.
The Crous guide dated 2 September 2026 says that microwaves are permitted in its residences, subject to the rules in place at each location. Check your accommodation’s rules before buying, especially if you’re considering a mini oven or plan to plug in several appliances.
If you buy from a professional seller in France, you may be able to rely on the legal guarantee of conformity if the appliance doesn’t match its description. According to the Ministry of the Economy, this also applies to second-hand and refurbished goods. Keep the product listing and proof of purchase so you can explain the issue to the seller. This is different from returning an item simply because you’ve changed your mind.