If you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, a solo microwave will do the job. Choose a grill model if you’d also like to brown and crisp dishes. A combination microwave with convection is worth considering if you genuinely plan to cook as you would in a small oven. A standalone air fryer can help you achieve crispy results, but don’t assume it offers microwave functions: check the modes, space requirements and installation instructions for each appliance.
First, check what’s provided and the rules for your accommodation. Étudiant.gouv, for example, describes renovated university rooms that already have a microwave, as well as shared kitchens. The right appliance to buy depends on what you actually have and what you want to prepare.
If you mainly reheat and defrost food, start by comparing solo microwaves. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, a grill lets you brown and crisp dishes, while a combination model adds convection cooking. This function matters if you plan to cook regularly without a traditional oven.
Work out which function you’re missing before adding another appliance. A standalone air fryer is for a different purpose from a microwave. A combination model can bring several modes together, provided they’re explicitly listed for the model you choose.
Consider it: if reheating and defrosting cover most of your needs.
The trade-off: don’t rely on this option to brown dishes or cook with convection.
Consider it: if you want to keep reheating and defrosting food, with the option to brown some dishes too.
The trade-off: having a grill doesn’t mean the microwave also has convection for oven-style cooking.
Consider it: if you’ll genuinely use its oven-style cooking as well as its microwave functions.
Consideration: check the dimensions and specific modes rather than relying on the word ‘combination’ alone.
Consider it: if you already have a way to reheat and defrost food, and mainly want crispy results.
Consideration: this second appliance takes up space and needs cleaning too.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking modes | Check the instructions for separate settings for reheating, defrosting, grilling and convection. To cook as you would in a small oven, make sure it has convection and check its temperature settings. | Do I only want to reheat meals, or do I also need to brown dishes and cook food in an oven? UFC-Que Choisir’s guide distinguishes between these uses for solo, grill and combination microwaves. |
| Space and dishes | Compare the external dimensions with the available space, including ventilation clearances. Check the internal dimensions too, along with the size of your dishes: the capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell you these measurements. | My appliance needs to fit on a small worktop without blocking ventilation, and be large enough for the dishes I use regularly. |
| Installation and care | Check the connection specifications for the exact model: microwave output doesn’t necessarily indicate the total electrical power. Read the instructions on suitable containers, accessories and cleaning. | I’d like to make sure the appliance is suitable for my setup and that it’ll be practical to clean, based on how often I cook. |
A grill browns and crisps food; it doesn’t confirm that a microwave can handle the cooking you’d normally do in an oven. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide says that convection cooking is available on combination microwaves equipped with this function.
Make a note of the dishes you plan to prepare, then check that each one matches a mode listed in the instructions for the model you’re considering.
The capacity of the cavity doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external dimensions. Similarly, the microwave output alone doesn’t tell you everything about its electrical connection. For one built-in model, an Electrolux specification sheet lists 900 W microwave output and 1,450 W total power.
For the appliance you’re actually considering, measure the space and check the instructions for clearances, weight and electrical specifications.
If your microwave already reheats and defrosts food, an air fryer is another appliance to find space for and clean. Don’t assume it has microwave modes unless the specific model says so.
Compare a standalone appliance with a combination model only after working out what you’ll cook and what equipment you already have.
Installation requirements and suitable accessories vary by appliance and cooking mode. For a freestanding microwave, Whirlpool recommends using a flat surface and keeping the ventilation openings clear.
Follow the instructions on the clearances needed around the appliance, and make sure every container or accessory is suitable for the mode you’ve selected.
Panasonic offers freestanding combination microwaves with convection, as well as models that bring several cooking modes together.
Whirlpool distinguishes between standard, grill and combination microwaves in its usage advice.
Tefal offers standalone air fryers to consider when crispy cooking is your main priority.
These models meet reheating and defrosting needs, with a grill function on some models. If you want convection cooking or an air fryer, compare the modes listed for the appliance you’re considering separately.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, as well as brown some dishes. The title lists a capacity of 20 L and an output of 700 W. If you want to cook as you would in an oven, check the instructions separately to see whether it has convection.
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One to compare if you need to reheat and defrost food in a small kitchen. The title lists 11 power levels and 6 automatic programmes. If you’d also like to brown dishes or cook with convection, check the modes in the instructions.
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An option to consider if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food. The title lists 6 power levels, a 30-minute timer and a turntable. Check the modes in the instructions if you also plan to brown food or cook as you would in an oven.
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Worth considering if you want to add a grill to your microwave functions in a home without an oven. The title lists a capacity of 25 L and an output of 900 W. Measure the space and check the instructions if convection cooking is important to you.
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One to compare if you want to reheat, defrost and brown food with a single appliance. The title lists a capacity of 25 L and an output of 1000 W, but doesn’t specify which mode this output refers to. Check this, along with the electrical specifications and cooking modes, in the instructions.
Consider a combination model if you’ll use its oven-style cooking as well as its reheating and defrosting functions. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these functions in its buying guide. For the model you choose, check the instructions for convection and its settings rather than relying on the word ‘combination’ alone.
Measure the space, then compare it with the appliance’s external dimensions and the clearances required in its instructions. Also make sure your dishes fit inside the cavity. Whirlpool advises placing a microwave on a flat surface and keeping its ventilation openings clear.
No. Check the electrical specifications for the exact model, including its total power and connection requirements. For example, for one built-in model, an Electrolux specification sheet lists 900 W microwave output and 1,450 W total power. These figures don’t apply to other appliances.
Use only containers and accessories that the instructions specifically approve for the mode you’re using. Check the guidance whenever you switch between microwave, grill and any convection setting, rather than assuming one container is suitable for every mode.
It may be a good choice if you mainly want crispy results and have space for a second appliance. If you want reheating, defrosting and oven-style cooking in one appliance, compare the modes actually listed for each combination model instead. A standalone air fryer doesn’t guarantee microwave functions.