Renters who mainly reheat meals
If you mainly use your appliance for portions, frozen food and defrosting, it’s worth looking at a standard microwave before considering one with extra cooking modes.
Who are these appliances for?
Small kitchens where browning matters
You mainly use a microwave but would also like to brown or grill certain dishes. A model with a grill can do this without assuming you need convection cooking.
Homes without an oven that need cooking facilities
If you regularly prepare dishes that need oven-style cooking, compare the modes offered by a combination microwave and a mini oven, then consider how much space each will take up.
How do the options compare?
Que Choisir distinguishes between standard microwaves, models with a grill and combination models according to how they are used. Before choosing an extra feature, think about the meals you prepare and the space available.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the appliance, allow room to open its door and check the clearances specified in the manual. Also make sure your dishes will fit inside. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to fit the appliance in and open its door without blocking my worktop. Around 28% of consumers prioritise whether it will fit the available space. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Look at the defrost settings and microwave output power, making sure not to confuse this with electricity consumption. | If I mainly need to reheat or defrost meals, oven modes aren’t my main consideration. Around 22% of consumers prioritise these everyday uses. |
| Browning and grilling | Check that it has a grill, see which accessories are included and read the guidance on suitable containers for each mode. | I sometimes want to brown a dish, but convection cooking isn’t a must-have. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this feature. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check the exact model’s grill and convection modes, as well as its temperature range and the usable dimensions for your dishes. | Without a traditional oven, I need to cook dishes regularly using convection, not just reheat them. Around 22% of consumers prioritise these oven functions. |
| Mini oven alternative | Compare its cooking modes, capacity and space requirements, bearing in mind that it won’t have a microwave function. | If cooking with heating elements matters more to me than microwave reheating, I’d rather look at a mini oven. Around 11% of consumers make this their priority. |
Common mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity alone
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop. The dimensions published by Panasonic for its NN-C69KSM combination model and by LG for its MS2535GIB standard microwave show that appliances designed for different uses can need very different amounts of space.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then check that the door can open and allow for the clearances required in the manual for the model you choose.
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Choosing a combination model when you don’t need oven-style cooking
If you only plan to reheat and defrost, you may not have any real need for grill and convection modes. Que Choisir distinguishes these features from the uses of a standard microwave.
Make a list of the dishes you want to prepare. If you want to brown or grill food, look for a grill; if you regularly need convection cooking, consider a combination model or mini oven.
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Comparing power ratings that measure different things
Microwave output power and electricity consumption are two separate figures. The LG MS2535GIB product specifications list them separately.
Compare microwave output power like for like. If you’re interested in these features, check the figures for the grill and convection modes separately.
Brands to compare by model
Panasonic
Worth looking at if you want a freestanding combination microwave that brings together microwave, grill and convection functions.
- Panasonic lists a capacity of 30 L and dimensions of 520 × 327 × 520 mm for the NN-C69KSM.
- Measure the space carefully for this model. These specifications don’t apply to every combination model in the range.
Whirlpool
A brand to look at if the interior layout of a combination model and whether it has a turntable are important to you.
- Whirlpool describes the MWF255B as a 25 L combination model without a turntable, with microwave and grill functions.
- Check the external dimensions and exact modes. The fact that this model has no turntable doesn’t apply to the whole range.
LG
Compare models individually if you’re deciding between a standard microwave and a combination model.
- LG lists a capacity of 25 L and microwave output power of 1,000 W for the MS2535GIB standard microwave.
- Don’t assume that the features and power ratings listed for an LG combination model apply to this standard microwave.
Electrolux
Worth a look if you’re comparing a freestanding microwave with a grill and a built-in appliance.
- Electrolux’s range includes freestanding and built-in microwaves, with or without a grill depending on the model.
- For a built-in model such as the Y4SM25TBK, check the niche dimensions in its product specifications rather than planning to use it as a freestanding appliance.
Moulinex
An alternative to consider if you mainly need the cooking modes of a mini oven.
- Moulinex says the Optimo 19 L offers convection, conventional heat and grill modes, among others.
- This mini oven doesn’t have a microwave reheating function, so check whether you can manage without one.
Microwaves to consider at Joybuy
These models cover three uses in a home without a traditional oven: reheating with a standard microwave, browning and grilling with a grill, and convection cooking with a combination model. Start by choosing the function you need, then check the dimensions and manual for the specific model.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L, black
Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, with a grill for the occasional browned or grilled dish. The title lists a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W. If space is tight, check the dimensions, clearances and permitted modes in the manual.
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Samsung MS23K3513 standard microwave, 23 L
Worth a look if reheating and defrosting are your main needs, and you don’t need a grill or convection cooking. Its stated capacity is 23 L. Check that there’s enough room for your dishes and allow for the ventilation clearances specified for this model.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W standard microwave, 20 L
Worth considering for reheating meals if you don’t need to brown or grill food or cook using convection. The title lists a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W. If a dedicated defrost programme is important to you, check the features in the product specifications or manual.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI with grill, 25 L, titanium
Worth looking at if you want to reheat, defrost and brown or grill food, without choosing an appliance based solely on the term ‘combination’. The title lists a capacity of 25 L and a power rating of 900 W. Check the freestanding dimensions and confirm the available modes if you also plan to cook oven-style dishes.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB combination microwave, 42 L
Worth considering if, as well as microwave functions, you need grill and convection modes for cooking without a traditional oven. The stated capacity is 42 L. Measure the space and check the manual for ventilation, plug and electrical compatibility before opting for this size.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a combination microwave rather than a standard model?
Consider a combination model if you plan to cook regularly using convection or want to use a grill as well as the microwave. According to the distinctions made by Que Choisir, a standard model is suited to reheating and defrosting. If browning or grilling is the only extra feature you need, compare models with a grill too.
Are the ventilation clearances the same for every freestanding model?
No. Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you’re buying. The clearances in a Schneider Consumer manual apply to that appliance and shouldn’t be assumed to apply to another microwave.
What should I measure before placing an order?
Measure the space available for the appliance, allow room to open the door and check the clearances required in the manual. Then compare these measurements with the model’s external dimensions and make sure the cavity or turntable can accommodate your usual dishes.
Can I use the same container in microwave and grill modes?
Not without checking the guidance for each mode and appliance. Que Choisir points out that metal utensils aren’t suitable for microwave use. Before using a rack or dish supplied for the grill, follow the manual’s instructions for the mode you’ve selected.