Students in studio flats without an oven
If worktop space is limited and you mainly reheat or defrost meals, start by comparing solo models. If you regularly fancy gratins, pizzas or baking, you’ll need to look at the cooking functions available.
Who is this choice for?
UFC-Que Choisir highlights student accommodation and holiday homes as situations where the functions combined in a combination microwave can help save space.
People with a sparsely equipped holiday home
A single appliance can cover several needs during occasional stays. Before choosing a combination model, check its dimensions against your kitchen and make sure your usual dishes will fit inside.
Small households that sometimes cook in the oven
If you reheat food often but also want to brown some dishes, a grill is worth considering. For recipes that require convection cooking, look specifically for this function rather than assuming a grill will do the job.
Which features should you compare?
Start with the meals you actually make, then check the functions, dimensions and containers compatible with each appliance.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check for a defrost setting, and compare the turntable size with your plates. A solo model does not, by itself, add a grill or convection cooking function. | I mainly prepare individual portions and defrost ingredients, without planning recipes that need browning in an oven. |
| Occasional browning | Look for a grill setting that is separate from the microwave function. The word ‘grill’ does not indicate that the appliance has convection or fan-assisted cooking. | I’d like to brown a gratin now and then, but I mainly reheat food for my other meals. |
| Oven-style cooking | For a combination microwave, look specifically for convection or fan-assisted cooking and the settings suited to your recipes. Also check the dimensions of the dishes you can use. | Without a separate oven, I want to regularly prepare dishes that need more than simple reheating or a turn under the grill. |
| Compact oven | Check the electric oven’s cooking settings and how much worktop space it needs. Don’t assume it has a microwave function: Moulinex describes the Optimo 19 L as a freestanding electric oven. | Oven-style cooking matters more to me than microwave reheating, as I already have another way to reheat food. |
| Available space | Compare the external width, height and depth, then check the turntable diameter or published internal dimensions. Allow for the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. | My worktop is short, so the appliance needs to fit without obstructing the door or conflicting with the manufacturer’s installation requirements. |
| Maintenance and lifespan | Check the cleaning instructions, any accessories required and the stated availability of spare parts for the exact model. A stated period does not guarantee future parts availability or after-sales service terms. | I want to be able to maintain the appliance and understand the repair options before choosing a model I’ll use regularly. |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based only on capacity in litres
Two appliances with different capacities can also take up very different amounts of space, and the stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether a dish will fit inside.
Measure the space and your cookware, then compare the external dimensions and turntable size of the specific model.
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Paying for cooking functions you’ll rarely use
A combination model offers little benefit if you only reheat and defrost food, while its dimensions could be an issue in a small kitchen.
Make a note of the dishes you plan to prepare: browning points towards a grill, while oven-style recipes are a reason to check for convection cooking.
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Confusing a grill with convection cooking
A grill browns food, but its presence alone doesn’t mean the appliance has the cooking mode needed for an oven-style recipe.
Look for ‘convection’ or ‘fan-assisted’ cooking explicitly in the functions listed for the model you’re considering.
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Using the same container for every cooking mode
A container suitable for microwave mode isn’t automatically suitable for the heat of the grill or convection cooking. UFC-Que Choisir states that plastic must not be used in either of these modes.
Check the container and appliance manufacturers’ guidance before switching cooking modes.
Brands and models worth knowing
These examples illustrate different functions and sizes. Their features apply to the models listed, not necessarily to every appliance from each brand.
Whirlpool
These two 25 L appliances illustrate an important distinction: Whirlpool describes the MCP349WH as a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking, and the MWF259SG as a microwave with grill and no turntable.
- According to Whirlpool, the MCP349WH combines microwave functions with fan-assisted cooking.
- The MWF259SG’s ‘microwave + grill’ description should not be taken to mean it has convection cooking.
Valberg
At Electro Dépôt, the MWO 20 GM K343C is an example of a microwave with grill, while the MWO 23 CG K 902C 2 is described as a 23 L combination microwave.
- The 23 L combination model measures 48,2 × 28,2 × 38,2 cm according to its Electro Dépôt listing, so you can check whether it will fit in your chosen space.
- The MWO 20 GM K343C listing gives an oven power of 0 W, so its grill should not be mistaken for an oven function.
Hisense
Electro Dépôt describes the H23MOBS5H2C3 as a 23 L appliance with defrost, microwave, grill and Air Fry modes, among others.
- The listing states that spare parts for this model will be available for 7 years from the date of purchase.
- The list of modes alone doesn’t tell you how the appliance will perform with a particular recipe, so check which functions your dishes require.
LG
Listed at 39 L by Electro Dépôt, the MJ 3965 BIB is suited to those looking for a larger cavity rather than the most compact appliance.
- Its listing gives a 36 cm turntable, a useful measurement when comparing it with your dishes.
- Its stated external dimensions are 54,4 × 32,7 × 52,5 cm, so measure your worktop before choosing this size.
Moulinex
The Optimo 19 L is another option if oven cooking is your priority: Moulinex describes it as a freestanding electric oven with convection cooking.
- Moulinex states that it has a 19 L capacity and six cooking modes.
- It isn’t described as a microwave, so keep a separate solution if you need that function.
Microwaves to compare on Joybuy
These models let you compare reheating and defrosting, with or without a grill depending on the model. If your choice depends on convection cooking, confirm that this function is explicitly listed for the appliance you’re considering.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L
Worth considering if you want to reheat food and occasionally brown dishes. The product name lists a grill, a 20 L capacity and 700 W of power. If you’re also considering oven-style cooking, check the available modes and the space needed for installation.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, 20 L
Compare it for reheating and defrosting if you don’t need to brown food. The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W of power. Check the size of your plates and the space needed for installation.
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Hkoenig VIO7, 23 L, stainless steel
If you’d also like to brown some dishes, check which grill modes are available for this model rather than assuming it has convection cooking. The product name lists a 23 L capacity and 900 W of power. Also check that the appliance’s dimensions suit your worktop.
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Samsung MS23K3513 Solo, 23 L
Consider this if you mainly need to reheat or defrost food and don’t need a grill function. The product name mentions a 23 L capacity and quick defrosting. Check that your containers will fit inside.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H, 25 L, black
For reheating and defrosting, compare its stated 25 L capacity with the size of your dishes. The product name describes it as ‘Solo’, while the accompanying information mentions a grill. If browning is important to you, confirm the functions of the specific model before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Which microwave should I choose for reheating and defrosting in a studio flat?
Start with a solo model if you don’t need to brown food or cook it as you would in an oven. Then check its external dimensions and turntable size against your usual plates and dishes.
Can a microwave with a grill replace a combination microwave with convection?
No. A grill browns food, but it doesn’t mean the appliance has convection cooking. If your recipes need this mode, look for it explicitly in the appliance’s specifications.
Why isn’t capacity in litres enough when choosing a combination microwave?
The cavity capacity tells you neither how much worktop space the appliance takes up nor the size of its turntable. For example, Electro Dépôt lists the LG MJ 3965 BIB as having a 39 L capacity and a 36 cm turntable; its external dimensions are 54,4 × 32,7 × 52,5 cm. Make sure you measure the space you have, too.
Can I use a plastic container with the grill or convection function?
Don’t assume it’s safe: UFC-Que Choisir states that plastic suitable for microwave mode isn’t suitable for grill or convection modes. Check the guidance for both the container and the appliance for each mode you use.
What should I check if I want to be able to get the appliance repaired?
Check the stated spare parts availability for the exact model, as well as the seller’s after-sales service terms. According to supplier information, Electro Dépôt lists spare parts availability for 7 years from purchase for the Hisense H23MOBS5H2C3 and 2 years for the LG MJ 3965 BIB. These periods don’t guarantee that parts will remain in stock in the future.