If you mainly reheat and defrost meals, a basic microwave may be all you need. Choose a model with a grill if you’d also like to brown or crisp dishes from time to time. If you regularly cook meals that need an oven, compare a convection microwave with a compact mini oven: the combination model retains microwave functions, while a mini oven puts oven cooking first. In either case, measure the space and check the model’s ventilation instructions before you choose.
If you want to reheat and defrost food as well as make bakes and cakes, compare a convection microwave with a compact mini oven. Your choice will depend on the space available and whether you need to keep microwave functions.
For reheating portions and defrosting food, a basic microwave may be enough if browning and oven cooking are only occasional needs.
Check the external width, depth and height before looking at the capacity. You’ll also need room to open the door and allow for the clearances specified in the instruction manual.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between basic microwaves, models with a grill and combination models according to how they’re used for cooking. If you don’t have an oven, start with the meals you cook most often, then check whether the appliance will fit in the space you have in mind.
Consider it: for reheating and defrosting, if you don’t regularly need to brown food or cook with an oven.
Bear in mind: this option doesn’t include a grill or convection cooking.
Consider it: if you mainly reheat meals but would also like to brown or crisp dishes occasionally.
Bear in mind: a grill alone doesn’t replace convection cooking.
Consider it: if you want to cook oven-style dishes regularly while keeping the convenience of a microwave.
Bear in mind: check its external dimensions and required clearances rather than relying on the advertised capacity alone.
Consider it: if cooking small portions in an oven is more important to you than having a microwave.
Bear in mind: it won’t have microwave functions for reheating and defrosting.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Oven-style cooking | Look for an explicitly stated convection or fan-assisted cooking function; check that it has the modes you need for your dishes. | I don’t have an oven and want to make bakes or cakes regularly, not just reheat them; around 33% of consumers would put this type of cooking first. |
| Space and ventilation | Measure the external dimensions and check the manual for door clearance and ventilation requirements. | In my kitchenette, the appliance needs to fit without its vents being blocked; space would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the controls and defrost functions, and make sure there’s room for your plates and dishes. | I mainly need to reheat or defrost meals, rather than cook with an oven regularly; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this everyday use. |
| Occasional browning | Check that it has a grill setting, then consult the manual for details of the accessories and how to use it. | I’d sometimes like to brown a dish, but oven cooking isn’t my main use; around 17% of consumers would put this first. |
A grill is used to brown or crisp food; its presence doesn’t mean the appliance has a convection cooking mode.
If you plan to cook oven-style dishes regularly, look for an explicit mention of “convection” or “fan-assisted cooking” in the specifications and instruction manual.
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you how much worktop space the appliance will take up. An appliance that fits in a kitchenette also needs enough room for the door to open and for proper ventilation.
Measure the space, compare the external dimensions and allow for the clearances specified in the model’s instruction manual.
The DGCCRF reminds consumers that food containers must be used according to their intended conditions, including when used in a microwave.
Follow the container’s symbols and instructions, including any temperature limits, and don’t reuse single-use packaging.
A mini oven gives you a choice of oven cooking modes, but it doesn’t have the microwave functions used for reheating and defrosting.
If you mainly reheat leftovers or defrost portions, look at microwaves first. If you mainly cook bakes and pastries, compare mini ovens too.
Whirlpool offers freestanding microwaves, including models with a grill and no turntable.
Depending on the model, LG offers combination microwaves with microwave, grill and oven-style cooking functions.
Samsung offers solo, grill and convection combination models.
Moulinex lets you explore the compact mini oven option if oven cooking matters more to you than microwave functions.
These models cover three types of use: reheating with a basic microwave, occasional browning with a grill, and oven-style cooking with a combination model. The 42 L combination model is worth a closer look if your worktop space is limited.
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Worth considering if you mainly reheat and defrost food, but would also like to brown or crisp dishes occasionally.
Stated capacity: 25 L. A grill doesn’t confirm that it has convection cooking; check for this function if you want to cook as you would in an oven. Also consult the manual for the required clearances.
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For everyday reheating and defrosting, with the option to brown a dish from time to time.
Stated capacity: 20 L; microwave power listed in the product name: 700 W. If you need convection cooking, check for this function separately. Consult the manual before deciding where to place it.
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For reheating meals and defrosting food when browning or oven cooking aren’t priorities.
Stated capacity: 23 L; the product name mentions rapid defrosting. This model is described as a solo microwave. If you want a grill or convection cooking, choose an appliance that explicitly lists these modes.
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For reheating portions and using the defrost function, without making oven cooking a priority.
The product name lists a 20 L capacity, 700 W, six pre-set menus and eleven power levels. Measure the space you have in mind and check the ventilation clearances in the manual.
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Worth considering if you want to keep a microwave and also cook dishes that need oven-style cooking.
Stated capacity: 42 L. Check that the stated grill and convection modes suit the dishes you plan to make, and check for a defrost function if you need one. Measure the space and consult the manual for door clearance and ventilation requirements.
A combination microwave that explicitly has a convection function can handle some of the cooking you’d usually do in an oven, while retaining microwave functions. Check its modes, the space it needs and the dishes you actually plan to make; a grill alone doesn’t mean the appliance has convection cooking.
Allow for the external dimensions, the space needed to open the door and the clearances specified in the model’s instruction manual. Whirlpool advises that the vents must not be blocked and that you shouldn’t place anything on top of the appliance.
Check that it’s suitable for food contact and for the intended use in a microwave, then follow its instructions. The DGCCRF recommends following temperature and reuse guidance in particular; single-use packaging must not be reused.
No: the litre capacity describes the cavity, not the appliance’s external dimensions or the space needed to open the door and allow ventilation. For example, LG lists external dimensions of 53 × 32,2 × 53,3 cm for its 32 L MJ-9250NB combination model; measure your space before choosing.