If you often reheat and defrost food, a separate microwave is well suited to these tasks. Keep or consider a conventional oven if you cook in the oven regularly and have the space for one. A combination microwave brings several functions together in one appliance, provided its cooking modes and installation suit the way you use it. A study by the French National Consumer Institute and ADEME on built-in ovens does not justify assuming that combination models are generally more energy-efficient for cooking.
If you mainly reheat leftovers and individual portions or defrost frozen food, a separate microwave is well suited to these tasks. For dishes that need oven cooking, you’ll need another suitable appliance.
A combination microwave can bring several functions together in that space. Measure the recess and check the model’s manual for clearance, ventilation and connection requirements before deciding if this is the right option for you.
If you often make roasts, gratins or baked goods, keeping a conventional oven and a separate microwave lets you use each appliance for its intended purpose, provided you have space for both.
Start with the tasks you do most often, then match the features you need to the space available and the installation requirements.
Consider this if: reheating and defrosting are your main priorities, and you can use another appliance for oven cooking.
The trade-off: a standard microwave on its own won’t replace an oven for cooking and browning food.
Consider this if: you want one appliance for both reheating and cooking, with features suited to the dishes you usually make.
The trade-off: cooking performance depends on the model and the dish. The French National Consumer Institute and ADEME study of built-in ovens found no general energy advantage over the convection ovens tested.
Consider this if: you cook in the oven regularly and also want to reheat or defrost food without using it.
The trade-off: this setup needs two spaces, and you’ll need to check the installation requirements for each appliance.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the defrost programmes, how evenly food reheats and how easy the appliance is to use. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures the temperature at different points in a dish during its microwave tests. | I often reheat portions or defrost food, so these tasks matter more to me than occasional cooking modes. |
| Oven cooking | Check which modes are actually available and whether the capacity suits your dishes. For a combination model, look for grill and fan-assisted cooking test results where available. The presence of a cooking mode alone doesn’t tell you how well it performs. | I want to be able to make the dishes I usually cook, even though I reheat food more often than I use the oven. |
| Space and installation | Measure the recess or worktop space. Compare the appliance dimensions with the required built-in dimensions, then check the manual for ventilation and connection requirements. | The appliance needs to fit in the space available in my kitchen, with enough room for the required clearances. |
| Energy use for different tasks | Consider reheating, defrosting and cooking separately. ADEME highlights the usefulness of a combination microwave’s microwave functions for reheating and defrosting. The French National Consumer Institute and ADEME study found that cooking results varied between the dishes and models tested. | I want to use the right function for each task, without assuming a combination model will use less energy for all my cooking. |
ADEME highlights the benefits of microwave functions for reheating and defrosting. For cooking, a study by the French National Consumer Institute and ADEME tested four combination models and ten built-in convection ovens. It found that results varied depending on the dishes and models, with no general advantage established for the combination models tested.
Start by choosing the functions that are useful in your kitchen, then compare test results for cooking tasks similar to your own.
The stated width alone won’t tell you whether an appliance will fit in your cabinet. The overall dimensions and the dimensions required for installation answer different questions.
Measure the recess in height, width and depth, then compare it with the model’s manual and ventilation requirements.
If the cabinet or ventilation isn’t suitable, you may need to adapt the space.
ADEME highlights the usefulness of a combination microwave’s microwave function for reheating and defrosting. However, annual energy consumption figures for different appliances don’t predict how much energy a particular meal will use.
Save the oven for dishes that need its cooking modes. For reheating or defrosting, check which microwave functions suit the dish and container.
These models are options if you’re looking for a microwave for reheating and defrosting. Consider a combination model if you’d also like to cook in the same appliance. The models featured here aren’t a substitute for comparing a conventional oven if you want to make your usual oven-cooked dishes.
Image unavailableWorth considering for reheating and defrosting if you’d also like an additional cooking function. Check the power rating for microwave mode, the functions available and the ventilation clearances specified in the manual.
Image unavailableIts stated 39 L capacity is worth comparing with the size of your dishes if you want one appliance for both reheating and cooking. Before planning to install it in a cabinet, confirm the installation type and clearances required in the manual.
Image unavailableThis 20 L model is listed with 700 W, six menus and 11 power levels; its name also mentions defrosting. If you cook in the oven regularly, consider that need separately and check the ventilation space before installation.
Image unavailableQuick defrosting is mentioned in the name of this 23 L model. If you’re placing it on a worktop, compare its dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual with the space available. Don’t confuse the power rating in the title with the power for microwave mode.
Image unavailableThis freestanding model is listed with a 20 L capacity, 700 W and six power levels, for microwave-focused use. Measure the space available and follow the ventilation clearances in the manual.
No, not for every task. ADEME highlights the benefits of microwave functions for reheating and defrosting. However, a study by the French National Consumer Institute and ADEME comparing four combination models with ten built-in convection ovens does not support the conclusion that combination models have a general energy advantage for the cooking tests carried out.
No. Compare the recess dimensions with those of the appliance, and check the ventilation requirements for the specific model. For example, Electrolux gives a recess size of 450 × 560 × 550 mm for its EVM6E46X2, while the 382 × 594 × 388 mm published by Bosch for the BFL550MB0 are the appliance dimensions, not dimensions for a matching recess.
Check the model’s manual against the existing electrical installation rather than relying solely on whether there’s a socket nearby. For an oven circuit installed in accordance with NF C 15-100, Legrand specifies a dedicated circuit, a maximum 20 A circuit breaker and conductors of at least 2.5 mm². This information isn’t enough to assess an existing kitchen remotely, so ask a qualified professional to inspect its setup.