In a small kitchen, a solo microwave is enough if you mainly reheat and defrost food, and already have an appliance for cooking. Choose a grill model if you regularly want to brown or crisp food; consider a combination microwave if you’ll make regular use of its convection function instead of an oven. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these uses, but whether a combination model is worthwhile also depends on how much space it takes up.
Whether you have an oven and how often you cook matter more than the number of functions listed.
If you mainly reheat individual portions and defrost food, first check that a solo model will fit on your worktop, with the clearances specified in its manual. Easy-to-understand controls can also be useful in a shared space.
Check which appliances are already there before adding more cooking functions. A working oven may mean a solo microwave is all you need for reheating; if there’s no oven, how often you cook meals will help guide your choice.
A combination microwave is worth considering if you expect to use the grill and convection functions regularly. However, check that its dimensions, cavity and compatible dishes suit your kitchen and the meals you make.
Start with the cooking you actually do, then check how each type of appliance fits your available space and cookware.
Consider it: for reheating and defrosting, especially if you already have another appliance for oven cooking.
Limitation: it doesn’t have a grill or convection function.
Consider it: if you also want to brown or crisp food regularly, while mainly using the microwave to reheat.
Limitation: a grill function doesn’t mean the appliance has convection.
Consider it: if you don’t have an oven and will regularly use its additional cooking modes.
Limitation: check the model’s overall size before relying on it to save space.
| Criterion | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Compare the appliance’s external width, height and depth with the space you have. Check the ventilation clearances in the manual, and make sure the turntable and cavity will accommodate your dishes. | I have limited worktop space: the appliance must fit without blocking its vents, as Whirlpool points out. |
| Cooking modes | Know the difference between microwave, grill and convection functions. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the grill is used for browning and crisping, while combination models offer additional cooking modes. | I mainly reheat meals. If I also want to brown food or cook without an oven, I’ll choose functions I’ll use regularly. |
| Everyday use | Consider the controls, defrosting, door opening and cleaning. To compare cooking performance, look for tests carried out using the same method; UFC-Que Choisir assesses reheating and ease of use, among other things. | In a shared kitchen, I want to be able to use everyday functions without having to spend ages searching through menus. |
| Power and connection | Check the microwave output, grill output and electrical input power separately, where stated. Check the connection requirements in the specifications or manual for the model you choose. | I want to compare two appliances without mixing up figures for different functions, then check that the model is suitable for my electrical installation. |
Capacity doesn’t tell you whether the microwave will fit on your worktop or whether your largest dish will fit inside the cavity.
Measure the space and your dish, then compare them with the appliance’s external dimensions, turntable, cavity and the clearances specified for the model.
Convection is only useful if you plan to cook with it. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes combination models from appliances designed mainly for reheating.
Think about the meals you usually make. If you already use an oven or don’t brown food, compare solo and grill models too.
The same appliance may list separate microwave and grill power ratings. For example, Whirlpool gives both as 800 W for the MCP 345 WH. These figures relate to different functions.
Compare microwave power ratings like for like, then look separately at the grill and the model’s electrical specifications.
Whirlpool says that the ventilation grilles must not be blocked. The appliance’s dimensions alone therefore don’t tell you how much space is needed for installation.
Check the manual for the exact model to find out what clearances are required, and don’t assume that a freestanding appliance can be built in.
These examples show configurations you can compare; they don’t indicate how much space each model needs or which features it has.
Samsung offers conventional, grill and combination microwaves, with freestanding and built-in models available depending on the range.
The range includes freestanding grill models and appliances with additional cooking functions.
Panasonic offers multifunction microwaves combining microwave, grill and convection functions, depending on the model.
These models let you compare solo and grill microwaves for reheating and defrosting, and, depending on the model, browning and crisping. If you need convection for cooking without an oven, keep that as a separate criterion when making your choice.
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Worth considering if you reheat and defrost meals but also want to use a grill from time to time. Check that there’s enough room for the clearances specified in the manual and that your dishes are suitable for the turntable.
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If you want to focus on reheating and defrosting without choosing a grill model, this appliance has six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Check its size against your worktop and consult the manual for the required clearances and electrical specifications.
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Reheating and defrosting are among the uses described for this model. Its name says “Solo”, while the description mentions a grill, so check the H25MOBS7H’s features before choosing it for browning food. Also check how much space it takes up and the specified clearances.
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This solo model is mainly designed for reheating and defrosting rather than browning food. Its name also lists 1150 W: check what this figure refers to before comparing it with another microwave. Consult the manual for ventilation clearances.
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Worth comparing if you want to add browning and crisping to your reheating and defrosting. Carefully measure the space for this freestanding model, then check the clearances and electrical compatibility in its manual.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, then compare these with the model’s external dimensions and the clearances required in its manual. Also check that the turntable and cavity will accommodate your largest dish: the capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether it will fit.
Don’t assume you can: follow the installation instructions for the exact model and check how much space it needs around it. Whirlpool points out that a microwave’s ventilation grilles must not be blocked.
It can meet some cooking needs if you actually use its grill and convection functions. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these from simple reheating; before relying on a combination model instead of an oven, check its cooking modes, the space available in the cavity and its external dimensions.
No. First check whether each figure refers to microwave output, grill output or electrical input power. Compare like with like, then consider the controls, useful functions and, if available, comparable test results.