For everyday reheating and defrosting, a basic freestanding microwave is usually the best choice when you need to keep clutter to a minimum. Choose a grill for occasional browning, and a combination model with fan-assisted cooking only if you regularly cook as you would in an oven and its dimensions mean it can replace a separate appliance.
You have limited worktop space and mainly want to reheat or defrost food quickly, with only occasional cooking rather than a complete replacement for the oven. According to Boulanger, models under 20 L are designed for smaller spaces.
You are equipping a kitchen that is only used from time to time and want a straightforward appliance for quick meals without adding lots of equipment. UFC-Que Choisir specifically lists holiday homes among the situations in which a microwave is useful.
You regularly prepare dishes that need browning, roasting or fan-assisted cooking, and are considering a combination model as a partial replacement for a separate oven, provided you are happy to accommodate its larger size.
Start by measuring the available space, then choose the functions based on the dishes you actually prepare.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Compare the width, height and depth with the space that is genuinely available. Also check the turntable diameter, usable capacity and the ventilation clearances specified in the manual. Choose a freestanding or built-in model according to your kitchen layout. | I want to install the appliance without discovering that its depth, turntable or ventilation requirements are unsuitable for my kitchenette. |
| Cooking functions | A basic microwave covers reheating and defrosting. The grill is for browning or gratinating; fan-assisted cooking should be reserved for dishes that require oven-style cooking. | I would rather not fill my kitchen with a combination model if I mainly reheat food, while still having a proper oven option if I cook regularly. |
| Containers and cleaning | Check that each container is suitable for the function being used. UFC-Que Choisir specifies that plastic suitable for microwave-only use must not be used with the grill or convection function. Also follow the instructions on food packaging. | I need to reheat food and clean the appliance easily in a small kitchen, without using a container that is unsuitable for the selected function. |
Capacity alone does not tell you how deep the appliance is or which dishes will fit inside. For example, Whirlpool lists 13 L and a 28 cm turntable for the MAX49MB, while Panasonic states that the 30 L NN-C69KS is 52 cm deep.
Measure the width, height and, above all, the depth of your worktop. Then check the turntable diameter or usable interior space, along with the clearances specified for the exact model.
Combination models add a grill and fan-assisted cooking, but take up more space. The Whirlpool MWF259SG, for example, is 46.8 cm deep according to the brand’s specification sheet.
Choose a combination model only if you expect to carry out oven-style cooking regularly and it genuinely replaces another appliance in your kitchen.
A container suitable for microwave-only use may melt under the heat of the grill or convection function. Anses also recommends following the preparation instructions for microwaveable food products.
Check that the container is suitable for the function being used, do not heat sealed containers, and follow the instructions on the food packaging.
A commercial warranty is optional and comes in addition to statutory guarantees; it does not replace them.
Keep your receipt and proof of purchase, read the terms of any extended warranty, and contact the professional seller first if the product is faulty or does not conform to the contract.
A paid extended warranty may be offered even though the statutory guarantee of conformity already applies under the conditions set out by law.
Whirlpool’s French range includes compact freestanding microwaves, grill models and combination models, allowing you to compare a very compact appliance with a more versatile option.
In France, Samsung offers combination microwaves with convection for people who want to do more than simply reheat and defrost.
The brand offers multifunction microwaves combining microwave, grill and convection functions for partially replacing an oven when the space and intended use justify it.
This Joybuy selection brings together basic microwaves and freestanding grill models for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a small kitchen.
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For reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a compact kitchen.
Freestanding format measuring 47 × 26 × 37 cm, with a 29.2 cm turntable and a 950 W grill. No fan-assisted cooking is confirmed: check the ventilation clearances in the manual before installation.
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An option for everyday reheating and defrosting, with the ability to brown dishes.
Freestanding format measuring 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm, with a 24.5 cm turntable, 700 W microwave power and an 800 W grill. The grill does not replace a fan-assisted cooking function.
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Suitable for reheating, defrosting and dishes that need browning, without requiring fan-assisted cooking.
Capacity of 25 L, 28.8 cm turntable, 1,150 W grill and eight programmes. Its dimensions of 53.6 × 43.6 × 33 cm require a sufficiently wide and deep worktop.
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For regular reheating and defrosting when a grill is not needed.
Freestanding 23 L model with a 28.8 cm turntable, six power levels and a Quick Defrost function. It measures 48.9 × 27.5 × 37.4 cm and has no confirmed grill or fan-assisted cooking function.
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A compact format for reheating and defrosting in a studio flat or kitchenette.
Dimensions of 44 × 31.9 × 25.9 cm, capacity of 20 L, power of 700 W, 11 power levels and defrosting by weight or time. Check the turntable diameter and the required clearances before buying.
It can partially replace an oven if you genuinely use the fan-assisted cooking and grill functions for baking, roasting or browning. UFC-Que Choisir describes combination models as all-in-one appliances with the basic functions of a conventional oven, but a basic model remains more suitable for everyday reheating and defrosting.
No. Consider the capacity alongside the external dimensions, the depth of your worktop, the turntable diameter or usable interior space, and the clearances required in the manual. A 13 L model may have a 28 cm turntable, while a 30 L combination model may be 52 cm deep.
No. UFC-Que Choisir states that plastic may only be used in microwave mode, not with the grill or convection function. Anses also recommends following the preparation instructions for food and packaging intended for microwave use.
You can claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity from the professional seller. The Ministry of the Economy states that the period is two years for both new and second-hand goods; for a new product, consumers benefit from this guarantee for two years without having to prove that the fault existed on the date of sale.
A microwave falls within the waste electrical and electronic equipment stream. The Ministry for Ecological Transition recommends using suitable take-back or collection options offered locally or by the retailer, rather than putting it in household waste.