Students and studio flat residents
You have limited worktop space and mainly want to reheat or defrost food quickly, while considering whether a combination microwave could save you from buying a separate oven.
Who this choice is suitable for
Second-home users
You want a versatile but compact appliance for occasional meals, with a choice between simple reheating and more comprehensive cooking functions.
Small kitchens without a practical oven
You are considering a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking for browning, cooking a pizza, making a gratin or baking a few pastries, provided the appliance and its ventilation can be accommodated in your space.
What to check before buying
Start with the space you actually have available, then choose the cooking modes that suit your usual meals rather than focusing solely on the number of litres.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and dishes | Compare the width, height and depth with your worktop, door opening and socket position. Check the turntable diameter or internal dimensions, as well as the ventilation requirements for the exact model. | I want to install the appliance without discovering that its depth, my usual dishes or the door are unsuitable for my kitchenette. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Look for programmes or defrosting levels suitable for different foods. When comparable tests are available, assess defrosting, evenness and reheating speed separately; wattage alone does not prove performance in these areas. | I want to reheat a portion and defrost food without assuming that every appliance produces the same results. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these criteria separately in its testing protocol. |
| Cooking and browning | The grill is used for browning and gratinating. For baking or roasting, check for an explicitly stated convection or fan-assisted cooking function, its temperature range and the combination modes available. | I want to know whether the appliance can simply reheat, gratinate occasionally or also cook like a small oven. |
| Containers and instructions | Follow the power and cooking time stated on the packaging. Check that containers are suitable for the intended use and consult the instructions before using accessories with the grill or fan-assisted cooking function. | I want to use suitable dishes and packaging without assuming that a food container is automatically suitable for every mode. Anses recommends following the power and cooking-time instructions shown on packaging. |
Pitfalls to avoid
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Choosing a combination microwave based solely on its capacity in litres
Two combination microwaves with capacities of 30 to 35 L can have very different depths and heights. In a kitchenette, depth, door opening and turntable diameter may matter more than the stated capacity.
Measure the width, depth, height, opening clearance and socket location, then check the turntable, internal dimensions and ventilation requirements in the instructions.
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Confusing a grill with a genuine oven function
A grill can brown and gratinate, but baking pastries or roasting requires an explicitly stated fan-assisted cooking function. UFC-Que Choisir assesses the performance of these functions separately.
For occasional gratins, a grill may be enough. If you regularly cook pizzas, cakes or roasts, look for convection or fan-assisted cooking with a stated temperature range.
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Using packaging or a container without checking its intended use
A container intended for food contact is not necessarily suitable for every cooking mode. Anses states that excessively high power or an overly long cooking time can increase the migration of substances from certain types of packaging.
Follow the cooking time and power shown on the packaging, use containers suitable for the intended purpose and consult the instructions for accessories used with the grill or fan-assisted cooking function.
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Paying for an extended warranty without distinguishing it from legal protection
A commercial warranty is optional and comes in addition to the legal guarantee of conformity; it does not replace the rights that apply when a professional sells non-conforming goods to a consumer.
Before taking one out, compare the duration, exclusions and terms of the warranty offered with the legal protection applicable to your purchase.
A commercial warranty or insurance policy may come at an additional cost; its value depends on its exclusions, duration and what it genuinely adds.
A guide to microwave brands
Whirlpool
The French range includes freestanding combination microwaves with Crisp and grill functions and, on certain models, pulsed-air cooking; the MWSC833W is an example of a 33 L combination microwave.
- According to Whirlpool, the MWSC833W has a 33 L cavity, a 36 cm turntable, a grill and a pulsed-air cooking mode.
- Its stated dimensions of 49 × 37,3 × 54 cm and its weight of 25,95 kg mean you should check the depth and the load-bearing capacity of your worktop.
Panasonic
Panasonic offers combination microwaves that combine microwave, grill and convection functions; the NN-C69KS is advertised with fan-assisted cooking.
- According to Panasonic, the NN-C69KS has a 1 000 W microwave, a 1 000 W quartz grill, convection settings of 40 °C and 100 to 220 °C, and a 31,5 cm turntable.
- A 30 L capacity does not guarantee a compact footprint: the stated dimensions are 520 × 327 × 520 mm.
Samsung
Samsung offers large-capacity convection combination microwaves for people who want a more substantial oven function; the MC35R8088LC is advertised with a capacity of 35 L.
- According to Samsung, this model combines convection with a double grill of up to 1 600 W.
- Its stated external dimensions of 528 × 404 × 481 mm must be compared with the available space before purchase.
Bosch
Bosch offers compact freestanding appliances designed for reheating and defrosting, with or without a grill; the FFL020MS2 is an example of this category.
- According to Bosch, the FFL020MS2 is a freestanding 20 L, 800 W model measuring 260 × 442 × 345 mm.
- This model does not offer fan-assisted cooking, so it is less suitable for regular oven-style cooking.
Joybuy options for small homes
These Joybuy options include microwaves with grills and combination microwaves with fan-assisted cooking for reheating, defrosting, browning and adding cooking functions to a small kitchen.
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Sharp YC-MC422AE-SB, 42 L, 3-in-1 combination microwave
For a small home where one appliance needs to reheat, gratinate and provide occasional oven-style cooking.
Microwave, grill and convection functions advertised, with a temperature range of 140 to 230 °C and cooking accessories included.
Stated dimensions: 553 × 326 × 505 mm; weight: 20 kg. Check the ventilation clearances in the instructions before installation.
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LG MJ3965ACS, 39 L combination microwave
For combining reheating, defrosting, grilling and cooking in a more generous cavity without adding a separate appliance.
Capacity of 39 L, 36 cm turntable, microwave, grill, convection and preheating functions advertised; temperature range of 40 to 200 °C.
Stated dimensions: 54,4 × 52,5 × 32,7 cm; net weight: 16,5 kg. Check the instructions for the required clearances and permitted containers for each mode.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill
For a studio focused on reheating and defrosting, with a grill for occasional browning.
Capacity of 20 L, power of 700 W, 245 mm turntable, defrosting, nine power levels and an advertised 800 W grill.
Stated dimensions: 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm. The grill does not replace fan-assisted cooking for baking or roasting; the product sheet requires 10 cm of clearance at the sides and rear.
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LG MH 6535 GIH, 25 L microwave with grill
For everyday reheating, defrosting and occasional browning without aiming for regular oven-style cooking.
Capacity of 25 L, quartz grill, Quick Defrost functions and automatic programmes with weight control advertised.
Stated dimensions: 38,8 × 47,6 × 27,2 cm. No fan-assisted cooking is indicated; consult the instructions for the turntable diameter and the required clearances.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI, 25 L microwave with grill
For reheating and defrosting with dedicated settings, while retaining the option to gratinate in a freestanding appliance.
Capacity of 25 L, 28,8 cm turntable, defrosting by weight or time, eight automatic programmes and an advertised 1 150 W quartz grill.
Stated dimensions: 53,6 × 43,6 × 33 cm. No fan-assisted cooking is advertised; the product sheet states 10 cm of clearance at the sides and 20 cm above.
Frequently asked questions
Is the capacity in litres enough to know whether my dishes will fit in the microwave?
No. First compare the external dimensions with your available space, then check the turntable diameter and, where published, the internal dimensions. For example, Panasonic states that the 30 L NN-C69KS has a 31,5 cm turntable, while Whirlpool lists a 36 cm turntable for the 33 L MWSC833W; this does not mean the cavities are suitable for the same dishes.
Can I install a combination microwave in a closed cabinet like a built-in appliance?
Not without checking the installation instructions for the exact model. Installation type and ventilation requirements vary by model: a freestanding appliance must not be treated as a built-in appliance. According to Electrolux, the cooling fan may also continue running after use on certain models.
Does a grill replace fan-assisted cooking?
No. A grill is used for browning and gratinating, while fan-assisted cooking uses a heating element and a fan. For baking or roasting, check that the technical specifications explicitly mention convection or fan-assisted cooking, rather than just a grill.
Which containers should I use to reheat a dish?
Use a container intended for food contact and follow its conditions of use. For microwaveable ready meals, Anses recommends following the power and cooking-time instructions on the packaging; heating at too high a power or for too long may increase the migration of substances from certain types of packaging.
What protection applies when buying a microwave from a professional seller in France?
The legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory for new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a professional to a consumer in France, according to economie.gouv.fr. A commercial extension is separate and optional: check what it genuinely adds before taking it out.