Choose a solo microwave if you mainly reheat and defrost food day to day, a grill model if you also want to brown or crisp dishes occasionally, and a combination model only if the fan oven needs to replace some of the functions of a conventional oven. In every case, measure your worktop, dishes and the ventilation clearance required in the instructions: more functions can also mean needing more space.
You live in a home with a compact kitchen and mainly want an appliance for reheating and defrosting, with its footprint measured before purchase. In France, most student accommodation away from the family home consists of studios or small flats, according to Insee.
You want a straightforward freestanding appliance for occasional meals, without adding lots of equipment. Que Choisir lists second homes among the settings in which a microwave is used.
You want the convenience of quick reheating while occasionally cooking with a grill or fan oven. A combination model is worth considering only if you will use these functions and your worktop can accommodate its size and ventilation requirements.
Choose this if: you reheat and defrost food almost every day, without expecting oven-like cooking or browning.
Good to know: it has neither a grill nor a fan oven; check the turntable diameter to make sure it fits your dishes.
Choose this if: reheating and defrosting remain your priorities, with an occasional need to brown or crisp food.
Good to know: a grill does not mean that a fan oven is included; check for this function if you want oven-like results.
Choose this if: you do not have a conventional oven and plan to use the microwave, grill and fan oven for occasional cooking.
Good to know: dimensions can be substantial; the 30 L Panasonic combination model used as an example measures 520 × 327 × 520 mm.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and crockery | Compare the external width, height and depth with the available space. Also check the turntable diameter and the shape of your dishes, not just the capacity in litres. | I want the appliance to fit on the worktop while accommodating the plates and dishes I use every day. |
| Cooking functions | A solo model covers reheating and defrosting. For browning or crisping, look for a grill; for oven-style cooking, explicitly check for a fan oven and its temperature range. | I would rather not clutter the kitchen with functions I will rarely use, while keeping the ones I genuinely need. |
| Installation and cleaning | Install the appliance on a level surface and keep the ventilation openings clear. Check the required clearances in the instructions for the exact model. | I need to be able to install the microwave without blocking its vents and keep the cavity easy to clean. |
A small-capacity model may fit a standard plate but not a large dish, while a 30 L combination model can be 52 cm deep and may not suit a narrow worktop.
Measure the available space, door opening and the diameter of your dishes before comparing capacities. For each product, compare the external dimensions and turntable diameter.
A grill allows food to be browned and crisped, but oven-style cooking requires a fan oven to be explicitly included on the model you choose.
If you plan to cook occasionally as you would in an oven, check for a fan oven, its temperature range and the accessories supplied. Otherwise, a solo or grill model may be a better match for how you will actually use it.
Whirlpool states that blocked ventilation can lead to overheating. A freestanding appliance should not be improvised into a built-in installation.
Keep the openings clear and follow the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions for the exact model.
The commercial warranty is separate from the legal guarantee of conformity, which is compulsory in France for goods sold by a professional to a private individual, according to the French Ministry of the Economy.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its duration, exclusions, cover for transport and labour, and what it offers beyond your legal rights.
Whirlpool is a useful reference point for a freestanding microwave aimed at reheating and defrosting, with combination and grill models available depending on the range.
Samsung is an option for a freestanding grill microwave when occasional browning or crisping is useful alongside everyday reheating.
Panasonic is worth considering for a small kitchen without a conventional oven that needs a combination model with a fan oven, grill and microwave.
Joybuy options including solo and grill microwaves for reheating, defrosting and, depending on the model, browning or crisping food in a small home.
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For reheating, defrosting and occasional browning or crisping on a small worktop.
Freestanding format measuring 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm, with a 24.5 cm turntable and nine declared power levels. No fan oven is listed; allow 10 cm of clearance at the sides and rear according to the product details.
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An option for frequent reheating and defrosting with occasional browning or crisping.
25 L cavity, quartz grill, Quick Defrost and declared automatic programmes; dimensions of 38.8 × 47.6 × 27.2 cm. Check the ventilation clearances and turntable diameter in the instructions before installation.
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Suitable for reheating, defrosting and browning in a studio flat or second home.
Declared microwave power of 900 W, 1,000 W grill, 27 cm turntable and dimensions of 48.2 × 28 × 32.1 cm. No fan oven is listed, and the timer is specified as 30 minutes.
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For everyday reheating and defrosting without adding oven-style functions.
23 L capacity, 28.8 cm turntable, dimensions of 48.9 × 27.5 × 37.4 cm, Quick Defrost and 29 declared automatic programmes. This solo model has neither a grill nor a fan oven.
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A solution for reheating, defrosting and browning or crisping, with specific ventilation requirements.
Declared 900 W microwave, integrated grill, 28.8 cm turntable and dimensions of 485 × 293 × 410 mm. The product details specify 20 cm of clearance at the sides and 30 cm at the rear; check the manual if the grill function is important.
Measure the width, height and depth of the available space, then compare them with the model’s external dimensions rather than relying on its capacity in litres alone. Also measure your plates and dishes: the turntable diameter may limit which containers you can use.
Yes, but only if the installation complies with the instructions for the model you have chosen and does not block the ventilation openings. Whirlpool recommends a level surface and unobstructed vents; check the required clearances before choosing an alcove.
Not automatically: a grill is used to brown or crisp food, while oven-style cooking requires a fan oven to be explicitly specified. If this function matters to you, check it in the model details and confirm its temperature range.
For goods sold by a professional to a private individual, the legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory in France, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. It may cover a fault relating to the goods, packaging or assembly instructions and, in certain circumstances, installation; keep the product details, proof of purchase and instructions.
A microwave is electrical and electronic equipment. When buying an appliance of the same type, the “one-for-one” take-back scheme allows you to hand in your old appliance; for household appliances, the French Ministry for Ecological Transition states that this applies without a minimum sales-floor area threshold.