In student accommodation or a holiday home, choose a solo microwave if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food. A grill model is worth considering if you occasionally want to brown or crisp dishes; consider a combination model if you also plan to cook certain dishes without a separate oven. Whichever you choose, check that the appliance, the required ventilation clearances and your usual dishes will all fit.
If you prepare few meals where you live, reheating and defrosting are more important than extra cooking functions. UFC-Que Choisir lists student accommodation and holiday homes among the places where a microwave can be useful.
If you want to cook some dishes as well as reheat food, check which oven-style modes each combination model actually offers. This matters most if your home does not have another usable oven.
If you mostly reheat food but sometimes want to brown or crisp a dish, a grill microwave is an option distinct from a combination model. Having a grill does not mean the appliance also offers oven-style cooking.
In a small kitchen, start with the dishes you’ll actually prepare, then check how much space your chosen model needs.
Consider it if: reheating and defrosting are all you need, or you already have another way to cook.
Bear in mind: it does not have a grill or an oven-style cooking mode.
Consider it if: you’d also like to brown or crisp food from time to time.
Bear in mind: the grill alone does not replace the other functions of an oven.
Consider it if: some of your dishes need oven-style cooking and you don’t want to install a separate oven.
Bear in mind: modes and settings vary by model, so check its dimensions too.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the microwave and defrost functions, and make sure the dimensions suit your available space. | For everyday meals, I mainly want to reheat or defrost food without choosing cooking modes I won’t use. Around 42% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Cooking without a separate oven | Check which cooking modes are actually available and how much room you’ll need to install the appliance. | Without a usable oven at home, I’d like to be able to prepare dishes occasionally that need more than reheating. Around 33% of consumers would have this priority. |
| Occasional browning | Look for a grill mode and check the guidance on accessories for each setting. | I sometimes want to brown or crisp a dish, but oven-style cooking isn’t my deciding factor. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise browning in this way. |
Available modes differ from one appliance to another. The word ‘combination’ alone doesn’t mean a model is suitable for everything you want to cook.
Make a list of the dishes you want to prepare, check the relevant modes and, if you’re choosing between two models, look for reviews that assess their cooking results.
A microwave may fit on your worktop while its air vents are blocked. Whirlpool says that ventilation openings must not be obstructed.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then follow the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model.
According to Whirlpool, metal can cause sparks when the microwave function is in use. An accessory that can be used with the grill is not necessarily suitable for every programme.
Before using a rack or container, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model and the selected mode.
A cavity that seems spacious enough in litres may not fit the plates or dishes you usually use.
Compare your containers with the dimensions of the cavity or turntable, then check the appliance’s external dimensions and ventilation requirements too.
Whirlpool’s range includes the MCP 341 WH, a 25 L model with a microwave-only function, and the MAX49MB, a 13 L model with a grill. These models let you compare different uses, but they don’t tell you everything about the full range.
According to its French product listing, the Panasonic NN-DF37PWEPG combines a 1,000 W microwave, a 900 W grill and an oven mode ranging from 30 to 200 °C.
Samsung France lists the MG23K3515CK grill microwave and the MC32DG7646CK combination microwave, with support pages where you can search for their manuals.
These models let you compare solo microwaves, a model explicitly equipped with a grill and a combination microwave for cooking in a small kitchen. For each model, check that the advertised functions suit the dishes you prepare, and read the manual before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and brown some dishes without needing an oven-style cooking mode.
The product name indicates a grill, a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W. Check the manual for the required clearances and which accessories are permitted in each mode.
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Compare it if reheating is your priority in a small kitchen and you’d like to consider a 25 L capacity.
The product name identifies it as a 900 W Solo model. If browning matters to you, check which modes this specific model offers and read its manual before installation.
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Worth considering if you prioritise reheating and would prefer a defrost function to a grill.
The product name specifies a 23 L capacity and the Quick Defrost function. Measure the space available, allowing for the clearances set out in the manual.
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Consider it if you mainly want to reheat meals and browning isn’t a key requirement for you.
The product name specifies 20 L and 700 W. Check that your dishes fit in the cavity and read the installation instructions for the MWP 101 W.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare certain dishes without a separate oven and have enough space for a 42 L appliance.
The product name describes it as a 3-in-1 combination microwave. Check that its modes suit your recipes, and confirm it has a defrost function if you need one. Read the manual for installation and accessory guidance.
Don’t plan to put it in a closed cupboard until you’ve checked the instructions for your model: its vents must remain clear. Whirlpool recommends placing its freestanding appliances on a flat surface and keeping the ventilation openings unobstructed. The manual for your specific model will explain where to position it and what clearances to allow.
Only use a metal rack if the manual for your model allows it in the selected mode. Whirlpool warns that metal can cause sparks when the microwave function is in use, so an accessory intended for the grill should not be used in every programme.
A grill model can be suitable if you want to brown or crisp food, but it won’t necessarily have the oven-style cooking modes offered by some combination microwaves. If you plan to cook dishes rather than simply brown them, check which modes the model you’re considering offers.