For reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen, start by considering a solo microwave. A grill model is worth considering if you want to brown food, while a combination microwave could be a good option if you also plan to cook without a conventional oven. In all three cases, check how much space the appliance needs, whether its door can open fully and the clearances specified in the manual.
If worktop space is limited, the microwave’s dimensions alone won’t tell you whether it will fit. You’ll also need room to open the door and must follow the model’s ventilation and electrical connection instructions.
For reheating plates, defrosting portions and preparing simple meals, a solo model may be all you need if browning food isn’t one of your priorities.
If you regularly want to cook or brown dishes, compare the settings on grill and combination models. The right choice depends on what you plan to prepare, as well as how much space the appliance can take up.
Choose this if: you mainly reheat, defrost and prepare simple portions.
Bear in mind: it has no grill for browning food and no oven-style cooking settings.
Choose this if: you’d also like to brown or grill dishes.
Bear in mind: a grill alone doesn’t offer all the cooking settings of a combination microwave.
Choose this if: not having an oven means you regularly need other cooking settings, depending on what the model offers.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to check its dimensions carefully and learn how to use the additional settings.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and ventilation | Measure the space available, including room to open the door, then check the clearances required in the model’s manual. | In a studio flat, I need to be able to install the appliance without blocking its door or ventilation. Around 36% of consumers would put this physical fit at the top of their list. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the capacity, turntable size and defrost settings that are useful for the meals you usually prepare. | If I mainly reheat meals and defrost portions, I don’t need to choose cooking settings I’d rarely use. For around 29% of consumers, these everyday uses would be the priority. |
| Browning and grilling | Check that it has a grill, which settings combine the grill with the microwave, and which cookware the manual allows. | I want to be able to brown a dish while still using the microwave for everyday tasks, without necessarily needing other cooking settings. This would be the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cooking without an oven | Look for the cooking settings you’ll genuinely use and compare the cavity size with the dishes you plan to cook. | Without a conventional oven, I want to cook more than just food for reheating or grilling. Around 14% of consumers would make this wider range of cooking their main consideration. |
Two microwaves with a similar capacity may take up different amounts of worktop space. You’ll also need to allow for the door to open and for ventilation clearances.
Compare the external dimensions with the space available, then check the clearances required in the manual for the model you’ve chosen.
An appliance that fits in a recess isn’t necessarily designed to operate there. Bosch states in the manuals for the relevant freestanding models that they aren’t intended to be built in.
If the appliance needs to be fitted into a cabinet, choose a model specifically designed for this and follow its installation plan.
The extra settings on a combination microwave won’t add much if your meals only need reheating or defrosting.
Start with the food you usually prepare: consider a grill for browning, then a combination model if you also need a wider range of cooking settings.
The range includes freestanding solo and combination microwaves, which you can compare based on the features you need in your kitchen.
The brand offers freestanding models with a grill, which are worth considering if browning food is important to you.
The EMZ421MMK is a freestanding model to consider if you’d like a grill as well as microwave functions.
These models cover solo, grill and combination uses. For a small kitchen, start with the features you’ll use, then check each appliance against the space available and its installation instructions.
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Worth considering if you’d like a grill as well as microwave functions.
20 L capacity and 700 W microwave power. Check the space needed for installation and which cookware can be used in grill mode.
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An option for reheating and defrosting if you don’t need a grill function.
Its product name lists six power levels, a defrost function and a 30-minute timer. Check the manual for installation instructions.
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Worth considering for everyday microwave use if you’d prefer digital controls.
700 W power, six pre-set menus, eleven power levels and a defrost function. Check its ventilation instructions before choosing where to put it.
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Worth considering for reheating and preparing simple meals with a solo model.
If defrosting is essential for you, check that the MWP 101 W has this function by consulting its manual. Also check the clearances required for your chosen location.
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Worth considering if you need a combination model for more than just reheating.
Its stated capacity is 39 L, so measure the available space carefully and check the manual for installation requirements and cooking settings.
Don’t assume that a freestanding appliance is suitable for an enclosed recess. Bosch’s manuals for the relevant models state that they aren’t intended to be built in, so follow the installation instructions for the model you choose.
The required clearances vary by model. For example, the manual for the SCMWN20SDG specifically states that there should be 10 cm between the back of the appliance and the wall. Check your appliance’s manual rather than using measurements for another model.
Compare the voltage, frequency, plug type and electrical input power stated in the product information or manual with your home’s supply. Don’t confuse the microwave power listed for cooking with the electrical input power.
Not necessarily: being suitable for microwave mode doesn’t mean cookware is suitable for the grill. Check the manual to see which dishes are allowed in each mode you plan to use.
In France, goods sold by a business to a consumer are covered by the legal guarantee of conformity, including when they don’t match the seller’s description, according to the French Ministry of the Economy’s information sheet dated 9 September 2026. Any commercial warranty is separate from this legal right.