Student who mainly reheats meals
You’re looking for a freestanding appliance to reheat portions and defrost food, with no plans to cook dishes in an oven-style mode.
Which type suits each use?
Small kitchen where you sometimes want to brown dishes
You already have a main cooking appliance, but would like to brown or grill a dish without adding a separate grill.
Holiday home without a practical oven
You’d like one appliance for reheating, defrosting and occasional oven-style cooking. The space needed to install it then becomes a key consideration.
What sets the three types apart?
UFC-Que Choisir’s guide distinguishes solo microwaves from grill models, which let you brown dishes; Whirlpool describes combination models as adding oven-style cooking functions. First decide which functions you’ll use, then compare the exact model’s footprint with the space you have available.
| What you need | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost functions and external dimensions of a freestanding solo model. | If I mainly reheat portions and defrost food, I don’t need to choose an oven-cooking function I won’t use. Around 45% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Browning or grilling | Confirm it has a grill and check that its capacity and dimensions suit your dishes and worktop. | I already have another way to cook, but would like to brown some dishes without installing another appliance. This would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Cooking like in an oven | Look for the convection or fan-assisted cooking modes listed for the combination model, then check its dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual. | Without a practical oven at home, I plan to use oven-style cooking regularly and can make more room for it. Around 22% of consumers would make this their main consideration. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a combination model just because it’s versatile
Its extra functions may go unused if you mainly need to reheat and defrost. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from those that lead people to choose a more versatile appliance.
Think about the dishes you usually prepare: a solo model may be enough for basic needs. If you only need a grill, look at grill models first.
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Comparing capacity without measuring the appliance
Capacity in litres doesn’t tell you whether a microwave will fit on a narrow worktop. For example, Whirlpool lists a depth of 54 cm for its freestanding MWSC833B combination model.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then check the door opening and external dimensions of the model you’re considering.
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Blocking the vents after installation
Whirlpool warns that blocked ventilation openings can cause overheating.
Place the appliance on a flat surface, keep its vents clear and follow the clearance requirements in the manual for the exact model.
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Taking out an extended warranty without reading the terms
An optional commercial warranty does not replace the legal guarantee of conformity that applies in France to goods sold by a business to a consumer, as the Ministry of the Economy points out.
Before deciding whether it’s worthwhile, compare the extended warranty’s duration, exclusions and repair arrangements with your legal protection.
Brands to compare
Whirlpool
The brand offers solo, grill and combination microwaves, making it easy to compare the functions that suit each type of use.
- According to Whirlpool, a grill adds browning to the usual microwave functions, while a combination model adds oven-style cooking.
- Check the dimensions of the model you choose: those listed for a combination model such as the MWSC833B do not apply to the whole range.
Electrolux
The freestanding EMZ421MMK is worth considering if you’d like a grill without going straight for a combination model.
- Electrolux lists microwave, grill and microwave-with-grill modes for this model.
- Its listed dimensions, 262 × 442 × 345 mm, apply to this specific model. Compare them with your available space and check the manual.
Samsung
Samsung offers freestanding Solo, Grill and Combination ranges, making it easier to compare the different levels of functionality.
- This distinction helps you start with the type of use you have in mind before looking at a particular model.
- Check the functions, capacity and dimensions of the exact model: they vary across the range.
Solo and grill microwaves on Joybuy
These models cover reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen; the Beko also has a grill for browning dishes. If you’d like oven-style cooking too, look for a combination model with the right functions for your available space.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L grill microwave, black
Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost meals, as well as brown dishes occasionally. The listed microwave power is 700 W; check the clearance requirements in the manual before installation.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, 20 L microwave
For reheating and defrosting without the need for a grill. Its listed power is 700 W; check the appliance dimensions and ventilation clearances before buying.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L digital microwave, black
For reheating and defrosting with several settings. The model title lists 700 W, 11 power levels and six pre-programmed menus; check the manual to find out how much space you’ll need to install it.
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Heinrich's, 20 L solo microwave
For simple reheating and defrosting, with no grill function listed. The title specifies 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer; check the dimensions and clearance requirements in the manual.
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COMFEE CMO‑MP012OC(WH), 19 L Inverter microwave, white
For reheating portions and defrosting without the need for a grill. The title lists 700 W, five power levels and a 245 mm turntable; check that your dishes will fit, and check the external dimensions and ventilation clearances before buying.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether a freestanding microwave will fit in my small kitchen?
Compare the available width, height and depth with the external dimensions of the exact model, and don’t forget to allow for the door opening. You’ll also need to leave the clearances specified in the manual: Whirlpool advises keeping the ventilation openings clear.
Can a grill microwave replace an oven?
A grill lets you brown or grill dishes, but having a grill alone doesn’t mean the appliance can cook like a conventional oven. If that’s what you need, look for a combination model with the right cooking modes and check that you have enough room to install it.
What should I do with my old microwave when replacing it in France?
Don’t put it in your household rubbish: microwaves should be disposed of through the electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme. The Ministry for Ecological Transition describes, among other options, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back service when you buy an appliance of the same type. Check how you can return your old appliance when you make your purchase.
Do I need an extended warranty for a new microwave?
It isn’t compulsory. In France, the Ministry of the Economy points out that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a consumer; an optional commercial warranty doesn’t replace it. Check exactly what the additional cover includes before taking it out.