Choose a solo microwave for everyday reheating and defrosting, or a model with a grill if you occasionally want to brown or gratinate dishes. A combination microwave is the right choice when the appliance also needs to handle oven-style cooking, provided its depth, weight, ventilation and power requirements are compatible with your kitchen.
You live away from the family home, have limited worktop space and mainly want to reheat or defrost food quickly without creating lots of washing-up. A solo or grill model is often more suitable than a combination microwave when you still have access to an oven. In France, two-thirds of students lived away from the family home in 2023, according to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
A combination microwave can be a good choice if one appliance needs to handle everyday reheating as well as some oven-style cooking during occasional stays. However, check its external dimensions, depth, weight and installation requirements before allocating it a space.
If you mainly reheat food but sometimes want to brown a gratin, tart or pizza, a microwave with a grill offers a useful middle ground. Compare its dimensions and total power with the available space and electrical installation.
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, without regularly needing to gratinate dishes or cook with fan-assisted heat.
Good to know: it does not replace the functions of a grill or a fan-assisted oven.
Choose this if: you want to add browning and gratinating to your usual reheating and defrosting tasks.
Good to know: having a grill does not automatically mean that the appliance has fan-assisted cooking.
Choose this if: you need oven-style cooking and browning in a home without an oven.
Good to know: its versatility may come with a deeper, heavier appliance that is more demanding to install.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the reheating and defrosting functions, along with the programmes actually offered by the model. Also compare the capacity, turntable and external dimensions. | I want to reheat portions, leftovers or frozen food without buying an appliance intended to replace an oven completely. |
| Browning or cooking | Check whether the model specifies a grill, a microwave + grill combination or fan-assisted cooking. Do not assume that accessories or special functions are included. | I want to brown a dish occasionally; if I need to cook regularly as I would in an oven, I would prefer a combination model with the relevant function. |
| Size and power supply | Compare the width, height and depth with your worktop. Consult the manual for ventilation clearances and check the voltage, power and current specified for the exact model. | My appliance must fit in a kitchenette without blocking the required ventilation or exceeding the capabilities of the electrical installation. |
The same capacity does not guarantee the same footprint. Two 25 L Whirlpool models listed on the French product pages have depths of 39 cm and 49.4 cm; the MCP349WH combination model also weighs 18.6 kg.
Note the three external dimensions, weight and clearances specified in the manual before comparing capacities.
A grill is used for browning and gratinating. According to Que Choisir’s buying guide, a combination microwave adds the basic functions of an oven, including fan-assisted cooking.
A grill is enough for occasional browning; choose a combination model if you regularly need oven-style cooking and have enough space.
With a grill or combination model, total power and current may be important for the electrical connection. For example, the Electrolux EMZ725MMK specifies 1 350 W total power, 230 V and 10 A.
Compare the electrical specifications for the chosen model and follow its installation instructions, without applying figures from another appliance.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory for goods sold by a professional to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. A commercial extension is an additional service and remains subject to its own terms and conditions.
Read the duration, exclusions and services included in the extension before deciding whether it meets a need separate from the legal guarantee.
A useful reference for a simple freestanding microwave designed for reheating and defrosting. The French product page for the MS23K3513AS/EF describes a 23 L Solo model.
A useful reference for a freestanding model with a grill when your needs go beyond simple reheating but do not require a combination model with fan-assisted cooking.
A useful reference for distinguishing between solo microwave, microwave with grill and freestanding combination models using detailed French product pages.
These Joybuy options cover solo microwaves and models with a grill for reheating, defrosting and, depending on the model, browning and gratinating dishes in a small kitchen.
Image unavailable
For reheating, defrosting and occasional browning or gratinating in a kitchenette.
Freestanding format measuring 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm, with 700 W microwave power, an 800 W grill, 230 V, nine power levels and a 245 mm turntable. No fan-assisted cooking is specified; allow for the 10 cm side and rear clearances stated for this model.
Image unavailable
For everyday reheating and defrosting when you do not need to brown or gratinate dishes.
Freestanding model measuring 48.9 × 27.5 × 37.4 cm, with 800 W microwave power, a connected load of 1 150 W, 230 V power supply, a 28.8 cm turntable and 29 automatic programmes. It specifies neither a grill nor fan-assisted cooking; consult the manual before installation for the required clearances.
Image unavailable
For reheating, defrosting and browning or gratinating with a 25 L freestanding appliance.
Listed dimensions of 47.6 × 38.8 × 27.2 cm, quartz grill, Quick Defrost, automatic defrost programmes and weight-controlled programmes. No fan-assisted cooking is specified; check the rating plate and manual for the power supply and ventilation requirements.
Image unavailable
For reheating, defrosting and finishing dishes under the grill in temporary accommodation.
Freestanding format measuring 47 × 26 × 37 cm, with a 950 W grill, five power levels, a 29.2 cm turntable and automatic weight-controlled programmes. The description mentions a grill but not fan-assisted cooking; check the manual for electrical installation and ventilation clearances.
Image unavailable
For combining reheating, defrosting and browning or gratinating in one freestanding appliance.
Listed dimensions of 55 × 42 × 34 cm, 800 W microwave power, a 1 000 W grill, eight automatic programmes and a 30-second express start. Its 55 cm width and 42 cm depth require a suitably sized worktop; the instructions specify 10 cm at the sides and 20 cm above.
A solo microwave is a sensible choice if you do not need to brown dishes or cook regularly as you would in an oven. Que Choisir identifies reheating and defrosting as the main everyday uses; then check the capacity, external dimensions, turntable and defrosting programme for the specific model.
Not necessarily. A grill adds browning and gratinating, while a combination model also adds the basic capabilities of a conventional oven, including fan-assisted cooking, according to Que Choisir. Choose a grill for occasional browning and a combination model if oven-style cooking is genuinely necessary.
Measure the width, height and, above all, the depth of your worktop, then compare them with the model’s external dimensions and the clearances required in its manual. Do not infer ventilation requirements from capacity alone: the Whirlpool MCP341WH and MCP349WH, both 25 L, have listed depths of 39 cm and 49.4 cm respectively.
Check the exact model’s product page and manual for the voltage, rated or total power, current where specified and plug type. The Electrolux EMZ725MMK specifies 1 350 W total power, 230 V and 10 A, while the Whirlpool MCP345WH specifies 230 V with a Schuko plug; also check that the actual installation is compatible.
For purchases from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory in France, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It applies, among other situations, when a product does not match its description; a commercial extension may be added, but it does not replace the legal guarantee.