You mainly reheat meals
In a studio flat or holiday home, you’re more interested in reheating and defrosting than in oven functions. UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide distinguishes between basic models, models with a grill and combi models.
Who is this guide for?
You cook without an oven
You want to prepare dishes that need a grill or fan-assisted cooking regularly, without adding several appliances. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these functions in its guide and testing protocol.
You’re short on worktop space
Your choice depends on the space you actually have for the appliance, its door when open, your cookware and the ventilation clearances specified by the manufacturer.
What should you look for?
Basic microwave
Choose this if: you reheat and defrost more often than you grill or cook oven-style dishes.
The trade-off: this category has neither a grill nor a fan oven function, as UFC-Que Choisir’s guide points out.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you want to reheat food and brown or grill it occasionally.
The trade-off: a grill doesn’t replace a fan oven for oven-style cooking, so check which cooking modes the model actually offers.
Combi microwave with fan oven function
Choose this if: you want to keep microwave reheating while also preparing some oven-style dishes in the same appliance.
The trade-off: advertised functions alone don’t guarantee a particular cooking result. UFC-Que Choisir assesses factors such as browning and evenness.
Standalone mini oven
Choose this if: oven cooking and browning are your priorities, and you’re happy with another way to reheat food. Moulinex describes its Optimo 19 L as a countertop oven with a fan oven function and grill.
The trade-off: a mini oven doesn’t reheat food using microwaves. Also check that you have enough room for the appliance and your cookware.
If you have a kitchenette without a conventional oven, start by thinking about the type of cooking you’ll do most often. Then check that the appliance and your cookware will fit in the available space.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Defrost function, controls, container size and test results for the model in question. | If I mainly reheat meals and defrost food, I’d rather have easy-to-use controls than oven functions I’m unlikely to use. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cooking like in an oven | Whether a fan oven function is explicitly listed, space for your dish, any accessories needed and relevant cooking tests. | If I want to cook oven-style dishes regularly while keeping microwave reheating, I check that the exact model has a convection mode. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Overall size | External and internal dimensions, turntable, door clearance and the ventilation clearances listed in the manual. | When every centimetre of worktop space counts, I measure the space and the dishes I use before choosing. Size is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Grill mode, the rack supplied and, if available, tests of browning evenness. | If I mainly want to grill food as well as reheat it, without needing a fan oven function, a grill could suit my needs. Browning is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
| Cooking in a mini oven | Cooking modes, usable space for dishes and the installation requirements for the model. | If traditional oven cooking is my main priority and another appliance is enough for reheating, I’d also compare mini ovens. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing a grill with a fan oven function
A grill is for browning, while a fan oven function is a different cooking mode. So a model with a grill won’t necessarily suit you if you want to cook oven-style dishes regularly.
If you plan to cook oven-style dishes regularly, check that the exact model you’re considering explicitly has a convection function.
If a function isn’t suited to the dishes you prepare, you may need to use another appliance for that cooking.
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Choosing based on capacity alone
Capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop, whether your dishes will fit inside or whether you’ll have enough clearance for ventilation.
Compare the external dimensions, cavity and turntable sizes, door clearance and the ventilation clearances listed in the model’s manual.
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Assuming the list of modes proves how well it cooks
The advertised specifications don’t tell you how well a model performs in tests of reheating consistency, browning or ease of use. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these criteria separately.
If a particular type of cooking is important to you, check the test results available for the exact model.
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Ruling out a mini oven without considering how you’ll use it
A mini oven may suit you if traditional oven cooking is a priority, but it won’t provide microwave reheating or defrosting.
Decide which task you’ll do most often and check whether you already have another suitable way to reheat food.
If microwave reheating is essential, you’ll need a separate appliance for it.
Brands and models to know
These models illustrate different categories and functions. They aren’t a performance ranking or an indication of availability.
Panasonic
The NN-E20JW, NN-K10JW and NN-CT56RB illustrate the basic, grill and combi options with convection respectively.
- The manufacturer’s specifications for the NN-E20JW and NN-K10JW include cavity and turntable dimensions, which can help you check whether your dishes will fit.
- These specifications alone aren’t enough to draw conclusions about a model’s cooking performance.
Samsung
The range includes the basic MS23T5018AK microwave and the MC32DG7646KKE1 combi microwave.
- Samsung describes several cooking modes for its combi model. Compare these with the dishes you want to prepare.
- The functions described by the manufacturer don’t prove how well the model cooks. Ventilation clearances vary between appliances, so check the manual for yours.
Moulinex
The Optimo 19 L OX444810 is an example of a standalone mini oven for those who prioritise traditional oven cooking.
- Moulinex lists six modes for this model, including a fan oven function and a grill.
- A mini oven isn’t a microwave, so it can’t meet your need for microwave reheating on its own.
LG
UFC-Que Choisir lists the MH7265DDH as a freestanding microwave with grill.
- This model could be worth considering if you’re interested in having a grill.
- Being listed as a model with a grill doesn’t establish its performance or the quality of its cooking results.
Joybuy products to consider
This selection includes basic microwaves and models with a grill for reheating or defrosting, with options for browning food. A grill doesn’t replace a fan oven function, so check for this mode on the exact model if you want to cook oven-style dishes.
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Heinrich’s, 20 L basic microwave
Described as a basic microwave, this model is suitable for reheating and defrosting in a studio flat.
20 L capacity, listed power of 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Listed dimensions: 44,6 × 36,3 × 24,3 cm.
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LG MH 6535 GIH, microwave with grill
Described as a microwave with grill, this model lets you reheat and defrost food, with the option to brown it.
25 L capacity, listed power of 1 000 W, digital display and white finish. Quick defrost is among the listed functions.
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LG MH6535GIS, microwave with grill, black
Described with microwave and grill functions, this model lets you reheat and defrost food, with the option to brown it.
25 L capacity, five power levels and a 29,2 cm turntable. The description also mentions an EasyClean interior coating.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill
Described with microwave and grill functions, this model lets you reheat and defrost food, as well as brown it occasionally.
Listed microwave power of 700 W, 800 W grill and nine power levels. Listed dimensions: 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm; 245 mm turntable.
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Candy Essenza CMCA29EDL/ST, 29 L microwave
Described with microwave and grill functions, as well as steam cooking, this model combines reheating with browning.
29 L capacity, 31,5 cm turntable and electronic controls. Listed external dimensions: 52,3 × 44,9 × 30 cm. If you’re looking for convection cooking, check that the exact model has a fan oven function.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combi microwave bake a cake or cook a pizza like an oven?
Some combi microwaves have a fan oven function, but the term ‘combi’ alone doesn’t guarantee a particular result. UFC-Que Choisir assesses factors including how well small cakes and pizzas brown, preheating and temperature variations. Check the functions and, if possible, the test results for the model you’re considering.
How much space should you leave around the appliance?
Measure the appliance and the dishes you plan to use, then follow the clearances specified in the model’s manual. Samsung gives at least 10 cm at the back and sides and 20 cm above as a general guide, while noting that requirements vary between models. These distances therefore don’t apply universally to every appliance.
How can you assess heat safety and ease of use?
Check the test results for the exact model, where available. UFC-Que Choisir says it assesses heat safety and also looks at usability factors such as the door, controls, handling dishes, visibility and cleaning. The testing protocol alone doesn’t tell you how a specific appliance performed.
Can you heat food in its packaging in a microwave?
Follow the packaging instructions on compatibility, power and cooking time. Anses recommends following the preparation instructions for microwaveable products. Heating food for too long can increase the migration of substances from some types of packaging.
What statutory guarantee applies to an appliance bought in France?
For an item bought by an individual from a professional seller, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies under the conditions set out by law. The DGCCRF states that claims must be made within two years of delivery of the item. Any commercial guarantee is separate and optional: check its terms without confusing it with your statutory rights.