Which option is right for you?

Student who mainly reheats food

If you reheat leftovers and defrost food in a small space, start by comparing standard microwaves. Check that your plates and containers will fit inside the cavity.

For the occasional golden topping

If reheating is still your main use, but you’d sometimes like to brown a dish, compare models with a grill. This feature doesn’t necessarily mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking.

For cooking without a conventional oven

If you plan to cook regularly rather than just reheat food, compare the cooking modes of a combi microwave with those of a mini oven. How often you’ll cook these meals and how much space you have will help you decide.

What should you look for when comparing appliances?

Que Choisir distinguishes between standard microwaves, grill models and combi models according to the type of cooking you’re looking for. In a small kitchen, start with the meals you usually prepare, then check that both the appliance and your dishes will actually fit in the space available.

Standard microwave

Consider it: for reheating and defrosting, if you don’t need a golden finish.

Limitation: it has neither a grill nor fan-assisted cooking, although it can cook some foods using microwaves.

Microwave with grill

Consider it: if you mainly reheat meals but would sometimes like to brown them.

Limitation: a grill doesn’t automatically provide fan-assisted cooking; suitable containers depend on the mode you use.

Combi microwave

Consider it: if you’ll regularly use its cooking functions as well as reheating food.

Limitation: its dimensions need to suit both the space available and the dishes you want to cook.

Mini oven or conventional oven

Consider it: if you mainly cook meals in the oven rather than quickly reheating them.

Limitation: keeping a microwave as well means finding space for two appliances.

What matters to you What to check Consumers concerned
Reheating and defrosting Check the defrost settings and make sure there’s enough room for your plates or containers. If I mainly reheat leftovers and defrost meals, I prioritise these everyday tasks over an extra cooking function. Around 40% of consumers would make reheating and defrosting their priority.
Space and dish dimensions Measure the appliance, the door clearance and your largest dish; leave the clearances specified in the instruction manual. In a very small kitchen, I need to be able to open the door and use my usual dishes, even if the stated capacity seems sufficient. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise having enough space for both the appliance and their dishes.
Occasional browning Check that it has a grill, and which accessories and containers are suitable for this mode. If I sometimes want to brown an individual portion of gratin without regularly cooking with fan-assisted heat, a grill meets my main need. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this golden finish.
Cooking without a conventional oven Check for a convection function, its settings and the usable dimensions for your recipes. Without a conventional oven, I plan to regularly prepare dishes that need oven-style cooking, rather than simply reheating them. Around 10% of consumers would prioritise this type of cooking.

Mistakes to avoid before buying

  • Choosing based only on capacity in litres

    Two cavities with the same capacity won’t necessarily fit the same dishes. If the microwave has a turntable, also check that your container can rotate without touching the sides.

    Measure the space and your dishes, then compare the external dimensions, usable cavity space and clearances specified in the instruction manual.

  • Choosing a combi model if you only reheat food

    Convection gives you an extra cooking option only if you’re actually going to use it. Que Choisir distinguishes this feature from the reheating function provided by a standard microwave.

    Think about the meals you usually prepare: if you almost always reheat and defrost, compare standard models first.

  • Using the same container in every mode

    A container that’s suitable for microwave mode isn’t automatically suitable for the grill or convection mode. Anses also notes that overheating food can increase the migration of substances from some food packaging into the food.

    Follow the appliance instructions and the packaging guidance, particularly for the mode, power setting and cooking time. Only use a metal accessory if the manual expressly allows it for that mode.

  • Confusing a commercial guarantee with your statutory rights

    In France, the Ministry of the Economy reminds consumers that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual; a commercial guarantee does not replace it.

    Compare the services and exclusions offered by a commercial guarantee with your statutory rights, and keep your proof of purchase and the product description.

Brands to consider across the ranges

Samsung

The range includes 23 L solo and grill microwaves.

  • According to Samsung France product specifications, the MS23T5018AK and MG23T5018CK have Quick Defrost; the MG23T5018CK also has a grill and a crisping plate.
  • These features apply to the models listed: check the specifications for the version you choose, and don’t confuse a grill with fan-assisted cooking.

Whirlpool

The freestanding range includes grill and combi models, some of which don’t have a turntable.

  • According to Whirlpool France, the MWF259SG is a 25 L combi microwave without a turntable, measuring 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm.
  • The cavity shape and these dimensions are specific to the MWF259SG; check that your dishes and the space available are suitable.

Panasonic

The range includes combi microwaves with a grill and, depending on the model, convection.

  • The Panasonic France specifications for the NN-CD87KS list a 34 L capacity, adjustable convection from 40 to 220 °C and external dimensions of 560 × 450 × 343 mm.
  • These specifications don’t apply to other Panasonic models; compare the cooking modes and dimensions of the one you’re considering.

Joybuy products related to this choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What should I measure before buying a microwave for a studio flat?

Measure the available width, height and depth, then check the clearances specified in the model’s instruction manual. Measure your largest dish too: if there’s a turntable, it needs to be able to rotate with the dish in place. Leave enough room to open the door.

Can a combi microwave replace a mini oven?

A combi microwave with fan-assisted cooking can handle some of the cooking you’d do in a mini oven, as well as reheating food with microwaves. Compare its modes and cavity dimensions with the dishes and recipes you actually use. The word ‘combi’ alone doesn’t guarantee it’ll suit every use.

Can I use my usual food trays in the microwave?

Only use a tray if its instructions say it’s suitable for the cooking mode and settings you plan to use. Anses warns that overheating food increases the risk of substances migrating from some packaging into food. Check separately that the container is suitable if you switch to grill or convection mode.

Does a commercial guarantee replace the statutory guarantee in France?

No. For a purchase from a business seller in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies independently of any commercial guarantee, as the Ministry of the Economy points out. Keep your proof of purchase and the microwave’s product description so you can report any lack of conformity.