If you mainly reheat portions and defrost food, a solo microwave will do the job without adding extra cooking modes. Consider a grill model if you also want to brown dishes, or a combination microwave if you’ll use its oven function. In either case, check the space you have, the size of your dishes and how easy the appliance is to use. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses evenness of heating and defrosting separately from the stated power.
If you already use an oven for cooking and browning dishes, start by comparing solo microwaves. For the plates, bowls and ready meals you reheat regularly, the size of your containers and easy-to-use controls will matter more than an extra oven mode.
Compare the dimensions of a countertop appliance with the space available on your worktop. If your kitchen has a built-in housing, look for a model designed for built-in installation and check the requirements in its manual. Either way, make sure your dishes fit inside the cavity.
A model with a grill is useful for browning dishes. A combination microwave adds cooking modes depending on the model, including fan-assisted cooking. These functions are worth comparing if you expect to use them regularly; also consider the space the appliance takes up and how easy it is to clean.
Worth considering: if you mainly want to reheat and defrost, especially if you already have an oven.
Limitation: it doesn’t have a dedicated grill or fan-assisted cooking.
Worth considering: if you reheat meals and also want to brown some dishes.
Limitation: a grill alone doesn’t provide the fan-assisted cooking function of an oven.
Worth considering: if you want one appliance for reheating and some of your oven cooking.
Trade-off: consider the space required, the accessories you’ll need to handle and the upkeep of the modes you plan to use.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the defrost settings and how easy the controls are to use. To assess the results, look for tests that measure the temperature at different points in a dish. This is one of the methods described by UFC-Que Choisir. | I often reheat a portion and want to avoid it being hot around the edges but cold in the middle. |
| Dish size and placement | Measure your containers, then check the turntable and the usable dimensions of the cavity, not just its capacity in litres. Also compare the external dimensions with the space available. For a built-in model, follow the requirements for that exact model. | My plates and leftover dishes need to fit and turn, without the appliance taking up too much space in the kitchen. |
| Cooking modes | Know the difference between a solo microwave, a grill model and a combination microwave. According to guides from UFC-Que Choisir and Boulanger, the grill is used for browning, while the oven functions on a combination model vary by model. | If I only want to reheat food, I don’t need to choose an appliance for its oven modes. If I plan to brown or cook food in it, those modes become important. |
| Ease of use and cleaning | Check how the door opens, how easy it is to reach inside the cavity, the controls and the surfaces that need cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol treats ease of use and cleaning as criteria separate from heating performance. | For meals I reheat every day, I want to be able to start a cycle, remove my dish and clean up splashes without any complicated steps. |
Maximum power alone doesn’t tell you how evenly food will heat or how well it will defrost. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these separately in its testing protocol.
Start with how you’ll use the appliance, then compare usable space and settings. If these results matter to you, look for tests that give details about heating and defrosting performance.
A combination microwave offers more cooking options, but also adds modes, accessories and surfaces to consider in everyday use.
If you mainly reheat and defrost, compare solo models first. Consider a grill or combination model if you genuinely plan to brown or cook food using those functions.
A capacity in litres doesn’t tell you whether a large plate or dish of leftovers will fit on the turntable and rotate properly.
Measure the largest container you normally use and compare its dimensions with those of the turntable and cavity. Also check how much space you’ll need for the appliance itself.
Anses says that heating food for too long or at a high power setting can increase the transfer of substances from packaging into food.
Follow the preparation, power and timing instructions on the packaging. If it isn’t suitable for microwave use, transfer the food to a microwave-safe container.
The details below apply to the models mentioned, not to every appliance made by each brand.
Boulanger’s product range includes the MG23K3515AK/EF with grill and the MC28H5015AK/EF among its combination models.
The MWP 101 B is listed on a Joybuy France product page as a 20 L, 700 W microwave with grill.
The Joybuy France product page for the CM-E202CC (BK) describes a 20 L, 700 W microwave designed for tasks including reheating and defrosting.
These countertop models let you compare options for reheating everyday meals. Start by choosing the functions you’ll use, then check the space available and whether your dishes will fit.
Image unavailable
For reheating portions and defrosting, without an oven function. The product name lists six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Check that the turntable is large enough for the containers you usually use.
Image unavailable
For reheating and defrosting, with five power levels. The product name lists 700 W, a 30-minute timer and a 245 mm turntable. Compare its diameter with your plates.
Image unavailable
For reheating leftovers with digital settings and defrosting. The Joybuy product page lists 11 power levels and external dimensions of 440 × 319 × 259 mm. Check the turntable size separately to make sure your dishes will fit.
Image unavailable
For reheating portions and defrosting, with six power levels listed in the product name. Ready2Clean refers to its coating. If ease of cleaning is a priority, check the cavity and cleaning instructions. Also check the overall dimensions and turntable size.
Image unavailable
An option for reheating everyday portions. Check the turntable size against your plates, and make sure it has a defrost setting if you plan to use one.
No. The stated power alone doesn’t tell you how evenly the microwave reheats food. UFC-Que Choisir measures the temperature at several points on a plate as part of its testing protocol, and assesses defrosting separately. Check these results if they matter for the meals you prepare.
Only if the packaging instructions say it’s suitable for microwave use. If so, follow the stated power, timing and preparation instructions. Anses warns that overheating can increase the transfer of substances from some packaging into food. Otherwise, use a suitable container.
No. A combination microwave may add a grill and, depending on the model, fan-assisted cooking. However, the recipes it can handle depend on factors including its usable space and cooking modes. Check that your dishes will fit, and look at the accessories and controls before considering using it instead of your oven.
Choose a model designed for built-in installation, then check the dimensions of your housing, the door opening and the ventilation requirements against the manual. Don’t assume that a countertop appliance will fit in a housing just because its external dimensions seem to match.