In a small kitchen without an oven, choose a basic microwave for reheating and defrosting, a grill model for browning the top of dishes, or a combination microwave with convection if you also plan to cook regularly. If oven cooking is your main priority and you have a suitable space for installation, consider a compact oven instead. Whichever you choose, check the overall dimensions, ventilation instructions and the model’s total electrical power.
In student accommodation, a second home or a kitchen used by just one person, you may mainly want to reheat portions and defrost food. A basic microwave will do the job if you don’t need browning or convection cooking.
You often reheat food, but would also like to brown the top of a gratin or finish off a pizza without adding a second appliance. A grill function is worth considering, provided your dishes fit inside the cavity.
You want to regularly cook dishes that need oven-style cooking. A combination microwave with convection can handle some of these tasks, but check its cooking modes, the size of dishes it can accommodate and its installation requirements.
Start with the type of cooking you’ll do most often, then check that the appliance and the clearances specified in its instructions will fit in your available space. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes grill models, which are particularly suited to browning dishes, from combination models that also offer convection cooking.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the external dimensions with your available space, including room to open the door; choose a cavity that suits the portions you prepare. | If I mainly prepare individual portions, I’ll prioritise these functions and won’t plan to cook oven-style dishes. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Grill browning | Confirm that it has a grill, and check that there’s room for your dishes and that the accessories you plan to use are permitted by the instructions. | To finish off a gratin or brown a pizza, I want a grill but not necessarily convection. This would be the main priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Convection cooking | Check for a convection setting, its temperature range, the usable dimensions of the cavity and the total electrical power. | Without a separate oven, I plan to cook dishes regularly rather than simply reheat them. Around 38% of consumers would rank this type of cooking as their top priority. |
| Built-in installation and oven cooking | Compare the finished housing dimensions with the installation diagram, then check the ventilation and power supply requirements for the exact model. | If I mainly cook using an oven and have a suitable cabinet, I’ll first look for an appliance that fits the installation. This would be a priority for around 8% of consumers. |
A grill can brown the top of a dish, but its presence doesn’t mean the appliance offers the hot-air cooking you’d expect for oven-style dishes.
If you plan to cook pizzas, pastries or roasts regularly, look for a convection setting explicitly listed in the model’s specifications. If you only want to brown dishes, check the grill and make sure there’s enough room in the cavity.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop, whether the door will open easily or whether your dishes will fit inside the cavity.
Measure the external width, height and depth, then compare the cavity dimensions with your dishes. For a built-in appliance, also check the housing dimensions and installation diagram.
Microwave output power and total electrical power are not the same thing. This distinction is particularly important for appliances that combine several cooking modes.
Check the total or rated power in the model’s documentation and make sure it’s compatible with the circuit in your home. If you’re unsure about the installation, ask a qualified professional for advice.
The freestanding range includes grill and combination microwaves. Check the features of the specific model rather than assuming its cooking modes based on the brand.
Worth considering if you want microwave, grill and convection functions in a countertop appliance.
The convection combination range is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for several cooking modes in a freestanding appliance.
Worth considering for a built-in project if you’ve already settled on the cabinet and installation.
Worth considering if regular oven cooking matters more to you than the flexibility of a freestanding microwave.
These Joybuy picks are suited to different needs: everyday reheating, browning with a grill, and cooking with a combination microwave. Measure your space and check the installation instructions for each appliance before making a decision.
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Worth considering if you mainly reheat meals but would also like to brown dishes from time to time. The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W microwave power. Before installation, check the instructions for the ventilation space required and the total electrical power.
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If you want to do more than reheat food, check the grill and convection modes listed for this combination microwave. It has a stated capacity of 42 L; compare its dimensions with your worktop space and check the instructions for the required clearances and power supply.
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An option to compare if you want reheating and oven-style cooking in one appliance. The product name lists a 39 L capacity. Check that the cavity suits your dishes, and that the overall dimensions, clearances and total power are suitable for your kitchen.
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Worth considering if your priority is reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen. The product name lists a 19 L capacity, 700 W power, five power levels and a 245 mm turntable. If you also want to brown or convection-cook dishes, check separately whether these modes are included.
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This model combines microwave and grill functions, so you can reheat food and give it a golden finish. It has a stated capacity of 25 L. Check the documentation for the size of dishes it can accommodate, installation clearances and total electrical power.
It can replace an oven for some dishes if the model has convection, the cooking modes you need and a cavity that suits your dishes. Don’t assume it can accommodate the same sizes or quantities as a full-size oven: check the temperatures, accessories and usable dimensions.
No. A grill is used to brown or crisp the top of a dish, while convection adds hot-air cooking. If you regularly want to cook oven-style dishes without another appliance, check that the combination microwave you choose specifically offers convection.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the model’s external dimensions and the clearances specified in its instructions. Capacity in litres isn’t enough: also check that the door can open and your dishes fit inside the cavity.
Compare the finished housing dimensions with the installation diagram for the exact model and follow its ventilation instructions. For example, Electrolux specifies a 450 × 560 × 550 mm housing for the KVLBE08X. The word ‘compact’ doesn’t guarantee that it will fit your cabinet.
Check its total or rated electrical power and make sure it’s compatible with the circuit you plan to use, rather than relying on the microwave output power alone. For example, Electrolux lists a total electrical power of 3 000 W for the KVLBE08X. Check the documentation for your model and ask a qualified professional for advice if you’re unsure about the installation.