Student or renter with a kitchenette
If you reheat portions and defrost food on a small worktop, a freestanding standard microwave is a good place to start. Measure the space and keep the air vents clear.
Which option suits you?
Available space matters, but how you prepare your meals determines which features will be useful.
Owner of a second home
If you mainly reheat meals occasionally, you may not use oven functions. First check what you can already cook with the other appliances in the property.
Small household without a practical oven
If you regularly make gratins or oven-cooked dishes, compare a combination microwave with a mini oven based on the cooking modes you need. A mini oven does not, however, offer a microwave function.
What should you check before choosing?
First decide whether reheating or oven cooking is your priority, then check the installation requirements for the appliance you’re considering.
Standard microwave
Worth considering: for reheating and defrosting, particularly if you already have another appliance for cooking.
Limitation: it has neither a grill for browning food nor a fan-assisted cooking function.
Microwave with grill
Worth considering: if you’d also like to brown the tops of dishes regularly.
Limitation: having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance offers all the functions of a full oven.
Combination microwave
Worth considering: if you need both a microwave and oven functions that you’ll use regularly.
Consideration: check its overall dimensions carefully. The Whirlpool MWSC9133SB, for example, measures 49 × 37,3 × 54 cm according to Whirlpool France.
Mini oven
Worth considering: if baking, browning food or making cakes matters more than microwave reheating.
Limitation: even if it has a defrost setting, it won’t defrost food using microwaves.
| Consideration | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the space needed to open the door. Check the manual for clearance and ventilation requirements; Whirlpool France advises against blocking the air vents. | I want to leave enough worktop space to prepare meals and be able to open the door without obstruction. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check that it has the functions you want, as well as the time and power settings you need. A standard appliance is worth considering if you won’t use oven modes. | Most of my meals are ready-made or frozen; I’d rarely use a grill or fan-assisted cooking. |
| Browning and oven cooking | UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between a grill, which can brown food, and a combination microwave, which also adds functions such as fan-assisted cooking. Compare the specific modes with those available on your current appliance. | A grill could be useful for occasional gratins; if I regularly cook dishes in the oven, I need to compare a combination microwave with a mini oven. |
| Containers and settings | Check that the container is suitable for the intended use. The DGCCRF advises following its instructions; for packaged food suitable for microwave cooking, Anses recommends following the stated power and cooking time. | I often reheat packaged meals and want to be able to follow their instructions without using an unsuitable container. |
Which pitfalls should you avoid?
-
Choosing a combination model for cooking modes you’ll rarely use
If you almost always reheat and defrost food, oven functions won’t meet your main needs, and the appliance will still take up worktop space.
Think about the meals you usually prepare. Compare a combination model with the other options only if you’ll genuinely use its cooking modes.
-
Judging by the cavity capacity alone
The capacity in litres doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external dimensions, how much room you’ll need to open the door or the space required for ventilation.
Measure the space, then check the appliance manual for installation requirements. Whirlpool France advises against blocking the air vents.
-
Reheating food in any packaging
Anses warns that reheating at too high a power setting can increase the transfer of substances from some types of packaging into food. The DGCCRF says you should follow the instructions for food containers.
Read the packaging instructions and use a container suitable for the stated purpose. Follow the meal’s power and cooking-time instructions.
Which brands are worth considering?
These product ranges and models can help you compare features, but they don’t represent every appliance made by each brand.
Samsung
A brand to consider for freestanding microwaves designed for reheating and defrosting.
- Samsung France presents the MS23K3614AW as an example of a 23 L solo model with automatic defrosting.
- This model’s features don’t represent the entire range; check the exact model number and its overall dimensions.
Whirlpool
The brand offers microwaves with grill and combination functions, as well as freestanding and built-in models.
- Its product information lets you compare the dimensions of specific models: Whirlpool France lists the dimensions of the MWP303SB grill model as 53,9 × 30 × 39,8 cm.
- According to Whirlpool France, the MWSC9133SB combination microwave measures 49 × 37,3 × 54 cm and weighs 27,45 kg. Check that you have enough space and meet the installation requirements before choosing this model.
Moulinex
Its mini ovens are another option when oven cooking is your main priority.
- According to Moulinex France, the Optimo 19 L has fan-assisted cooking, six cooking modes and a thermostat that goes up to 240 °C.
- This mini oven doesn’t have a microwave function for reheating or defrosting food using microwaves.
Which microwaves should you consider on Joybuy?
These models are designed for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen. The selection includes standard microwaves and one grill model. Before you buy, compare each model’s dimensions and manual with the space you have available.
Image unavailable
COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L black microwave
Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and defrost food without a grill function. The product title lists 700 W, 11 power levels, six preset menus and a defrost function. Check the manual for the clearances and connection requirements that will work in your kitchen.
Image unavailable
Heinrich's, 20 L solo microwave
An option for reheating meals and defrosting food, without extra oven modes. The product title lists 700 W, six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a turntable. Check the manual for ventilation space and connection requirements.
Image unavailable
Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L black microwave with grill
The grill is useful if you want to brown food as well as reheat it in the microwave; it shouldn’t be confused with the full cooking functions of an oven. The product title lists a microwave power of 700 W. Before installing it, check its dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual.
Image unavailable
Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L solo microwave
This solo model is suited to anyone looking for a microwave mainly for reheating and defrosting, rather than as a replacement for an oven. The product title mentions Quick Defrost and an integrated display. Check that its size and the clearances in the manual are suitable for your worktop.
Image unavailable
COMFEE CMO‑MP012OC(WH), 19 L white microwave
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting with a standard microwave. The product title lists 700 W, five power levels, a 30-minute timer and a 245 mm turntable. Measure the space and check the manual for the dimensions, clearances and connection requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a combination microwave when space is limited?
Not if you mainly reheat and defrost meals. A combination microwave is worth comparing if its oven functions will replace an appliance you don’t have or one that doesn’t meet your needs. If oven cooking is your priority, consider a mini oven too. In either case, measure the appliance and the space it needs for installation.
Can you put a freestanding microwave in a narrow alcove?
Don’t assume that a freestanding model can be built in. Whirlpool France says its air vents must not be blocked. Check the manual for the exact appliance to confirm its installation method, clearance requirements and connection needs before choosing an alcove.
Which container should you use to reheat a meal?
Choose a container intended for food and suitable for the specified reheating method. The DGCCRF advises following its instructions; Anses also recommends following the power and cooking-time instructions for packaged food suitable for microwave cooking.
Does a fan that keeps running after you switch the microwave off mean it’s faulty?
Not necessarily. Whirlpool France says that on some of its microwaves, the fan may continue running for 1 to 5 minutes after the appliance is switched off. This applies to the models specified by the brand; check your model’s manual if its behaviour seems unusual.