Primarily for reheating and defrosting
If you already cook on a hob or often reheat ready meals, a solo microwave covers your main needs without adding an oven-cooking function you don’t need.
Which option is right for you?
Several cooking options in one appliance
If you’d also like to brown a dish, make a pizza or bake a cake without having to make room for two appliances, consider a combination microwave. Check that its programmes suit your recipes and that it will fit on your worktop.
Oven-style cooking in a kitchenette
If roasts and baking matter more to you than microwave reheating, a mini oven may be a better match. Moulinex recommends models under 33 L in particular for single people, couples and students who don’t cook large quantities. Still, make sure you measure the appliance itself.
How do the options compare?
Solo microwave
Choose this if: reheating and defrosting make up most of your cooking needs.
The trade-off: it won’t brown food like a grill or offer fan-assisted heat like an appliance with that feature.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you mainly reheat food but would also like to brown or grill dishes occasionally.
The trade-off: a grill alone won’t replace fan-assisted cooking for oven-style recipes.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you want one appliance to handle reheating and several cooking methods.
The trade-off: according to UFC-Que Choisir, performance varies by function and model, particularly for the grill and fan-assisted cooking.
Compact mini oven
Choose this if: baking, roasts and other oven-style dishes are your priority.
The trade-off: it doesn’t offer microwave reheating or defrosting.
If your studio flat doesn’t have an oven, start with the dishes you actually cook, then check that the appliance and the clearance it needs for ventilation will fit in the space you have in mind.
| What you need | What to check | Who this suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Microwave function, defrost programme and external dimensions. | If I already prepare meals on a hob, I mainly want to reheat a dish or defrost food without using an oven; around 36% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill, and the instructions for dishes and accessories that can be used with this function. | I want to finish off a gratin or brown some toast now and again, without making baking my main use; this would be a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Combining several functions | The modes actually available, particularly grill and fan-assisted cooking, as well as the dimensions and required clearances. | If there’s room on the worktop for only one appliance, I want to reheat food and cook some oven-style dishes; around 29% of consumers would put this versatility first. |
| Prioritising oven cooking | Cooking modes, capacity to suit the dishes you plan to make and external dimensions. | If I mainly cook roasts or bake, I’m happy to reheat food without a microwave; oven-style cooking would come first for around 14% of consumers. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Confusing the grill with oven cooking
A grill browns the surface of food. Its presence doesn’t mean the appliance has the fan-assisted setting you may need for some baking or oven-style cooking.
Make a note of the dishes you cook most often, then check that the model you’re considering has the corresponding cooking mode.
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Choosing by capacity without measuring the appliance
Capacity describes the interior cavity, not the space the appliance takes up on your worktop. For example, the Whirlpool MWF259SG combination microwave has a 25 L capacity and is 46.8 cm deep, according to Whirlpool France.
Compare the appliance’s external width, height and depth with the space available, and allow for the clearances specified in the instructions for the exact model.
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Blocking ventilation to save space
Whirlpool France says a microwave should be placed on a flat surface with its ventilation openings unobstructed.
Keep objects away from these openings and follow the installation instructions for your appliance.
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Using the same dish for every cooking mode
UFC-Que Choisir notes that metal and some plastics aren’t suitable for microwave use. Instructions may also vary depending on whether you’re using the grill or a combination mode.
Check that your dish is suitable for the selected mode in both the dish and appliance instructions.
Brands to consider
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers freestanding microwaves, including solo, grill and combination models.
- According to Whirlpool France, the MWF259SG combination model has a 25 L cavity and combines microwave and grill functions.
- For this 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm model, check the available space and ventilation instructions before deciding whether its functions are right for you.
Samsung
Samsung France’s range includes freestanding combination microwaves that combine microwave and grill functions with hot-air circulation.
- Samsung France lists the MC28M6035CK/EF as a 28 L combination microwave with a microwave output of 900 W.
- Check the dimensions, the modes that suit your recipes and the model’s power consumption.
Moulinex
Moulinex France offers freestanding mini ovens for people who prioritise oven-style cooking.
- According to Moulinex France, the Optimo 19 L has fan-assisted cooking, six modes and a thermostat that goes up to 240 °C.
- A mini oven doesn’t offer microwave reheating. Make sure you check its external dimensions rather than relying on capacity alone.
Microwaves to consider on Joybuy
These models are mainly for reheating and defrosting, with a grill on some appliances. If fan-assisted cooking or oven-style dishes are your priority, check for these functions specifically rather than assuming they’re included just because the appliance has a ‘grill’.
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Beko MGC20100B1, microwave with grill, 20 L
For reheating and defrosting, with the option to brown a dish now and again.
Freestanding 20 L appliance; stated dimensions: 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm. Allow for the side and rear clearances specified for this model, and check that its plug is compatible with your electrical installation.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H, solo microwave, 25 L
For reheating and defrosting in a freestanding 25 L appliance.
The stated microwave output is 900 W. The title describes this as a solo model, while the description mentions a grill. If browning food matters to you, confirm that this function is available on the model supplied. Also check the required clearances before choosing a spot for it.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, microwave with grill, 25 L
For reheating and defrosting, with the option to brown food now and again.
Freestanding 25 L appliance with a grill and multi-stage cooking. Before buying, check its power consumption, the required power supply and the installation clearances in the instructions.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih, microwave with grill, 25 L
For reheating and defrosting, with occasional use of the grill.
Freestanding 25 L appliance; stated dimensions: 47,6 × 38,8 × 27,2 cm. Check the instructions for the power output in microwave mode, electrical specifications and ventilation clearance required.
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Samsung MS23K3513 Quick Defrost, solo microwave, 23 L
For people who mainly want to reheat and defrost food, without relying on a grill or oven-style cooking.
Stated capacity of 23 L and microwave output of 800 W. Check the instructions for ventilation clearances before deciding where to place it.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should you leave around a freestanding microwave?
Follow the clearances specified in the instructions for the model you choose, as they vary from one appliance to another. Whirlpool France recommends placing the microwave on a flat surface and keeping its ventilation openings clear. Don’t put a freestanding model in a recess unless it meets the installation requirements.
What should you check about the plug before buying an appliance?
Compare the voltage, frequency, power consumption and plug type shown on the rating plate or in the instructions with the electrical supply in your studio flat. Microwave output power is a different specification and isn’t enough on its own to confirm the required power supply.
Does a combination microwave cook like a mini oven?
Not necessarily. The functions and results depend on the model and programme you use. UFC-Que Choisir assesses the grill, combination cooking, pizza and fan-assisted cooking separately, so compare the available modes with the dishes you make most often.
Can you use any dish in a microwave?
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, metal utensils and some plastic containers aren’t suitable for microwave mode. Check the instructions for both the dish and the appliance, especially when switching from microwave mode to the grill or a combination programme.