If you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, a solo microwave may be all you need. A model with a grill lets you brown and crisp dishes, but doesn’t provide fan-assisted cooking. If you regularly cook oven dishes, look for a combination model whose specifications confirm this feature, or compare it with a mini oven. Whichever you choose, check the dimensions, power supply and ventilation clearances specified for the model.
If you don’t have an oven and mainly need to reheat portions and defrost food, start by looking at solo microwaves. Then check that the appliance fits the space available, with the clearances specified in its manual.
If you mainly use your microwave for reheating but would sometimes like to brown or crisp a dish, a microwave with a grill adds this function. Que Choisir’s buying guide distinguishes grilling from the fan-assisted cooking available on some combination models, so don’t rely on the grill alone for all your oven cooking.
For baking, roasts and other dishes that need oven cooking, look for a model that explicitly lists fan-assisted cooking and compare it with a mini oven. Your choice will also depend on the space available and how important microwave reheating is for your meals.
Start with the meals you actually prepare, then check the installation requirements for the model you’re considering rather than relying on its marketing name alone.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking modes | Check the microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking modes separately. For oven dishes, make sure fan-assisted cooking is explicitly listed, along with its temperature range. The word “combination” alone doesn’t tell you which modes are available. | I mainly reheat meals, so a solo model may suit me. If I want to brown or crisp dishes, I’ll look for a grill. For regular oven-style cooking, I’ll compare a fan-assisted combination microwave with a mini oven. |
| Size | Compare the external width, height and depth with the space where you plan to put the appliance. Allow room for the door to open and for the ventilation clearances specified in the manual for that exact model. Also check its weight if you’ll need to move it. | In a small kitchen or temporary home, I need to know how much space the appliance will actually take up, not just its advertised capacity in litres. |
| Power supply | Distinguish between microwave output power, power consumption and total power: these are different measurements. Check the voltage and amperage specified for the appliance and its installation. | I want to choose an appliance that’s compatible with my home’s power supply, without treating different types of power rating as equivalent. |
| Care and disposal | Check the manual for care instructions and keep any information you may need for troubleshooting. When an appliance reaches the end of its life in France, find out about the collection scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment. | I want to care for the appliance according to the manufacturer’s instructions and know where to take it when it’s no longer in use. |
An appliance may combine microwave and grill functions without offering this mode. Que Choisir distinguishes browning under a grill from the fan-assisted cooking available on some combination models.
If your meals need oven cooking, look for this mode and its temperature range in the model’s specifications, then compare its size with that of a mini oven.
Depth can vary significantly between models: Samsung France lists 374 mm for the MS23K3513AK, while Panasonic France lists 520 mm for the NN-C69KSM combination model. You’ll also need to allow for the clearances specified in each manual.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, allow for the door to open and check the ventilation requirements for the model you’re considering.
Specifications may list different measurements. For the EMZ725MMK, Electrolux France lists 900 W for the microwave, 1 000 W for the grill and 1 350 W total power. These figures are not interchangeable.
To assess the power supply you’ll need, check the model’s power consumption or total power, as well as its voltage and amperage. Don’t look at the microwave power rating alone.
The manual is useful for following installation and care instructions. In France, electrical appliances at the end of their life are covered by a collection and recycling scheme described by the ministries responsible for the ecological transition.
Keep the model’s documentation and use an appropriate collection service when you’re ready to dispose of the appliance.
These manufacturer models help illustrate the different cooking modes. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean they’re among the Joybuy products listed below.
The MS23K3513AK is an example of a solo microwave designed for reheating and defrosting.
The FEL023MS2 is a freestanding microwave with a grill, worth considering if you want to brown or crisp dishes as well as reheat food.
The EMZ725MMK combines microwave, grill and microwave-with-grill modes.
Whirlpool France describes the MWF255B as a flatbed combination microwave with microwave and grill functions.
The Optimo 19 L is an example of a mini oven for anyone who prioritises oven cooking over microwave reheating.
These models are suited to reheating and defrosting in a kitchen without an oven; some also have a grill for browning and crisping. If you plan to cook oven dishes regularly, check separately for fan-assisted cooking or compare the appliance with a mini oven.
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Worth considering if you mainly reheat and defrost meals, with a grill for occasional browning and crisping.
The product name lists 20 L and 700 W. For installation, check the manual for all required ventilation clearances, particularly above the appliance. Don’t assume that a grill provides fan-assisted cooking.
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This model is suited to reheating and defrosting, with a grill to consider if you occasionally brown or crisp dishes.
The product name lists 21 L and 800 W. Before placing it in a small kitchen, check the model documentation for its dimensions, clearances and electrical supply requirements. Don’t confuse the microwave-with-grill mode with fan-assisted cooking.
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Compare this model if you want to reheat and defrost food, then use the grill for certain dishes.
The product name lists 25 L and 900 W. Check the voltage on the rating plate and the clearances in the manual. Modes that combine microwave and grill functions don’t confirm that fan-assisted cooking is available.
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This model is suited to reheating and defrosting, with a grill to consider for occasional browning.
The product name lists 23 L and 900 W. Compare its dimensions and the clearances specified in its manual with your worktop space. A mode combining microwave and grill functions doesn’t confirm that fan-assisted cooking is available.
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This solo model is worth considering if you mainly need to reheat and defrost meals rather than brown or crisp dishes.
The product name lists 23 L and 1 150 W. Check what this power rating refers to before comparing it with other models. Also check the ventilation clearances in the manual.
No. The word “combination” doesn’t guarantee fan-assisted cooking. If you plan to cook oven dishes, look for this mode and its temperature range in the model’s specifications. For example, Panasonic France lists adjustable fan-assisted cooking for the NN-C69KSM. The marketing name alone isn’t enough to draw the same conclusion for every appliance.
A grill microwave lets you brown or crisp food as well as use the microwave functions. Que Choisir’s buying guide explains that a combination model with fan-assisted cooking adds a separate oven-cooking function. So, if you bake or cook other oven dishes, check which modes are listed.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, then compare them with the external dimensions of the model you’ve chosen. Also check that the door can open, the weight if you’ll need to move it, the electrical supply and the ventilation clearances specified in its own manual.
Compare like with like: microwave power, grill power and total power can all be different. For the EMZ725MMK, for example, Electrolux France lists 900 W for the microwave, 1 000 W for the grill and 1 350 W total power. Check the power supply details for the model you’re interested in.
Take it to an appropriate waste electrical and electronic equipment collection point rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The ministries responsible for the ecological transition describe a French collection and recycling scheme for this type of equipment.