In a small kitchen without a traditional oven, choose a solo microwave if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, a grill model if you’d also like to brown food from time to time, or a combination microwave with convection if you plan to cook dishes that would usually go in the oven. For the latter, the advertised functions aren’t the only things to consider: check how much room the appliance needs, including space for the door to open, the installation instructions and which dishes are suitable for each mode.
If you live alone or with one other person and mainly use your microwave for simple portions and defrosting, an easy-to-use model will cover your main needs. UFC-Que Choisir and Darty distinguish this type of use from grilling or convection cooking.
You reheat meals but would sometimes like to brown the top without adding a separate oven. A microwave with a grill is a good fit; having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance also has convection.
If you need your appliance to do more than reheat food, a combination microwave with convection is worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir describes this type as capable of covering some of the uses of a conventional oven, depending on the functions and dimensions of the model you choose.
Start with the dishes you actually want to cook, then check whether the right appliance will fit in the space you have. The cavity capacity alone won’t answer either question.
Choose this if: reheating, defrosting and very simple cooking make up most of your meals.
Bear in mind: it won’t brown or grill food, or offer the convection cooking of a combination microwave.
Choose this if: you mainly want to reheat food, with the option to brown some dishes.
Bear in mind: a grill alone can’t handle dishes that need convection cooking.
Choose this if: you don’t have a traditional oven and need oven-style cooking modes as well as a microwave.
Bear in mind: what you can cook depends on the programmes and accessories, as well as the space the model requires.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost settings and make sure there’s enough room for your plates and dishes. | I want to reheat meals and defrost portions without having to use lots of settings; around 42% of consumers put this simplicity first. |
| Browning and grilling | Look for a clearly stated grill function and check which accessories and dishes are suitable for this mode. | For occasional gratins, a browned finish matters more to me than oven-style cooking modes; around 25% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check for convection, then look at the external dimensions and installation instructions. | Without a traditional oven, I need to cook more than just meals for reheating; around 33% of consumers would make this versatility their priority. |
A grill can brown or crisp the top of a dish, but having one doesn’t guarantee the oven-style cooking you’d expect from a combination microwave. This distinction matters if the microwave is going to be your main cooking appliance.
For recipes that need oven cooking, look specifically for convection on the model you’re considering, then check its programmes.
The internal capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop or whether its door can open. Dimensions vary between models and according to their functions.
Measure the space and the clearance needed for the door, then compare these with the external dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions.
Whirlpool warns that blocked vents can cause overheating. Follow the installation requirements for the appliance you buy, particularly if you plan to put it in an alcove or under a cupboard.
Read the installation instructions before choosing a spot, and keep the specified ventilation openings clear.
A commercial guarantee offered by a retailer or manufacturer is separate from the legal guarantee of conformity that applies in France when you buy from a professional seller.
Keep your proof of purchase and compare the duration, exclusions and terms of any commercial guarantee, without treating it as a replacement for your legal rights.
These examples highlight features to compare within each range; the specifications don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
The range includes freestanding microwaves with a grill, as well as combination models with forced-air convection.
Samsung France separates solo, grill and combination microwaves in its freestanding range.
The FFL020MS2 offers a useful point of comparison for a freestanding microwave designed for everyday use.
The NN-CT55RW is an example of a combination microwave with several cooking modes.
These appliances are mainly suited to reheating, defrosting and simple cooking; the Beko also has a grill for occasional browning. If you want to cook dishes that would usually go in the oven, look for a clearly stated convection function on the model you’re considering.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and brown them occasionally using the grill.
The product title lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. For oven-style cooking, check separately whether it has a convection function.
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Consider this if you prioritise reheating and defrosting, with mechanical controls.
The product title lists 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Check the installation instructions before deciding where to put it.
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Compare it with models that have mechanical controls if you’d like pre-set menus for simple dishes.
The product title lists 700 W, six menus, 11 power levels and a defrost function. Check the model’s ventilation instructions to make sure it’s suitable for your chosen spot.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting if a 23 L cavity suits the dishes you use.
The product title mentions Quick Defrost and an LED display. Check the external dimensions and ventilation clearances before choosing where to put it.
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Compare it for reheating if a 25 L internal capacity suits the dishes you use.
The product title lists 900 W, but doesn’t specify which mode this power applies to. If grilling matters to you, confirm that the model has a grill on its product page; check the installation instructions too.
A combination microwave with convection can handle some oven-style cooking, as well as reheating and grilling. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these appliances from solo and grill models. For your recipes, check the temperatures, programmes, internal dimensions and accessories of the model you choose.
Check that the surface is stable, the door can open fully, there’s adequate ventilation and you’ve followed the electrical requirements in the instructions for the exact model. For the models concerned, Whirlpool recommends a flat surface, a room temperature of between 5 and 35 °C, and clear ventilation openings. Don’t assume the clearances are the same as for another model.
No. Choose a dish that’s suitable for the mode you’re using and follow its instructions. The DGCCRF advises against putting a container in an oven if it isn’t designed for that purpose. For a combination appliance, also check the instructions before using an accessory in microwave, grill or convection mode.
No, a commercial guarantee is separate from the legal guarantee of conformity. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, this legal guarantee applies for two years to a new product bought from a professional seller. Check the terms of any additional guarantee separately.