If you don’t have a conventional oven, start by thinking about the meals you regularly prepare. A solo microwave is mainly for reheating and defrosting; a grill model adds browning, while a combination microwave with convection lets you cook food in an oven-like way. If dry-heat cooking is your priority and you can reheat food another way, it’s also worth comparing a mini oven. In every case, check the space available, which dishes will fit and the features of the exact model.
Que Choisir distinguishes between solo, grill and combination microwaves based on the types of cooking they offer. These options can be useful when kitting out student accommodation or a holiday home.
In a studio flat or holiday home, you mainly want to reheat food, defrost ingredients and prepare small portions, without regularly browning dishes. A solo microwave meets these needs, but make sure your plates will fit inside.
You want the convenience of a microwave, as well as the option to brown some dishes. In this case, the grill function is the key feature to look for, but don’t assume it also offers convection cooking.
Quiches, pizzas, cakes or roasts are genuinely part of your meal plans. Look for a combination microwave whose specifications confirm convection, then check its temperature range, dimensions and which accessories will work with your dishes.
If your home doesn’t have a conventional oven, start with your main cooking needs before comparing features and size.
| Your priority | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the reheating and defrosting controls, then make sure the usable space is big enough for your plates. | If leftovers and frozen meals make up most of what you eat, these functions matter more than browning. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Browning | Check that it has a grill function and that your dishes or accessories are suitable for use with it. | If you want to brown a gratin now and then without convection cooking, the grill becomes your main consideration. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Oven-style cooking in one appliance | Look for ‘convection’ in the specifications, and compare the temperature range, dimensions and accessories too. | If you plan to regularly make pizzas, quiches or cakes with a single appliance, check that it offers oven-style cooking. Around 33% of consumers put this option first. |
| Separate dry-heat cooking | Compare how much space the appliances take up and how you’ll reheat and defrost food. | If oven-style cooking matters more than microwave functions, it’s worth comparing a mini oven, especially if you can reheat food another way. Around 20% of consumers prefer this set-up. |
A grill can brown food, but its presence doesn’t confirm that the appliance can cook in an oven-like way. The word ‘combination’ on its own doesn’t tell you which cooking modes are available either.
List the dishes you’ll make often and, if they need it, look specifically for ‘convection’ in the model’s specifications.
The capacity in litres won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop or whether your dishes will go through the door and fit inside.
Measure the space you have and the dishes you use regularly, then compare them with the model’s stated external and internal dimensions.
According to Que Choisir, a plastic container that’s suitable for microwave use isn’t necessarily safe to use with the grill or convection functions.
Only use containers with the modes permitted by their instructions and the appliance manual. Also check the guidance on metal utensils and sealed containers.
In France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds consumers that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. A commercial warranty is separate.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its written terms, exclusions and additional services with the legal protection you already have.
These ranges offer useful points of comparison for the features you’re looking for. The specifications mentioned apply to the models listed, not every appliance from each brand.
Whirlpool France offers freestanding microwaves, including grill and combination models, worth comparing if you plan to put the appliance on a worktop.
Samsung France offers a range of convection combination microwaves for anyone who wants several cooking modes in one appliance.
The French product information for the Panasonic NN-C69K is a useful example of what to check if convection cooking is important to you.
These models cover everyday reheating, grill options and a convection combination microwave. If you’re choosing an appliance for a home without a conventional oven, check the exact functions of each model rather than relying on its category name alone.
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For everyday reheating and defrosting, with a grill function for browning dishes from time to time.
The stated microwave power is 700 W. The turntable measures 245 mm and the stated external dimensions are 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm. Compare them with your available space and dishes.
If you plan to cook food in an oven-like way regularly, check the model’s specifications to confirm it has convection. Also check which accessories are included and whether they’re suitable for use with the grill.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat, defrost and brown food, provided a 25 L appliance will suit your kitchen.
The title gives the microwave power as 900 W; the information for this model lists a 28,8 cm turntable and a quartz grill. Compare the turntable diameter with the size of your dishes.
If you need convection for your recipes, check the exact product specifications to confirm this function. Also check which accessories are included and which containers are suitable for use with the grill.
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If you’re choosing an appliance mainly for reheating and defrosting, compare its size with the space available in your kitchen.
The title lists 900 W and 25 L; the information for this model gives a 28,8 cm turntable. It is also described as a ‘solo’ model, so check explicitly whether it has a grill before choosing it for browning food.
Follow the installation clearances specified for this model and read its manual before using a dish with a hot cooking function.
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If you want to cook food in an oven-like way without giving up microwave reheating, this model combines microwave, grill and convection functions.
Its stated capacity is 42 L and its temperature range is 140 to 230 °C. Check that this range suits the dishes you plan to cook.
At a stated weight of 20 kg, you’ll need to check the location, external dimensions and required clearances carefully. The manual should also confirm which dishes are suitable for each mode.
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Worth a look if you want to reheat and defrost food, with a quartz grill for browning some dishes.
The stated capacity is 25 L. Before choosing this model for cakes or roasts, check its specifications to confirm that it has convection, rather than assuming this from its automatic programmes.
Check the external dimensions, the accessories included and the guidance on which dishes are suitable for use with the grill.
Not for every dish. It’s mainly suited to reheating, defrosting and some quick cooking. If you regularly want to brown food and cook with convection, look for a model whose specifications explicitly confirm both functions.
Don’t rely on the grill alone for oven-style cooking: its main purpose is to brown food. If you plan to make quiches or cakes, check that the model has convection and that its temperature range is suitable.
Choose containers according to the cooking mode you’re using, not just the name of the appliance. Que Choisir advises that plastic suitable for microwave mode must not be used under the grill or with convection. Also follow the model’s manual for metal utensils, and avoid sealed containers because of the risk of pressure build-up.
Unplug the appliance before cleaning and follow its manual. Que Choisir recommends using a sponge lightly dampened with washing-up liquid, then rinsing and drying, rather than using abrasive products or sponges. If a cleaning cycle is advertised, check the instructions for your particular model.
No. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds consumers that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. A commercial warranty is separate, so check its terms to find out what extra services it provides.