If you mainly reheat and defrost portions, start with a solo microwave. Choose a grill model if you want to brown dishes regularly. If you need to bake or roast without an oven, consider a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking, provided its dimensions, door clearance and required ventilation space suit your kitchen.
UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide distinguishes between solo microwaves, grill models and combination microwaves. The function to prioritise depends on the meals you plan to prepare, not just the stated capacity.
In a studio flat or holiday home, you mainly want to reheat portions and defrost food without having to navigate lots of functions. A solo model may be all you need if you don’t regularly brown food or cook dishes that would normally go in an oven.
You mainly use your microwave for reheating, but would also like to brown the top of a few dishes. A grill model can meet this need, but don’t assume it also offers fan-assisted cooking.
You want to bake, roast or brown food using a single appliance. A combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking is worth considering, but check how much space it needs and how easy its different modes are to use.
If your home doesn’t have a usable oven, start with the type of cooking that matters most to you. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the difference between a grill, which browns food, and the additional cooking functions offered by combination microwaves.
Choose this: for reheating and defrosting, if you don’t regularly need to brown food.
The trade-off: it doesn’t have a grill or fan-assisted cooking for dishes that need these modes.
Choose this: if browning dishes is part of your routine, but you don’t plan to replace oven cooking altogether.
The trade-off: a grill doesn’t mean the appliance also has fan-assisted cooking.
Choose this: if you need microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking modes to cook without a conventional oven.
Bear in mind: there are more settings to navigate, and you’ll need to check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
| Priority | What to check | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the turntable diameter with your plates and check that the microwave has a defrost function. | If I mainly prepare portions to reheat, I want controls suited to that use rather than cooking modes I’m unlikely to use. Around 42% of consumers prioritise reheating and defrosting. |
| Cooking instead of using an oven | Check for fan-assisted cooking and make sure the usable space is suitable for your dishes. | Without an oven, I need to be able to cook or roast the dishes I usually make, not just reheat food. This is the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Browning dishes | Check that it has a grill and find out which accessories can be used with this mode. | I’d like to brown some dishes, but I don’t need the appliance to become my main oven. Browning is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
If you almost always reheat and defrost food, the grill and fan-assisted modes may make the settings more complicated without meeting a regular need.
Before choosing between a solo, grill or combination model, make a note of the dishes you actually want to cook or brown.
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external depth or how much room you need to open the door. Whirlpool France also advises that the ventilation grilles must not be blocked.
Measure your worktop, allow room to open the door and check the clearances required in the instructions for your chosen model.
Anses recommends following the power and cooking time instructions for food you’re reheating. Heating it for too long increases the risk of substances migrating from the packaging into the food.
Use a container in good condition that is labelled as microwave-safe, and follow the food’s preparation instructions.
It’s worth arranging what will happen to your old microwave when you organise delivery of the new one.
Ask the retailer how take-back works for your chosen delivery option. In France, ecosystem offers take-back when you buy an equivalent appliance, known as « 1 pour 1 ».
An option to consider if you’re looking for a freestanding combination microwave with microwave, grill and convection functions.
An option to consider for dishes that call for a combination microwave with a large turntable.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large-capacity combination microwave for cooking without an oven.
These models cover two needs in a home without an oven: reheating with a solo microwave and browning with a grill microwave. If you plan to bake or roast using fan-assisted cooking, check explicitly that the appliance you’re considering has this mode.
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For reheating, defrosting and browning dishes when you need a grill.
Stated microwave output of 700 W; 245 mm turntable and external dimensions of 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm. Check that your dishes fit on the turntable and follow the stated clearances for installation.
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For reheating meals and browning dishes, with modes that combine microwave and grill functions.
The product name states a power rating of 900 W; this model is described as having a 1 150 W quartz grill and a 28,8 cm turntable. Installation requires 20 cm of clearance above and 10 cm on each side. Also check that there’s room to open the door.
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For prioritising reheating and defrosting over browning dishes.
It has a 28,8 cm turntable and external dimensions of 48,9 × 27,5 × 37,4 cm. The product name states 1 150 W, but doesn’t specify what this figure refers to here. Check the instructions for the required clearances and door-opening space.
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For reheating and defrosting portions without needing a grill.
Stated power output of 700 W, five power levels, a 30-minute timer and a 245 mm turntable. Compare this diameter with your containers, and check the instructions for the external dimensions and installation requirements.
A solo microwave is suitable for reheating, defrosting and some quick cooking, but not for dishes that need a grill or fan-assisted cooking. If you regularly plan to bake or roast without an oven, look for a combination microwave that explicitly lists these modes, and check the size of the dishes it can accommodate.
Follow the clearances specified in the instructions for your chosen model, as they vary between appliances. Whirlpool France advises that the ventilation grilles must not be blocked. Also measure the available space and allow enough room to open the door.
Choose a container in good condition that is labelled as suitable for microwave use, then follow the instructions for the food you’re reheating. Anses recommends following the power and cooking time instructions on the relevant food packaging.
Ask the retailer about take-back options before choosing a delivery service for your new appliance. In France, ecosystem offers take-back when you buy equivalent equipment, known as « 1 pour 1 ». Check how to hand over your old microwave as part of your order.