A solo microwave is ideal if you mainly reheat and defrost food, while a grill model is best suited to browning or gratinating. If you regularly need to cook pizzas, cakes or roasts without a traditional oven, choose a combination model with an explicitly stated fan oven function, and check its dimensions, capacity and accessories.
In a studio flat or student accommodation, a microwave can handle everyday reheating and some cooking. Your choice mainly depends on how often you prepare dishes that require a grill or fan oven, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
A combination model can save you from adding another appliance to your worktop while still allowing you to brown, bake or roast occasionally. However, measure the available space before choosing this format.
If you regularly prepare pizzas, gratins, pastries or roasts, look for an explicitly stated fan oven function rather than just a grill.
Choose this if: reheating, defrosting and a few quick cooking tasks cover most of your meals.
Limitation: it has neither a grill nor a fan oven function for oven-style cooking.
Choose this if: you mainly want to brown or gratinate food as well as reheat it.
Limitation: a grill alone cannot replace fan-assisted cooking.
Choose this if: the appliance also needs to cook pizzas, cakes, gratins or roasts regularly.
Bear in mind: these models are often larger, and you should carefully check the functions offered by each model.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking functions | Check that it has a microwave function for reheating and defrosting, a grill for browning, and an explicitly stated fan oven or convection function for oven-style cooking. | I mainly reheat meals: a solo model may be enough. To make pizzas, cakes or roasts regularly, I would look for a genuine fan oven function. |
| Size and capacity | Compare the external width, height and depth with your worktop. Also check the internal dimensions, turntable and the dishes you use. | I need to be able to install the appliance without blocking my kitchenette, while still having room for the portions and dishes I plan to use. |
| Ease of use | For an appliance that partly replaces an oven, consult tests covering reheating, defrosting, grilling, fan-assisted cooking, temperature control and ergonomics. | I want easy-to-understand controls and consistent results for the tasks I will perform most often. |
A grill can brown or gratinate food, but it does not automatically provide the fan-assisted heat needed for cakes, pizzas or roasts. You could end up choosing an appliance that is not powerful or versatile enough to replace a traditional oven.
If you want to cook regularly as you would in a small oven, look for “fan oven” or “convection” in the specifications, rather than just “grill” or “combination”.
Two combination models with different capacities can both be deep and difficult to fit on a small worktop. The cavity volume alone does not tell you how much space the appliance will take up externally.
Measure the available space, then compare the model’s width, height and depth with the installation instructions in its manual.
Similar programme names do not guarantee the same reheating, browning, temperature accuracy or ease of use across different models.
For an appliance intended to replace an oven, prioritise independent tests that assess defrosting, reheating, grilling, pizza, fan-assisted cooking and ergonomics separately.
In France, the statutory conformity guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual, according to the French Ministry of the Economy.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its duration, the faults covered, exclusions, any additional costs and what it genuinely adds to this guarantee.
A commercial warranty may be optional and chargeable; its value depends on the additional protection it actually provides.
Whirlpool offers freestanding and built-in combination microwaves, with some models combining microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions.
LG sells combination microwaves that bring together microwave, grill and fan oven functions, including large-capacity models.
Panasonic offers multifunction microwave ovens combining microwave, grill and convection functions on selected models.
These Joybuy options are combination microwaves with fan-assisted cooking for kitchens without a traditional oven, allowing you to combine reheating, grilling and some oven-style cooking in a single appliance.
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For everyday reheating as well as oven-style cooking in a kitchen without a traditional oven.
Listed functions: microwave, defrosting, grill, convection and preheating; 39 L cavity, 36 cm turntable and a range of 40 to 200 °C.
The stated depth of 52,5 cm means you should check the available space and the ventilation clearances specified in the manual.
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An option worth considering if you prepare several portions and want to combine microwave, grill and convection oven functions in a single appliance.
Listed features: 42 L capacity, temperature range of 140 to 230 °C, 30 programmes and a baking tray included.
With stated dimensions of 55,3 × 50,5 × 32,6 cm and a weight of 20 kg, measure your worktop and check the required clearances before installation.
It can replace a significant number of oven functions if the model has an explicitly stated fan oven or convection function and its cavity can accommodate your dishes. However, convection performance, grilling, temperature accuracy and ease of use vary between models.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the model’s exact external dimensions and installation instructions. Do not choose based on litre capacity alone: the Whirlpool MCP349WH is listed at 25 L and 52 × 30,1 × 49,4 cm, while the LG MJ3965ACW is listed at 39 L and 54,4 × 32,7 × 52,5 cm.
No, a grill is mainly used for browning and gratinating. To cook cakes, pizzas or roasts regularly, look for an explicitly stated fan oven or convection function.
When sold by a professional to a private individual, a new, second-hand or refurbished microwave is covered by the statutory conformity guarantee, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Check that the stated functions, accessories and installation instructions match the use you have in mind.
You can take it to a collection point or recycling centre, return it to a retailer, or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation. When buying an appliance of the same type, the “1-for-1” take-back scheme applies; “1-for-0” take-back depends in particular on the sales area dedicated to this category.