If you mainly reheat and defrost meals, a standard microwave covers the essentials; choose one with a grill if you’d also like to brown certain dishes. To cook pizzas, cakes or gratins without an oven, look specifically for a combination microwave with convection, or compare it with a mini oven if you have enough space. A mini oven won’t, however, replace a microwave’s functions. Whichever you choose, check the usable dimensions and the installation instructions for the model you’re considering.
If you’d like to occasionally prepare pizzas, cakes, gratins or roast dishes while keeping the option to reheat food, compare a combination microwave with convection against a mini oven. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these cooking functions from the uses of a standard microwave.
If you regularly reheat portions and defrost food, easy-to-use controls, the space the appliance takes up and the usable dimensions for your plates may matter more than oven-style cooking modes.
If you mainly use a microwave but sometimes want to brown the top of a dish, a model with a grill is worth considering. A grill alone doesn’t mean the appliance has the convection function needed for other oven-style cooking.
If your kitchen doesn’t have an oven, start with the dishes you actually want to prepare. A standard microwave is mainly for reheating and defrosting, a grill adds browning, while a combination microwave with convection caters for other cooking needs. If oven cooking matters more than microwave functions, compare mini ovens too. Whichever you choose, make sure you have enough space for the appliance and its installation requirements.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Oven cooking | Look for convection or fan-assisted cooking in the listed modes, and check that your tins will fit inside the cavity. | To occasionally make a pizza or cake without a traditional oven, I need a proper cooking mode suited to the dish. Around 31% of consumers put this cooking need first. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the defrost controls and the usable space for your plates. | My meals mainly need reheating or defrosting, and browning isn’t a priority. This comes first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Browning and grilling | Check that it has a grill and which modes it can be used with. | I’d like to brown the tops of some dishes, but don’t plan to bake or roast regularly. This is a priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Space and installation | Measure the appliance and the space needed to open its door; check the manual for placement and ventilation instructions. | In my small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit in its intended spot without blocking the vents. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this installation constraint. |
A microwave with a grill can brown a dish without offering the mode you need to bake a cake or pizza as you would in an oven.
Check the list of modes for the exact model and look specifically for “convection” or “fan-assisted” if this type of cooking is important to you.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your tin will fit inside the cavity or whether the appliance will fit on your worktop with the door open.
Measure the space you have and the dishes you use, then compare them with the external and internal dimensions of the model you’re considering.
Whirlpool says not to block the vents on its microwaves; an Electrolux manual states that a built-in model must be installed in its housing before use.
Check the installation type and the ventilation instructions for your specific model before deciding where to put it.
An unsuitable spot may mean you have to move the appliance or arrange the installation required for a built-in model.
The range includes freestanding microwaves, models with a grill and combination models. The MWF255B is a 25 L model that combines microwave and grill functions.
The MC28H5015AW is an example of a 28 L combination microwave that Samsung lists with convection, grill and microwave functions.
The range includes combination models with a grill and fan-assisted cooking; the 32 L MC-8090WH is one example.
The FFL020MS2 is an example of a freestanding standard microwave, designed for microwave use rather than convection cooking.
The brand’s mini ovens are another option if oven cooking matters more to you than microwave functions.
These Joybuy models let you compare standard microwaves, a model with a grill and combination microwaves for a kitchen without a traditional oven. First choose the modes you need, then check each model’s size and installation instructions against your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you reheat meals and would also like to brown dishes from time to time. Check the specific modes if you plan to cook dishes usually prepared in an oven.
The listed variant has a 20 L capacity and a stated microwave power rating of 700 W.
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If you want to keep microwave functions while cooking some dishes without a traditional oven, check the cooking modes and compatible accessories in the manual for this combination model.
Its stated capacity is 39 L; compare its overall size and installation instructions with the space you have available.
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If you want to reheat and defrost rather than brown food or cook it as you would in an oven, consider this standard model and check that your dishes will fit inside the cavity.
The listed variant has a 23 L capacity and the Quick Defrost function.
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If you’re considering a combination microwave for cooking without a traditional oven, check the manual for the modes suited to your dishes, as well as the defrost function if that matters to you.
Its stated capacity is 42 L; measure the space carefully before choosing this size.
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If you mainly reheat or defrost meals, this standard model is worth considering if its controls and cavity size suit your dishes. Don’t choose it assuming it has a grill.
Its product name lists 700 W, 6 pre-set menus, 11 power levels and a defrost function.
Not for every type of cooking: it’s mainly suited to reheating, defrosting and certain dishes designed for microwave cooking. For dishes that need an oven cooking mode, check for convection on a combination model or compare mini ovens.
No. The grill is for browning, while convection is a separate mode. If you want to bake cakes or cook other dishes as you would in an oven, check the model’s detailed features rather than relying on its product name alone.
Check its dimensions, how far the door opens, the available space, and the ventilation and connection instructions in the manual. Whirlpool specifically advises against blocking the vents; the clearance needed depends on the model.
Don’t assume so: an Electrolux manual states that its built-in model must be installed in its housing before use. If you don’t have a suitable housing, choose an appliance specifically designed for freestanding use.