Everyday reheating with limited worktop space
If you mainly reheat meals and defrost food, start with a solo microwave that fits in your kitchenette. UFC-Que Choisir lists reheating and defrosting among the most common uses for a microwave.
Who is each type for?
Grilling dishes without a conventional oven
If you’d like to brown a dish now and then as well as reheat food, consider a grill model. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this function from the convection cooking offered by a combination microwave.
More versatile cooking in temporary accommodation
If you don’t have access to a usable oven and genuinely plan to cook or roast food, a combination microwave with convection is worth comparing. However, measure the space where it will go before choosing this type of appliance.
What should you look for?
Start with the meals you prepare, then check that both the appliance and your dishes will fit. If cooking and roasting matter more to you than reheating, compare an air fryer too: UFC-Que Choisir says it can cook, roast and grill, while noting that it takes up space.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and dish size | Overall dimensions, room to open the door, and the internal dimensions or turntable diameter. | In a kitchenette, I want the appliance to fit on the worktop without having to replace the dishes I usually use. Around 36% of consumers put space and compatibility first. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Defrost settings and useful controls for the meals you prepare. | If I mainly reheat portions and defrost food, extra cooking modes don’t matter much to me. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill setting and accessories that are suitable for using it. | I sometimes want to brown a dish, but don’t plan to use convection cooking regularly. Around 21% of consumers put browning top of their list. |
| Cooking without an oven | Whether it has convection cooking, its dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual. | Without a usable oven, I also plan to cook or roast food, so I need to be able to install the appliance properly. More versatile cooking is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity in litres alone
Two microwaves with a similar internal capacity won’t necessarily have the same room for a plate or dish. Capacity also doesn’t tell you how much worktop space the appliance will take up.
Compare the external dimensions with the space you have, then check the turntable diameter or internal dimensions against your dishes.
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Choosing a combination microwave just for the odd browned dish
A grill microwave lets you brown dishes, but doesn’t necessarily offer convection cooking. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these two types of appliance and notes that combination models are more expensive.
If you’ll only brown dishes occasionally, compare grill models first. Consider a combination microwave if you’ll use its convection function regularly.
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Forgetting about ventilation when installing it
Whirlpool says that ventilation grilles must be kept clear and that nothing should be placed on top of the microwave.
Check the manual for the model you choose to find out how much clearance it needs before making space for it in a cabinet or on a shelf.
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Assuming a container is microwave-safe
Whirlpool’s FAQ advises against using metal dishes and those with gold trim, among other things. Anses warns that overheating food can increase the migration of substances from some food packaging.
Before use, check the instructions on the container and packaging, as well as the appliance manual.
Brands to compare
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s freestanding range includes solo microwaves and models with a grill.
- Whirlpool describes the MWP201W as a 20 L, 700 W solo model measuring 45,2 × 26,2 × 35 cm.
- The grill-equipped MWF259SG measures 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm, according to the brand. Check that you have enough depth in particular.
Electrolux
The freestanding Y4ZM25MMK lets you compare the published dimensions of a microwave with a grill.
- Electrolux gives external dimensions of 280 × 469 × 348 mm and internal dimensions of 228 × 329 × 328 mm.
- Its listed modes are microwave, grill, and microwave with grill. Don’t confuse these with a convection function.
Brandt
The GE2302W is an example of a freestanding microwave with a grill for which Brandt provides detailed cavity dimensions.
- Brandt gives the cavity dimensions as 221 × 314 × 347 mm and the turntable diameter as 28,8 cm.
- The appliance measures 293 × 485 × 408 mm, according to the brand. Check that these dimensions will fit your space too.
Severin
The MW 7774 is an example of a freestanding combination microwave with several cooking modes.
- According to Severin, its microwave, grill and convection functions can be used separately or together.
- Check its dimensions and availability for your purchase rather than choosing a combination model based on its functions alone.
Microwaves to consider on Joybuy
These models cover everyday reheating, occasional browning and more versatile cooking. First, choose the functions you’ll use, then check the space available and the specifications of the model you’re considering.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, 700 W, black
For reheating and defrosting without the need for a grill function. The model name indicates 11 power levels and six pre-set programmes. Compare the cavity dimensions and ventilation requirements with your installation.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L, 700 W, black
Worth considering if you’d also like to brown dishes occasionally. Check that your dishes will fit in the cavity and consult the manual to allow enough space around the appliance.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, 20 L, 700 W
An option for meals that are mainly reheated or defrosted. Before installing it, compare the space available and the size of your dishes with the model’s dimensions, then follow the clearance guidance in the manual.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H Solo, 25 L, 900 W, black
Worth a look if you’re after a 25 L microwave for reheating meals. If browning is important to you, check the cooking modes available on this particular variant. Also check the usable space inside and the installation clearances.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB 3-in-1 combination microwave, 42 L
Worth considering if you plan to use several cooking modes in accommodation without a practical oven. Its 42 L capacity means you’ll need to measure the space carefully. Check the manual for the functions you need, including defrosting, and for the ventilation clearances.
Frequently asked questions
What should I measure before buying a microwave for a studio flat?
Measure the available width, depth and height, remembering to allow room to open the door and ventilate the appliance. Then compare your dishes with the internal dimensions or turntable diameter: capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether they’ll fit.
Can I put a freestanding microwave in a closed cabinet?
Only do so if the manual for your model permits it and you can meet its ventilation requirements. Whirlpool says not to block the ventilation grilles or place anything on top of the appliance.
What containers can I use in a microwave?
Use containers that are suitable for microwave use, as indicated by their labelling, the food packaging and the appliance manual. Whirlpool advises against using metal and dishes with gold trim, among other things. Anses recommends following the power and cooking time instructions on packaging intended for microwave use.
What should I do with my microwave at the end of a temporary stay?
If it still works, consider keeping it, giving it away or selling it. ADEME also recommends repairing it where possible. If you need to get rid of it, it advises returning it to a shop or taking it to an electrical equipment collection point.