If you mainly reheat and defrost food, a solo microwave is the best choice. Choose a grill model for occasional browning, or a combi if you also plan to cook dishes that would normally go in the oven. In every case, check the external dimensions, the space needed to open the door and the ventilation clearances specified for your chosen model.
Whether you live in a studio flat, student accommodation or a holiday home, your main priority is to reheat and defrost food without giving up worktop space for features you’ll rarely use. UFC-Que Choisir lists student accommodation and holiday homes among the places where microwaves are commonly found.
You’d like to brown or grill a few dishes. A grill model is worth considering, provided its depth, controls and ease of cleaning suit your space and routine.
You’re considering a combi so you can cook some oven-style dishes without adding another appliance. UFC-Que Choisir describes this option for models with a grill and convection. Be sure to measure the space before choosing one.
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, and have another way to cook.
Bear in mind: it won’t brown food like a grill or cook using convection.
Choose this if: you’d also like to grill or brown food from time to time.
Bear in mind: a grill on its own can’t replace a convection oven.
Choose this if: you genuinely plan to use convection for some types of cooking when you don’t have an oven.
Bear in mind: check that its depth, settings and cleaning requirements suit your kitchenette.
| Feature | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Size and ventilation | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the door clearance and the ventilation gaps specified in the manual. | In my kitchenette, the appliance needs to fit without blocking the door or vents; around 33% of shoppers rank its size as their top priority. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost settings, how easy the controls are to read and whether there’s room for the dishes you usually use. | I mainly reheat portions and want to defrost food without having to work through lots of settings; for around 27% of shoppers, simplicity is the main priority. |
| Occasional browning | Check that it has a grill, and see which accessories are included and how easy the cavity is to clean. | I’d like to grill a few dishes without needing convection; around 20% of shoppers prioritise occasional browning. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check that it has convection, then look at the combi’s dimensions and weight. | I don’t have an oven at home, so I plan to cook some dishes in the same appliance; this versatility comes first for around 20% of shoppers. |
Internal capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop. For example, Whirlpool France lists a depth of 35.3 cm for its 13 L MAX49MB, compared with 49.4 cm for its MCP349WH combi.
Compare all three external dimensions, and allow enough room to open the door and meet the ventilation requirements in the manual.
A combi can combine microwave, grill and convection functions, but its features and size may be less useful if all you do is reheat portions.
Start with the dishes you plan to make: reheating, occasional browning or cooking that needs convection.
Whirlpool France advises against blocking the ventilation openings and notes that blocked ventilation can cause the appliance to overheat.
Place the appliance on a flat, stable surface and leave the clearances specified in the manual for your model.
A grill browns or grills food; convection is a different cooking function found on some combi models.
For the occasional grilled dish, look at grill models. If you’d also like to cook dishes as you would in an oven, specifically look for a combi with convection.
Whirlpool France offers a range of freestanding microwaves in different sizes and with varied features, including grill and combi models.
Samsung France divides its freestanding range into solo, grill and combi categories.
Panasonic France offers combi models that combine microwave, grill and convection functions, including the NN-CD88.
These models cover everyday reheating with a solo microwave and occasional browning with a grill. If you need convection to replace some oven functions, check that the specific model you’re considering includes it.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat food and have a grill for occasional browning.
The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. Check that your chosen spot allows for the ventilation clearances specified for this model.
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Worth considering if you want digital settings for reheating and defrosting.
The product name lists 700 W, six preset menus and 11 power levels. Before setting aside a space for it, check the manual for ventilation clearances, as well as the voltage and plug type required for your installation.
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Worth considering if your priority is reheating and quick defrosting rather than browning.
The product name lists an integrated LED display. This is a solo model: if you want to grill or cook using convection, look at another category. Check the manual for ventilation clearances.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance for reheating and browning, with a grill function.
The product name mentions a digital display. If microwave power is important to you, check its value and specification on the product page; also consult the manual for ventilation clearances.
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Worth considering for reheating if you don’t need a grill or convection.
The product name lists 700 W of power. If a dedicated defrost function matters to you, check the model’s settings; also measure the space needed for ventilation, as set out in the manual.
Yes, if you mainly plan to reheat and defrost food. A grill is useful for browning, while a combi with convection makes sense if you also plan to cook some oven-style dishes. In every case, check that you have enough space.
Don’t choose this location without consulting the manual for your model. Whirlpool France advises placing the appliance on a flat surface and keeping its ventilation openings clear; follow the specified clearances for your model.
Avoid metal containers and utensils. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that not all plastic containers are microwave-safe, so check the label on the container before use.
No. It can combine several functions, but its size still needs to suit the space you have. Check its external dimensions, door clearance and ventilation, then consider whether you’ll actually use the grill and convection functions.