A compact solo microwave is a good choice if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food. Choose a grill model for occasional browning, or a combination microwave with convection if you also plan to cook dishes in the way you would in an oven. In a kitchenette, check the appliance dimensions, the space needed for ventilation and the dishes that will fit inside. A combination microwave won’t necessarily replace a traditional oven for every type of cooking.
If worktop space is limited and you mainly reheat or defrost meals, a solo model is a good place to start. UFC-Que Choisir highlights student accommodation and holiday homes as examples of places where a microwave comes in handy.
If you reheat gratins or pizzas and would sometimes like to brown them, a grill function offers something different from simple reheating. However, it doesn’t provide convection cooking.
If you plan to cook small oven-style dishes as well as reheat food, consider combination microwaves with convection. Their benefits depend on the space available, the cavity dimensions and the functions you’ll actually use.
First decide whether you only want to reheat food, brown dishes too, or cook using convection. Then measure the actual space for the appliance, allowing for the door to open and the clearances specified in the instruction manual.
| What to consider | What to check | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Space and ventilation | Compare the external dimensions with the space available, and check the required clearances and door opening instructions in the manual. | When every centimetre of worktop space counts, the appliance must fit without blocking its vents. Around 33% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Look at the controls, power settings and usable turntable or cavity size. | For reheating ready meals every day, easy-to-use controls matter more than extra functions. This is the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Check that the appliance has a grill and find out which containers and accessories are suitable for this function. | If you mainly want to finish off a gratin and don’t plan to bake or roast, a grill may be enough. Around 13% of consumers prioritise browning. |
| Oven-style cooking | Look for a convection function, then check the temperature range and usable cavity dimensions. | If you don’t have a convenient oven, a combination microwave may be worth considering for cooking or roasting small dishes too. This is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
Two appliances with a similar capacity can take up different amounts of space. In a kitchenette, external dimensions and ventilation matter just as much as the space inside.
Measure your worktop and the space needed to open the door, then check the manual for the exact model to make sure its vents will remain unobstructed.
A grill can brown or crisp the top of a dish, but having one doesn’t mean the appliance also has a convection cooking function.
If you plan to bake regularly or roast small dishes, look specifically for convection and check the adjustable temperature and compatible accessories.
A container that’s suitable for microwave use may not be suitable for the heat of a grill or convection function. UFC-Que Choisir recommends using plastic only in microwave mode.
Before switching cooking functions, follow the instructions provided by both the container and appliance manufacturers.
A used microwave is electrical equipment and should be taken to an appropriate collection point rather than put out with ordinary household waste.
If you’re replacing an appliance, ask the retailer about arranging its take-back when you buy your new one. ecosystem also explains the take-back options for electrical appliances.
These ranges offer a useful comparison between solo, grill and combination models. Always check the specifications of the model and version you’re considering.
Panasonic France’s range includes solo microwaves and combination models with convection.
Whirlpool France offers freestanding microwaves as well as compact built-in models.
Samsung France’s range includes combination microwaves with several cooking functions.
The Brandt GE2302W is an example of a freestanding microwave with a grill for occasionally browning dishes.
These models are suitable for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen; one also has a grill for browning dishes. If you want to cook using convection, look separately at combination microwaves with this function.
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Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food in a kitchenette, without a grill function.
The product details list six power levels, a defrost function and a 30-minute timer. Check the ventilation clearances in the manual before installation.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and occasionally brown a dish.
The grill isn’t a convection function. Before using it, check that your containers and accessories are suitable for this setting.
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This solo model is designed mainly for reheating and defrosting.
When planning where to put it on your worktop, allow for the 10 cm clearance on each side specified for this model, as well as its dimensions.
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Worth considering if you’d prefer digital settings rather than mechanical controls for reheating and defrosting.
The product details list six preset menus and 11 power levels. Check the manual to allow for ventilation around the appliance.
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This model is for people who mainly want to reheat and defrost food, with a 23 L cavity.
Before comparing it with another model, check its dimensions, ventilation clearances and microwave output power.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then allow for the door to open and the clearances required by the manual. Whirlpool reminds customers not to block a microwave’s vents, so don’t assume a freestanding model can be placed inside an enclosed cupboard.
A combination microwave with convection may meet some of your cooking needs if its cavity can fit the dishes you prepare. For example, Panasonic lists a 40 °C setting and a range of 100 to 220 °C for the NN-C69KSM. That doesn’t mean every combination microwave is equivalent to a traditional oven. Compare the usable dimensions, functions and accessories of the model you’re considering.
No: a container that’s suitable for microwave mode isn’t automatically suitable for the grill or convection function. UFC-Que Choisir recommends using plastic only with the microwave function. Check the instructions from both the container and appliance manufacturers too.
Ask the retailer how to arrange take-back of your old appliance when you buy a new one. ecosystem explains the take-back options available when buying electrical equipment; check what arrangements are offered with your purchase.