For a studio flat where you mainly reheat and defrost individual portions, start by comparing solo microwaves. A grill is worth considering if you regularly want to brown food; a combination microwave may suit you if you also plan to use its cooking modes instead of a conventional oven for some tasks. In every case, check how much room you need for the appliance, opening the door and ventilation, as well as the size of your dishes.
If you mainly use plates, bowls or leftovers, a solo microwave covers these needs without adding a cooking mode you don’t need. Before choosing one for a studio flat, compare its footprint and turntable size with the containers you usually use.
If pizza, toasted sandwiches or gratins are regular features of your meals, a model with a grill gives you the option of a golden finish without needing a separate appliance. Check the modes available on the model you’re considering: having a grill doesn’t mean it also has fan-assisted cooking.
A combination microwave may suit you if you’ll genuinely use the cooking modes listed for that model as well as its reheating function. Check its depth in particular, and read the installation instructions before setting aside space on your worktop.
Start with the meals you make, then weigh up the useful features against the space available and the size of your dishes.
| Priority | What to check | Based on my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the functions of solo microwaves and the defrost programmes available on each model. Check that your containers will fit inside the cavity. | I mainly reheat a single portion or leftovers and want to avoid adding another appliance for this task. |
| Browning and cooking | A grill is used to brown and crisp food, as LG France explains. If you want cooking closer to that of an oven, check which modes the combination model you’re considering actually offers. | A grill appeals if I often brown my dishes; I’d only consider a combination model if I’d also use its other cooking modes. |
| Other appliances | Compare a mini oven if cooking and browning are your main priorities. An air fryer is better suited to food designed for its drawer; don’t assume either appliance can defrost food using microwaves. | If my main need is cooking rather than defrosting, I can compare these appliances with a combination microwave, taking into account how much room they need. |
| Size and space | Measure the external width, height and depth, then allow room to open the door. Follow the clearances in the instructions and don’t block the vents: Whirlpool France highlights this in its installation advice. | My worktop is narrow: the stated capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell me whether the appliance will fit there. |
| Dishes and accessories | Compare the turntable diameter or cavity dimensions with your dishes. Check the instructions to find out which accessories and containers are suitable for each mode. | I want to use my usual plates without assuming that an included rack makes all metal items safe to use. |
Two microwaves may have a similar stated capacity but take up different amounts of space and fit different-sized dishes. External dimensions, cavity size and turntable size each tell you something different.
Measure the space, the room needed to open the door and the containers you use regularly. Then compare these measurements with the specifications of the model you’re considering.
Extra modes are only useful when you plan to use them. They don’t mean you can skip checking the appliance’s dimensions.
Make a note of the meals you usually prepare: reheating and defrosting point to a solo model, regular browning to a grill, and cooking that needs other modes to a suitable combination model.
Whirlpool France states that the ventilation grilles on a microwave must not be obstructed.
Check the instructions for the exact model to allow for the required installation clearances, rather than relying only on the appliance’s external dimensions.
Samsung France explains that the rack supplied with certain models has specific features that make it suitable for use. This doesn’t mean that other metal items are automatically safe to use.
Check the instructions to see which accessories are suitable and in which modes before placing them inside the appliance.
These brands offer different types of model; compare each model’s features and dimensions individually.
The French range includes freestanding solo microwaves, grill models and combination models.
Samsung France features solo and combination models, with documentation specific to each one.
LG France features solo microwaves, grill models and combination models.
This selection includes solo microwaves and grill models for reheating, defrosting or browning food in a small home. Compare each model with your available space and dishes; this selection doesn’t cover every option discussed in the article.
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Worth considering if you’d also like to brown dishes without adding a separate appliance. This model is listed with a grill, a capacity of 20 L and a microwave power rating of 700 W. Check its instructions for the space needed for installation and which accessories are suitable for each mode.
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An option for meals that mainly need reheating and defrosting, without a browning function. Whirlpool lists a capacity of 20 L and a microwave output power of 700 W. Compare the turntable and appliance dimensions with your dishes and the space you have available.
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Worth a look if you want to combine reheating with a browned finish: check the grill modes and accessories listed for this model. The product name states 25 L and 1000 W, but doesn’t specify what this power rating refers to. Check the instructions for installation and don’t assume it has fan-assisted cooking.
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For anyone looking for digital controls for reheating and defrosting. The product name lists 700 W, 11 power levels and 6 pre-set menus. Before choosing it for a small kitchen, compare the installation dimensions and turntable size with your available space and plates.
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A model to compare for reheating and defrosting if you don’t need a browning function. The product name specifies 700 W, 5 power levels, a 245 mm turntable and a 30-minute timer. Measure the space available and check the ventilation requirements before installation.
Follow the clearances specified in your model’s instructions rather than relying on a distance that might not apply to every microwave. Whirlpool France says the ventilation grilles must not be obstructed, so allow for ventilation and room to open the door when measuring the installation space.
No: permission to use an included rack doesn’t extend to all metal items. Samsung France says the rack designed for certain appliances has specific features. Check your model’s instructions to find out which accessories are suitable for each mode.
It can handle some oven tasks if its cooking modes suit the meals you make, but it won’t automatically replace an oven. Compare the features of the model you’re considering, the size of dishes it can accommodate and its footprint with the space available. If you mainly reheat and defrost, a solo microwave may be enough.