Student who mainly reheats meals
If you rarely cook oven-style recipes, a solo microwave will do the job of reheating and defrosting individual portions. Check that it fits where you plan to put it, with enough room to open the door.
Which option suits your needs?
Renter who wants to brown dishes occasionally
You want to keep the reheating and defrosting functions, with a grill for browning a dish now and then. This need alone doesn’t mean you have to choose a convection model.
Small-home resident without a usable oven
You’d also like to cook oven-style dishes in a single appliance. A combination microwave with convection is worth considering, provided its dimensions, weight and programmes suit your kitchen.
Which features should you prioritise?
The cooking mode should suit the meals you actually prepare. Que Choisir distinguishes solo microwaves from combination models that can perform basic oven functions; a grill, meanwhile, is useful for browning dishes from time to time.
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly need to reheat and defrost meals.
Bear in mind: it won’t brown dishes or replace oven cooking.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you’d also like to brown or crisp dishes occasionally.
Bear in mind: the grill doesn’t provide the convection heat needed for other oven-style cooking.
Combination microwave with convection
Choose this if: you plan to cook oven-style dishes without installing a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: the extra functions may mean a bulkier appliance with more complex controls.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the external dimensions, door clearance and ventilation gaps specified in the model’s manual. | When every centimetre of worktop space counts, I need to be able to open the door without getting in the way of meal preparation. Around 33% of consumers rank footprint as their top priority. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Look at the power settings, defrost function, controls and the space available for your plates. | If I mainly reheat individual portions, I want controls that make this everyday task easy. This simplicity is the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Check that it has a proper grill and look at which accessories are approved for each mode. | If I want to brown a dish from time to time, but don’t need to cook in an oven regularly, I’m looking for this function; around 17% of consumers prioritise occasional browning. |
| Cooking without a separate oven | Check for convection, the available temperatures, accessories and external dimensions. | Without a usable oven, I also want to prepare dishes that need oven-style cooking and am happy to consider a bulkier appliance. For around 25% of consumers, this versatility comes ahead of other considerations. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity in litres alone
Capacity describes the inside of the microwave, not the space it takes up on your worktop. For example, Panasonic France lists a depth of 520 mm for its 30 L NN-C69KSM combination model.
Measure the space available and the area needed to open the door, then allow for the clearances required in the manual for your chosen model.
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Choosing a combination model without planning to cook in it
Convection gives you more cooking options, but also adds settings to learn and means you’ll need to measure the appliance’s footprint. If you only need to reheat meals, these functions may go unused.
Think about the dishes you prepare in a typical week. Start by comparing solo models if you mainly reheat and defrost, or grill models if you sometimes brown dishes.
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Blocking the vents to save space
Whirlpool France says that the ventilation openings on a freestanding microwave must not be obstructed.
Keep the vents clear and follow the clearance requirements in your appliance’s manual, including underneath a cupboard.
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Heating food in packaging for too long
According to Anses, prolonged heating can increase the migration of substances from some types of packaging into food.
Follow the packaging instructions on power, heating time and container. Stir the food or leave it to stand if the instructions say to.
Brands to compare
Samsung
Samsung France offers freestanding Solo, Grill and Combination microwave ranges, making it easy to compare the functions you’re looking for.
- The range distinguishes between all three types of cooking.
- Check the dimensions, accessories and modes for each model.
Electrolux
The EMZ421MMK is an example of a freestanding grill microwave for which Electrolux France publishes the dimensions: 442 × 262 × 345 mm.
- The product details let you compare this model’s measurements with your available space.
- Don’t confuse its grill with a convection oven function.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers the MWF255B, among other models: a 25 L microwave listed with microwave and grill functions.
- The product details list external dimensions of 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm, which you can compare with your worktop space.
- The microwave and grill functions listed for this model don’t confirm that it has convection.
LG
LG France’s NeoChef range includes combination models; the 39 L MJ3965BPS is listed with microwave, grill and oven functions.
- This combination of modes may suit you if you need to cook without a separate oven.
- Check the dimensions and weight of the model you’re considering before making space for it in a small kitchen.
Panasonic
Panasonic France’s NN-C69KSM combination model pairs convection and grill functions in a 30 L freestanding appliance.
- The product details list a convection temperature range of 40 °C and 100 to 220 °C for this model.
- At 520 × 327 × 520 mm and 22,2 kg, it needs suitable space and a sturdy surface.
Microwaves for these needs on Joybuy
These freestanding models cover reheating and defrosting with solo microwaves, as well as occasional browning with grill models. If you want to cook using convection, check that this mode is explicitly listed for the appliance you’re considering.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L solo microwave
For reheating and defrosting, without the need for a grill or convection.
700 W microwave power, 11 power levels and six pre-set menus. Measure the space available and check the manual for ventilation clearances.
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Heinrich's, 20 L solo microwave
For everyday meals if you prefer dial controls and a defrost function.
700 W power, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Check the manual for the space required around the appliance.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill
For reheating and defrosting, with a grill for occasional browning.
700 W microwave power. The grill doesn’t confirm a convection function; also check the clearances specified in the manual.
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Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L solo microwave
For reheating and defrosting if you’d prefer a 23 L cavity rather than a 20 L model.
Features a quick defrost function and LED display. Check that its external dimensions, door clearance and ventilation requirements suit your space.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih, 25 L microwave with grill
For reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a 25 L appliance.
White model with digital display. Check the manual for ventilation clearances and which modes can be used with each accessory.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should one person choose for a studio flat?
A capacity of 15 to 25 L may be enough for a studio flat or shared home, according to guidance from E.Leclerc. Check the external dimensions too, along with the space needed for your usual plates and dishes: the capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much room the appliance takes up.
Can a microwave with a grill replace an oven?
A grill can brown or crisp dishes, but it doesn’t provide convection heat on its own. If you’re planning to cook oven-style dishes, look for a combination model that explicitly lists this mode, then check its temperatures, accessories and size.
Can you install a freestanding microwave under a cupboard?
Yes, but only if the model’s manual allows it and the required ventilation gaps remain clear. Whirlpool France reminds users not to obstruct the air vents, so measure the space available before buying.
Can you reheat food in its packaging?
Only do so if the packaging says it’s suitable, and follow its instructions on the container, power and heating time. Anses says that prolonged heating can increase the migration of substances from some types of packaging into food.
What statutory guarantee applies to a new microwave bought in France?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new goods sold by a trader to a consumer in France. It covers, among other things, an appliance that doesn’t match its description or isn’t fit for its usual purpose. It is separate from any optional commercial warranty.