For reheating and defrosting portions when you don’t need to brown food, a solo microwave will usually do the job. Choose a model with a grill if you’d also like to brown dishes. If you expect to cook regularly as you would in an oven, look for a combination microwave that explicitly lists convection: Que Choisir notes that combination models cost more than basic ones. Whatever you choose, check the dimensions, ventilation requirements and rated input power, as well as the rules for your home, before buying.
If you mainly heat portions and leftovers, or defrost food, and don’t need to brown dishes, start by comparing basic models and checking the size of your dishes. Que Choisir describes these uses, while Panasonic sets out the features of its solo models.
In a small studio flat or kitchenette, the external dimensions, door clearance, space for your dishes and ventilation matter more than the stated capacity alone. Compare Panasonic’s listed dimensions with the clearances required in the manual for the model you’re considering.
If you’d also like to make gratins or oven-cooked dishes, distinguish between a grill, which browns food, and a combination model that explicitly lists convection. Que Choisir explains the differences; features vary between Samsung models.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | The programmes available; the turntable diameter and the size of your usual dishes. | If I mainly reheat portions, I prioritise simple controls and a suitably sized turntable. Around 33% of consumers put reheating and defrosting first. |
| Making room for the appliance and dishes | The external dimensions, the space needed to open the door and the clearances specified in the manual. | In a kitchenette, I need to be able to fit the appliance, open its door and keep its vents clear. Around 27% of consumers prioritise the space it takes up. |
| Browning or grilling | Whether a grill is explicitly listed, the accessories supplied and the dishes compatible with this setting. | If I want to brown dishes without cooking them using convection, I check that the model includes a grill. Around 20% of consumers make browning their priority. |
| Cooking without a conventional oven | Whether convection or fan-assisted heat is explicitly listed; the space required and the model’s rated input power. | Without a usable oven, I check that the cooking mode suits the dishes I make. Around 20% of consumers prioritise oven-style cooking. |
A grill browns food, but its presence doesn’t mean the appliance offers convection. If you want to cook dishes as you would in an oven, a grill alone may not meet your needs.
Check the settings for the exact model rather than relying on its name alone.
The turntable, the shape of the cavity, the door opening and the vents all affect how the appliance works in practice. It may fit on your worktop without leaving the specified clearances.
Measure your dishes and the space, then check the dimensions and manual for the model you’ve chosen.
For the MH6535GDR, LG lists a microwave output power of 1,000 W, power consumption of 1,150 W in microwave mode and 1,450 W in microwave-and-grill mode.
Check the rated input power for the settings you’ll use, and follow the electrical guidance in your model’s manual.
Compatibility depends on the material and the heating mode. Plastic made for microwave use only may melt in grill or convection mode, according to Que Choisir.
Follow the instructions on the container and the food’s preparation instructions. Anses recommends following the instructions for products intended to be reheated in a microwave.
An unsuitable dish may get damaged and take longer to clean up after.
The NN-E20JW, a 20 L solo model, and the NN-K10JW, a 20 L model with a grill, make it easy to compare two appliances with similar stated widths for a small kitchen.
The MS23K3515AK/EF, a 23 L solo model, and the MC28M6035CK/EF, a 28 L combination model, illustrate two different categories.
The MWF421SL is an example of a freestanding model with a grill, a stated capacity of 25 L and no turntable.
The MH6535GDR is an example of a 25 L freestanding microwave with a grill to consider when dimensions and electrical power matter.
This selection includes solo, grill and combination models, so you can compare everyday reheating, browning and oven-style cooking for a home with limited facilities.
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A good option if you want to reheat and defrost food, with a grill for browning dishes.
Capacity: 20 L; turntable: 245 mm; dimensions: 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm. The product details specify at least 10 cm of clearance at the sides and back for ventilation.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting without adding a grill or convection function.
Microwave output power: 700 W; turntable: 245 mm; dimensions: 452 × 362 × 262 mm. The product details call for at least 10 cm of clearance on all sides for ventilation.
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Compare its size and dimensions if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance for a small space.
Stated power: 700 W; 11 power levels; dimensions: 440 × 319 × 259 mm. The product details list defrosting by weight or time.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting without additional cooking functions.
Capacity: 23 L; turntable: 28.8 cm. The product details list automatic programmes and rapid defrosting.
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Consider this if you’d also like oven-style cooking modes in one appliance and have enough worktop space for this size.
The product details list microwave, grill, convection and steam modes. Dimensions: 54.4 × 52.5 × 32.7 cm.
Yes, you can use some basic cooking methods, but a solo model doesn’t include a grill or fan-assisted heat. Choose based on the dishes you actually make.
Measure the appliance, the space needed to open the door and the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model. Check its rated input power and any guidance for your electrical installation; keep the vents clear and avoid overloading an extension lead. Clearance requirements vary by model.
No: follow the container’s compatibility guidance and the food’s instructions. Anses recommends following the preparation instructions for products intended for microwave use, and Que Choisir points out that plastic designed for microwave-only use may melt in grill or convection mode.
For a new or second-hand item bought by a consumer from a professional seller in France, you have two years to request a remedy under the legal guarantee of conformity, according to the Ministry of the Economy and Finance (published 9 September 2026). A commercial extended warranty is separate from this right.
Check the rules of your residence before choosing an appliance. The Crous de Paris residence rules, published in 2026, allow microwaves in its residences and apply to its residents; they don’t determine the rules at other institutions or private residences.