People who mainly reheat and defrost
In student accommodation or a holiday home, you’ll mainly use the appliance for leftovers, ready meals and frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir treats these uses separately from grilling and oven-style cooking.
Who is this choice for?
People who cook without a practical oven
You’d also like to brown dishes or prepare simple meals in a kitchen with limited equipment. The right choice depends on the feature you’ll use: a grill for browning, or convection for oven-style cooking.
People short on space
You’ll need to leave enough room to open the door and ventilate the appliance. So the external dimensions alone won’t tell you whether a freestanding model will fit on your worktop.
Which features should you prioritise?
First, decide which cooking functions you’ll actually use. Then check each model’s dimensions and installation instructions against the space you have available.
Solo microwave
Choose this: for reheating and defrosting, if you don’t need a browned finish.
Bear in mind: it doesn’t offer a grill or convection cooking.
Microwave with grill
Choose this: if gratins and other dishes you want to brown feature regularly in your meals.
Bear in mind: a grill on its own can’t replace convection for oven-style cooking.
Combination microwave with convection
Choose this: if you don’t have a usable oven and plan to cook dishes that need this setting.
Bear in mind: extra features don’t remove the need to check the appliance’s size and the functions available on the exact model.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the power settings, defrost function and cavity size with the containers you usually use. | If I mainly reheat leftovers and defrost food, I want suitable settings without extra cooking features. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Browning | Check that it has a grill and see which compatible accessories are included. | If I regularly want to brown dishes, reheating alone won’t meet my needs. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Cooking without an oven | Check that the model has a convection setting, as well as the settings and accessories you need for your dishes. | Without an oven, I need an appliance that can handle some cooking beyond grilling. Around 25% of consumers put this capability first. |
| Fitting into a small space | Measure the appliance with its door open, then check the manual for ventilation clearances. | With limited worktop space, I need to be able to open and ventilate the appliance once it’s in place. This is the main priority for around 17% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing a combination model when you only need to reheat
Extra cooking settings won’t add anything if you only need to reheat and defrost meals, and they can make choosing an appliance more complicated.
Make a note of the dishes you plan to prepare, and only choose convection if you genuinely expect to use it.
-
Measuring the appliance only with the door closed
A freestanding model might fit on your worktop, but still leave too little room to open the door or allow for ventilation. Whirlpool says the depth required with the door open varies between appliances.
Measure the space, the clearance in front of the appliance and the position of the socket. Then follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you choose.
-
Assuming a grill is the same as convection
A grill browns food; it doesn’t, on its own, mean the appliance has an oven-style cooking setting. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these functions separately in its testing process.
If you want to cook using convection, check that this setting is explicitly listed among the functions of the model.
-
Heating plastic packaging without following its instructions
Anses warns that overheating can increase the transfer of substances from some packaging into food.
Check that the container is microwave-safe and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for power and heating time.
Microwave brands to consider
Samsung
Samsung France’s range lets you compare freestanding solo microwaves with grill and convection models.
- The brand distinguishes between reheating and defrosting, browning with a grill, and additional cooking settings.
- Its general ventilation guidance doesn’t replace the manual for the specific model you choose.
Electrolux
The range includes freestanding and built-in appliances, including grill models to compare depending on the space available.
- Model specifications give you useful details for comparing features and dimensions.
- The specifications of one Electrolux model don’t apply to the whole range.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers multifunction freestanding models, including the turntable-free MWF255B.
- The lack of a turntable in the MWF255B may be useful if the shape of the cavity matters for your dishes.
- Check the exact settings and dimensions of the model you choose. The stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll have for each dish.
LG
LG offers combination models that bring together microwave, grill and oven-style cooking, such as the MJ3965BPS.
- These combined settings can suit a range of cooking needs when your home doesn’t have a practical oven.
- Check the functions, accessories and dimensions of the exact model before deciding where to put it.
Microwaves to explore on Joybuy
These models are suited to reheating and defrosting; two also have a grill for browning dishes. If convection cooking is your priority, check explicitly that the model you’re considering offers this function.
Image unavailable
Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L, black
Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and also have a grill for browning them.
Stated microwave power: 700 W. Check the manual for the required clearances and the space needed with the door open.
Image unavailable
COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, black
For reheating and defrosting, with power settings and pre-set programmes.
Stated power: 700 W; 11 power levels and 6 pre-set programmes. Check the manual for clearances and make sure there’s enough room with the door open.
Image unavailable
Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter with grill, 25 L
Worth a look if you want a freestanding microwave with a grill and a 25 L cavity.
Stated microwave power: 900 W. Measure the space with the door open before choosing this model.
Image unavailable
Hkoenig VIO4 freestanding microwave, 20 L
For reheating in a home where the appliance needs to sit on a cabinet or worktop.
Stated power: 700 W. Check the manual for ventilation clearances and measure the space needed in front of the door.
Image unavailable
Heinrich's solo microwave, 20 L
For reheating and defrosting, without the need for a grill function.
Stated power: 700 W; 6 power levels and a 30-minute timer. Check the manual for clearances and allow enough room with the door open.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a metal container in a microwave?
No. Don’t use a metal container or utensil in microwave mode. UFC-Que Choisir and Samsung specifically list metal dishes and aluminium among the items to avoid. For accessories used with other settings, follow the instructions in your appliance’s manual.
Are all plastic trays microwave-safe?
No. Check the instructions on the container or packaging before heating it. Anses recommends following the manufacturer’s power and time guidance for products designed for microwave use.
How much space should you leave around a freestanding microwave?
Allow for the clearances specified in the manual for the model you choose. Samsung France gives a general guideline of at least 10 cm at the back and sides, and 20 cm above, but the applicable instructions vary by appliance. Make sure you also leave enough room to open the door.
Should you choose the highest power setting to reheat meals?
No. Maximum power alone won’t tell you whether a model is right for your needs. For reheating and defrosting, also compare its power settings, programmes and cavity size. UFC-Que Choisir also tests reheating and defrosting performance.