Students in studios with simple meals
You mainly reheat, defrost and prepare individual portions. A solo model keeps your worktop clear of cooking functions you are unlikely to use.
Who is it for?
People with a small kitchen and no practical oven
You sometimes want to cook or brown food without adding a separate oven. Choose a grill or combination model based on how often you will use these functions and how much space you have available.
Users of holiday homes
You are looking for one appliance for occasional stays, capable of reheating and defrosting as a minimum, with extra versatility only if your meals require it.
Buying priorities
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost, without needing to brown food or cook as you would in an oven.
Good to know: it does not replace a grill or a fan-assisted cooking function.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you also want to brown croque-monsieur sandwiches, lasagne or desserts occasionally.
Good to know: the grill alone does not provide the fan-assisted cooking of a combination model.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you need to cook, grill and reheat in one appliance because you do not have a usable oven.
Good to know: this versatility is generally more expensive and requires suitable installation.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking functions | Check whether the model offers microwaving only, a grill or a combination function with fan-assisted heat. A grill is used for browning and does not provide oven-style cooking. | I want to reheat and defrost without paying for functions I will not use. If I regularly prepare dishes that need cooking, a combination model may be more suitable. |
| Actual footprint | Compare the width, height and depth with your worktop or unit. Also check the size of the cavity, turntable and dishes you use. | My appliance must fit in a specific space, but my dishes must also fit inside without difficulty. |
| Ventilation and installation | Follow the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. A freestanding appliance must not be installed like a built-in model simply because it fits inside a cabinet recess. | I need to allow air to circulate around the appliance, even in a kitchenette or beneath a cabinet. |
| Electrical connection | Check the voltage, current and total power stated for the exact model. Do not estimate the electrical load from the microwave power alone. | My socket may already be used by other heating appliances, so I want to check the connection before installation. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing a combination model when you will only reheat and defrost
According to Que Choisir Ensemble, combination models add a grill and fan-assisted heat but are generally more expensive. Functions you rarely use also take up valuable space in a small kitchen.
Make a list of your usual meals: solo for reheating and defrosting, grill for browning, and combination only if you often cook as you would in an oven.
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Measuring only the microwave’s width
Its depth, height and ventilation clearances may prevent suitable installation on a narrow worktop or inside a cabinet.
Measure the width, depth, height, access to the socket and required clearances, then compare them with the instructions for the exact model.
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Estimating the connection from the microwave power alone
On an appliance with a grill, the microwave power and total power may differ. The complete electrical specifications remain essential for installation.
Check the voltage, current and total power in the technical specifications or instructions, and avoid overloading the same socket with several heating appliances.
Brand guide
Bosch
Worth considering for compact freestanding microwaves when your needs are limited to reheating and defrosting, or for a version with a grill depending on the model reference.
- According to Bosch Électroménager France, the FFL020MS2 is a 20 l freestanding model measuring 260 × 442 × 345 mm, with a maximum microwave power of 800 W.
- Bosch instructions state that ventilation clearances must be observed when installing the appliance in a cabinet; check the precise model’s instructions before fitting it in a recess.
Electrolux
Worth considering for a freestanding microwave with grill if you want to add browning to your microwave functions.
- Electrolux France states that the Y4ZM25MMK offers microwave, grill and microwave-grill modes, with a 25 l cavity.
- The dimensions, power ratings and electrical specifications announced for this model do not describe the entire range; always check the reference you have chosen.
Whirlpool
Worth considering for a freestanding combination model when usable internal space and extra cooking functions matter in a small kitchen.
- Whirlpool France presents the MWF255B as a 25 l freestanding combination model without a turntable.
- The brand associates this design with more usable space inside the cavity; nevertheless, check the external dimensions, installation requirements and functions you actually need.
Joybuy products
These Joybuy options belong to the category of freestanding microwaves with grill, for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a small kitchen.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L, 700 W
For reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a freestanding format.
20 L capacity, 700 W microwave power, 800 W grill and nine stated power levels.
Advertised dimensions: 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm; allow 10 cm of clearance at the sides and rear.
The grill allows you to brown and crisp food, with no fan-assisted heat function indicated.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H, 25 L, 900 W
A grill option for reheating, defrosting and browning, with a 25 L cavity.
Stated features include 900 W microwave power, defrosting by weight or time, an integrated grill and a 28.8 cm turntable.
Advertised dimensions: 485 × 293 × 410 mm; the specifications allow 20 cm at the sides and 30 cm at the rear.
Check that its depth and required clearances are suitable for your worktop.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI, 25 L, 900 W
Designed for reheating, defrosting and browning dishes in a compact kitchen.
Stated features include 900 W microwave power, a 1,150 W quartz grill, combination cooking and defrosting by weight or time.
Advertised features include a 25 L cavity, a 28.8 cm turntable and eight automatic programmes.
At 53.6 × 43.6 × 33 cm, measure your worktop before buying and consult the instructions for the electrical specifications.
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LG MH 6535 GIH, 25 L, white
A freestanding option for reheating, defrosting and browning, with automatic programmes.
The specifications list a quartz grill, rapid defrosting, keep-warm function and programmes with weight control.
Advertised dimensions: 47.6 × 38.8 × 27.2 cm, with a capacity of 25 L.
Consult the instructions for ventilation clearances and electrical specifications before installing it beneath a cabinet or in a recess.
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LG MH6535GIS, 25 L, black
For reheating, defrosting and browning in a 25 L freestanding appliance.
Stated features include a 950 W grill, 29.2 cm turntable, five power levels, touch controls and a child lock.
Advertised dimensions: 47 × 26 × 37 cm.
Check the instructions for ventilation, as well as the voltage, current and total power, before installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace an oven in a studio?
It can replace some oven functions if you need to grill and cook with fan-assisted heat, as well as reheat and defrost. Check that your dishes fit inside the cavity, that the location meets the specified ventilation requirements and that the electrical specifications are suitable for your installation.
Can I place a freestanding microwave in a cabinet recess?
Not without consulting the instructions for the precise model. Bosch instructions for a freestanding microwave require ventilation clearances to be observed when installing it in a cabinet; Schneider instructions state 30 cm above and 20 cm between the appliance and each wall for its own reference, but these measurements do not apply to every model.
Which electrical supply details should I check before buying?
Check the voltage, current and total power of the exact model. For example, Electrolux France states 230 V, 10 A and 1,350 W total power for the Y4ZM25MMK; these figures do not replace checking the technical specifications of the appliance you choose.
Which warranty rights apply to a new microwave bought in France?
For a new purchase from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity may be invoked in the event of a lack of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the seller must repair or replace the goods within a maximum of 30 days of the request, subject to the applicable conditions.
What should I do with an old microwave in France?
Do not put it in your household waste: it is electrical and electronic equipment. ADEME provides local repair, donation or drop-off options, while the Ministry for Ecological Transition reminds consumers that this equipment contains components that must be recycled.