For those who mainly reheat and defrost
If you mainly prepare leftovers, ready meals or food to defrost, a solo model offers the functions you’re most likely to use. Que Choisir identifies reheating and defrosting as the main uses for a microwave.
Which option is right for you?
For people with small, lightly equipped kitchens
In student accommodation or a holiday home, you need to fit the appliance in while leaving enough room for the dishes you usually use. Que Choisir highlights both situations. If you also want to cook food as you would in an oven, consider a combination model and measure its actual footprint.
For anyone who wants to brown food without a separate oven
If you regularly want a golden finish on certain dishes, a model with a grill is worth considering. However, having this function doesn’t tell you whether the browning will be even: Que Choisir assesses this separately in its tests.
What should you look for?
Start with the meals you want the appliance to prepare. Whether you need browning or oven-style cooking will affect your choice of functions more than the stated capacity alone.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost controls and, if tests for the specific model are available, how evenly it reheats and defrosts food. | If your meals mainly consist of leftovers or frozen portions, you’ll want to prepare them without fiddling with lots of settings. Around 39% of consumers put reheating and defrosting first. |
| Size and cleaning | Measure the space and your dishes. Compare the appliance’s external depth, turntable or flatbed cavity, then check how it should be cleaned. | In a small kitchen, you need to be able to position the appliance, fit your dishes inside and clean it day to day. Space and cleaning are the top priorities for around 23% of consumers. |
| Grill browning | Check which grill settings and accessories are supported. If available, look at the browning results for the specific model. | For lasagne or pizza, simply reheating a dish may not give you the golden top you’re after. Around 23% of consumers prioritise browning. |
| Oven-style cooking | Look for a convection function and check the dimensions, accessories and cooking results for the specific model. | If you don’t have a separate oven, you may want to cook a pizza or cake occasionally, as well as reheat and grill food. Oven-style cooking is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
A different compact appliance may also suit you if you prefer another cooking method. Before choosing one instead of a microwave, check that it meets your needs for reheating and defrosting.
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on litres or watts
Capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much worktop space the appliance will take up or what size dishes it can fit. The stated power rating doesn’t prove that it heats food evenly either: Que Choisir assesses reheating and defrosting separately as part of its testing process.
Measure the space and the dishes you usually use, then compare any tests available for the specific model.
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Buying a combination model without using the convection function
If you rarely cook food as you would in an oven, its extra functions may simply take up space you need for something else.
Think about the meals you usually make. Start with a solo model for reheating and defrosting, consider a grill if you regularly want to brown food, and choose a combination model only if you genuinely need convection.
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Assuming the word “grill” means even browning
A grill can help give food a golden finish, but its presence alone doesn’t tell you how each dish will turn out. Que Choisir assesses factors such as the extent and evenness of browning separately in its tests.
If lasagne or pizza matters to you, check the results for the specific model, its combination settings and the instructions for using accessories.
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Confusing an extended warranty with your statutory rights
In France, the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control says the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. An extended warranty does not replace it.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare the additional cover it actually provides and read the terms and conditions.
Brands to consider for these functions
These ranges give you an idea of the functions available. Your final choice will depend on the features and intended use of the specific model.
Panasonic
Panasonic France’s range includes microwaves with a grill and multifunction models.
- The NN-K35NWMEPG is listed with a grill, a 24 L cavity and a 288 mm turntable: check these dimensions against the dishes you use.
- The NN-CD575M is another configuration, combining microwave and grill functions in a 27 L multifunction model. These product details aren’t enough to compare the cooking results of the two appliances.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France features freestanding models with a grill, as well as combination models with fan-assisted cooking.
- The MWF421SL is listed with a 25 L flatbed cavity, while Whirlpool says the MCP349WH combines microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions.
- These models are listed with AutoClean to make wiping away residue after using steam easier. Check that the function is available and read its instructions for the variant you choose.
Samsung
Samsung France’s guide groups its models into solo, grill and combination types according to how you plan to cook.
- This distinction helps you separate everyday reheating needs from wanting to brown food or cook using a wider range of functions.
- The brand’s general guidance on capacity and power doesn’t replace checking the dimensions and results for the model you’re considering.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These solo and grill models let you compare reheating and defrosting, as well as browning with two of them, for a small home. If you need convection to cook food as you would in an oven, check for this function separately before choosing.
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Heinrich's 20 L solo microwave
Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food in a small kitchen. The product title lists 700 W, six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function. Check that your dishes fit on the turntable and that the appliance will fit in the space available.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK) 20 L
This solo model may suit you if you prefer digital controls for quick meals. The product title lists 700 W, six pre-set menus, 11 power levels, an express control and a defrost function. Measure the available space, allowing for the ventilation clearances specified for the appliance.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L
Consider this model if you’d like to brown some dishes as well as reheat them. The product title lists 700 W and a grill function. For installation, the instructions for this model specify at least 10 cm of clearance at the sides and rear. Check that you have enough space before buying.
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LG MH6535GIS with grill, 25 L
Worth considering if you want to combine reheating and defrosting with a grilled finish. This model is described as having a grill, but don’t choose it as a convection oven without confirming that it has this function. Also check its dimensions and the power rating for the mode you’re interested in.
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Samsung MS23K3513 23 L
This solo model is designed for anyone who prioritises reheating and defrosting without a grill function. The product title mentions Quick Defrost. When comparing power, distinguish the 800 W microwave output from the 1 150 W connected load. Also check that the turntable is suitable for your dishes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a solo microwave enough for student accommodation?
Yes, if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food. Consider a model with a grill if you regularly brown dishes. A combination model with convection is better suited to occasional oven-style cooking, particularly if you don’t have a separate oven.
How can I tell if my dishes will fit in the microwave?
Compare the dimensions of your dishes with those of the turntable or cavity, rather than relying on the capacity in litres alone. Also measure the width, height and depth of the space, then follow the clearances specified in the model’s instructions.
Does AutoClean mean I don’t have to clean the appliance?
No. On the relevant Whirlpool models, AutoClean uses steam to loosen residue, but you still need to wipe the appliance afterwards. Check that the function is included and read the instructions for the model you choose.
Are watts enough to compare how well microwaves reheat food?
No. A power rating alone doesn’t tell you how evenly an appliance reheats food or how well it defrosts. Que Choisir assesses these performance areas separately. Where available, compare test results for the specific models you’re interested in.
What statutory guarantee applies to a microwave bought in France?
According to the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies in France to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. It covers, among other things, goods that don’t match their description. Keep your proof of purchase and the information provided by the seller.