Anyone using a kitchenette
You mainly want to reheat and defrost food. Before choosing a compact model, check that your plates fit on the turntable and that the appliance will fit in the space you have in mind.
Who are these appliances for?
Renters who want to brown food without an oven
You don’t cook many oven dishes, but would like to brown a gratin or a slice of toast now and then. A microwave with a grill meets this need, which goes beyond simple reheating.
Anyone without a conventional oven
You also want to cook oven-style meals with a single appliance. A combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking is worth considering if you have enough space and will use its extra functions.
What should guide your choice?
First, decide whether you mainly want to reheat food, brown dishes or cook oven-style meals. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these functions and assesses defrosting, reheating speed and evenness separately in its tests.
| Need | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Reheat and defrost | Measure the space available and check the turntable diameter and defrost settings. | In a kitchenette, I want to reheat meals and defrost food without giving up too much space to the appliance. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise compact reheating and defrosting. |
| Brown dishes occasionally | Check that it has a grill setting and that it comes with the accessories you need for your dishes. | If I sometimes make a gratin or toast, I want to be able to brown it without adding an oven. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this occasional browning function. |
| Cook without a conventional oven | Check for fan-assisted cooking, the usable space for your dishes and the appliance’s external dimensions. | Without a conventional oven, I’m looking for an appliance that can reheat food and cook oven-style meals, even if it takes up more space. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this partial replacement for an oven. |
| Prioritise oven cooking | For a mini oven, compare the cooking modes, the size of the dishes you can use and the space needed around the appliance. | When I mainly cook bakes or roasts, microwave reheating is less important. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise oven-style cooking. |
What should you watch out for?
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Relying on the litre capacity without measuring your dishes
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external depth or the diameter of its turntable. So a dish might not fit the model you’re considering, even if the stated capacity seems adequate.
Measure the space available and your largest plate, then check the manual for installation clearance requirements.
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Choosing a combination model just for reheating
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a combination microwave adds fan-assisted cooking, among other functions. This is for a different purpose from reheating and defrosting, and the models in question may need more space.
Think about the meals you actually prepare. If you don’t plan to cook oven-style dishes, compare standard models or those with a grill first.
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Using packaging without checking that it’s suitable
Not all packaging is microwave-safe. Anses says that reheating at too high a power increases the risk of substances from the packaging migrating into food.
Follow the power and time instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF recommends not using a container that isn’t designed for this purpose, or reusing a single-use container.
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Confusing a grill, combination microwave and mini oven
A grill browns food; a combination microwave adds fan-assisted cooking for oven-style meals. A mini oven also prioritises oven cooking, but doesn’t offer microwave reheating.
Choose based on the task you’ll do most often, then check the exact functions of the model you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s freestanding microwave range includes models with a grill and combination models.
- According to Whirlpool France, the MCP349WH combination model has a 25 L cavity, a grill and fan-assisted cooking.
- This model measures 52 × 30,1 × 49,4 cm. Check the available depth in particular before deciding whether its extra functions are right for you.
Panasonic
The NN-C69K combination microwave is worth considering if you want to use fan-assisted cooking and the grill.
- Panasonic France lists a capacity of 30 L and a turntable measuring 31,5 cm for this model.
- Its stated dimensions are 520 × 327 × 520 mm. Measure your worktop and allow for the clearance required in the manual.
Samsung
Samsung France’s guide distinguishes between standard, grill and combination microwaves to help you choose the functions you need.
- Samsung France says that capacities of 15 to 20 L suit smaller needs.
- Capacity alone doesn’t guarantee that your crockery will fit on the turntable, so check the dimensions of the model you’re considering.
Moulinex
A Moulinex mini oven is worth considering when oven-style cooking matters more than microwave reheating.
- According to Moulinex France, the Optimo 19 L offers fan-assisted cooking, conventional cooking and a grill.
- It’s a freestanding electric oven, not a microwave, so choose it only if its cooking modes suit your main needs.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These freestanding models let you compare standard microwaves for reheating and defrosting with models featuring a grill for browning dishes. If fan-assisted cooking is your priority, check the functions of a combination microwave or mini oven separately.
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Heinrich's solo microwave, 20 L, 700 W
For reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen: the product name lists six power levels, a defrost function and a 30-minute timer. Check the clearance requirements in the manual; this solo model isn’t listed as having a grill.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L, 700 W
Worth considering if you want to brown dishes occasionally as well as reheat food. The stated grill function doesn’t confirm that it has fan-assisted cooking; check the modes and installation clearance requirements in the manual.
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LG MH6535GIS with grill, 25 L
For reheating and browning dishes occasionally, with a stated capacity of 25 L. If you want to cook as you would in an oven, confirm the exact modes before buying. Also check which function the 1 000 W power listed in the product title refers to.
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Hkoenig VIO4 freestanding microwave, 20 L, 700 W
Worth a look if reheating and defrosting are more important to you than browning food. Compare the size of your plates with the turntable and check the manual to allow for the necessary clearance.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK) black, 20 L, 700 W
For reheating and defrosting with digital controls: the product name lists 11 power levels, six preset programmes and a defrost function. Check that your dishes fit on the turntable and that the manual allows installation in your chosen space.
Frequently asked questions
Is a standard microwave enough for a studio flat?
Yes, if you mainly need to reheat and defrost food. For browning dishes, look for a grill. If you plan to cook oven-style meals, compare a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking and a mini oven, depending on how important microwave reheating is to you.
Does the capacity in litres tell me whether my dishes will fit?
No. Compare the dimensions of your dishes with those of the turntable and cavity, then measure the space for the appliance. For example, Panasonic France lists a 31,5 cm turntable for the NN-C69K combination microwave, which has an external depth of 520 mm.
Which containers should I use in a microwave?
Use containers designed for microwave use and follow their instructions. The DGCCRF recommends not putting a container in the oven if it isn’t designed for that purpose, and not reusing a single-use container.
How should I reheat food in its packaging?
First check that the packaging is microwave-safe, then follow the stated power and heating time. Anses notes that reheating at too high a power increases the risk of substances from the packaging migrating into food.