Everyday reheating and defrosting
If you mainly prepare individual portions, leftovers or frozen food, a solo model covers the basic uses identified by UFC-Que Choisir without making you pay for cooking functions you don’t need.
Which type suits each need?
Browning and crisping food occasionally
If you’d also like to brown the top of certain dishes, look for a grill function. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this from simply reheating food and cooking with convection.
Cooking without a separate oven
If you don’t have room for an oven, a combination microwave with microwave, grill and convection functions can handle a wider range of cooking. Just make sure its dimensions and installation requirements are suitable for your kitchen.
What should you look for?
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, and don’t plan to brown or crisp your dishes.
Bear in mind: it won’t brown or crisp food like a grill, or cook using convection.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you’d also like to brown or crisp food from time to time.
Bear in mind: having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance also has convection.
Combination microwave with convection
Choose this if: you want the appliance to handle some of the cooking you’d normally do in a separate oven.
Bear in mind: how much space you save depends on the appliance’s actual dimensions and the clearance needed for installation.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the available settings and make sure there’s enough room for your dishes, including when the door is open. | I mainly want to quickly prepare leftovers or defrost food, without using extra cooking functions. This is the top priority for around 46% of the consumers surveyed. |
| Browning and crisping | Check that the model has a grill and find out which accessories are included. | I’d like to brown the top of a dish from time to time, without needing convection. Around 27% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Cooking without a separate oven | Check for convection, external dimensions, ventilation clearance and input power. | I don’t have room for an oven, so I need one appliance that can also handle some oven-style cooking. This is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Buying a combination model just to reheat food
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a solo model is suitable for everyday reheating and defrosting. A grill and convection are designed for other cooking needs.
Make a note of the dishes you prepare most often. If none need browning or oven-style cooking, start by comparing solo models.
-
Choosing based on capacity alone
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you how wide the casing is, or how much room you’ll need to open the door and ventilate the appliance.
Measure the space and compare it with the model’s external dimensions and the clearances specified in its manual.
-
Confusing input power with microwave output power
These figures measure different things: the first relates to the appliance’s power consumption, while the second is its stated microwave output power. For example, Samsung lists the MC28H5015CKEF with microwave input power of 1 400 W and output power of 900 W.
Check these figures separately, along with the power supply specifications, in the documentation for the model you’re considering.
-
Heating food without checking the packaging instructions
Anses warns that reheating food at too high a power setting increases the risk of substances from certain types of packaging migrating into food.
Check that the container is microwave-safe and follow the power and timing instructions on the packaging and in the manual.
Brands to consider, model by model
Bosch
Bosch offers a range of freestanding microwaves, with product specifications that make it easy to compare their dimensions with the space you have available.
- Bosch’s product page for the FFL023MS2 lists a 20 L cavity, a maximum microwave output power of 800 W and dimensions of 260 × 442 × 345 mm.
- These specifications apply to this model only, so check the details of the one you’re considering.
Brandt
The range includes freestanding models with a grill, which may be worth considering if you want to brown and crisp food.
- Brandt lists the GE2302W with a 23 L cavity, 800 W microwave output power and a 1 000 W grill.
- These power ratings and functions apply to the GE2302W, not the entire range.
Samsung
Some Samsung models combine microwave, grill and convection functions, making them suitable for kitchens where one appliance needs to cover several types of cooking.
- Samsung’s product page for the MC28H5015CKEF lists a 28 L capacity, 900 W microwave output power and a 230 V / 50 Hz power supply.
- Check the dimensions and installation instructions for the specific model before deciding where to put it.
Whirlpool
The freestanding range includes models with a grill as well as combination models. Compare them based on the type of cooking you want to do.
- Whirlpool describes the MWF259SG as a 25 L combination microwave with no turntable, a grill and a cavity measuring 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm.
- The features of the MWF259SG don’t necessarily apply to other Whirlpool models.
Models to suit your needs
These Joybuy models cover simple reheating, grilling and combination cooking. Start by comparing the function you actually need, then check the manual to make sure the appliance can be installed in your chosen spot.
Image unavailable
COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L black microwave
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting if you don’t need a grill. The model name lists 700 W, six preset menus and eleven power levels.
Measure the space and check the ventilation clearances in the manual.
Image unavailable
Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L black microwave with grill
Worth considering if you’d like to brown and crisp food occasionally as well as reheat it. The model name lists 700 W and a 20 L capacity. Having a grill doesn’t mean it also has convection.
Check the manual for the clearance needed for installation.
Image unavailable
Hkoenig VIO8, 20 L black and stainless steel microwave
Another option for everyday reheating and defrosting. The model name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power.
Compare its dimensions with your worktop space and check the manual for ventilation requirements.
Image unavailable
Hkoenig VIO9, 25 L stainless steel microwave with grill
Worth considering if browning and crisping food is important to you, but don’t confuse a grill with convection. The model name lists a 25 L capacity and 1 000 W, but doesn’t specify which function this power rating relates to.
Check the power ratings for each function, the dimensions and the required clearances in the product documentation.
Image unavailable
LG MJ3965ACS, 39 L black and stainless steel combination microwave
Worth considering if you want one appliance that can also cook using the grill and convection functions. With a stated capacity of 39 L, it’s particularly important to check you have enough room.
Before installation, check the ventilation clearances and input power in the manual.
Frequently asked questions
Is a solo microwave enough for student accommodation?
Yes, if you mainly plan to reheat and defrost food. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from those of a grill and a combination model. Even so, check that your chosen model has the defrost settings you’ll find useful.
How can I tell whether a microwave will fit in a small kitchen?
Check the external dimensions, door opening and clearances required by the manual against the space available, rather than relying on capacity alone. For example, Bosch lists dimensions of 260 × 442 × 345 mm for its 20 L FFL023MS2; another model with the same capacity may have different dimensions.
Can I heat food in its packaging?
Only if the packaging is suitable for microwave use, and you follow its power and timing instructions. Anses says that reheating food at too high a power setting increases the risk of substances from certain types of packaging migrating into food.
What should I do if the appliance is faulty or reaches the end of its life?
For an appliance bought in France from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity covers faults that were present when the product was delivered, according to the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. At the end of its life, the Ministry for Ecological Transition says that an electrical appliance can be taken to a collection point, a waste recycling centre or a shop collection point.