Who is this choice for?

You mainly reheat meals

Leftovers, ready meals and defrosting are your main uses. Extra cooking functions are not a priority, as outlined in UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide.

You don’t have a usable oven

You’d also like to brown food or occasionally cook dishes using fan-assisted heat. You’ll need to distinguish the grill function from the modes offered by a combination microwave; Panasonic, for example, has models that bring these functions together.

Your kitchen has a cabinet niche

You’re considering a built-in appliance and need to compare your cabinet dimensions with the installation diagram for the exact model. Bosch manuals distinguish between appliances designed for built-in installation and those intended to be freestanding.

What should you check before buying?

In a studio flat, first check where the appliance can be installed, then choose its functions to suit the meals you usually prepare. Built-in describes an installation requirement; basic, grill and combination refer to the functions you can compare.

Criterion What to check Who this matters to
Location and installation Measure the available space and door clearance; check the installation and ventilation requirements for the exact model. If my worktop is narrow, I want to be sure the appliance can be placed there in accordance with its instructions. Around 36% of consumers make this compatibility their priority.
Reheating and defrosting Check the reheating and defrosting functions, as well as whether the dimensions suit the dishes you use. For quick meals, I mainly want to reheat and defrost, without choosing cooking modes I won’t use. Around 29% of consumers put this simplicity first.
Grill and combination cooking Distinguish the grill, which is useful for browning food, from the fan-assisted cooking functions advertised for the combination model you’re considering. Without a usable oven, I need to decide whether I only want to brown food or also cook using fan-assisted heat. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this versatility.
Fitting a cabinet niche Compare the niche dimensions with the installation diagram and confirm that the model is designed for built-in installation. My kitchen already has a niche, and I want to fit a microwave there without assuming that a freestanding model will be suitable. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this integrated look.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Relying only on capacity or the visible width

    Depth, door clearance and installation instructions can also determine whether a microwave is suitable for its location. Bosch manuals, for example, specify that a freestanding model is not necessarily designed to be built in.

    Measure the entire space and check the instructions for the exact model before ordering.

  • Choosing a combination model just to reheat food

    The grill and fan-assisted heat offer different cooking options, but they aren’t necessary if all you need is reheating and defrosting.

    Start with the meals you usually prepare: choose a grill if you want to brown food, and check the modes on a combination model if you also plan to cook using fan-assisted heat.

  • Confusing a commercial guarantee with your statutory rights

    In France, an optional commercial guarantee is separate from the legal guarantee of conformity, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Its terms do not replace your applicable statutory rights.

    Read the written terms and compare the cover offered with the legal guarantee before making your choice.

Brands to consider

Whirlpool

Whirlpool France offers freestanding microwaves, including grill and combination models.

  • Its freestanding range includes several types of functions.
  • Check the dimensions and installation requirements for each model to make sure it suits your space.

Bosch

Bosch Home Appliances France offers built-in models; its manuals also distinguish between appliances intended for freestanding installation and those designed to be built in.

  • You can check the installation type and dimensions for a specific model.
  • The dimensions and instructions for one Bosch model do not automatically apply to others.

Panasonic

Panasonic France offers multifunction microwaves that combine microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions, depending on the model.

  • These functions can help you identify models to consider if you’re looking for several cooking options.
  • Check the exact functions on the model you’re considering; their presence alone doesn’t prove that it will cook better.

Samsung

Samsung France offers grill microwaves and convection combination models.

  • The range lets you compare browning functions with additional cooking options.
  • The cooking results claimed by the brand don’t replace checking the functions available on the model you choose.

Joybuy products related to this choice

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you install a freestanding microwave in an enclosed cabinet?

Don’t assume you can: a Bosch manual states that some freestanding models are not designed to be installed or used in a built-in cabinet. Before buying, check the installation method and the required clearances for the exact model.

When should you choose a grill rather than a combination model?

Choose a grill function if you mainly want to brown food; consider a combination model if you also plan to cook using fan-assisted heat. Check the modes available on the model you’re considering, as functions vary between models.

What should you measure before buying a built-in microwave?

Measure the niche and compare its dimensions with the installation diagram for your chosen model, following its specific instructions. Bosch Home Appliances France lists the dimensions and installation type for each built-in model.

What guarantee applies to a non-compliant microwave bought in France?

For a purchase from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity allows you to request a remedy for two years for new or second-hand goods, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Any commercial guarantee is separate and does not remove this legal protection.