In a studio flat, choose a solo microwave if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food; a grill gives you the extra option of browning or crisping dishes. If you don’t have an oven and plan to make recipes that need oven-style cooking, consider a combination microwave with convection instead, provided its dimensions and features suit your home and the dishes you want to cook. A combination microwave won’t necessarily give you the same results as a conventional oven for every recipe.
In student accommodation or a studio flat, a solo model may suit your everyday needs if you mainly want to reheat portions and defrost food. Check that the cavity is large enough for your usual plates rather than choosing based on the stated capacity alone.
If you already have another way to cook, a microwave with a grill gives you the option to brown some dishes. Que Choisir distinguishes this feature from convection cooking: on its own, it isn’t enough for every recipe designed for an oven.
If you regularly make dishes that need oven-style cooking, look for combination microwaves that genuinely have a convection or fan-assisted cooking mode. You’ll also need to install the appliance in line with its instructions and make sure your dishes fit inside the cavity.
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, and have another way to cook everything else.
Bear in mind: this type of appliance doesn’t offer the browning of a grill or the convection cooking of a combination microwave.
Choose this if: you’d like to brown or crisp food from time to time, but don’t plan to cook oven-style dishes regularly.
Bear in mind: the grill adds a finishing function, not the convection cooking needed for some recipes.
Choose this if: you don’t have a usable oven and plan to regularly make dishes that need oven-style cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to allow enough space to install it and assess its results recipe by recipe, rather than assuming it will perform like a conventional oven.
| Your needs | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check that it has a defrost function and compare the appliance’s dimensions with the space available. | If I mainly prepare ready-cooked meals, I want to reheat a portion or defrost food without giving up too much space; around 40% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Browning and crisping | Check that the specific model has a grill mode and see which compatible accessories are included. | For finishing a gratin or browning a dish from time to time, this extra feature is my main concern; around 30% of consumers would prioritise it. |
| Oven-style cooking | Look for a convection or fan-assisted cooking mode, then check the cooking space and installation requirements. | Without a usable oven, I want to regularly make recipes that need oven-style cooking; around 30% of consumers would put this need first. |
A grill browns or crisps food; a combination microwave with convection adds another cooking mode. Choosing a grill for recipes that need oven-style cooking may therefore leave you without the feature you need.
Think about the recipes you plan to make, then look specifically for “convection” or “fan-assisted cooking” on the model you’re considering if they need this mode.
You may need another cooking appliance if a grill alone isn’t suitable for these recipes.
Two appliances with similar stated capacities can differ in how much space they take up, the size of their turntable or how far the door opens.
Measure your worktop and the dishes you usually use. Compare them with the appliance’s external dimensions, cavity size and the clearances specified in the installation instructions.
A Que Choisir test of a combination model assesses different types of food separately. So having several cooking modes doesn’t tell you how well it will cook the dishes you make.
If you’re buying it for pizza or baking, look for tests of those particular foods and check the modes available on the exact model.
A container suitable for microwave reheating won’t necessarily be suitable for grilling or convection cooking. Que Choisir also points out that not all plastics are microwave-safe.
Check the markings on each container and follow the instructions for the mode you’re using. Don’t use a metal container in microwave mode unless the manufacturer explicitly says it’s safe to do so.
Samsung offers solo microwaves, grills and combination models in France, depending on the model.
The Whirlpool France range includes freestanding models with a grill, as well as combination microwaves; extra features vary by model.
Panasonic France offers multifunction microwaves that combine microwave, grill and convection cooking, depending on the model.
These models cover reheating and defrosting, with solo appliances, grill models and a combination microwave for oven-style cooking. Start by comparing the cooking mode you need, then check how much space each model requires.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, as well as have a grill for browning dishes from time to time. Check how much space you need to leave around the appliance before installing it. If your recipes need oven-style cooking, check which modes this model offers.
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This grill model is suited to reheating and occasional browning. Check its dimensions and installation clearances, as well as the accessories included if you plan to crisp or brown dishes.
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Worth considering if reheating and defrosting are your main uses. If you also want to crisp or cook with convection, check the features of this model before choosing. Remember to allow for the ventilation space specified in the instructions.
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This solo model is for anyone who prioritises reheating and defrosting. Before buying, compare the space the appliance takes up and the size of its cavity with your dishes. Also check which modes are available if you want to brown food.
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Worth considering if you want a combination appliance for oven-style recipes as well as reheating. With a stated capacity of 39 L, it’s particularly important to check the dimensions, clearances and permitted installation method before setting aside space for it in a studio flat.
It can cook some foods, but it won’t do everything a conventional oven can. For recipes that need convection cooking, look specifically for a combination microwave with this mode. If you only want to brown a dish, a grill may be enough.
E.Leclerc suggests a capacity of 15 to 25 L for a studio flat or student accommodation. Before choosing within this range, make sure your plates and dishes fit inside the cavity and that the appliance, with the required clearances, will fit in the space you have available.
Not necessarily: compatibility depends on the container and the mode you’re using. Check the container’s markings and the appliance instructions. Not all plastics are suitable for microwave use, and restrictions may change when the grill or convection mode is on.
Look for a suitable reuse, repair or collection option for electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition says that collection points can help you find a suitable option for these appliances.