If you mainly reheat meals and defrost food, start by comparing solo microwaves. A grill model is worth considering if you regularly want to brown food; a combination microwave or mini oven may suit you better if oven-style cooking matters more. In every case, measure the space available for the appliance, the clearance needed to open its door and the ventilation space specified in the manual.
You mostly prepare individual portions, soups or ready meals to reheat, and want to defrost food without relying on lots of extra functions. UFC-Que Choisir and Samsung France distinguish this kind of use from situations that call for a grill or combination microwave.
You’d also like to brown food under a grill or cook certain dishes in an oven-style way. The right choice depends on how often you prepare these meals: according to UFC-Que Choisir, a grill adds browning, while a combination microwave also offers oven-style cooking functions.
A freestanding appliance could meet your reheating needs, provided you have a flat surface and follow the ventilation requirements for the model. Whirlpool France advises keeping its vents unobstructed.
Best for: when reheating and defrosting cover most of your meals.
The trade-off: it doesn’t offer a grill or fan-assisted cooking.
Worth considering: if you’d also like to brown or grill food regularly.
The trade-off: having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking.
Worth considering: if you want one appliance for reheating and some oven-style cooking.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir describes combination microwaves as more expensive. Also check how much space the appliance will actually take up.
Worth looking into: if oven cooking matters more to you than reheating and defrosting in a microwave.
Compare: its size and installation requirements before deciding where to put it in your kitchen.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and ventilation | Measure the appliance and check the door clearance; leave the gaps specified in the manual. | If my worktop is narrow, I need to be able to open the door and keep the vents clear. Around 42% of consumers put ease of installation first. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost functions and make sure there’s enough room for the containers you usually use. | For everyday meals, I mainly want to reheat a portion or defrost food without using extra functions. This simplicity is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Browning | Check that it has a grill and find out which accessories are supplied with the model. | When I often cook gratin dishes, a browned top matters just as much as reheating. Around 17% of consumers make this their main priority. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check the combination microwave’s cooking modes and compare them with what you’d expect from a mini oven. | Without a practical oven at home, I want to cook a wider range of dishes in the space I have. This partial replacement is a priority for around 8% of consumers. |
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop. Product specifications from Whirlpool France and Brandt list depths of 36,3 cm for the 20 L MWP203SB and 41,2 cm for the 26 L GE2626W, respectively.
Compare the external dimensions, then measure the space needed in front of the door and around the appliance, as specified in its manual.
Whirlpool France warns that blocked ventilation can cause overheating and advises against placing anything on top of its microwaves.
Follow the clearance instructions in the manual for your chosen model. Don’t put a freestanding appliance in an enclosed cupboard unless the manufacturer confirms that it’s suitable.
A combination microwave can bring several functions together, but UFC-Que Choisir describes it as more expensive than a solo microwave. If you mainly reheat leftovers, you may rarely use those extra functions.
Make a note of the meals you usually prepare. Compare a solo model first, then look at a grill or combination microwave only if your needs justify it.
A model-specific capacity claim doesn’t guarantee that your dishes will fit or that the appliance can be installed where you want it.
Check the dimensions of the cavity or turntable, the external dimensions and the installation instructions for the exact model.
Whirlpool France’s freestanding range includes grill models and appliances with different cavity sizes.
Brandt’s range includes freestanding microwaves with grills.
The R-239 W featured by Sharp Electronics France is an example of a solo microwave for reheating and defrosting.
Samsung France’s guide distinguishes between solo, grill and combination microwaves according to how you plan to cook.
These solo and grill models suit the reheating and defrosting needs covered here, with the grill models also offering browning. For each one, check that its dimensions and required clearances are suitable for the space you have.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d like to brown some dishes as well as reheat them.
The product listing describes it as a 20 L, 700 W microwave with grill. Check the manual for the clearance needed in your chosen location.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you want to reheat and defrost food without needing a grill function.
The product name lists 700 W, six preset menus, eleven power levels and a defrost function. Check how much space it needs for ventilation.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if your main needs are reheating and defrosting.
The product name lists six power levels, a 30-minute timer, a turntable and an interior light. Check the clearances specified in the manual.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want a grill function and need to check whether a 25 L model will fit.
The product name lists a digital display and 1 000 W, but doesn’t specify which function this power rating applies to. Compare the dimensions and ventilation requirements before deciding where to put it.
No. The location must meet the installation requirements for the model, including the specified ventilation clearances. Whirlpool France recommends using a flat surface, keeping the vents clear and not placing anything on top of its appliances. Check the manual before installing a microwave in a cupboard.
A grill can be useful for browning food, but having one doesn’t mean the appliance can handle all the other things an oven can. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes grill models from combination microwaves with oven-style cooking functions. If these cooking options matter to you, compare the functions of the specific model with those of a mini oven.
Choose containers explicitly marked as microwave-safe and follow the appliance manual. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using metal utensils and points out that not all plastic containers are suitable.
Yes. In France, it covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It applies when goods don’t meet the conformity requirements. If you discover a problem after buying, contact the business that sold it to you.