If you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, choose a basic microwave; a grill is useful if you also make dishes that need browning. If you don’t have a conventional oven, compare a combination microwave and a mini oven based on the dishes you want to cook and the space available. A study by ADEME and the National Consumer Institute, published in February 2026, found no clear advantage for combination microwaves over the convection ovens tested. Before buying, measure the space and check the appliance instructions and your accommodation’s rules.
If worktop space is limited, first check what appliances are already provided and what your accommodation allows. A basic microwave may be all you need for reheating and defrosting; if you plan to cook oven dishes, compare a combination microwave with a mini oven instead. Rules at the Paris CROUS and Reims CROUS show that the equipment provided and the conditions in place depend on the accommodation.
For reheating meals and defrosting food, a basic microwave covers the uses described by UFC-Que Choisir. If the appliance also needs to handle oven cooking, consider the dishes you could make with a combination microwave or mini oven, then compare how much space each one takes up.
There’s more to consider than reheating capacity: think about whether you regularly cook quiches, cakes or roast dishes. A combination microwave brings together microwave and oven-style cooking, while a mini oven is designed primarily for oven cooking. Neither is suitable for every dish or every space.
Start with the meals you actually prepare, then weigh up the functions you need against your kitchen dimensions and the model’s installation instructions.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | A basic microwave is mainly for reheating and defrosting; a grill adds browning. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a combination microwave also offers features such as convection cooking. Compare it with a mini oven for the dishes you plan to make. | Will I mainly reheat portions, or do I also regularly make gratins, quiches and cakes? |
| Size | Measure the available width, depth and height, and remember to allow for the door to open and access to the socket. Compare these measurements with the appliance’s external dimensions and ventilation instructions. | It needs to fit on my unit, and I must be able to open the door without getting in the way of meal preparation. |
| Dish size and shape | Compare the cavity dimensions and, if there is one, the turntable diameter with the dishes you usually use. Capacity in litres alone won’t tell you what shapes will fit inside. | My plate or rectangular dish needs to fit and be suitable for use according to the instructions. |
| Settings and power | Check the stated power and settings for the microwave and grill separately, as well as the controls you need for your recipes. Compare a mini oven by its cooking modes and the dishes it can accommodate. | I need the functions that suit my meals, without mistaking grilling to finish a dish for regular oven cooking. |
| Installation and use | Check the instructions for clearance, electrical connection and compatible containers. If you live in halls, also check the accommodation inventory and the applicable rules. | Before adding an appliance to my kitchenette, I want to know where I can put it and whether my accommodation allows it. |
A combination microwave offers several cooking modes, but the results depend on the dishes and appliances being compared. In a study published in February 2026, ADEME and the National Consumer Institute found no clear advantage for the 4 combination microwaves over the 10 convection ovens tested in their trials.
If you often cook pizzas, quiches or pastries, compare a combination microwave and a mini oven using those dishes, their dimensions and the space available.
Two cavities with a similar capacity may fit dishes of different shapes. For example, the Electrolux EMZ421MMK product details list both a capacity of 21 L and a 27 cm turntable; these measurements apply to this specific model.
Measure your plate and the dish you use most, then check the internal dimensions and turntable size of the model you’re considering.
The Bosch instructions for the freestanding FEL023M and FEL053M models state that they are not designed to be installed or used in a built-in cabinet. Check the installation instructions for each appliance.
Before placing a microwave in an alcove or under a cupboard, make sure its instructions allow this and follow the specified clearance requirements.
Anses says that higher temperatures and longer heating times increase the risk of substances migrating from certain food packaging.
Follow the recommended power and heating time for microwaveable products, and check that the container is suitable for the setting you’re using.
These examples highlight features to compare on specific models; they don’t necessarily apply to every product in each brand’s range.
Whirlpool offers freestanding microwaves and combination models to consider if you want to bring reheating and oven-style cooking together.
Samsung categorises its microwaves as solo, grill and combination models, depending on the cooking functions you’re looking for.
The freestanding EMZ421MMK grill microwave is an example of the measurements to check against the space in a small kitchen.
The Optimo OX485810 mini oven is worth considering when oven cooking matters more to you than microwave reheating.
These models are suited to reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen; several also have a grill function. If you regularly cook oven dishes, compare a combination microwave and a mini oven separately, based on your meals and the space you have.
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For meals that are mostly reheated or defrosted: the title lists a 20 L capacity, 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Measure the space and check the instructions for the required clearance and electrical connection.
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Worth considering if you want to brown food as well as reheat it: the title describes a 20 L, 700 W microwave with a grill. Check the dimensions, the size of your dishes and the required installation clearance before deciding where to put it.
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According to the product information, this model combines reheating and defrosting with a grill function. The title lists a 21 L capacity and 800 W; check the space needed for the appliance, its door opening and ventilation. Measurements for the EMZ421MMK, another Electrolux model, don’t apply to this one.
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The grill function may suit meals that need a golden finish; the title lists a 25 L capacity and 900 W for this model. Before choosing this capacity, compare the size of your dishes, the appliance dimensions and the required clearance with the space available.
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For reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen: the title lists a 20 L capacity, 700 W and six power levels. Before choosing this model for your unit and dishes, check its external dimensions, turntable diameter and ventilation clearance.
Yes, if you mainly use it for reheating and defrosting and have another way to prepare dishes that need a grill or oven. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from those of grill and combination microwaves; also check what equipment is already provided in your accommodation.
No. A combination microwave adds microwave functions, but how useful it is depends on the dishes you prepare and the model you’re comparing it with. A study by ADEME and the National Consumer Institute, published in February 2026, found no clear advantage for the 4 combination microwaves over the 10 convection ovens tested in their trials. Compare the cooking modes, the dishes each appliance can accommodate and the space required.
Measure the available unit space, the room needed to open the door and the dishes you plan to use. Then compare these measurements with the model’s external dimensions, cavity and turntable. Finally, check the instructions for ventilation clearance and electrical connection requirements.
First check your accommodation rules, the inventory and the manager’s instructions. Rules at the Paris CROUS and Reims CROUS show that the equipment provided and specific conditions can vary by accommodation; you shouldn’t assume that personal appliances are allowed everywhere.
Use containers suited to the setting you’ve selected and follow the recommended heating time and power for microwaveable products. Anses warns that more intense heating increases the risk of substances migrating from certain packaging; the Bosch instructions for the FEL023M and FEL053M models prohibit metal containers when using microwave-only mode.