Students who mainly reheat portions
If you mostly need to reheat or defrost meals and have limited worktop space, a solo microwave is worth considering. Check that your plates will fit inside.
Which type suits each use?
Renters who cook without an oven
If you also want to make gratins, pizzas or simple bakes, look at combination microwaves with a fan oven function. Whether one is right for you depends on the space available and how well the model handles the dishes you plan to cook.
Small kitchens where browning is an occasional need
If you reheat food every day but sometimes want to brown a dish, a microwave with a grill could suit you. However, a grill doesn’t do the same job as a fan oven.
What should you check before choosing?
According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, the key difference between these three types of appliance is which cooking functions you’ll actually use.
Solo microwave
Consider it: for reheating and defrosting if you don’t plan to brown dishes or cook food in an oven.
Limitation: it has neither a grill nor a fan oven function.
Microwave with grill
Consider it: if you’d occasionally like to brown the top of a reheated meal.
Limitation: a microwave and grill setting doesn’t mean the appliance has a fan oven function.
Combination microwave with fan oven
Consider it: if you need some basic oven-style cooking functions but don’t have a separate oven.
Limitation: allow enough room for the appliance and its ventilation; cooking performance depends on the model.
| Feature | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking modes | Check the microwave, grill and fan oven functions separately. Look at the combination modes listed for the specific model. | I mostly reheat leftovers; browning or oven-style cooking only matters if I’ll actually make those dishes. |
| Space and usable capacity | Compare the appliance’s external width, depth and height with the space available. Also check the internal dimensions or turntable diameter against your dishes: capacity in litres isn’t enough on its own. | My plates need to fit inside without the appliance taking up my entire worktop. |
| Installation | Check the model’s instructions for permitted installation types and ventilation clearances. Make sure the surface can support its weight and that the power supply is suitable for your installation. | In a small kitchen, I need a spot where the vents will remain clear, even if the appliance is close to a cabinet. |
| Performance in use | If comparable test results are available, look separately at defrosting, even reheating and the cooking functions you’ll use. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these uses separately in its testing protocol. | I’d rather check how it performs with the meals I usually make than choose based on the stated power alone. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a combination model without planning where it will go
For example, the Whirlpool MWSC9133SB is 54 cm deep and weighs 27.45 kg, according to Whirlpool France. You’ll also need to leave the ventilation space specified for your chosen appliance.
Measure your worktop and check the supporting surface, doorways and clearances listed in the instructions before ordering.
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Confusing a grill with a fan oven
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a grill is used to brown food, while combination models with a fan oven offer some basic oven-style cooking functions. A grill alone may therefore not meet your needs if you plan to bake or cook regularly without an oven.
If fan oven cooking is important to you, make sure it’s explicitly listed among the model’s functions.
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Judging cooking performance by watts or litres alone
UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses defrosting, even reheating, grilling and fan oven cooking separately. Power and capacity don’t tell you everything about these results.
When comparing test results, focus on the uses that matter to you: reheating portions, defrosting or oven-style cooking.
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Installing a freestanding microwave as if it were built in
Whirlpool France points out that the vents on a freestanding microwave must be kept clear. Bosch’s instructions state that the models they cover aren’t intended for installation in a built-in cabinet.
Read the instructions for the exact model and choose a location that meets its installation and safety requirements.
A guide to the brands
These manufacturer-described models give you an idea of the functions and dimensions to compare. They don’t indicate how another model will perform or whether it’s available from Joybuy.
Whirlpool
A useful reference for checking the functions and footprint of a freestanding combination model.
- Whirlpool France describes the MWSC9133SB as a 33 L combination microwave with a grill, among other features.
- At 54 cm deep and 27.45 kg, it requires careful checks of the space and supporting surface. Claims about the Crisp function are made by the brand.
Samsung
Different models let you compare a grill microwave with one that has convection cooking.
- Samsung France lists the MG23K3515AK as a 23 L grill microwave and the MC28H5015CKEF as a 28 L model combining convection, grill and microwave functions.
- These listed functions alone don’t prove that the second model will cook as well as a conventional oven.
LG
The MC-8280NB gives you an example of the measurements to consider for a combination microwave with a fan oven.
- LG France lists a 32 L capacity, quartz grill, fan oven and 900 W microwave power.
- Its external dimensions are 53 × 32,2 × 42,7 cm and it weighs 19 kg net. Check the space you have before choosing this size.
Panasonic
The NN-E20JW is a useful reference for the dimensions of a solo microwave.
- Panasonic France lists a 20 L capacity, 800 W power, five power levels and external dimensions of 443 × 330 × 258 mm.
- The manufacturer’s page says this model is unavailable. Its measurements can still help you compare sizes, but don’t assume you can buy it.
Models available on Joybuy
This selection includes solo microwaves, grill models and a combination model to consider if you’d like to cook without a separate oven. Compare their functions and dimensions with your needs and available space.
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Beko MGC20100B1, black microwave with grill, 20 L, 700 W
Worth considering if you’d like to add a grill to your everyday reheating. Check your dish sizes, installation clearances and whether it has a fan oven function if you also want to cook oven-style meals.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, microwave with grill, 25 L, 900 W
An option with a grill if you’d like to brown some dishes. Before choosing it for a small kitchen, check its dimensions and the ventilation instructions in the manual against the space you have.
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Heinrich's, solo microwave, 20 L, 700 W
Worth a look for reheating and defrosting without a grill function. The product description lists six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function. Check the ventilation space required, as well as the power supply and instructions for the exact model.
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LG MJ3965ACS, black combination microwave
Worth considering if you’re looking for more cooking modes in one appliance. Before relying on it to cook without an oven, check the functions and stated capacity of the exact model, as well as the requirements for space, ventilation and power supply.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, solo microwave, 20 L, 700 W
Worth considering for reheating portions without a grill function. If you also plan to defrost food regularly, check the relevant setting in the manual. Make sure your dishes will fit and that the installation meets the required clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace a conventional oven?
It can handle some basic cooking if the model has both a grill and a fan oven function, as UFC-Que Choisir explains. Don’t assume it will be equivalent for every recipe: compare test results for preheating, temperature consistency and the dishes you plan to cook.
What should I measure before buying a microwave for a studio flat?
Measure the width, depth and height of the space, then allow for the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. Also check the internal dimensions or turntable diameter against your plates: a capacity stated in litres doesn’t guarantee that a particular dish will fit.
Can you put a freestanding microwave in an alcove?
Only if the model’s instructions allow it and its vents can be kept clear. Whirlpool France highlights this ventilation requirement; Bosch’s instructions state that the freestanding models they cover aren’t intended for built-in cabinets. Check your appliance’s manual before installing it.