If you mainly reheat meals
If you reheat portions and defrost food more often than you cook in an oven, a standard microwave is a good place to start. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this use from that of grill and combination models.
Which option is right for you?
If you want to brown food without a built-in oven
For the occasional golden finish, compare grill microwaves. If pizzas, gratins or baked goods are regulars on your menu, also look at the features of a combination microwave and the size of a mini oven, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir and Moulinex for their respective categories.
If you make slow-cooked or steamed dishes
If you mainly prepare meals in a sauce, by steaming or under pressure, a multi-cooker is worth comparing with appliances designed for oven cooking. The modes listed for Moulinex’s Cookeo+ give an idea of what it can do; they don’t, by themselves, meet the need to brown food.
What should you look for before choosing?
Without a built-in oven, start with the dishes you actually make: occasional browning, regular oven cooking and one-pot meals call for different features. Then compare the space you have available with the installation instructions for the model you choose.
| Your need | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the external dimensions and the size of the containers you’ll use inside the cavity. | When I mainly prepare portions to reheat, I’d rather not choose oven functions I’m unlikely to use. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Occasional browning | Check that it has a grill and see which accessories come with the model. | I want to be able to brown a dish from time to time, while keeping reheating as my main use. This would be the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Oven-style cooking | Compare the cooking modes, the usable dimensions of the cavity and the size of your dishes or tins. | If I often make pizzas or cakes, I need an appliance with modes and a cavity suited to those recipes. Around 29% of consumers would put this type of cooking at the top of their list. |
| One-pot cooking | Look at the steaming, slow-cooking or pressure-cooking modes, the bowl capacity and the accessories included. | I mainly make slow-cooked or steamed meals, so I prioritise these dishes rather than a browned finish. Around 14% of consumers would make one-pot cooking their main priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a standard microwave when you regularly make dishes that need browning
A standard microwave is mainly suited to reheating and defrosting; it doesn’t have the grill or fan-assisted cooking functions you’ll want for these dishes.
Make a note of the dishes you cook most often. If pizzas, gratins or cakes feature regularly, compare the functions of a combination microwave and a mini oven.
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Relying on the capacity in litres alone
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you by itself whether your tin or dish will fit inside the cavity. The external dimensions also determine how much worktop space you’ll need.
Measure the space and your dishes, then compare them with the model’s external and usable dimensions.
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Blocking a microwave’s vents
Whirlpool reminds customers to keep the ventilation grilles on its microwaves clear.
Before installation, check the model’s manual for suitable positioning and the clearance required.
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Assuming a crisping accessory is included
For the Cookeo+ mentioned by Moulinex, the function that uses the Extra Crisp accessory requires a separately sold item. Don’t choose a multi-cooker on the assumption that all its cooking modes are available straight out of the box.
Check what’s included with the exact model and which accessories you’ll need for the dishes you have in mind.
A separate accessory is one more item to store and use to get the result you want.
Brands to know when comparing appliances
Bosch
Bosch’s range includes freestanding microwaves designed for reheating and defrosting.
- Bosch’s FFL023MS2 product page lists a capacity of 20 L and a maximum microwave power of 800 W.
- These specifications apply to the FFL023MS2. Check the features and dimensions of any other model separately.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s freestanding range includes grill and combination microwaves, which you can compare based on the types of cooking you want to do.
- The MWP303SB and MWF259SG models are examples of the grill and combination categories respectively in the brand’s product information.
- Features and clearance requirements vary by model; Whirlpool says not to block the ventilation grilles.
Moulinex
The Optimo and Cookeo ranges offer two distinct options to consider: cooking in a mini oven and making meals in one pot.
- Moulinex lists a fan-assisted cooking function and six modes for the Optimo 19 L; the brand highlights pressure cooking, steaming and slow cooking among the Cookeo+ modes.
- Choose according to the recipes you plan to make: the features listed for one appliance don’t automatically apply to the other.
De'Longhi
De'Longhi electric mini ovens are worth considering if oven cooking matters more to you than simply reheating food.
- The Sfornatutto Chef EO34302 product page lists a capacity of 34 L, as well as grill and convection functions.
- The stated input power of 2 000 W applies to this model. Check its product information and manual against your intended location and installation.
Microwaves to compare on Joybuy
These models cover reheating with a standard microwave, browning with a grill model and a wider range of cooking with combination microwaves. If you’re looking for mini-oven-style cooking or one-pot meals, use the points above as a guide for comparison.
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Hkoenig VIO9, freestanding microwave, 25 L, 1 000 W
Worth comparing if you want to reheat and defrost, with the option to brown food occasionally. Check the manual for the clearance required around this freestanding appliance.
Stated capacity: 25 L. Finish: stainless steel.
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LG MJ3965ACS, combination microwave, 39 L
Worth considering if you want to combine reheating with different cooking modes in a countertop appliance. Compare the size of your dishes with the cavity and follow the ventilation instructions in the manual.
Stated capacity: 39 L.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB, combination microwave, 42 L
Worth comparing if you’re also planning to make dishes that call for a combination appliance. Measure your worktop and dishes: the stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether a container will fit inside the cavity.
Stated capacity: 42 L.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih, grill microwave, 25 L, white
Worth considering if reheating is still your main use, but you’d also like a grill function for browning some dishes. Check the size of your containers and the installation requirements in the manual.
Stated capacity: 25 L. Power listed in the product name: 1 000 W.
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Samsung MS23K3513 Quick Defrost, solo microwave, 23 L
Worth comparing if you mainly want to reheat and defrost, rather than choosing an appliance for browning food. Before deciding where to put it, check its dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual.
Stated capacity: 23 L.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should you leave around a countertop microwave?
Follow the clearance requirements in the manual for your chosen model rather than relying on a distance that applies to every appliance. Whirlpool specifically says not to block the ventilation grilles on its microwaves; also check that the space available suits your appliance’s dimensions.
Mini oven or combination microwave for pizzas and cakes?
If you often make these dishes, start by comparing the available oven, grill or convection modes and the size of the cavity. UFC-Que Choisir says a combination microwave can perform basic functions of a traditional oven; a mini oven is also worth considering if your dishes and tins fit its capacity.
Can a multi-cooker replace a mini oven?
Not for every dish: the pressure-cooking, steaming and slow-cooking modes listed for Moulinex’s Cookeo+ are designed for different types of cooking from regular roasting or browning. If you’re looking for a crispy finish, check which function you need and whether the required accessory is included.
Can you alter a microwave’s cable to install it?
Don’t plan to alter the cable to make an appliance fit your chosen space. Whirlpool says that making this kind of modification will void its warranty. Choose an appliance that works with your existing installation, follow its manual and ask a suitably qualified professional to assess any changes to the installation.