Student without an oven
With limited worktop space, think about which meals you only need to reheat and which need oven cooking. A combination microwave is only worthwhile if its settings suit dishes you actually make.
Who is this guide for?
Occupant of a holiday home with limited facilities
If you only stay there occasionally, choose based on the meals you plan to prepare and the space available. If you expect to do more than reheat food, look at the cooking modes without overlooking installation and cleaning requirements.
Anyone looking to combine several functions
If you’re considering one appliance for reheating, browning and some oven cooking, check that the model you choose includes both a grill and a fan oven function.
What should guide your choice?
Start with the meals you want to prepare, then compare the functions you need with the space you actually have. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between solo, grill and combination microwaves according to their cooking capabilities. The category name alone isn’t enough: check the settings available on the specific model.
| Need | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Cook without an oven | Whether it has a fan oven or convection setting; whether the cavity dimensions suit the dishes you plan to cook. | I don’t have an oven at home and want to cook some dishes, rather than just reheat them. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this cooking need. |
| Reheat and defrost | Power and timer settings; enough room for your usual plates and containers. | Reheating and defrosting are all I need for everyday meals, and I’m not planning to cook food in the oven. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Brown food occasionally | Whether it has a grill setting; whether the dishes you want to brown will fit, and which accessories are recommended in the manual. | I’d like to brown a portion now and then, but oven cooking won’t be my main use. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise occasional browning. |
| Keep your appliances compact | Width, height and depth, including the required clearances; door opening and access to the socket. | I’d rather keep a compact microwave and, if needed, use a separate small cooking appliance, as long as I have space to position and store them. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this arrangement over buying a combination microwave. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a combination microwave just for reheating
If you only reheat and defrost food, you may never use the grill or fan oven function, while the appliance will still take up worktop space.
Make a note of the meals you eat in a typical week. A solo model is worth considering if none of your planned uses involve oven cooking or browning food.
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Measuring only the width
An appliance may fit widthways but still obstruct the door or leave too little clearance for ventilation. Whirlpool reminds users not to block the ventilation openings.
Measure the space in all three dimensions and check the model’s manual for installation requirements, power supply and clearance.
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Confusing a grill with a fan oven
A grill is for browning food. Its presence alone doesn’t mean the appliance can provide the oven-style cooking you’re looking for.
If you want to prepare dishes that need oven-style cooking, look specifically for a fan oven or convection setting in the specifications and manual.
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Putting your old appliance in the bin
A used microwave should be disposed of through the waste electrical and electronic equipment scheme. Depending on its condition, you could also consider having it repaired or donating it.
Before replacing it, ask the retailer about take-back options and check with ADEME for local repair, donation or drop-off schemes.
Brands to know
Whirlpool
In France, Whirlpool offers solo, grill and combination microwaves.
- Its ranges show how different functions can be combined; check each model individually.
- Capacity, settings and dimensions vary by model. Check the product details and manual before planning to cook a particular dish.
Beko
In France, Beko offers freestanding solo, grill and combination microwaves.
- The brand describes combination models that pair microwave functions with a fan oven.
- Don’t assume a model has the same settings or space requirements as another one in the range.
Samsung
Samsung’s French range is divided into solo, grill and combination categories.
- Some of the brand’s combination models include a convection function.
- Extra programmes aren’t available on every model, so start with the settings you need for your meals.
Sharp
Sharp offers, among other options, combination microwaves with a grill and fan oven.
- The Sharp R-85ST-A product details list microwave, grill and fan oven settings that can be used separately or together.
- The brand also offers 40-litre appliances. Measure your space before considering a large model for a small kitchen.
Microwaves for different needs
These Joybuy models cover reheating and defrosting with a solo microwave, browning with grill models, and combination models to consider if you’re planning to cook other dishes too. For each appliance, compare the listed settings and the manual with the meals you plan to make and the space you have available.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L
Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, with the option to brown dishes occasionally using the grill.
Stated capacity: 20 L; stated power: 700 W. If you need a fan oven function, check the exact settings before choosing this model.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB combination microwave, 42 L
Worth looking at if you want one appliance for several needs and have enough space for a model of this size.
Stated capacity: 42 L. Check the manual for the settings you need for your cooking, ventilation clearances and electrical specifications.
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LG MJ3965ACS combination microwave, 39 L
Consider this if you’re looking for a combination microwave and can set aside enough space for a 39 L appliance.
Check that your dishes fit the model’s usable dimensions, and consult the manual for its cooking settings and ventilation clearances.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter with grill, 25 L
A good option if you want to reheat and defrost food, with a grill for browning some dishes.
Stated capacity: 25 L; stated power: 900 W. If you’re planning to use a fan oven function, check the model’s settings and the space required for installation.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L
Worth considering if your priority is reheating and defrosting, and you don’t need the appliance to brown food.
Stated power: 700 W; its title lists 11 power levels and a defrost function. Check the usable dimensions for your containers and the clearances needed for installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace an oven in a small home?
It can handle some oven-style cooking if the model genuinely has a fan oven or convection setting. Also check the cavity size, accessories and instructions for the dishes you want to prepare. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this function from microwave-only use.
What do you need to consider when installing a freestanding microwave?
Place it on a flat surface and keep the ventilation openings clear, as Whirlpool recommends. Before deciding where to put it, check the manual for clearances, suitable locations and electrical requirements.
Can you put a freestanding microwave in a closed cupboard?
Don’t do so unless the manufacturer explicitly says it’s suitable for the model in question. The manual for the Continental Edison CEMO20LEDS says it must not be installed in a cupboard. Check your appliance’s instructions and choose a model designed for the space you have in mind.
Which containers can you use with the different settings?
Use containers approved in the manual for the setting you’ve selected. In microwave mode, avoid metal utensils unless the manufacturer explicitly says otherwise. Also check that plastic containers are suitable for this use.
What should you do with an old microwave when replacing it in France?
Choose a suitable repair, reuse or collection option for electrical and electronic equipment. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition outlines take-back under the ‘one-for-one’ scheme when buying an appliance of the same type. Ask the retailer how this works in practice.