For a studio flat, second home or temporary accommodation, choose a solo microwave mainly for reheating and defrosting, a grill model for occasional browning, or a combination microwave if you also plan to use it for oven-style cooking. According to UFC-Que Choisir, these categories differ in their functions. Before you decide, check the space available and the installation instructions for the specific model.
If you’re equipping a studio flat or second home and don’t need to replace an oven, a solo model will cover these everyday tasks. UFC-Que Choisir lists this kind of accommodation among the settings where a microwave can be useful.
If you’d also like to brown the tops of some dishes, a grill model adds this option to reheating and defrosting. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this function from the fan-assisted cooking available on combination models.
If you’ll regularly use your microwave for oven-style cooking, consider a combination model with the modes you need. Whether it’s right for you depends on the recipes you actually plan to make and the space you have available.
Start with the meals you’ll make most often, then check that the model you choose can fit your dishes and be installed in line with its instructions.
Choose this if: you mainly want to reheat and defrost.
Bear in mind: this category won’t meet your needs if you want a grill or fan-assisted cooking.
Choose this if: you occasionally want to brown dishes as well as carry out everyday tasks.
Bear in mind: a grill alone doesn’t replace the fan-assisted cooking of a combination model.
Choose this if: you plan to use oven-style cooking modes regularly.
Bear in mind: check the modes, accessories and overall size carefully for the specific model.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the power and timer controls, defrost function and turntable size. | When I’m staying somewhere temporarily, I mainly want to prepare simple meals quickly without having to learn several cooking modes. Around 50% of consumers prioritise reheating and defrosting. |
| Occasional browning | Make sure it has a grill, check which accessories are included and see which cookware the instructions allow. | I reheat meals but would also like to brown a dish now and then; around 20% of consumers put this feature first. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check for fan-assisted cooking, the external dimensions, space for your dishes and the required clearances. | With no usable oven in my small kitchen, I plan to regularly cook dishes that need other cooking modes. Around 30% of consumers prioritise having a microwave that can partly replace an oven. |
Bosch’s instructions for some freestanding microwaves state that they are not designed to be installed or used in a built-in cabinet. So the appliance’s own dimensions don’t tell you how much space you’ll need overall.
Measure the space and check the dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions for the model you’re considering. If you need an integrated appliance, look for a model designed for that purpose.
The extra modes on a combination microwave are useful if you need to cook a wider range of dishes, but they won’t add much if you already have an oven and mainly reheat meals.
Think about the meals you make in a typical week. If you don’t use a grill or fan-assisted cooking, start by looking at solo models. If you only need to brown dishes, compare models with a grill.
The cavity capacity alone won’t tell you whether your plate or oven dish will fit inside.
Measure the dishes you use and compare them with the turntable diameter and, where listed, the internal dimensions. Check the external dimensions and ventilation requirements separately.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual, as the Ministry of the Economy points out. A commercial guarantee is separate.
Before taking out a commercial guarantee, compare its terms and exclusions with the legal protection that applies to your purchase.
Bosch offers a range of freestanding solo and grill microwaves. According to its product pages, the FFL023MS2 is a 20 l, 800 W solo model, while the FEL023MS2 also has a grill.
Samsung offers solo, grill and combination microwave ranges. Its product pages specify the functions available for each model.
Panasonic also offers multifunction models that combine microwave and grill functions with other cooking modes, depending on the model.
These models cover the three needs discussed: straightforward reheating, occasional browning or a combination appliance. Compare their functions with the recipes you make and check how much space you’ll need before choosing.
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Worth considering if you’d like to brown dishes occasionally as well as reheat meals.
Listed capacity of 20 l and power rating of 700 W. Check the instructions to see how much space to leave above the appliance and, if necessary, which grill accessories are included.
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For reheating and defrosting with dial controls rather than several cooking modes.
The product name lists six power levels, a 30-minute timer, a defrost function and 700 W of power. Check the instructions for the installation type and required clearances.
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Adds browning to reheating in a freestanding appliance.
The product name lists a capacity of 25 l and power of 900 W. Compare its external dimensions with your available space, then check the instructions and package contents for clearance requirements and accessories.
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For reheating and defrosting if you don’t need a grill function.
The product name lists a capacity of 23 l, Quick Defrost and an LED display. Check the instructions for the clearances required in your chosen location.
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Consider this if you plan to use a microwave regularly for more than just reheating.
It has a listed capacity of 42 l. Measure your available space before choosing this size, and check the instructions for the cooking modes, clearances and connection requirements for this model.
Not necessarily: the decree of 31 July 2015 on the minimum furnishings for a furnished rental specifies an oven or microwave, as well as a hob. This alternative applies to properties covered by the decree, not to a second home used only by its owner.
Don’t assume that you can: the Bosch instructions consulted for some freestanding models rule out installation or use in a built-in cabinet. Check the instructions for your chosen model to find out where it can be placed and what clearances it needs. Instructions for another brand or model are no substitute.
Choose a grill model if you mainly want to brown dishes; consider a combination model if you’ll regularly use fan-assisted cooking or other oven-style modes. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these functions in its buying guide, so check the modes available on the specific model rather than relying on its category name alone.
No. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. Any commercial guarantee is separate: read its terms and keep your proof of purchase.