For reheating and defrosting in student accommodation or a home you only use occasionally, a solo microwave covers the basics. Choose a grill model if you also want to brown dishes, or a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking if you plan to cook meals in the style of an oven. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these functions. Before buying, also check how much room the appliance needs, whether its door can open fully and what clearance the instructions specify.
You’re looking for a freestanding appliance that leaves enough room to open the door and keep the vents clear, while still fitting your plates and food storage containers. Measure the space before relying on the capacity stated in litres.
If you mainly plan to reheat and defrost, a solo model may be all you need. A grill or fan-assisted cooking only comes into play if the dishes you make need those functions.
If you sometimes make quiches, pizzas or bakes, compare a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking against the space you actually have available. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a combination model adds oven-style cooking functions, but it still needs to fit your home and the dishes you cook.
Start with the dishes you’ll actually make, then check that the appliance, your containers and the required clearances will all fit in the space you’ve set aside.
| Criterion | What to check before you buy | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Compare the external dimensions, the size of the cavity and turntable, the door opening and the clearances specified in the instructions. | In a studio flat, I need to be able to fit the appliance without blocking its vents or giving up my usual plates; around 46% of consumers would prioritise this physical fit. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the controls and defrost settings on the model you’re considering, as well as the space available for your containers. | When most of my meals are leftovers or frozen food, I want settings suited to those tasks without adding cooking functions I won’t use; this would be the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Browning and oven-style cooking | Look for a grill to brown food, or fan-assisted cooking for oven-style meals; check the modes and accessories included with the exact model. | Without a separate oven, I’d also like to make the occasional gratin, pizza or bake, as long as I have room for the appliance; around 18% of consumers would put this extra function first. |
Capacity alone won’t tell you whether your largest dish will fit inside the cavity, or whether the door can open where you plan to put the appliance. For example, Whirlpool France lists a 28 cm turntable for its 13 L MAX34/BL.
Compare the turntable diameter, cavity dimensions and external dimensions of the model you’re considering, then check its instructions for installation details.
Fan-assisted cooking is only worth considering if you plan to cook dishes that need it. A combination model may also take up more room: Panasonic France lists a depth of 520 mm for the NN-C69KSM.
Make a note of the dishes you’ll actually prepare. Start by comparing solo models for leftovers and defrosting, then consider a grill for browning, followed by combination models if you need fan-assisted cooking.
The external dimensions don’t necessarily include the space you need to leave around the appliance. Whirlpool France advises against obstructing the ventilation openings.
Choose a spot with the instructions for the exact model to hand, and keep the vents specified in them clear.
Used microwaves need to be disposed of through an appropriate electrical equipment collection scheme. ecosystem outlines options including having your old appliance taken away when you buy an equivalent one, as well as collection points.
Ask the retailer about the take-back options available with your purchase, or find a suitable collection point.
Whirlpool France’s freestanding range includes solo and combination models, making it easy to compare appliances with different footprints.
Samsung France offers classic freestanding microwaves as well as models with a grill, so you can choose based on how you plan to use yours.
Panasonic France’s combination models show how a freestanding appliance can bring together microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions.
This selection includes solo microwaves for reheating and defrosting, a grill model for occasional browning, and a combination model to consider if you plan to cook oven-style meals. First choose based on how you’ll use it, then check how much space you have at home.
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For reheating simple meals and defrosting, this model has a defrost function and six pre-set programmes.
Listed power: 700 W; eleven power levels. Before buying, check your dishes will fit in the cavity and consult the instructions for door clearance and ventilation requirements.
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This freestanding microwave is a good fit if you’re mainly looking to reheat food and make simple dishes. Check the defrost controls if you often use frozen food.
Listed power: 700 W. Measure the space and consult the instructions for door clearance and ventilation requirements.
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Worth considering if you’d like the option to brown a dish now and then, rather than just reheat it.
Listed microwave power: 700 W. Check the size of your dishes, the grill settings and the installation instructions for this model.
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This solo model is designed for reheating. Its Quick Defrost function is worth a closer look if defrosting is part of your usual routine.
Compare the cavity dimensions with your containers, and check the instructions for the space needed to open the door and allow ventilation.
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Consider this model if you plan to cook oven-style meals as well and have a suitable space for it.
Check that it has the cooking and defrost settings you need, then measure the space required for the appliance, door opening and ventilation, as set out in its instructions.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then allow room for the door to open and for the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. Also compare the cavity and turntable with your largest usual dish: capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether it will fit.
Follow the clearance requirements in the instructions for the exact model you’re buying, rather than assuming one distance will suit every appliance. Whirlpool France recommends keeping the ventilation openings clear.
A combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking can handle some oven-style cooking, but it won’t necessarily replace a separate oven for every dish. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this function from that of a simple grill. Before relying on it for your recipes, check the cavity dimensions, cooking modes and accessories of the model you’re considering.
In microwave mode, don’t use a metal container unless the instructions explicitly allow it for the mode and accessory in question. Also check that plastic containers are labelled as suitable for microwave use.
Ask the retailer whether they’ll take back your old appliance when you buy an equivalent one, or look for a collection point for electrical equipment. ecosystem explains these options; check which arrangements are available with your purchase.