You mainly reheat meals
You’re looking for an appliance for leftovers and defrosting, without giving up space for functions you’ll rarely use. UFC-Que Choisir outlines the uses of microwaves and their different types.
Who is this guide for ?
You cook without a built-in oven
You want to bake or brown food in a countertop appliance. The available functions, dimensions and size of your dishes can help you choose between a mini oven and a combination appliance. Severin and Panasonic product pages describe examples of these options.
You mainly make slow-cooked dishes or small portions
Depending on the meals you prepare, you can compare the functions and capacity of a multi-cooker with those of an air fryer, without assuming they do the same job. Moulinex and Philips describe the features of their respective models.
Features to compare
Start with the cooking or reheating function you use most often, then check the appliance’s actual footprint and the instructions in its manual.
| What you need | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check that it has a microwave function, its external dimensions, turntable size and the space needed to open the door. | If I mainly reheat leftovers and defrost food regularly, I’d rather choose an appliance suited to those tasks than pay for cooking functions I rarely use. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise reheating or defrosting. |
| Oven cooking without a built-in oven | Check the cooking functions you need, the external dimensions, the size of your dishes and the stated power. | If I want to bake or brown food without a built-in oven, reheating alone won’t meet my needs. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise oven cooking. |
| Combining several uses | Check which functions it actually has, its dimensions with the door open and whether you have space to store the accessories. | If I want to combine reheating and cooking in one spot, I weigh up the useful functions against the space the appliance and its accessories take up. Versatility is a priority for around 19 % of consumers. |
| Slow cooking or steaming | Look at the functions, cooking bowl capacity, lid-opening instructions and care requirements for removable parts. | If I mainly prepare slow-cooked or steamed dishes, I look for a cooking bowl and functions suited to those recipes rather than relying on oven cooking. Around 19 % of consumers prioritise these uses. |
| Cooking small portions with hot air | Compare the usable basket size, the space needed to remove the drawer and the ventilation instructions in the manual. | If I mainly prepare small portions to brown or cook with hot air, I check what will actually fit in the basket. This is a priority for around 12 % of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity in litres alone
Internal capacity, external dimensions and the space needed to open the appliance or allow ventilation answer different questions. An appliance may fit on your worktop but still lack the space it needs for its intended use.
Measure the space and your dishes, then check the external dimensions and instructions for the exact model in its manual.
An appliance or dish that’s too large for the space available may not be suitable for the intended use.
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Confusing grilling, reheating and fan-assisted cooking
A microwave with a grill doesn’t necessarily have a fan-assisted cooking function, and an air fryer’s reheating mode is not the same as reheating with a microwave.
Make a list of the meals you prepare and check the model’s product page for the specific function you need.
If the function you need isn’t available, you may have to get another appliance for that task.
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Choosing a combination appliance just to avoid having two appliances
A combination appliance is only useful if its functions suit the meals you prepare. The appliance and its accessories also take up space: Panasonic lists a width of 52 cm for the NN-CD58RSEPG.
Check the functions, compatible cookware and available space before choosing a combination appliance.
Accessories may need to be stored somewhere, even if you rarely use some of the functions.
Brands and models featured
These examples illustrate the uses and features of specific models; they are not recommendations for the brands’ entire ranges.
Samsung
The MS23K3515AK/EF is an example of a solo microwave for those who prioritise reheating.
- Samsung lists a capacity of 23 L, dimensions of 489 × 275 × 374 mm (W × H × D) and a power input of 1 150 W in microwave mode.
- This solo model isn’t described as having a grill or oven-cooking function, so check that it has the functions you need for your dishes.
Severin
The brand offers mini ovens and combination microwaves, among other appliances, which you can compare according to the functions you’re looking for.
- Severin lists the TO 2068 mini oven as having a capacity of around 20 L and a power rating of 1 500 W, for oven cooking.
- The MW 7752 is described as having a grill and fan-assisted cooking. Dimensions and clearance requirements listed for another Severin model shouldn’t be applied to this one.
Moulinex
The examples featured cover two different uses: the 19 L Optimo mini oven OX444810 and the Cookeo Mini multi-cooker CE880410.
- Moulinex describes six functions for each of these models, but they’re different functions. The Cookeo Mini featured has a 3 L cooking bowl and removable parts listed as dishwasher-safe.
- Having several functions doesn’t make a multi-cooker interchangeable with a mini oven, particularly for oven cooking.
Philips
The Series 2000 Airfryer NA211/00 is an example of a model with a smaller-capacity basket.
- Philips lists a capacity of 3,2 L and cooking and reheating functions for this model.
- A hot-air reheating function is not the same as microwave reheating, so check whether the difference suits the meals you plan to prepare.
Panasonic
Panasonic describes the NN-CD58RSEPG as a combination appliance with microwave, convection, grill and air-frying functions.
- The French product page lists a capacity of 27 L, dimensions of 31 × 52 × 39,1 cm (H × W × D) and several accessories.
- Compare the functions you’ll use with the space needed for the appliance and accessory storage. These features don’t demonstrate superior cooking performance.
Appliances available on Joybuy
This selection includes cooking and reheating appliances for a small kitchen, from microwaves and mini ovens to basket-style and bowl-style appliances.
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HOMCOM 10 L electric mini oven
For cooking small dishes when you don’t have a built-in oven.
Capacity of 10 L; adjustable temperature from 100 to 230 °C and a 60-minute timer. Listed dimensions are 36,5 × 26 × 22 cm; the description says it fits a 22 cm pizza or four slices of bread.
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Candy Essenza CMCA29EDLB/ST combination microwave
For combining reheating and several cooking functions in a single countertop appliance.
Capacity of 29 L, a 31,5 cm turntable and external dimensions of 52,3 × 44,9 × 30 cm. The product name lists a 1 000 W microwave function, a 1 000 W grill and steam cooking.
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Midea 4 L air fryer
For cooking or browning portions with hot air; the description says the basket is suitable for 1 to 4 people.
The title lists a power rating of 1 500 W and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. The description mentions eight functions and a dishwasher-safe basket.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK) digital microwave
For reheating meals and defrosting food in a 20 L appliance.
Listed power rating of 700 W, 11 power levels and external dimensions of 440 × 319 × 259 mm. The description mentions defrosting by weight or time.
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ochama 2 L rice cooker with steam basket
For cooking rice and porridge, among other dishes, with a steam basket included according to the description.
The title lists a capacity of 2 L, a power rating of 500 W and seven cooking functions. It’s described as suitable for 2 or 3 people; the description mentions a removable inner pot.
Frequently asked questions
Can a microwave with a grill replace a fan-assisted mini oven ?
Not necessarily: having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance has a fan-assisted cooking function. The Severin MW 7771 product page lists a grill, but no fan-assisted cooking function. Check which mode you need for the dishes you prepare.
Can I install a microwave in a cabinet recess if its external dimensions fit ?
Not based on that alone: ventilation clearances and the space needed to open the door vary by model. Severin publishes clearance requirements for certain specific models; check the manual for the appliance you’re considering rather than using the requirements for another model.
How do I check the care requirements for a multi-cooker ?
Check the manual to find out which parts can be removed and how to clean them. For the Cookeo Mini CE880410, Moulinex says the cooking bowl and steam basket are dishwasher-safe; this doesn’t apply to the entire appliance.
Are watts enough to compare the annual energy consumption of a mini oven and a microwave ?
No: the stated power rating and length of use aren’t enough on their own to compare annual energy consumption for the same use. The category averages published by ADEME, including those for a 63 L electric oven, don’t measure the compact models featured here.
Is the CE marking optional for an electric cooking appliance sold in France ?
For appliances covered by the European Low Voltage Directive, the European framework requires CE marking and a conformity assessment by the manufacturer. The DGCCRF explains that the marking applies to products covered by the relevant European rules; it is not an independent performance test of a model.