If reheating and defrosting matter just as much as the occasional oven-cooked meal, consider a combination microwave with settings to suit the dishes you make. If you use an oven regularly and have a suitable cabinet space, compare compact ovens instead, with or without a microwave function. One appliance can help you avoid cluttering your kitchen with extra equipment, but check the dimensions, space for your dishes and cooking results for each model.
If you don't want to alter your kitchen units, a countertop appliance can combine microwave reheating with some cooking functions. UFC-Que Choisir says a combination microwave with a grill and fan-assisted cooking can also handle basic tasks usually done by a conventional oven. However, check that your dishes fit inside and that there is enough space around the appliance.
A compact built-in oven, possibly with a microwave function, frees up worktop space. The cabinet space must match the exact model: Bosch, for example, lists a 45 L cavity and dimensions of 455 × 594 × 548 mm for its CMG7761B1.
If you roast or grill more often than you use a microwave, consider mini ovens and air fryers based on portion sizes and the recipes you make. UFC-Que Choisir found varied results among the air fryers it tested: a list of features alone isn't enough to judge a model.
Start with the dishes you don't want to give up, then check which appliance can accommodate them in the space you have.
Consider it if: you use an oven regularly and a microwave is less important or will remain a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: its oven functions don't include microwave reheating.
Consider it if: you want to combine an oven and microwave in a suitable cabinet space.
Bear in mind: you'll need to plan for installation and check the cooking results for your chosen model.
Consider it if: reheating and defrosting are priorities, along with grilling or fan-assisted cooking, depending on the model.
Bear in mind: the cavity and shape of your dishes may limit what you can cook in it like an oven.
Consider it if: you mainly cook small batches and don't need a microwave function.
Bear in mind: results vary between appliances and recipes, as UFC-Que Choisir's air fryer tests show.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Saving space | Functions actually included; external dimensions, door clearance and required ventilation space. | If several appliances already take up space in your kitchen, prioritise combining the functions you use every week. Around 33% of consumers put reducing the number of appliances top of their list. |
| Keeping the results you expect from an oven | Oven settings suited to your recipes; temperature and evenness test results, where available. | If you cook in the oven often, I'd rather keep the results I expect than add features I rarely use. Around 27% of consumers prioritise cooking performance. |
| Fitting your usual dishes | Usable cavity or basket dimensions; turntable diameter and the size of your dishes. | If you need to cook a family-sized dish or several portions at once, the stated capacity alone won't tell you whether they'll fit. Around 20% of consumers say having enough capacity for their meals is their top priority. |
| Comparing energy use | Indicators that apply to each category; how often and for how long you cook. | If I'm mainly keeping an eye on energy use, I want to compare figures for like-for-like appliances. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this factor; the European Commission distinguishes between ovens covered by its energy labelling rules, mini ovens and appliances with a microwave function. |
A grill and fan-assisted cooking give a combination microwave more uses, but don't guarantee that your dishes will fit or that every cooking result will be what you're looking for. ADEME also notes that a combination oven's versatility can involve compromises in cooking results.
Make a note of the dishes you cook most often. For each one, check the setting it needs, the size of dish it requires and what test results are available for the model you're considering.
The European Commission distinguishes between domestic ovens covered by its energy labelling rules, mini ovens and appliances with a microwave function. An oven's stated energy rating isn't enough to compare these different categories.
Use the indicators that apply to the category you're looking at, and relate them to the settings you'll actually use.
The shape of the cavity, a turntable or the clearance needed for the door may matter more than the stated capacity for a particular dish. A built-in appliance also needs a suitable cabinet space.
Measure your dishes and the space available, then check the model's dimensions and installation instructions.
UFC-Que Choisir's tests show that performance varies between the models tested. An appliance that doesn't suit your recipes may end up adding to your kitchen equipment rather than replacing it.
Check the usable capacity, accessories and test results for the dishes you make often.
Bosch offers compact built-in ovens with a microwave function, among other models, for kitchens with a suitable cabinet space.
The range includes countertop combination microwaves, worth considering if you don't plan to have a built-in appliance.
Miele offers built-in combination microwave ovens that bring both functions together in a 45 cm-high cabinet space.
These Joybuy appliances cover two countertop options: microwaves with extra functions and air fryers for small batches. To decide whether one could replace another appliance, start with the functions your meals depend on, then measure the space you have.
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Worth considering if you'd like to combine microwave and cooking functions in one appliance. The stated capacity is 39 L; check the size of your dishes, the external dimensions and the required clearance before choosing a spot for it.
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Consider this if you're looking for a combination microwave with a stated cavity capacity of 42 L. The product name indicates a 3-in-1 set-up; check the exact functions, space required and electrical compatibility before choosing this model.
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An option for air-frying small batches if microwave reheating isn't essential in this appliance. Its stated capacity is 7.6 L; compare the basket with your usual portions and check its external dimensions against the space you have.
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Worth considering for small batches when a microwave function isn't your priority. The product is listed with a 4 L capacity, 1500 W power and eight pre-set modes; check the basket size, the space available and electrical compatibility.
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Consider this if reheating and grilling meet your main needs. The product name indicates a 25 L capacity and 1000 W power; if you also want to cook using fan-assisted heat, confirm that this setting is included before buying.
It can handle some oven cooking if the model has the necessary settings, such as a grill or fan-assisted cooking. UFC-Que Choisir describes these basic uses for combination microwaves, but doesn't suggest they'll deliver the same results for every dish. Check the capacity and any relevant test results for your recipes.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then check the space needed for the door to open and for ventilation, as set out in the instructions. Measure your dishes too: a capacity in litres doesn't guarantee they'll fit on a turntable or in a basket.
No, it doesn't provide a directly comparable indicator for these appliances. The European Commission distinguishes between domestic ovens covered by energy labelling rules, appliances with a microwave function and mini ovens. Compare the information that applies to each category without assuming the appliances will perform identically in use.
Only if its functions, basket and cooking results suit the dishes that matter most to you; it won't reheat food using microwaves. UFC-Que Choisir's tests show varied performance among air fryers, so check tests for the recipes you make before removing another appliance from your kitchen.