For a student studio flat or a holiday home, choose a solo microwave if you’ll mainly be reheating and defrosting; go for a model with a grill if you’d also like to brown dishes, or choose a combination microwave if you want the grill and convection functions to take over some of the work of an oven. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these three uses. Before choosing a model, check that its dimensions, ventilation requirements and electrical specifications are suitable for your space.
In a studio flat or a sparsely equipped room, you’ll mainly want to reheat food, defrost ingredients and prepare simple meals without giving up too much space to an appliance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights student accommodation as one situation where the choice of functions matters.
You may want to keep the number of appliances to a minimum, but a grill or convection function could be useful if you also cook there. How often you’ll prepare meals will help you decide between the three types of microwave.
A combination microwave is worth considering if you expect to make real use of its grill and convection functions. Make sure the cavity is large enough for your dishes and that the appliance will fit in the space you have in mind.
Start with the meals you prepare, then match the functions you need to the space available and the installation requirements.
Consider this: for reheating and defrosting if you don’t need to brown food or cook using convection.
Limitation: it won’t meet your needs for browning dishes or cooking food as you would in an oven.
Consider this: if you mainly reheat meals but would sometimes like to brown or grill them.
Limitation: having a grill doesn’t mean the model also has a convection function.
Consider this: if you want the grill and convection functions to handle some of the cooking you’d normally do in an oven.
Limitation: extra functions are only useful if the cavity suits your dishes and you’ll actually use them.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking functions | Check which functions are available on the exact model: microwave, grill and convection. Make sure it has the modes and accessories you need for the recipes you plan to make. | Will I mainly reheat leftovers, or would I also like to brown dishes and cook oven-style meals? UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these uses for solo, grill and combination models. |
| Size | Compare the external width, height and depth with the space available. Check that the door can open and that the internal dimensions will fit your dishes, rather than relying on the capacity in litres alone. | In my studio flat or holiday home, I want to save worktop space without having to give up the plates and dishes I use. |
| Installation | Check the instructions for the exact model to find out how it should be installed, how much ventilation clearance it needs and what its electrical requirements are. Don’t apply the instructions for a built-in model to a freestanding appliance. | The space and socket I have available must be suitable for this specific model, not just its external dimensions. |
| After you buy | Check the terms of any extended commercial warranty separately from the statutory guarantee. If you’re replacing an old appliance, find out how it can be taken away. | I want to know who to contact if there’s a fault and how to have my old microwave taken away. |
If you mainly need to reheat and defrost meals, the grill and convection functions may not be useful on a regular basis.
Make a note of the meals you plan to prepare. Start by comparing solo models if you don’t expect to make grilled dishes or cook oven-style meals.
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you whether the microwave will fit in your chosen space, whether the door will open freely or whether your dishes will fit inside.
Measure the available space and the dishes you usually use, then check the external and internal dimensions of each model.
Ventilation requirements and electrical specifications vary from one appliance to another, so the instructions for a different model may not apply.
Before ordering, check the instructions for the permitted installation type, required clearances and power supply specifications.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the statutory legal guarantee of conformity can be claimed for two years on new or second-hand goods bought from a professional seller. An extended commercial warranty is separate.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its terms with the statutory protection that applies.
In France, Whirlpool offers freestanding microwaves, including compact models designed for kitchens where space is limited.
Samsung’s French range includes solo microwaves, models with a grill and freestanding combination microwaves.
Panasonic’s range includes the NN-CD88, a multifunction microwave with grill and convection, according to its French product listing.
This selection on Joybuy includes a model with a grill and solo models for reheating or defrosting in a lightly equipped kitchen. If you want to cook using convection, check that the model you’re considering has this function.
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The grill is useful for browning dishes from time to time, as well as for the usual microwave functions.
The product title states 20 L and 700 W. If you also want convection, check that this function is listed on the model’s product page. Check the installation requirements in the instructions.
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This solo model is worth comparing if you need to reheat and defrost without a grill finish.
The product title mentions six automatic programmes and eleven power levels. Check the instructions for the required ventilation clearance and electrical specifications.
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This solo model is suited to reheating and defrosting rather than browning food.
The product title mentions Quick Defrost, an LED display and 1150 W, but doesn’t specify what this power figure refers to. Check this, along with the ventilation requirements, in the product details and instructions.
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If you mainly want to reheat and defrost in your kitchen, compare this model’s size with the space you actually have available.
The product title states 20 L and 700 W. Check the instructions to see how much clearance this model needs around it.
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This solo model is worth considering if you mainly need to reheat and defrost meals.
The product title lists six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a turntable. Before installation, check the instructions for the clearances and electrical specifications required for this appliance.
It can take over some of an oven’s functions if you use its grill and convection settings. UFC-Que Choisir describes these features on combination models, but before giving up your oven, check the internal capacity, the size of your dishes and the types of food you’ll actually cook.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, as well as the room needed to open the door. Then check your dishes against the usable cavity dimensions and consult the instructions for the exact model to find out how much ventilation clearance it needs.
Check the electrical specifications on the appliance and in its instructions, then compare them with your available electrical supply. Specifications published for a different model, particularly a built-in one, won’t tell you what your microwave requires.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity can be claimed for two years on new or second-hand goods bought from a professional seller in France. You claim it from the seller, and it is separate from any optional extended commercial warranty.
Ask the seller or a collection point about their take-back arrangements. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition describes take-back when you buy a product of the same type and, in some cases subject to certain conditions, take-back without a purchase.