If you mainly want to reheat and defrost food in a small kitchen, choose a solo microwave. A grill is useful if you regularly want to brown or crisp dishes, while a combination microwave makes sense if you also need oven-style cooking. Before opting for extra functions, make sure the model and the clearances required in its manual will fit your available space.
In student accommodation, a studio flat or a holiday home, you may mainly want to reheat and defrost food, without paying for cooking functions you won't use. UFC-Que Choisir lists these first two types of accommodation among the places where people use a microwave.
You already have a main cooking appliance but would like to brown a dish from time to time. A microwave with a grill is designed for this, beyond simply reheating food.
If you also want to cook using fan-assisted heat, a combination microwave can bring several cooking modes together in one appliance. You’ll still need to allow enough space for installation and distinguish between freestanding and built-in models.
Choose this if: reheating and defrosting cover your usual needs.
The trade-off: it isn’t designed for browning dishes or cooking with fan-assisted heat.
Choose this if: you regularly want to brown or crisp a dish as well as reheat it.
The trade-off: a grill doesn’t mean the appliance also has a fan-assisted cooking function.
Choose this if: you don’t have an oven and also need to cook using fan-assisted heat.
The trade-off: you’ll need to get to grips with its different modes, and a built-in model requires a suitable housing unit.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the functions on offer, the external dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual. | When worktop space is limited, I mainly want to reheat meals and defrost food without adding lots of cooking modes. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Browning | Check that it has a grill and which accessories are suitable for each mode. To compare models, look for browning test results. | If I often cook dishes that need browning, I want to finish them without setting up another appliance. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Oven-style cooking | Confirm that it has a fan-assisted cooking function, then check the dimensions and installation requirements of your chosen model. | Without an oven, I’m looking for one appliance that can also cook using fan-assisted heat. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this use. |
An appliance may fit on your worktop based on its external dimensions alone, but no longer fit once you allow for ventilation clearances.
Measure the space and compare it with the manual for the exact model. Keep the air vents clear, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The grill and fan-assisted heat are designed for different tasks; neither is needed just to reheat or defrost food.
Think about the meals you actually make: choose a grill for browning, or a combination model if you also need oven-style cooking.
The presence of a programme alone doesn’t prove that defrosting will be even or browning consistent. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these results separately in its testing protocol.
When comparing similar models, look for tests that assess reheating, defrosting and, where applicable, browning separately.
You can’t tell whether plastic is microwave-safe just by looking at it. The DGCCRF advises against using cling film and bags unless they are specifically labelled as suitable for this use.
Follow the symbols and instructions on the container, as well as the appliance manual, particularly when switching from microwave to grill mode.
The French models mentioned include a solo microwave and a 23 L model with a grill: two options to compare depending on whether you only want to reheat food or also brown dishes.
The brand offers freestanding multifunction appliances, which are worth considering if you want several cooking modes in a kitchen with limited equipment.
The models mentioned include built-in appliances with a grill or additional cooking functions. They’re worth considering if you already have a suitable housing unit.
According to Panasonic, the NN-DS59N combines microwave, grill, oven and steam functions for anyone who wants several cooking modes in one appliance.
These models cover everyday reheating, browning with a grill and cooking with a combination microwave. Start by choosing the functions that will be useful in your home, then check the space and installation requirements for your chosen model.
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Worth considering if you’d like to brown a dish from time to time as well as reheat food.
The product name states a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W, but doesn’t specify the grill’s power.
Check the space needed to open the door and the clearances set out in the manual.
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An option with a grill if you’d also like to brown dishes and have a suitable space for it.
The product name states a capacity of 25 L. Check the dimensions, clearances and voltage on the product page and in the manual for this model.
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Worth a look if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, without needing a grill.
The product name states a capacity of 23 L. Check the manual for ventilation clearances before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if you don’t have an oven and would also like oven-style cooking modes.
Its stated capacity is 39 L. Measure the space carefully and check the clearances and connection requirements in the manual.
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Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, without a grill function.
The product name lists 700 W, six pre-set menus and 11 power levels. Check the available space and required clearances before installation.
No, it doesn’t necessarily have to include a microwave. In France, Article 2 of Decree No. 2015-981 requires furnished rental properties covered by the decree to have a hob and either an oven or a microwave oven. Before kitting out student accommodation or a residence, check what’s provided, as well as the applicable tenancy agreement and rules.
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model rather than relying on a figure that applies to every microwave. For example, the manual for the Whirlpool MWP 3391 calls for at least 30 cm above the appliance. This measurement shouldn’t be applied to a different model.
Yes. Compare the voltage on the model’s rating plate with the voltage in your home, and follow the manual’s instructions for connecting it. The chosen spot should also let you use the cable and socket as directed.
No. Check the container manufacturer’s instructions. The DGCCRF specifically says that cling film and bags without a clear indication that they’re suitable for microwave use must not be used in the appliance. Follow the instructions for each cooking mode too.
Look for a test that assesses defrosting separately from the stated power rating and reheating performance. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol treats these as separate criteria and measures temperatures at several points to assess how evenly food is reheated.