People with a very small kitchen
You need the appliance to fit on a worktop or in an alcove, while leaving enough room to open the door and following the ventilation instructions.
Who is this guide for?
People who also want to brown food
You often reheat meals but would sometimes like to brown the top. A grill is designed for this specific purpose, without assuming you also need fan-assisted cooking.
Renters without a conventional oven
You want to cook a wider range of dishes than you can with a standard microwave. How often you bake or roast will help you choose between a combination microwave and a compact oven.
Which needs should you prioritise?
First decide which cooking methods you’ll genuinely use, then check each appliance’s dimensions and installation instructions against your kitchen.
Standard microwave
Choose this if: you mainly want to reheat and defrost.
Limitation: it doesn’t offer a grill or fan-assisted cooking for dishes that need those functions.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you’d like to brown some dishes as well as reheat them.
Limitation: a grill alone doesn’t mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you need both microwave and convection cooking in one appliance.
Check: make sure the model’s cavity, programmes and installation suit the dishes you plan to cook.
Compact oven
Consider this if: oven cooking matters more to you than quick reheating.
Bear in mind: check that you have room for it and decide whether you’ll still need a separate microwave.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the width, height, depth and door clearance; check the instructions for ventilation or alcove dimensions. | When every centimetre of worktop space counts, I want to know whether the appliance can be installed and used there. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the defrost settings and controls, and check the interior dimensions against your dishes. | For everyday meals, I mainly want to reheat a portion or defrost food without needing other cooking functions. This is the priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Check that the model has a grill and find out which accessories are approved for use with it. | I’d sometimes like to brown the top of a dish, but fan-assisted cooking isn’t a deciding factor for me. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Cooking without an oven | Check that it has a convection function, then look at the cavity size and the settings suitable for your dishes. | Without a conventional oven, I want to cook some dishes rather than just reheat or grill food. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on capacity in litres
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop or whether your dishes will fit inside it.
Measure the space, allow room to open the door, and compare the chosen model’s external and internal dimensions.
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Installing a freestanding model as if it were built in
Electrolux’s instructions for the freestanding EMZ421MMK say not to block its vents or the surface underneath it.
Check the installation instructions for the exact model before placing it in a cabinet. For a true built-in model, check the specified alcove dimensions.
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Choosing a combination model for functions you’ll rarely use
Fan-assisted cooking serves a different purpose from simple reheating. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between standard, grill and combination models by their cooking functions.
Start with the meals you usually prepare: reheating and defrosting, occasional browning or regular oven cooking.
Microwave brands to know
Electrolux
The range includes freestanding models with a grill and built-in models, which should be compared as separate installation options.
- Electrolux lists microwave and grill functions for its freestanding EMZ421MMK, with dimensions of 262 × 442 × 345 mm.
- Its instructions say to keep the vents and the underside of the appliance clear; check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
Bosch
The freestanding FFL020MS2 and FEL023MS2 models let you compare a standard microwave with one that has a grill.
- Bosch lists a 20 L cavity and dimensions of 260 × 442 × 345 mm for both models; the FEL023MS2 also has a grill.
- These specifications alone don’t tell you how much ventilation space is needed or how well your dishes will cook.
Whirlpool
The brand offers combination models, worth considering if convection is one of the functions you’re looking for.
- Whirlpool lists a 25 L cavity without a turntable and a grill for the MWF255B.
- Compare the dimensions, programmes and the size of your dishes rather than assuming the advertised capacity tells you how much usable space there is.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These models are mainly for reheating and defrosting on a worktop; some are listed with a grill for browning food. If this function will determine your choice, check the specifications for the exact model.
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Beko MGC20100B1 microwave with grill, 20 L, 700 W, black
Worth considering if you reheat meals and would also like to brown food from time to time.
Check that your dishes fit in the cavity and that your chosen spot meets the clearance requirements in the instructions.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, 700 W, black
Worth a look if you’re mainly after a microwave for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen.
The Joybuy France listing gives external dimensions of 440 × 319 × 259 mm. Check the instructions for the required clearances and make sure it’s electrically compatible with your installation.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI freestanding microwave, 21 L, 800 W, Titanium
Compare this model if you want to reheat meals and are considering browning food without choosing a combination microwave.
Check the functions available on this model and allow for the ventilation space specified in its instructions before deciding where to put it.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H Solo, 25 L, 900 W, black
Worth considering if cavity size matters for the dishes you usually cook, provided the appliance fits in the space available.
If you plan to brown food, check the functions available on the H25MOBS7H before buying; also check its instructions for ventilation clearances.
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Samsung MS23K3513 Solo Quick Defrost, 23 L
Compare this model if you mainly need to reheat and defrost rather than brown food.
Measure the space available for the appliance and check the instructions to allow for ventilation.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a freestanding microwave in an alcove?
Only if the model’s instructions allow it and you can follow its ventilation requirements. Electrolux’s instructions for the freestanding EMZ421MMK, for example, say not to block the vents or the underside of the appliance. The alcove dimensions for a built-in model don’t apply to a freestanding one.
Can a microwave with a grill replace a conventional oven?
A grill is useful for browning food, but it doesn’t mean the appliance can cook with fan assistance. If you regularly need this cooking method, compare a combination microwave with convection and a compact oven, taking into account your dishes and the space available.
Can you use metal in a microwave?
Avoid ordinary metal containers in microwave mode: UFC-Que Choisir warns that they can damage the appliance. If the appliance comes with a rack or another accessory, follow the instructions for the relevant cooking mode.