Student who mainly reheats and defrosts food
If you mainly use your kitchenette for ready meals and leftovers, start by comparing solo models. Also check that the appliance and the clearance required by its manual will fit in your chosen spot.
Which type of microwave is right for you?
Holiday-home owner who cooks without an oven
A combination microwave with convection is worth considering if you plan to bake as well as reheat food. Measure the space on your worktop and allow for accessories that need storing and for cleaning.
Small-home resident who sometimes wants to brown food
A grill model lets you brown food as well as reheat and defrost it. It’s a practical choice for occasional use, without assuming you’ll make use of the wider range of cooking modes on a combination microwave.
What should you check before choosing?
First decide what you’ll use the appliance to cook, then measure the available space, taking the installation instructions into account.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking modes | Look for reheating and defrosting functions. If you want to brown food, choose a grill model; for convection cooking, check that the combination microwave offers this mode. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these uses in its buying guide. | Will I mainly reheat ready-prepared portions, or do I also want to brown food and cook without a separate oven? |
| Space and ventilation | Check the external dimensions, door clearance and the spacing specified in the manual for the exact model. Don’t assume the appliance’s overall size from the capacity of its cavity alone. | My worktop space is limited: the appliance must fit without blocking its vents. |
| Cleaning | Check how easy it is to reach the cavity, door and turntable. UFC-Que Choisir assesses interior and exterior cleaning separately in its test procedure; a cleaning function advertised by a brand doesn’t replace these checks. | In a home I use intermittently, I want to be able to wipe away splashes easily before putting the appliance away or leaving it unused. |
| Reheating results | If tests are available for the exact model, check the reheating and defrosting results rather than looking at the stated power alone. Both are covered in UFC-Que Choisir’s test procedure. | I reheat portions and defrost food, so consistent results matter for the way I use it. |
What mistakes should you avoid in a small home?
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Choosing by capacity without measuring the appliance
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you how much worktop depth the appliance will take up or how much clearance it needs above it. According to Whirlpool France, the Whirlpool MWSC9133SB 33 L combination microwave measures 49 × 37,3 × 54 cm.
Measure the space, check that the door can open and allow for the clearances specified in the manual for the model you’re considering.
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Treating a freestanding model like a built-in appliance
Blocked vents can cause overheating, Whirlpool France warns. Ventilation requirements vary from one appliance to another.
Follow the instructions for the freestanding model. If the appliance needs to fit inside a unit, choose a model whose instructions allow for this type of installation.
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Choosing a combination microwave just for reheating
Convection only adds another use if you genuinely plan to cook food in the way you would in an oven. A combination microwave may also take up more worktop space.
Make a list of the dishes you’ll prepare without an oven. If you mainly reheat and defrost, compare solo models first; consider a grill or convection if you have specific cooking plans.
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Assuming a cleaning function guarantees easy cleaning
Whirlpool describes AutoClean as a way to help remove residue on some models. On its own, this doesn’t tell you how easy it is to reach the door, turntable or entire cavity.
Check which parts of the exact model you’ll need to clean and, where available, look at tests that assess how easy it is to keep clean.
Which brands and ranges should you compare?
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France’s freestanding range includes grill models such as the MCP 345 WH and combination models such as the MWSC9133SB.
- According to the manufacturer’s product information, the MCP 345 WH combines a 25 L cavity with a grill and the Crisp function.
- The MWSC9133SB has a 33 L cavity, but its stated depth of 54 cm needs to be checked against the available space.
LG
LG France offers a range of grill microwaves, including the 20 L MH6032GAS, for adding browning to reheating and defrosting.
- A grill can be handy when you occasionally want to brown or crisp food, without opting for a combination microwave with convection.
- A grill on its own doesn’t mean the microwave has a convection cooking mode.
Panasonic
Panasonic France describes the NN-CD88 as a combination microwave with microwave, grill, convection and air fryer functions.
- Its product information lists a 34 L cavity and a 360 mm turntable, making it worth a look if the appliance needs to handle some of the cooking you’d normally do in an oven.
- Check its external dimensions, where you’ll store the accessories and its availability before considering this model for a small kitchen.
Microwaves to compare on Joybuy
This selection includes solo models, grill models and a combination microwave. Start with the cooking you’ll actually do, then check how much space the model you choose needs.
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Beko MGC20100B1 grill, 20 L, 700 W
Worth considering if you’d like to brown food occasionally as well as reheat it. This model is described as a microwave with grill; check the manual for the required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, 700 W
For mainly reheating and defrosting, its name suggests six pre-set menus and express cooking. If you’d also like to brown food, consider a model with a grill instead; check the manual for installation clearances.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI grill, 25 L, 900 W
The grill is useful for occasional browning alongside microwave cooking. Before choosing this freestanding model, compare its overall size and the clearances in its manual with the space available. A grill is not the same as convection.
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Samsung MS23K3513 solo, 23 L
This solo model with quick defrost is designed for reheating and defrosting rather than browning. Check its external dimensions and the clearances specified in its manual before installation.
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Sharp YC-MC422AE-SB 3-in-1 combination microwave, 42 L
Worth considering if the appliance needs to handle some of the cooking you’d usually do in an oven. With a 42 L cavity, measure the available space carefully. Check the product information for the cooking modes you want, including defrosting, and for the installation clearances required.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should you leave around a freestanding microwave?
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model, rather than relying on a single measurement for all appliances. For example, the Schneider Consumer manuals for the SCMWN20SMG and SCMWN20SMW call for 30 cm of clear space above and 20 cm between the appliance and each wall, with the back against a wall. These measurements don’t apply to other models.
Can you put a freestanding microwave inside a closed cabinet?
Don’t install it like a built-in model unless the manual says this is suitable. Follow the clearance requirements and keep the vents clear: Whirlpool France warns that blocked ventilation can cause overheating.
Can a grill microwave replace an oven?
A grill is for browning and crisping, but it doesn’t mean the appliance has convection. If you plan to cook dishes in the way you would in an oven, look for a combination microwave that explicitly lists this mode, then check its overall size.
How can you assess how easy a microwave is to clean before buying?
Check how easy it is to reach the cavity, door and turntable, and which parts need to be removed. UFC-Que Choisir includes interior and exterior cleaning in its test procedure. A feature such as AutoClean, which Whirlpool lists for the MWSC9133SB, is specific to that model and isn’t proof of how it compares with other models.