Studio flat residents without an oven
You reheat and defrost food every day, but also need to prepare the occasional gratin, pizza or small dish without adding several appliances.
What will you use it for?
Second-home users
You want versatile equipment for a sparsely equipped kitchen, with simple controls and a manageable footprint for occasional use.
Small-space cooks who bake or roast
You need fan-assisted heat, a grill and a thermostat for regular oven recipes, not just for reheating a plate of food.
Buying criteria
The UFC-Que Choisir guide distinguishes between reheating, grilling and fan-assisted cooking functions. Start with the recipes you usually make before comparing sizes and programmes.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking functions | Identify the microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions separately. Also check the combination modes and the accessories permitted for each function. | I want to reheat and defrost quickly, but also need to know whether my gratins, pizzas or cakes require genuine fan-assisted heat. |
| Size and dishes | Measure the width, height and depth of the space, as well as the door clearance. Also compare the internal dimensions, turntable and usable cavity area. | My appliance must fit in the kitchen and accommodate my plates, tins or gratin dishes, rather than simply having a sufficient stated capacity in litres. |
| Ease of use | Read the instructions for installation, ventilation and accessories. Where relevant tests are available, look separately at heating evenness, noise, surface temperatures and cleaning. | In a living space or studio flat, I want an appliance that is easy to maintain and suited to my everyday needs. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted heat
A grill helps to brown and gratinate food, while fan-assisted heat is designed for oven-style recipes such as cakes, pizzas and roasts. A microwave with a grill only may therefore not meet your main cooking needs.
Make a list of the recipes you prepare most often. If they require oven cooking and temperature control, specifically look for fan-assisted heat or consider a separate compact oven.
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Choosing based on the stated capacity without measuring your dishes
Two appliances with a similar capacity can have very different turntables, cavity shapes and internal dimensions. A tin or gratin dish may not fit, even when the stated litre capacity appears suitable.
Compare your largest dishes with the published internal dimensions, turntable diameter and available height. For a cavity without a turntable, check the usable width and depth.
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Installing a built-in appliance like a freestanding model
A built-in appliance requires a niche with precise dimensions and installation conditions specific to the model. The front dimensions alone do not indicate the available depth or the ventilation required.
Before ordering, read the instructions and installation diagram for the exact model, then check the niche and electrical supply if necessary.
An unsuitable niche may require building work or make the appliance more difficult to install.
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Treating advertised functions as proof of performance
The presence of a programme or cooking mode alone tells you nothing about heating evenness, browning, preheating, noise, surface temperatures or cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses these aspects separately.
If oven cooking really matters, prioritise models for which relevant tests provide separate results for cooking, temperature, noise and cleaning.
Brand guide
Whirlpool
The range includes freestanding and built-in combination microwaves, with a grill, assisted functions and, depending on the model, fan-assisted cooking.
- The freestanding MWF255B combines microwave, grill and steam functions in a 25 L cavity without a turntable.
- Functions and dimensions vary by model; a built-in appliance requires a compatible cabinet.
Bosch
A relevant choice for fitted kitchens looking for a built-in compact oven with a microwave function.
- The CMG7761B1 is a 45 L built-in model with a microwave output of up to 900 W and pyrolytic cleaning supplemented by hydrolysis.
- Installation requires a compatible niche; it is not designed for use on a worktop.
AEG
The CombiQuick compact ovens combine microwave, fan-assisted cooking and several cooking modes to cover some of the uses of a traditional oven.
- The KMK761080M offers 43 L, a 1,000 W microwave, a grill, pulsed fan-assisted heat and combination modes.
- The required 450 × 560 × 550 mm niche must match the installation cabinet exactly.
Electrolux
The brand offers freestanding models with a grill for reheating, defrosting and browning food in a compact kitchen.
- The EMZ725MMK combines microwave, grill and microwave + grill modes in a 25 L capacity.
- A model with a grill does not automatically provide fan-assisted heat for oven-style recipes.
Moulinex
A separate compact oven is the right choice when oven cooking is more important than microwave reheating.
- The Optimo 19 L offers fan-assisted heat, conventional heat, a grill, baking, bain-marie and defrosting functions, up to 240 °C.
- This mini oven does not have a microwave function, so quick reheating requires another appliance.
Joybuy options
These Joybuy options include convection combination microwaves and microwaves with a grill for reheating, defrosting and, depending on the model, carrying out certain cooking tasks in a compact space.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB 42 L 3-in-1 combination microwave
An option for combining everyday reheating with oven-style cooking in a single freestanding appliance.
42 L, microwave, grill and convection functions, a range of 140 to 230 °C and 30 programmes. External dimensions: 553 × 326 × 505 mm; check the available space, door clearance and installation instructions.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 GIH 25 L microwave with grill
Suitable for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a small kitchen.
25 L, quartz grill, defrosting programmes, keep-warm function and digital display. Dimensions: 38.8 × 47.6 × 27.2 cm; check the size of your dishes before buying.
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LG MH6535GIS 25 L microwave with grill
A solution for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning without installing a separate oven.
25 L, 29.2 cm turntable, 950 W grill, five power levels, automatic programmes and EasyClean coating. Dimensions: 47 × 26 × 37 cm.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI 21 L freestanding microwave
Suitable for reheating, defrosting and gratinated dishes when fan-assisted cooking is not essential.
21 L, 24.5 cm turntable, eight automatic programmes, multi-stage cooking, stainless-steel interior and 1,000 W grill. Dimensions: 55 × 42 × 34 cm.
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Beko MGC20100B1 20 L microwave with grill
A compact format designed for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a limited space.
20 L, 245 mm turntable, nine power levels, mechanical timer and grill. Dimensions: 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm; measure your plates and gratin dishes.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave completely replace a traditional oven?
It can handle basic oven tasks when it has genuine fan-assisted heat and the right accessories. UFC-Que Choisir states that combination models can grill and cook with fan-assisted heat, but results for pizza, cakes, preheating and temperature vary by model. Check the specifications and relevant tests before replacing an oven.
What measurements should you take before buying for a studio flat?
Measure the available width, height and depth, then allow for door clearance. Compare these measurements with those of the appliance, and separately check the internal dimensions, turntable or lack of a turntable. For a built-in model, follow only the niche and installation diagram specified by the manufacturer.
Is the litre capacity enough to tell me whether my dish will fit?
No. Capacity provides a general indication, but the internal width, height and depth, the shape of the cavity and the turntable diameter determine whether a dish or tin will actually fit. Measure the dishes you use most before choosing.
Which safety and convenience features should you check?
Check the installation and ventilation instructions, the accessories permitted for each mode, cavity cleaning and how the fan operates. Where tests cover these points, also look at surface temperatures, heating evenness, noise and ease of use.
Which legal guarantee applies to a new microwave bought in France?
For a new product bought from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity can be claimed for two years, according to economie.gouv.fr. An optional commercial warranty may be added, but it does not replace the legal guarantees.