For mainly reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen, choose a solo microwave. Add a grill if you’d also like to brown and crisp dishes, or consider a combination microwave if you’ll genuinely use its fan oven function. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these three types by their functions. Before choosing a model, check its dimensions, door clearance and the ventilation space specified in the manual against the space you have available.
In a studio flat or holiday home, the most useful function depends on what you actually cook, not just on how much space you have.
If you mainly reheat portions and defrost food, easy-to-use controls and a cavity that fits your containers matter more than extra cooking modes. UFC-Que Choisir assesses reheating and defrosting separately in its microwave tests.
If you’d sometimes like to brown the top of a dish, a grill microwave adds this option to reheating. However, a grill doesn’t mean the appliance has a fan oven function.
If you also cook dishes that need oven-style cooking, a combination microwave with microwave, grill and fan oven functions can cover several needs. Check that its cavity fits your dishes and its external dimensions suit your worktop.
When choosing for a small home, start with your main use: reheating, browning, cooking with a fan oven or keeping a separate oven. Then check the space available for the appliance and the ventilation it needs.
Choose this if : you reheat and defrost far more often than you brown dishes.
Bear in mind : this option won’t meet your need to brown dishes or cook using a fan oven.
Choose this if : you want to brown dishes from time to time while keeping the convenience of quick reheating.
Bear in mind : a grill alone doesn’t replace the fan oven function of a combination microwave.
Choose this if : you’ll use the grill and fan oven functions to cook dishes in one appliance.
Bear in mind : extra functions won’t make up for a cavity that’s too small for your dishes or an appliance that’s too deep for its intended space.
Choose this if : you often cook in the oven, prepare large dishes or need to cook and reheat at the same time.
Bear in mind : you’ll need to make room for an extra appliance.
| Your needs | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost settings and whether there’s enough room for the containers you usually use. To compare reheating performance, look for tests that assess how evenly food is heated rather than relying on the stated power alone. | When most of my meals need reheating and food needs defrosting, I’d rather have simple controls than cooking modes I’d rarely use. Around 36% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Browning and crisping | Check that it has a grill mode and consult the manual to see which accessories are approved for use with it. | For the occasional browned or crispy dish without installing an oven, I’d look for a browning function rather than full oven-style cooking. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cooking with one appliance | Look specifically for a fan oven or convection function, then compare the cavity and external dimensions with the dishes you plan to use. | If I want to cook oven-style dishes while keeping the convenience of quick reheating, I need several modes in one appliance. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
| Separate oven | Compare the size of your dishes and how often you cook with the usable capacity of a combination microwave. Also consider whether you need to cook things at the same time. | For large dishes or frequent cooking, I’d keep a separate oven, even in a small kitchen. For around 14% of consumers, this matters more than the space saved by having a single appliance. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the grill is for browning and crisping, while a combination microwave adds oven-style cooking options with a fan oven function. A grill alone may therefore not meet your needs if you’re planning to cook in the oven.
If you’re planning this type of cooking, look for an explicit mention of “fan oven” or “convection” on the exact model.
Two appliances with a similar cavity capacity can have different external dimensions. The depth, door clearance and ventilation requirements may make it impossible to install one in the space you have in mind.
Measure the space and check the dimensions and installation instructions in the manual for the model you’re considering.
Anses warns that reheating at too high a power setting may increase the risk of substances migrating from some food packaging into food.
Follow the time and power instructions on the packaging and use a container suitable for microwave use. Don’t put metal accessories inside unless the manual explicitly says it’s safe to do so.
The details below apply to the specific models mentioned. Always check the product information for the model you’re interested in rather than assuming the same features apply across an entire brand.
Whirlpool offers freestanding combination microwaves, among other options. They’re worth considering if you’ll use the fan oven function.
The models listed by Panasonic France make it easy to distinguish between a grill model and one that also has convection.
Samsung also offers combination microwaves worth considering if cooking with a single appliance is important to you.
These models are suited to reheating and defrosting in a small home; four also have a grill for occasional browning. If your choice depends on a fan oven function, check explicitly that the model you’re considering has one.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost, with the option to brown dishes from time to time.
Capacity of 21 L and power of 800 W, as stated in the product name. Before installation, check the door clearance and the ventilation space specified in the manual. If you want to cook using a fan oven function, check separately that the model has one.
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Worth a look if you want reheating, defrosting and a grill in a freestanding appliance.
Capacity of 25 L and power of 900 W, as stated in the product name. Measure the available space, allowing for the required ventilation clearance. Don’t confuse the grill function with a fan oven function without checking the manual.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen, with a grill function for browning dishes.
Capacity of 20 L and power of 700 W, as stated in the product name. Check that the space allows for ventilation and the door to open fully. If a fan oven function is essential, look for a different cooking mode.
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Worth a look if you’re after a microwave with defrosting and a grill for occasional browning.
Capacity of 25 L and a digital display, as stated in the product name. Check the manual for installation clearances and confirm the power of the function that matters to you before comparing this model with another.
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Worth considering if reheating and defrosting are your main uses.
The product name lists a capacity of 20 L, power of 700 W, six preset menus and eleven power levels. Check the ventilation space required, whether the turntable is large enough for your containers and whether it has any extra cooking modes you need.
Yes, if you mainly plan to reheat and defrost, with the occasional quick meal. In the distinctions made by UFC-Que Choisir, a grill meets the additional need to brown dishes, while the fan oven function in a combination microwave is for oven-style cooking. Choose these features if you expect to use them.
No. Only use packaging or containers suitable for microwave use, and follow the instructions for time and power. Anses warns that using a power setting that’s too high may increase the risk of substances migrating from some packaging into food.
Follow the clearance requirements in the manual for the exact model, rather than relying on a distance that may not apply to every appliance. Before buying, also check that the surface is stable and that the door can open where you plan to put it.
It can handle some oven-style cooking if it has a grill and a fan oven function, but it may not cover all your needs. Compare the cavity and accessories with the size of your dishes. For large dishes, frequent cooking or cooking things at the same time, keeping a separate oven may be a better fit.