Student who mainly reheats food
For reheating meals and defrosting in a kitchenette, a solo model can cover your main needs. Check its size and the defrost functions listed.
Who are these options for?
Someone who wants to brown dishes
If you mostly reheat food but would sometimes like to brown the top of a dish, compare the grill settings on offer and don’t confuse a grill with convection.
Cook without access to a usable oven
If you plan to cook oven-style dishes regularly but don’t have a usable oven, check that the model explicitly lists convection and can fit your dishes.
Which features matter most?
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, and don’t need browning or convection cooking as a priority.
Bear in mind: it won’t brown dishes or provide fan-assisted heat.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you want to brown the top of a dish occasionally, as well as use the microwave for everyday tasks.
Bear in mind: having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance has convection.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you plan to cook dishes that need convection regularly and don’t have a usable oven.
Bear in mind: a combination model can cost more than a solo model. Its dimensions also need to suit your space and your dishes.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Available settings, controls and the size of the containers you use. | I mainly want to reheat portions and defrost food, without paying for features I won’t use. Around 34% of consumers put these tasks first. |
| Space and installation | External dimensions, door opening, specified clearances and the model’s electrical power rating. | I need to fit the appliance into my kitchenette while leaving enough room for ventilation. Around 33% of consumers make space their top priority. |
| Browning | Whether it has a grill setting and the dimensions of compatible dishes. | I sometimes want to brown the top of a dish, but don’t necessarily need convection cooking. Around 22% of consumers prioritise browning. |
| Oven-style cooking | Whether convection is explicitly listed, the usable capacity and the electrical power rating for the specific model. | I don’t have a usable oven and plan to regularly prepare dishes that need convection cooking. Around 11% of consumers prioritise this use. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on capacity in litres
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you the external dimensions, the space needed for ventilation or the room required to open the door.
Measure the space and your dishes, then compare these measurements with the dimensions and clearances in the manual for the exact model.
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted heat
Listed settings vary between models. For example, the French product listing for the Electrolux EMZ421MMK includes a grill but doesn’t mention convection.
If you want to cook as you would in an oven, check that convection or fan-assisted cooking is explicitly listed among the appliance’s settings.
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Comparing different power ratings as if they measured the same thing
For the Electrolux EMZ421MMK, the product listing distinguishes between 800 W of microwave power and 1 270 W of total power.
For cooking performance, check the settings and microwave power; for the power supply, check the electrical power rating and the guidance in the model’s manual.
Brands to consider, model by model
Whirlpool
The French models MWP201W and MWSC9133SB are examples of a solo model and a larger-capacity combination model respectively.
- Whirlpool lists a capacity of 20 L and 700 W for the MWP201W, along with defrost programmes. The MWSC9133SB is listed with a 33 L cavity and a 36 cm turntable.
- These specifications apply to these models and shouldn’t be taken as representative of the dimensions or settings across the whole range.
Electrolux
The EMZ421MMK is an example of a freestanding microwave with microwave and grill settings, designed in particular for reheating and occasional browning.
- The French product listing includes microwave, grill and microwave-with-grill settings, as well as the dimensions and turntable diameter, which are useful for checking whether it will fit.
- The settings listed for the EMZ421MMK don’t include convection. This feature shouldn’t be assumed across all the brand’s products.
Samsung
The models MS23K3555ES/EF and MC28H5015CK/EF are examples of a solo model and a model with convection.
- Samsung lists a capacity of 23 L and 800 W of microwave power for the MS23K3555ES/EF. The MC28H5015CK/EF listing gives a capacity of 28 L and includes convection, grill and microwave settings.
- The specifications mentioned apply to these models only. Samsung presents its ventilation clearances as general guidelines, so check the manual for the appliance you choose.
Models available on Joybuy
The models featured include solo microwaves and models with a grill for reheating, defrosting and browning. They don’t allow you to compare a combination microwave with convection.
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Heinrich’s solo microwave, 20 L, 700 W
For everyday reheating and defrosting, this solo model includes a defrost function.
Capacity: 20 L; power: 700 W; six power levels; timer up to 30 minutes; 9.6-inch turntable; listed external dimensions: 44,6 × 36,3 × 24,3 cm.
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H.Koenig VIO9 microwave with grill, 25 L
For reheating and defrosting with a grill function, this model also lists a combination cooking setting.
Capacity: 25 L; grill listed at 1 000 W; 27 cm turntable. Check the model’s product listing for dimensions to make sure it fits your space and dishes.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI, with grill, 25 L, titanium
For reheating, defrosting and browning, the product listing includes a grill and defrosting by time or weight.
Capacity: 25 L; microwave power: 900 W; quartz grill listed at 1 150 W; 28,8 cm turntable; listed external dimensions: 53,6 × 43,6 × 33 cm.
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LG MH 6535 gih microwave with grill, white
For reheating and defrosting with a browning option, this freestanding model includes a quartz grill.
The product listing specifies 25 L, 1 000 W, a digital display and automatic programmes with weight control.
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LG MH6535GIS microwave with grill, black, 25 L
For reheating and defrosting with a grill function, this freestanding model also lets you compare the turntable size with that of your dishes.
The product listing specifies five power levels, a 950 W grill and a 29,2 cm turntable.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should you leave around a microwave on a worktop?
The manual for the model you choose gives the required clearances. Samsung suggests 10 cm behind and at the sides and 20 cm above as general guidance, while noting that requirements vary between models. Also check how much room is needed to open the door.
Do the microwave’s watt figures tell you how much power it draws from the socket?
No, these figures can refer to different measurements. For the Electrolux EMZ421MMK, the product listing distinguishes between 800 W of microwave power and 1 270 W of total power. Check the specifications for the model you choose and the electrical supply available.
Can a microwave with a grill cook like a fan oven?
Not just because it has a grill: check that a convection or fan-assisted setting is explicitly listed. The Electrolux EMZ421MMK listing includes a grill but no convection, while the Samsung MC28H5015CK/EF listing includes both convection and a grill.
Do you need to take out an extended warranty to benefit from the legal guarantee in France?
No. For a purchase made by an individual from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity also applies to new appliances. The DGCCRF states that it lasts for two years from the date of purchase; any additional commercial warranty is separate.
What should you do with your old microwave when replacing it?
The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition distinguishes between ‘1 for 1’ take-back, linked to buying equipment of the same type, and ‘1 for 0’ take-back, with no purchase required. Check the arrangements offered by the retailer concerned.