Student who reheats meals
You mainly want to reheat meals and defrost food, rather than use your microwave as your main oven. A solo model is worth considering.
Which type suits each need?
Renter who wants to brown food
You’d like to brown a gratin or toast from time to time, while still enjoying the convenience of a microwave. Compare models with a grill, but don’t assume they also offer fan-assisted cooking.
Regular cook in a studio flat
You don’t have a practical oven and want to prepare dishes that need oven-style cooking. A combination microwave can bring together microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking, provided it fits in your kitchen.
Which features should you prioritise?
In student accommodation, start with the dishes you’ll actually make, then measure the space you have in mind. The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you how much room the appliance will take up.
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly reheat meals and defrost food.
Bear in mind: this type won’t brown food with a grill or cook using fan-assisted heat.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you’d like to brown dishes occasionally without adding a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: a grill doesn’t replace fan-assisted cooking for oven-style dishes.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you cook regularly and need fan-assisted cooking as well as microwave and grill functions.
Bear in mind: it’s especially important to check its size, weight and the space required for installation.
| Priority | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost controls and make sure the turntable is large enough for your plates. | Between lectures, I want to reheat a meal and defrost food without fiddling with lots of settings; around 40% of shoppers prioritise these uses. |
| Occasional browning | Confirm that it has a grill and check which accessories are included for the cooking modes you plan to use. | I’d also like to brown the top of gratins or toast; around 30% of shoppers put this need first. |
| Cooking like you would in a small oven | Look specifically for fan-assisted or convection cooking and measure the space available around the appliance. | Without a practical oven, I plan to cook dishes using fan-assisted heat regularly; around 30% of shoppers prioritise this versatile cooking method. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a grill is the same as a fan oven
A grill browns food, while oven-style cooking requires a fan-assisted or convection function. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these uses in its microwave guide.
If you want to cook as you would in a small oven, look for this function in the model’s specifications rather than relying on the word “grill” alone.
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Choosing by capacity in litres alone
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you how much worktop space you’ll need. For example, Whirlpool lists its 25 L MCP349WH combination microwave as 49.4 cm deep and weighing 18.6 kg.
Compare the external dimensions with the space you have, then check the manual for the clearances and installation requirements for the model you’ve chosen.
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Paying for features you’ll rarely use
A grill or fan-assisted cooking won’t necessarily be a better choice if you mainly need to reheat food every day.
Make a note of the dishes you cook regularly. If you don’t brown food or cook oven-style meals, focus your comparison on defrosting, the controls and the space available.
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Ordering before checking what’s included in your accommodation
A furnished rental may already have an oven or microwave. Another appliance could take up space you need for something else.
Check the accommodation inventory and look at the appliance provided before deciding what else you need to buy.
Brands to compare
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers freestanding microwaves, including models with a grill or combination cooking function.
- According to Whirlpool France, the MCP349WH combines a 25 L capacity with fan-assisted cooking and a grill.
- These features apply to the MCP349WH, not the whole range. Compare its dimensions with the space you have available.
Panasonic
Panasonic models let you compare a microwave with a grill and a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking.
- Panasonic France lists the NN-GT21Q with grill as measuring 440 × 324 × 258 mm, and describes the NN-C69KSM as a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking.
- These two models have different features and dimensions, so check the exact version before choosing.
Samsung
Samsung offers combination microwaves with additional cooking modes.
- According to Samsung France, the MC32DG7646CKE1 offers oven, grill, steam and Air Fry modes, among others.
- On this model, connected features require a Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account. Some services may vary by country.
Microwaves for these needs
These Joybuy models cover everyday reheating with solo microwaves and browning with models that have a grill. If fan-assisted cooking is your priority, confirm that this function is explicitly listed for the model you’re considering.
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Heinrich's, 20 L solo microwave
Designed for reheating and defrosting rather than browning dishes. This 20 L solo model is listed as having 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Check the manual to see how much installation space it needs.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L black microwave
For reheating and defrosting with digital controls. The product listing states 700 W, 11 power levels and six pre-set menus. Measure the space you have available and check the manual for installation details.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L black microwave with grill
For reheating dishes and browning them from time to time. This model is listed as a 20 L microwave with a grill. If you also want to cook oven-style dishes, check separately whether it has fan-assisted cooking. Read the manual before choosing where to put it.
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Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L solo microwave
For reheating and defrosting, without a grill function. This 23 L solo model is listed with Quick Defrost. When comparing its cooking power with other models, make sure you distinguish it from the connection power stated on the product listing.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih, 25 L white microwave with grill
For reheating and defrosting, with a grill for occasional browning. Its stated capacity is 25 L. If you plan to use it as a small oven, check whether it has fan-assisted cooking, as well as the dimensions and installation requirements for this model.
Frequently asked questions
Can a microwave with a grill replace an oven?
Not for every oven-style task. A grill can brown food, but it doesn’t mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking. If you want to cook oven-style dishes regularly, check explicitly for this function. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between microwaves with a grill and combination models with conventional oven functions.
Should you buy a microwave for a furnished rental?
Start by checking the inventory and seeing what appliance is already provided. For furnished homes covered by the French decree of 31 July 2015 on minimum furnishings, the list specifies “an oven or a microwave oven” and doesn’t require a combination model. What you need may therefore depend on the appliances already there.
How can you compare how easy models are to clean?
Look at the shape of the cavity, the accessories you’ll need to clean and any dedicated programmes on each model. For example, Whirlpool describes an AutoClean feature on the MCP349WH. Don’t assume other models have the same function.
What should you do if a microwave bought from a trader doesn’t match its description?
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual, according to the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. If the appliance doesn’t match the seller’s description, keep a copy of the product listing, the invoice and the manual so you can assert your rights with the seller.
Where can you dispose of an old microwave in France?
Take it to a collection point for electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The ministry responsible for ecological transition lists collection points, recycling centres and returning it to a shop as possible options.