Choose a solo microwave if you mainly reheat and defrost food, with only a few simple cooking tasks: it’s the most straightforward option when space is limited. Choose a grill model for browning or finishing dishes, and a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking only if it regularly needs to replace an oven. According to Que Choisir, this versatility also means taking the appliance’s size and ventilation requirements into account.
If you’ll mainly use the appliance for leftovers, ready meals, soups and defrosting, a solo model may be all you need. It won’t take up valuable kitchen space with oven functions you rarely use. Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from cooking with fan assistance.
If you want to cook pizzas, gratins or baked goods regularly without adding a separate oven, consider a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking. First, measure your worktop and check the installation instructions.
If your main aim is to brown or finish ready meals, a microwave with a grill is a more direct solution than a full combination model. According to Que Choisir, grilling and fan-assisted cooking are separate functions.
Choose this if: you reheat, defrost and carry out simple cooking tasks, and already have another way to cook oven dishes.
Good to know: it won’t brown or finish dishes, or replicate fan-assisted oven cooking.
Choose this if: you mainly want to brown or finish pizzas, toasted sandwiches, lasagne and similar dishes.
Good to know: a grill does not automatically turn the appliance into a fan-assisted oven.
Choose this if: you regularly cook cakes, pizzas or roast dishes and want to reduce the number of appliances you own.
Good to know: check the fan-assisted function, accessories, available space and ventilation separately.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Useful functions | Identify the microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking modes clearly. Check that fan-assisted cooking is explicitly listed if the appliance is intended to act as an oven. | I mainly reheat meals, or I genuinely need to brown and cook food regularly as I would in an oven. |
| Space and ventilation | Measure the width, height and depth, the door opening and the space needed to remove the dish. Check that you have a level surface and the clearances specified in the instructions. | My worktop space is limited, but I must keep the ventilation openings clear. |
| Cooking results | Don’t compare the stated power rating alone. For a grill or combination model used frequently, consult tests that assess reheating, defrosting, grilling and fan-assisted cooking separately. | I want to avoid unevenly heated food or disappointing oven-style cooking. |
| Containers and cleaning | Check which materials are microwave-safe and which accessories are permitted for each mode. Consult the manual before using a rack or any metal object. | I want to reheat and clean easily without choosing the wrong container. |
An appliance with a grill can brown or finish dishes without offering the capabilities of a fan-assisted oven. You could end up paying for functions that don’t cover the cooking you have planned.
If you’re replacing an oven, look specifically for a fan-assisted cooking mode and check the programmes, temperatures and permitted accessories in the instructions.
The internal capacity tells you nothing about the appliance’s external depth, door opening or ventilation space. An appliance may offer the right capacity but still not fit properly in a small kitchen.
Measure the available width, height and depth, allow for the door’s opening range and follow the ventilation instructions in the manual for the model you choose.
A stated power rating alone does not tell you how evenly food will be reheated, how well it will defrost or brown, or how accurately the temperature will be maintained. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses these aspects separately.
For an appliance intended for frequent cooking, consult tests that distinguish between reheating, defrosting, grilling and fan-assisted cooking.
A microwave falls under the waste electrical and electronic equipment stream and must not be put out with general household rubbish.
Before ordering, check the seller’s take-back arrangements, as well as local repair, donation or recycling options. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition highlights take-back schemes when buying an appliance of the same type.
Whirlpool offers freestanding microwaves with grills and, on some models, assisted cooking functions or flatbed cavities.
Samsung features in French selections of freestanding combination microwaves with fan-assisted cooking, particularly models with capacities of 32 L or more.
Panasonic is worth considering when your microwave also needs to cover some oven-style cooking in a small kitchen.
Joybuy options for reheating, defrosting or finishing dishes in a compact student kitchen. Always check the dimensions, ventilation requirements and cooking functions that match your needs.
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For reheating, defrosting and finishing dishes without adding a separate appliance.
20 L, 9 power levels, 800 W grill and 245 mm turntable. Stated dimensions: 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm; allow 10 cm at the sides and rear for ventilation. No fan-assisted cooking is indicated.
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For reheating, defrosting and finishing dishes with a grill function.
950 W grill, automatic programmes, weight-based defrosting and an EasyClean cavity. Stated dimensions: 47 × 26 × 37 cm. Check the power supply and ventilation clearances in the manual; fan-assisted cooking is not indicated.
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An option for reheating leftovers and defrosting food every day when worktop space is limited.
11 power levels, 6 pre-set menus, express cooking, memory function and weight- or time-based defrosting. Stated dimensions: 44 × 31,9 × 25,9 cm. No grill or fan-assisted cooking is indicated.
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For reheating and defrosting without additional oven functions.
20 L, 6 power levels and a Ready2Clean coating. Stated ventilation clearances are 10 cm at the rear, 5 cm at the sides and 20 cm above. No grill or fan-assisted cooking is indicated.
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For reheating and defrosting in a studio flat or small kitchen.
20 L, 6 power levels, 30-minute timer, interior light and turntable. Stated dimensions: 44,6 × 36,3 × 24,3 cm. No grill or fan-assisted mode is indicated.
Yes, provided it genuinely has a fan-assisted cooking function and you want to cook regularly as you would in an oven. According to Que Choisir, a combination model can combine microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking, while a grill alone is mainly used for browning and finishing dishes. Check the model’s exact functions before buying.
Not without explicit confirmation in the model’s manual. Whirlpool France states that a freestanding microwave should be placed on a level surface and that its ventilation openings must not be blocked. Check the exact clearances specified for the appliance you choose.
Check the model’s rating plate and manual before buying, then connect it in accordance with their instructions. For example, the Whirlpool MCP 345 WH is specified for 230 V, 50 Hz and a Schuko socket, but this does not automatically apply to other microwaves. If a socket or circuit is damaged, ask your landlord, property manager or a qualified professional for advice.
Not in microwave mode: Que Choisir states that metal containers and utensils are not suitable and may damage the appliance. A supplied rack may be permitted in certain non-microwave or combination modes, but only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for the model concerned.
Take it to an appropriate recycling facility rather than putting it in general household rubbish. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition highlights the “1-for-1” take-back scheme when buying an appliance of the same type and, at some shops, a “1-for-0” take-back service without a purchase, subject to the applicable conditions.