Student who reheats food every day
If you mainly reheat portions and defrost food, compare solo models first, then check their external dimensions against the space you have available.
Which type is right for you?
UFC-Que Choisir’s guide includes student accommodation among the situations where the available features and space help determine which microwave to choose.
Renter who occasionally wants to brown food
If you want to give certain dishes a golden finish without needing fan-assisted cooking, a grill microwave is a more targeted choice.
Student without an oven
If you plan to make recipes that need fan-assisted cooking, consider combination microwaves. The cavity size, available temperatures and space needed for the appliance are all important.
What sets the models apart?
First decide whether you need to reheat, brown or cook with fan-assisted heat. Then check that the right appliance can be installed in your chosen spot.
Solo microwave
Choose one: for reheating and defrosting, if you have another way to prepare dishes that need browning.
The trade-off: it has neither a grill nor fan-assisted cooking.
Grill microwave
Choose one: if you also want to brown the surface of certain dishes.
The trade-off: a grill alone doesn’t offer fan-assisted cooking.
Combination microwave
Choose one: if you don’t have an oven and genuinely plan to make recipes that need fan-assisted cooking.
The trade-off: recipes and dishes must be suitable for the model’s cavity, temperatures and accessories; it isn’t a universal oven replacement.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Defrost function and the size of the turntable or usable cavity. | If I regularly reheat portions and defrost food, without planning to brown dishes, these uses guide my choice. They would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Clear mention of a grill and compatible accessories. | If I want to finish a gratin or brown a toasted sandwich, I’m looking for this feature rather than oven-style cooking. Around 25% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Cooking without a separate oven | Confirmation of fan-assisted cooking or convection, available temperatures and cavity dimensions. | Without an oven, I want to make recipes that need fan-assisted cooking and fit in the appliance. This would be the main requirement for around 25% of consumers. |
| Space and ventilation | External dimensions, door opening space and the clearances specified in the model’s manual. | When cupboard space is tight, being able to install the appliance with its vents unobstructed matters more than having extra features. Around 17% of consumers would prioritise this constraint. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by capacity without measuring your space
The cavity volume doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop. You’ll also need to consider its external dimensions and the space needed to open the door.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then compare them with the dimensions of the model you’re considering before looking at its programmes.
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted cooking
A grill browns the surface of food. Its presence doesn’t mean the appliance offers convection cooking for recipes that need it.
For those recipes, look specifically for “fan-assisted”, “fan cooking” or “convection” in the model’s specifications.
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Squeezing a freestanding model into an enclosed space
Whirlpool France says not to block the ventilation openings. The required clearances depend on the manual: for example, the manual for the Proline KE203W specifies 30 cm of clear space above the appliance.
Keep the vents unobstructed and follow the installation instructions for the model you’re buying. Don’t use the measurements for a different model.
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Assuming a product listing means an item is available
A product may still be listed with its specifications even when it isn’t available to buy, as shown by a Joybuy France listing for the Whirlpool MCP341WH.
Before ordering, check the full model reference, the accessories listed and the availability shown for the product you’ve chosen.
Brands to know
These examples are for comparing features on specific models, not for judging every appliance made by each brand.
Whirlpool
The freestanding range includes basic, grill and combination models to consider for the recipes you plan to make.
- Whirlpool France lists the MCP349WH as a 25 L combination microwave with a grill and fan cooking.
- Its stated depth of 49.4 cm should be checked against your cupboard depth and the required ventilation clearances.
Samsung
The MG23K3515AK/EF is an example of a freestanding grill microwave for reheating and occasional browning.
- Samsung France describes a function for browning dishes at the end of cooking on this 23 L model.
- The grill function alone doesn’t confirm that it offers fan-assisted cooking.
Panasonic
The brand offers both solo and combination models. Check that the specific model’s functions suit the recipes you plan to make.
- Panasonic France lists a grill and convection, with settings at 40 °C and from 100 to 220 °C, for the NN-C69KSM.
- These settings don’t guarantee that every dish or quantity intended for an oven will fit or cook well in its cavity.
Models to compare on Joybuy
These models cover reheating in a small home and, for some models, browning with a grill. If your recipes need fan-assisted cooking, check that feature on a combination model before choosing.
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Heinrich's 20 L solo microwave
Worth considering if reheating is your main use and you also want a defrost function. The product name lists a 20 L capacity, 700 W power, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Check its dimensions and ventilation instructions against the space you have available.
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Beko MGC20100B1 grill microwave, 20 L
Worth comparing if you want to reheat and brown certain dishes without needing fan-assisted cooking. The product name lists a grill, a 20 L capacity and 700 W microwave power. Check the model’s manual for compatible accessories and ventilation clearances.
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Hkoenig VIO8 freestanding microwave, 20 L
Worth considering for reheating in a small kitchen, while checking how much space a freestanding appliance needs. The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. If defrosting is essential for you, confirm the settings on the model’s listing.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI freestanding microwave, 21 L
Worth comparing for everyday use if your worktop can accommodate its external dimensions. The product name lists a 21 L capacity and 800 W microwave power. If you want to brown food, check the functions and accessories listed for this model; don’t assume it offers fan-assisted cooking.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W microwave, 20 L
Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat meals. The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. If you often defrost food, check the controls or manual for this model before choosing it, along with its installation instructions.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should you leave around a freestanding microwave?
Follow the clearances in your model’s manual and don’t block its vents. Whirlpool France highlights this general advice; the manual for the Proline KE203W specifies at least 30 cm of clear space above that particular appliance. Don’t assume the same distance applies to every model.
Can a combination microwave replace an oven?
Not for every recipe or quantity. If you plan to cook using fan-assisted heat, compare the combination microwave’s cavity size, temperatures and accessories with the dishes you want to make. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this function from those of solo and grill microwaves.
When should you choose a grill microwave rather than a combination model?
Choose a grill if the extra feature you need is the ability to brown or crisp certain dishes. If you plan to make recipes that need fan-assisted cooking, look specifically for that feature on a combination model: a grill alone doesn’t provide it.
What if the appliance you buy doesn’t match its description?
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Keep the product description, proof of purchase and manual so you can explain the problem clearly to the seller.