Choose a solo microwave if you mainly reheat and defrost: it handles everyday needs without adding unnecessary functions. A grill model is suitable for regular browning, while a combination microwave makes sense when it genuinely needs to replace an oven; in that case, its footprint and installation requirements need careful checking.
You live in independent accommodation with a small kitchen and need to choose between a reheating appliance and a combination model that can handle some oven-style cooking. In France, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research reported that in 2023, two-thirds of students lived away from the family home and that housing was their main area of expenditure.
You mainly prepare leftovers, ready meals, soups or frozen food and want to keep washing-up and clutter to a minimum. A solo model covers these common uses, as well as a few quick cooking tasks.
You do not have an oven or want to reduce the number of appliances, but also plan to make gratins, pizzas, cakes or roasts. How often you cook these dishes and how much space you have will determine whether a grill or combination model is worthwhile.
Choose this if: you reheat, defrost and only occasionally do simple cooking.
Bear in mind: it will not brown food, although it may be suitable for some simple preparations.
Choose this if: you want to brown or gratinate food regularly without doing oven-style cooking every day.
Bear in mind: the grill adds browning, but it cannot replace a fan oven on its own.
Choose this if: the appliance needs to replace a missing oven for baking, roasting or regularly preparing gratins and cakes.
Bear in mind: its versatility usually comes with a larger footprint and installation requirements that need checking.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Useful functions | Check the reheating and defrosting functions. Add a grill for browning or gratinating; look for fan-assisted cooking if the appliance needs to handle oven-style cooking. | I want to avoid filling my kitchen with a combination model if my meals are limited to reheating and defrosting. |
| Footprint and capacity | Compare the external width, depth and height with your worktop. Also check the cavity and turntable diameter against your largest dish. | My appliance needs to fit in its space while accommodating my usual plates and dishes. |
| Installation and ventilation | Identify the installation type: freestanding or built-in. Consult the manual for the exact model to check clearances, and do not block the vents. | I want to avoid wedging a freestanding appliance into a recess or treating a built-in model like a countertop appliance. |
| Length of use | Compare specifications on a like-for-like basis and check any visible additional costs. If buying from a professional seller in France, also check the terms of the statutory guarantee of conformity. | I am looking for an appliance that fits my budget and will remain suitable if I plan to keep it beyond the academic year. |
Grill and convection functions are only useful when they match the meals you prepare regularly. For reheating and defrosting, they can add bulk without meeting a genuine need.
Make a note of the meals you plan to prepare each week. If oven-style cooking is rare, compare solo or grill models first.
Capacity does not tell you whether your dish will fit inside the cavity or whether the appliance will fit beneath a cupboard. Width, depth, height and turntable diameter are often decisive in a studio flat.
Measure the available space, then compare the external and internal dimensions and the turntable diameter with your largest dish.
Whirlpool France reminds users that ventilation openings must not be blocked, as obstructed ventilation can cause overheating.
Choose the installation type before selecting the model and follow the manual’s instructions for the surface, recess and required clearances.
Plastic designed only for microwave use may melt under grill or convection heat. A sealed container can also create a risk of excess pressure.
Check which cooking modes are approved for each container and use only accessories permitted by the appliance manual.
A useful benchmark for comparing a compact solo microwave with convection combination models when you are deciding between basic use and partially replacing an oven.
A useful reference for an intermediate microwave-and-grill solution if browning matters more than fully replacing an oven.
A useful reference for freestanding combination models with additional programmes and accessories, worth considering if your worktop is deep enough.
Joybuy options covering reheating, defrosting, grilling and solo microwave use in a small student kitchen.
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For everyday reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen.
20 L, 700 W, 11 power levels, six pre-set menus, express cooking, time- or weight-based defrosting and a memory function. Advertised dimensions: 440 × 319 × 259 mm.
No grill or fan-assisted cooking advertised; check the cavity, turntable and ventilation clearances before installation.
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For reheating, defrosting and browning food in a compact freestanding appliance.
20 L, 700 W, microwave, defrosting and grill functions. Advertised dimensions: 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm; 245 mm turntable.
No fan-assisted cooking advertised. Allow at least 10 cm at the sides and rear, and check which containers are approved for grill mode.
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A simple option for reheating and defrosting in a studio flat or student room.
20 L, 700 W, six power levels, 30-minute timer, defrost function, interior light and 9,6-inch turntable. Advertised dimensions: 44,6 × 36,3 × 24,3 cm.
No grill or convection advertised; check the cavity dimensions and ventilation clearances before installation.
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For frequent meals requiring reheating, defrosting and browning.
25 L, microwave, defrosting, grill, automatic programmes with weight control and EasyClean coating. Advertised dimensions: 47 × 26 × 37 cm; 29,2 cm turntable.
No fan-assisted cooking advertised. Check ventilation space, the cavity and the accessories permitted for grilling.
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For regular reheating and defrosting, with a turntable suitable for larger plates.
23 L, 1 150 W, Quick Defrost, six power levels, 29 automatic programmes, LED display and 28,8 cm turntable.
No grill or convection advertised; compare its 48,9 cm width with your worktop and check the required clearances.
Yes, if your main needs are reheating, defrosting and carrying out a few simple cooking tasks. UFC-Que Choisir states that a basic model may also be suitable for certain vegetables, potatoes, fish cooked in foil, stewed fruit or cakes designed for microwave cooking; choose a grill or combination model if browning or oven-style cooking is a regular part of your routine.
A combination model is worthwhile when it needs to replace a missing conventional oven and you plan to bake, roast or brown food regularly. It combines microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking, but its size must be compatible with the intended space.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then compare them with the model’s external dimensions. Also check the cavity and turntable diameter for your plates and dishes; for a freestanding appliance, keep the vents clear in line with the manual for the exact model.
Depending on the model, the cooling fan may continue operating after the appliance has stopped to cool the components involved in emitting microwaves. Electrolux Support France explains that this behaviour can be normal.
Plastics suitable for microwave use are not automatically suitable for grilling or convection, where the heat may cause them to melt. Use the containers and accessories approved in the manual, and never place a sealed container inside the cavity.