Student with a small kitchenette
If you mainly reheat portions and defrost food, start by measuring your worktop. A basic microwave can meet these needs without taking up space with extra cooking functions.
Which option is right for you?
Resident in furnished accommodation or a holiday home without a convenient oven
Work out which dishes really need a grill or convection cooking. A combination microwave offers more functions, but make sure its size will suit your kitchen.
Tenant who already has a conventional oven
If you use the oven to cook your meals, a basic microwave can be a handy extra for reheating and defrosting. Only consider a grill if you plan to use it too.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the meals you make, then compare the functions you need with the space available and the electrical specifications of the exact model.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space available | Compare the external dimensions with the space you’ve measured; don’t rely on the cavity capacity in litres alone. Allow room for the door to open and for the ventilation clearances specified in the model’s manual. | My worktop is narrow: will the appliance, its door and the required clearance around it all fit? |
| Cooking functions | A basic microwave is suitable for reheating and defrosting; a grill adds browning. If you don’t have an oven and want convection cooking, check that the combination microwave you’re considering has this mode. | Do I mainly reheat portions, or would I also like to brown dishes? If there’s already a working conventional oven in my accommodation, I may only need a basic microwave as an extra. |
| Power supply | Check the total power consumption, voltage, amperage and cable length on the product information or in the manual. The stated microwave output power doesn’t replace these details. | In a kitchenette, I want to check the appliance and the intended socket specifications, especially if other heat-producing appliances will be used there. |
| Dishes and controls | Check that there’s enough usable space for your crockery and that the available modes suit the dishes you usually make. For a combination microwave, look at the results for each type of cooking rather than assuming one programme will suit every meal. | If I plan to cook more than just ready meals, the results from the grill or convection modes matter just as much as the list of programmes. |
To give you an idea of the space required, Panasonic France lists dimensions of 443 × 330 × 258 mm for its 20 L NN-E20JW basic microwave, while LG France gives dimensions of 54.0 × 32.5 × 52.3 cm for its 39 L MJ3965ACR combination microwave. These figures relate to two different models: they’re no substitute for measuring your space or checking the manual for the appliance you choose.
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based on capacity in litres alone
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you the external dimensions. Panasonic France’s product information for the NN-E20JW and LG France’s for the MJ3965ACR show how different the dimensions can be for their 20 L and 39 L models.
Measure the width, depth and height, then check the door clearance, space for your crockery and the clearances required in the manual.
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Assuming a combination microwave will cook everything like an oven
Results can vary between cooking modes and dishes. In its review of the LG MJ3965BPS, UFC-Que Choisir particularly liked the grill, but noted that small cakes didn’t rise well. This finding applies to that specific model, not all combination microwaves.
Choose the modes to suit the meals you plan to make and, where possible, read reviews of the model you’re considering.
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Confusing microwave output power with power consumption
The stated power for microwave mode doesn’t, by itself, tell you what you need to know about the electrical connection. For example, Electrolux France lists a total power consumption of 1,270 W, 230 V and 10 A for the EMZ421MMK.
Check the electrical specifications and cable length for the exact model before deciding where to put it.
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Assuming the same containers are suitable for every mode
Choosing a grill or convection mode also affects which accessories you’ll need. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between using plastic in microwave mode and using it with the grill or convection mode.
Before choosing a multi-function model, check its manual to see which dishes and accessories are suitable for each mode you plan to use.
A few brands and models to consider
These examples show different sizes and functions; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Panasonic
The NN-E20JW and NN-GT21Q are examples of a basic microwave and a model with a grill, respectively.
- Panasonic France lists a capacity of 20 L, 800 W of power and dimensions of 443 × 330 × 258 mm for the NN-E20JW.
- The NN-GT21Q combines microwave and grill functions, but the grill isn’t the same as convection cooking.
Electrolux
The French product information for the EMZ421MMK gives an example of the electrical specifications to check for a freestanding microwave.
- Electrolux France lists a total power consumption of 1,270 W, a 230 V, 10 A power supply and a 1 m cable for this model.
- Check these figures separately for any other Electrolux model.
Whirlpool
The MWF259SG is an example of a freestanding 25 L appliance with microwave and grill functions.
- Whirlpool France lists dimensions of 49 × 32.5 × 46.8 cm, which can help you work out how much space you’ll need.
- If you need convection cooking, check the exact modes available on the model you’re considering.
LG
The MJ3965ACR is an example of a 39 L combination microwave for a kitchen with room for a larger appliance.
- LG France lists microwave and convection modes, and external dimensions of 54.0 × 32.5 × 52.3 cm for the MJ3965ACR.
- UFC-Que Choisir’s review of the MJ3965BPS covers a different variant, so its cooking results shouldn’t be attributed to the MJ3965ACR.
Microwaves for different needs
This Joybuy selection includes basic microwaves for reheating and defrosting, models with a grill for browning, and a combination microwave for accommodation without a convenient oven. Compare the specifications of each model with your kitchen rather than choosing by category alone.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L, 700 W, black
For reheating and defrosting, with a grill for browning a dish now and then. Compare its dimensions and the installation requirements in the manual with the space you have available.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, 20 L, 700 W
A basic model to consider if you mainly want to reheat and defrost, without a grill function. Before installing it in a kitchenette, measure the space required around the appliance as specified in its manual.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI with grill, titanium
Worth considering if you’d like a grill as well as reheating and defrosting. Check the dimensions, electrical specifications and details for this exact model before deciding where to put it.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, 700 W, black
A microwave with digital controls for reheating and defrosting, without adding a grill. If you use large plates, check their dimensions against the appliance’s usable interior space.
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LG MJ3965ACS combination microwave, 39 L, black
Consider this if your accommodation doesn’t have a convenient oven and you’d like several cooking modes in one appliance. Its 39 L capacity doesn’t tell you how much space you’ll need: check the dimensions, door clearance and ventilation clearances in the manual.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should I allow for a microwave in a kitchenette?
Measure the space in width, depth and height, then allow for the clearances specified in the model’s manual and enough room to open the door. To show the difference in size, Panasonic France lists dimensions of 443 × 330 × 258 mm for the 20 L NN-E20JW, while LG France gives dimensions of 54.0 × 32.5 × 52.3 cm for the 39 L MJ3965ACR combination microwave.
Can a microwave with a grill replace a conventional oven?
A grill adds browning, but on its own it doesn’t provide the convection cooking you get from an oven. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between models with a grill and combination microwaves with oven-style cooking functions. If you’re considering a combination model, check its modes and how well it cooks the dishes you make.
Which electrical specifications should I check before buying?
Check the voltage, amperage, total power consumption and cable length for the exact model, then compare them with the space where you plan to install it. As an example for one specific model, Electrolux France lists 230 V, 10 A, a total power consumption of 1,270 W and a 1 m cable for the EMZ421MMK.