For reheating and defrosting in a small home, start by considering a solo microwave. Choose a grill model if you’d also like to brown dishes, or a combination microwave if you’ll genuinely use convection cooking instead of an oven. Before buying, measure the space and, if you live in student accommodation, check that the rules allow the type of appliance you’re considering.
If you mainly reheat meals and defrost food, a basic freestanding model is a good place to start. Check its dimensions against the space available, and remember to leave enough clearance around the appliance.
Rules published by Les Crous in September 2026 allow microwaves, but restrict other cooking appliances. Check your accommodation’s rules too before choosing a model with a grill or convection cooking.
If you plan to bake and brown dishes regularly, a combination microwave may cover more recipes than a solo model. Whether it’s worthwhile depends on what you eat, the space available and the rules for your home.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the functions of a solo microwave and those of a combination model. Start with the meals you’ll prepare, then check what you can install in your home.
Consider this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, without regularly needing to brown dishes.
Downside: it doesn’t have a grill or convection cooking.
Consider this if: you’d also like to brown the top of certain dishes.
Downside: a grill alone doesn’t provide the functions of a convection oven; check that it’s permitted in your accommodation.
Consider this if: you don’t have an oven and will regularly use convection cooking.
Downside: the extra functions are only useful if your recipes call for them. Also check the available space and the rules for your home.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the controls and defrost function. E.Leclerc’s student guide suggests 15 to 25 L as a guide for a studio flat; compare this with your dishes and the space available. | I mainly reheat leftovers or ready meals and want to defrost food without choosing cooking modes I’m unlikely to use. |
| Browning and grilling | Check that it has a grill and read the instructions for dishes and accessories. A grill on its own is not the same as convection cooking. | I’d like to brown the top of quiches or gratins, even though my other meals only need reheating. |
| Cooking without an oven | If you plan to make recipes that require oven cooking, look specifically for convection cooking and the modes you need. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these functions from those of a solo microwave. | Without a conventional oven, I plan to regularly cook dishes that need more than microwave mode. |
| Size | Compare the external dimensions, the space needed to open the door and the clearances specified in the manual. The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you how much worktop space you’ll need. | My worktop is small, so I need to be able to install and use the appliance without getting in the way of the rest of the kitchen. |
| Rules for your accommodation | If you live in student accommodation, read the rules and connection instructions. Rules published by Les Crous in September 2026 allow microwaves, but don’t specify that every grill or convection model is permitted everywhere. | If I live in student accommodation, I want to confirm that the model I’m considering and its connection are allowed before buying it. |
Convection cooking and combination modes won’t add much if your meals only need microwave mode.
Make a note of the dishes you usually prepare. Only choose a grill or convection cooking for things you genuinely expect to use.
Rules published by Les Crous in September 2026 allow microwaves, while restricting other cooking appliances and the use of multiway adaptors. They don’t explicitly cover every grill or convection model.
If you’re considering a grill or combination model for student accommodation, ask the accommodation manager for written confirmation and follow the local connection instructions.
For a furnished rental that is your main residence, French Decree No. 2015-981 specifies, among other things, a hob and an oven or microwave. This doesn’t mean you can assume a particular microwave is already installed.
Check your tenancy agreement, inventory and check-in report, then make sure any supplied appliance works.
A container that isn’t suitable for the selected mode can cause problems, such as using a metal tin in microwave mode.
Transfer food to a container labelled as suitable, and follow the instructions for accessories specific to grill or combination modes.
These models illustrate the features to compare for each type of appliance; they are not a selection of products available on Joybuy.
The MS23F301EAW is an example of a freestanding solo microwave featured by Samsung France.
The MWP203SB is an example of a freestanding microwave with a grill.
The NN-CT57RM is an example of a combination microwave with several cooking modes.
These options are for reheating and defrosting in a small home, including a clearly identified solo model and a grill model. For each appliance, check that you can install it and that it has the functions you need for your meals.
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Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat and defrost, without a grill function.
The product name lists quick defrost, 1 150 W, an integrated display and LED lighting. Check the ventilation clearances required for your chosen location.
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This solo model is suited to reheating and defrosting.
Its name lists 700 W, six power levels, a defrost function and a 30-minute timer. Check the voltage, plug type and required clearances before installation.
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Worth a look for reheating and defrosting in a small home; check that it has the cooking modes you want.
The product name lists 700 W, six preset menus and eleven power levels. Check the installation type, plug and required clearances.
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Worth considering if you’d also like to brown some dishes: the model name indicates that it has a grill function.
The stated microwave power is 700 W. Measure the space, check the required clearances and, if you live in student accommodation, confirm that a grill is allowed.
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This freestanding model is worth considering for reheating. If you plan to brown dishes, check that the version on offer has a grill mode.
The product name lists 800 W. Measure the available space, check the ventilation instructions and make sure the plug is suitable for your home.
Rules published by Les Crous in September 2026 allow microwaves, but restrict other cooking appliances. Read the rules for your accommodation and ask for confirmation if you’re considering an appliance with a grill or convection cooking.
Not necessarily. For a furnished rental that is your main residence, French Decree No. 2015-981 includes a hob and an oven or microwave among the minimum equipment requirements. Check your tenancy agreement and inventory: this provision doesn’t mean a microwave is supplied in every student or temporary home.
Choose a container labelled as suitable for microwave mode and follow the appliance instructions. Don’t put a metal tin in the microwave; with plastic containers, check that they’re labelled as suitable rather than judging by appearance alone.