For reheating and defrosting in a studio flat or holiday home, a solo microwave covers the essentials. Choose a model with a grill if you also want to brown food, or a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking if you plan to cook meals without a separate oven. The latter offers more functions, but check that you have enough worktop space, that you can meet its ventilation clearances and that it can accommodate the dishes you use.
If you want to cook meals in a studio flat or a holiday home with limited facilities, consider a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking. You’ll also need to make sure its location meets the model’s installation instructions.
If you mainly use your appliance to reheat and defrost food, start with a solo microwave. A grill or convection function is only useful if you actually plan to brown or cook food.
If you have limited worktop space or a small stand, check the width, height, depth and weight of the model you’re considering, then check the clearances specified in its manual.
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, and don’t expect your appliance to cook like an oven.
Bear in mind: this option doesn’t offer the browning of a grill or the fan-assisted cooking of a combination microwave.
Choose this if: you’d like to brown food from time to time, as well as reheat meals.
Bear in mind: a grill alone doesn’t offer the fan-assisted cooking found in the combination microwaves described by UFC-Que Choisir.
Choose this if: you plan to cook meals regularly and don’t have a separate oven.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to allow enough space for the appliance and the clearances specified in its manual, then check that its accessories are suitable for your dishes.
When choosing an appliance for a home with a limited kitchen, start with your main need: cooking without an oven, fitting the appliance into the space available, or simply reheating and defrosting.
| Consideration | What to check before you buy | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking without an oven | Look for “fan-assisted cooking” or “convection”, then check the modes and accessories included with the model. | There’s no practical oven in my home, so I want to be able to cook meals, not just reheat or brown them; around 46% of consumers prioritise this option. |
| Space and installation | Compare the external dimensions and weight with your intended surface; check the manual for ventilation clearances. | With a narrow worktop, I’d rather choose an appliance that fits the space available, even if I have to forgo some functions; this is the deciding factor for around 36% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Decide whether reheating and defrosting are enough, or whether you’d also like to brown food. | If my meals mainly need reheating or defrosting, I prioritise those tasks over extra cooking modes; around 18% of consumers put this need first. |
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between a grill, used in particular for browning food, and a combination microwave, which also offers fan-assisted cooking. A grill alone won’t meet your needs if you plan to cook regularly without an oven.
If this type of cooking matters to you, look specifically for “fan-assisted cooking” or “convection” among the model’s functions.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you by itself whether your dishes will fit inside the cavity. For example, Whirlpool lists a 36 cm turntable for the MWSC9133SX, while the MWF255B has no turntable.
Measure the dishes you usually use and compare them with the internal dimensions, any turntable and the accessories supplied with the model you’re considering.
The external dimensions don’t necessarily include the space you need to leave around the appliance. A shelf that fits the appliance itself may not be suitable for installing it.
Check the manual for the exact model before choosing a cabinet or shelf, and leave the clearances it specifies.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance that combines microwave, grill, convection and steam functions.
Compare its freestanding models if the cavity layout and available space are important to your choice.
A brand to consider when comparing freestanding combination microwaves, including the MC32DB7746KC.
These Joybuy models illustrate the three uses covered here: cooking with a combination microwave, browning with a grill, or reheating and defrosting with a solo microwave. For each one, check the manual to make sure your intended location is suitable before buying.
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Worth considering if you want to switch between reheating and cooking with a combination microwave that offers fan-assisted cooking. Its name gives a capacity of 39 L; check that your dishes will fit inside the cavity and that its location meets the instructions in the manual.
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For reheating, defrosting and occasional browning. The model name lists a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W. If you also want fan-assisted cooking, check the functions of another model. Consult the manual for installation instructions.
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Consider this if you regularly want to do more than reheat food in your microwave. The name indicates a capacity of 42 L and a 3-in-1 configuration; compare the usable dimensions with your dishes and check the manual to see how much space you’ll need.
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For everyday use focused on reheating and defrosting. The name lists a capacity of 20 L, a power rating of 700 W, six preset menus and 11 power levels. If you want to brown food or use fan-assisted cooking, choose a model that explicitly lists these functions.
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For reheating and defrosting, with the option to brown food. The name indicates a capacity of 25 L and a power rating of 1,000 W; don’t assume it offers fan-assisted cooking just because it has a grill. Check the manual for installation instructions for this model.
A combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking can handle oven-style cooking, within the limits of its cavity, modes and accessories. If you mainly reheat meals, a solo model may be enough; if you only want to brown food as well, consider a model with a grill.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, as well as the dishes you plan to use. Then check the appliance’s weight, the dimensions of its cavity and the ventilation clearances specified in the manual for the exact model.
No. Also check the shape and internal dimensions of the cavity, any turntable and the accessories. For example, Whirlpool France lists a 36 cm turntable for the MWSC9133SX and no turntable for the MWF255B; you can’t compare these two configurations by capacity alone.
No. If you buy from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity is separate from any commercial guarantee. The Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to make a claim for new and second-hand goods. Before taking out additional cover, compare its coverage and exclusions carefully with your legal rights.