If you live in a studio flat without an oven, choose a combination microwave if you regularly cook dishes that need fan-assisted heat and browning, provided you have enough room for it. If you mainly reheat and defrost food, a solo model will usually do the job. A grill microwave is a middle-ground option for browning dishes, but it may not offer fan-assisted cooking.
You also want to prepare gratins, tarts and other dishes that need oven-style cooking. As Que Choisir explains, a combination microwave can bring together microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions. Check that the model you’re considering has the modes you need.
You need to fit the appliance on a limited worktop. Its external dimensions, door clearance and the space required as set out in the instructions are just as important as the cavity capacity. Whirlpool France also advises keeping the vents clear.
You reheat leftovers and defrost food more often than you cook in an oven. A solo microwave may be all you need for everyday use; consider a grill model if you’d also like to brown some dishes.
Choose this if: you mainly need to reheat and defrost food.
Limitation: it doesn’t offer the grill or fan-assisted cooking functions you need for other dishes.
Choose this if: you mainly want to brown or crisp dishes from time to time.
Limitation: having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance also has fan-assisted cooking.
Choose this if: you cook regularly without a separate oven and need grill and convection modes.
Trade-off: carefully compare its footprint with the space you actually have available.
| Priority | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Versatile cooking | Whether convection and grill are separate functions; adjustable temperatures. | I don’t have an oven and want to regularly cook meals and bakes that need more than reheating. Around 36% of consumers would put this cooking requirement first. |
| Size | External dimensions, door clearance and the space required as stated in the instructions. | My worktop space is limited: the appliance needs to fit while leaving the vents clear. Almost 29% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Everyday use | Useful reheating and defrosting modes, without prioritising features you’re unlikely to use. | I reheat and defrost much more often than I cook in an oven, so I’d prefer an appliance suited to those tasks. This would be the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill and which accessories are approved for the available modes. | I’d like to brown some dishes, but don’t need fan-assisted cooking every day. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise browning above all else. |
The grill browns food, while convection circulates hot air for oven-style cooking. So an appliance with a grill but no convection may not be suitable for regular baking or roasting.
Check the product listing for each function separately, then confirm the temperatures and modes in the instructions.
The capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop, whether its door will open properly or whether its vents will remain clear.
Measure the space and compare it with the appliance’s external dimensions and installation instructions. Don’t block the vents to make it fit.
According to Anses, heating food at too high a power or for too long can increase the migration of substances from certain types of packaging into food.
Follow the packaging instructions on power and cooking time. If in doubt, use a container suitable for the selected mode, as specified in the appliance instructions.
A combination microwave offers more cooking options, but these modes are unlikely to affect your choice if you mainly reheat and defrost food.
Think about what you typically eat over a week. If you rarely need oven-style cooking, compare solo and grill models too.
Whirlpool France’s range includes freestanding and built-in combination microwaves, with features that vary by model.
Panasonic France offers multifunction microwaves, with modes and dimensions that vary by model.
Samsung France’s range includes combination microwaves with convection; cooking features depend on the model.
These models suit two different needs in a studio flat without an oven: combination microwaves to consider for more varied cooking, and grill microwaves for reheating with the option to brown food from time to time. If you only need a basic appliance, the guidance above can still help you choose without paying for features you won’t use.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance for reheating, browning and oven-style cooking. It has a stated capacity of 42 L. Measure the space, allow room for the door to open and check the instructions for ventilation clearances and which modes can be used with the accessories.
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Consider this if you plan to use several cooking modes as well as reheating. It has a stated capacity of 39 L. Before installation, check the space you’ll need, the ventilation clearances and which modes are suitable for each accessory.
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For anyone who mainly wants to reheat and defrost food, with the option to brown it occasionally. The product title lists a 25 L capacity and 900 W power. If you’re planning to cook oven-style dishes, check separately whether it has convection. Also consult the instructions for installation requirements.
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For reheating and defrosting, with browning as your main extra requirement. The product title lists a 25 L capacity. Check the usable cavity dimensions, ventilation requirements and whether it has fan-assisted cooking if that’s essential for the meals you make.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, with the option to brown some dishes. The product title lists a capacity of 20 L and power of 700 W. Compare its dimensions with your worktop and check the instructions for the required clearances. If you want to cook as you would in an oven, check which modes are available separately.
Choose a container that’s suitable for the cooking mode you’re using. Don’t use metal in microwave mode unless the instructions explicitly allow it for the programme in question. Follow the guidance on food trays too: according to Anses, heating food at too high a power or for too long can increase the migration of substances from certain types of packaging.
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you whether the microwave will fit on your worktop or whether its door will open. Compare the external dimensions and the usable space inside for your dishes: Whirlpool France lists the 25 L MCP349WH at 52 × 30,1 × 49,4 cm, while Panasonic France lists the 30 L NN-C69KSM at 520 × 327 × 520 mm.
Yes, its vents need to remain clear. Whirlpool France warns that blocked ventilation can cause overheating. Check the installation instructions for your chosen model to find out how much clearance to leave around it.
In France, ADEME says you can, among other options, return your old appliance to the retailer or delivery company when it’s replaced, or use an appropriate collection scheme for electrical equipment. If it still works, you could also consider donating or selling it.