If you mainly reheat and defrost food, a microwave-only model will do the job. Choose one with a grill if you’d also like to brown dishes occasionally. In a studio flat without an oven, a combination microwave may be worth considering for certain fan-assisted cooking, provided its settings and cavity suit your dishes and you have enough space for it. Que Choisir distinguishes between these three uses and notes that a combination microwave can handle some of the functions of a conventional oven, though it won’t replace one for every recipe.
If you mainly heat up leftovers and ready meals, or defrost food, it’s worth considering a microwave-only model before giving up space for oven functions. Que Choisir distinguishes this use from grilling and combination cooking.
If you’d like to brown a gratin or toast from time to time, but don’t plan to bake or roast, look at models with a grill. Having this function doesn’t mean the appliance has a fan oven.
If you also plan to cook dishes that need oven-style heat, check the settings on a combination model. Then make sure the cavity is large enough for your dishes and that the appliance will fit in your kitchen.
Start with the dishes you’ll actually make, then measure the space available, including room to open the door and the clearances specified in the instructions.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Oven-style cooking | Check that fan-assisted cooking is explicitly listed, and that the settings and cavity dimensions suit the dishes you plan to make. | I don’t have a conventional oven and want to bake or roast something occasionally, as well as reheat meals. Around 45% of consumers prioritise this cooking versatility. |
| Space available | Check the overall dimensions, door clearance and ventilation gaps required for the specific model. | My worktop is narrow and I mainly want an appliance for reheating and defrosting. For around 33% of consumers, available space matters more than extra functions. |
| Browning | Check for a grill, and look for information about how evenly it browns food if that matters to you. | I’d like to brown a gratin from time to time, but fan-assisted cooking isn’t a priority. Around 22% of consumers base their choice on browning. |
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you how much worktop space you’ll need. For example, Whirlpool lists a capacity of 25 L and dimensions of 49 × 32.5 × 46.8 cm for the MWF255B; Panasonic lists 30 L and dimensions of 52 × 32.7 × 52 cm for the NN-C69K.
Measure the space and allow room to open the door, then check the clearance requirements in the instructions for your chosen model.
A grill is for browning; having one doesn’t make a microwave suitable for baking or roasting like an oven. In its test protocol, Que Choisir treats grill browning and fan-assisted cooking as separate functions.
If you plan to make these dishes, look for fan-assisted cooking to be explicitly listed and check the settings on the specific model.
When replacing a microwave, you’ll also need to decide what to do with the old one.
In France, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition describes a “one-for-one” take-back scheme when you buy an appliance of the same type. Ask the retailer how to arrange collection.
The MWF255B is an example of a freestanding model to consider if worktop space is a concern.
The NN-C69K gives you an idea of the features to compare if you’re interested in fan-assisted cooking and a 30 L cavity.
Samsung’s French guide distinguishes between microwave-only, grill and combination models. Use this as a starting point when comparing the functions of each model.
These Joybuy models suit two of the uses covered here: browning with a microwave grill, and occasional oven-style cooking with a model described as a combination microwave. Check the exact settings and space requirements before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance for reheating and occasional cooking. The stated capacity is 39 L. Check that it has the settings your dishes need, that the cavity is the right size and that you can install this model as required.
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Consider this if you plan to make a range of dishes in one appliance and have measured the space available. The title lists a capacity of 42 L and a 3-in-1 configuration. Check the exact settings, the size of dishes it can accommodate and the clearances required.
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For everyday reheating with occasional browning, this freestanding model is listed with a grill. Its title gives a capacity of 25 L and a power rating of 900 W. If you also want to cook as you would in an oven, check the available settings separately. Refer to the instructions for installation.
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Worth a look if you’d like to add browning to your usual microwave cooking. The title lists a grill, a capacity of 25 L and a power rating of 1,000 W. For baking or roasting, make sure the available settings are suitable for the dishes you have in mind. Remember to measure the space available too.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a microwave with a grill for occasional browning. The title lists a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W. Check that the cavity suits your dishes and that the external dimensions, including door and ventilation clearances, allow for installation.
It can handle some oven-style cooking, particularly with a grill and fan-assisted cooking if the model has these functions. Que Choisir highlights this distinction: before replacing your oven, check the settings, cavity size and accessories needed for the dishes you usually make.
It describes the cavity, not the space the appliance takes up on your worktop. For example, Whirlpool lists 25 L for the MWF255B, which measures 49 × 32.5 × 46.8 cm, while Panasonic lists 30 L for the NN-C69K, which measures 52 × 32.7 × 52 cm. Allow room to open the door too, and follow the clearance requirements in the instructions for your chosen model.
Ask the retailer about collection when you buy your new appliance. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition says the “one-for-one” take-back scheme applies when you buy an appliance of the same type as the one you’re handing in.