Students in studio flats
If you mainly reheat and defrost meals, a solo model will do the job. A grill is useful for the occasional gratin, while convection matters more if you plan to cook oven dishes but don’t have room for a separate appliance.
Who are these options for?
Owners of a second home
In a kitchen you only use from time to time, weigh the features you’ll actually use against the space the appliance takes up. Also check that the cavity fits your dishes and that the manual allows installation in your chosen spot.
Households without a conventional oven
A combination microwave can add a grill and convection cooking to your reheating options. That doesn’t guarantee the same results as a conventional oven: an archived UFC-Que Choisir test, for example, notes that small cakes did not rise well using convection in the LG MJ3965BPS.
What should you compare?
Start with the dishes you plan to make, then check that the necessary features suit your available space and the model’s instructions.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the model’s controls and defrost settings. A solo microwave doesn’t include a grill or convection cooking. | I mainly reheat meals and defrost food; I wouldn’t get much use from oven-cooking features. |
| Occasional browning | Look for a clearly stated grill function. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, it can brown and crisp food, but it isn’t the same as convection cooking. | I’d like to brown some dishes without adding another appliance. |
| Oven cooking | For a combination model, check that it has convection, its temperature range, the accessories supplied and the usable space for your dishes. If cooking results matter to you, look for tests of the specific model. | Without a separate oven, I’d also like to cook oven dishes from time to time. If I regularly bake batches of food, I’ll also compare the capacity of a separate oven, provided I have room for one. |
| Space and installation | Compare the width, depth and height, door opening and cavity dimensions. Check the manual for the exact model’s clearance and ventilation requirements; the capacity in litres alone won’t tell you how much space you need. | My worktop space is limited: the appliance and the clearance it needs must fit without blocking access. |
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Don’t mistake a grill for convection cooking
A grill is for browning or crisping food. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, combination microwaves can also cook using convection: it’s a separate function.
Make a note of the dishes you want to prepare, and look specifically for convection if you need this type of cooking.
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Don’t rely on capacity in litres alone
The cavity capacity tells you neither how much worktop space the appliance takes up nor what size dishes will fit inside.
Measure the space, check the external dimensions and door opening, then compare the cavity with your dishes.
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Don’t overlook the manual when choosing where to put it
Installation and ventilation requirements vary by model. Electrolux also notes that a microwave’s cooling fan may continue running after use.
Check the manual for the exact model before buying, and make sure you can follow its installation instructions.
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Don’t confuse a retailer’s extended cover with your legal guarantee
In France, the Ministry of the Economy points out that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a private individual; retailer-provided extended cover does not replace it.
Before taking out extended cover, compare its duration, exclusions and the services it actually adds.
A guide to the brands
Whirlpool
In France, Whirlpool offers freestanding combination microwaves, including the 25 L MCP349WH.
- According to Whirlpool, the MCP349WH combines microwave and grill functions.
- Before choosing this model for a small kitchen, check its dimensions and the clearance required in the manual.
LG
LG describes the 39 L MJ3965BPS as a model that combines microwave, grill and oven functions.
- LG’s product details list a dedicated defrost function on the MJ3965BPS.
- In its archived test of this model, UFC-Que Choisir reports a maximum temperature of 200 °C and notes that small cakes struggled to rise when cooked using convection. These findings don’t apply to every LG model.
Panasonic
In France, Panasonic offers multifunction microwaves with grill and convection cooking.
- For the NN-C69KSM, Panasonic lists a 1 000 W quartz grill and convection settings of 40 °C or 100 to 220 °C.
- These features alone don’t tell you whether a model will suit a particular space: check its installation instructions.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These models are mainly suited to reheating and defrosting in a small home; some also have a grill for browning food. If you want to cook using convection, look specifically for that feature rather than assuming a model with a grill has it.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill
For reheating and the occasional gratin, without needing a second appliance. The title lists 700 W; before deciding where to put it, check all the required clearances in the model’s manual.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih, 25 L microwave with grill
An option with a grill if you want to brown some dishes as well as reheat them. The title lists 1 000 W and a digital display; check the manual before planning to install it in a tight space.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H, 25 L microwave
For reheating in a small home, with a listed capacity of 25 L and power of 900 W. If you also want to brown food, confirm that this version has a grill; check the manual before installation.
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Heinrich's, 20 L solo microwave, 700 W
For reheating and defrosting if you don’t need a grill. The title lists six power levels and a 30-minute timer; check the dimensions and ventilation requirements for your chosen spot.
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Cecotec, 20 L countertop microwave, 700 W
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen. The title lists six power levels; measure the space and check the manual for the appliance’s dimensions and required clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace an oven in a studio flat?
It can handle some oven cooking if it has a convection function, as well as microwave and grill functions. Check that your dishes will fit and look at test results for the specific model: UFC-Que Choisir’s archived test of the LG MJ3965BPS shows that convection cooking can have its limitations.
Should I choose a grill or convection?
A grill is for browning or crisping food; choose a combination microwave with convection if you also plan to cook oven dishes. If so, check the model’s temperature range, usable dimensions and accessories.
Can you install a combination microwave in any corner of the kitchen?
No. The location must meet the installation and ventilation requirements in the manual for the exact model. Also allow for what happens after cooking: according to Electrolux, a microwave’s cooling fan may continue running after the appliance has been switched off.
Do you need extended cover for a new microwave?
Retailer-provided extended cover doesn’t replace the legal guarantee of conformity. In France, the Ministry of the Economy points out that this legal guarantee is compulsory for goods sold by a business to a private individual; check what extra services the extended cover offers before choosing it.
What should you do with an old microwave in France?
Take it to a collection scheme for electrical and electronic equipment. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition describes a dedicated collection and recycling scheme for household waste electrical and electronic equipment.