Who are these options for?

People who mainly reheat meals

You want to reheat or defrost prepared portions without giving up all your worktop space to several appliances. Whirlpool describes these as common uses for its compact microwaves.

People who regularly cook with a saucepan

You make simple meals in a saucepan or frying pan. If you’re considering a portable induction hob, check your cookware and the connection requirements before buying.

People who want to keep the number of appliances down

You often make slow-cooked or steamed dishes and would rather bring these functions together in a multicooker. However, its capacity needs to suit your portions and your storage space.

Which criteria should you check first?

Start with the meals you usually make: microwaves, portable hobs, mini ovens and multicookers are designed for different uses. Only add a combination appliance or kettle if you’ll use its functions and can make room for it and provide a suitable electrical connection.

Criterion What to check before buying Consumers concerned
Space it actually takes up Measure the appliance’s width, depth and height, as well as the clearances specified in its manual. I want to keep space free for preparing meals, even when the appliance stays on the worktop; around 29% of consumers would put available space first.
Cooking everyday meals List the dishes you usually make and work out whether they need a saucepan, frying pan, oven or multicooker settings. I cook regularly rather than just reheating meals; active cooking would come first for around 29% of consumers.
Installation and cookware Check the appliance’s connection requirements, the socket and the circuit in your home; for induction, check your cookware too. Before using a hob or oven, I want to know whether my electrical installation is suitable; around 24% of consumers would make this compatibility a priority.
Reheating without unnecessary equipment Check that there’s room for your containers and allow for the clearances required in the manual of the microwave you’re considering. I mainly reheat prepared portions and want to avoid paying for functions I’ll rarely use; nearly 18% of consumers would prioritise this need.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Buying several appliances with similar functions

    A microwave, combination appliance and mini oven may cover some of the same needs, but none replaces a hob for cooking with a saucepan. Having all three also leaves you with less preparation space.

    Make a note of the meals you prepare most often, choose the main function you need, then add another appliance only if it serves a different purpose.

  • Assuming a small appliance will work with any socket

    Tefal’s Everyday Slim portable hob is rated at up to 2,100 W, while the Severin TO 2067 mini oven is rated at around 1,500 W. Promotelec describes dedicated circuits for electric hobs and ovens as part of the minimum requirements for a compliant installation; an appliance’s small size tells you nothing about the circuit in your studio flat.

    Check the existing installation and the appliance instructions. If you’re unsure about the circuit, ask your landlord, property manager or a qualified electrician for advice rather than using an extension lead to get around the issue.

  • Choosing a mini oven based on capacity alone

    Severin’s 9 L TO 2052 measures 20,6 × 35,8 × 31 cm, while its 20 L TO 2067 measures 29,5 × 44,5 × 38,5 cm. So the internal capacity doesn’t tell you how much worktop space will be left.

    Measure the space available and check the clearances specified in the manual before comparing capacities.

  • Forgetting about repairs and take-back options

    An appliance that’s difficult to repair or awkward to transport can make moving house more complicated. Severin offers a repair service for the TO 2067; the French Ministry for Ecological Transition also describes take-back schemes for electrical equipment.

    Check the repair options for the specific model and ask the retailer about its take-back arrangements when you replace the appliance.

Brands to consider

Whirlpool

A brand to look at if reheating and defrosting make a freestanding microwave the right choice for you.

  • Whirlpool describes its compact models as suitable for these everyday uses, among others.
  • Its MWSC 833 W model has a stated capacity of 33 L and microwave power of 900 W. Measure this specific model before choosing it for a small worktop.

Tefal

A brand to consider if you’re looking for a portable induction hob for cooking with a saucepan or frying pan.

  • The Everyday Slim is 45 mm high and offers seven heat settings from 300 to 2,100 W.
  • Check that your cookware is compatible and that your home’s electrical connection is suitable for this hob.

Severin

A brand to look at if your meals need oven-style cooking rather than just reheating.

  • The TO 2052 and TO 2067 mini ovens have stated capacities of 9 L and around 20 L respectively, giving you two specific sizes to compare.
  • The TO 2067 measures 29,5 × 44,5 × 38,5 cm. Check the space and clearances required before choosing its capacity.

Moulinex

A brand to consider if you want to bring several cooking functions together in a multicooker.

  • Moulinex lists six modes for the Cookeo+, including steaming, slow cooking, reheating and pressure cooking.
  • Its stated 6 L capacity may take up more space than your usual portions require; check the dimensions of the model you’re considering.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Will a portable induction hob work with any saucepan?

No, it requires cookware that’s compatible with induction. Tefal’s Everyday Slim detects cookware, so check your saucepans and frying pans before choosing this type of hob.

Will a mini oven or hob suit my studio flat just because it’s compact?

No, its size alone tells you neither how much space it needs nor whether it’s electrically compatible. For the minimum requirements of a compliant installation, Promotelec describes a 32 A circuit for an electric hob and dedicated 16 A or 20 A circuits for appliances including an oven. Check the connection requirements for the model and, if you’re unsure, ask someone to confirm the specifications of your home’s circuit.

Can a combination microwave replace a mini oven?

It can cover some reheating and convection cooking needs, but choose one based on the functions you’ll actually use. The French National Consumer Institute and ADEME look separately at energy use, defrosting and reheating in their comparison of combination and convection ovens; also check the size and installation instructions for the model you’re considering.

What should I check about repairs and taking an appliance back?

Check the repair options for the specific model and the retailer’s take-back arrangements. Severin offers a repair service for the TO 2067; the French Ministry for Ecological Transition describes take-back schemes that may or may not require a new purchase, depending on the conditions.