For reheating and defrosting individual portions, start by comparing standard microwaves. A grill is useful if you occasionally want to brown food, while a combination microwave with convection is worth considering if you also plan to cook as you would in an oven. In a small home, measure the available space, check how far the door opens and consider the dishes you usually use. If you’re thinking about a built-in model, check the housing dimensions and the instructions for the exact model.
You reheat leftovers or ready meals and occasionally defrost food. Based on the uses highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir and E.Leclerc, simplicity, worktop space and the size of your plates may matter more than oven-style functions when choosing a microwave.
You mainly use your microwave for reheating but would also like to brown certain dishes. A model with a grill can meet this specific need, but it’s not the same as an appliance with convection.
You’re planning to cook more than just reheat or brown food. A combination microwave with convection is worth comparing if you’ll make good use of its cooking modes and it fits in your kitchen.
First, decide whether you need to reheat, brown or cook using convection. Then check that the appliance, its open door and the clearances specified in its instructions will all fit in the space you have in mind.
| What you need | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Defrost function; external dimensions and space for your plates. | When most of my meals are portions to reheat or defrost, I want simple controls and an appliance that fits in my kitchen; around 36% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Browning dishes | Whether it has a grill and which modes work with the supplied accessories. | If I sometimes make a gratin or a toasted sandwich, I want a golden finish without making convection my main priority; around 29% of consumers put this need first. |
| Cooking as you would in an oven | Whether it has a convection function and is large enough for the dishes you plan to cook. | Without a conventional oven, I want to regularly prepare dishes that need more than reheating or a turn under the grill; around 21% of consumers prioritise this option. |
| Finding the right installation | Space for a freestanding appliance, or the housing dimensions and instructions for a built-in model. | When my worktop space is very limited or there’s already a housing unit, the appliance must fit that space first; this is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes basic functions from combination models with a grill and convection; E.Leclerc covers these choices for small homes. The type of installation is a separate decision: a freestanding appliance doesn’t become suitable for built-in installation just because it fits inside a cabinet. For a built-in model, compare the housing measurements with the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact model.
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you whether the door will open or whether the appliance will fit on its stand. For example, for the MWF259SG, Whirlpool France lists a 25 L combination microwave measuring 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm.
Measure the width, height, depth and space in front of the door, then check the size of your dishes and the clearances specified in the instructions.
A combination microwave offers extra cooking modes, but these may not be useful if you only need to reheat food. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes basic models from combination appliances that can, among other things, grill and cook using convection.
Make a note of the meals you plan to prepare. If you don’t need to brown food or cook using convection, start by comparing standard microwaves.
The appliance’s dimensions alone don’t prove that it’s suitable for built-in installation. Bosch’s instructions for its built-in models link safe operation to installation in accordance with the fitting instructions.
Check the installation type specified by the manufacturer. For a built-in model, compare your measurements with the instructions for its exact model number.
A container suitable for microwave reheating isn’t automatically suitable for the grill or a combination mode.
Check the container’s compatibility information and follow the appliance instructions for each mode you use.
These examples of ranges and model numbers help you compare functions and dimensions; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from each brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding combination model with several cooking modes.
Worth considering if you want to compare an appliance with convection and a grill against a standard microwave.
Worth considering if you plan to use several cooking modes regularly.
Worth considering if you already have a built-in installation planned.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a built-in model with a grill rather than a combination model with convection.
These freestanding models are suitable for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen; two also offer the option of using a grill. Choose according to the functions you need, then check the available space and installation instructions for the model you’ve selected.
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For reheating meals, with a grill for when you want to brown a dish. The model name specifies 20 L and 700 W; check its dimensions, the clearances listed in the instructions and the size of your dishes against your available space.
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Worth considering if you mainly reheat and defrost food and don’t need a grill. The model name specifies 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer; check the instructions for the clearances needed in your chosen location.
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An option to compare for reheating and defrosting if you’re looking for a 23 L cavity. The model name mentions quick defrost; check that the appliance, your dishes and the clearances specified in its instructions are suitable for your kitchen.
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Worth comparing if you reheat and defrost food but would sometimes like to use a grill. The product name specifies 21 L and 800 W; measure the available space and check the instructions for the required clearances before installing it.
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For reheating and defrosting, with digital controls rather than a grill. The model name specifies 700 W, six pre-set programmes and 11 power levels; check the space needed and the size of your plates before choosing.
A standard microwave is a good starting point if you mainly reheat and defrost food and don’t need to brown it. E.Leclerc suggests 15 to 25 L as a guide for a studio flat or shared home; still, check that your plates fit inside the model you choose and that its external dimensions suit your space.
A grill is mainly for browning or making dishes such as gratins; it doesn’t, by itself, mean the appliance can cook using convection. If you want this type of cooking, look specifically for convection among the model’s functions, as UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes.
No. Compare all the housing dimensions specified in the instructions with your measurements. For example, Electrolux France gives housing dimensions of 380 × 560 × 550 mm for the EMS4253TEX; the dimensions of the front or appliance aren’t a substitute for this check.
Confirm that the model is designed for built-in installation, then check the housing measurements, access to the power supply and all the manufacturer’s fitting instructions. Bosch’s instructions for its built-in models state that safe operation depends on installation in accordance with these instructions.
Not without checking they’re suitable for each mode you use. Check the container’s information and the appliance instructions, particularly when switching from reheating to grilling or combination cooking.