Student or studio flat renter
If you mainly reheat and defrost individual portions, start by comparing solo and grill models. Measure your worktop and allow for the clearances specified in the instruction manual.
Which option is right for you?
The right level of functionality depends on the meals you prepare and the space where you’ll use the appliance.
Occasional user of a holiday home
A solo model covers reheating and defrosting. If you’d also like to brown the top of some dishes, compare models with a grill.
Small home where you also cook without an oven
A combi model is worth considering if its cooking settings will genuinely replace other appliances or cooking methods. Check its exact functions, accessories and footprint before deciding where to put it.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the meals you prepare, then make sure the appliance and the clearances specified in its manual will fit in the space you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Compare the appliance’s external width, height and depth with the space available. Check that the door can open and allow for the ventilation clearances specified for that model. | In my kitchenette, I need to be able to open the door without blocking the way and keep the vents clear. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost settings, internal dimensions and, if there is one, the turntable diameter. The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether a dish will fit. | I mainly reheat one portion at a time, so my usual plates need to fit inside the cavity. |
| Cooking settings | A grill lets you brown the top of dishes, according to UFC-Que Choisir. If you want to cook in other ways, check which settings are actually included, especially fan-assisted cooking if you need it. | If I only want to brown the top of a dish, a grill may be enough; if I also plan to cook from time to time, I’ll compare the functions of combi models. |
| Installation and cleaning | Read the manual for the exact model to check the required clearances and installation position. Also consider how easy the cavity and controls are to access for everyday use. | I want to install the appliance in line with its manual and easily clean the areas I use most often. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Relying on capacity without measuring the appliance
In a kitchenette, a suitable internal capacity doesn’t guarantee that the door will open freely or that the appliance will fit with the required ventilation clearances.
Measure the available space and the area in front of the door, then compare these with the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you’ve chosen.
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Choosing a combi model just for reheating
Combining functions is only useful if you plan to use those cooking settings. The appliance also needs to fit in your kitchen.
If you mainly reheat and defrost, compare solo models first. Choose a grill model for browning dishes, or consider a combi model for occasional oven-style cooking.
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Blocking the vents
Ventilation instructions vary between appliances: the Electrolux manual consulted says not to block the vents or the underside, while the manual for the Whirlpool MWP 201 specifies 30 cm of clearance above.
Follow the clearances in the manual for your model; don’t apply the instructions for a different appliance.
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted cooking
A grill is used to brown the top of dishes; its presence doesn’t mean the appliance offers fan-assisted cooking. UFC-Que Choisir also assesses these settings separately in its testing protocol.
If you plan to cook as you would in an oven, check the list of settings on the product page and in the manual for the exact model.
Which brands should you compare?
These examples represent different types of appliance. Their features apply to the models listed, not every product from each brand.
Samsung
The MS23K3614AW/EF is an example of a 23 L solo microwave to compare for reheating and defrosting.
- Samsung lists automatic defrost and a 28,8 cm turntable for this model.
- Its solo technology doesn’t provide a grill or fan-assisted cooking.
Electrolux
The EMZ421MMK is a freestanding model with a grill to consider if browning dishes is important to you.
- Electrolux lists a 21 L capacity, dimensions of 262 × 442 × 345 mm, and microwave, grill and microwave with grill settings for this model.
- These settings don’t confirm that it offers fan-assisted cooking; check the manual if you need this function.
Whirlpool
The MWF259SG is an example of a freestanding combi model to consider if you want several cooking functions in one appliance.
- Whirlpool lists a 25 L capacity, a microwave with grill setting, and Crisp and steam functions for this model.
- Its listed dimensions are 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm and it weighs 19,6 kg. Check that you have enough space, and that the accessories and settings suit the way you’ll use it.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
This selection includes solo models for reheating and defrosting, as well as grill models if you’d also like to brown the top of dishes. Compare their installation dimensions and settings before choosing one for your studio flat or holiday home.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L
Worth comparing if you’d like to brown the top of dishes as well as reheat meals. The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W; check the manual for the space needed to open the door and ventilate the appliance.
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Heinrich's solo microwave, 20 L
Designed for reheating and defrosting. The product name lists 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer; check the clearances in the manual before deciding where to put it.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih with grill, 25 L
Worth considering if browning dishes is part of the way you cook. The product name lists a 25 L capacity and a digital display; check the exact cooking settings and installation instructions in the manual.
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Samsung MS23K3513 solo, 23 L
For reheating and defrosting without choosing a model with a grill. The product name lists a quick defrost function and a 23 L capacity; compare the internal dimensions with your dishes and check the manual for installation instructions.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting with digital controls. The product name lists 700 W, six preset menus and eleven power levels; check that your dishes fit inside the cavity and that installation follows the manual.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should one person choose for a studio flat?
Don’t choose based on capacity in litres alone: check that your plates and dishes fit inside the cavity, then measure the space available around the appliance. As examples specific to these models, Samsung lists a 28,8 cm turntable for its 23 L solo MS23K3614AW/EF, while Electrolux lists a 21 L capacity for the EMZ421MMK.
How much space should you leave around a freestanding microwave?
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you buy. For example, the Whirlpool MWP 201 manual requires at least 30 cm of space above the appliance; an Electrolux manual says not to block the vents or the surface underneath. These instructions don’t set a universal clearance.
Can a microwave with a grill replace an oven?
The grill function lets you brown the top of dishes, but it doesn’t guarantee fan-assisted cooking. If you need this function, check that it’s explicitly listed among the model’s settings: UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between grilling, combined cooking and fan-assisted cooking in its testing protocol.
What does France’s statutory guarantee of conformity cover?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual in France. It covers, among other things, goods that don’t match their description; incomplete or unclear installation instructions may also constitute a lack of conformity. Keep your proof of purchase and the manual.
What should you do with an old microwave in France?
Use a take-back or collection service for electrical and electronic equipment instead of putting it in household rubbish. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition says that France has a dedicated system for collecting and recycling this equipment.