A Compact Powerhouse That Replaces Three Countertop Appliances
If your kitchen counter is already crowded with a microwave, a grill, and maybe a small convection oven you rarely use, the De'Longhi Brillante Combination Microwave asks a fair question: why not fold all three into one 23-litre black box? This isn't a marketing gimmick. It's a genuine triple-function appliance — straight microwaving for speed, a dedicated grill element for browning and crisping, and a convection oven for proper baking and roasting — and understanding how well each of those three personalities performs is the difference between buying a genuinely useful kitchen workhorse and an over-complicated microwave you only ever use for reheating leftovers.
This review breaks down exactly what you get, what each mode is actually good for, where the Brillante shows its limits, and who should — and shouldn't — put this particular model in their kitchen.
Design, Build Quality and Everyday Feel
The Brillante's exterior is built from cold-rolled steel rather than moulded plastic, which is immediately noticeable when you pick it up: at 14 kilograms, it has genuine heft for a compact microwave, and that weight signals a sturdier chassis than the flimsier plastic-shelled units common at this size. That's reassuring day to day — steel resists the dents and yellowing that plastic-bodied microwaves develop over a few years — but it also means this isn't an appliance you want to be lifting on and off a shelf regularly. Pick your counter spot once and plan to leave it there.
Inside, the cavity is lined in stainless steel rather than the painted or enamel coatings found in cheaper combination microwaves. This matters more than it sounds: stainless steel interiors wipe clean far more easily after grilling or convection cooking, resist staining from tomato-based sauces, and better reflect microwave energy for more even heating. It's a detail typically reserved for pricier models, so seeing it here at this size and price point is a genuine point in the Brillante's favour, and it's consistently one of the things owners mention liking most once they've had it a while.
The footprint is compact by combination-microwave standards, at roughly 46cm wide, 42cm deep and 28cm tall, so it slots into a standard kitchen worktop gap without demanding a dedicated appliance zone. One practical wrinkle worth flagging before you buy: the mains cable is just a metre long and exits from the back-left of the unit. If your nearest socket sits behind a cupboard or is positioned to the right of where you plan to place the microwave, you may need an extension lead — check your layout before it arrives.
Power and Performance: What the Three Modes Actually Do
The headline feature is versatility, so it's worth walking through each of the three cooking modes on its own terms, since they behave very differently and suit different jobs.
Microwave Mode: Everyday Speed
At 900 watts, the microwave function sits solidly in the mainstream power band — strong enough to properly heat a ready meal or a mug of soup in a couple of minutes rather than the frustrating five-plus minutes you get from budget 700W models, but not in the same league as the 1000W-plus units aimed at heavy daily reheating.
For defrosting forgotten meat, reheating last night's dinner, or steaming vegetables, this is more than sufficient, and the timer allows fine control down to five-second increments for the kind of precision reheating that stops your food turning rubbery.
One technical nuance worth knowing if you're conscious of running costs: the unit's actual electrical draw from the wall socket is meaningfully higher than the 900W cooking figure, since some energy is lost as heat in the magnetron rather than converted into microwave energy. In practical terms, this just means you should plug it into a proper wall socket rather than an overloaded extension board or basic travel adaptor — nothing to worry about in a normal UK kitchen, but worth bearing in mind if your setup is unconventional.
Grill Mode: Crisping and Browning
Layered on top of the microwave function is a 1000W grill element — a separate heating element mounted in the roof of the cavity, distinct from the microwave's magnetron. This is what lets the Brillante brown a cheese topping, crisp bacon, or finish off a gratin with the kind of caramelised top a microwave alone simply cannot produce.
It can be run on its own or blended with the microwave function simultaneously, which is where this appliance starts to earn its "combination" name: microwave energy cooks the food through quickly while the grill works on the surface at the same time, cutting overall cooking time compared with grilling from cold.
Convection Oven Mode: Real Baking and Roasting
The most ambitious mode is the 1700W convection oven, which circulates hot air around the cavity up to 200°C — genuinely oven-territory heat, not the milder warming most "mini ovens" offer. This is the mode that lets the Brillante tackle jobs a standard microwave has no business attempting: baking, roasting a small joint of meat, or cooking a frozen pizza with a properly crisp base rather than a soggy, steamed one.
Combined with the microwave function, it also enables faster roasting than a conventional oven, since the microwave energy heats food from within while the convection element browns and crisps the exterior — useful on evenings when a full-size oven feels like overkill for two portions.
Auto Cook Programmes and Everyday Features
Beyond the three core modes, the Brillante includes ten pre-set Auto Cook programmes, each calibrated for a specific food type so you select the dish rather than guessing at power levels and timings yourself. This is genuinely useful for anyone who finds themselves squinting at a microwave manual trying to work out whether jacket potatoes need eight minutes or twelve — you select the programme, and the appliance handles the calculation.
A dedicated defrost function rounds out the practical toolkit, using measured power cycling to thaw food evenly rather than starting to cook the edges before the centre has defrosted — a common failure point on cheaper microwaves' defrost settings.
Other everyday-relevant details include:
Child safety lock — locks the control panel to prevent accidental operation, worth having if there are young children in the house
Interior light — stays on during cooking so you can check progress without opening the door and losing heat
28.8cm rotating turntable — glass, removable for cleaning, and large enough to comfortably fit a standard UK dinner plate with room to spare
Digital display with clock — the display switches off when idle, a small but genuinely appreciated touch for anyone who dislikes a glowing kitchen clock at night
Capacity, Turntable and What Actually Fits Inside
The 23-litre capacity puts the Brillante at the smaller end of the combination microwave category, and this is the single most important spec for deciding whether it fits your household. In practice, 23 litres comfortably handles individual and couple-sized portions — a single roasting joint, a two-person pasta bake, a batch of jacket potatoes — but it is not sized for cooking a family roast dinner for four or five people in one go.
It's also worth understanding the internal shape, not just the headline litre figure. The cavity measures roughly 32.9cm wide and 31.8cm deep, but only 21.6cm tall internally — noticeably shallower than it is wide. That's plenty of room for most dishes, casseroles, and a smallish whole chicken, but tall items like a large layered cake tin or a tall stockpot-style dish may be a tighter fit than the litre figure alone suggests. Some owners have reported the usable interior feeling smaller than expected once the turntable and typical dish sizes are accounted for, which lines up with this shape — it's a useful reminder to think in terms of height and width rather than just the overall litre rating when deciding if your regular dishes will fit.
Who This Microwave Is Built For
Small households — couples, individuals, or small families who don't need oven-scale capacity but want more than reheat-only functionality
Kitchens with limited counter or cupboard space, where replacing a separate microwave, grill, and mini oven with one unit is a genuine space saving
Renters and those in smaller flats without room for a full-size second oven, who still want to bake, grill, and roast occasionally
Anyone upgrading from a basic solo microwave who wants to add real cooking versatility without the cost and footprint of a full range cooker
Who Should Look Elsewhere
It's equally worth being honest about who this isn't for. Larger families needing to cook a proper roast dinner for four-plus people at once will find the 23-litre cavity restrictive — you'll be cooking in batches rather than all at once. Anyone whose priority is pure microwave speed and power, with no interest in grilling or convection cooking, would likely get better raw reheating performance and a lower price from a dedicated high-wattage solo microwave instead. And households that already own a full-size oven and grill may find the convection and grill functions here redundant overlap rather than a genuine upgrade.
How It Compares to Other Microwaves in Its Class
Feature
Basic Solo Microwave
De'Longhi Brillante Combi
Larger Combination Microwave (30L+)
Cooking modes
Microwave only
Microwave, grill, convection
Microwave, grill, convection
Typical capacity
17–20L
23L
30–34L
Suited to
Reheating, basic defrosting
Small households, occasional baking/roasting
Larger families, batch cooking
Interior finish
Usually painted/enamel
Stainless steel
Varies, often stainless steel
Counter footprint
Smallest
Compact
Largest
Typical price position
Lowest
Mid-range
Higher
Positioned against a basic solo microwave, the Brillante's grill and convection functions represent a meaningful step up in what you can actually cook, for a modest jump in price and counter space. Positioned against larger 30-litre-plus combination microwaves, it trades some capacity and headroom for a smaller footprint and lighter price tag — the right trade for anyone who doesn't need to cook for a crowd.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The Honest Picture
The Brillante's biggest strength is genuinely delivering on its three-in-one promise rather than treating the grill and convection functions as afterthoughts. The stainless steel interior, solid steel build, and sensible Auto Cook programming all point to a manufacturer that put real thought into the details rather than just bolting extra features onto a basic microwave shell. Owners consistently highlight how easy it is to pick up and use straight out of the box, and the combination of functions genuinely does replace multiple appliances for smaller households.
That said, a few real-world niggles are worth weighing before you buy. Some owners have reported condensation building up on the door or interior during longer cooking sessions, which is common in combination microwaves generating both steam and heat but worth being aware of if you're sensitive to that kind of maintenance. A number of users have also noted the unit runs a little louder than expected during operation, particularly on the convection and grill settings. And as covered above, the 23-litre capacity — while adequate for its target audience — will feel tight if your household regularly cooks for more than two or three people at once. None of these are dealbreakers, but they're the kind of practical details that only show up after weeks of real use rather than in a spec sheet.
Final Verdict
The De'Longhi Brillante earns its place as a genuinely versatile small-kitchen appliance rather than a gimmicky all-in-one that does everything poorly. If you're a couple, a small family, or anyone working with limited kitchen space who wants to bake, grill, and microwave without owning three separate appliances, this is a well-built, sensibly featured option that punches above its compact size — the stainless steel interior and solid steel construction alone justify the step up from a basic solo microwave. Just go in with realistic expectations about capacity: this is a small-household combination microwave, not a family roast-dinner replacement, and knowing that going in is the difference between loving it and feeling limited by it. For its intended audience, it's a confident recommendation.
What People Say
173 comments
Dottie
Dec 1, 2025
Good size and value
Bought as a replacement for just a standard microwave and only used since purchase in the microwave function. We wanted a replacement microwave and in the interests of energy efficiency it to also have a combination/fan oven function for if the need arises. We were only going to get a combination unit if it took up the similar amount of space as the existing microwave and was not substantially dearer than one with just a microwave function. This fitted the bill being one of the smaller combination oven and approx £20 dearer than the microwaves I was looking at. It is a good looking unit having a lovely diamond pattern on the control panel side. I also like the fact that it has buttons to press rather than a touch panel. It has a 30sec repeated press function, which is really all I use. It comes with a paper instruction booklet and two recipe booklets which I believe is very unusual these days. It has a convection oven prewarm tone too which I checked before purchase as this is something airfryers don't seem to have but I feel is necessary. The turntable is large and sits well on the rotator. Unlike some other models you can't disable the turntable in convection mode, which will limit what size and shape of cooking pots that can be used in it but as I don't really intend to use it a lot in convection mode I considered this was a fair compromise. Some prior reviews report a lot of condensation and I can confirm this, far more than my old microwave ever seemed to create. When I have used it for a longer period, eg for jacket potatoes, it is running in condensation on the door and big puddles on the base and I have therefore felt the need to wipe it down immediate after use and to always leave the door open. I haven't considered this a fault but the nature of the beast. I like the fact the inside is stainless steel, hopefully will avoid the peeling and rusting of my older painted unit, but I believe stainless can still rust and mark so need to keep on top of that condensation. My kitchen has traditional white appliances but stainless as a theme, I couldn't find a stainless model that met my requirements and despite this being a black case, it looks great on the side and not out of place, much more suitable that some of the totally black models with mirrored fronts so all in all I'm happy with the purchase
Sam
Aug 6, 2025
Great looking multi-use oven
After some serious searching I recently discovered this DeLonghi microwave oven. Tbh, that was all I was looking for but then I came across this little gem which has just kept on giving.
Not only does it microwave but it also grills and can be used as a conventional oven too …. all for for the same price as I intended spending on just a plain microwave.
It’s sleek and smart looking and, after reading the guide, simple to use.
First thoughts, after expecting it to be disappointing with all the added bells and whistles are that I should bever have doubted it .. and, so far, I have no complaints whatsoever and have no reservations in recommending it. I think, for those in a bedsit or with limited space, that it’s 3 in 1 ability would make it a must have space saver!!
5 stars from me!!
Anonymous
Apr 13, 2026
Great microwave + combination oven
My previous De'Longhi microwave lasted 15+ years and I wanted the same make as I really like the button that adds 30 seconds to the timer, I always use this rather than set the time manually. I didn't see this feature on other manufacturer's microwaves. I paid a little more for this combination oven vs the base model as I thought I might use the oven to save money compared to using my main oven, but mainly because it has a stainless steel inside which won't rust if things spill on it. I've only used the microwave and defrost so far but am very happy with it, I also like that it turns itself off after a while which the base model I had before did not. It looks good, has good capacity and does everything I want, job done :-)
Roundrear
Feb 11, 2025
Reliable fully featured combi, buttons always work
Purchased this because I've had De'Longhi microwave ovens before and they have always been very reliable. Had this combi microwave for six months, gets used a lot and no operational problems. It is quite noisy and I think this is due to the turntable roller. The roller allows the glass turntable to move around 15mm in each direction and is not fixed in position unlike my previous models. This may happen during operation to a lesser extent, hence the noise. The turntable roller is not removable which makes cleaning the bottom of the oven under the glass plate a little difficult to clean. Otherwise the oven being stainless steel is easy to clean. The noise doesn't worry me, so overall I'm happy with my purchase.
SteveJ
Oct 7, 2025
Great features
Really isn't my normal purchase. I would normally buy a straight forward simple microwave but the offer on this one was so tempting I took the plunge. Really don't regret it as I have now become a convert to multi cooking with the grill and oven combination facilities on this unit. It's quicker and cheaper than cranking up the cooker just to bake a potato or get a quick toastie ready for lunch. And as for cooking a roast it's been excellent and much quicker. Thank you Argos for the sale price (which was the tempting thing) and for the excellent delivery and customer service. Making the whole process simple and easy to complete. Kind Regards SteveJ.
Chris B
Aug 12, 2025
Compact. Really useful
After reading reviews I was doubtful I made a good choice,however the oven arrived in good condition. Correct turntable and every works well. Have only had it three weeks but have cooked daily, made drinks in it . Have used all the functions except preprograms. Grill and oven work ok. Like the fact the grill oven element is enclosed. Very easy to clean. My previous combi was same make and worked well but was much to big for my work tops in new smaller kitchen. Of course who knows how long it will last but so far very pleased and am using it for all cooking. I make good use of the lower microwave settings.
Andy Pandy
Sep 15, 2025
The De'Longhi cooking experience!
Cooking dinner breakfast and lunch, has changed my perspective on using my combination oven it's cut my gas and electricity bill a lot so it's saving me money , the way bills are increasing I would recommend this product to everyone who wants to make savings on their bills.its so easy to use and I'm a person who does not do much with modern technology simply can't understand the way things work for me, but I can certainly use this product it's easier than other things I have bought for trying to save money, plus you get a very easy to use information booklet, it's changed my life.
Gymm
Jan 3, 2026
Used daily.
Does all that similar appliances do for much less. If the clock isn't set I noticed that the display swtiches off after a while to save energy. The turntable rotates faster than my previous microwave. No doubt it cooks things more evenly this way. My previous microwave had an almost identical specification but I think this is more powerful. The buttons are really logical. When I bought it it was reduced in price. Even at its normal price it is good value. Considering what it can do it's a definite necessity for a kitchen. I'm aware of standard microwaves costing more.
Angio
Nov 17, 2024
It's Fine
I had this for a while now and yes, it does what it says on the tin... but I'm still missing my old Candy microwave as it was quicker to operate, yet, I like the way you set its various functions, but I'm not too keen on having to go through extra steps when selecting something, as you have to press again to confirm what you've selected. Another snag is the fact that there's so much condensation in comparison to any other microwave ovens I owned before... could it be because I was used to a lower wattage? Or maybe it's just bad ventilation! All in all 3 stars.
Vicfirth62
May 31, 2025
A Great Microwave/Oven/Grill.
I bought this multi function microwave around 6 months ago and I use it everyday. I cook just about all my food in it and get great results. There are some more complex programmes in the microwave like more involved cooking for example a recipe for something and there is a programme for it which combines the oven, the microwave and/ or the grill so the food you have made turns out great.
There is a handy wire mesh stand and l use it for chips or toast as it allows you to sit the food on the wire mesh stand and slide something else underneath.
A great buy.
Angio
Jun 16, 2024
Sleek and functional
So far so good... it does the job well and it's not too different in terms of operation from the previous Candy combi grill-microwave oven it replaced... so, one word... happy :)
Overall, easy to use, just press the 'start' button for instant 'one touch', or, set the power level, confirm, turn the knob to desired time and either press 'start', or go back to 'power' should you want to select a second timing with different settings.
Only gripe, it seems rather noisy as it vibrates a lot while cooking.
PS: I hope it lasts as long as the previous one!
Tynie
Apr 10, 2026
A good practical combination microwave.
Bought to replace a 1000w microwave and I must say this 900w microwave heats more evenly and quicker than the previous one. It looks good but it is noisier than any I've had before but not noisy enough to stop me buying another if I needed to. Easy enough to use and big enough for a decent sized dinner plate and to stand a packet of microwaveable rice. Looks nice but I'm not too concerned with the aesthetics but if I was I'd be happy with this. I would've given 5* but I thought it being a little noisier than others might be an issue for some.
Smith
Dec 5, 2024
New microwave
Bought this as we just needed something basic. Good price and does what we need. Rack inside is a bit small and legs mean you can't fit too much on it eg a small pizza overhung it.
Managed to get round this by using one from old microwave which was better design.
3 booklets included.
Easy to operate.
Clock display turns itself off when not in use, so can't glance at it to see the time. It comes back on, at right time, when door opened so I guess this is an energy saving feature or something.
Good features for the price.
Abs
Dec 18, 2024
Does the job
This small microwave is the right size for my single person household.
As mentioned in other reviews it is a little noisy when used at full power. This seems to be caused by vibration of the walls and roof of microwave. I placed two old microwave turntables on roof and rested something gently against side wall by motor, this lessened the noise a little.
So far, I have used the oven function once. Oven heats up to 200c. The food cooked ok but didnt get as brown as I would have expected.
Decent product for the price.
acabnopeace
Nov 22, 2024
Good microwave with some shortcomings
The microwave is compact with a decent usable volume for the width but it will only fit a dinner plate. Minus one point on ease of use because the buttons are baffling and the microwave thinks you're more likely to want to use autodefrost than to just set a time to microwave something. I like the "press start to add 30s" though. It microwaves just fine but very noisily so minus one for performance. I didn't even realise it had a built in oven to be honest, never used it.
Robbie Essex
Apr 28, 2025
Top quality all round
Was shocked that Argos were doing same day delivery . Item was so competitively priced I had to have it . I bought it fairly late into the day , and sure enough it was delivered right to my door that early evening . The item itself is brilliant . This was the first time I’d bought online from Argos same day delivery, but it wasn’t the last. I cannot imagine the last time I had such a great buying experience. 100% plus in every front . Quality , price , service and care.
Johnbox
Apr 7, 2025
Small problem
The product is very good and preforms perfectly…but it has a default’ underneath the cooker there is a sharp screw that has scratched my work surface. I changed it for another one but it also has the same problem. I’m physically disabled and it’s very difficult for me to get help to bring it back and change it again. I don’t want a different make because DeLonghi has always honoured their guarantee. I can’t take pictures because I’m not physically capable of moving it.
SD
Jan 22, 2025
Capacity for large plates. Low wattage. Motorhome!
The ONLY microwave we could find that's suitable for our motorhome. It's full size with the capacity for large plates whilst having relatively low maximum input wattage so that the motorhome's electric generator can cope with it (There are 2 wattage measurements for microwaves: firstly the stated output which in this case is 900W; secondly the input wattage which is about half as much again). It's also easy to adjust the settings. Very glad we discovered this model.
PB
Sep 27, 2024
Great money saving purchase!
I bought this about a month ago when my microwave gave up the ghost. I was delighted with the easy to read instructions on how to use each function. I have cooked using all three of the functions and the meals were perfect. Usually much less cooking time, therefore saving energy, and in some cases the food was so much tastier then when cooked in the oven or on a hob. I no longer need a toaster as the grill heats the bread thoroughly. A great addition to my kitchen.
RichardR
Jul 23, 2025
Great value
I bought this a few weeks ago to replace one that had rusted through, particularly wanted one that was stainless steel inside and this fitted the bill, it was also reduced. I didn’t really want a grill/oven microwave but this looked better than most of the other ones. Having used it for a while I like it, the features are good, the size above right and the neat thing is that after a while it shuts down and turns off the clock! All in very pleased with it
