Compact Ovens & Microwaves – 45cm Built-In Cooking Appliances

Shop compact ovens, built-in microwaves, steam ovens and combination cooking appliances designed for shorter kitchen installation niches. Often referred to as 45cm compact appliances, the range includes conventional compact ovens, solo microwaves, combination microwave ovens, steam ovens and combination steam models from leading appliance brands.

Choose Your Compact Cooking Appliance

• Compact ovens provide conventional oven cooking in a shorter built-in format, making them useful as a second oven or where cabinet height is limited.
• Built-in microwaves provide microwave cooking in an integrated appliance designed for kitchen cabinetry, with selected models also offering grilling functions.
• Combination microwave ovens combine microwave cooking with conventional oven functions such as fan cooking and grilling.
• Steam ovens use steam as a primary cooking method for steaming, reheating and specialist cooking programmes.
• Combination steam ovens combine conventional dry oven heat with steam, allowing the two cooking methods to be used separately or together depending on the model.

What Size Is a Compact Oven?

Most compact built-in cooking appliances are designed around a nominal 45cm-high installation format, although exact appliance and niche dimensions vary by manufacturer. Some dedicated built-in microwaves use an even shorter housing. Always check the required cabinet niche height, width and depth for the individual appliance before ordering.

Compact refers primarily to installation height rather than width. Most models fit standard-width appliance housings, although wider specialist compact appliances are also available.

Compact Oven vs Combination Oven

Compact and combination describe different things. Compact describes the appliance's installation format, while combination describes its cooking functions.

A compact appliance can therefore be a conventional oven, solo microwave, steam oven or combination appliance. Likewise, a combination oven can be either compact or full height.

If cooking technology rather than installation height is your main consideration, browse our combination ovens. For microwave appliances across all installation formats, see our microwaves.

Choosing a Compact Built-In Oven or Microwave

• Check the installation niche: use the manufacturer's required housing dimensions rather than relying only on overall appliance height.
• Choose the cooking technology: decide whether you need conventional oven cooking, microwave, steam or a combination.
• Compare capacity: cavity sizes vary significantly between solo microwaves, compact ovens and combination appliances.
• Consider cleaning: systems can include enamel interiors, steam-assisted cleaning and automatic high-temperature cleaning depending on the model.
• Check steam requirements: steam appliances may use refillable water containers or, on selected models, additional water and drainage connections.
• Plan adjoining appliances: compact models are commonly installed alongside full-size ovens, warming drawers and built-in coffee machines.

Compact Ovens & Microwaves FAQs

Are compact ovens exactly 45cm high?

No. The term commonly refers to the nominal 45cm built-in format. Exact external dimensions and required cabinet niches vary between manufacturers.

Is a built-in microwave a compact cooking appliance?

Yes, when it is designed for a short built-in installation niche. Dedicated solo microwaves can therefore sit within the same compact cooking category as conventional compact ovens and combination models.

Can a compact oven include a microwave?

Yes. Combination microwave ovens provide microwave cooking together with conventional oven functions, while dedicated built-in microwaves may provide microwave cooking without conventional oven heat.

What is a combination steam oven?

A combination steam oven provides conventional dry-heat oven cooking as well as steam cooking. Depending on the appliance, steam and conventional heat can be used separately or together.

Can I install a compact oven above a full-size oven?

Many kitchens combine compact and full-size appliances in a tall appliance bank. Always follow the manufacturer's requirements for ventilation, clearances and installation position.