Start by choosing the appliance that best suits the meals you cook most often: a multicooker is ideal for dishes cooked in a pot, an air fryer for crisp, golden results, a food processor with cooking functions for combining preparation and cooking, and a combination microwave for reheating alongside occasional oven-style cooking. In a small kitchen, consider the usable capacity, the space needed while the appliance is in use and how easy it is to clean, in light of your habits. None of these appliances is guaranteed to save time or energy for every meal.
If your dinners are mostly slow-cooked, steamed or made with a sauce, a multicooker is worth considering. Moulinex, for example, describes the Cookeo Mini as having a 3 L pot designed for two or three people. Check that this capacity suits the portions you make.
If you often make roasted vegetables or crispy sides, check the basket size and how many batches you’ll need to cook. A two-compartment appliance can keep foods separate, but remember to factor in cleaning the inside of the appliance and the heating element, as Philips advises.
A food processor with cooking functions can combine food preparation and cooking, while a combination microwave brings together reheating and oven-style functions, depending on the model. In either case, compare the functions you’ll genuinely use with the space the appliance and its accessories take up.
When choosing an appliance for weeknight dinners, start with your main requirement. Then check whether its dimensions, portion sizes and the attention it needs are a good fit for your kitchen.
Worth considering: for complete meals cooked in one pot, especially slow-cooked or steamed dishes.
What to bear in mind: a small pot limits the size of your portions and, on its own, won’t replace dry-heat or gratin-style cooking.
Worth considering: if roasted or crispy foods often feature in your dinners.
What to bear in mind: you may need to cook several batches to make the amount you want, and cleaning may involve more than just the basket.
Worth considering: if you want to combine preparation and cooking, with guided recipes if the model offers them.
What to bear in mind: the bowl and accessories also need storage space, and the usable capacity may be less than the stated total volume.
Worth considering: if you regularly reheat and defrost food, and would also like to use a grill or convection cooking from time to time.
What to bear in mind: the appliance must be installed with the clearances specified in the manual. The study by ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute does not show a clear energy advantage for combination ovens over the convection ovens studied.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Complete meal with minimal attention | Available cooking modes, usable capacity and any steps that need your attention. | After work, I want to get dinner cooking mainly in one pot without having to spend a long time supervising each step. Around 33 % of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Crisp cooking and separate portions | Basket surface area, amount per batch and whether you can cook two foods separately. | When putting dinner together, my main priority is roasting food or keeping two elements separate. This would be the priority for around 25 % of consumers. |
| Versatile food preparation | Functions you’ll actually use, the bowl’s usable capacity and the space needed for the appliance and accessories. | I don’t have room for lots of food-preparation gadgets and want to combine several steps in one appliance; around 25 % of consumers would prioritise this option. |
| Reheating and oven-style cooking | The model’s functions, the size of your dishes and the required ventilation clearances. | I often reheat or defrost food, but would also like the option of using a grill or convection cooking occasionally. Around 17 % of consumers would make this their main requirement. |
Advertised cooking times depend on the conditions used. For combination ovens, the study by ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute found varying results depending on the dishes, models and brands, with no clear advantage demonstrated over the convection ovens studied.
Compare your usual dishes and portions, taking into account any attention needed and the cleaning involved, rather than relying on a single promotional figure.
The volume of a pot, the usable capacity of a bowl and the total volume of baskets don’t describe the same amount of food. Magimix, for example, states a total capacity of 3,5 L but a usable capacity of 2,5 L for the Cook Expert Connect Original.
Match the capacity to your portion sizes and the shape of your dishes. For an air fryer, also check how much room there is to spread the food out in the basket.
A bowl, open drawers or ventilation clearances can all affect how much space you need. Magimix states that the Cook Expert Connect can be up to 390 mm deep with the bowl in place, while Whirlpool reminds users not to block a microwave’s air vents.
Measure the space with all the components in place, and follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you’re considering.
With an air fryer, splashes can also reach the inside of the appliance and the heating element. Philips advises cleaning these when needed and letting the appliance cool before you start.
Check the manual to see which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and what to avoid doing to the non-stick coatings.
The Cookeo range includes the Cookeo Mini, which Moulinex describes as having a 3 L pot for two or three people.
Philips offers air fryers in a range of sizes, including the NA154/00 with adjustable compartments.
Vorwerk’s Thermomix TM7 focuses on combining functions in a food processor with cooking functions, alongside guided recipes.
Magimix’s Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking, with several bowl sizes available.
Samsung’s guide distinguishes combination microwaves by their added grill and oven-style cooking functions.
These models are all air fryers. Compare them if you often want to roast or brown food for dinner. The stated capacity doesn’t replace checking your portion sizes, available space and installation instructions.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an air fryer for roasted dishes and want to adapt the container to suit your portions.
Check the manual for the space needed around the appliance while it’s in use.
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The two drawers are worth considering if you’d like to cook two parts of your dinner separately.
The model name indicates a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Check that you’ll have room to open the drawers and allow for the specified clearances in your kitchen.
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The double basket may suit anyone who wants to keep two dishes separate for the same dinner.
The stated total capacity is 9 L. Compare this with your portion sizes and measure the space, allowing room to open the baskets.
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This size is worth comparing if you make small portions and have limited storage space for the appliance.
The product name indicates a capacity of 2 L, a power rating of 1 150 W and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions and clearances in the manual before choosing where to put it.
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Worth comparing if you’d like to cook larger portions in one basket rather than split dinner between two drawers.
The capacity stated in the name is 7,6 L. Check the dimensions and clearances, and how much food you can fit in the basket for the dishes you usually make.
No. You need to follow the installation instructions for your model. Whirlpool reminds users not to block a microwave’s air vents, so measure the appliance and allow for the required clearances before choosing a housing unit or a spot on your worktop.
No, that isn’t a general rule. A study by ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute, covering four combination ovens and ten convection ovens, found varying results depending on the dishes, models and brands. It demonstrated no clear advantage for combination ovens over the ovens studied.
No. The inside of the appliance and the heating element may also need cleaning. Philips recommends letting the air fryer cool before cleaning and avoiding abrasive products on the relevant coatings. Check your model’s manual for guidance on each part.
Yes. For purchases from a professional seller in France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that the statutory guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. It is separate from any returns policy offered by the retailer.