An all-in-one cooker can reduce the number of appliances you use if its functions genuinely cover several stages of the meals you usually make, and you have an accessible place for the base and its accessories. Before replacing your appliances, check which tasks it covers, its usable capacity, how easy it is to clean and how you access its recipes. A long list of advertised functions doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be useful to you.
You want to combine functions you actually use, without adding another appliance and its accessories to the ones you already own. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends checking the appliance’s footprint and the space available before you choose.
You want to move from preparation to cooking, then clean the parts you’ve used with ease. Guided recipes and the cleaning instructions for each specific model deserve just as much attention as the list of functions.
You regularly knead or whisk and would also like to cook with the same appliance. This type of appliance may come with several separate bowls and accessories, which you’ll need to be able to use and store.
Worth considering: if you regularly make soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes and want to combine preparation and cooking.
Bear in mind: check which tools are included and whether each function matches a task you actually do.
Worth considering: if grating, slicing or preparing ingredients is your main need and you’re happy with your cooking equipment.
Bear in mind: you’ll keep several appliances, but won’t need to replace a cooking function that already works well for you.
Worth considering: if kneading and whisking matter as much as cooking, and planetary mixing suits the way you bake.
Bear in mind: separate bowls and accessories may still be needed; not every function takes place in a single bowl.
Worth considering: if you mainly make soups and fruit purées, or pressure cooking is your priority.
Bear in mind: these appliances are designed for more specific uses; a pressure cooker won’t necessarily replace tools for preparing ingredients.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who tends to prioritise it |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing the right functions | List the meals you usually make, the steps involved and the accessories included with the exact model you’re considering. | If you genuinely want to get rid of some appliances, check that the functions cover the tasks you usually do. Around 28 % of consumers prioritise functions that can replace other appliances. |
| Storing the complete appliance | Measure the space you have in mind and count the bowls, baskets, tools and accessories you’ll need to store. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends checking that the appliance will fit in your kitchen. | If your worktops or cupboards are already full, remember to account for the accessories as well as the main unit. Around 28 % of consumers put saving space first. |
| Reducing handling and cleaning | Check how often you’ll need to change tools and read the cleaning instructions for the specific model. | If you want to make everyday meal preparation easier, consider how easy the parts are to take apart and clean after a meal. Around 22 % of consumers prioritise reducing the number of steps involved. |
| Choosing the right capacity for your portions | Compare the usable capacity with the fill limits specified for the dishes you make. | If you want to prepare a particular quantity in one go, check that the usable volume suits your recipes. Around 11 % of consumers prioritise how much they can prepare. |
| Understanding recipe access | Check which digital features require a subscription, the terms of any trial and whether it renews automatically. | If you plan to rely on guided recipes, check which ones are available in an app and which are displayed on the appliance. Around 11 % of consumers put the cost of ongoing services first. |
A list of functions doesn’t guarantee that the appliance will cover every task your specialist equipment performs. Que Choisir Ensemble assesses different tasks in its tests.
Match each function to a recipe you regularly make and check which accessories are actually included with the set you’ve chosen.
You may still need extra accessories or a specialist appliance for certain tasks.
Separate bowls and accessories can take up space even when the appliance itself is compact.
Measure the space you have in mind and count the parts you’ll need to keep close by, as Que Choisir Ensemble recommends.
Remember to leave room for storing bowls, baskets and attachments too.
Cleaning instructions vary between models. Moulinex, for example, says the drive shaft and locking ring on the Companion aren’t dishwasher-safe; Vorwerk says the TM7 base should be cleaned separately.
Check the list of washable parts for the exact model and factor cleaning them into your routine.
Some parts may need to be taken apart and washed by hand.
Access to guided recipes may require a paid subscription that renews automatically. Vorwerk France explains the Cookidoo terms in its FAQ.
Check how long the trial lasts, how renewals work and which features are available without a subscription.
A connected service may involve ongoing charges on top of the appliance’s price.
The Companion, Cookeo and Easy Soup ranges cater for different needs: food preparation and cooking, pressure cooking, or soups and blended dishes.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking with guided recipes displayed on screen.
The Cooking Chef expérience KCL95.429SI combines planetary mixing for baking with induction cooking.
The CS5200XL is an example of a food processor designed separately from your cooking equipment, particularly for grating, slicing, chopping and kneading.
This selection includes appliances that combine food preparation and cooking, food processors to use with separate cooking equipment, and versatile cookers.
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Worth considering if you’d like to combine food preparation and cooking tasks and follow guided recipes on the appliance.
The title specifies an XL bowl, built-in scales, a large touchscreen and 750 recipes. The blades are described as very sharp, and the bowl and its contents get hot during cooking.
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Worth considering if you’d like to combine several food preparation tasks with cooking functions and recipes displayed on screen.
The title specifies built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. The description notes that the blades are very sharp and the bowl gets hot during cooking.
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Worth considering if you mainly want to combine food preparation tasks and already have an appliance for cooking.
The title specifies a 1.5 L capacity and 600 W power. The listed functions are for food preparation, not integrated cooking; the description says only the accessories are dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering if versatile cooking is your priority and you prepare smaller quantities, rather than looking for an appliance that also mechanically prepares ingredients.
The title states a 3.8 L capacity and says it serves up to 4. Follow the fill limits and pressure-release instructions; the description warns against opening the lid while the float valve is raised.
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Worth considering if you want several cooking modes and need to prepare large quantities, with ingredients prepared separately.
The title specifies 8 L and 1,200 W. The description says it serves up to 10 and recommends following the fill limits, particularly for foods that expand, as well as the pressure-release instructions.
No, the supplied recipes aren’t essential, according to Que Choisir Ensemble. If you adapt your own recipes, check your model’s settings and operating limits.
No, it doesn’t mean every part can go in the dishwasher. Vorwerk says the TM7 base isn’t dishwasher-safe, while Moulinex excludes the Companion’s drive shaft and locking ring in particular. Follow the instructions for the exact model.
Measure the space you have in mind and count the accessories you’ll need to store, not just the main unit. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends checking that the appliance will fit; you should also follow the clearance requirements in its manual.
Moulinex France describes My Moulinex as free, but being able to access recipes in an app doesn’t mean the appliance is connected or displays steps on its screen. These features depend on the model.
Not necessarily: cooking functions alone don’t replace tools for grating, chopping or kneading. Check which food preparation functions are actually listed for the model, and plan to use a separate appliance if they don’t meet your needs.