Choose a multi-cooker or electric pressure cooker if your main priorities are programming the cooking, simmering, cooking rice and keeping a meal warm in a single pot. A cooking robot is a better choice when chopping, blending, weighing or kneading are also part of the preparation. In that case, check the bowl’s usable capacity, the space it takes up, cleaning requirements and how you access recipes.
You want to start cooking rice, soup, a dish with sauce or a slow-cooked meal, then get on with something else until it switches to keep-warm mode. A programmable multi-cooker or electric pressure cooker meets this need, provided the pot suits the quantities you normally prepare. Que Choisir highlights the benefits of automatic programmes, adjustable cooking time and temperature, and keep-warm functions.
Choosing the right appliance means balancing pot capacity, number of portions and the space available on your worktop. The stated capacity does not always match the usable volume: fill-level limits and the type of recipe are still crucial factors.
If chopping, blending, weighing or kneading are regular parts of your cooking, a cooking robot may suit you better than a multi-cooker designed mainly for cooking. However, make sure the model you choose specifically includes the preparation functions you need.
Choose this if: you mainly prepare rice, dishes with sauce, slow-cooked meals or straightforward recipes, and want the appliance to take care of cooking once you have started the programme.
Bear in mind: chopping and blending will generally remain separate steps, and the usable capacity may be lower than the stated capacity.
Choose this if: pressure cooking, simmering, steaming and keeping food warm need to cover your weekday meals in a single pot.
Bear in mind: fill-level markings and the instructions in the manual are essential when pressure cooking, and the appliance will not add chopping or blending functions.
Choose this if: you want greater automation from the preparation stage, including chopping, blending, weighing or kneading before cooking.
Bear in mind: the bowl may be smaller than a pressure-cooker pot, while the blades, accessories and recipes require particular attention.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Unattended cooking | Check the available programmes, adjustable cooking time or temperature and the keep-warm function. Check the model’s product details for a delayed start: this feature is not standard on every appliance. | I want to be able to start a dish that is suitable for the pot and return once it has finished cooking, without constantly adjusting the settings. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the genuinely usable volume with your usual portions. Check the MAX markings, especially for pressure cooking, rice and foods that expand. | I need to prepare the planned quantity without cooking several batches or filling the pot beyond the stated limits. |
| Integrated preparation | Check the chopping, blending, weighing and kneading functions separately, along with the accessories supplied. A multi-cooker does not generally replace them. | For blended soups, sauces or dough, I want to reduce the need to transfer ingredients between several appliances. |
| Cleaning and safety | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, read the instructions, review the fill-level limits and find out about after-sales service. With a pressure appliance, follow the ventilation and handling instructions carefully. | I am looking for an appliance I can use regularly without cleaning or necessary precautions putting me off. |
The nominal capacity does not necessarily match the amount permitted for a recipe. A pot that is too small may mean cooking several batches, while overfilling a pressure cooker can block the parts designed to release steam.
Compare the nominal volume, the cooking capacity specified in the manual, the MAX markings and your usual portions. Que Choisir gives the example that a 6 L Cookeo pot can cook up to 4 L.
A multi-cooker automates cooking, but it does not generally replace chopping, slicing or blending. Choosing the wrong category therefore leaves you with the very steps you wanted to reduce.
Make a note of the repetitive tasks involved in a few of your usual meals. If blending, chopping or weighing takes up a significant amount of time, compare cooking robots as well.
A separate blender, chopper or food processor may still be needed when these tasks become regular parts of your cooking.
Automatic functions vary between models: keep-warm mode, delayed start, guided recipes, accessories and app-based features are not the same across the range.
Check the exact product details for cooking modes, included accessories, keep-warm mode, delayed start and any functions that depend on an app.
A pot or accessories that are difficult to clean can limit everyday use. With a heated appliance, and especially one that cooks under pressure, the safety instructions and warranty documents are useful from the very first use.
Choose product details that specify which parts are dishwasher-safe, read the manual before use and keep your proof of purchase together with the after-sales service information.
The Cookeo range is aimed at households looking for a guided multi-cooker or electric pressure cooker for everyday meals, with pressure cooking, steaming, simmering, browning, reheating and keep-warm functions depending on the model.
Instant Pot offers multifunction electric pressure cookers that combine pressure cooking, simmering, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing and keeping food warm in a single pot.
Thermomix belongs to the cooking-robot category, for households wanting to combine ingredient preparation with guided cooking rather than simply automate cooking in a single pot.
This selection brings together multifunction electric pressure cookers for scheduled meals prepared in a single pot, and a cooking robot for tasks involving preparation, blending or weighing.
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For scheduled everyday meals, with pressure cooking, steaming, simmering and rice cooking in a single pot.
Advertised with 19 functions, 11 temperature settings, five pressure levels, programming for up to 24 hours, keep-warm mode and an integrated scale.
The 6 L pot must be used within the fill levels specified for each pressure-cooking recipe.
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A multifunction pressure cooker for organising weekday meals in a single pot.
Pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, yoghurt and keep-warm functions; four one-touch programmes and parts stated to be dishwasher-safe.
Follow the fill-level limits for pressure cooking and check whether delayed start is included if this function is important to you.
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For preparing and cooking within the same system when chopping, blending, kneading and weighing are important to you.
4.5 L bowl with a stated usable capacity of 3 L, integrated scale, 7-inch touchscreen, eight automatic programmes and 725 preloaded recipes.
The blades and accessories add more parts to handle and clean. Also check the keep-warm and delayed-start functions to make sure they suit your routine.
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For preparing several portions with pressure cooking, simmering, steaming, sautéing and keeping food warm.
7.6 L stainless-steel pot, two removable lids and additional air-frying, grilling, roasting, dehydrating and sous-vide functions.
Its stated dimensions of 36.16 × 37.55 × 39 cm and weight of 11.88 kg require suitable storage space. Follow the fill-level markings.
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A programmable pressure cooker for planning a meal in a single pot.
Nine menus, two pressure levels, 24-hour timer, frying function and a stated usable capacity of 5 L in a 6 L pot.
Compare the usable volume with your portions and check the manual’s language, fill-level limits and keep-warm functions.
Generally speaking, no: a multi-cooker is mainly designed for cooking. If blended soups, sauces, chopped vegetables or dough are regular parts of your recipes, look instead for a cooking robot whose product details confirm these functions.
No. The usable volume depends on the recipe and the fill-level limits. Que Choisir gives the example that a 6 L Cookeo pot can cook up to 4 L. Pressure appliances also have fill lines that must not be exceeded.
Place it on a stable, level, non-combustible worktop without blocking the air vents. Strictly follow the instructions in the model’s manual for filling and handling the hot pot.
Check the compliance information and the seller’s details. The DGCCRF explains that CE marking represents the manufacturer’s declaration that the appliance meets the applicable European requirements, but it is not a certification mark.
The DGCCRF states that buyers benefit from the statutory guarantee of conformity and the guarantee against hidden defects. A commercial warranty may also be available, depending on the seller or manufacturer. Check the written terms and after-sales service contact details before taking out an extended warranty.