Start by choosing according to the dishes you make most often: a multi-cooker or electric pressure cooker is ideal for hearty, moist dishes, an air fryer for roasted or crispy foods, and a multi-tier steamer for cooking several simple components at the same time. A combination microwave can bring together reheating, grilling and oven cooking, but its installation must be compatible with the available space, accessories and clearances specified in the instruction manual.
If you regularly make soups, starchy foods, pulses, stews or one-pot recipes, compare the bowl capacity, the programmes actually available and the parts that need washing. Les Numériques describes the multi-cooker as suitable for functions such as slow cooking, steaming, searing, keeping food warm and pressure cooking.
For roasting vegetables, cooking portions of protein, chips or breaded foods after work, a single- or dual-basket air fryer could be a good choice. Check that one batch matches your portions and that the separate zones genuinely suit your different cooking times.
When space is limited, measure the appliance in use: the door or drawers fully open, accessories that need storing and the ventilation clearances specified in the manual. A combination microwave can combine several cooking modes, without necessarily being more compact in every kitchen.
Start with a typical weekday meal, then check whether the appliance can cook all its components, fit on your worktop and be cleaned without adding extra hassle to your routine.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the shape of the bowl or baskets, the number of zones and the accessories. A capacity in litres alone does not tell you whether two components can be kept separate. | I want to prepare a complete meal in one batch, without having to start another cooking cycle for the side or main dish. |
| Cooking method | Check for functions suited to your usual recipes: pressure cooking and slow cooking for saucy dishes, hot air for roasting, steam for simple components, or combination functions for reheating and grilling. | My meals mainly consist of moist dishes, crispy foods or several elements that need cooking at the same time. |
| Cleaning | Identify the removable parts that are dishwasher-safe and how many there are. Always distinguish washable accessories from the electrical unit. | After dinner, I prefer to minimise the number of parts to dismantle and wash by hand. |
| Space and safety | Measure the footprint, height, door or drawer opening, accessory storage space and the clearances required by the manufacturer. Also check the maximum power permitted for any extension lead used. | The appliance must remain accessible on my worktop without obstructing sockets, cables or movement around the kitchen. |
Total capacity tells you neither the cooking surface nor whether two components can be adjusted separately. A 6 L bowl, two 5 L baskets, a 3 L + 6 L configuration or three 9 L steaming bowls are suited to different uses.
List a typical weekday meal and check that it fits into one batch, with separate zones if your components require different settings.
An air fryer works by circulating hot air and is primarily designed for roasting and crisping. It does not replace the pressure-cooking, slow-cooking or steaming functions of a multi-cooker.
Choose a multi-cooker for soups, pulses and saucy dishes; opt for an air fryer if roasting and crisping feature most heavily in your meals.
Figures published by a manufacturer depend on the model, recipe, appliance used for comparison and sometimes a brand-specific test method. They do not automatically predict the energy consumption of all your recipes.
First compare the cooking method, quantity prepared, need for preheating and the programmes you will actually use.
The Institut national de la consommation recommends respecting the maximum power rating of extension leads and never connecting power strips in series. Cooking appliances and power strips are among the potential sources of risk in a kitchen.
Connect the appliance according to its manual, check the condition of the sockets and cables, and maintain the clearances required by the manufacturer.
In France, Moulinex offers Cookeo multi-cookers and Easy Fry air fryers, with formats ranging from a 6 L pressure-cooking bowl to single or dual baskets.
Philips offers family-sized air fryers with two baskets or a modular basket, designed to cook several components at the same time.
Tefal offers electric multi-tier steamers for organising the parallel cooking of simple components.
Panasonic offers countertop combination microwaves that, depending on the variant, combine microwave cooking, grilling, convection, steaming or air frying.
This selection brings together Joybuy appliances suited to hot-air cooking, complete meals or steaming, helping you organise your weekday meals.
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Suitable for meals with two components requiring different cooking times or settings.
Two independent 4,75 L drawers, six modes and separate time and temperature controls for each zone. The non-stick drawers and crisper plates are stated to be dishwasher-safe.
Check the required ventilation clearances before installing it on your worktop.
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An option for roasting or re-crisping meals for one to four people.
Single 6,2 L basket, six modes, a rack adjustable to two positions and a Max Crisp temperature claimed to reach up to 240 °C. The non-stick basket and crisper plate are stated to be dishwasher-safe.
A single basket cannot adjust two components separately when they require different temperatures or cooking times.
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Suitable for soups, stews and larger complete meals, with the option of finishing dishes using hot air.
7,6 L bowl, 11 functions, pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, keep-warm function and two removable lids. The inner pot is stated to be dishwasher-safe.
Its stated dimensions are 39 × 36,16 × 37,55 cm and it weighs 11,88 kg; allow for a stable position and the 10 cm clearance specified during use.
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Suitable for steaming vegetables, grains and other simple components at the same time.
Three 3 L stainless-steel tiers, 2 L water tank, programming for up to 100 minutes and a keep-warm function. The tiers and lid are stated to be dishwasher-safe.
This model focuses on steaming and is not designed for roasting, browning or crisping.
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This multi-cooker is designed for saucy dishes, rice, pasta and stews, with an occasional hot-air cooking function.
6 L bowl, 19 functions, five pressure levels up to 90 kPa, programming for up to 24 hours, and an air-frying lid and frying basket stated to be included.
Before buying, check the usable capacity, cleaning instructions for the removable parts and compatibility with the intended location.
Do not choose based solely on the number of litres. For a multi-cooker, check the bowl capacity and the number of portions stated for the recipe; the Cookeo+ reviewed is specified as 6 L and suitable for two to six people. For an air fryer, focus on the cooking surface, the number of baskets and whether two foods can be kept separate.
No, not automatically. Les Numériques describes an air fryer as similar to a small fan oven, suited to roasting and crisping, while a multi-cooker can add pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking, browning, slow simmering and reheating. Choose according to the dishes you make most often during the week.
Check the condition of the cable and socket, as well as the maximum permitted power if you are using an extension lead. The Institut national de la consommation recommends never connecting power strips in series; also keep the appliance away from flammable materials and follow the instructions in its manual.
No. Check exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe and how many there are. An air-fryer basket or multi-cooker bowl can reduce hand washing, while a steamer has several bowls, a lid and a drip tray; the electrical unit must not be treated as a removable accessory.