If you often chop or blend ingredients before cooking, choose a cooking appliance whose included accessories genuinely cover those steps. If you already prepare your ingredients separately, a multicooker may be enough; if you also want to knead and whisk as well as cook, consider a cooking stand mixer and check its accessories. In every case, compare the usable capacity, cleaning requirements and recipe access terms with your usual cooking habits. Que Choisir notes that cooking appliances vary in features and capacity.
If your dishes often involve blending, chopping or mixing before cooking, check that the features and accessories included with the model cover these steps. Que Choisir points out that equipment varies from one model to another.
If you plan to use it often, think about how much worktop space you’ll need and how easy it is to clean the bowl, lid and accessories. A Femme Actuelle review of the Monsieur Cuisine Smart highlights some issues specific to this model, particularly with the lid; they don’t apply to every appliance.
Compare the included accessories with those sold separately, as well as the terms for recipe services. Magimix says its app provides access to free recipes, while Cookidoo, the service associated with Thermomix, requires a subscription, according to Vorwerk.
Start with the tasks you do most often, then check the features that could make the appliance bulky or awkward to use once the cooking is done.
Worth considering : if you regularly chop, blend or mix ingredients before cooking and want to handle these steps with one appliance.
Check : which accessories are actually included, the filling capacity and how easy the different parts are to clean.
Worth considering : if your main priority is cooking ingredients that you prepare using another tool.
Bear in mind : preparing ingredients separately means having the right tool, as well as allowing for the extra transfers and cleaning.
Worth considering : if kneading or whisking is part of your regular routine and you’d also like to cook in the bowl.
Check : exactly what’s included, as some food-preparation accessories may be sold separately.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer handling steps | Compare the included features and accessories with the steps involved in your usual recipes. Que Choisir notes that appliances don’t all offer the same features. | When I want to prepare and cook a dish without lots of transferring, I look for tools that genuinely cover these steps. Around 29 % of consumers also prioritise this streamlined approach. |
| Keeping extra costs in check | Check what’s included in the box, which accessories are optional and the terms for accessing recipes on the model in question. | If I don’t want to pay for accessories or a service I’ll rarely use, I compare what’s included and the terms for accessing recipes. Around 23 % of consumers share this priority. |
| Making cleaning easier | Check the instruction manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe. Les Numériques found the lid on the Monsieur Cuisine Smart they tested awkward to use; this finding applies to that model. | When I cook often, I want to avoid dismantling and washing up that make regular use more of a chore. Around 18 % of consumers put easy cleaning at the top of their list. |
| Finding the right fit for your space and portions | Compare the fill limit with the quantities you cook and measure the available space, including room to store the accessories. | If I have limited worktop space or cook specific portion sizes, I check the appliance’s footprint and its genuinely usable capacity. Around 18 % of consumers prioritise these factors. |
| Using guided recipes | Check which recipes are available with your chosen model and whether you need an app or subscription to access them. Vorwerk says that Cookidoo requires a subscription. | To follow step-by-step recipes without finding unexpected access conditions, I check which service comes with the appliance. Around 12 % of consumers prioritise guided cooking. |
If the usable capacity isn’t enough for your portions, you may need to cook the same dish in several batches.
Compare the stated fill limit for the exact model with the quantities you usually cook.
An appliance described as versatile won’t necessarily come with every food-preparation tool in the box.
Match each accessory you want to a dish you make regularly, then check the list of included items and compatible options.
Extra accessories also need space for storage.
Terms vary by service and model : Cookidoo requires a subscription, according to Vorwerk.
Before choosing an appliance for its guided recipes, check the access terms for the dishes you plan to make.
An appliance focused on cooking won’t necessarily have the food-preparation features of a multifunction cooking appliance.
List the steps involved in your usual dishes and check for the corresponding features and accessories, rather than relying on the cooking programmes alone.
If you use a separate food-preparation tool, remember to allow for transferring ingredients and cleaning that appliance too.
Worth comparing if you’re choosing between a cooking appliance and a multicooker focused more on cooking.
Compare the Monsieur Cuisine Smart and Compact models based on your portion sizes and available space.
The Thermomix TM7 may appeal if you plan to use guided recipes regularly.
The Cook Expert is worth considering if you’re comparing cooking appliances with a range of food-preparation accessories.
The Cooking Chef is an option for households that also prioritise kneading and whisking.
This selection mainly includes multicookers for cooking ingredients prepared separately, as well as a multifunction cooking appliance that can handle both preparation and cooking.
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Worth considering if you prepare ingredients separately and want a programmable appliance for cooking.
The title mentions a frying function, voice control, 9 menus and 2 pressure levels.
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Worth considering if you cook smaller portions and use a separate tool to prepare ingredients.
The title describes a 3.8 L 7-in-1 multicooker, designed to serve up to 4 portions.
Follow the fill limits and steam-release instructions before opening the appliance.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a multifunction cooking appliance for home-cooked meals.
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Worth considering if you cook several portions and prepare ingredients using another tool.
The title describes a 7-in-1 multicooker with a stainless steel inner pot.
Follow the lid-closing and steam-release instructions before opening.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance for preparation and cooking, with guided recipes too.
The title mentions built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes.
The chopping, grating and slicing blades are described as very sharp : handle them carefully when fitting and cleaning.
Compare the list of included accessories with the compatible accessories sold separately for the exact model. Kenwood says some Cooking Chef accessories are optional; the accessories listed for the i-Companion Touch XL HF938E00 don’t describe the entire Moulinex range.
Make sure you have enough room to handle the bowl, and follow the instructions for assembling, filling and washing each part. Moulinex says the Cookeo Touch bowl is dishwasher-safe, but that doesn’t mean its lid or parts from other appliances are too.
No, terms vary depending on the service and appliance. Magimix says its app includes free recipes, while Cookidoo requires a subscription, according to Vorwerk ; check the terms for the recipes you’re interested in.
For a new, second-hand or refurbished product sold to a private individual, the legal guarantee of conformity is provided by the professional seller. The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes this guarantee from a commercial promise : keep the product description and proof of purchase.