Choose a multifunction cooking machine if you often prepare soups, sauces, slow-cooked dishes, steamed vegetables and chopped or blended recipes, and have an accessible space for it. A cooking food mixer is a better fit when kneading and large quantities of dough are your priorities; separate appliances remain a sensible choice if your current equipment already covers the recipes you usually make.
If you regularly prepare soups, sauces, steamed vegetables or slow-cooked dishes, a cooking machine can reduce the need to transfer ingredients between utensils. According to Que Choisir, however, the usable capacity and ease of cleaning must match the amount of food you actually prepare.
A cooking food mixer is worth considering if kneading, whisking and making large quantities of dough matter just as much as certain savoury preparations. Check that the included accessories genuinely cover the recipes you usually make.
When worktop space is limited and you already own a blender or food processor, compare the functions the new appliance will genuinely replace with its footprint, accessories and storage requirements.
Choose this if: you want to move seamlessly from chopping and mixing to blending and cooking for everyday meals.
Bear in mind: the usable capacity, the space required with the lid and accessories, and the parts that need cleaning.
Choose this if: kneading, whisking and proving dough are your main uses.
Bear in mind: chopping, blending or soup-making functions may depend on the accessory pack.
Choose this if: your current appliances are still useful or you need several cooking processes to run at the same time.
Bear in mind: this setup requires more storage space and more transfers between appliances.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs and relevant findings |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking in one continuous process | Check the chopping, mixing, blending and cooking functions. Review the automatic programmes, manual mode and the bowl’s usable capacity. | I want to minimise handling for recipes that combine preparation and cooking. In a Que Choisir survey published in 2020 among 1,695 subscribers who owned food processors, 52% of respondents felt that their appliance saved them time in the kitchen. |
| Recipes suited to your habits | Check which settings can be accessed without guided recipes and the conditions for accessing digital content. Compare the supplied accessories for grating, slicing, kneading or steaming. | My menus should remain at the heart of the decision, without being tied to a particular ecosystem. In the same 2020 Que Choisir survey, 49% of respondents said that their appliance had broadened their recipe repertoire. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check every dishwasher-safe part, not just the bowl. Count the blades, lids, baskets and accessories that need to be cleaned and then stored. | After a meal, I want cleaning to fit in with my cooking routine and the accessories to have an accessible storage space. |
| Functions that are genuinely useful | Compare the exact pack, optional accessories and advertised spare parts. Distinguish statutory protection from any additional commercial guarantee. | I would rather avoid replacing appliances that already handle the preparations I need properly. |
Cooking machines, multifunction appliances and food mixers do not all offer the same capabilities. Chopping, blending or steaming may depend on the specific reference and the contents of the pack.
Make a list of five to ten recipes you prepare often, then check the bowl, required accessory, capacity and cooking function for each one on the exact model.
The Companion range is aimed at households looking for a large-capacity multifunction cooking machine for family meals and everyday preparation.
The Thermomix TM7 is designed for buyers who prioritise an integrated screen and guided cooking in a multifunction cooking machine.
The Cook Expert and Cook Expert XL are intended for households looking for a high advertised capacity and a choice of accessories.
The Cooking Chef suits users for whom kneading and baking are central, with induction cooking functionality.
Joybuy multifunction cooking machine options for bringing meal preparation and cooking together at home.
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For households wanting to handle preparation and cooking in one appliance, with recipes adapted manually.
Advertised features: 3.5 L stainless steel bowl, serves up to 6 people, eight automatic programmes, manual mode, 12 speeds, pulse function and a rinsing programme.
At 8.3 kg and with advertised dimensions of 38 × 28.5 × 31 cm, check that it can remain accessible on the worktop. Also check the included accessories, their care instructions and the conditions for accessing the recipes.
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This option is designed for multi-portion meals featuring soups, sauces, doughs, steaming and vegetable chopping.
Advertised features: 4.5 L bowl with 3 L usable capacity, built-in scales, touchscreen, eight programmes, manual mode and temperature settings from 37 to 130 °C.
The bowl and accessories are advertised as dishwasher-safe. At 9.4 kg and with an advertised depth of 40 cm, measure the permanent position and accessory storage space; also check the conditions for recipes accessed via Wi-Fi.
No. A cooking machine can combine several preparation and cooking functions, but models vary in their accessories, capacities and results depending on the recipe. Take stock of your appliances and check that the model you choose can perform every useful function at the volume you need.
Compare the usable capacity with your usual portions and batch-cooking habits, rather than relying on the total volume alone. For example, Magimix advertises 4.8 L total and 3.8 L usable capacity for the Cook Expert XL, while Moulinex advertises a 4.5 L bowl for the i-Companion XL.
No, guided recipes are not essential for using a cooking machine according to Que Choisir. However, check the terms for the specific model: Vorwerk states that the TM7 is compatible with Cookidoo 3.0, while Moulinex advertises a free app for the i-Companion XL.
Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, as well as the number of blades, baskets, lids and accessories required for your recipes, together with the manufacturer’s instructions. Que Choisir recommends choosing a machine that is easy to maintain.
For a purchase from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold to a consumer, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller first if the appliance does not conform to the contract.