Choose a multi-function cooking robot if you want to prepare and cook in one place, and have room to keep it, along with its accessories. A food processor is a better choice if your cooking equipment is already up to scratch, while a multicooker is mainly suited to guided, steaming or pressure cooking without replacing your food-preparation tools.
You want to prepare and cook using a single appliance that stays on the worktop. However, measure the space required for the bowl, lid, steamer basket and accessories: Que Choisir points out that cooking robots remain bulky despite their versatility.
You regularly prepare soups, sauces, slow-cooked dishes or complete meals and prefer to follow recipes step by step. Before buying, check how the recipe service works and whether any access conditions apply.
If you already have a hob, oven or another cooking appliance, a food processor may be all you need for chopping, grating, slicing, blending and kneading. You will still need space for the discs, blades and other accessories.
Choose this if: you want to chop, blend, knead, cook and steam using the same appliance.
You will need: a permanent spot and storage space for the accessories.
Choose this if: your cooking appliances are already suitable and preparing ingredients is your priority.
Bear in mind: cooking will still need to be handled by a separate appliance.
Choose this if: you are mainly looking for pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking or guided programmes.
Good to know: it does not replace grating, chopping or kneading functions.
| Priority | What to check | Your need |
|---|---|---|
| Functions you will actually use | Compare the included functions: chopping, grating, slicing, blending, kneading, cooking and steaming. Also check which accessories are supplied with the exact model. | I want to avoid buying multiple appliances for the preparations I make every week. |
| Recipes and independence | Look at the recipes available, manual mode, connected functions and the conditions for accessing the recipe catalogue. | Step-by-step instructions could be helpful, but I want to be able to cook my usual recipes without relying on a single service. |
| Overall size | Measure the width, depth and height with the bowl and lid fitted. Allow additional space for baskets, whisks, discs and blades. | The appliance must remain accessible without cluttering the worktop or cupboards. |
| Cleaning | Check, component by component, which parts are dishwasher-safe. The electrical base must be cleaned by hand, and some parts require gentle cycles. | After making a sauce or sticky dough, I want to minimise hand washing without damaging the accessories. |
A narrow base does not necessarily reflect the space taken up by the bowl, lid, steamer basket, graters and whisks during use or storage.
Measure the appliance in its tallest and deepest configuration, then plan a place for every supplied accessory.
A multicooker focuses mainly on pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking and keeping food warm. It does not replace a robot’s chopping or kneading functions.
Make a list of the tasks you carry out each week. If you often grate, slice, chop or knead, choose a cooking robot or keep a separate food processor.
You may need to keep or add a food-preparation appliance for tasks that the multicooker cannot perform.
The electrical base is not dishwasher-safe, and some manufacturers recommend gentle cycles to protect the accessories’ materials.
Read the instructions for the model and each component, clean the base by hand and remove residues promptly after messy preparations.
Guided recipes can make the appliance easier to use, but they need to match the meals you usually prepare so that it remains useful every day.
Browse recipes that reflect your menus, check how manual mode works and review the recipe service terms when ordering.
The Thermomix range is designed for multi-function cooking, with guided recipes available through Cookidoo.
Moulinex offers Companion cooking robots and Cookeo multicookers for different food-preparation and cooking needs.
Cook Expert models combine a heated bowl with food-processor accessories, allowing you to prepare and cook using one system.
These Joybuy options include multi-function cooking robots that combine preparation and cooking, as well as a multicooker designed primarily for everyday cooking.
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An option for preparing and cooking in one place, with guided recipes and an integrated scale.
Stated dimensions: 40 × 26 × 36 cm; total capacity of 4,5 L, including 3 L usable capacity; stated weight of 9,4 kg.
Stated functions include heating, blending, kneading, grating, slicing and steaming. Check how many recipes are included and which components are genuinely dishwasher-safe.
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This model combines food preparation and cooking in one appliance, with on-screen recipes, automatic programmes and manual mode.
Stated dimensions: 38 × 28,5 × 31 cm; 3,5 L stainless-steel bowl; stated weight of 8,3 kg.
Chopping, grating, kneading, steaming and slow cooking are listed among its functions. Allow storage space for the discs, blades and baskets, and check the instructions to see which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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An option focused on everyday cooking if food-preparation functions are not your priority.
Stated capacity: 3,8 L; stated dimensions: 35,1 × 31,8 × 25,6 cm; seven cooking modes and twelve listed programmes.
Stated functions include pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, yoghurt making and keeping food warm. Chopping, grating, slicing, blending and kneading are not listed.
Depending on the model and included accessories, it can combine chopping, blending, kneading, mixing, cooking and steaming. Check the grating and slicing accessories, usable capacity and cooking modes carefully: a multicooker remains primarily focused on cooking.
This depends on the exact model. Vorwerk states that several removable TM7 components are dishwasher-safe, but not the base; Magimix states that Cook Expert accessories are dishwasher-safe and recommends cycles below 50 °C. Always consult the instructions for the supplied accessories.
No, the terms vary by brand and model. According to Vorwerk, the TM7 is compatible with Cookidoo 3.0; check access terms, the functions available without a connected service and how useful the catalogue will be for your meals before choosing.
Measure the width, depth and available height beneath wall units with the bowl, lid and steamer basket fitted. Allow space for the accessories too: Que Choisir recommends assessing the size of the appliance and its storage boxes before buying.