Choose a cooking robot if your recipes regularly require chopping, mixing and heating in the same bowl, and if its capacity, accessories and cleaning routine suit your everyday needs. A multifunction food processor with separate cooking is suitable when integrated heating is not essential, while a multicooker is better suited to pre-prepared ingredients and programmed cooking.
You often prepare soups, sauces, risottos, stews, pasta or steamed recipes and want to move from preparation to cooking without transferring ingredients between several appliances. UFC-Que Choisir and Vorwerk France describe this type of use for cooking robots.
Usable capacity deserves more attention than the advertised volume alone. Moulinex states that its Companion XL has a 4.5 L bowl, while Magimix gives a usable capacity of 2.5 L for the Cook Expert Connect’s 3.5 L bowl.
If the appliance is likely to remain stored away, consider its footprint, washing-up requirements, available recipes and any associated services before deciding. A UFC-Que Choisir survey specifically cites washing-up, unsuitable recipes and usage time among the reasons for less frequent use.
Choose this if: you want to chop, blend, knead, mix or steam in one appliance for your weekly recipes.
Bear in mind: capacity, accessories, recipe access and storage requirements vary considerably from one model to another.
Choose this if: you mainly need chopping, blending, grating, slicing or kneading and are happy to cook elsewhere.
Limitation: preparation and cooking are not brought together in the food processor’s bowl.
Choose this if: your ingredients are already chopped and you mainly want automatic steaming, slow cooking or pressure cooking.
Limitation: UFC-Que Choisir states that multicookers generally do not mix food, so chopping and blending still need to be done separately.
Start with the recipes you usually make, then check the genuinely usable capacity, the accessories you need and the space available in your kitchen.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated preparation and cooking | Check the chopping, blending, mixing, kneading, steaming and slow-cooking functions. Also check whether there is a manual mode for adapting your own recipes. | I want to minimise transfers between appliances and follow cooking stages more easily. In the UFC-Que Choisir survey published in 2020 among 1,695 subscribers who owned food processors, 52% said they saved time in the kitchen. |
| Cleaning and footprint | Measure your worktop and cupboards with the bowl and accessories in place. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and how many items need washing after a recipe. | I want to be able to take out, clean and store the appliance without the accessories or washing-up cancelling out the convenience I was looking for. |
| Total cost of ownership | Check recipe access, the terms of any subscription, included accessories and parts availability. Compare the exact configuration, not just the main appliance. | I want to know which recipes and accessories are genuinely available with the version I choose, without assuming that everything is included. |
A multicooker can cook, brown or slow-cook food, but it generally does not mix ingredients, according to UFC-Que Choisir. On its own, it therefore does not cover the chopping or blending required for some recipes.
List the actions you need to carry out over a week: chopping, mincing, blending, whisking, kneading, mixing, steaming, slow cooking or pressure cooking.
Usable capacity may be lower than the stated volume and can depend on the recipe. A bowl that is too small may mean cooking several batches for the same meal.
Compare usable capacity, the maximum quantities specified for each recipe and your usual portions, rather than looking only at the total volume.
The appliance price alone is not enough to compare access to recipes, cutting functions or cooking extensions. Some accessories may be offered separately depending on the configuration.
Check recipe access terms, the contents of the box and the accessories your dishes genuinely require before comparing models.
A recipe service may operate by subscription after an initial period, while additional accessories may require a separate purchase and extra storage space.
Having too much washing-up is one of the reasons cited by some owners for using their robot less often in the UFC-Que Choisir survey. Bowls and accessories can also take up a lot of space.
Measure the area with the bowl in place, plan where to store the accessories and check the cleaning instructions for the exact model.
The Thermomix TM7 is a connected cooking robot designed for guided cooking on screen and access to the Cookidoo catalogue.
The Companion XL is aimed at households looking for a cooking robot with a large bowl and recipes available through an app.
The Cook Expert Connect combines a heated bowl with multifunction food processor bowls and accessories in this connected version.
These Joybuy options are cooking robots that combine preparation and cooking functions for complete meals.
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Prepare several portions in one appliance with the advertised mixing, whisking, kneading, cutting, steaming and heating functions.
Advertised 4.5 L bowl, with 3 L usable capacity, built-in scales, touchscreen, cutting accessories and steaming baskets.
Check how many recipes are included and the terms for accessing recipes via Wi-Fi for this variant. The advertised dimensions are 40 × 26 × 36 cm and the weight is 9.4 kg; also allow space for storing the accessories.
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Ideal for soups, sauces, pasta or steamed recipes when you want to chop, mix, knead and slow-cook without using multiple appliances.
Advertised 3.5 L main bowl for up to six people, with built-in scales, touchscreen, Wi-Fi, automatic programmes and a rinsing programme.
Check the accessories supplied, their cleaning instructions and the terms for accessing recipes via Wi-Fi. The advertised dimensions are 38 × 28.5 × 31 cm and the weight is 8.3 kg.
No. A cooking robot stands out for its integrated cooking function, while a multifunction food processor covers chopping, blending, grating, slicing, kneading and whisking without heating in its bowl. Above all, check the accessories included, as a cooking robot does not necessarily provide every cutting tool in every version.
Generally, no. A multicooker is mainly used for cooking, browning, slow cooking or steaming; UFC-Que Choisir states that it generally does not mix food. It is suitable when the ingredients are already prepared, but not when you need to chop, blend or grate in the same appliance.
No. Vorwerk France states that access to Cookidoo may become chargeable after an initial offer, while Moulinex advertises a free app for the Companion XL version consulted. Check the exact model, trial terms and recipes available without payment at the time of purchase.
The statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory for goods sold by a professional to a private individual, including new, second-hand and refurbished goods. The French Ministry of the Economy states that it covers conformity defects and is exercised through the seller; it is separate from a commercial warranty.
Do not put it in your household rubbish. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition indicates options including taking it to a collection point or recycling centre, returning it to a retailer or donating it to a social and solidarity economy organisation.