Households that prepare several meals at home
You regularly grate, slice, chop, blend or knead, and want to tackle these tasks in one go using a bowl suited to the quantities you prepare.
Who are these appliances for?
People who already have cooking appliances
You’re happy with your hob, oven or other cooking equipment and mainly want help preparing ingredients before you cook them.
Small kitchens
You need to be able to put away the motor unit, bowl and accessories after use. The appliance’s dimensions and the space needed for its tools matter just as much as its functions.
What should you look for?
Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors by their cooking function. To choose between the three options, start with the tasks you actually repeat, then compare models based on the quantities you prepare and the space you have.
Food processor
Consider it: if you already cook on the hob or in the oven and mainly want to cut down on food preparation tasks.
Bear in mind: the appliance doesn’t cook food, and the tasks it can perform depend on the tools supplied with the model you choose.
Cooking food processor
Consider it: if you regularly want to mix and heat food in the same appliance, particularly for soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes.
Bear in mind: having a built-in cooking function doesn’t guarantee that the tools you need for every chopping or preparation task will be included.
Dedicated appliance
Consider it: if one frequently repeated task is the main reason for your purchase and you don’t need to carry out several food preparation tasks in a row.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to carry out other tasks separately or use another appliance.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Food preparation without cooking | Which tasks it can perform and whether the necessary discs, blades or tools are included with the model on sale. | When I often prepare vegetables or dough, I want to spend less time chopping and kneading without changing how I cook; around 36% of consumers would make food preparation their priority. |
| Built-in cooking function | The cooking modes that suit your recipes and the accessories actually included. | For the soups or slow-cooked dishes I make regularly, I’d also like the appliance to handle the cooking; this would be the main need for around 29% of consumers. |
| Size | The appliance’s dimensions and the space needed to store the bowl, cord and tools. | In a small kitchen, I want to reclaim space after preparing a meal; easy storage would come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantities prepared | The bowl’s usable capacity, rather than just its total volume, and whether it suits the portions you usually make. | When I prepare several meals at once, I want a bowl that suits the needs of my household; around 14% of consumers would put this preparation capacity first. |
What should you avoid?
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Confusing total volume with usable capacity
The volume stated for a bowl isn’t necessarily the amount you can use in a recipe. For example, Magimix lists a total capacity of 3 L but a usable capacity of 1.3 L for the CS 4200XL.
Compare the usable capacity with your usual portions, and check whether the model can also handle the smaller quantities you prepare.
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Assuming all accessories are included
A function advertised for a range may require a tool that isn’t included with the configuration you choose. Que Choisir also distinguishes between basic accessories and additional tools in its tests.
Check exactly what’s in the box for the model and pack you’ve chosen, particularly the discs, dough hook, whisk or steamer basket you need.
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Choosing a built-in cooking function you won’t use
According to Que Choisir, cooking is the main functional difference between a cooking food processor and a standard food processor. If you’re happy with your current equipment, this feature may not help with the tasks you repeat most often.
Think about the tasks you carry out over the course of a week: compare food processors if preparation is your main priority, or cooking food processors if you also want to cook regularly in the bowl.
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Forgetting about cleaning and storage
An easy-to-use bowl isn’t enough if the tools are difficult to dismantle or store in your kitchen.
Before you choose, check which parts are washable, how the accessories fit together and how much space you have for the whole appliance.
Brands to know
Magimix
Magimix food processors are designed for preparation without cooking, with bowls and accessories that vary between models.
- Magimix lists tools for grating, slicing, chopping and kneading among the accessories for the CS 4200XL, which has a usable capacity of 1.3 L.
- Some additional accessory sets are sold separately, so check which tools are included with the configuration you choose.
Moulinex
The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking for households that want to bring these steps together in one appliance.
- For the Companion HF840110, Moulinex lists 12 automatic programmes, a manual mode, five accessories and a usable capacity of 3 L.
- Check that the cooking modes and accessories included with your chosen model suit your recipes, and that you have enough space to store it.
Kenwood
The MultiPro Go range includes compact food processors designed for kitchens where storage space is particularly important.
- Kenwood lists a 1.3 L bowl and a height of 30 cm for the FDP22.140GY, along with a system that lets you grate or slice directly into another container.
- Check that the bowl size suits the quantities in your recipes and see which accessories come with the version you choose.
Models to suit your needs
This Joybuy selection includes cooking food processors that combine food preparation and cooking, as well as a food processor for preparing ingredients without a built-in cooking function. Compare their tools and bowl capacities based on the tasks you repeat.
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Robby Smart Multifunction Cooking Robot, XL bowl, built-in scales and large touchscreen
Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking in a robot with an XL bowl. The model name lists built-in scales and a large touchscreen; check which accessories are included and how many recipes are available for this model.
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ochama Food Processor 750 W, 1.8 L bowl
Worth considering if you switch between chopping, slicing and grating but don’t need a built-in cooking function. The model name lists a power rating of 750 W, a 1.8 L bowl and grating discs; check the bowl’s usable capacity, the tools supplied and the dimensions before you choose.
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Robby Multifunction Cooking Robot, built-in scales and touchscreen, 680 recipes listed
Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking with built-in scales and a touchscreen. The number of recipes is stated in the model name; compare the bowl’s usable capacity and the accessories supplied with the foods you usually prepare.
Frequently asked questions
When should you choose a cooking food processor over a standard food processor?
Choose a cooking food processor if you regularly want to heat and mix food in the same appliance, particularly for soups or slow-cooked dishes. According to Que Choisir, the cooking function is what sets it apart from a standard food processor. If you mainly want to chop, grate or knead, compare the food preparation tools included instead.
Should you check the bowl’s total volume or its usable capacity?
Start with the usable capacity and compare it with the quantities you prepare. For example, Magimix lists a total volume of 3 L but a usable capacity of 1.3 L for the CS 4200XL; these figures apply to this specific model.
How can you check whether a food processor will be easy to store and maintain?
Measure the space where you plan to store it, then allow room for the bowl, cord and accessories too. Check which parts can be dismantled for the model you’re considering, and which ones are actually dishwasher-safe.
What rights do you have in France if the food processor doesn’t work properly or doesn’t match its description?
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished appliances sold by a business to an individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy in September 2026. Keep a record of the exact model, its description and your proof of purchase so you can report the problem to the seller; any commercial guarantee is in addition to, and does not replace, the legal guarantee.