Choose a cooking food processor if you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance. A multifunction food processor is a better fit if you already cook with your saucepans and mainly need to chop, grate or knead, while a multicooker is better suited to guided or pressure cooking. Always check the usable capacity, included accessories, appliance footprint and how recipes can be accessed.
You prepare soups, sauces, casseroles, steamed dishes or pasta and want to reduce the need to transfer ingredients between different utensils. A cooking food processor is particularly worth considering if its accessories and capacity match the recipes you make regularly. Que Choisir highlights the importance of checking the appliance footprint and the accessories actually supplied.
You often chop, grate, slice, blend or knead for home cooking or to prepare several meals in advance, without needing to heat ingredients in the bowl. A multifunction food processor can complement your saucepans, oven or hob without duplicating their role.
You want to delegate some of the everyday cooking with guided programmes, but chopping and kneading are not essential in the same appliance. A multicooker is better suited to this scenario.
Consider it if: your recipes involve both ingredient preparation and cooking in the same bowl, for example soups, sauces, casseroles or steamed dishes.
Check: the capacity, the space required with the bowl fitted, the accessories supplied, the parts that need washing and any recipe services available.
Consider it if: chopping, grating, slicing, blending, whisking or kneading is your priority and you already cook with your usual equipment.
Check: you will need a separate cooking appliance and should make sure the necessary accessories are included.
Consider it if: you mainly want steaming, slow cooking, browning, slow cooking or pressure cooking with less attention needed while food cooks.
Check: cooking modes do not automatically replace tools for chopping, grating or kneading.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Useful functions | List the actions needed for your recipes: chopping, grating, slicing, blending, kneading, steaming, slow cooking or pressure cooking. Check that every function requiring an accessory is covered by the equipment supplied. | I want to avoid paying for functions I will not use for my usual meals. If I want to cook in the bowl, I will prioritise a heating function over a simple food-preparation processor. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the usable capacity where it is specified, then measure the available width, depth and height, including the space beneath wall units. Also allow room to store the bowls and accessories. | My appliance needs to remain accessible without cluttering the worktop. I check that the quantity prepared genuinely suits my household. |
| Cleaning | Check the removable components, dishwasher-safe parts and the instructions for blades, seals, lids and heating elements. Count the accessories used in your most frequent recipes. | I want the time saved in the kitchen not to be swallowed up by washing several bowls and accessories after every meal. |
| Recipes and equipment | Check the exact contents of the box, optional accessories and the terms for accessing guided recipes. Review the terms of the associated service when guided cooking is part of your decision. | I need to know whether the accessories required for my recipes are included and whether the connected recipes suit the way I cook. |
These categories do not cover the same stages: a cooking food processor combines preparation and cooking, a multifunction food processor focuses on preparation, and a multicooker prioritises cooking modes.
Choose three to five recipes you genuinely make and note the actions required: chopping, grating, kneading, blending, steaming, slow cooking, pressure cooking or keeping food warm. Rule out appliances that do not cover the essential tasks.
The bowl volume alone is not enough to assess the usable quantity for each recipe, and the footprint can change depending on the bowl or accessories fitted.
Compare the usable capacity where it is specified, the dimensions with the main bowl fitted and the height beneath your wall units. Also check the space needed to store the accessories.
The cost of use may depend on a recipe service or accessories required for certain preparations. Some accessories may be sold separately within the same range.
Before ordering, check the exact contents of the box, the recipe service renewal terms and the accessories needed for your priority dishes.
For the Thermomix TM7, Vorwerk states that access to Cookidoo depends on a subscription for new customers after the applicable trial offer.
A highly equipped appliance can reduce some preparation steps while adding bowls, lids, blades and seals to the washing-up. Dishwasher compatibility must be checked for each individual part.
Choose a model whose most frequently used components can be removed and are dishwasher-safe where this is specified. Also consult the instructions for requirements relating to blades, seals and heating elements.
The Thermomix range is aimed at shoppers looking for a connected multifunction cooking food processor that brings preparation, cooking and guided recipes together in one appliance.
Cook Expert is designed for households looking for a cooking food processor with separate bowls and accessories for cooking, chopping, grating, slicing and mixing.
Cookeo is positioned as a multicooker designed for guided meals and several cooking modes, rather than as a complete chopping and preparation processor.
The MultiPro OneTouch range is aimed at preparation without cooking, particularly for households that regularly grate, slice, blend or knead before cooking with their existing equipment.
Joybuy options covering the three approaches discussed: a cooking food processor for preparing and cooking, a multifunction food processor for preparation before separate cooking, and a multicooker for autonomous cooking.
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Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking for varied meals in one appliance.
Stated usable bowl capacity of 3 L, with advertised blending, kneading, chopping, steaming and cooking functions; stated dimensions of 40 × 26 × 36 cm and weight of 9.4 kg. Check which recipes are actually accessible and the associated terms.
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This model may suit recipes that require chopping, grating and kneading, followed by slow cooking or steaming.
Stated 3.5 L stainless-steel bowl, integrated scales, rinsing programmes and advertised kneading, chopping, grating, slicing, blending, steaming and slow-cooking functions. Check the terms for accessing Wi-Fi updates and recipes.
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An option for preparing vegetables, pastry and sauces before cooking them with your usual equipment.
Graduated 1.5 L bowl and blender, reversible disc, chopping blade and accessories advertised as dishwasher-safe. It does not heat ingredients: you will need a hob, oven or saucepans for cooking.
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Worth considering for slow-cooked, steamed or pressure-cooked meals when the ingredients are prepared separately.
Stated 7.6 L stainless-steel pot, two removable lids and pressure-cooking, slow-cooking, steaming, sautéing and roasting modes. It does not replace a food processor for chopping, slicing or kneading; follow the fill markings and safety precautions relating to steam.
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This multicooker is designed for larger quantities when autonomous cooking is more important than ingredient preparation.
Stated 8 L capacity, twelve programmes, pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, rice and sauté functions, with a delay start of up to 24 h and keep-warm function for up to 12 h. Chopping, blending and kneading require another appliance.
Yes, but only if you do not need to cook in the appliance. A multifunction food processor is suitable for chopping, grating, slicing, blending, whisking or kneading. Check the included accessories, as some functions require a blender, discs or other specific components.
A multicooker is a good choice when you mainly want to automate everyday cooking, particularly pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking or reheating. It is suitable if you already prepare ingredients with a knife or another appliance, as you should not expect it to grate, slice or knead unless the relevant accessories are explicitly supplied.
Measure the available width, depth and height, including the space beneath wall units, then compare these measurements with the appliance dimensions with the bowl you will use fitted. Also allow room to store the accessories; Magimix, for example, states that the dimensions of the Cook Expert Connect vary depending on the bowl installed.
No. Depending on the manufacturer and model, they may be built into the appliance, linked to an app, offered for a limited period or available by subscription. Vorwerk states that access to Cookidoo for the Thermomix TM7 is subject to specific terms, while Moulinex advertises 150 built-in recipes and a free app for the Cookeo+ CE851A10.