Choose a cooking food processor if you often prepare and cook meals in succession, and you’ll make good use of its bowl and accessories. A food processor is better suited to tasks such as chopping or kneading before cooking separately, while a multicooker is ideal for meals cooked mainly in its pot. If your current equipment already covers these tasks, consider what a new appliance would change about your routine before making room for it.
The right category depends less on the number of advertised functions and more on the steps you repeat when preparing your usual meals.
You regularly make soups, sauces, slow-cooked dishes or dough, and want to reduce the need to transfer food between utensils. A cooking food processor is worth considering for the functions you’ll actually use.
You mainly want to pressure cook, steam or slow-cook everyday meals, without expecting the same appliance to grate or knead. A multicooker is a better match for this priority.
You have a hob, an oven and cooking utensils. Work out whether you’re missing an appliance for preparing ingredients, or whether you really need cooking functions built in.
Start by identifying the step you’d like to simplify when making your usual meals. Then compare capacity, accessories and the space you’ll need. Que Choisir particularly highlights the importance of size and maintenance when choosing a cooking food processor.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Combining preparation and cooking | Functions you’ll use in your recipes, accessories included and the bowl’s usable capacity. | When a recipe involves chopping, mixing and then cooking, I want to avoid transferring food between containers; around 31% of consumers would put this sequence at the top of their list. |
| One-pot meals | Cooking modes, pot capacity and instructions specific to pressure cooking. | If I mainly make one-pot meals, cooking functions matter more to me than chopping ingredients; around 31% of consumers are said to share this priority. |
| Preparing ingredients | Whether it includes the discs, whisk or kneading tools your recipes require. | I’m keeping my hob and pans, but chopping, grating or kneading takes up time; around 23% of consumers would prioritise this preparation without built-in cooking. |
| Space and practical use | Dimensions with accessories, how easy it is to take apart for cleaning and how recipes can be accessed. | In a kitchen that’s already well equipped, I don’t want an appliance and its accessories taking up space without being used regularly; avoiding unnecessary extra equipment would be the main concern for around 15% of consumers. |
A function name doesn’t guarantee that the corresponding tool is included. In its food processor tests, Que Choisir distinguishes between tasks that can only be done with a specific accessory and those that don’t need one. Moulinex also states that the Extra Crisp accessory for the Cookeo+ model it reviewed is sold separately.
Check the exact list of items included and match each one to the recipes you make, such as grating, slicing, steaming or kneading.
You’ll need room to use, clean and store the bowl and accessories. Que Choisir recommends considering the size and maintenance of a cooking food processor before buying.
Measure the space you have, compare the usable capacity with the portions you need to make, and check which parts can be removed and put in the dishwasher.
Terms vary between services. A Vorwerk Thermomix TM7 offer includes three months of Cookidoo, while Moulinex describes My Moulinex as a free-to-use app.
For the model you’re considering, check the terms after any free trial, which recipes you can use without a service and which functions are available offline.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business. Any commercial guarantee is in addition to this and does not replace it.
Keep your receipt and the product description. If you’re offered an additional guarantee, check its exclusions and terms, and remember that it’s separate from your rights when buying from a business seller.
These brands offer a range of products for different needs. The features mentioned relate to the specific models named, not to each brand’s entire range.
The Thermomix TM7 is aimed at people interested in an all-in-one cooking food processor with guided recipes. Vorwerk advertises 24 modes for this model.
The range includes the Companion cooking food processor and the Cookeo multicooker. For the Companion Pro model reviewed, Moulinex lists a 4.5 L bowl; the Cookeo+ model reviewed has a 6 L pot.
The Cook Expert XL Connect combines food preparation and cooking. For this model, Magimix lists a usable capacity of 3.8 L and spare parts availability for 30 years.
These models offer two ways to prepare everyday meals: combine preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor, or choose a multicooker designed mainly for one-pot meals. Compare each appliance with the tasks you already do using your existing utensils.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook recipes using the same appliance. The model name mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check that the accessories included suit your recipes, and confirm how many recipes you can access before choosing this model.
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This model is for people who want to combine preparation and cooking. Its name indicates that it has built-in scales and a touchscreen. Before buying, compare the bowl’s usable capacity, the accessories actually included and the terms for accessing recipes with your needs.
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Consider this if your meals rely mainly on cooking in a pot rather than preparing ingredients in the appliance. This is a 5.7 L multicooker. Check separately how you’ll chop or grate ingredients for your recipes, and follow the manual whenever pressure cooking.
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This multicooker is worth considering if you mainly make one-pot meals and need a 7.1 L capacity. Compare this with your usual portion sizes and the space you have available. When pressure cooking, follow the manual’s instructions for locking the lid and releasing steam.
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Worth considering if you make one-pot meals and need an 8 L capacity. The product name lists 12 preset programmes and a non-stick pot. Check that the available modes suit your recipes, and review the dimensions and care instructions. Follow the manual for filling the pot and releasing pressure.
Start with the steps involved in your usual recipes. If you often want to prepare and then cook in the same appliance, look at cooking food processors. If you mainly need to whisk, knead, chop, grate or slice before cooking separately, compare food processors and the accessories they include.
Measure the space needed for the appliance, bowl and accessories, then check which parts are dishwasher-safe. Que Choisir recommends assessing the size and maintenance requirements before choosing a cooking food processor.
Yes. The terms depend on the service and the offer linked to the model. A Vorwerk Thermomix TM7 offer includes three months of Cookidoo, while Moulinex describes My Moulinex as a free app. Check the terms after any free trial, whether the service is compatible with your appliance, and what you can still use without it.
If you bought it from a business seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity may apply. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that it covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business, and that you should make your claim to the seller. Any commercial guarantee is in addition to this and does not replace it. Keep the product description and proof of purchase to support your claim.