If you regularly make meals that involve chopping, mixing and cooking, choose a multifunction cooking food processor if its accessories and recipes suit the way you cook. If you also knead and whisk regularly, consider a cooking stand mixer instead. If you mainly need an appliance for cooking, a multicooker may be enough, although it generally won’t stir food. In every case, check the usable capacity, space required, cleaning and access to recipes.
If you make a range of recipes regularly, compare the usable capacity, the tasks the appliance can handle and the accessories included. Washing the bowl, lid and parts you’ve used also affects how much time each meal takes.
On-screen or app-based guidance can help you follow the steps, timings and settings. Check which recipes are available without a subscription and whether you’re likely to use the service.
If kneading and whisking are regular parts of your routine, look at cooking stand mixers. Check which accessories are included before expecting the same appliance to chop, grate or blend ingredients for your meals.
Consider it if: you regularly need to prepare ingredients and then cook them in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: the benefits of this versatility depend on the accessories actually included and the functions you’ll use.
Consider it if: kneading and whisking are just as important as cooking in the recipes you make regularly.
Bear in mind: with Kenwood, accessories that extend the Cooking Chef’s capabilities to other tasks may be optional.
Consider it if: your main priority is cooking or slow cooking, without automating ingredient preparation.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, a multicooker generally won’t stir food, so you’ll need to do this yourself.
| Criterion | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks covered | List the jobs you do regularly: chopping, blending, mixing, kneading and cooking. Check the functions and accessories included with the specific model, as well as those sold separately. | If I often make sauces and cooked dishes from whole ingredients, I want to avoid transferring everything between several appliances. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the usable capacity with the quantities in your recipes, not just the stated bowl volume. Measure the space needed on your worktop and for storing accessories. | When cooking several portions at once, the amount you can actually prepare in one batch matters more than the advertised bowl size. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable, how they should be washed and whether the seals and blades are easy to reach. Check dishwasher compatibility for each part individually. | If it’s complicated to clean after every meal, the appliance may be less useful for the way I cook regularly. |
| Guided recipes | Check the content available on the appliance or in the app, the length of any trial period and the terms of a subscription. Access varies by brand and model. | I’d be happy to follow guided steps, but I want to know what I can still access without a paid service. |
| Parts and warranties | Check the stated availability of parts for the exact model. Distinguish between the motor warranty, a commercial warranty covering other components and the legal guarantee of conformity. | If a part wears out, I want to know what repair options are available and exactly what each warranty covers. |
A recurring subscription may not be worthwhile if you mainly cook using your own recipes.
Before choosing a connected model, compare the recipes available without a subscription, the trial period and the renewal and cancellation terms.
According to Vorwerk France, Cookidoo subscriptions renew automatically after the 12-month period.
The usable quantity depends on the recipe and the fill limits. A large bowl doesn’t guarantee that one batch will feed the whole household.
Compare the quantities in your usual recipes and follow the fill markings for the model you choose.
Que Choisir says that a multicooker generally won’t stir food. Chopping and blending are also separate tasks from cooking.
If these tasks come up regularly in your cooking, check the functions of a multifunction cooking food processor instead of choosing based solely on cooking programmes.
The stated motor warranty period doesn’t necessarily tell you what’s covered for accessories, seals or labour. Nor does parts availability mean that repairs will be free.
Read the terms of each warranty separately, along with the commitment to supply parts for the model you’re considering.
The Thermomix TM7 is aimed at people who want to browse guided recipes directly on the screen.
The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking, with capacities and accessories that vary between versions.
The Cook Expert Connect is worth considering if the length of service commitments is important to you.
Lidl’s Monsieur Cuisine models combine cooking with recipes; compare their functions, as these vary by version.
These options include multifunction cooking food processors for preparing and cooking food in one appliance, as well as multicookers for cooking-focused needs. Start by choosing the type of appliance that suits the tasks you do regularly.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook meals with a food processor that has built-in scales and a touchscreen. The number of recipes stated in the title differs from the product description, so confirm the figure and check the access terms. Also check the usable capacity and the warranty and parts-supply terms.
Image unavailable
An option to consider if you want to combine food preparation, cooking and guided recipes. Check the usable capacity and dimensions to make sure they suit your household and kitchen. Check the washing instructions for each accessory, as well as the warranty and parts-supply terms.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if cooking is your priority rather than automated chopping or mixing. The bowl is listed as having a capacity of 5.7 L; follow the instruction manual’s fill limits for every recipe. If you also want to prepare ingredients in the appliance, check that it has the functions you need before choosing this multicooker.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for meals that can be cooked using a timer, without assuming the appliance will chop or stir ingredients. Its name states a capacity of 8 L and 12 pre-set programmes. Check how much space it needs and the quantities allowed in the instruction manual; follow the filling and pressure-release instructions.
A cooking food processor is worth considering if you also want to chop, blend or mix with the same appliance, provided the model you choose can handle those tasks. A multicooker may be enough for meals that are mainly slow-cooked or cooked using a programme; Que Choisir notes that it generally won’t stir food.
Not always: Moulinex says its free app includes recipes for Companion, while Vorwerk France offers Cookidoo as a subscription that renews after the trial. For your chosen model, check which recipes are available without a subscription and the renewal terms.
Check how many parts need washing after you’ve made your usual recipes, and the instructions for cleaning the bowl, lid, blades and seals. A pre-cleaning programme doesn’t remove the need to follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.
No: a motor warranty and a warranty covering parts or labour may have different durations and terms. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a consumer; a commercial warranty doesn’t replace it.
Check the commitment stated for the exact model and how to order its parts. Magimix says spare parts for the Cook Expert Connect will be available for 30 years; Lidl France says its after-sales service can take an order if a part isn’t listed in its online shop.