A multifunction cooking food processor is a good fit if your recipes regularly involve chopping, mixing and cooking in the same appliance, provided it comes with the attachments you need. If kneading and whisking are your priorities, consider a stand mixer with a cooking function instead. If your ingredients are already prepared and you mainly need to cook them, a multicooker may be all you need. In every case, check the usable capacity, how much space it takes up, how easy it is to clean and the terms for accessing recipes.
If you chop, mix and then cook to make a soup, sauce or slow-cooked dish, check which steps the same appliance can actually handle. Que Choisir distinguishes between recipes that include a cooking stage and those that do not.
If you like to cook ahead or serve several people, compare the usable capacity with the quantities you usually make. Also check how much room you need for the bowl, lid and attachments.
If you knead and whisk more often than you chop vegetables, a stand mixer with a cooking function is worth considering. Kenwood offers optional multifunction attachments for the Cooking Chef, for example, so check what comes with the model you choose.
Start with the tasks you want the appliance to handle: preparing and cooking ingredients, mainly working dough, or focusing on cooking. A food processor without a heating function is another option if food preparation matters more to you than built-in cooking.
Consider this if: your recipes often involve slicing or chopping, mixing and cooking.
Bear in mind: the attachments included and the space the appliance takes up depend on the model.
Consider this if: kneading, whisking and controlled cooking are central to your recipes.
Bear in mind: slicing or blending may require optional attachments, as with the Cooking Chef range from Kenwood.
Consider this if: you prepare the ingredients beforehand and mainly want a choice of cooking modes.
Bear in mind: the modes listed for the Cookeo + by Moulinex do not, on their own, mean it can chop or whisk ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Combining several steps | Compare the tasks in your recipes with the blades, whisk and mixing tool included, as well as the cooking functions. | I want to chop, mix and then cook without transferring my ingredients between appliances; around 36% of consumers would put this at the top of their list. |
| Portions and space | Compare the usable capacity with the portions you make and measure the space needed for the bowl and lid. | When I cook for several people or prepare meals ahead, I need enough capacity without overcrowding my kitchen; the quantity prepared would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cooking only or built-in food preparation | Decide whether you also expect the appliance to chop and mix, then check the cooking modes on offer. | My ingredients are already prepared: I mainly want to cook, slow-cook or pressure-cook them; around 21% of consumers would prioritise cooking features. |
| Baking and cooking | Check which kneading and whisking tools are included, along with the model's cooking functions. | I mainly make doughs or creams and want to be able to heat some mixtures; baking tasks would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
An appliance's name does not necessarily tell you what's in the box. Kenwood, for example, offers optional multifunction attachments for the Cooking Chef.
Make a note of the tasks your recipes require, then check them against the attachments included with the exact model you’re considering.
If chopping or blending isn't covered, you may need an extra attachment or another appliance.
For the Cook Expert XL, Magimix lists a total bowl capacity of 4,8 L, but a usable capacity of 3,8 L. These figures do not represent the same amount of food you can prepare.
Choose a usable capacity that suits your portions and check any limits for the recipes you make.
Access terms can affect how you use guided recipes day to day. Vorwerk mentions a Cookidoo® subscription for the Thermomix TM7.
Check which recipes are available with the model you choose, how long any included access lasts and whether you can use the appliance manually.
Moulinex describes cooking modes for the Cookeo +, while its i-Companion product details list blades, a whisk and a mixing tool, among other accessories. These are designed for different tasks.
If your recipes start with chopping or whisking, check that you have an appliance that can handle those steps, or plan to do them separately.
The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking, while the Cookeo is presented as a multicooker focused on cooking.
The Thermomix TM7 focuses on an on-screen interface and guided recipes.
The Cook Expert XL combines food preparation and cooking functions with a large-capacity bowl.
The Cooking Chef is a stand mixer with a cooking function, worth considering if kneading and whisking are your priorities.
These two Robby models are multifunction cooking food processors designed for recipes that involve both food preparation and cooking. Before choosing, compare their attachments and terms of use with the recipes you make.
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Worth considering if you want one food processor with a cooking function to handle several preparation steps as well as cooking. This model is listed with an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check which attachments are included, the terms for accessing recipes, and whether the voltage and plug type are suitable for your home.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a food processor with a cooking function for recipes involving several steps. It is listed with built-in scales, a touchscreen and recipes. Before buying, check which attachments are included, the cleaning instructions for the parts, and whether the voltage and plug type are suitable for your home.
A multicooker may be suitable if you prepare the ingredients separately and mainly want the appliance to cook them. Moulinex lists modes such as steaming, slow cooking and pressure cooking for the Cookeo +. If your recipe also needs mechanical chopping or whisking, check how you’ll do those tasks.
Check the list of items supplied with the exact model, rather than relying on features advertised across an entire range. Moulinex lists blades, a whisk and a mixing tool, among other accessories, for the i-Companion featured here, while Kenwood says that multifunction attachments for the Cooking Chef are optional.
It depends on the terms for the appliance and recipe service. Vorwerk mentions Cookidoo® and a subscription for the Thermomix TM7. Check what’s available with your model, how long you can access it for and whether you can cook in manual mode.
Check how easy it is to take apart the bowl, lid and attachments on the model you choose, and read the cleaning instructions. Que Choisir recommends considering how easy an appliance is to maintain, including whether its parts can go in the dishwasher. Don’t assume that this applies to every part.
For goods sold by a business to an individual in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies in cases including when a product does not match the seller’s description, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Keep a copy of the model description, the list of advertised attachments and your proof of purchase so you can report the issue to the seller.