Who are these appliances for?

People short on time during the week

If you want to spend less time keeping an eye on food as it cooks, start by looking at the programmes on a multicooker. If preparing the ingredients also takes up a large part of your evening, consider the functions and accessories of a cooking food processor. In a 2024 OpinionWay survey for Lustucru of 1 020 adults in France, 61 % said they spent 30 minutes or less preparing dinner on a weekday evening. This figure describes the time spent, not a preference for a particular appliance.

Households looking to prepare and cook with one appliance

A cooking food processor is worth considering if you plan to use its preparation functions as much as its cooking functions. Check that it includes the accessories you need, then compare the bowl’s usable capacity with the portions you usually make.

People who already have cooking appliances

If your hob, oven or multicooker meets your cooking needs, a food processor without a cooking function may be all you need for chopping, grating or mixing. You can then keep using your existing appliances to cook your meals.

What should you compare?

Cooking food processor

Consider it if: you’ll regularly use its preparation and cooking functions for the same meals.

The trade-off: the bowl and accessories take up space, and the tasks covered vary by model.

Multicooker

Consider it if: your priority is to programme cooking in the bowl once you’ve prepared the ingredients.

The trade-off: chopping, mincing and grating still need to be done separately.

Food processor without a cooking function

Consider it if: you already have what you need to cook and mainly want to make preparation easier.

The trade-off: it won’t programme or manage the cooking.

Your existing appliances

Keep them if: they already cover the way you usually cook and you’d rarely use an automated function.

The trade-off: you’ll still need to manage preparation and keep an eye on the cooking with your existing equipment.

Priority What to check What matters to me
Time and supervision Look for programmes suited to the dishes you make, settings for time and temperature, and guidance on how closely you need to supervise the appliance. A delay-start or keep-warm function doesn’t eliminate the initial preparation. I want to be able to start a cooking stage without staying by the hob. In an OpinionWay survey for Lustucru, conducted from 31 July to 1 August 2024 among 1 020 adults in France, 61 % said they spent 30 minutes or less preparing dinner on a weekday evening. This measure doesn’t cover how closely they supervised the cooking.
Ingredient preparation List the tasks you need for your recipes: chopping, grating, mixing or kneading. For a cooking food processor or food processor, check which functions and accessories are included with the model you’re considering. Chopping takes me a while, so an appliance that only cooks wouldn’t meet this need. If I can already prepare ingredients easily, I can focus on the cooking.
Capacity and space Distinguish between total volume and usable capacity, then consider how much space the accessories take up during a recipe. Measure the space available for the appliance and for storing it. I sometimes cook extra portions for leftovers. My usual quantities need to fit within the volume that can actually be used, without taking up unnecessary worktop space.
Cleaning and recipes Check which parts of the exact model can be removed and are dishwasher-safe. If you plan to follow guided recipes, check how to access them, whether a subscription is required and whether the appliance can be used without an internet connection. I don’t want taking the appliance apart, washing up or finding a recipe to make everyday meals even more complicated.

What should you watch out for before buying?

  • Confusing automatic cooking with automatic preparation

    A multicooker can manage cooking in its bowl without chopping or grating the ingredients. If these tasks are your main challenge, you may still have just as much preparation to do.

    Break down five meals you often cook into chopping, mixing and cooking steps. Then check which steps the model you’re considering can actually handle, and which accessories it includes.

  • Choosing based on the stated capacity alone

    A bowl’s total volume doesn’t necessarily match the amount you can use for every recipe. A basket or other accessories may also take up space.

    Compare the usable capacity with your portion sizes, then measure the space you’ll need on your worktop and for storage.

  • Assuming guided recipes will always be available in the same way

    Access to recipes varies between appliances and their associated services. This matters if you’re choosing a model for its step-by-step guidance.

    Before choosing, check which recipes are available on the appliance, whether a subscription is required and whether it can be used without an internet connection.

  • Assuming a repairability claim tells you what can be repaired

    A stated period of parts availability for a particular model doesn’t, by itself, tell you what repairs are possible or how they’re carried out.

    For the exact model, check which parts are available, the warranty terms and the repair options provided by the manufacturer.

Which brands offer useful points of comparison?

These ranges show some of the features you can compare. Their inclusion here doesn’t indicate which models are available in the Joybuy selection.

Moulinex

The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor.

  • Moulinex states that the Companion XL YY4591FG has a 4,5 L bowl, 14 modes, and accessories for food preparation and steaming.
  • Check the accessories and recipe services for the exact model, as these can vary between Companion versions.

Vorwerk

The Thermomix TM7 combines a screen with the Cookidoo recipe ecosystem.

  • Vorwerk states that the TM7 sold in France has 24 modes and offers guided recipes through Cookidoo.
  • Check the Cookidoo subscription terms if guided recipes are one of the reasons you’re considering it.

Magimix

The Cook Expert XL Connect combines cooking with food processor functions.

  • Magimix gives this model a total bowl capacity of 4,8 L, with 3,8 L usable.
  • Its stated dimensions are 405 × 335 × 390 mm. Measure the available space and check the accessories supplied with the version you’re considering.

Tefal

The SpheriCook RK745800 is an example of a multicooker focused on programmed cooking in the bowl.

  • For this model, Tefal lists 16 programmes, a 5 L bowl, a delay-start function and a keep-warm function.
  • These cooking functions don’t replace the chopping or kneading accessories found on a cooking food processor.

Which appliances should you consider on Joybuy?

This selection includes two cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking, followed by three multicookers for those who want to focus on cooking in the bowl. Compare their stated capacities with your portion sizes, and check the instructions for each appliance.

Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl, built-in scales and large touchscreen

Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales

Worth considering if you want one appliance to handle preparation and cooking. The title mentions a large touchscreen. If you plan to follow recipes on it, check which recipes are available and how updates are provided.

View on Joybuy
Robby multifunction cooking food processor with built-in scales and touchscreen

Robby cooking food processor with scales and touchscreen

Worth considering if you’d like to prepare and cook with one appliance. Compare the usable capacity with your portion sizes and check how to care for the components. The instruction manual says not to leave the appliance unattended while it’s operating.

View on Joybuy
Instant Pot Classic multicooker, 5,7 L, Daydream Blue

Instant Pot Classic 5,7 L, Daydream Blue

A multicooker to consider if you prepare the ingredients separately and then want to cook them in the bowl. Its stated capacity is 5,7 L. Compare the usable capacity with your recipes, and follow the filling and pressure-release instructions when pressure cooking.

View on Joybuy
Midea 9-in-1 pressure multicooker, 8 L, 1200 W, with 12 menus

Midea 9-in-1 8 L, 1200 W pressure multicooker

Worth considering for cooking in the bowl when you’re preparing larger quantities. The title lists 12 menus and an 8 L capacity. Check the usable capacity for your recipes, along with the filling limits and pressure-release instructions.

View on Joybuy
Instant Pot Rio XL multicooker, 7,1 L

Instant Pot Rio XL 7,1 L

An option for cooking in the bowl to compare if you’re preparing several portions. Its stated capacity is 7,1 L. Check the usable capacity for your dishes and follow the instructions for steam and pressure release.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can a multicooker replace a cooking food processor?

Not if you also expect the appliance to prepare the ingredients. A multicooker is mainly for managing cooking in the bowl. Depending on the model and its accessories, a cooking food processor can also chop, mix or handle other preparation tasks. Choose according to the step you want to automate.

How do you choose a capacity that suits everyday meals?

First, compare the usable capacity with your portion sizes and the leftovers you want to make, rather than relying on the total volume alone. For example, Magimix gives the Cook Expert XL Connect a usable capacity of 3,8 L out of a total 4,8 L. The space taken up by accessories and the recipe you plan to make matter too.

Do you need guided recipes to use a cooking food processor?

No: Que Choisir says they’re not essential. If they help you plan meals, check how to access them on the model you’re considering and the terms of any associated service, such as Cookidoo for the Thermomix TM7.

What should you check to make cleaning easier?

Check how many parts need to be removed and, for the exact model, which ones are dishwasher-safe. Tefal says the removable parts and accessories of the SpheriCook RK745800 are dishwasher-safe. Don’t assume the same applies to other models without checking their instructions.