Start by thinking about the tasks you do regularly and how much room you’ll need to store the appliance and all its accessories. A compact food processor suits smaller quantities, while several bowls can be useful if you often prepare different amounts. If you only need one or two functions, separate appliances may be a better fit. A food cooker you already own can also help with preparation, although it may not replace chopping accessories.
If you regularly prepare vegetables, sauces or dough but can’t leave several appliances on the worktop, remember to factor in the space needed for the bowls and accessories too. UFC-Que Choisir and Darty recommend considering what equipment you already own and how you’ll store all of it.
You mostly cook small amounts, but sometimes make a meal for more people. Compare the usable capacity and the benefits of different-sized bowls with your usual portions, rather than basing your choice solely on the largest meal you occasionally prepare.
If you already have cooking covered, identify which preparation tasks you still need help with before adding another appliance. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes food cookers by their cooking function; chopping options, meanwhile, depend on the accessories included with each model.
For a small kitchen, start with the tasks you do regularly. Then compare each option with the portions you prepare and the space you actually have available.
Worth considering: for regular, small-scale preparation that brings several tasks together in one appliance.
Bear in mind: limited usable capacity may mean preparing larger quantities in several batches.
Worth considering: if you often switch between small portions and preparing food for several people.
Bear in mind: extra bowls take up space and add more parts to wash.
Worth considering: if you mainly need one or two functions and would rarely use the other accessories.
Bear in mind: check how much space the appliances and their parts will take up together.
Keep using it: if its cooking function meets your needs and you only have a few preparation tasks left to cover.
Check first: don’t assume its accessories will grate, slice or chop in the way you want.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and storage | Measure the space needed for the motor unit, bowls and accessories. Check which parts can be stored in the bowl or in a box. | When my cupboards are full, I want to be able to put the whole set away after every meal, not just clear the space taken up by the motor unit. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise storage in this way. |
| Food preparation tasks | List the tasks you do regularly and check which accessories are included for each one. | If I often chop, grate and slice, I want to combine these tasks without keeping a separate appliance for each one. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise covering several preparation tasks. |
| Usable capacity | Distinguish between total volume and usable capacity, and check any limits for the tasks you have in mind. | I mostly prepare small portions, but sometimes cook a larger meal. The bowl should suit both without making me prepare unnecessary extra batches. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise flexibility for different quantities. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and, if noise matters, look for a review of the exact model. | If I use the food processor several times a week, I want it to be easy to clean and quiet enough for my routine. Around 14% of consumers would put everyday ease of use first. |
The advertised volume doesn’t necessarily match the amount you can use for every preparation. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering the bowl’s actual usable capacity.
Compare the usable capacity and any limits for dough or small portions with what you usually make.
Even a compact appliance may need extra storage space for its discs, blades, bowls and lids.
Measure the space needed for the complete set and check whether the accessories you use can be stored in the bowl or in a dedicated box.
A function you want may depend on a specific accessory. In its testing, UFC-Que Choisir only assesses some preparations when the relevant accessory is supplied.
Check the list of items included with the exact variant before relying on an advertised function.
A food cooker provides a cooking function, but its preparation options vary by model. A second appliance only makes sense if it can handle a task you genuinely need help with.
Make a note of the tasks your current equipment doesn’t handle as you’d like, then compare how much space you’d need to cover them.
The MultiPro Go range is designed for food preparation, with appliances that are easy to put away after use.
The Compact System CS 3200XL is designed for households that want to use different-sized bowls for different preparations.
The Easy Force range includes food processors, some of which let you store the accessories in the bowl.
The MultiTalent 3 MCM3531M offers a mid-sized bowl worth considering for kitchens where storage space matters.
This model is designed for food preparation using a single appliance. If you have a small kitchen, pay particular attention to its usable capacity, dimensions and the space needed for its accessories.
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Worth considering if you want to combine several food preparation tasks in one appliance. The model name indicates a 1.5 L bowl and 600 W of power. To see if it suits your kitchen and the portions you prepare, check the usable capacity, dimensions and how the accessories are stored. If noise is a key consideration, look for a review of this specific model too.
Start with the portions you prepare most often and compare usable capacities, not just total volumes. Darty suggests 0.5 to 1 L for one person, 1.5 to 2 L for two people and around 4 L for four to five people. Use these as a guide, and consider the preparations you make too.
Not necessarily. It depends on the tasks you do and the accessories supplied with the exact model. Before getting rid of an appliance you already use, check that the food processor includes the right parts for chopping, grating, slicing, blending or kneading.
Only add one if your current equipment doesn’t handle the preparation tasks you do regularly. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes food cookers by their cooking function. For chopping and other preparation tasks, check the functions and accessories of your model.
Check which parts are actually dishwasher-safe and count the bowls, lids, blades and discs you’ll need to clean after your usual preparations. Also check any model-specific exclusions: Moulinex, for example, states that the base of the Easy Force FP242B10 is not dishwasher-safe.