Regular bakers
If you often make bread, brioche, cake batter, whipped cream or whisked egg whites, give kneading and whisking performance more weight than the length of the functions list.
Who are these options for?
Anyone who also wants to grate and chop
If you switch between baking, chopping vegetables and mincing, compare the tasks each appliance can handle, then check exactly what’s included in the box. An accessory available for a range isn’t necessarily supplied with every model.
Households short on storage space
You’ll need room for more than the appliance itself: the bowl and accessories need a home too. Check their dimensions and cleaning instructions if you plan to use the appliance often.
How do you compare the appliances?
Start with the tasks you repeat most often, then check test results, included accessories and how much space you’ll need for everything.
Food processor
Worth considering: if grating, slicing and chopping matter as much as some baking tasks, and you’d like to keep the number of appliances to a minimum.
Bear in mind: a long list of functions doesn’t prove how well the appliance handles each task. Bowls, discs and other accessories also need storage space.
Stand mixer
Worth considering: if you often make bread, brioche, dough and whisked mixtures, especially in larger quantities.
Bear in mind: mincers and cutting accessories may be optional and take up extra space.
Cooking food processor
Worth considering: if you regularly want to cook or simmer using the same appliance you use to prepare ingredients.
Bear in mind: cooking is an additional function, not proof of how well the appliance kneads or whisks.
Separate chopper or blender
Worth considering: if your current equipment already handles kneading and whisking, and you only chop or blend occasionally.
Bear in mind: a chopper or blender won’t automatically replace the tools you need for dough and whisked mixtures.
| Priority | What to check | How this fits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Kneading and whisking | Look for tests covering bread dough at maximum capacity, cake batter, whipped cream and whisked egg whites. Distinguish between the time taken and the quality of the result: UFC-Que Choisir tests these preparations separately. | I often make bread or brioche, so results with these doughs will tell me more than the advertised power alone. If I regularly make creams and whisked egg whites, I’ll also look at whisking test results. |
| Accessories | Identify the tools your recipes need, then check which ones come with the exact model you’re considering. For grating or slicing, check that the relevant discs are included; for mincing, check which tool is provided and whether it’s suitable for the quantities you prepare. | I’d like to make dough as well as mince ingredients and grate vegetables, without choosing an appliance where the useful functions require accessories that aren’t included in my purchase. |
| Bowl and storage | Compare the appliance’s dimensions, bowl capacity and the space needed for its accessories with your kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing a bowl to suit your household’s habits and allowing for accessory storage. | If I have to take the appliance out of a cupboard every time I use it, I need an accessible place for the bowl and all the accessories too. |
| Cleaning | Read the instructions for each part and check for exceptions to any ‘dishwasher-safe’ claim. For example, Moulinex states that the base of its Easy Force FP242B10 is not dishwasher-safe. | I want to know which parts need to be washed by hand before choosing an appliance I plan to use regularly. |
What should you watch out for before buying?
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Relying on the number of functions or watts
Two appliances with similar tools can produce different results depending on the preparation. UFC-Que Choisir tests different recipes and also puts food processor motors and accessories through endurance tests.
Look for tests covering the two or three preparations you make most often, and check which accessory was used.
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Confusing compatible accessories with included accessories
A stand mixer that can take a mincer or grater won’t necessarily include either in the box. For example, Kenwood lists food preparation accessories that are sold separately for some mixers.
Before choosing a set-up, compare what’s included with the exact model and check that it’s compatible with the accessories you actually need.
Extra accessories also need storage space, even if you only use them occasionally.
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Measuring the appliance without allowing for the bowl and accessories
A bowl designed for large batches or several cutting discs can make storage and handling more difficult in a small kitchen.
Measure the space you have for the appliance and its parts, then check that the bowl capacity suits the quantities you usually prepare.
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Choosing a cooking function for mostly no-cook preparations
A cooking food processor adds cooking tasks to its food preparation functions. That alone doesn’t tell you how well it handles dough or whipped cream.
Ask yourself whether you’ll regularly cook or simmer in the bowl. If not, compare appliances based on your baking tasks first.
Which brand ranges should you look at?
These models are useful for comparing specific set-ups; the features mentioned don’t automatically apply to every model from the same brand.
Magimix
The food processor range combines tools for preparing and cutting ingredients.
- Magimix says the CS 4200XL comes with a dough blade, an egg whisk and four cutting discs, among other accessories. Its stated dimensions are 431 × 213 × 272 mm.
- Check the accessories and dimensions of the model you choose: the CS 4200XL’s features don’t represent the whole range.
Bosch
The MUM range includes stand mixers, with accessories varying by model.
- Bosch says the MUM58720 comes with a balloon whisk, a stirring whisk and a dough hook. The brand states that this model can handle up to 1.9 kg of yeast dough.
- These details don’t prove how the whole range performs, or confirm that cutting accessories are included in the box.
Kenwood
Some Kenwood stand mixers can be fitted with accessories for other food preparation tasks.
- Kenwood offers mincer, slicer and grater accessories for compatible mixers.
- Check compatibility with the specific series, what’s included in the box and how much room any extra accessories will need.
Moulinex
The brand offers food processors with accessories and storage solutions that vary by model.
- Moulinex says the Easy Force FP242B10 accessories fit inside the bowl and are dishwasher-safe, except for the base.
- These storage and cleaning details apply to this model. Check them again for any other model you’re considering.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking functions for households that want both.
- Vorwerk lists chopping, whisking, kneading and simmering among the TM7’s functions.
- Having a cooking function doesn’t prove how well the appliance handles every baking task. Consider whether it suits the way you usually cook.
Stand mixers and cooking food processors on Joybuy
These models cover two ways to approach home cooking: a stand mixer for mixing, kneading and whisking, and a cooking food processor if cooking is part of your routine too. Compare the different versions and their accessories before choosing.
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Robby Smart XL cooking food processor with scales and 750 recipes
Worth considering if you’d like to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance, with built-in scales and a large touchscreen.
The bowl is described as XL. If kneading, whisking and cutting are important to you, confirm which accessories are included and look for tests using the preparations you make most often. Also check the cleaning instructions for each part.
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Robby 5 L, 1000 W stand mixer with blender and mincer
This set-up combines a stand mixer with a 1.5 L glass blender and a meat mincer, for anyone who’d also like to blend or mince.
The product name states a 5 L bowl and 1000 W power, but that alone doesn’t tell you how well it kneads. If grating and slicing are also important, check whether the exact pack includes the relevant discs. You’ll also need to clean the different parts.
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AUCMA ASM1559 6 L, 450 W stand mixer, black
The 6 L bowl may suit households that prepare large quantities, as long as its dimensions work in your kitchen and for the recipes you usually make.
The model name lists six speeds, a SUS304 stainless steel bowl, a dough hook, a whisk, a beater and a splash guard. If you also want to mince or cut ingredients, check which functions and accessories you’ll need. Check the cleaning instructions for each part too.
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AUCMA 5 L, 400 W stand mixer, 10 speeds, black
This model is worth considering if your main tasks are mixing, kneading and whisking, and a 5 L bowl suits the quantities you make.
The model name lists a dough hook, a whisk and a beater. Ten speeds are no substitute for tests using dough or whipped cream. If you also want to mince or grate, check separately which accessories are available. Consult the cleaning instructions for the version you choose.
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Robby cooking food processor with scales and 680 recipes
This cooking food processor with touchscreen is for anyone who wants cooking as part of their food preparation, rather than an appliance dedicated solely to baking.
If you plan to knead, whisk, grate or slice, check exactly what’s included in the pack, especially the tools you’ll need for each task. Also check the cleaning instructions for every part.
Frequently asked questions
Which tests should I look at to assess kneading and whisking?
Look for separate results covering bread dough at maximum capacity, cake batter, whipped cream and whisked egg whites. UFC-Que Choisir’s test programme for stand mixers covers these preparations. It can help you find results relevant to the way you’ll use the appliance, rather than relying on the type of hook or advertised power alone.
Can a stand mixer also mince and grate?
Some models can take accessories for these tasks, but what’s included depends on the model and pack. For example, Kenwood offers mincers and cutting accessories for compatible mixers. Check which model you need and what’s actually included before relying on these functions.
How can I tell which parts are dishwasher-safe?
Check the product details and manual for the exact model, then review each part and any stated exceptions. For its Easy Force FP242B10, for example, Moulinex says the dishwasher-safe claim excludes the appliance base. So don’t assume a general statement applies to the whole appliance.
What should I measure before ordering a food processor or stand mixer?
Compare the appliance’s dimensions, bowl size and the space needed for accessories with your worktop and cupboards. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing a bowl that suits your household’s habits and allowing for the space taken up by accessories. Measure everything, not just the appliance base.