Choose an appliance based on the part of your routine you find most challenging: an oven for batch cooking, a microwave for reheating portions that are already prepared, a multicooker for cooking in a pot, or a food processor with a cooking function to handle both preparation and cooking. Then check the usable capacity, the space available and which parts need cleaning. If you’re considering a combination oven, a study published in 2026 by ADEME and the National Consumer Institute found that its efficiency varies depending on the food and the model, with no consistent advantage over a convection oven.
If you prepare several portions or dishes in one session, consider how much you can actually cook at once. A large oven serves a different purpose from a cooking pot or food processor bowl, so their stated capacities aren’t directly comparable.
If your meals are already cooked and space is limited, a microwave may be all you need for everyday use. Measure the space available and check that your containers will fit inside. A compact built-in oven, on the other hand, requires a suitably sized housing unit.
If you prefer cooking in a pot with less hands-on effort, check the programmes on a multicooker and which parts need washing after use. A food processor with a cooking function can also take care of food preparation, but its accessories need to be stored and cleaned.
When preparing several portions in advance, start with the main task — cooking, reheating or food preparation — then consider capacity and size in relation to your kitchen. A compact appliance isn’t a function in itself: check what it can actually do.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking capacity | Usable quantity per cooking session, fill limits and whether you can cook several dishes at once. | I want to prepare enough portions in one session without having to start another cooking cycle. Around 33% of consumers are thought to prioritise this capacity. |
| Space and reheating | External dimensions, installation requirements and interior space for containers. | In a small kitchen, I mainly reheat portions that are already prepared and want to keep space for cooking. Space and reheating are thought to be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and monitoring | Removable parts, cleaning instructions and programmes suited to the dishes you usually make. | After a meal-prep session, I’d rather have fewer parts to wash and not have to keep an eye on the cooking. This is thought to be the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Food preparation and cooking | Tasks the appliance can actually handle and any accessories required or included. | I chop or mix ingredients before cooking and want to do both in the same appliance. Around 20% of consumers are thought to put this versatility first. |
The capacity of an oven cavity, cooking pot or food processor bowl doesn’t necessarily correspond to the amount you can use for every dish. You may need extra cooking cycles if fill limits reduce the quantity you can prepare at once.
Check the instructions and compare the usable capacity, if stated, with the portions you usually make. Don’t compare the litres of an oven with those of a multicooker as if they described the same use.
A study published in 2026 by ADEME and the National Consumer Institute found that the efficiency of combination ovens varies depending on the food and the model; it found no consistent advantage over convection ovens.
Consider a combination oven if switching between oven and microwave functions suits your routine, then compare the specifications of the exact model and its installation requirements.
“Compact” doesn’t mean a built-in oven will fit every housing unit. For example, Bosch lists dimensions of 455 × 594 × 548 mm for its CMG7761B1 model; installation requirements vary from appliance to appliance.
Measure the housing unit, its depth and the clearances required in the instructions. For an appliance that sits on your worktop, also allow space to open the lid and access the accessories.
A brand may highlight its spare parts or repair service without its appliance being covered by a mandatory repairability index. The French Ministry of the Economy publishes a list of the categories covered, so don’t assume that a food processor with a cooking function or a multicooker is included.
For the model you’re considering, check whether spare parts are available, what repair options there are and the terms of any commercial warranty.
These examples relate to specific models that are useful for comparing appliance types, not to each brand’s entire range.
Two different types to consider: the Cookeo+ CE85CA10 multicooker, with a stated 6 L capacity, and the Companion XL HF807E10 food processor with a cooking function, with a stated 4.5 L bowl.
The SpheriCook RK745800 is an example of a multicooker for preparing dishes in a pot, rather than carrying out tasks such as chopping or kneading.
The Cook Expert XL Connect is aimed at households that want a food processor to handle several food preparation tasks as well as cooking.
The CMG7761B1 is an example of a compact built-in oven that combines oven cooking with a microwave function.
The EOF8P08X built-in oven is an option for households that batch cook and want a large cavity.
These models cover food preparation and cooking in a pot, as well as reheating portions that are already prepared. Decide which of these uses matters to you before comparing stated capacities: a food processor with a cooking function, a multicooker and a microwave don’t do the same jobs.
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Consider this if you want to prepare and cook food in the same appliance, rather than simply reheating portions.
The model name mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the usable capacity and how much worktop space you’ll need.
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Worth considering for preparing several portions in one pot, if this type of cooking suits the dishes you usually make.
This version is described as a 5.7 L 7-in-1 appliance with slow cooking, steaming and four custom settings. Follow the fill limits and the instructions for pressure cooking.
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Consider this if you want to programme dishes to cook in a pot and would also like a frying function.
The name lists a 24-hour timer, nine cooking menus and two pressure levels. Check the permitted fill level for your dishes, the appliance’s dimensions and the instructions for releasing pressure.
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Compare it with smaller cooking pots if you plan to prepare large quantities, but don’t assume the stated 8 L capacity is usable for every dish.
The name lists a power rating of 1,200 W and 12 preset menus. Check the fill limits, dimensions and instructions for pressure cooking.
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Consider this if your everyday priority is reheating or defrosting portions that are already prepared, rather than batch cooking several dishes.
The model lists 700 W, six preset menus and 11 power levels. Check the internal dimensions against the containers you usually use, as well as the space available for the appliance.
Choose based on the task you do most: an oven is for batch cooking, while a microwave is mainly for reheating portions that are already prepared. ADEME’s published reference figures for annual energy use relate to different types of appliance use, so they can’t predict how much energy it takes to cook a particular dish.
Yes. The French Ministry of the Economy states that an energy label is required in France for new ovens, including those sold online. Compare the label for the exact model you’re interested in.
No — don’t assume this applies to the whole appliance. Manufacturers such as Moulinex and Tefal state that certain parts of specific models are dishwasher-safe. Check the instructions to see which parts can be washed this way, including the cooking pot, basket, lid, seals and accessories.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is separate from an optional commercial warranty, as the DGCCRF points out. Keep the information about your statutory guarantee and check the length, exclusions and terms of any commercial warranty separately.
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE marking represents the manufacturer’s commitment to meeting the applicable European requirements for the products concerned; it isn’t a certification mark. Check the appliance’s identification and accompanying documentation, and don’t treat the marking as a way to compare performance.