To cook rice, a slow-cooked dish or steamed food without staying by the hob, choose a multi-cooker with programmes suited to the meals you usually make. A cooking food processor is worth considering if you often chop, blend or knead before cooking. If preparation is the only thing slowing you down, a food processor used alongside your existing cooking appliances may be enough, but it won’t make cooking hands-off.
If your meals are mostly rice, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food, a multi-cooker’s programmes can reduce the need to keep an eye on things as they cook. However, check which steps still need your attention, as set out in UFC-Que Choisir’s multi-cooker guide.
For blended soups, sauces or doughs that involve several preparation steps, compare the functions and accessories of each cooking food processor. UFC-Que Choisir points out that these appliances don’t all offer the same functions or capacities.
If you cook several portions but are short on storage space, compare the usable capacity with the appliance’s dimensions and those of its accessories. The distinction matters: Magimix, for example, lists a total capacity of 4,8 L and a usable capacity of 3,8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect.
Start with the jobs you’d like to avoid in the evening: keeping an eye on food as it cooks, switching between appliances, or using several batches and washing up more than you need to.
Choose this if: your ingredients are usually ready to cook and you want to start a programme suited to your meal.
Bear in mind: you may still need to chop, grate or knead ingredients separately.
Choose this if: you regularly need to prepare ingredients as well as cook them in the appliance for dinner.
Bear in mind: depending on the model, there may be more accessories to fit, clean and store.
Choose this if: chopping, grating or kneading takes up too much time, but you want to keep cooking the way you do now.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to organise and keep an eye on food as it cooks in a pan or oven, depending on the recipe.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping an eye on food as it cooks | Programmes suited to your recipes and any steps that the instructions say need your attention, particularly when steaming or pressure cooking. | After a busy day, I want to start a meal and get on with something else during the steps that allow it; around 42 % of consumers prioritise this hands-off cooking. |
| Preparing food in the appliance | Check that the specific model really does chop, blend or knead, and see which accessories are included. | For soups, sauces or dough, I’d rather not transfer ingredients between several appliances; around 33 % of consumers prioritise this multi-function preparation. |
| Portions and cleaning | Usable capacity and filling limits; dimensions with accessories and which parts are dishwasher-safe, according to the instructions. | When I cook several portions, I don’t want to save time while cooking only to lose it making several batches, cleaning or finding somewhere to store everything. Around 25 % of consumers put this balance first. |
Total capacity doesn’t always match the amount you can use for a recipe. Magimix, for instance, lists a total capacity of 4,8 L and a usable capacity of 3,8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect.
Compare the usable capacity and filling limits with the quantities you usually cook, and check the capacity of the steamer basket.
If the capacity is too small, you may have to cook in batches; a larger appliance will also take up more space.
If your ingredients are usually already chopped, chopping and kneading in the appliance may not meet your main need for less hands-on cooking.
Think about the dinners you usually make, then check whether a multi-cooker’s programmes cover the types of cooking you do most often.
Functions, included parts and cleaning instructions vary by model. A feature listed for one model doesn’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Check what’s included in the pack, the dimensions with accessories fitted and the cleaning instructions for the specific model on sale.
Rules for opening an appliance and handling hot food depend on the model. In September 2024, UFC-Que Choisir reported accounts of burns involving the Moulinex Companion HF800; this warning doesn’t apply to the whole range.
Read the instructions and check for any recalls affecting the exact model. In particular, follow the guidance on the lid, steam and, if applicable, pressure cooking.
The range includes Cookeo multi-cookers and Companion cooking food processors. Compare the models depending on whether you’re mainly looking for cooking functions or preparation as well.
The Cook Expert XL Connect is a useful example of the difference between the total and usable capacity of a cooking food processor.
The Cookit is a cooking food processor to consider if you want to bring several preparation and cooking steps together in one appliance.
The Thermomix TM7 is worth considering if you’re interested in the cooking modes and guided recipes available for this model.
These models cover multi-function cooking for evening meals: a food processor that combines preparation and cooking, followed by multi-cookers for recipes made in a cooking pot. Compare their functions with the tasks you usually do rather than assuming you’ll need to keep an eye on them based on their category alone.
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Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking, but not if you need to leave the appliance running unattended: the product listing says you need to stay nearby while it’s in use.
The product name mentions built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the exact model and what’s included in the pack, as the product description uses different names in different places.
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An option for meals cooked in a pot when capacity matters. If you want to set dinner to start at a particular time, check that this function is covered in the instructions for this model.
The name lists a capacity of 7,1 L. Before buying, check the plug type and whether instructions are available in French.
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Worth a look for dinners that call for different cooking modes. If you plan to prepare a meal in advance, check the instructions for how to use the programmes and delay-start function.
The name lists 8 L, 1200 W and 12 pre-set menus. Check the usable capacity for your portions, along with the plug type, instruction language and cleaning guidance.
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One to compare for meals cooked in a pot. Don’t choose this model assuming the app lets you start cooking remotely: the information about this function is contradictory.
The name lists a capacity of 5,7 L. Also check the plug type, whether instructions are available in French and the programming options that matter to you.
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Worth considering if you want to combine a programmable cooking pot with the air fryer lid mentioned in the product name. Check which dishes and cooking steps suit the dinners you actually make.
The name lists a 6 L pot and built-in scales. Check the filling limits to see whether it’ll suit your portions, as well as the plug type and instruction language.
Choose a cooking food processor if chopping, blending, grating or kneading is a regular part of preparing dinner, and the model you’re considering has the functions you need. If you mainly add ingredients that are already prepared before cooking rice, a slow-cooked dish or steamed food, check a multi-cooker’s programmes first.
Usable capacity helps you judge how much you can actually prepare in the bowl. Magimix lists a total capacity of 4,8 L but a usable capacity of 3,8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect. Compare this figure with the filling limits, your usual portions and, if you use one, the capacity of the steamer basket.
Don’t assume this applies to every model in a range. Check the instructions for the model on sale, and check the bowl, lid and each accessory you plan to use separately.
Read the instructions for the exact model, including guidance on locking, opening, steam, hot food and, where applicable, pressure. UFC-Que Choisir has reported accounts of burns involving the Moulinex Companion HF800. Also check for any recalls affecting the model you’re considering, without assuming the warning applies to every appliance from the brand.