For weekday meals, choose a multicooker if your main priority is setting the cooking programme, a cooking food processor if you also want to prepare ingredients, or a food processor if your usual cooking appliance already does the cooking. Que Choisir Ensemble distinguishes between these uses. Then compare the usable capacity, how much hands-on work is still required, cleaning and access to recipes for the exact model.
You prepare the ingredients, then want a programme to cook a familiar dish while you get on with something else. Que Choisir Ensemble notes that multicookers are often used for dishes such as rice and slow-cooked meals.
You regularly chop or mix ingredients before cooking and would like to combine more of these steps. Usable capacity and the parts you need to clean also matter when choosing, as Que Choisir Ensemble points out.
Your pan or oven already meets your cooking needs; you’re mainly looking to speed up ingredient preparation. Que Choisir Ensemble distinguishes a food processor from a cooking food processor by the absence of an integrated cooking function.
Choose this if: you mainly make slow-cooked dishes or rice and want to programme the cooking once you’ve added the ingredients.
Bear in mind: you may still need to prepare the ingredients and stir the food yourself. Que Choisir Ensemble notes that the level of involvement depends on the dish and programme.
Choose this if: chopping, mixing and cooking are regular steps in your recipes, and you’ll make use of having these functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: compare the accessories, space required, cleaning and recipes available, as these vary by model.
Choose this if: your current equipment works well for cooking and the repetitive tasks you want to cut down on are mainly chopping, grating or slicing.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to cook with your pan or oven. Check the accessories supplied with the exact model.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who is it most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable cooking | Look for programmes suited to the dishes you make and check what you’ll need to do while the food is cooking. | If I want to start cooking and then get on with something else, I look for a programme suited to the dish. Around 30% of consumers prioritise programmable cooking. |
| Ingredient preparation | List the tasks you do often, such as chopping, mixing or grating, then check which tools are included. | If chopping and mixing feature regularly in my recipes, combining these steps with cooking may matter more. Around 30% of consumers looking for integrated preparation prioritise this. |
| Servings per batch | Compare the usable or fill capacity and any limits specified for your recipes. | If I want to make the number of servings I need without having to cook another batch, I check the usable capacity. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the amount they can cook in one batch. |
| Cleaning and ongoing costs | Check which parts are washable, how much storage space you’ll need and the terms for accessing recipes. | To keep things simple day to day, I consider cleaning, space for accessories and any paid services. Around 20% of consumers put cleaning or ongoing costs at the top of their list. |
The volume of the bowl or cooking pot doesn’t always match the amount you can use in a recipe. For the Cookeo mentioned, Que Choisir Ensemble distinguishes between a 6 L pot and a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Lidl gives a capacity of 4.5 L and a fill capacity of 3 L for the white Monsieur Cuisine Smart.
Check the usable or fill capacity of the exact model, as well as any limits for your recipes.
If the usable capacity is lower than you expected, you may need to cook several batches.
Preparing ingredients and cooking are two separate functions. Que Choisir Ensemble distinguishes a cooking food processor from a food processor by its integrated cooking function. A food preparation appliance on its own leaves the cooking to another appliance.
Choose this option if food preparation is your main challenge and your current equipment already works well for cooking.
Recipe access varies by appliance and service. Moulinex says the Cookeo+ CE85B510 has built-in recipes and that the Companion comes with a free app, while Vorwerk offers its Cookidoo library by subscription.
Before you buy, check which recipes are available without a subscription and the terms of the service you plan to use.
A subscription service can involve ongoing costs; Vorwerk states that Cookidoo is offered on this basis.
Accessories and cleaning requirements can affect everyday use, even when an appliance offers several functions.
Compare the accessories supplied with the exact model against the food you usually prepare, and check its care instructions.
Cookeo is designed for programmed cooking, while Companion adds food preparation and mixing functions. Recipes and equipment vary by model.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart is worth considering if you’re comparing appliances that prepare and cook food using guided recipes.
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking, with Original and XL versions to choose between.
The MultiPro range may suit you if you already have a separate appliance for cooking.
The Thermomix TM7 gives you the option to compare a connected cooking food processor with a guided recipe service.
This selection features electric cooking appliances for making everyday meals at home, including multicookers and multifunction cooking pots.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a programmable multicooker to prepare meals in advance.
The product title lists a 6 L capacity, 9 cooking menus, two pressure settings, a frying function and voice control.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a multifunction appliance to prepare a variety of dishes at home.
The product name specifies a colour screen.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an electric cooking pot for soups or slow-cooked dishes.
The title lists a 7 L capacity and a non-stick surface. The stated uses include slow cooking and hot pot-style cooking. To clean it, unplug the appliance, let it cool and don’t immerse it in water.
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Worth considering if you’d like a multifunction cooking pot with a removable steamer basket.
The title lists a power rating of 1,200 W and a capacity of 5 L. The description mentions two power settings and a steamer basket. The surface can become very hot; unplug the appliance and let it cool before cleaning, and don’t immerse it in water.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact cooking pot for simple meals in small portions.
The title lists a capacity of 2.0 L and a power rating of 1,000 W; the description mentions two power settings. Don’t fill it beyond two-thirds capacity. Let it cool before cleaning and don’t immerse the appliance in water.
Not necessarily. For the Cookeo mentioned, Que Choisir Ensemble gives a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L in a 6 L pot, with the limit varying by recipe. Compare the usable or fill capacity of the model you’re considering, rather than relying on the stated volume alone.
It depends on the appliance and service. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo by subscription, while Moulinex says the Companion has a free app and the Cookeo+ CE85B510 comes with 180 built-in recipes. Check the terms for the specific model and service before buying.
Read the instructions for the exact model and check the cleaning guidance for the bowl, lid, blades and accessories separately. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends considering maintenance. Moulinex says the Companion HF840110 is dishwasher-safe, but that doesn’t mean every part can be cleaned in the same way.
No. The keep-warm function alone doesn’t mean leftovers can be left out indefinitely. For storing cooked dishes, Anses recommends, among other things, placing perishable foods in the coldest part of the fridge and keeping an eye on its temperature.
The statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. You claim it from the seller under the conditions set out by law. It is separate from any additional commercial warranty.