Choose a multicooker if you want to prepare and cook food in the same appliance. If you already have another way to cook, a food processor is better suited to chopping and mixing. A stand mixer is the best choice if kneading is your priority; for other types of preparation, check which attachments are included with the model you’re considering. In all three cases, choose a bowl size that suits the quantities you usually make, and check how much space the appliance needs and how easy its parts are to clean.
If you often make hot meals or steam food, you may want to avoid transferring ingredients between the food processor and another appliance. In that case, an integrated cooking function is the key feature to look for.
If you use your hob, oven or another appliance for cooking, focus on the prep tasks you do most often: chopping, grating, slicing or blending. It’s also worth checking where you’ll store the bowl and attachments.
If you often make bread, brioche or other doughs, a stand mixer is worth considering. If you also want to use it for savoury meals, check which attachments are included or compatible with the specific model.
To cut down on meal-prep steps, first decide whether you want to cook in the appliance. If not, choose between an all-round food processor and a stand mixer for regular kneading, based on the tasks you do most often.
| Your priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking | Check that it has the cooking modes you need for your meals and a bowl capacity suited to your usual quantities. | I want to cook something hot in the appliance rather than transfer the ingredients to another one. Integrated cooking would be the priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Preparing food without integrated cooking | Check that it comes with the cutting tools you need and that you have enough space to store them. | I already have a way to cook; I mainly want to cut down on repetitive chopping and blending. Around 40% of consumers would put these food-prep tasks first. |
| Regular kneading | Check which kneading tools are included and whether the attachments you want for other tasks are compatible. | I often make dough and would only consider other functions as a bonus alongside kneading. This would be the priority for around 10% of consumers. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the cooking function is what distinguishes a multicooker from a food processor. If you only want to prepare ingredients before cooking them elsewhere, this function won’t meet your main need.
Think about the steps you repeat when making meals. If cooking in the bowl isn’t one of them, start by comparing food processors.
Grating, slicing and blending may require different parts, depending on the model. UFC-Que Choisir notes that some attachment tests are only carried out when those attachments are supplied.
Compare exactly what’s included in each pack. If you plan to use a part that isn’t included, check that it’s compatible with the model you’ve chosen.
A compatible part that you need to buy separately also means another item to store and clean.
A bowl that’s too small may mean preparing food in several batches, while a larger appliance takes up more space on your worktop and in your cupboards.
Compare the capacity with the portions you usually make, then check the appliance’s dimensions and how much room you’ll need to use and wash its parts.
If a food processor offers an app or guided recipes, access to the content and services may depend on the package that comes with the appliance.
If guided cooking is important to you, check which content is available with the model, how long you can access it for and what the appliance can do without the associated service.
The Companion range is an example of a food processor that combines food preparation and cooking.
The Mini Plus range is worth considering if you want food-preparation functions without integrated cooking.
The brand’s stand mixers are worth a look if kneading comes before other tasks.
These models let you compare the three uses covered here: preparing and cooking, preparing food without integrated cooking, or prioritising kneading with kitchen attachments. Before you choose, compare their features with the tasks you usually do.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook food in one multicooker. The model name indicates an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check that the bowl capacity and recipe access arrangements suit your needs.
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This multicooker is for anyone who wants to prepare and cook food in the same appliance. Its name mentions built-in scales and a touchscreen. Check which attachments come in the pack and how each part should be cleaned.
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Worth a look if you mainly want to chop and blend ingredients before cooking them elsewhere. The product name indicates a 1.8 L bowl, a blender, a meat mincer and grating discs. Check which parts are included in the pack and how much space you’ll need to store them.
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Worth considering if kneading is your priority and you also want to look at food-preparation attachments. The product name indicates a 5 L bowl, a 1.5 L glass blender and a meat mincer. Check which cutting tools are included and how the parts should be cared for.
A multicooker makes sense if you want to do some of the cooking in the appliance itself. If you mainly need to prepare ingredients before cooking them elsewhere, compare the functions and attachments of food processors instead.
Check the list of parts included with the exact model, rather than relying on its list of functions alone. For each task that matters to you — grating, slicing, kneading or steaming, for example — identify the part you’ll need and check whether it comes in the pack.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for each part and whether it’s dishwasher-safe. UFC-Que Choisir reminds users that the motor unit of a food processor must not be immersed in water. Take care when handling blades and discs too.
If you buy an appliance from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity may apply if the goods don’t match the contract, including their description or the attachments promised. The DGCCRF states that you have two years from delivery to bring a claim. Any commercial warranty is separate and doesn’t replace this legal guarantee.