Choose a multicooker if your meals mainly revolve around rice, slow-cooked dishes, steaming or pressure cooking in a single pot. A cooking robot is a better choice when chopping, blending, grating or kneading are also part of your routine. In every case, check the usable capacity, the programmes actually available and the steaming instructions in the manual.
You often prepare rice, slow-cooked dishes, steamed vegetables or meals with sauce, and want to reduce the need for intervention during cooking as well as the number of utensils involved. Que Choisir points out that the genuinely usable volume should be checked, as it may be lower than the stated capacity of the pot.
You want to delay the start of certain cooking programmes or keep your meal warm when the programme ends. Confirm these features on the exact model and follow the safety instructions in its manual.
You need to chop, blend, grate or knead as well as cook. A cooking robot can combine more steps, but its usable capacity, footprint and maintenance requirements must suit this wider range of uses.
Start with your usual recipes and portion sizes, then check the filling limits, programming functions and the space required on your worktop.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking automation | Check for programmes suited to rice, slow cooking, steaming or meals with sauce. Also check the keep-warm function and delayed start for the selected mode. | I want to limit adjustments and intervention for everyday meals, without confusing an automatic programme with being able to ignore safety precautions. |
| Genuinely usable capacity | Check the MIN/MAX markers, filling charts and limits that apply to individual recipes. The nominal capacity alone is not enough to estimate portions. | My portions must fit without exceeding the filling limits. For example, Que Choisir states that a 6 L Cookeo pot may be limited to 4 L of cooking capacity, depending on the preparation. |
| Cleaning | Check the pot, steaming basket, lid, seals and accessories separately: dishwasher compatibility stated for one part does not necessarily apply to all of them. | After frequent meals, I want to reduce the number of parts to wash without assuming that every accessory is dishwasher-safe. |
| Set-up and steam | Allow for a stable, level and dry surface, as well as the clearances specified in the manual. Check the instructions for handling liquids and hot steam. | My appliance must be positioned away from water splashes, with steam directed away from cupboards and people. |
| Ingredient preparation | If you often chop, blend, grate or knead, compare the accessories, the bowl’s usable capacity, the weight and the footprint of a cooking robot. | I want to combine preparation and cooking only if these functions regularly feature in my menus. |
A 6 L pot does not always allow you to cook 6 L of food: the safety margin, ingredients that expand and the selected programme can all reduce the available volume. An unsuitable pot may mean cooking in several batches or taking up too much space for small portions.
Compare the usable capacity, MIN/MAX markers, filling charts and the portion sizes of your most frequently prepared recipes.
Programmes reduce the need for manual intervention, but steam, hot liquids and hot surfaces still require careful use. Positioning and monitoring instructions vary from one appliance to another.
Place the appliance on a stable, dry surface, respect the specified clearances and do not move it when it contains hot liquids.
The stated compatibility may apply only to the pot or steaming basket. Lids, seals, condensation collectors and accessories may require different cleaning methods, affecting the actual time needed for maintenance.
Check dishwasher compatibility part by part, how the lid comes apart and whether a condensation collector is included.
A cooking robot makes sense when chopping, blending, grating or kneading are part of your routine. If your main need is cooking, its weight, accessories and footprint may not be justified.
List the meals you prepare over one or two weeks and first choose the appliance that handles the step you carry out most often.
The Cookeo range is aimed at people who prioritise guided pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking, browning and reheating, with 3 L and 6 L formats available depending on the model.
Ninja may suit you if you want to combine pressure cooking with roasting, grilling or oil-free finishing in the same appliance.
The Cook Expert is designed for kitchens where ingredient preparation matters just as much as cooking.
Joybuy options for programmed meal cooking, keeping food warm, or preparing and cooking in the same appliance.
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For small portions of rice, soup or porridge, with dedicated programmes, a 24-hour timer and automatic keep-warm function.
Measures 220 × 245 × 215 mm and has a removable pot. The 2 L capacity is stated for uncooked rice; check the usable volume for soups and meals with sauce. Steam outlet clearance of at least 40 cm above and 10 cm at the sides is required.
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For family meals cooked in a single pot, with pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing and steaming.
Features a 5.7 L stainless-steel pot, keep-warm function and parts stated to be dishwasher-safe. Do not fill beyond approximately two-thirds for pressure cooking or half full for ingredients that expand; check for delayed start if this function is essential.
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For family meals or advance preparation, thanks to its 7.1 L pot and four customisable presets.
The stainless-steel parts are stated to be dishwasher-safe, and the appliance is indicated to serve up to eight portions. At 8.1 kg and 41.5 cm wide, it needs a stable location. Check the filling limits, keep-warm function and delayed start.
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For a variety of programmed meals, with pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking, rice and pasta modes, plus programming for up to 24 hours.
Features a 6 L non-stick pot, integrated scales, 19 functions and an air-frying lid. Check the manual for the usable volume, filling markers and cleaning instructions for the different accessories.
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For preparing and then cooking in the same appliance when mixing, kneading, slicing or grating are also required.
Features a 4.5 L total bowl capacity, with 3 L usable, integrated scales, touchscreen and parts stated to be dishwasher-safe. At 9.4 kg and 40 × 26 × 36 cm, check the available space. Confirm the keep-warm function and delayed start if you need them.
No. The stated volume refers to the pot, not necessarily the permitted cooking volume. Que Choisir states that a 6 L Cookeo pot may be limited to 4 L depending on the recipe. Check the MAX marker and filling chart for the model.
Do not assume so. The Cookeo+ and Cookeo Mini models consulted state that these functions are included, but availability may depend on the model and selected mode. Check the manual for the exact model before buying and before using delayed start with perishable ingredients.
No. Programmes can reduce the need for intervention, but a SEB manual for a steam-cooking appliance states that it should never be left running unattended. Always follow your model’s manual, particularly regarding steam, pressure and sensitive foods.
Place it on a stable, level surface away from water splashes. The SEB manual consulted advises against positioning it near a wall or cupboard; check the precise clearance requirements in your appliance’s manual.
No. A cooking robot is suitable when chopping, blending, grating or kneading are regular parts of your routine. If your main need is to cook simple dishes in a pot with minimal intervention, a multicooker is generally a more straightforward and less complex solution.