Choose a multicooker if you mainly want to start rice, slow-cooked dishes, steaming or pressure cooking with minimal supervision. Choose a cooking machine if you also want to chop, stir, blend or knead in the same appliance, while taking its size, accessories and any paid recipe services into account. A multifunction food processor may be enough if your existing cooking equipment already meets your needs.
You mainly prepare rice, steamed vegetables, slow-cooked dishes or recipes that take a long time to cook, and want programming that manages the cooking time and heat once it has started. UFC-Que Choisir describes a multicooker as a programmable appliance with a removable bowl.
You also want to chop, stir, blend or knead before or during cooking, and are happy to manage a bowl, blades and several accessories.
You already have useful cooking appliances and are mainly looking to speed up ingredient preparation rather than replace your pans or oven.
Choose this if: your meals revolve around guided cooking, such as rice, steaming, slow cooking or pressure cooking.
Bear in mind: some preparation will still be manual, particularly when ingredients need to be chopped or stirred.
Choose this if: recipes require chopping, stirring, blending, kneading and cooking as part of the same process.
Bear in mind: compare the usable bowl capacity, accessories, storage options and any recipe subscriptions.
Choose this if: your hob, oven or slow cooker already meets your needs and you mainly want to chop, grate or blend.
Bear in mind: it does not replace a cooking appliance and cannot start a dish cooking on its own.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-off cooking | Compare the programmes you will genuinely use, the time and temperature settings, and the pressure, steaming and slow-cooking modes. Check separately whether automatic stirring is included. | I want to be able to start cooking dinner without standing over the hob, while knowing which preparation steps still need to be done. |
| Usable capacity | Check the usable capacity and filling limits for each cooking mode, rather than just the volume shown for the bowl or cooking pot. Compare them with your usual recipes. | My portions need to fit without choosing a bowl that is too large for everyday use. Total capacity is not always fully usable. |
| Size and cleaning | Measure the available space and check the dimensions with the bowl and accessories in place. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and how everything can be stored. | I want an appliance that stays accessible and is easy enough to clean that it will not put me off using it during the week. |
| Long-term cost | Check access to guided recipes, the length of any trial period, renewal arrangements and subscription terms. Also check the availability of replacement parts and after-sales service for the exact model. | On-screen recipes could be useful to me, but I want to know whether they remain accessible without recurring fees. |
A cooking pot needs to retain a safety margin. Relying on the advertised figure alone can lead to choosing an appliance that is too small for your intended portions.
Check the instructions for the maximum capacity for each cooking mode and compare it with your usual recipes.
A multicooker can automate the cooking while leaving chopping, mincing or stirring to you. A cooking machine adds more preparation functions, along with more parts to clean and store.
List three to five weekday meals and identify the steps needed before cooking: chopping, grating, mincing, kneading, blending or simply cooking.
Depending on the recipes you want to make, you may need a mincer, food processor or additional accessories.
A recipe service can make planning and guided cooking easier, but its cost is separate from the appliance itself.
Check the price, trial period, renewal terms, whether it can be used without a subscription and whether the recipes suit the way you cook.
Vorwerk lists Cookidoo at 60 €/year in France, after any applicable free periods.
An appliance that is difficult to reach or has accessories that are awkward to store may end up rarely used, even if it offers a wide range of functions.
Measure the intended space, check the dimensions with the bowl and accessories, then prioritise the items you will actually use.
Moulinex lets you compare a Cookeo multicooker focused on guided and pressure cooking with a Companion cooking machine that adds chopping, stirring and cooking functions.
A cooking machine option centred on guided recipes, bringing together a wide range of preparation and cooking functions in one appliance.
A large-capacity multifunction cooking machine for households that prepare bigger quantities, batch-cook or regularly entertain.
These Joybuy options mainly cover programmable multicookers and cooking machines, for weekday meals requiring guided cooking or ingredient preparation in the same appliance.
Image unavailable
For preparing and cooking in the same appliance, with listed stirring, whisking, kneading, chopping and steaming functions.
Advertised 4.5 L bowl with 3 L usable capacity, integrated scales, 20 temperature settings and eight automatic programmes. Check the maximum quantities for each recipe and the terms for accessing new recipes via Wi-Fi.
Image unavailable
For a variety of weekday cooking options, with listed programming, pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking, rice and keep-warm functions.
Advertised 6 L cooking pot, 19 modes, 11 temperature settings, five pressure levels and programming for up to 24 hours. Check the filling limits and the terms for accessing the recipe community.
Image unavailable
For rice, steaming, slow-cooked dishes and pressure cooking, without expecting chopping or blending functions.
Advertised 7.1 L capacity, four customisable presets, automatic shut-off, plus pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing and steaming modes. Check the genuinely usable volume and the space required, with an advertised width of 41.5 cm.
Image unavailable
For planning larger meals in advance with pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming and keep-warm functions.
Advertised 8 L capacity, 12 touch programmes, steam basket, 24-hour delayed timer and keep-warm function for up to 12 hours. Confirm the exact capacity, dimensions and cleaning arrangements.
Image unavailable
For everyday meals, with listed pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming and keep-warm modes.
Advertised 5.7 L capacity, four programmable programmes, front steam release and components stated to be dishwasher-safe. Filling limits depend on the recipe; also check the appliance’s size before buying.
Not by default. A programmable multicooker can cook, brown, slow-cook or steam, but it will not usually stir food. Choose a cooking machine when you also want to automate preparation tasks such as mincing, whisking or stirring.
Start with the number of portions and the recipes you make most often, then check the usable capacity and filling limits in the instructions. UFC-Que Choisir states, for example, that a 6 L Cookeo cooking pot can only cook a maximum of 4 L; advertised total capacity should therefore not be treated as the volume available for every cooking mode.
No. They can make planning or following on-screen steps easier, but they are not necessary for using a cooking machine. Check whether access is free, temporarily included or paid for; Vorwerk lists Cookidoo at 60 €/year in France.
Check which parts are genuinely dishwasher-safe, how many accessories are included, whether a storage box is provided and the dimensions of the fully assembled appliance. Size and maintenance have a direct impact on how easy it is to use every day.