A programmable multicooker is a good choice if you regularly switch between slow-cooked dishes, rice, steaming, browning and reheating, and want to hand over control of the cooking settings. It does not replace ingredient preparation: focus on the usable capacity for your recipes, the appliance’s footprint, preheating time and the parts that need cleaning. Que Choisir highlights, in particular, that a Cookeo bowl advertised as 6 L may be limited to 4 L of cooking capacity.
You switch between slow cooking, steaming, rice, browning and reheating, and want to start cooking without constantly watching the hob. A multicooker with clear programmes or guided recipes could be a good fit, provided you prepare the ingredients yourself.
For one to three people, start by comparing the dimensions, weight and genuinely usable capacity. A large bowl may be excessive for small portions, while a compact model could be enough for rice or simple meals.
If you prepare leftovers or batch cook, check the limit for each recipe rather than relying on the stated capacity. A 6 L bowl may, for example, be limited to 4 L of preparation, depending on the model and cooking method.
Start with the recipes you make most often, then check the usable capacity, the functions you will actually use and the space required in your kitchen.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable cooking | Programmes suited to your recipes, time and temperature settings, keep-warm function and delayed start if required. | I want to be able to start a cycle and do something else while the food cooks, without having to set every stage manually. |
| Usable capacity | Fill limits for soups, saucy dishes and pressure cooking ; safety margin and volume permitted for each recipe. | My usual portions and leftovers should fit in the bowl without requiring several cycles or taking up unnecessary space in my kitchen. |
| Cleaning and storage | Removable bowl, lid, seal and steaming basket ; parts explicitly stated to be dishwasher-safe ; dimensions and weight. | I want to cook in a single bowl, but the appliance must still be easy to clean and put away after the meal. |
| Useful functions | Whether pressure cooking, steaming, sautéing, slow cooking or a steaming basket are genuinely included ; included or separate accessories. | I would rather choose the modes that match my usual meals than pay for lots of functions I will rarely use. |
A safety margin is needed to prevent spills, and the limit varies according to the recipe. A bowl that is too large can also be cumbersome for small portions, while one that is too small means having to run multiple cycles.
Check the instructions or recipes to find the maximum permitted capacity for liquid and pressure-cooked dishes, then compare it with your usual largest meal.
A multicooker can cook, simmer, sear or keep food warm, but it does not chop, slice, cut or blend ingredients. It therefore does not reduce the preparation time for these steps.
Make a list of the tasks you want to delegate. If chopping or blending is essential, do not rely on a multicooker alone ; if your main issue is monitoring the cooking, it could still be a sensible choice.
An air-frying function, connectivity or a recipe catalogue can increase the appliance’s footprint without changing your usual meals. Conversely, missing a steaming basket, delayed start or dishwasher-safe parts can make everyday use less convenient.
Write down five meals you genuinely prepare in a week and choose only the modes and accessories needed for those recipes.
The Extra Crisp accessory for some Cookeo models is sold separately.
The displayed time may not include preheating. Les Numériques reports that preheating on the Cookeo 80 recettes can be lengthy and is not included in the stated cooking times.
For evening meals, compare the total time from having the ingredients ready to serving, including preheating, pressure release, cleaning and storage.
The Cookeo range is designed for guided everyday meals, with 6 L pressure-cooking models, built-in recipes and, depending on the version, connected functions or additional accessories.
Tefal could suit a use case focused more on rice, steaming and a few slow-cooked dishes, when these preparations make up most of your meals.
Instant Pot offers both multicookers and slow cookers, allowing you to choose between versatile pressure cooking and dedicated slow cooking.
These Joybuy options include programmable multicookers and multifunction rice cookers for everyday meals, depending on the space available and the recipes you plan to make.
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For households that want to combine several cooking methods in one bowl and programme varied meals.
Advertised with 19 functions, five pressure levels, temperature adjustment, programming for up to 24 h, keep-warm function and an integrated scale. Check the fill limits for large liquid or pressure-cooked dishes, as well as the space required for the air-frying lid and accessories.
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An option for preparing family meals in one bowl with several cooking modes.
Pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming and keep-warm function, with seven modes and four one-touch programmes. The stainless-steel bowl, lid and accessories are advertised as dishwasher-safe ; check the fill markings for each recipe.
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For small kitchens and simple meals focused on rice, soup, steaming or porridge.
Removable 2 L bowl, rice, soup, steaming, porridge and cake programmes, 24 h delayed timer and keep-warm function. Allow at least 40 cm of clearance above and 10 cm at the sides ; pressure cooking is not advertised.
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A more targeted choice if rice, grains, steamed vegetables and simple slow-cooked dishes form the basis of your meals.
Rice cooking with automatic time and temperature adjustment, steaming, slow cooking and sautéing. The steaming basket, bowl and accessories are advertised as dishwasher-safe ; check the fill limits before preparing large quantities.
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Suitable for everyday rice, soup, porridge and steamed meals when simplicity matters more than pressure cooking.
4 L spherical non-stick bowl, delayed timer, keep-warm function, quick cooking, steaming basket and rice paddle. Check the cleaning instructions for the different parts and the fill levels before preparing large quantities of liquid.
Start with your usual largest meal, the proportion of liquid recipes and the leftovers you want, then check the maximum limit given in the instructions or recipe. The stated capacity cannot always be used in full : Que Choisir reports that a 6 L Cookeo bowl may be limited to 4 L of cooking capacity.
First choose the programmes that match your dishes, along with time and temperature controls if you adapt recipes, a keep-warm function and a steaming basket if you will use one. Guided recipes and pressure cooking can simplify some meals, but a multicooker does not prepare or blend ingredients.
Choose pressure cooking if speed regularly matters, and a slow cooker if your recipes are mainly braised or simmered for several hours. Instant Pot explains that the slow-cook mode on a multicooker heats gradually and does not behave like a traditional ceramic slow cooker.
Examine the bowl, steaming basket, lid, seals and any additional containers separately : check whether they are removable, have handles and are explicitly dishwasher-safe. Do not judge compactness by capacity alone : Les Numériques notes that the Cookeo 80 recettes is easy to maintain, but takes up a noticeable amount of space.
Donate it, have it repaired or take it to a suitable collection and recycling scheme rather than putting it in general household waste. Ecosystem states that electrical kitchen equipment must be recycled and offers a search tool for collection points in France.