If your main aim is to start cooking a dish and then get on with something else, begin by comparing multicookers. You’ll generally still need to prepare the ingredients yourself. If your recipes also call for chopping, blending or mixing, look at all-in-one cookers and their accessories, bearing in mind the space they take up and how much cleaning they require. A food processor only meets the same need if the model you choose can also cook.
If your dinners tend to be based around rice, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food, a multicooker can handle the cooking once you’ve prepared the ingredients and started the programme. UFC-Que Choisir’s multicooker testing protocol describes this as a way to cook without having to keep a constant eye on the hob.
If your recipes also call for chopping, blending or mixing, check the functions and accessories available with an all-in-one cooker. Make space for the appliance and its parts, then check what needs to be taken apart and washed after your meal.
Measure the space you have available with the bowl in place, and think about where you’ll store the accessories. Compare the usable capacity against the portions you actually make, rather than choosing based solely on the volume stated on the appliance.
Start with the steps involved in the recipes you usually make, then check the capacity, cleaning requirements and what you need to do to access the functions you plan to use.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking or preparation | Check the cooking programmes on the exact model. If your recipes call for chopping, blending or mixing, make sure those functions and the necessary accessories are included. | I want to start cooking a dish and get on with something else, or have the appliance prepare the ingredients too. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable capacity, the fill limit given in the manual and the quantities in your recipes; the bowl’s total capacity isn’t enough to go on. | The portions I usually make for my household need to fit in the pot without exceeding the limits for the recipe. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the appliance with its bowl in place and check how the accessories can be stored. Consult the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe. | After dinner, I’d prefer taking it apart and washing it to fit the time and space I have available. |
| Recipes and equipment | Check which recipes are available on the model you’re considering, the terms for using any associated service and exactly what’s included in the pack. | If I plan to follow guided recipes or use slicing discs, I want to know what’s available with the appliance I choose. |
A programmable multicooker mainly takes care of the cooking. If your recipe requires you to chop the ingredients or stir during cooking, you may still have to do those jobs yourself.
Think about a few of your usual dinners. If preparing ingredients in the bowl matters as much as cooking them, check the functions and accessories available with an all-in-one cooker.
A pot’s total capacity doesn’t necessarily reflect how much you can cook for every recipe. Fill limits are particularly important when pressure cooking.
Compare the model’s stated usable capacity with the guidance in its manual and the portions you actually prepare.
Preparation functions depend on the parts designed for the appliance. Access to guided recipes also depends on the model and the service you use.
Check what’s included in the pack and the terms for accessing recipes before choosing an appliance for a particular function.
Extra bowls, discs and other accessories also mean more parts to assemble, store and clean.
In France, for goods sold by a business to a consumer, the Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between the statutory guarantee of conformity, which is mandatory, and a commercial guarantee, which is optional and additional.
Keep your proof of purchase and read the terms of any commercial guarantee as a separate contract. It doesn’t replace your statutory rights.
These models illustrate different functions. Always check the product details and accessories for the version you’re considering.
The Cookeo and Companion ranges let you compare an appliance focused on cooking with one that also prepares the ingredients.
The Thermomix TM7 is designed in particular for people who want to follow guided recipes on the appliance’s screen.
The Cook Expert is an example of a multifunction food processor that also cooks.
This selection includes an all-in-one cooker for recipes that also call for ingredient preparation, as well as multicookers designed mainly for cooking. First choose the type of appliance that suits your recipes, then compare models within that category.
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Worth considering if your meals call for you to prepare and cook ingredients in the same appliance.
The product title mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check which accessories are included, the usable capacity and which recipes are available before choosing this model.
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Worth comparing for dishes you’d like to programme to cook after preparing the ingredients.
The product title lists a 6 L capacity, nine menus and two pressure settings. Check the fill limit, the language of the instructions and how the timer works for your recipes.
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This multicooker is a good fit if you’re looking for an appliance focused on cooking rather than chopping ingredients.
The stated capacity is 5.7L; check the manual for the right fill level for your dishes. If you want to set a start time, confirm that this model has that function.
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Worth considering if you regularly make several portions and are mainly looking for cooking functions.
The product title lists 12 menus and an 8L capacity, but that figure alone doesn’t tell you how much you can use for each recipe. Check the fill limits, dimensions and cleaning instructions.
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This model is worth comparing if you’re looking for a multicooker with a high stated capacity for your usual meals.
The 7.1L capacity is listed in the product title; check the usable capacity and fill limits in the manual. Also confirm whether it has a delayed start function if you need to set a start time.
Yes, if you mainly want programmed cooking with less supervision once the ingredients are prepared. If your recipes also call for chopping, blending or mixing in the appliance, check those functions on an all-in-one cooker instead; a standard multicooker generally won’t offer them.
Compare the usable capacity and the fill limits in the manual, not just the stated total volume. The permitted quantity may vary depending on the recipe and cooking mode, so check these limits against the portions you usually prepare.
No, guided recipes aren’t essential for using an all-in-one cooker. If you’d like to follow them on the appliance, check which recipes are available with the model you choose and the terms of the associated service.
Check all the parts your recipes will use: the bowl or pot, lid, blades, baskets and other accessories. Consult the model’s manual to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and how many will need to be taken apart.
No. For new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer in France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory. A commercial guarantee is optional and sits alongside statutory guarantees; check its terms separately.