Choose a multicooker if you mainly want to set it cooking and keep an eye on it less; opt for a cooking food processor if your meals also involve chopping, blending or mixing in the same appliance. If preparing ingredients is your priority and you’re already happy with your cooking equipment, a multifunction food processor may be enough, but you’ll still need to cook separately. In each case, compare the usable capacity, included accessories, space required and cleaning instructions with your usual routine.
If your dinners mainly need to cook on a set programme, start by looking at multicookers. Que Choisir describes how they work once a programme has started; you’ll still need to prepare the ingredients and check whether your dish needs stirring while it cooks.
If your meals involve chopping, mixing and cooking, a cooking food processor can reduce the need to transfer ingredients between appliances. Check that the included tools, usable capacity and overall size suit the dishes and portions you usually make.
If you’re happy with your hob or oven and spend most of your time chopping, grating or blending, consider a multifunction food processor. You’ll still need to cook separately and make room for its accessories.
Consider it: when dinner mainly involves cooking that you’d like to set going without having to stay by the appliance.
Bear in mind: ingredient preparation and, depending on the dish, stirring may not be automated.
Consider it: when preparing and cooking ingredients in the same appliance would save you from transfers you often make.
Bear in mind: more functions may also mean more parts to assemble, store and clean, depending on the model.
Consider it: when food preparation takes longer than cooking and you want to keep using your hob or oven.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer the ingredients to another container for cooking.
| What matters to you | What to check | What consumers are looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking with less supervision | Available modes and settings; whether you may need to stir the dish. | When dinner needs to cook while I get on with something else, I want to limit the amount of input needed once it’s started. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this hands-off cooking above all else. |
| Preparing and cooking in one appliance | Functions you need and the tools actually included; the bowl’s usable capacity. | For meals that need chopping or mixing before cooking, I’d rather not switch between appliances. This all-in-one preparation would be the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Space and cleaning | Appliance dimensions and accessory storage; cleaning instructions for each part. | In a small kitchen that’s already equipped for cooking, I want to prepare ingredients without adding an appliance that’s difficult to store or clean. This would be the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
The stated capacity of a cooking pot or bowl doesn’t necessarily tell you how much you can cook in every mode. Overfilling can be a particular problem with ingredients that foam or with certain pressure-cooking programmes.
Compare your usual portions with the usable capacity, fill-level markings and the limits given in the manual for the modes you’re interested in.
What an appliance can do depends on the tools supplied with the version you choose. An accessory that’s compatible with an appliance won’t necessarily be included in the box.
Before relying on it for grating, mixing or steaming, check which items are included and which are optional accessories.
Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors by their cooking function. A multifunction food processor can take care of preparation, but it won’t, by itself, replace the equipment you use to cook afterwards.
If your main aim is to spend less time supervising food as it cooks, look for an appliance with an integrated cooking function. Otherwise, make sure you’re happy to cook separately.
An appliance you use often should be easy to set up or take out of storage. Its bowl, lid, seals and accessories may also need different types of care.
Measure the space you have in mind and check the cleaning instructions for each part, rather than assuming that because the bowl is dishwasher-safe, everything else is too.
These Joybuy appliances include multicookers for setting food to cook and a cooking food processor that combines some preparation and cooking steps. To choose between them, start with the tasks you want the appliance to handle, then check the usable capacity and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you want to set weeknight meals cooking without having to stay by the appliance.
The product description lists a 5.7 L capacity, pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming and four customisable presets. Check the fill limits for the dishes you make and whether they need stirring.
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Consider it if you make smaller portions and would rather set the cooking time than keep a constant eye on your food.
The product description gives a capacity of 3.8 L and says it serves up to four portions. Check the quantities allowed for your recipes, as well as whether the plug and planned setup are compatible.
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Worth a look if you cook several portions at once and have a suitable space for it.
The product description lists a 7.1 L capacity and a stainless steel inner pot. Check the fill limits for each programme and that the appliance’s electrical requirements are compatible with your setup.
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Consider it if you want to combine preparation and cooking steps, rather than simply setting food to cook.
The product description mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check which accessories are included, the usable capacity, the space required and the cleaning instructions for each part. Be prepared to keep an eye on the process when a recipe calls for it.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a large-capacity pot for cooking several portions.
The product description lists an 8 L capacity, 1 200 W and 12 preset programmes. Before choosing it, check the usable quantity for your recipes, the dimensions, the power supply voltage and the cleaning instructions for the parts you’ll use.
Generally, no: Que Choisir says multicookers don’t usually stir food. If your dishes need regular stirring, check how the model works and be prepared to stir by hand if necessary.
No, the stated capacity isn’t necessarily the usable amount for every recipe. Que Choisir points out that fill limits vary by model and dish, so check the markings and manual before comparing the capacity with your usual portions.
Check how to clean each part you plan to use, rather than relying on a general claim that an appliance is easy to clean. The cooking pot or bowl, lid, seals, blades and accessories may all have different cleaning instructions.