Is the Thermomix really worth £1,200?

It depends on your profile. If you cook 4-5 times a week with varied recipes (fresh pasta, homemade sauces, soups, desserts, bread), enjoy being guided by Cookidoo and budget is not an issue, then yes. The 80,000 guided recipes with built-in scales genuinely improve cooking quality. But if you mainly make simple meals (pasta, rice, grills), the Thermomix will be underused and a multicooker + air fryer at £350 will serve you better daily. Our finding after 6 months: 70% of households will be more satisfied with the multicooker + air fryer duo.

Can you make crispy chips in a multicooker or Thermomix?

No, neither the multicooker nor the Thermomix can produce crispy chips. The multicooker cooks under pressure (soft chips) and the Thermomix uses moist heat (also soft chips). For crispy oil-free chips, you need an air fryer: fresh chips in 18-22 min at 200°C, crispy outside and fluffy inside, with just one tablespoon of oil. This is precisely why the multicooker + air fryer duo is so complementary.

Which is the best kitchen robot for a single person?

For a single person, the air fryer is the ideal choice. It is compact, fast (a meal in 15-20 min), economical to buy (£80-150) and to run, and individual portions fit the basket perfectly. The Cookeo 6 L is oversized for one person (designed for 4-6 people). The Thermomix 2.2 L bowl would be suitable in volume, but at £1,200 for one person, the cost-to-use ratio is hard to justify.

Does the multicooker use a lot of electricity?

The multicooker is one of the most energy-efficient cooking appliances. Its power is 1,200 W, but pressure cooking drastically reduces cooking time: a stew in 15 min in the multicooker vs 2 hours in the oven. Result: the multicooker uses on average 0.3 kWh per dish vs 1.5-2 kWh for a traditional oven. Over a year (300 dishes), that is a saving of ~£40-60 on electricity versus the oven. The air fryer is even more economical (1,000-1,500 W, 15-25 min). The Thermomix (1,500 W) uses more as it cooks longer (no pressure).

Can you buy a second-hand Thermomix?

Yes, the second-hand Thermomix market is active. A used TM6 goes for £700-900 depending on condition and accessories. However, the Cookidoo subscription (£39/year) is linked to the account, not the machine — you will need your own subscription. Check that the machine is not faulty (motor issues are common after 3-4 years of heavy use) and that all accessories are present (bowl, Varoma, spatula, steamer basket, measuring cup). TM5 models go for £350-500 but are no longer updated by Vorwerk.

Multicooker + Air Fryer or Thermomix alone: which to choose?

This is THE kitchen dilemma of 2026. Our recommendation: for 70% of households, the multicooker + air fryer duo (£280-450) is more satisfying daily than the Thermomix alone (£1,200). Why? The multicooker covers quick stews (which the Thermomix also does but without pressure, so more slowly), and the air fryer covers crispiness (which the Thermomix cannot do at all). Result: fast cooking + crispiness for a third of the price. Choose the Thermomix alone only if you cook elaborate recipes 4+ times a week and budget is not a constraint.

Thermomix vs Multicooker vs Air Fryer: The Ultimate Kitchen Robot Comparison 2026

Thermomix vs Multicooker vs Air Fryer: Why This Comparison Matters

"Thermomix or multicooker?" is one of the most searched kitchen questions in Europe. In 2026, the air fryer has entered the debate and changed everything. These three appliances represent three radically different cooking philosophies, at three radically different prices: ~£130 for a multicooker (Moulinex Cookeo), ~£1,200 for the Thermomix TM6, and ~£80 for a good air fryer. This guide helps you choose the one that truly matches your lifestyle.

We used all three appliances daily for 6 months in a family of 4. Here is our complete, unvarnished analysis. For a full overview of the connected kitchen, see our complete connected kitchen guide 2026, and for multicookers, our multicooker comparison.

Understanding What Each Appliance Does

The Multicooker (Cookeo): Pressure Cooking Made Smart

The multicooker is a smart electric pressure cooker. It replaces your pressure cooker and saucepan. Its strength: pressure-cooking complete meals (risottos, stews, curries, soups, rice, pasta) in 2 to 4 times less time than traditional cooking. The Cookeo Touch WiFi (2026) features a colour touchscreen, 250+ guided step-by-step recipes and WiFi connectivity for downloading new recipes.

What it does: pressure cooking, slow cooking, browning, steaming, reheating, keep warm. What it does NOT do: blending, kneading, chopping, whisking, baking, frying.

The Thermomix TM6 (Vorwerk): Premium All-in-One Kitchen Robot

The Thermomix TM6 is a heated multifunction food processor. It does (almost) everything: blend, knead, cook, simmer, weigh, chop, whisk, emulsify, steam, and even sous vide. Its integrated touchscreen gives access to Cookidoo, a platform of 80,000+ guided step-by-step recipes with integrated weighing.

What it does: all of the above + built-in scales. What it does NOT do: pressure cook (no time saving), fry, grill, crisp. The £1,200 price (+ Cookidoo subscription £39/year) is the major barrier.

The Air Fryer: Compact Convection Oven

The air fryer is a compact convection oven that circulates hot air at high speed. Its strength: making food crispy with little or no oil. Chips, nuggets, roast chicken, grilled vegetables, gratins — everything that needs crispiness goes through the air fryer. The best 2026 models (Ninja Foodi Max, Philips 3000 XL, Cosori Dual Blaze) cost between £80 and £200.

What it does: oil-free frying, roasting, grilling, reheating, dehydrating (some models). What it does NOT do: slow cook, pressure cook, blend, knead, steam.

Philips Airfryer 3000 XL 6.2L Check price on Amazon →

Complete Comparison Table: Multicooker vs Thermomix vs Air Fryer

Criteria	Cookeo Touch WiFi	Thermomix TM6	Air Fryer (Ninja/Philips)
Price	~£200-300	~£1,200 (+£39/yr Cookidoo)	~£80-200
Primary function	Fast pressure cooking	Heated multifunction processor	Oil-free frying / rotisserie
Cooking time	2-4x faster (pressure)	Normal time (no pressure)	Fast (high-speed convection)
Capacity	6 L (4-6 people)	2.2 L (2-4 people)	3.8-9.5 L depending on model
Pressure cooking	Yes	No	No
Blend/Chop	No	Yes (13 speeds)	No
Knead	No	Yes	No
Steam	Yes (accessory)	Yes (Varoma)	No
Crisp/Grill	No (browning only)	No	Yes (speciality)
Weigh ingredients	No	Yes (built-in scales)	No
Guided recipes	250+ (expandable via WiFi)	80,000+ (Cookidoo)	Variable (20-200 depending on model)
Connectivity	WiFi + App	WiFi + Cookidoo	WiFi (connected models)
Cleaning	Removable bowl, dishwasher-safe	Partial self-clean, bowl dishwasher-safe	Removable basket, dishwasher-safe
Ideal for	Quick stews, family meals	Keen cooks, all-in-one	Healthy crispy food, quick daily meals

The Price Factor: Let's Be Honest

Air fryer: £80-200 to buy. No subscription, no consumables. Total 5-year cost: £80-200.
Multicooker (Cookeo): £200-300 to buy. No mandatory subscription. Total 5-year cost: £200-300.
Thermomix TM6: £1,200 to buy + £39/year Cookidoo (optional but practically essential for guided recipes). Total 5-year cost: £1,200 + £195 = £1,395. That is 7-17 times the price of an air fryer.

The question is not whether the Thermomix is good (it is), but whether it is worth 5 times the price of a multicooker. For the majority of households, the honest answer is no.

Daily Use: The Reality Test

Scenario 1: Weeknight dinner (30 min max)

Multicooker (winner): chicken casserole in 15 min under pressure. Add chicken pieces, peppers, tomatoes, spices, and the Cookeo does everything. One pot to wash. This is THE scenario where the multicooker excels: a complete meal, fast, unattended.

Air fryer: crispy chicken + grilled vegetables in 25 min. Excellent results for crispiness, but you may need two batches if the basket is small. Perfect for nuggets, chips, fish fillets — everything that needs to be crispy.

Thermomix: risotto in 25 min with automatic stirring. The Thermomix excels for dishes needing constant stirring. But the 2.2 L bowl limits portions for families of 4+.

Scenario 2: Elaborate weekend recipe

Thermomix (winner): this is its playground. Preparing pizza dough from scratch, homemade bolognese with finely chopped vegetables, a dessert — the Thermomix chains through Cookidoo's guided steps. The built-in scales weigh each ingredient. It is an interactive cooking class.

Multicooker: excellent for long stews made short (beef bourguignon in 35 min instead of 3 hours). But no blending or kneading function.

Air fryer: limited to roasts, gratins and crispy sides. Not self-sufficient for a complete elaborate meal.

Scenario 3: Children's meals

Air fryer (winner): nuggets in 12 min, chips in 18 min, fish fingers in 15 min — oil-free. Children love it, parents feel less guilty. It is fast, crispy, and basket cleaning takes 30 seconds.

Multicooker: perfect for purees, compotes, rice and pasta for babies and toddlers. Fast and gentle cooking.

Thermomix: blends baby purees to perfection and cooks compotes. But at £1,200 for purees, the cost-to-use ratio is questionable.

Can You Replace One with Another?

Can the multicooker replace the Thermomix? No. The multicooker does not blend, knead, chop or weigh. They are fundamentally different appliances.
Can the Thermomix replace the multicooker? Partially. The Thermomix cooks but not under pressure. Beef bourguignon takes 2.5 hours in the Thermomix vs 35 min in the multicooker. The 2.2 L bowl limits volume for larger families.
Can the air fryer replace either? No. The air fryer only does crispy/grill. It does not slow cook, blend or pressure cook. It is a complement, never a replacement.
The ideal combo: Multicooker + Air Fryer (£280-500 total). The multicooker for quick stews, the air fryer for crispiness. You cover 90% of a family's daily needs for a third of the Thermomix's price alone.

Who Should Buy What? Our Verdict by Profile

Profile 1: Family with children, reasonable budget

Our pick: Multicooker + Air Fryer (total budget: £280-500)

The multicooker handles quick family meals (stews, risottos, soups, curries in 15-25 min). The air fryer manages healthy crispiness (nuggets, chips, breaded fish). Both are simple to use, fast to clean, and children can use them (supervised). This is the most versatile combination at the best price.

Profile 2: Keen cook, flexible budget

Our pick: Thermomix TM6 (budget: ~£1,200 + £39/year)

If you love cooking, experimenting, following elaborate recipes and budget is not an issue, the Thermomix is an exceptional tool. The 80,000 Cookidoo recipes, built-in scales, step-by-step guidance and versatility (blending, kneading, cooking) make it the most complete kitchen robot on the market.

Profile 3: Student or couple, small budget

Our pick: Air Fryer (budget: £80-150)

The air fryer offers the best satisfaction-to-price ratio. It is compact, fast, economical and produces stunning results for crispiness. See our guide to choosing an air fryer.

Profile 4: Person who hates cooking

Our pick: Multicooker (budget: £200-300)

The multicooker is the ultimate "add ingredients and press start" appliance. The guided step-by-step recipes require zero culinary skill. Pressure cooking guarantees a decent result even for absolute beginners.

Our Final Verdict

After 6 months of daily use with all three appliances:

The air fryer is the one we use most often (4-5 times/week). Fast, addictively crispy results, minimal cleaning. Best return on investment.
The multicooker saves the most time (3-4 times/week for main courses). Stews, soups and risottos in 15-25 min are a game-changer for busy weeknights.
The Thermomix impresses most at weekends (1-2 times/week). Cookidoo recipes are exceptional, but day-to-day it stays in the cupboard more than the other two.

If you can only buy one: air fryer for daily crispiness, multicooker for quick family meals, Thermomix for premium versatility. If you can have two: Multicooker + Air Fryer. The unbeatable duo at under £500.