Is a smart kitchen really worth it?

Yes, provided you start with appliances that address a genuine need. A connected multicooker saves 30-60 minutes per day in the kitchen, smart plugs save £80-160 per year on electricity, and a connected thermometer eliminates cooking failures. The return on investment is concrete and measurable.

Cookeo or Thermomix: which should I choose?

They are two different appliances. The Cookeo is a multicooker (pressure, steam, slow cook) at ~£300 with WiFi and 2,500 recipes. The Thermomix TM6 is a food processor-cooker (it chops, blends, kneads AND cooks) at ~£1,200. If you want an affordable connected cooking assistant, choose the Cookeo. If you want an all-in-one that replaces 12 utensils and budget allows, go for the Thermomix.

Do smart kitchen appliances really save energy?

Yes, significantly. A multicooker uses 50-70% less energy than a conventional oven for the same dish. Smart plugs with energy monitoring identify and cut standby consumption (up to £80 per year). Smart scheduling prevents appliances from running needlessly. Bottom line: £80-160 annual savings on electricity.

What is Matter and why does it matter in the kitchen?

Matter is a universal communication protocol launched in late 2022 and backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung. A Matter device works with all ecosystems (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings) without specific configuration. In the kitchen, this means your multicooker, plugs and voice assistant will always work together, even if you switch ecosystems. It is the guarantee of long-term investment protection.

What is the best first smart appliance for the kitchen?

Smart plugs with energy monitoring (£25). They make your existing kitchen "smart" immediately: remote kettle control, coffee machine scheduling, consumption measurement. It is the lowest investment with the fastest return. Next, a connected multicooker (£180-300) is the second purchase that most transforms your daily cooking.

Are smart kitchen appliances safe for privacy?

Kitchen appliances collect relatively few sensitive data compared to cameras or voice assistants — mainly your consumption habits (coffee times, favourite recipes). To maximise security: create a separate WiFi network for IoT devices, enable automatic updates, disable non-essential data sharing and favour Matter-compatible devices that can work locally without cloud.

Can I control everything with one app?

Not yet with a single manufacturer app, but it is possible with smart home ecosystems. Google Home, Apple Home and Amazon Alexa can centralise control of most Matter-compatible devices. Home Assistant (open-source) is the most complete solution: it supports virtually all protocols and manufacturers, and runs locally without cloud dependency. The trick: choose Matter devices and they will automatically appear in your main ecosystem app.

Smart Kitchen Guide 2026: Every Connected Appliance Beyond Airfryers

The smart kitchen in 2026: far beyond airfryers

While airfryers popularised the connected kitchen, the smart kitchen ecosystem has expanded dramatically in 2026. From WiFi multicookers to coffee machines you control from bed, through nutrition-tracking scales and Bluetooth meat thermometers, your kitchen can now become an intelligent hub that saves you time, energy and money.

This complete guide reviews every category of connected kitchen appliances, their real-world usefulness, how they work together, and how to build your ecosystem step by step without blowing your budget. Whether you are a tech enthusiast or simply someone who wants to simplify daily cooking, you will find all the answers here.

The smart kitchen ecosystem: 6 appliance categories

1. Connected multicookers: the heart of the smart kitchen

The connected multicooker is the most versatile appliance in the smart kitchen. It replaces the pressure cooker, steamer, slow cooker, rice cooker and sometimes even the oven — all in one device. In 2026, the market leaders are the Moulinex Cookeo Touch WiFi, Ninja Foodi MAX SmartLid and Instant Pot Duo Plus.

Why WiFi matters: start cooking from the office, get notifications when it is ready, adjust temperature remotely and access thousands of step-by-step guided recipes via the app. The Cookeo Touch WiFi offers 2,500+ recipes with integrated shopping list generation. The Ninja Foodi combines multicooking and air frying in a single connected appliance.

For a detailed comparison, see our best connected multicookers 2026 comparison.

2. Connected coffee machines: perfect coffee, automated

Connected coffee machines have made a qualitative leap. Models like the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo, Philips 5500 LatteGo and Krups Evidence Hot & Cold let you prepare your favourite coffee before you even get out of bed. Via the app, you customise grind size, temperature, intensity, frothed milk quantity and cup size.

Multi-user profiles are a real plus for families: each member saves their preferences and launches their coffee with a single tap. The most advanced machines include predictive maintenance tracking — they alert you before a problem occurs and can auto-order descaling tablets. Discover our connected coffee machines 2026 guide for a full comparison.

3. Smart kitchen scales: nutrition under control

Connected scales have evolved far beyond simple weighing. Models like the Drop Kitchen Scale and Tefal Optiss Smart sync with nutritional apps (MyFitnessPal, Yazio) to automatically calculate calories, macronutrients and micronutrients for each ingredient weighed.

For baking, they are invaluable: connected to a recipe app, they guide you step by step, indicating exactly how much of each ingredient to add with real-time feedback on your smartphone screen. Some even include a connected timer and automatic unit conversions (grams, ounces, millilitres).

Pricing remains very accessible: expect £25-50 for a quality connected scale. It is the cheapest entry point into the smart kitchen.

4. Connected meat thermometers: perfect cooking every time

The connected meat thermometer is the secret weapon of cooks who want perfect results without constant monitoring. The MEATER 2 Plus is the benchmark: wireless, it inserts into the meat and transmits temperature in real time via Bluetooth (50 m range) to your smartphone. The app automatically calculates remaining cooking time and alerts you when it is done.

The Inkbird IBT-26S is a more affordable alternative with 4 simultaneous probes, ideal for barbecues where you cook multiple pieces at once. Both models work with Alexa and Google Home for voice alerts.

No more overcooked or undercooked meat: the connected thermometer eliminates guesswork. Expect £60-100 for a quality model.

5. Smart plugs for the kitchen: control and savings

Smart plugs transform any kitchen appliance into a connected device. Plug your kettle, toaster or non-connected coffee machine into a WiFi plug with energy monitoring (TP-Link Tapo P110, Shelly Plug S) and you can switch them on/off remotely, schedule timers and measure their electricity consumption.

The real advantage? Energy monitoring. You will discover that certain appliances consume standby power (the coffee machine keeping warm, the microwave with its clock display). A smart plug cuts power completely and can save you £40-80 per year on your electricity bill. Learn more in our smart plugs comparison.

6. Voice assistants in the kitchen: the conductor

An Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub on the worktop becomes the conductor of your connected kitchen. It displays recipes hands-free, controls all connected appliances by voice, runs multiple timers and answers your cooking questions while your hands are in the dough.

The screen is a genuine upgrade over a simple speaker: it displays recipe steps, demonstration videos and security camera feeds (handy for watching the children in the living room while cooking). The Nest Hub 2 is Matter-compatible, making it a universal hub for all your connected devices.

Connected multicookers in detail

Moulinex Cookeo Touch WiFi: the French benchmark

The Cookeo Touch WiFi is the best-selling connected multicooker in Europe, and for good reason. Its 4.3-inch colour touchscreen is the most intuitive on the market — you do not need the app to browse the 2,500+ built-in recipes. WiFi enables sync with the Moulinex app (new weekly recipes, shopping lists, nutritional tracking) and remote control.

Its 6 cooking modes (pressure, steam, browning, slow cook, reheat, slow cooking) cover 95% of culinary needs. The 6-litre capacity suits 2 to 6 people. Key strength: step-by-step guided recipes with integrated weighing (compatible with the Tefal connected scale).

Price: ~£300 / $350 — Best value for families.

Ninja Foodi MAX SmartLid: the connected all-in-one

The Ninja Foodi MAX SmartLid stands out through its versatility: it is a multicooker, air fryer and steamer in a single appliance with one pivoting lid (SmartLid). WiFi connectivity allows downloading new recipes and monitoring cooking remotely via the Ninja app.

With 14 cooking modes and a 7.5-litre capacity, it is ideal for large families. Built-in air frying at 230 °C delivers crispy results without needing a separate airfryer. The Combi-Steam sous vide function is a bonus for low-temperature cooking enthusiasts.

Price: ~£250 / $300 — The most versatile, perfect if you do not own an airfryer.

Instant Pot Duo Plus WiFi: the connected classic

The Instant Pot democratised multicooking, and the Duo Plus WiFi version adds connectivity without compromising the brand's legendary reliability. 9 functions in 1 (pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, yoghurt maker, steriliser, warmer, sous vide), all controllable from the Instant Pot app.

The app offers 1,900+ recipes and a weekly meal planner. The Instant Pot community is the most active worldwide, with millions of shared recipes. Alexa compatibility lets you say "Alexa, start the rice programme on the Instant Pot".

Price: ~£180 / $200 — The best entry price for a reliable connected multicooker.

Connected coffee machines in detail

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo: Italian excellence

The connected Magnifica Evo embodies Italian craftsmanship with modern technology. Its 13-level conical burr grinder produces espresso worthy of an Italian bar. Via the De'Longhi Coffee Link app, you create personalised profiles for each family member (intensity, temperature, volume, grind).

The LatteCrema Hot & Cold system (on the Evo model with carafe) produces silky milk foam hot or cold. The front touch panel is responsive and intuitive. The machine auto-cleans after every milk-based drink and the app alerts you for descaling.

Price: ~£450-600 / $500-700 depending on version — The best espresso quality.

Philips 5500 LatteGo: the most hygienic

Philips' patented LatteGo system has only 2 parts (no tubes): it dismantles and rinses in 15 seconds. It is the most hygienic connected coffee machine on the market — a decisive argument for anyone who hates cleaning complex milk systems.

The Philips Coffee+ app lets you customise 12 different drinks with fine-tuning of every parameter. The ceramic grinder is quiet and durable (20,000-cup warranty). The CoffeeEqualizer function adjusts flavour balance to your taste.

Price: ~£470-550 / $550-650 — The easiest to maintain.

Krups Evidence Hot & Cold: hot and cold drinks

The Krups Evidence stands out with its unique ability to prepare cold drinks without ice: express cold brew, iced latte, cold cappuccino. In summer, this is a considerable asset. Bluetooth/WiFi connectivity enables control via the Krups Espresso app and voice assistant compatibility.

The 3-level metal grinder is less refined than competitors but sufficient for most users. The OLED display is readable and the interface intuitive. With 15 pre-programmed drinks (8 hot, 7 cold), it is the most versatile machine.

Price: ~£550-680 / $650-800 — The only one that does hot and cold natively.

Scales and thermometers: essential smart accessories

Connected nutrition scales

The connected scale is the most affordable entry point into the smart kitchen. For £25-50, you get a tool that transforms your approach to nutrition and baking.

Key features to look for: sync with nutritional tracking apps (MyFitnessPal, Yazio, Lifesum), built-in food database (automatic recognition of common foods), guided recipe mode, 0.1 g precision for baking, and automatic unit conversion.

The Drop Kitchen Scale (£40) is our recommendation: compatible with iOS and Android, it features interactive recipes that adjust to portion count and guide each step with real-time weighing.

Connected meat thermometers

The MEATER 2 Plus (£85) remains the absolute benchmark. Its wireless technology (no cable between probe and receiver) is unique: the probe inserts into the meat and communicates via Bluetooth with the dock, which relays via WiFi to your smartphone anywhere in the house. The estimated remaining cooking time is accurate to within 2-3 minutes.

The Inkbird IBT-26S (£35) is the barbecue alternative: 4 wired probes, 50 m Bluetooth range, high/low temperature alerts and voice assistant compatibility. Less elegant than MEATER but functionally superior for simultaneous cooking of multiple cuts.

How appliances work together: the integrated ecosystem

The true power of the connected kitchen emerges when appliances communicate with each other. Here is how to build a coherent ecosystem:

"Automated dinner" scenario

6:00 PM — You say "Hey Google, start dinner". Google Home triggers a routine: the Cookeo multicooker starts the recipe selected that morning, the smart plug turns on the extractor, and the MEATER thermometer in the roast sends a notification when the internal temperature reaches 63 °C. Meanwhile, the app displays salad instructions on the Nest Hub.

"Morning coffee" scenario

6:45 AM — The alarm rings. Your morning routine starts: the De'Longhi coffee machine prepares your cappuccino (saved profile), the smart plug heats the connected kettle for your partner's tea, and the Nest Hub shows the weather and your agenda. Coffee is ready when you reach the kitchen.

WiFi, Bluetooth and Matter compatibility

The Matter protocol is the key to interoperability in 2026. Launched in late 2022, it is now adopted by the majority of manufacturers:

WiFi — Direct communication without a hub, unlimited range within the home, remote control via Internet. Ideal for multicookers and coffee machines.
Bluetooth — Low power, limited range (10-50 m), no remote control. Perfect for scales and thermometers.
Matter — Universal protocol unifying WiFi, Thread and Bluetooth. A Matter device works with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings without configuration. This is the standard to prioritise for future-proofing.

In practice, always check Matter compatibility before buying. Non-Matter devices risk losing the manufacturer's cloud support in a few years, rendering them unusable in connected mode.

Budget: how much does a smart kitchen cost?

Building a smart kitchen does not require a massive investment. Here are three budget tiers:

Starter kit (£120-200 / $150-250)

2 smart plugs with energy monitoring (£25)
Connected kitchen scale (£35)
Bluetooth meat thermometer (£35)
Voice assistant (Echo Dot or Nest Mini) (£30-45)

This kit already transforms your kitchen: voice control of existing appliances, nutritional weighing and perfect meat cooking. The return on investment via smart plug energy savings is quick (6-12 months).

Intermediate kit (£400-650 / $500-800)

Starter kit (£120)
Connected multicooker Instant Pot or Cookeo (£180-300)
Voice assistant with screen (Nest Hub 2 or Echo Show 8) (£65-110)

Adding a connected multicooker is a game-changer: guided recipes, remote cooking, considerable time savings. The assistant screen displays recipes hands-free.

Premium kit (£1,000-1,700 / $1,200-2,000)

Intermediate kit (£500)
Connected coffee machine (£450-680)
MEATER 2 Plus (£85)
Additional smart plugs (£40)

The complete connected kitchen: every appliance communicates, routines automate daily life, and the coffee machine produces barista-quality coffee each morning.

Energy savings: the smart kitchen that cuts bills

Contrary to popular belief, a connected kitchen can reduce your energy consumption:

Smart plugs with monitoring: identify and eliminate standby consumption. A microwave consumes 3-5 W on standby (26-44 kWh/year, or £7-12). A coffee machine with maintained heating consumes 40-80 W on standby.
Multicooker vs oven: a Cookeo consumes 700-1,000 W for 20-40 minutes. A conventional oven consumes 2,000-3,000 W for 45-90 minutes. Saving: 50-70% energy per meal.
Smart scheduling: routines automatically switch off all kitchen appliances at night and only turn them on when needed.

Bottom line: a well-configured smart kitchen saves £80-160 per year on electricity, recouping part of the initial investment.

Security and privacy in the smart kitchen

The connected kitchen raises legitimate security and privacy questions:

Dedicated WiFi network: create a guest or IoT WiFi network for your connected kitchen appliances. If a device is compromised, your main network remains protected.
Automatic updates: enable automatic firmware updates on all your appliances. Manufacturers regularly patch security vulnerabilities.
Data collection: connected coffee machines record your consumption habits, multicookers your favourite recipes. Review privacy policies and disable data sharing if you wish.
Go local: favour devices compatible with local systems (Home Assistant, Matter) that work without mandatory cloud access.

Our verdict: where to start?

The smart kitchen is not a gimmick — it delivers measurable savings in time, energy and culinary enjoyment. Here is our recommended purchase order:

Smart plugs + voice assistant (£55) — Make your existing kitchen smart immediately.
Connected thermometer (£35-85) — Perfect meat cooking without monitoring.
Connected multicooker (£180-300) — The appliance that most transforms your daily cooking.
Connected coffee machine (£450-680) — Daily luxury, perfect coffee every morning.
Connected scale (£25-40) — For nutrition enthusiasts or baking lovers.

Start small, evaluate usefulness, then expand gradually. Matter compatibility should be your number one criterion to future-proof your investment.