Question 1

Is the Thermomix TM7 really worth €1,500?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your use. If you cook daily, regularly explore new recipes, and have a family to feed, the Thermomix can pay for itself. A simple calculation: €1,499 over 10 years = €150/year. If the Thermomix replaces other appliances (blender, steamer, scales), you save €300-500 in other appliances. If Cookidoo encourages you to cook at home more (vs restaurants), the saving can be significant. However, if you cook infrequently or just want to vary a few recipes per month, the Moulinex i-Companion Touch XL at €649 or even the Cecotec Mambo at €359 will be more than sufficient.

Question 2

What is the best Thermomix alternative for a budget of €600-700?

Accepted Answer

In this range, the Moulinex i-Companion Touch XL (€649) is our main recommendation. Its autonomous 7" touchscreen (no smartphone needed), 1500W power, two bowls (3L + 1L), and app with 3,000+ guided recipes make it the most credible Thermomix competitor. Temperature precision (±1.5°C vs ±1°C Thermomix) is slightly lower but sufficient for 95% of recipes. Main drawback: Cookidoo remains superior as a guided recipe ecosystem.

Question 3

Can you cook for a large family (6+ people) with a connected cooking robot?

Accepted Answer

For 6 people or more, the Thermomix TM7 (2.2L bowl) can be limiting for main courses. In practice, users make 2 batches or use the Varoma (simultaneous steam cooking). The Kenwood Cooking Chef XL with its 7L bowl is much better suited to large quantities. The ideal solution for large families: Kenwood Cooking Chef XL for volume, or Moulinex i-Companion with its 3L bowl which can feed 5-6 people in one cooking for most dishes.

Question 4

Do connected cooking robots use a lot of electricity?

Accepted Answer

Consumption is moderate compared to other cooking appliances. A 1200-1500W cooking robot used for 30-45 minutes per meal consumes 0.6-1.1 kWh per use. Over a month at 20 uses, that is 12-22 kWh, costing £3-6 at current rates (£0.27/kWh). For comparison, an electric hob used for 30 minutes consumes 1-1.5 kWh. The cooking robot is therefore economical, especially compared to oven + hob cooking.

Question 5

Is the Thermomix Cookidoo app mandatory to use the machine?

Accepted Answer

No, the Thermomix TM7 works perfectly without a Cookidoo subscription. You can use it in manual mode: set temperature, speed and time manually for each step. Many free recipes are also available in the basic library included in the purchase price. The Cookidoo subscription (€39.99/year) adds access to 80,000+ guided recipes but is not essential. Some users never use Cookidoo and cook only in manual mode or with free recipes found on forums.

Criterion	Thermomix TM7	Kenwood Chef XL	Moulinex i-Comp	Magimix Expert	Cecotec Mambo
Price	£1,349	£720	£585	£765	£325
Bowl capacity	2.2L	7L	3L	3.7L	3.3L
Temp. precision	±1°C	±2°C	±1.5°C	±1.5°C	±3°C
Recipe app	80,000+	2,000+	3,000+	400+	1,000+
App subscription	£36/year	Free	Free	Free	Free
Warranty	2 years	2 years	2 years	30 years (motor)	2 years
Overall score	9.5/10	8.5/10	8/10	8/10	7.5/10

Connected Cooking Robot 2026: Thermomix vs Cooking Chef vs i-Companion Comparison

The connected cooking robot market in 2026

The 5 robots compared

1. Thermomix TM7: still the king?

2. Kenwood Cooking Chef XL Connect: the professional choice

3. Moulinex i-Companion Touch XL: accessible premium

4. Magimix Cook Expert Premium XL: French premium durability

5. Cecotec Mambo 12090: the budget challenger

Full comparison table

Who should choose what?

Frequently Asked Questions

Our recommendations

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