Smart Cooking Machines of 2026: Thermomix TM7 vs. i-Companion vs. Cook Expert and Rivals

The Thermomix TM7 is still the benchmark smart cooking machine in 2026, but the best Thermomix alternative you can buy from regular retailers is the Moulinex i-Companion Touch XL, which combines a touchscreen, Wi-Fi, a built-in scale and a large 4.8-quart (4.5 L) bowl. On a tight budget, the Cecotec Mambo Touch covers the essentials (Wi-Fi, a screen, guided recipes), while the Kenwood Cooking Chef XL is aimed at bakers and big batches.

This comparison is based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and verified owner feedback, and it only includes models sold in Europe in 2026. For Cookeo-style electric pressure cookers, see our smart multicooker comparison and our multicookers page instead.

What is a smart cooking machine?

An all-in-one cooking machine is an appliance that blends, chops, kneads and heats in the same bowl. That sets it apart from a multicooker (which cooks but doesn’t blend) and from a regular stand mixer (which kneads but doesn’t heat). The "smart" version adds a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth link to an app: step-by-step guided recipes, settings sent to the machine automatically, shopping lists and software updates.

In practice, the connectivity is only as good as the recipe catalog behind it. A well-built machine with a weak app is less enjoyable to use day to day than an average one backed by plenty of clear recipes.

What to look for

• Heating method: induction (Magimix, Kenwood) heats fast and holds temperature precisely; a conventional heating element is fine for soups, sauces and slow-simmered dishes.
• Maximum temperature: above 250°F (120°C), you can brown onions and meat. Below that, the machine is mostly for soups, purées and steaming.
• Usable bowl capacity: look at the usable volume, not just the total. About 2 to 3 usable quarts (2 to 3 L) is right for 4 to 6 people.
• Connection type: with Wi-Fi, recipes download straight to the machine’s screen; Bluetooth means keeping your phone nearby.
• The app and how it makes money: some platforms charge a subscription for the full catalog, others are free.
• Built-in scale: it saves you from pulling out a kitchen scale at every step, a real plus with guided recipes.
• Customer service and spare parts: on a premium appliance, warranty length and parts availability matter as much as features.

The 5 smart cooking machines to know in 2026

1. Thermomix TM7 — the benchmark

Launched in 2025, Vorwerk’s Thermomix TM7 replaces the TM6. It gets a 10-inch touchscreen, keeps a 2.3-quart (2.2 L) bowl and the Varoma steaming attachment, and reaches 320°F (160°C) in browning mode. An open-cooking mode without the lid lets sauces reduce, and Wi-Fi connects it to Cookidoo, the biggest guided-recipe catalog on the market. The TM7 still works with accessories and recipes from earlier generations.

Pros: an unmatched recipe ecosystem, a highly refined interface, strong resale value.
Cons: you need a Cookidoo subscription for the full catalog, the 2.3-quart bowl is tight for big gatherings, and it sits at the very top of the price range.
Best for: households that cook every day and want the most complete guided experience.

Note: the Thermomix is sold by Vorwerk through its consultants and its online store, not by regular retailers. That’s why our buying picks focus on its alternatives.

2. Moulinex i-Companion Touch XL — the best alternative

The Moulinex i-Companion Touch XL is the machine closest in spirit to the Thermomix, with a built-in touchscreen and Wi-Fi. Its 4.8-quart (4.5 L) stainless steel bowl (about 3.2 quarts, or 3 L, usable) is bigger than the TM7’s, and the built-in scale lets you weigh ingredients right in the bowl. The Moulinex app offers more than 3,000 guided recipes with no required subscription, according to the manufacturer, plus a feature that suggests recipes based on what you have on hand.

Pros: large capacity, lots of accessories (chopping blade, kneading blade, whisk, steamer basket), a free app.
Cons: takes up a lot of counter space; a smaller catalog than Cookidoo.
Best for: families who want a full guided experience without buying through direct sales.

3. Magimix Cook Expert Connect — built to last

The Magimix Cook Expert Connect builds on the Cook Expert, which is assembled in France, with induction heating from 85 to 320°F (30 to 160°C), adjustable one degree at a time. Its strength is its dual personality: a 3.7-quart (3.5 L) heated stainless steel bowl for cooking, and a clear bowl with discs for shredding and slicing like a regular food processor. The Connect version pairs over Bluetooth with the Magimix app (more than 2,000 guided recipes) and a smart scale.

Pros: a 30-year motor warranty according to Magimix, very versatile slicing and shredding, precise induction cooking.
Cons: no touchscreen or Wi-Fi, so you still need your phone for guided recipes; lots of accessories to store.
Best for: cooks who care more about durability and prep versatility than about the interface.

4. Kenwood Cooking Chef XL — baking and big batches

The Kenwood Cooking Chef XL (model KCL95.424SI) is a heated stand mixer rather than an all-in-one cooking machine in the strict sense. Its 7.1-quart (6.7 L) bowl is heated by induction from 70 to 355°F (20 to 180°C), one degree at a time, with 1,500 W of power. It works with the Kenwood World app, which offers step-by-step recipes.

Pros: the biggest bowl here, large batches of dough and brioche, heat high enough to sear, temper chocolate or make custards.
Cons: blending and slicing depend on attachments, some sold separately; heavy and bulky.
Best for: serious bakers and large families.

5. Cecotec Mambo Touch — the most affordable

The Cecotec Mambo Touch is the most widespread entry-level smart cooking machine in Europe. It has a 5-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi with the Mambo app, a built-in scale, a 3.5-quart (3.3 L) bowl, 1,600 W of power and a temperature range of 100 to 250°F (37 to 120°C). Cecotec claims 37 functions, including two-tier steaming. A "Habana" version adds a second, ceramic-coated bowl.

Pros: the essentials of a smart cooking machine at an entry-level price, a free app.
Cons: a 250°F (120°C) maximum, so browning is limited; owners report that build quality and the app are less polished than on the market leaders.
Best for: a first all-in-one cooking machine or a tight budget.

Comparison table

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing by the number of functions: "30 or 40 functions" often cover the same tasks (blend, heat, knead). Compare maximum temperature, usable capacity and the app instead.
• Ignoring what the app costs: an annual subscription adds up over the years. Check what you can still use without one.
• Underestimating the footprint: these machines often weigh more than 15 lb (7 kg) and are a pain to put away. Plan on a permanent spot on your countertop.
• Mixing up a cooking machine and a multicooker: if you mostly want pressure cooking without blending, a Cookeo or another multicooker is enough. Our Cookeo vs. Thermomix vs. Air Fryer article explains the differences.

Use and safety

Never fill past the max line, especially with hot liquids: at high speed, they can spray out. When you blend a hot soup, increase the speed gradually. The blades are very sharp: handle them by the hub and clean them with a brush. Set the appliance on a stable surface away from the edge of the counter, and keep the lid locked while the blades are spinning. Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe.

The bottom line

If your budget allows and you cook every day, the Thermomix TM7 is still the most polished option, thanks to Cookidoo. For a smart cooking machine you can buy from regular retailers, the Moulinex i-Companion Touch XL is the best all-around pick: a big bowl, Wi-Fi, a screen and a free app. The Magimix Cook Expert Connect is for anyone who wants a durable machine that’s very versatile for slicing and shredding, the Kenwood Cooking Chef XL is for bakers, and the Cecotec Mambo Touch is for tight budgets. To see how these machines fit into a smart kitchen, read our 2026 smart kitchen guide.