Thermomix TM7 vs Magimix Cook Expert vs Kenwood Cooking Chef vs Ninja Foodi – Which Smart Cooker is Best for UK Kitchens?
- Beatriz
- 2 days ago
- 12 min read
Choosing a smart cooking appliance can be daunting; the market has everything from high-end cooking food processors to electric multicookers. If you’re torn between the Thermomix TM7 and other popular options like the Magimix Cook Expert, Kenwood Cooking Chef XL, or the Ninja Foodi, this comparison is for you. We’ll break down how the TM7 stacks up against each competitor on key factors (functions, ease of use, price) to help you decide which is the best fit for your kitchen in the UK or Ireland.
(For fairness, we’ve picked each competitor because it represents a distinct category: Magimix – closest to Thermomix in function; Kenwood – a mixer that cooks; Ninja – a multicooker. Let’s see how each measures up.)
Thermomix TM7 vs Magimix Cook Expert
Overview:
The Magimix Cook Expert is often dubbed “the French Thermomix.” Both Thermomix TM7 and Magimix are premium all-in-one cooking machines capable of mixing, chopping, and cooking. However, there are key differences:
Cooking & Prep Functions: Both devices chop, blend, knead, simmer, and steam. The Magimix includes attachments for slicing and grating (three-in-one food processor bowls), which Thermomix lacks natively (Thermomix now has an optional blade attachment cutter, but it’s separate). Magimix also has preset programs (soups, bread, desserts) much like Thermomix’s modes. One advantage of TM7 is its guided recipes: the TM7’s screen walks you through thousands of recipes (via Cookidoo integration), whereas the Cook Expert relies on a recipe book or app but doesn’t have a built-in guided interface.
Capacity: Magimix boasts a 3.5L metal bowl and a larger external steamer basket, allowing cooking for up to 8+ servings. Thermomix TM7 has a 2.2L bowl (fits ~4-6 servings comfortably) and a Varoma with 45% more capacity than the previous model, totaling 6.8L volume with Varoma. If you often cook for a crowd, Magimix’s bigger bowl is a plus. But note: bigger isn’t always better if you mostly cook for 2-4 people; the Thermomix reaches temperature and cooks small quantities more efficiently due to its size.
Heating & Performance: Both machines have induction heating. Thermomix TM7 heats up to 160°C (with a new manual high-heat mode). Magimix also heats up to ~160°C (for searing/browning) and has robust 1700W heating power. In practice, both sear onions and caramelise sugar similarly. One edge for TM7 is the “open lid” cooking capability; you can fry or brown with the lid off (great for certain recipes), something not as straightforward on Magimix which is usually used closed.
User Experience: Thermomix TM7 is Wi-Fi connected with a beautiful 10-inch touchscreen. It feels like a modern gadget with firmware updates and new modes delivered digitally. Magimix has a simpler digital display and knob interface – solid, but not as high-tech or updatable. Think of it like a high-quality appliance vs. Thermomix’s smart device approach.
Price (UK): Magimix Cook Expert retails around £1,195 (some retailers up to ~£1,300). Thermomix TM7 is £1,349. So the initial cost is similar. Magimix, however, often includes more accessories in the base price (food processor kit, etc.), whereas some Thermomix accessories are optional add-ons. On the flip side, financing is a big difference: Thermomix offers financing plans (making it ~£35/month) which Magimix generally doesn’t directly (you’d have to use a credit card or third-party finance if buying Magimix from a store).
Warranty & Longevity: Magimix has a 30-year motor guarantee – an impressive commitment – plus 3-year overall warranty. Thermomix comes with a 2-year warranty standard (extendable at purchase for a fee). Both are built to last ~15+ years in kitchens, but Magimix’s warranty might sway those concerned about longevity.
Recipe Ecosystem: Thermomix’s 100k+ official recipes on Cookidoo and global user community (Facebook groups, etc.) provide endless inspiration and support. Magimix has a decent recipe book and an app with hundreds (not thousands) of recipes; its community is smaller in the English-speaking world. If you love trying new recipes often, Thermomix offers more content readily available.
Verdict (Thermomix vs Magimix):
If you value ease-of-use and smart guidance, the Thermomix TM7 is the winner; it’s like having a tutor with you for every recipe, perfect for cooks of all levels. If you need larger capacity or traditional food processor capabilities, Magimix might edge out. For most UK home cooks, the TM7’s convenience and vast support network make it the better choice, justifying its slightly higher price. Plus, features like self-clean and guided cooking truly set it apart for everyday use.
Recommendation:
Unless you routinely cook in bulk for very large groups, the Thermomix TM7 offers a more versatile and user-friendly experience for the average household.
Thermomix TM7 vs Kenwood Cooking Chef XL
Overview:
Kenwood’s Cooking Chef XL is a different beast – it’s essentially a pro-grade stand mixer that also functions as a cooking machine. It targets a slightly different audience (serious home chefs, especially bakers), but overlaps with Thermomix in the all-in-one kitchen machine concept.
Functions: Thermomix and Kenwood Cooking Chef both weigh ingredients, mix, and cook, but their approach differs. Thermomix uses one blade for everything (with clever speed control to chop or purée, etc.), whereas Kenwood has traditional mixer attachments (whisk, dough hook, beater) and a separate food processor and blender jug included. The Kenwood can thus do some things better – e.g., whisking egg whites to stiff peaks might be superior in Kenwood’s bowl with a balloon whisk vs Thermomix’s blade + butterfly insert. However, Thermomix excels at fine chopping and emulsifying small quantities (Kenwood has no small chopping blade inside the main bowl; you’d use the separate processor attachment).
Heating & Cooking: Both have powerful heating. Kenwood can cook up to 180°C, and you can even sauté with the lid off (like a stovetop pot) on the Kenwood. It’s great for, say, pan-frying vegetables before slow cooking. Thermomix TM7 goes to 160°C and also allows open-lid cooking now. One advantage of Kenwood: it’s a larger pot, so if you want to cook a giant stew or extra-large batch of jam, it can handle volume better. But for typical meals, Thermomix’s size is sufficient and perhaps more efficient in heating.
Tech & Recipes: Thermomix TM7 is more high-tech with its built-in recipe screen and Cookidoo integration (thousands of recipes at your fingertips, with new ones added all the time). Kenwood has the Kenwood World app – you use a tablet/phone to select recipes and it sends instructions to the machine. It’s a cool feature, but it’s not as seamless as Thermomix’s all-in-one device approach (imagine touching an iPad vs touching a built-in screen; both work, but one fewer device is simpler). Kenwood’s recipe library is also smaller than Thermomix’s, and it doesn’t have the same cult following generating new recipes daily.
Baking & Specialty: Kenwood shines for baking: its motor and tools are designed for kneading heavy bread doughs, whipping large batches of batter, etc. Thermomix kneads well too (it can handle about 500g flour dough, making ~2 loaves), but if you’re a frequent baker of big batches, Kenwood’s dedicated mixing tools and larger bowl (6.7L) give it an edge. On the other hand, Thermomix can mill flour, grind nuts, and even make icing sugar from granulated sugar, thanks to its blades – tasks a Kenwood would require separate attachments (or can’t do).
Cleaning & Convenience: With Thermomix, you generally have just one bowl and blade to clean each time (and it self-cleans pretty well). With Kenwood, if you used the food processor attachment, the mixer bowl, and maybe the blender all for one complex meal, that’s multiple big items to wash. It’s the classic convenience vs versatility trade-off. Thermomix is about convenience – fewer parts, faster switching between tasks (just program the next step). Kenwood offers versatility but at cost of more pieces and slightly more manual intervention (swapping attachments).
Price: Kenwood Cooking Chef XL is roughly £1,099 new, a bit cheaper than TM7. However, consider that price often includes the extra attachments (blender jug, etc.). Thermomix’s price is all-in-one as well, but some attachments like the Cutter or Blade Cover are extra purchases. Still, both are in the same high-end bracket, and both offer finance options (Kenwood via retail finance, Thermomix via advisor).
Longevity & Support: Kenwood is a known brand in the UK with local support and a reputation for long-lasting mixers. Thermomix also has a long life (TM5 and TM31 units are still working after 15+ years). One difference: with Thermomix you have a personal advisor and a user community for support/training – that’s something Kenwood doesn’t come with. If hand-holding and community tips are important to you, Thermomix provides that ecosystem.
Verdict (Thermomix vs Kenwood):
The Kenwood Cooking Chef XL is ideal for those who consider themselves advanced home cooks or bakers that need the capacity and don’t mind complexity. It’s almost a mini professional kitchen setup. The Thermomix TM7, conversely, is ideal for those who value simplicity, guided cooking, and time-saving in everyday cooking. It handles baking needs for most home uses but also tackles everything from soups to sauces to frozen desserts in a very user-friendly way. For busy families or individuals who want great results with minimal fuss, Thermomix wins. For hobbyist chefs who enjoy the process and might cook big Sunday roasts or baking marathons, Kenwood could be appealing.
Recommendation:
Most users in UK/Ireland who ask “Thermomix or Kenwood?” will likely be happier with Thermomix if their goal is to streamline cooking; especially given the Thermomix’s all-in-one nature and strong support system (recipe platform and advisor help). Those with very specific baking-heavy needs might consider adding a Kenwood to their kitchen, but even many of them keep a Thermomix alongside for everything else!
Thermomix TM7 vs Ninja Foodi (Multi-Cooker)
Overview:
Comparing Thermomix to a Ninja Foodi is almost like comparing apples to oranges – they do different things – but since many people cross-shop due to the “all-in-one” marketing, it’s important to clarify. We’ll use the example of the Ninja Foodi 15-in-1 SmartLid, one of Ninja’s top models, for comparison.
Core Purpose: Thermomix is a “multi-cooker” in the sense of multi-function (prep + cook), whereas Ninja Foodi is a multi-cooker in terms of cooking methods (pressure, air fry, etc.). If your aim is to simplify meal preparation (chopping, guided recipes, stirring, precise cooking of sauces, etc.), Thermomix is the clear winner: Ninja can’t do any of that prep work. If your aim is to simplify the act of cooking certain dishes (like quickly pressure-cooking a stew or air-frying chips), Ninja shines in ways Thermomix cannot (Thermomix doesn’t pressure cook or fry).
Functions Comparison:
Thermomix functions: chop, blend, grind, cook (boil, simmer, steam), emulsify, knead, sous-vide, slow cook, ferment, etc., all with integrated scales and recipes.
Ninja Foodi functions (15-in-1 model): pressure cook, air fry (crisp), slow cook, steam, bake/roast, grill, dehydrate, sear/sauté (with lid open), yogurt, etc.. Essentially, Ninja replaces an oven, fryer, and slow cooker, but not your blender or knife.
There is some overlap: both can slow cook and sauté. But only Thermomix can make a cake batter or soup from scratch (chopping ingredients to finished dish). Only Ninja can pressure cook a whole chicken or give something a crispy air-fried finish. Some users actually find them complementary rather than either/or.
Ease of Use: Both are actually easy to operate but in different ways. Thermomix’s guided recipes mean even a novice can create complex dishes, it’s very hands-off. Ninja Foodi requires a bit more cooking knowledge (e.g., knowing how long to pressure cook vs when to switch to air fry mode, etc.), although it also has presets to help. The cleanup is comparable in effort – Ninja has a big non-stick inner pot (easy to clean, but also bulky), Thermomix has its bowl and lid (also easy, especially with pre-clean). One thing to note: the footprint – Ninja Foodi devices are quite large and heavy (plus need space above for the lid to open), while Thermomix has a smaller footprint on the counter.
Capacity & Output: Ninja’s 6L+ capacity is great for large portions. You can cook a big chili or a pot roast that might not fit in a Thermomix. Also, Ninja can cook certain textures Thermomix can’t, like crispy chicken wings or chips with that air-fried crunch. Thermomix’s Varoma can steam, but steaming won’t give a crispy finish; you’d need to transfer to an oven or grill. So if your diet leans towards roasted, grilled, or fried foods, Ninja might cater better to those recipes. If you’re more about soups, stews, curries, doughs, and generally wet/stirred dishes, Thermomix is unparalleled.
Price: This is a big separator – Ninja Foodi is around £250–£300 for popular models. Thermomix is ~£1,300+. That’s easily 4-5x the cost. Many people wonder, “Can the Thermomix really be worth that much more?” The answer depends on how you value the convenience of food prep and the breadth of recipes. The Thermomix essentially replaces a blender, food processor, soup maker, steamer, scale, mixer. If you were to buy all those separately, you might spend similar money (and Ninja Foodi is not a replacement for those; it’s more replacing your oven/slow-cooker). Plus, consider longevity: a Thermomix can last a decade or more, whereas one might replace a cheaper cooker in a few years.
Quality of Results: Thermomix delivers chef-like precision – sauces that don’t split, risottos that are stirred consistently, etc. Ninja delivers speed and indulgence – fall-off-the-bone meats in 30 minutes, guilt-free “fried” foods with little oil. They cater to somewhat different cravings. If you are very health-focused, Thermomix encourages cooking from scratch (as seen in advisor testimonies: fresh ingredients, less additives). If you are looking to recreate takeaway-style dishes quickly, Ninja might excel (e.g., air-fried chips are a big draw).
Verdict (Thermomix vs Ninja):
If your goal is an appliance that helps you cook everything – from prep to finish – and you’re willing to invest in your kitchen, the Thermomix TM7 is the comprehensive solution. It’s ideal for those who want to expand their cooking repertoire, save time on prep, and consolidate many gadgets into one. However, if your budget is limited or you mostly want to speed up cooking certain meals (and don’t mind doing chopping or prep yourself), a Ninja Foodi offers tremendous value. Many UK customers actually pair a Ninja with a Thermomix for the ultimate combo, but if it’s a choice of one, think about your cooking style. For most home cooks who want a from-scratch cooking lifestyle with convenience, Thermomix is worth the splurge. For those who prioritize budget and already have, say, a good blender/food processor, a Ninja adds cooking methods that complement your existing tools.
Recommendation:
In UK and Ireland, we find that customers who initially try a Ninja Foodi often eventually upgrade to a Thermomix once they realize the prep capabilities they’re missing (as some Reddit discussions humorously note: one can love both gadgets for different reasonsreddit.com). The Thermomix TM7 simply covers more bases. It’s not just a cooker; it’s your prep chef, nutritionist (guiding you to use whole foods), and cooking teacher. If you can afford the investment, the TM7 will likely deliver more daily impact on your cooking life than a Ninja Foodi. That said, if the budget is the sticking point, a Ninja is a great start – and you can always join a Thermomix demo to see what you’re missing and plan for a future upgrade.
Conclusion: Which Appliance Should You Choose?
After comparing Thermomix TM7 with its main competitors, the decision comes down to your needs, budget, and cooking style:
Thermomix TM7 – Best for all-in-one convenience, guided cooking, and a balance of prep and cooking functions. Ideal for those who want to cook from scratch easily and explore diverse recipes. It’s an investment, but it can replace many appliances and even change how you approach cooking (making it more fun and efficient).
Magimix Cook Expert – Great for larger families and those who want many of Thermomix’s features with a bigger capacity and traditional food processor included. If you find one on a good deal and don’t mind a slightly less high-tech interface, it’s a capable machine – but be ready to do more manual cooking management since it lacks Thermomix’s integrated recipe guidance.
Kenwood Cooking Chef XL – A dream for passionate cooks and bakers who want the power and capacity of a stand mixer plus cooking. Choose this if you frequently bake big batches or already love Kenwood mixers, and you’re okay with a bit more hands-on operation. It’s like having a heavy-duty mixer that also makes hot meals. For everyday quick meals, though, it won’t beat Thermomix’s simplicity.
Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker – A budget-friendly choice for speeding up cooking methods like pressure cooking and air frying. It won’t help with prep, but it will get dinner on the table faster than conventional methods. Consider this if price is a major factor or if you mainly want an upgrade to your slow cooker/oven rather than a prep tool. You might still need a blender or chopper alongside it.
Our Pick for UK/Ireland Homes:
For most people looking for a single solution to eat healthier, save time, and enjoy cooking, we recommend the Thermomix TM7. It earned its reputation by delivering consistent results and simplifying complex cooking. The local support (you’ll have an advisor – like us – just a phone call away) and a massive recipe library make it a gift that keeps on giving. And with the TM7’s new features (bigger screen, more modes, quieter motor), Thermomix has widened its lead in innovation.
Before you decide, it’s worth trying a Thermomix demo (or even testing a friend’s Magimix/Kenwood if possible). Experiencing these machines firsthand will clarify which suits you best. If you’re interested, book a free Thermomix demonstration with LifeWithThermomix: we’re happy to show you the TM7 in action so you can cook, taste, and compare with confidence.
In the end, whichever appliance you choose, the goal is to enjoy delicious homemade meals with less hassle. From that perspective, you really can’t go wrong – but we’ll be boldly honest: a few months with a Thermomix TM7, and you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it. 😉👩🍳👨🍳
👉 Ready to take the next step? Why not experience the Thermomix in action before deciding. You can book a free online demo anywhere in the UK or Ireland to see the TM6 and TM7 capabilities up close. This hands-on experience can make your choice much clearer, and it’s fun too!
When you’re ready to purchase, remember that Thermomix can only be purchased through an official Advisor – we are here to help you through the process. Whether you decide to order the TM6 or pre-order the TM7 (to be first in line for the future of cooking), you’ll be getting a game-changing appliance that will serve you for years.
Upgrade your kitchen today with Thermomix and join thousands of UK and Ireland home cooks who cook smarter, not harder. **Contact us to Book a Demo, ask questions, and get personal guidance on ordering your Thermomix. We’re here to ensure you choose the right Thermomix for you and get cooking like a pro in no time!
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