The Vorwerk Thermomix has become a real hit in the kitchen. For many, however, the high price of more than 1300 euros is a deterrent. However, there are cheap alternatives for around 200 euros. TECHBOOK reveals what the devices can do.
The Thermomix from Vorwerk is a real phenomenon: although the cult food processor has an unappealing price of more than 1300 euros, people are so keen on it that the Wuppertal-based company has in the past sometimes hardly been able to keep up with production. What makes him so popular? It combines more than a dozen kitchen appliances in one machine: it mixes, boils, weighs, grinds, roasts – and thus helps even those who don’t like cooking to produce edible dishes. What is special about the TM6 model: Hobby chefs have 132,000 recipes available in the paid Cookidoo portal. The display then shows step-by-step instructions for different dishes; The appliance regulates the temperature and cooking time itself. If the original is going to break your wallet, there are now other options – some starting at 200 euros. TECHBOOK presents the best Thermomix alternatives.
Silvercrest “Monsieur Cuisine Connect” at Lidl
With the device from the manufacturer Silvercrest, the discounter Lidl has a genuine Thermomix clone on offer. The “Monsieur Cuisine Connect” model looks very similar to the Vorwerk original and is also equipped with a WLAN function, scales and recipe database, for example. The 7-inch color display is particularly outstanding.
The “Monsieur Cuisine Connect” comes with ten functions in the kitchen. Although the Theromix original lists 17 features, the Silvercrest clone doesn’t fare much worse. This is because he masters the important core tasks. The “Monsieur Cuisine Connect” can even do the searing function, which is integrated for the first time in the latest Thermomix TM6. It has that advantage over the other clones, which lack exactly this function. Fans of roasted aromas will only get their money’s worth with this Thermomix alternative.
Successor “Monsieur Cuisine smart”
Three years after the Connect model came out with the Monsieur Cuisine Smart a successor to the market. This costs around 450 euros and can do pretty much everything that the predecessor could do. In a visual comparison, the 8-inch larger display of the machine, which now also shows video instructions, is particularly noticeable. It is also possible to control the device via voice command – hence the name suffix “smart”.
There are also new automatic programs and an additional handle for one-handed operation. You can find a detailed description of the Monsieur Cuisine smart and its functions in our overview article. All in all, however, one has to say that the device is a good and, above all, cheaper alternative to the Thermomix, even if the Vorwerk original has a few more things to offer.
“Monsieur Cuisine” infringes Vorwerk’s patent rights
The commercial court in Barcelona ruled in January that the Silvercrest Monsieur Cuisine Connect infringes Vorwerk’s Thermomix patent law. Discount chain Lidl now has to pay penalties to Vorwerk. In addition, Lidl is no longer allowed to offer the Monsieur Cuisine Connect and must withdraw all devices from sale. So far, the ruling does not appear to have any consequences for other European markets, including Germany.
Quigg food processor at Aldi
Aldi also has an alternative to the expensive Thermomix in its range. The device comes from Quigg and is always on sale at Aldi Nord for around 200 to 230 euros (identical counterpart under the name Ambiano at Aldi Süd). TECHBOOK has already tested the food processor. Above all, the extensive equipment and the WLAN function were convincing. This device is good value for money.
You can see our test video here:
Here is the test article:
If the device is not currently in the Aldi range, it costs around 229 euros on Ebay as a new product.
Medion food processor MD16361
A hot gift for hobby cooks comes again from Aldi supplier Medion: A Thermomix clone for just 189.95 euros – a fraction of the price for the Vorwerk original. What can the Medion MD16361 do? The scope of delivery hardly differs from the Thermomix: According to Medion, the cooking attachment (2 liters), steamer, measuring cup, cleaning brush, dough spatula, cleaning brush and a recipe book are in the box.
The Medion also masters the basic functions of the Thermomix in other respects: speed, temperature and cooking time can be set in different stages. The MD16361 also mixes, boils, chops or purées. However, roasting a juicy steak does not work – there is no roasting function here, as with the Thermomix.
TECHBOOK tested the device against the Thermomix. The buyer of the Medion has to do without many pleasant extras: the MD16361 lacks an integrated scale, for example, and it doesn’t have the practical recipe chip or internet functions either. The workmanship is also not as high quality as the original. Nevertheless: In the test cooking, there were hardly any differences between the two devices.
Also interesting: For whom is it worth buying a Thermomix?
TECHBOOK means
“So is it worth it to give preference to a cheap cooking appliance? Yes, but of course with limitations – expectations should be lowered at only a quarter of the Thermomix price. The processing is not as good as the original and not all functions are always available. But the newer devices from the discounters, such as the Quigg food processor or the “Monsieur Cuisine Connect”, continue to shorten the distance to the Thermomix. New cooking modes, WiFi function and recipe databases make them real alternatives.” – Andreas Filbig, Editor-in-Chief
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