Kitchen Gadgets: Thermomix, Rice Cookers and Smart Ovens — 2026-09-12
Haier has launched its AI-driven ID Series 6 smart oven range in Europe, featuring food detection technology. In Germany, Bosch cut the price of its Cookit multicooker and introduced new features to compete with Vorwerk’s Thermomix, while Chinese media debate the efficacy of "low-sugar" rice cookers.
Kitchen Gadgets: Thermomix, Rice Cookers and Smart Ovens — 2026-09-12
Top developments
Haier Launches AI-Powered Smart Oven Range
On September 11, 2026, Haier unveiled its new ID Series 6 range of kitchen appliances in Europe, including smart ovens, hobs, and hoods. The flagship smart ovens feature AI technology capable of detecting food types and automatically adjusting cooking settings, along with a distinctive status light bar for user interaction. This launch highlights the intensifying competition in the European smart oven market, where manufacturers are increasingly integrating computer vision and automated cooking logic into premium appliances.
Bosch Cuts Cookit Prices and Adds Features
On September 6, 2026, German consumer magazine IMTEST reported that Bosch has restructured the sales strategy for its Cookit multicooker. The appliance is now available in three distinct equipment packages with a reduced entry price, accompanied by additional software features. This move is a direct competitive response to Vorwerk’s Thermomix TM7, aiming to lower the barrier to entry for consumers considering a high-end cooking assistant while retaining advanced app connectivity and AI-guided cooking functions.
Chinese Consumers Debate "Low-Sugar" Rice Cookers
On September 11, 2026, major Chinese review platform Smzdm (What is Worth Buying) published an analysis questioning the marketing claims of "low-sugar" rice cookers. The article clarifies that while these devices physically separate rice soup (starch-rich water) during cooking to reduce carbohydrate content, they are not medical devices and their health benefits are often exaggerated by marketing. This reflects ongoing consumer skepticism in China’s massive rice cooker market, where brands like Midea and Supor compete heavily on health-centric features.
Thermomix TM7 Remains Benchmark in German Tests
In a review published on September 7, 2026, IMTEST reaffirmed the Vorwerk Thermomix TM7 as the top performer among multicookers with cooking functions. Despite the existence of cheaper alternatives like the Lidl Silvercrest model (priced at €249 vs. €1,549 for the TM7), the TM7 was praised for its superior build quality, app integration, and versatility. The test underscores the strong brand loyalty and perceived value of the Thermomix in the German market, even amidst aggressive pricing strategies from competitors like Bosch and Lidl.
Local view
Germany: German media are focusing on the price war in the multicooker segment. Business Insider (Sept 11) highlighted that consumers can save up to €1,000 by buying older Thermomix models or alternatives, noting that the new Bosch Cookit packages are specifically designed to undercut the TM7’s premium positioning.
China: Smzdm (Sept 11) is driving consumer education on rice cooker technologies, specifically debunking myths around "zero-coating" inner pots and low-sugar functions. The discourse emphasizes that material safety and basic heating performance remain more critical than niche health features.
Context & numbers
- Thermomix Pricing: The current Vorwerk Thermomix TM7 retails for €1,549 in Germany. Older models and competitors are significantly cheaper, with Lidl’s Silvercrest option at €249.
- Induction Efficiency: Market reports indicate induction cooktops transfer up to 90% of energy to food, compared to 74% for electric coils and 40% for gas, driving regulatory and consumer shifts toward induction.
- IFA Exhibitors: For IFA 2026, Chinese exhibitor count has risen to approximately 900, nearly half of the total ~1,800 exhibitors, signaling the dominance of Asian supply chains in global home appliance innovation.
On the radar
- Japan Rice Cooker Launches: Hiro Corporation is releasing the Modere HK-RC558 microcomputer rice cooker on September 15, 2026, targeting the budget segment with a 5-cup capacity.
- Smart Oven Shipping: Preorders for the Apecoo AISO smart oven, showcased at CES 2026, are expected to ship before the end of 2026, potentially introducing a more affordable AI-assisted oven to the US market.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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