I've owned my Thermomix TM7 for four years now. I use it almost daily, sometimes multiple times a day. I've used it to cook approximately 1,200+ meals for my family. I've earned my entire second machine through commission from selling to others. So when I say the Thermomix is worth every penny, that's not hyperbole—that's the reality of someone who actually lives with this investment every single day.
The Pros (Honest Perspective)
It Actually Saves Time
This isn't marketing speak. Chopping vegetables takes minutes instead of 15. Making soup takes 25 minutes instead of 90. Batch cooking happens in an afternoon instead of a full weekend. I've calculated roughly 5-7 hours per week saved, which over a year is more than a full work week of freed-up time.
One Machine Replaces Five
You don't need a separate food processor, blender, scales, steamer, and slow cooker. Your TM7 does all of that. That's not just saving counter space—it's saving money and eliminating decision paralysis about which appliance to use.
Your Kids Eat Better
Because cooking is easier, you're more likely to cook from scratch. Because you're not stressed, you make better food decisions. My kids eat dramatically better now than they did before the Thermomix, and that has genuine health implications.
The Build Quality Is Exceptional
Four years, daily use, and my TM7 runs like day one. It's an engineering marvel. German engineering meets Italian design. It feels expensive because it is—but that expense is justified by its durability.
The Cons (The Honest Stuff)
The Price Is Still Real
£1,349 is a lot of money. It's not a casual kitchen purchase. If money is tight, you'll need to make peace with the investment. There's no getting around the fact that it costs more than most appliances.
There's a Learning Curve
You can't just pull it out of the box and use it intuitively. You need a proper demonstration (which is why demos are so important). The first month involves actually learning the machine, not just using it.
Cookidoo Subscription Adds Cost
You really should subscribe (about £60/year), which adds to the total cost of ownership. Without it, you're missing out on guided recipes and the full potential of the machine.
Cost Per Use Reality
Over four years, I've used my Thermomix approximately 1,200 times (maybe more). Cost per use: £1.12. Add in Cookidoo subscription at £60/year: total cost per use is under £1.50. Compare that to a single takeaway meal (£8-12 per person) or an hour of meal prep time (which, frankly, is more valuable than money), and the investment becomes obviously sensible.
Comparison to Other Appliances
vs. Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is cheaper (£100-200) but does one thing: pressure cooking. The Thermomix does 10 things. They're not competitors—they're different appliances. The Instant Pot is great; the Thermomix is transformational.
vs. Food Processor + Blender
A decent food processor (£150-300) plus a good blender (£200-400) gets you to £500 total. Add scales, a steamer, and a slow cooker, and you're at £800+. The Thermomix is £1,349, but it's one machine using one outlet, taking one cupboard of space.
Who Should Buy It?
Honest answer: anyone who cooks regularly for a family, anyone who values their time, anyone who wants to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen. If you only cook twice a week and don't mind spending an hour on meal prep, you might not need it. But if you feed people regularly and want your evenings back? This is not optional.
My Verdict After 4 Years
The Thermomix TM7 is the single best kitchen investment I've ever made. It's not perfect—no appliance is. But it has fundamentally changed how I cook, how my family eats, and how much time I have for things that matter.
The question isn't "can I afford a Thermomix?" It's "can I afford NOT to have one?" If you value your time, if you care about feeding your family well, if you want to reduce kitchen stress—you can't really afford to pass this up.
Would I buy it again? Without hesitation. Would I recommend it to everyone I meet? Only to people who actually cook and actually want to make their lives easier. That's pretty much everyone I know.