In this modern and fast-paced world, many of us struggle to find the time to slave away over the stove every single night.
Enter the soup maker: a nifty kitchen gadget that will not only save you time but will also help you use up all of these extra veggies in your fridge.
You’ll find a huge range of modern soup makers on the market today, and making that perfect-winter warmer or cool summer soup no longer has to take the effort it once did.
Choosing the right soup maker for you, on the other hand, can be a bit of a task.
It can depend on factors such as your budget, how much space you have in your kitchen, how many mouths you have to feed in your home, and the types of soups you like to eat.
We’ve put together this buying guide to help you decide exactly what it is you want from your electric soup maker, so you can make the right decision when purchasing your new appliance.
Best Soup Makers
| # | PREVIEW | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1
Best Overall
1Morphy Richards Total Control Soup Maker
|
|
Show other buying options |
|
| 2 |
|
Show other buying options |
|
| 3
Best For Higher Budgets
3Lakeland Touchscreen Soup Maker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| 4
Best For Low Budgets
4VonShef Digital Soup Maker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Buy On AO1. Morphy Richards Total Control Soup Maker
- Portion control features.
- Touchscreen display.
- Three soup settings for a smooth, medium, or chunky soup.
- Automatic ‘keep warm’ setting.
The Morphy Richards Total Control Soup Maker is the perfect kitchen appliance for the modern man or woman new to the world of soup cooking or, possibly the kitchen altogether.
With a slick interactive touchscreen display, users can choose their preferred mode from a selection of nine settings. Whether you wish for smooth, slightly chunky, or super chunky soup, the choice is yours at the push of a button.
Other settings include saute, drinks, reheat, blend and pre-clean, all of which give you even more control and choice when it comes to preparing your soup.
The Morphy Richards total control soup maker calling card is its unique portion control feature, allowing you to make precise servings from one to four, so you won’t be wasting any leftovers.
Specifications
Pros
- Smart response technology for easy use.
- The pre-clean setting helps limit the time spent cleaning the device.
- The soup maker’s setting also allows for smoothie making.
- No wastage with the portion control settings.
Cons
- A little on the bulkier side.
- No automatic shut off.
2. Tefal Easy Soup Maker
- Large, easy to use display.
- Automatic pre-programmed settings.
- Removable power cord.
- Makes compotes, smoothies and soups.
The Tefal Easy Soup Maker is the ideal soup maker for the person on the go, allowing you to set the device up before work, and come home to a delicious pot of warm soup.
With a sturdy handle and cordless option, it is ideal for the kitchen or workplace, and can even be used in the car.
Designed and manufactured by a reliable and big name, this Tefal soup maker is great for newbies to the soup maker world. Its simple interface allows you to start making soup within minutes, so you can get tucked into your healthy, home-made soup within just an hour or so.
Choose from five pre-programmed settings to create smoothies, smooth soups, or even a fruit compote – easy by name and easy by nature. The design is so simple that soups can be made within two simple clicks, making this an ideal gift for those who like to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible.
Specifications
Pros
- The size makes for secure high-quality storage.
- Double-walled insulation.
- Automatic cleaning programme for fuss-free cleanup.
- Comes with a unique recipe book to start you on your way.
Cons
- Limited space for multiple servings.
3. Lakeland Touchscreen Soup Maker
- Adjustable temperature from 75c to 100c.
- LED touchscreen control panel.
- Ice setting for cold soups and smoothies.
- Non-stick heating plate.
This deluxe soup maker is one of the best on the market and is worth every penny of its high-end price tag.
Made with durability and efficiency in mind, the combination of heavy-duty glass and stainless steel gives the Lakeland Touchscreen Soup Maker an air of class and makes it the Rolls Royce of soup makers.
With an LED interface and several settings, including an option for cold dishes, you can start enjoying a wide range of soups, smoothies, iced drinks and more within minutes of it arriving.
The non-stick heating plate and accompanying cleaning brush make cleaning this soup maker a breeze, something that can often be an issue with other soup makers.
Specifications
Pros
- Works for both hot and cold liquids.
- Sturdy and large jug for bigger portions.
- Features a countdown timer and alert functions.
- Cuts, blends, cooks, simmers & stirs all in one.
Cons
- Quite a heavy gadget requiring worktop space.
4. VonShef Digital Soup Maker
- Lightweight and mobile.
- Automatic thermal cutout.
- Four chunky, pulse, smooth or blend options.
- Cooks soups within 25 minutes.
The VonShef Digital Soup Maker proves that you don’t have to break the bank to get your hands on a high-quality electric soup maker by a well-recognised brand.
Combining durability with lightweight efficiency, this soup maker is great for the home and kitchen and on the go. With a choice between four blend options, the scope for variety and creativity is wide open.
From hot soups, ice-blended smoothies and even pureeing baby food, there is little that this unsuspecting soup maker can do. With added automatic thermal cut out, it is also one of the safest electric soup makers on the market.
This versatile soup maker is a welcoming addition to any kitchen side or workplace, and with an affordable price tag, it could easily make a thoughtful and useful gift.
Specifications
Pros
- Great value for money.
- Streamlined for easy storage.
- Can also be used to puree baby food.
- Large portions with 1.75l of space.
Cons
- Unable to pour the jug.
5. WW Electric Soup Maker
- Intelligent control prevents oversplits.
- Easy pour stainless steel lip.
- Four easy to use settings for a variation in soups.
- Prevents dry burning for easy cleaning.
This small yet powerful soup maker comes from the world of Weight Watchers with healthy eating at the forefront of its mind.
Along with its ability to cook smooth or chunky soups, the WW Electric Soup Maker is designed to cook a variety of fat-free solid foods too, including a recipe for healthy chips.
The light weightiness of the design also makes mobility and storage a thing of extreme ease. An added easy pour lip and intelligent controls to stop overheating make this tech-savvy soup maker one of the safest on the market.
Four easy to use settings gives the user versatility and an added variation, allowing you to change your meal completely in just a few clicks.
Specifications
Pros
- Comes with recommended Weight Watchers recipes.
- Lightweight makes for easier mobility.
- Can be used to cook solid foods such as chips.
- Stride handle makes for easier handling and pouring.
Cons
- Slightly clumsy interface.
6. Cuisinart Soup Maker Plus
- Powerful heating element with three settings.
- Four different blending options for precise consistencies.
- Triple seal lid for safe blending of hot liquids.
- Non-stick heating pan.
This new and improved model is at the top of many peoples soup maker list. Combining durability and modern technology, the Cuisinart Soup Maker Plus will have you making fantastic soup recipes in no time.
The appliance’s powerful heating element allows you to saute, cook, simmer, stir and blend all in one thermal glass jar. The universal usability of this soup maker means you can cook a wide range of soups, smoothies, pasta sauces and much more.
The triple seal lid makes this model extra-safe, and the non-stick heating pan creates an easy cleaning routine after use. The slow stir function also adds the unique soup maker ability to cook great risotto; this is truly one of the top competitors.
Specifications
Pros
- High litre capacity creates lots of portions.
- Durable glass to observe the soup or smoothie.
- Handy recipe book included with the soup maker.
- Digital countdown timer allows perfect cooking accuracy.
Cons
- A little on the heavier side.
Soup Maker Buying Guide
Power
The power of the soup maker can be divided into a number of categories and sections. If we talk about the wattage of an appliance, this can vary between 500 and 1000 watts, and choosing between these will rarely affect the final outcome of the soup.
Secondly, and a more accurate measure of power, is the soup maker’s ability to blend more solid foodstuffs such as vegetables, fruits and even solid ice. Some models may require you to prepare said foods before placing them in the soup maker.
Investing in a more powerful blending mechanism will give you more control of the process and allow you to make a much wider variety of soups, smoothies and sauces.
Comparing heating plates and elements can also give an accurate reading of a soup maker’s power. Some models come with powerful elements, meaning that processes such as frying can be carried out inside the device itself.
Weaker cooking elements mean that the user must prepare certain food items before using the soup maker, which can also be detrimental to the purpose of buying the soup maker in the first place.
Features
Features on soup makers vary greatly, so it is important to research the market and understand what you want out of your appliance. One of the most common features is the ability to change between smooth, medium and chunky soup consistency; this is key if you’re looking for variation in your soups.
Safety features are also another key element to keep an eye out for. Most of the top range soup makers come complete with automatic locking mechanisms which keep the hot liquid from spilling unsuspectingly out. Automatic thermal sensors also monitor soup temperatures and work to switch the appliance off before overheating.
More unique and rare features found in the world of soup makers include slow stir functions for creating risottos, digital countdown clocks to observe timings better and cold settings for creating iced smoothies.
Size
When it comes to the world of soup makers, there is a vast variation in sizes.
If you want a small soup maker for easy transportation and use, then seek out the non-glass stainless steel models on the market. These pocket size soup makers are great for making soup on the go or even that healthy smoothie.
From the pocket size soup maker to the stand alone giants that sit on your kitchen counter. A handful of models have the capacity of up to 1.8 litres, making it easy to prepare soup for a large number of people.
The litre measurement with many soup makers also differs between cold and hot liquids, where the amount of cold liquid is much higher than the hot.
Buyers should also take into account the weight of the electric soup maker.
Many lightweight soup makers can be purchased and these are perfect for making smaller amounts on the go.
Larger soup makers can weigh up to 7 kilograms or more, and although this is perfect for holding much more soup content, it can often make handling a full soup maker difficult.
Pricing Range
Prices for electric soup makers range considerably, from the £40 mark right up into the region of £110. This variation in price reflects a range of differences within the products and you will usually get a lot extra from spending a few more pounds.
Buying a cheap soup maker is easily achieved in today’s flooded market. Buyers are able to get many features such as adjustable soup consistency and a heat timer as standard.
Those willing to pay a little more for the convenience of a soup maker can gain a lot with an etar £20. Soup makers in the higher price range bracket include features such as LED touch screen controls or they are made from much sturdier and stronger materials and are more likely to last the distance.
The life of a soup maker can also depend on the amount you are willing to spend on the device. Cheaper makes can sometimes have a lifespan of only a couple of years before wear and tear beings to show. The higher priced makes can often last a lifetime if shown the proper care and respect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How you use your soup maker varies between models and makes, yet there is often a basic rule for all. Depending on what soup you are making, you may wish to saute onions, garlic and spices as stage one.
Once you have sauteed the first ingredients you can now add the raw vegetables, meat and/or stock. Once the soup maker cooks these ingredients for around 20-30 minutes you are then able to choose your consistency to blend, whether this be smooth, medium or chunky.
Besides soups, many soup makers can also make smoothies, sauces and other desserts. The process for making these is much more simpler and does not require many, or any, initial steps.
All this being said, all of the above models, and many more, come equipped with instruction manuals showing the correct way to use that specific model of soup maker.
Knowing what ingredients can and should be used in a soup maker is half the process when using one to cook. Finding the balance between which solid ingredients to use such as root vegetables, spices and meats is important, as is understanding the types of liquids to use.
The use of tomato sauce or passata is ok in most electric soup makers, but it is important to keep the consistency of the soup more liquid than solid as this will stop the contents of the soup maker burning on the bottom, ruining your soup and making it harder to clean the device.
The use of meat in a soup maker is all dependent on the model and type of meat used. Most soup makers can handle the frying of raw meat under 150 grams, anything more than this will often result in undercooking. It is advisable to pre-cook any meat beforehand and only add it to the soup maker once it is fully cooked through.
Beans such lentils may require the user to soak them before including them in your soup maker recipe, if this is not done beforehand then it may result in an undercooked soup.
Our Verdict
When it comes to choosing the right soup maker for you, it’s important to decide how you’re planning to use it. If you wish only to make a simple soup and spend no more than £50 then choosing a model such as the VonShef Digital Soup Maker will be perfect for your needs.
Those who wish for more versatility in their soup makers, whether it be the ability to blend both hot and cold liquids or an interactive touch screen for more control should opt for the pricer yet more versatile Morphy Richards Total Control Soup Maker.
As you will have seen from this review, buyers do not need to pay through nose for a good product when it comes to electric soup makers, but those who do pay a little more get much more than the ability to make soup.
