Solo lunch preppers with limited space
If you usually make a small batch and need to put the machine away afterwards, physical dimensions matter as much as jug capacity. Morphy Richards describes its Compact 1L model as making up to three portions.
Who is this for?
Multi-day batch cooks
If one cooking session needs to cover several packed lunches, a larger jug may be worth the storage space. Tefal positions its 1.2L Easy Soup for up to four servings, while Morphy Richards positions its 1.6L Perfect model for batch cooking.
One-pot cooks
If you want to sauté aromatics before running a soup cycle, a sauté-capable model such as the Tower T12069 offers that option in the same appliance. Allow for its larger vessel and the handling of hot parts.
What matters when choosing?
Start with the space available for the whole appliance, then decide how many lunches one batch must cover. Programmes and cleaning features matter most once those two requirements are met.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop and storage space | Compare external dimensions with your measured space, allowing room to remove the lid. | If I have to clear the worktop after making lunch, the appliance must fit somewhere I can easily retrieve it. Around 42% of consumers put compact storage first. |
| Lunch portions per batch | Compare the usable fill level and stated serving guidance with your own portion size; stay below the MAX mark. | When I prepare several lunches at once, I want a batch that covers them without another cooking cycle. Around 33% of consumers prioritise batch capacity. |
| Cooking and clean-up | Check the exact model’s texture programmes, cleaning instructions and whether you would use a sauté function. | For a weekday lunch routine, I want the texture I like without unnecessary preparation or washing-up. Around 25% of consumers place cooking and clean-up convenience first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by jug capacity alone
A smaller capacity does not tell you whether the appliance will fit beneath a cupboard or leave room to lift off the lid.
Measure your available space against the exact model. Morphy Richards lists its Compact 1L at 21.3 × 15.7 × 22.7 cm and its Perfect 1.6L at 23.9 × 20.2 × 31.8 cm.
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Treating a cleaning programme as a complete wash
An assisted cleaning cycle does not establish how the lid, blades or base should be cleaned.
Read the care instructions for the exact model if quick clean-up is important to your lunch routine.
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Filling the jug for one extra portion
Nominal jug capacity is not permission to fill above the marked maximum, where hot contents may spill.
Plan portions around the MAX line. For Tefal Easy Soup, Tefal instructs users to add liquids before solid ingredients; follow the sequence specified for your own model.
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Choosing sauté solely to save a pan
Sautéing in the jug also means handling a heated appliance. The Tower T12069 instructions warn that its jug, lid and steam vent become hot during and after cooking.
Choose the sauté function if you expect to use it regularly, and follow the model’s hot-surface instructions.
Brands to consider for this decision
Morphy Richards
Its soup-maker range includes a Compact 1L model and a larger 1.6L Perfect model, giving space-first and batch-first shoppers different capacities to compare.
- The Compact 1L is listed at 21.3 × 15.7 × 22.7 cm and makes approximately three portions, according to Morphy Richards.
- The Perfect 1.6L adds scales, keep-warm and self-clean functions, but its listed 23.9 × 20.2 × 31.8 cm dimensions need checking against a small kitchen’s available space.
Tefal
The 1.2L Easy Soup BL841140 is aimed at automated soup preparation and is described by Tefal as suitable for up to four servings.
- Tefal lists smooth, chunky and cleaning programmes, alongside a keep-warm function lasting up to 40 minutes.
- Check the dimensions and lid clearance of the exact model before relying on its capacity as a guide to cupboard fit.
Ninja
The HB150UK combines blender and soup-maker uses for shoppers who also want hot and cold preparations.
- Ninja describes the HB150UK as an appliance for both hot and cold preparations.
- Check the exact product’s capacity and external dimensions before choosing it for a confined worktop or cupboard.
Tower
The T12069 is a 1.6L option for cooks who want to sauté in the soup maker before running a soup programme.
- The Tower T12069 listing specifies a sauté mode and smooth and chunky programmes.
- Its listed dimensions are 318 × 241 × 164 mm; the heated jug, lid and steam vent also call for careful handling.
Joybuy soup makers for packed lunches
These dedicated soup makers offer different batch sizes for packed-lunch preparation. Compare usable fill levels and measure your storage space before choosing.
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Tefal Multi-soup BL5628G0, 6 programmes, 6 blades, black
Consider this model if you want programmed soup preparation for a smaller lunch batch.
For hot recipes, plan portions around its 1L working capacity rather than its 1.2L total bowl capacity. Check lid clearance and follow the handling and cleaning instructions for hot liquids and sharp blades.
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Kenwood Soupeasy CB01.000BS, 1.5L, silver/white
Consider this larger-capacity model if you prepare several packed lunches in one session.
Check its external dimensions against your worktop or cupboard, keep ingredients within the marked maximum fill line, and follow the instructions for handling the hot jug, lid and blade.
Common questions
Is a 1L soup maker enough for packed lunches?
A 1L model can suit a small lunch batch: Morphy Richards says its Compact 1L makes approximately three portions. If you need several days of lunches from one cycle, compare larger models using their usable fill levels and your own portion size.
Do soup makers with cleaning programmes still need washing?
A cleaning programme does not remove the need to follow the model’s care instructions. Tefal Easy Soup and Morphy Richards Perfect offer cleaning functions, but check their manuals for the parts and cleaning methods involved.
How should I fill a soup maker?
Stay within the maximum fill mark and follow the ingredient order in your model’s manual. Tefal instructs Easy Soup users to add liquid ingredients before solids; that sequence should not be assumed for every machine.
Does a sauté function make lunch preparation simpler?
It can remove the need for a separate pan when you sauté ingredients before making soup, but it adds hot-appliance handling. The Tower T12069 instructions warn that its jug, lid and steam vent become hot during and after cooking.
Should I look for CE or UKCA marking when buying in Great Britain?
Check the documentation applicable to the exact electrical appliance. In guidance dated 21 August 2026, the Department for Business and Trade states that CE marking continues to be recognised alongside or in place of UKCA marking in Great Britain where the relevant product regulations meet UK needs. That guidance covers England, Scotland and Wales; different processes apply in Northern Ireland.