Updated September 30, 2026 · SmartHomeCue Editorial Team
Chef iQ vs Chefman
Where Chef iQ and Chefman differ
| Compare |  Chef iQ |  Chefman |
|---|---|---|
| Reference models | iQ Cooker, iQ MiniOven, iQ Sense | TurboFry 2-Quart Digital Air Fryer, Compact 2-Quart Air Fryer, Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer - 10 Quart |
| Price from | $5Lower | $49.99 |
| Capacity (l) | 5.67 | 9.46Higher |
| Power (W) | 1,000 | 1,700 |
| Cooking programmes | 300Higher | 17 |
| Markets | US, CA, MXCovers more | US, CA |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Spare parts shop | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Warranty (1 year).
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Key differences
- Chef iQ scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Price from is lower at Chef iQ: $5 vs $49.99.
- Capacity (l) is higher at Chefman: 9.46 vs 5.67.
- Cooking programmes is higher at Chef iQ: 300 vs 17.
- Support channels: only Chef iQ offers Help centre.
- Products: only Chef iQ offers Multicooker.
- Products: only Chefman offers Air fryer, Blender.
- Markets: only Chef iQ offers MX.
Our verdict on each
Chef iQ
Chef iQ suits cooks who want guided multicooker programmes and a low entry price, and it is less convincing for anyone shopping for an air fryer range. Entry price of $5 sits at 3 of 87 brands, and programmes count of 300 ranks 1 of 60.
Chefman
Chefman suits households that want air frying and coffee from the same maker, and the entry basket is the draw: air fryers start at $49.99 and coffee machines at $34.99. The trade-off is depth, since the coffee side stays with espresso and drip and sales run to US and CA.
Score breakdown
| Area | Chef iQ | Chefman |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.9HigherEntry price of $5 ranks 3 of 87 brands priced from, the strongest cost showing in this group. | 9.4Air fryers start at $49.99 and coffee machines at $34.99, so the entry basket stays cheap across the range. |
| Offer | 9.1Programmes count of 300 ranks 1 of 60, plus a mobile app and a spare parts shop. | 9.1Dishwasher safe parts are included, 17 programs, and a 1 year warranty back it up. |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Chef iQ | Chefman |
|---|---|---|
| Air fryers and multicookers | 6 of 46 | 14 of 46 |
By the numbers
| Fact | Chef iQ | Chefman |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5 | $49.99 |
| Capacity (l) | 5.67 | 9.46 |
| Cooking programmes | 300 | 17 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pick Chef iQ if, pick Chefman if
Pick Chef iQ if cost, price from, cooking programmes, and markets matter most.
Pick Chefman if capacity (l) matter most.
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Chef iQ | Chefman |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Chef iQ | Chefman |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Multicooker | Air fryer, Blender |
| Legal entity | RJ BRANDS, LLC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Email, Phone |
Coffee machines
| Fact | Chef iQ | Chefman |
|---|---|---|
| Machine types | Not confirmed | Espresso, Drip |
| Entry price | Not confirmed | $34.99 |
| Flagship price | Not confirmed | $499.99 |
| Pump pressure (bar) | Not confirmed | 15 |
| Built-in grinder | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Milk system | Not confirmed | Steam wand |
| Boiler type | Not confirmed | Dual |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Chef iQ | Chefman | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5lowest quarter | $49.99lowest quarter | $127.49 |
| Capacity (l) | 5.67below the median | 9.46above the median | 7.1 |
| Power (W) | 1,000lowest quarter | 1,700at the median | 1,700 |
| Cooking programmes | 300highest quarter | 17highest quarter | 9 |
| Warranty | 1 yearbelow the median | 1 yearbelow the median | 2 years |
Median across 58 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Chef iQ
Pros
- Programmes count of 300 ranks 1 of 60 brands in this group.
- Entry price of $5 places the brand 3 of 87 brands ranked on price from.
- A mobile app is included, so recipe steps and settings sit in one place.
Cons
- Product types cover the multicooker alone, so an air fryer shopper has nothing to compare here.
- Capacity of 5.67-litre ranks 44 of 69 brands, which is a small bowl for batch cooking.
- Warranty cover runs 1 year, shorter than many appliances in this category.
Chefman
Pros
- Air fryers start at $49.99 and coffee machines at $34.99, so the entry basket stays cheap across the range.
- The multifunctional air fryer runs 17 programs and ranks 8 of 60 brands, the one measure where Chefman sits near the front.
- The espresso machine packs a 15 bar pump, a dual boiler, a steam wand and a grinder built in, all within the $499.99 flagship.
Cons
- The coffee side is espresso and drip only, so a shopper after pod or bean-to-cup work ends up reading a different brand's page.
- Capacity ranks 17 of 69 brands at 9.46 litres, so basket size is mid-table rather than the reason to buy.
- Sales run to US and CA only, so buyers outside those markets order without a local warranty route.
Who each suits
Chef iQ
Who it suits
- Cooks who want guided cooking steps in a mobile app rather than freehand timing.
- Households wanting a single multicooker for pressure cooking and slow cooking.
- Shoppers in the US, Canada and Mexico who want a low entry price for a multicooker.
Who should look elsewhere
- Air fryer first buyers, since GASTROBACK and Daewoo Electricals both list air fryers alongside other product types.
- Large batch cooks, because the capacity ranks near the back of the field.
- Shoppers outside US, CA and MX who need a broad local support network.
Chefman
Who it suits
- First-time air fryer buyers who want 17 programs in the basket machine rather than a plain fryer.
- Espresso drinkers after a grinder, a steam wand and a dual boiler in one machine, in a range that starts at $34.99.
- Shoppers in US and CA who want a desk on email and phone and a 1 year warranty behind the purchase.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants multicooker and processor work in one machine, since GASTROBACK reaches air fryer, multicooker and blender where Chefman's air fryer and blender stop at fryers and blenders.
- Pressure-cooking buyers, since Chef iQ is built around multicooker only.
- Shoppers who want stand mixers and food processors as well, since Daewoo Electricals adds air fryer, blender and stand mixer to a comparable small appliance line.
Country by country
| Country | Chef iQ | Chefman |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Mexico | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Chef iQ
How much does a Chef iQ multicooker cost to buy?+
Entry pricing starts at $5 across the range listed by the brand. That puts Chef iQ at 3 of 87 brands ranked on price from, one of the stronger positions in this group. The reference models are iQ Cooker, iQ MiniOven, iQ Sense, so the entry figure covers the range rather than a single appliance.
Is there an app for the Chef iQ cooker?+
Yes, a mobile app is part of the package for the iQ Cooker. Guided recipes, timings and settings are handled there rather than through a control panel alone, which is the main reason to pick this brand over a simpler multicooker. Buyers who prefer a physical dial will find the app adds a step rather than removes one.
Chefman
How much does a Chefman air fryer cost?+
Chefman air fryers start at $49.99. The reference line covers a compact fryer alongside a multifunctional digital model, so the entry point sits well below the $499.99 top of the coffee range. Check the current listing price for the exact model before you commit.
What does the top of the coffee range cost?+
The flagship coffee machine is $499.99 and the entry coffee machine is $34.99. That spread is the usual pattern for a range that opens with drip and filter models and ends on the espresso machine carrying a dual boiler and a steam wand.