Updated September 30, 2026 · SmartHomeCue Editorial Team
Chef iQ vs GASTROBACK
Where Chef iQ and GASTROBACK differ
| Compare |  Chef iQ |  GASTROBACK |
|---|---|---|
| Reference models | iQ Cooker, iQ MiniOven, iQ Sense | Multi-Heissluftfritteuse Heat & Crisp Family 8 L, Multi-Heissluftfritteuse Duo Family 9 L, Design Heissluftfritteuse Air Pro |
| Price from | $5 | €3.99 |
| Capacity (l) | 5.67 | 8Higher |
| Power (W) | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Cooking programmes | 300Higher | 10 |
| Markets | US, CA, MX | DE, AT |
| Mobile app | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Warranty | 1 year | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Spare parts shop (Yes).
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Key differences
- GASTROBACK scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.5.
- Capacity (l) is higher at GASTROBACK: 8 vs 5.67.
- Cooking programmes is higher at Chef iQ: 300 vs 10.
- Chef iQ is available in 1 more country.
- Products: only GASTROBACK offers Air fryer, Blender, Stand mixer.
- Markets: only Chef iQ offers US, CA, MX.
- Markets: only GASTROBACK offers DE, AT.
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.
GASTROBACK
GASTROBACK suits cooks in Germany and Austria who want air fryers and coffee from the same seller, with espresso machines starting at €89. The trade-off is range depth: the flagship Design Espressomaschine Advanced Urban Duo costs €699.99 and the catalogue stays inside DE and AT.
Score breakdown
| Area | Chef iQ | GASTROBACK |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.9Entry price of $5 ranks 3 of 87 brands priced from, the strongest cost showing in this group. | 9.9Espresso machines start at €89 against a site median of €127.49, and the flagship costs €699.99. |
| Offer | 9.1Programmes count of 300 ranks 1 of 60, plus a mobile app and a spare parts shop. | 9.2HigherThe fryer line pairs 8 litres of capacity with 10 programs, and espresso, drip and grinder widens the range into coffee. |
Pick Chef iQ if, pick GASTROBACK if
Pick Chef iQ if cooking programmes matter most.
Pick GASTROBACK if capacity (l) matter most.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Chef iQ | GASTROBACK |
|---|---|---|
| Air fryers and multicookers | 6 of 46 | 5 of 46 |
By the numbers
| Fact | Chef iQ | GASTROBACK |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity (l) | 5.67 | 8 |
| Cooking programmes | 300 | 10 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Chef iQ | GASTROBACK |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Multicooker | Air fryer, Multicooker, Blender, Stand mixer, Food processorCovers more |
| Legal entity | RJ BRANDS, LLC | Gastroback GmbH |
| Headquarters | United States | Germany |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Coffee machines
| Fact | Chef iQ | GASTROBACK |
|---|---|---|
| Machine types | Not confirmed | Espresso, Drip, Grinder |
| Entry price | Not confirmed | €89 |
| Flagship price | Not confirmed | €699.99 |
| Pump pressure (bar) | Not confirmed | 15 |
| Built-in grinder | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Milk system | Not confirmed | Steam wand |
| Boiler type | Not confirmed | Thermoblock |
| Pod system | Not confirmed | None |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Chef iQ | GASTROBACK | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (l) | 5.67below the median | 8above the median | 7.1 |
| Power (W) | 1,000lowest quarter | 2,000highest quarter | 1,700 |
| Cooking programmes | 300highest quarter | 10above the median | 9 |
| Warranty | 1 yearbelow the median | Not confirmed | 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.
GASTROBACK
Pros
- Espresso, drip and grinder models sit under the same brand, per espresso, drip and grinder, so a whole coffee corner is covered.
- The flagship espresso machine has a built-in grinder, a steam wand and a thermoblock boiler, covering beans and milk drinks in the same body.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, and a spare parts shop keeps replacement parts on the same storefront as the machines.
Cons
- The flagship espresso machine costs €699.99, far above the site median of €492.95.
- Capsule drinkers get nothing here, since the pod system is none.
- Shipping covers DE and AT only, so buyers elsewhere face a cross-border order.
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.
GASTROBACK
Who it suits
- Buyers in DE and AT who want air fryers and espresso from the same store, with a spare parts shop behind the machines.
- Coffee drinkers who want a built-in grinder, a steam wand and a thermoblock boiler, where Chef iq covers multicooker alone.
- Shoppers who want blenders and stand mixers alongside the fryers, a mix closer to Daewoo Electricals and Arno, both listing air fryer, blender and stand mixer.
Who should look elsewhere
- Capsule drinkers, since the flagship's pod system is none.
- Shoppers outside DE and AT, who may find a nearer fit in Arno or Daewoo Electricals, both listing air fryer, blender and stand mixer.
- Households chasing the largest basket, since air fryer capacity ranks 24 of 69.
Country by country
| Country | Chef iQ | GASTROBACK |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Germany | No | Yes |
| 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.
GASTROBACK
What does a coffee machine cost at GASTROBACK?+
Coffee machines start at €89 for the espresso range, with drip and grinder models listed in espresso, drip and grinder alongside it. The flagship Design Espressomaschine Advanced Urban Duo costs €699.99, so the distance between the cheapest machine and the top of the range is wide, and buyers should decide early which end they need.
Where does GASTROBACK deliver?+
Shipping terms cover DE and AT, so a German or Austrian buyer is served directly from the store. Service and support come from the same base in Germany, so questions and warranty queries stay with the seller rather than a third party.